Union Church of Christ

Ezekiel 14:12-23

Introduction

1. Text and context.
2. Four times - "though ... these three … be in it" - v. 14, 16, 18, 20.
   1. Noah - Genesis 6:9, 22; four times "as God commanded;" 2 Peter 2:5.
   2. Daniel - 1:8; 6:4, 10.
   3. Job - 1:8, 22; 2:3, 10.
3. Note the severity of God's pronouncement on Jerusalem - worse than at the flood where Noah delivered his own children.

Discussion

1. Righteousness Can Have a Saving Influence
   1. Genesis 18:20-33.
   2. Proverbs 14:34.
   3. Proverbs 11:4.
   4. Matthew 5:13-16.
   5. Acts 27:24.
2. Sometimes Even Righteous People Have Little Effect on Their World
   1. Noah, a preacher of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5) preached for 120 years (Genesis 6:3), yet saved only his own family.
   2. We live in a time when man scoffs at righteousness.
      1. Proverbs 14:9.
      2. Jude 18.
   3. Biblical examples of this principle.
      1. Acts 7 - Stephen with the Jewish Council.
      2. Acts 24:25 - Paul with Felix.
      3. Matthew 14 - John the Baptist with Herod.
      4. Matthew 23:37-37.
   4. God himself - Romans 10:21.
   5. We cannot afford to become discouraged.
      1. We often do not realize the good that we are doing.
      2. Isaiah 55:11.
      3. Galatians 6:9.
      4. 1 Corinthians 15:58.
      5. Woman during the Civil War who heard that the enemy was coming and ran out into the street with a broomstick - "What do you think you can do with that?" - "I'll show them whose side I'm on."
      6. If nothing else, we need people who are willing to show whose side they are on!
3. Exerting a Righteous Influence is Urgent
   1. 2 Corinthians 5:10, 11.
   2. It is urgent because judgment is coming!
      1. Imagine if the judgment had occurred the day before you obeyed the gospel.
      2. Knowing that - Revelation 20:15.
      3. 1 Peter 4:17.
   3. It is urgent because society's conscience can become seared just like that of an individual - we tolerate more and more.
      1. 1 Timothy 4:2.
      2. The answer to the wickedness in our world is really rather simple - it is obedience to the gospel.
      3. Exchange between Cal Thomas and Phil Donahue.
      4. Jonah 3 - how safe would you feel in Nineveh during those 40 days?
4. Salvation is Not by Merit, We Must Still be Righteous to be Saved
   1. Ephesians 2:8-10.
      1. Remember who these people in Ephesus were.
      2. Acts 19:1-7.
   2. Noah is an example.
      1. Genesis 6:8 - salvation by grace.
      2. Hebrews 11:7 - salvation by grace through faith.
      3. Genesis 6:22 - obedience was still a part.
   3. Revelation 22:14.
5. Our Influence Will Live on After We Are Gone
   1. Revelation 14:13.
   2. Hebrews 6:10.
   3. Hebrews 11:4.

Conclusion

1. Here were three righteous men in a wicked city who would have had very little impact.
2. Yet, it was still necessary for them to be what God intended.
3. May we resolve that regardless of the world around us, we will be righteous.