SURGERY THURSDAY-Back as soon as I can

My spinal canal is too small

Roto Rooter is on the way

Servants from the Past

This stalwart looking fellow used to be my Sunday School Director. He did a great job at that, but was the all-time best VBS Leader who ever existed. He and I used to have enormous fun in VBS, building rockets, being cowboys and who knows what all.

He is now the pastor of Morning Star Baptist Church in Lame Deer Montana. Many people in my church did not think he should go there. I thought he should. They thought he would not be able to pastor a church there. He has done a magnificent job for the Lord!

He is one of the most positive people I know who actually proclaims the gospel.

Here are some pictures of pastor Dean.

This Says It All

A Different Kind of SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-Acclamation of Assurance-Joseph M. Martin

The fellow conducting this conference was my Youth Choir pianist when I was Minister of Music at Plantation Baptist Church in Plantation, Florida. His name is Joe Martin, and he was a teenager when he was my pianist. He was highly skilled and was featured in various orchestras.

Joe is so much fun to watch! I love his enthusiasm and communication skills. He writes floods of music. The ad is for one of his new releases.

We stay in touch via Facebook.

Post by Pine Lake Music Company.

A Study through Overview of Daniel Week 1

Daniel Introduction & Chapter 1

God's special people, the Jews, did not obey God, and God punished them, allowing the king of Babylon and his army to defeat them. Most Jews had to live in Babylon. Daniel was among the people who went to live in Babylon.

The first part of the book of Daniel in the Bible tells some stories from the life of Daniel and his friends. We often make the mistake of thinking these stories and their respective morals are the point of Daniel. That is wrong.

As much (or more) than any other Old Testament book, Daniel reveals the Character of God, His love for His creation and His plan for its redemption. Daniel’s loyalty to the real God is important, but every story leads to Jesus. If you fail to realize this truth, whatever else you garner from Daniel will be wrong and no application apart from this truth is appropriate.

Daniel was the prophet of “the times of the Gentiles” (see Luke 21:24). He was a man of purpose, prayer and prophecy. The major portion of his prophecies were directly concerned with the gentile nations.

Daniel Chapter 1 – Here we read about the Decline of Judah and fall of Jerusalem.  We are introduced to the personal history of Daniel. Daniel is taken captive to Babylon, He makes a deliberate decision to be true to God.

Verses 1-5 – Jehoiakim had been king of Judah for over two years, having been appointed by Pharaoh Necho, son of Josiah. Nebuchadnezzar was king of Babylon when God allowed Israel to be captured by him. He selected young, healthy Jews to train to serve his palace. The young men got the best education that the king could give them. They did not even have to worry about preparing meals. They got the same food and wine that the king had.

Verses 6-16 – Daniel, Hananiah (Shadrach), Mishael (Meshach) and Azariah (Abednego), who were from Judah, were among these young men. Nebuchadnezzar had plans for them. So did God. Which one do you think would win?

Daniel refused to eat the food provided him by Nebuchadnezzar. He knew it violated God’s Law. When encouraged to eat it by his friend, the chief official, Daniel proposed a test to see whose diet was best. After 10 days it was clear that God’s diet was best (surprise?). The point here is not the diet, it is the nature of God and the advantage to following Him.

Verses 17-20 – God gave these four young men knowledge, reading skills and wisdom. Daniel was given the gift of the interpretation of dreams.

Nebuchadnezzar was very clever. He was able to ask the young men questions to see how wise they were. God had made them so wise that they were better than the other young men. They were even much better than all the other wise men. God made them to be very important people in a foreign country, where people gave honor to false gods. But Daniel and his friends remained loyal to the real God. God knew that they would stay loyal to him. They would stay loyal to him, even if he asked them to do harder things. Nebuchadnezzar had studied the four young men. He became convinced that Daniel was the best of them.

Verses 21 – Almost 70 years later, other nations called the Medes and Persians joined up to defeat the Babylonians (Daniel 5:30). King Cyrus was the king of a country called Persia. (See Daniel 6:28). He ruled from the time 539 years before Christ was born. So Daniel stayed in Babylon for many years. He served the Babylonian kings and also the kings of Persia.

Daniel and his fellows were faithful to God. God rewarded their faithfulness. We must do what we do, not for the praise of man, but for the honor of the gospel that God has placed in our hearts in Christ. Daniel followed the Law. We must follow Christ. We can eat what Daniel couldn't, but that does not give us license to sin. It shows our need to be led by the Holy Spirit, moment by moment.

A Study in Ezekiel-Week 08

(Get your Bible out and read the verses as we study.)

Ezekiel Chapters 40-48

Chapter 40

Verses 1-4 – The preparation for the Passover would begin on the day of this vision. The man in the vision had a stick to measure short distances and a string to measure long distances.

Verses 5-16 – Notice the great detail given for the temple. God is a God of order, organization and detail. 1 Corinthians tells Christians: “But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.”

Verses 17-49 – Here we see more details about the temple’s orderly construction. We see the actual dimensions of the outer area, the outer gates, the inner gates, the priests’ rooms and the entrance to the building. It is all carefully measured by the man in the vision. This kind of organization is difficult and time consuming, but if we are to serve God properly, it is necessary.

Chapter 41

Verses 1-26 – The temple was a “holy place,” that is, it is made especially for the purpose of entering into deep worship. We no longer have need of a built temple. 1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:19 and 2 Corinthians 6:16 tell us that the physical temple has been replaced, not by church buildings, not by nature, but by our very bodies in which the Holy Spirit lives (or else we are not saved). So now, WE are the holy place.

Ezekiel’s vision continues with a description of the holy place, the side rooms and the inside of the temple.

Chapter 42

Verses 1-20 – This chapter describes the buildings for the priests. Priests were very special. It was their job to lead the people in worship and to offer sacrifices to God. We no longer have the office of “Priest.” 1 Peter 2:5 and 2:9 tell us that now WE are the holy priests. Hebrews 4:14, 4:15, 7:24, 7:26 and 8:1 describe our HIGH PRIEST, who is Christ, the Messiah.

Chapter 43

Verse 1-5 – The glory of God came into the temple. Today, the glory of God lives in us. Our worship must be a personal encounter with God. Only He (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) is worthy of our worship. The Holy Spirit of God in our hearts will prick us when we sin and will restore us through the blood of Christ at the cross of Calvary.

Verses 6-9 – God is speaking and expresses His desire to dwell in His people. He wants to dwell in us in the person of the Holy Spirit.

Verses 10-12 – When God’s people worship Him, their worship must be God centered. Praise and worship are not the same thing. Worship is total submission of self to God. Praise is exalting the name of God in Christ. We do pretty well at praise on Sunday mornings. We desperately need to increase our focus on worship.

Verses 13-27 – Here is a description of the altar of sacrifices. Sin DEMANDS a sacrifice. Without a sacrifice, sin will keep us from God’s presence. Romans 12:1 tells us that the only sacrifice we have to offer is 100% of our selves; our time, our talents, our money and our possessions. This is the conclusion of Romans 8:1 which describes it as our obligation. Christ provided the ONLY sacrifice sufficient to erase our sins. We have ourselves and praise to offer God.

In response to God’s saving grace, our lives should be lives of worship, praise and totally submission to the perfect will of God.

No less will do.

Chapter 44 Priests and Sacrifices (Chapters 44-46)

Verses 1-3 – Only the prince may enter the east gate. This is a reference to Christ, from the family of David.

Verses 4-16 – God was not happy with the way the Levites had treated His temple. Verse 12: “But these Levites helped the people to worship their false gods. They caused the Israelites to sin. So, I have lifted up my hand as I made this judgment against them. I, the LORD your King, will cause them to suffer the punishment because of their sin.”

Verses 17-31 – What the priests offered to God must be perfect in every way. Because that kind of perfection is impossible, God gave us Christ, who causes us to be perfect in God’s eyes. Verses 25-27 are interesting. Priests are to have no bonding with “dead” persons. If we are priests, we are to have no bonding with dead (unsaved) persons. “Be not unequally yoked, believer with unbeliever.” (2 Corinthians 6:14) Isn’t it astonishing how consistent and connected the Bible is? No part of it is isolated from the rest of it.

Chapter 45

Verses 1-8 – The country is to be divided among the tribes of Israel. Part of the country is to be set aside as holy; given to the Lord.

Verses 9-12 – Leaders are to be honest, kind, fair and must not discriminate. There must be no room for “politics” within the Body of Christ. The homer was Israel’s measure, Christ is ours.

Verses 13-20 – Because sin requires a sacrifice, God’s prince (Jesus Christ) will provide the sacrifices. This is the NEW SACRIFICE of verses 18-20.

Verses 21-25 – This is about the Passover week. Jesus is our Passover Lamb.

Chapter 46

Verses 1-15 – Here are the rules for gifts and sacrifices. Any sacrifice to God must be perfect. That’s why Jesus had to be the sacrifice for our sins.

Verses 16-18 – The property of the Prince. Christ is our Prince and His freedom is for all who will follow Him.

Verses 19-24 – Only priests may enjoy the holy sacrifice. Only New Covenant priests (those who accept Christ) can enjoy the salvation of His sacrifice.

Chapter 47 Israel’s New Country (Ezekiel 47-48)

Verses 1-12 – Here we learn about the temple river. The river brings life. Jesus is the River of Life.

Verses 13-23 – The country will be divided among the tribes of Israel. The western border will be the Mediterranean Sea, the eastern border will be the Jordan River and the Northern border will be the Wadi el Arish at the border of Israel and Egypt (not the Nile).

Foreigners who live in Israel are to have been treated as members of the tribe where they live and will receive a share of the land. This might have been difficult for Israel to accept, but later the Apostle Paul became a missionary to people outside of Israel (Gentiles). God was preparing the way in history.

Chapter 48

Verses 1-35 – This is the description of the division of the land to the north, the holy area, the area for the Levites, the area to the south, the land share for the prince and the division of the city gates, once again each in both order and detail.

We must lose our fear of organization and order. We serve a God of both. While the organization is NOT the ministry, there is no ministry without organization.

God laid the groundwork for salvation through Messiah perfectly. 

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-Every Praise-Hezekiah Walker

A Study in Ezekiel-Week 08

(Get your Bible out and read the verses as we study.)

Ezekiel Chapters 40-48

Chapter 40

Verses 1-4 – The preparation for the Passover would begin on the day of this vision. The man in the vision had a stick to measure short distances and a string to measure long distances.

Verses 5-16 – Notice the great detail given for the temple. God is a God of order, organization and detail. 1 Corinthians tells Christians: “But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.”

Verses 17-49 – Here we see more details about the temple’s orderly construction. We see the actual dimensions of the outer area, the outer gates, the inner gates, the priests’ rooms and the entrance to the building. It is all carefully measured by the man in the vision. This kind of organization is difficult and time consuming, but if we are to serve God properly, it is necessary.

Chapter 41

Verses 1-26 – The temple was a “holy place,” that is, it is made especially for the purpose of entering into deep worship. We no longer have need of a built temple. 1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:19 and 2 Corinthians 6:16 tell us that the physical temple has been replaced, not by church buildings, not by nature, but by our very bodies in which the Holy Spirit lives (or else we are not saved). So now, WE are the holy place.

Ezekiel’s vision continues with a description of the holy place, the side rooms and the inside of the temple.

Chapter 42

Verses 1-20 – This chapter describes the buildings for the priests. Priests were very special. It was their job to lead the people in worship and to offer sacrifices to God. We no longer have the office of “Priest.” 1 Peter 2:5 and 2:9 tell us that now WE are the holy priests. Hebrews 4:14, 4:15, 7:24, 7:26 and 8:1 describe our HIGH PRIEST, who is Christ, the Messiah.

Chapter 43

Verse 1-5 – The glory of God came into the temple. Today, the glory of God lives in us. Our worship must be a personal encounter with God. Only He (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) is worthy of our worship. The Holy Spirit of God in our hearts will prick us when we sin and will restore us through the blood of Christ at the cross of Calvary.

Verses 6-9 – God is speaking and expresses His desire to dwell in His people. He wants to dwell in us in the person of the Holy Spirit.

Verses 10-12 – When God’s people worship Him, their worship must be God centered. Praise and worship are not the same thing. Worship is total submission of self to God. Praise is exalting the name of God in Christ. We do pretty well at praise on Sunday mornings. We desperately need to increase our focus on worship.

Verses 13-27 – Here is a description of the altar of sacrifices. Sin DEMANDS a sacrifice. Without a sacrifice, sin will keep us from God’s presence. Romans 12:1 tells us that the only sacrifice we have to offer is 100% of our selves; our time, our talents, our money and our possessions. This is the conclusion of Romans 8:1 which describes it as our obligation. Christ provided the ONLY sacrifice sufficient to erase our sins. We have ourselves and praise to offer God.

In response to God’s saving grace, our lives should be lives of worship, praise and totally submission to the perfect will of God.

No less will do.

Chapter 44 Priests and Sacrifices (Chapters 44-46)

Verses 1-3 – Only the prince may enter the east gate. This is a reference to Christ, from the family of David.

Verses 4-16 – God was not happy with the way the Levites had treated His temple. Verse 12: “But these Levites helped the people to worship their false gods. They caused the Israelites to sin. So, I have lifted up my hand as I made this judgment against them. I, the LORD your King, will cause them to suffer the punishment because of their sin.”

Verses 17-31 – What the priests offered to God must be perfect in every way. Because that kind of perfection is impossible, God gave us Christ, who causes us to be perfect in God’s eyes. Verses 25-27 are interesting. Priests are to have no bonding with “dead” persons. If we are priests, we are to have no bonding with dead (unsaved) persons. “Be not unequally yoked, believer with unbeliever.” (2 Corinthians 6:14) Isn’t it astonishing how consistent and connected the Bible is? No part of it is isolated from the rest of it.

Chapter 45

Verses 1-8 – The country is to be divided among the tribes of Israel. Part of the country is to be set aside as holy; given to the Lord.

Verses 9-12 – Leaders are to be honest, kind, fair and must not discriminate. There must be no room for “politics” within the Body of Christ. The homer was Israel’s measure, Christ is ours.

Verses 13-20 – Because sin requires a sacrifice, God’s prince (Jesus Christ) will provide the sacrifices. This is the NEW SACRIFICE of verses 18-20.

Verses 21-25 – This is about the Passover week. Jesus is our Passover Lamb.

Chapter 46

Verses 1-15 – Here are the rules for gifts and sacrifices. Any sacrifice to God must be perfect. That’s why Jesus had to be the sacrifice for our sins.

Verses 16-18 – The property of the Prince. Christ is our Prince and His freedom is for all who will follow Him.

Verses 19-24 – Only priests may enjoy the holy sacrifice. Only New Covenant priests (those who accept Christ) can enjoy the salvation of His sacrifice.

Chapter 47 Israel’s New Country (Ezekiel 47-48)

Verses 1-12 – Here we learn about the temple river. The river brings life. Jesus is the River of Life.

Verses 13-23 – The country will be divided among the tribes of Israel. The western border will be the Mediterranean Sea, the eastern border will be the Jordan River and the Northern border will be the Wadi el Arish at the border of Israel and Egypt (not the Nile).

Foreigners who live in Israel are to have been treated as members of the tribe where they live and will receive a share of the land. This might have been difficult for Israel to accept, but later the Apostle Paul became a missionary to people outside of Israel (Gentiles). God was preparing the way in history.

Chapter 48

Verses 1-35 – This is the description of the division of the land to the north, the holy area, the area for the Levites, the area to the south, the land share for the prince and the division of the city gates, once again each in both order and detail.

We must lose our fear of organization and order. We serve a God of both. While the organization is NOT the ministry, there is no ministry without organization.

God laid the groundwork for salvation through Messiah perfectly. 

Which Half of the Great Commission Do You Believe In?

Matthew 28:18-20 is commonly known as the Great Commission. It reads: Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

The phrase, "make disciples" seems to be an instruction to introduce people to Christ with the idea of bringing them into the family of God. We don't do as good of a job of that as we should, but at least we do tell people how to be saved and we do baptize them when they profess Christ. At that point, they are babes in Christ. They are 1 Corinthian 3:1-3 Christians and have not yet gotten to the meat of followship.

Where we really fall short is at part 2 of the Commission: "...teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Too often we baptize them, give them a short introductory course for new Christians and then leave them to find the meat of followship on their own. The frequent result is that new Christians fall into false doctrine as they try to figure out for themselves how to live as Christians. 

"Learning" is defined as a relatively permanent change of behavior as a result of internal and external stimuli. What that means in the case of Christian growth is that as we grow in Christ we learn how to change our behavior and our attitudes to conform to the image of Christ (Romans 12:2 "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.")

At one time many churches had what was called "Training Union" or "Church Training" or perhaps "Discipleship Training." Although they were often implemented in a boring and cumbersome way, their purpose was to teach Christians how to mature in Christ. Sadly, because they were instituted as "programs" and/or "organizations," they began to be seen as useless.

It is still true (since the Bible tells us to do so) that Christians need to be taught how to obey Christ. While preaching might inspire the desire for obedience, and Bible study might lay out what needs to be learned, the actual teaching of followship has been diminished or dropped altogether.

How does one reach someone else for Christ? How does the church accomplish missions? How do we confront the cults, apostasies, heresies and false doctrines that abound? How do we handle our finances in a Biblical way? How do we teach a class? What is a deacon and what are deacons supposed to do? How does one become a leader in a particular ministry? How does a new Christian learn to "rightly divide the Word of Truth?" How do we raise children in the "fear and admonition of the Lord?" How does a new Christian develop discernment? How does one conduct music at a gathering? How does a Christian lead or participate in hospitality? How does one learn to speak in front of a group?

These and many more things need to be deliberately and actively taught by the church in order for Christians (of all stages of spiritual development) to grow as disciples. There should be a well thought out, Holy Spirit led, organized ministry that leads new Christians to grow and seasoned Christians to more fully mature in their walk with Christ. This should be a ministry that focuses on the "HOW TO DO," rather than the "what needs to be done." Individuals should be afforded the opportunity to practice what they're learning under the leadership of a mature Christian.

Whatever the church chooses to call this ministry (Discipleship Training, Christian Growth or some other descriptive term), it should have an overall leader who plans, coordinates and evaluates the ministry. There should be measurable goals for the ministry and ways to do the measuring.

(In case you are one who thinks organization is not spiritual, try reading about the building of the temple in Kings, the rebuilding of the wall in Nehemiah, the layout of the tents of Israel in Numbers or the dividing of the land in Ezekiel. You'll find organization to be a chief characteristic of the God we serve.)

By establishing a ministry of growth for Christians of all ages, the church will move toward fulfilling the second part of the Great Commission. Churches should not only make disciples of the unsaved, they should teach them how to obey  everything Jesus has commanded them to do.

Christians Need REAL Biblical Discernment

What would you call a “Christian” speaker, conference leader and self-described spiritual authority who:

Engages in Contemplative Spirituality (a mystical practice not found in Scripture which includes elements of eastern mysticism.)?

Claims to have direct revelation from God apart from Scripture?

Is involved with false teachers such as Joel Osteen and Louie Giglio?

Claims to have visions and direct encounters with Jesus?

Claims to have been shown the world through His eyes, and heard God's voice personally? 

Has had “personal revelations” not in the bible that "Jesus" then said to teach from?

Asserts that what is received from God was given as a secret, but 'He knows I'm going to tell it.'

States unequivocally "I am not a sinner"?

Wrote a book, claiming to have received the book directly from God as if a force had taken control of the writing?

Claims to have been with Jesus in another dimension and was taught new things?

Twists scripture and compares personal exposition to credible teachers' work?

Wants you to feel your theology?

On a personal website does not draw firm doctrinal lines while implying the Roman Catholic Church is a Christian denomination alongside the Methodist, Baptist, and other denominations?

Has a penchant for making promises about God's intentions, as if to know at any given moment what God would do in this or that situation?

What would you call such a person in light of 1Timothy 1:3; 1:7; 4:1; 4:7; 4:16 and 6:3?

Would the fact that this person has a very, very large following make it alright for a few false doctrines to slip in?

Would the fact that a person speaks well, uses interesting illustrations, looks sincere and has great enthusiasm make a few false doctrines OK?

Would you call that person a false teacher?

You would not be wrong to call that person Beth Moore.

Further references: 1 Corinthians 2:14; 1 Corinthians 12:10; Hebrews 5:14.

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-The End of the Beginning-David Phelps

A Study in Ezekiel-Week 07

(Get your Bible out and read the verses as we study.)

Chapters 36-39

Chapter 36 — Past sins must be judged and forgiven.

Verses 1-7 – More than any other nation, the Edomites hated Israel. They, as well as the Amonites, the Moabites and the Phillistines laid claim to the country. But God had given the country to Israel and proclaimed that it would be theirs. They would be treated as they had treated Israel. (Matthew 7:1)

Verses 8-12 – God promises that when Israel is returned to the country, they will prosper.

Verses 13-15 – The world continues to hate the Jews. But when Lord completes his plan to bring his people home to Israel, all this will stop. At that future time, they will no longer suffer shame.

Verses 16-23 – Israel had spoiled their country and worshiped false gods. God would bring them back in order to reveal His character of forgiveness to them and to exalt His holy name. God does not show His loving kindness because people deserve it. Those who sin against God deserve eternal death. But God forgives those who turn to Him through Christ.

Verses 24-38 – Here is God’s promise of a glorious future for Israel: Israel shall be restored, redeemed, and the land shall become like the Garden of Eden. He promises to put a new heart in Israel (verse 26).  “A new heart” is equivalent to being “born again.”  It is a reference to the New Covenant in which God’s word will be written on His people’s hearts.

Chapter 37 Resurrection of Israel

Verses 1-4 – In a vision, Ezekiel is taken to a valley of dry bones. The bones are identified as “the whole house of Israel” (verse 11).

Verses 5-10 – Note the three stages of development of the bones: (1) Scattered and very dry (verse 2); (2) They come together and covered with flesh, but without life, only corpses (verse 8) and (3) Life comes into the dead bodies by God’s breath (Genesis 2:7). In Ezekiel’s day, Israel was scattered and dry. In our day, Israel has become a nation (1948) — with no spiritual life, but a national entity. In the future, Israel will turn back to God. Also the Old Testament saints will be raised for the Millennium.

Verses 12-14 – God says, “I will open your graves. I will cause you to come up out of your graves. Then I will bring you, my people, into the country called Israel.  Then, my people, you will know that I am the LORD. You will know this when I open your graves. I will bring you up from your graves. Does this bring to your mind what will happen in the rapture?

verses 15-28 — The two sticks typify the northern and southern kingdoms which will again become one nation. David will be raised to rule over it (verse 24). From the line of David will come Messiah.

Chapter 38

Verses 1- 16 – Gog was the leader of Magog. He will make plans to annihilate Israel. Many others have planned to do the same. God promises, however, that He will provide for Israel (and the rest of creation). Gog will attack Israel and the world will know that the Lord God is holy. He will defeat Gog.

Verses 17-23 – Gog will be destroyed by earthquakes, diseases, strange weather, ice and fire with sulfur. This is a picture of what will happen to Satan’s domain, the world in the end times. Does it look anything like the world today?

Chapter 39

Verses 1-10 – People who are against Israel are enemies of the Lord.

Verses 11-20 – Israel will clear dead bodies from the country and will make it clean again.

Verses 21-39 – The main purpose God has is to show forth His glory. The fullness of God’s glory is manifested in the person of Jesus, Christ, the Messiah.

In the end, those who trust in, and only in, the finished work of Christ at the cross of Calvary will live forever in the presence of God. God will restore Israel and He will restore anyone who will turn to Him in repentance and in faith, believing in His gift of salvation.

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-You Are My Hiding Place-Maranatha Singers

A Study in Ezekiel-Week 06

Hope for Israel and for the World

(Get your Bible out and read the verses as we study.)

Chapter 33

Key Verses: 2-20 — Now, since the temple is destroyed, Ezekiel is to tell the captives how to live in captivity. (The temple represented God's home on earth. Of course, God does not literally dwell in temples made with hands (Acts 17:24)

Key Verse:  21 — The shocking announcement comes that Jerusalem is destroyed — after the false hope given by the pseudo-prophets.  (In 587 B.C., Jerusalem was destroyed.) False prophets have always presented a problem. Their doctrines are heretical. See I Timothy for an extended warning against false doctrine.

Key Verse 33 — They know now that Ezekiel is a true prophet of God.

Chapter 34 — The false shepherds have failed. They proclaimed that Jerusalem would not fall.

God sent the true Shepherd in the fullness of time. The true Shepherd is Jesus Christ.

Key Verses: 1-10 — Here we have a detailed description of false shepherds. They preached well, but they did none of the things God wanted them to do, and they did not deliver the message God wanted them to deliver.

We have an abundance of false shepherds in pulpits across America and around the world. A false shepherd is characterized by what he does with Jesus. If he proclaims Jesus as savior, but wants to add something to the salvation experience, such as some special blessing, some ritual or some legalistic requirements to faith in Christ, he is a false prophet. If he claims the Jesus is not God, or that Satan was his brother, or that he had a “message from God” that is not in complete keeping with the Bible, he is a false prophet. If he tries to add some other “holy writing” or revelation to the message of the Bible, he is a false prophet.

Many false prophets use words that really sound good. They sound desirable. They sound pious. They sound reasonable. They sound inspirational. But if they proclaim any message other than God’s solution to man’s common sin through, and only through faith in Christ’s finished work at the cross of Calvary, they are false prophets.

If they have great crowds following them, large church services, elaborate buildings and self-riches, but do not preach that man is sinful and Hell bound without Christ, they are false prophets.  

Key Verses: 11-31 — The true Shepherd will gather the scattered flock, restore them to the land, and feed them.

Key Verses: 23, 24 — The true Shepherd, who is Christ, will feed them. During His earthly ministry, Jesus was the greatest teacher. He will be the greatest teacher in the future kingdom. 

Chapter 35  Chapter 35 tells of the restoration of Israel,

Key Verses: 1-5 — Mount Seir is Edom (the people of Esau). It must be judged and removed before Israel can be restored to the land in peace. It speaks of the desolation of Edom. The reason for Edom’s destruction is given.

Key Verse: 9 — It is to be perpetual desolation

Anything that is not absolutely in the center of God’s will is sin. The wages of sin is death. The gift of God is eternal life. Jesus overcame our sin at the cross of Calvary. There is no other way to be saved than to trust God’s plan of salvation which came to fruition in the life, death, burial and resurrection of Messiah, Christ.

Happy Independence Day! (Recommended viewing: full screen)