From Being Rebellious
IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR OWN COPY OF THE SERMON NOTES, PLEASE CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK TO DOWNLOAD A COPY: SERMON NOTES
SEEKING CHANGE IN MY ATTITUDES |
From Being Rebellious: Replace a Rebellious Attitude
14 If you will fear the Lord and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God, it will be well. 15 But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then the hand of the Lord will be against you and your king. 1 Samuel 12:14-15
At a 1997 Marketing and Public Policy conference in Boston, Iowa State University psychology professor Brad J. Bushman presented the results of a series of experiments on the potential of warning labels for attracting audience to violent programs. Results showed that warning labels increased interest in violent programs, especially when the label source or “authority” was to have been the U.S. Surgeon General and all viewers were the target instead of just “young viewers.”
Comparing labels that just provided information (“This film contains violence.”) vs. labels that also had a warning (“This film contains violence. Viewer discretion is advised.”) found that the warning labels, by telling people what to do, increased interest in violent programs.
Despite of the warnings by the authorities more people had increased interest in violence.
We are now in the second to last sermon series about attitude, last week Bishop Jerry talked about Faith. This morning we will talk about Rebellious attitude.
What is the biblical definition of rebellion? Rebellion is against proper authority, this reveals a deeper rejection of God’s authority, which brings devastating consequences to our lives.
What do you picture when you hear that word? Some will see a 16-year-old standing up to parents and refuse to do what is asked or people rebelling against government authority’s and marching through the streets protesting demanding their rights.
Rebellion has many faces and are not all equally bad. Remember the American revolution had an element of rebellion against the British government, what about the women’s civil rights movement.
The problem is when the rebellion is against God there will be devastating consequences.
Let me put it this way, I know what God wants me to do and I refuse to do it anyway.” Like many other characters in the bible, Saul, Samson, Jonah and ……wait like you and me. We all have a rebellious heart. All of us have areas in our lives where we have chosen not to do what we know is right, but unfortunately, we continue to do it. It is part of our sinful nature. And the world we are living in is failing and we don’t want to be part of that.
Rebellious attitude has destructive consequences in our lives. Let us look at three elements that can help us not to rebel against God but be a blessing in this life.
I. The Source
We know the rebellion goes way back in the time of Adam & Eve in the Garden of Eden. God told them to “take care of the 99.9 percent of His creation (Heavens and Earth and all living things in it) and they can do what they want to do; only one thing they can’t do is touch (the tree of knowledge of good and evil). Guess what? They rebel against God. They rebelled. They did one thing God commanded them not to do.
“Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child” Proverbs 22:15
This is part of our human nature. The little baby looks innocent right and when they turn 1 or 2 you will start to see some attitude. They did not learn it. It came from within. All men are born with an unbelieving heart.
Hebrew 3:12 “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God.” We can’t trust our hearts.
What are these powers or authorities ordained and established by God?
a. Family – Husbands and wives together are leaders of their children
b. Workplaces – Your boss in the offices or field that you work, they are your leaders.
c. Church – Pastors, Elders, and other recognized church leaders
d. Government – Executive Branch, Judicial, legislative and state & City govt officials.
If we choose to rebel against these authorities God has established, then this is serious.
Do you know the essence of all sin is rebellion to the main authority (God).
Let me give you the context of Number 16 since this book will be our example a true to life illustration of the nation of Israel during their time in the wilderness. Korah, and other leaders of Israel, instigated an organized opposition to the authority of Moses, Aaron and the other leaders. Their argument was these leaders are claiming the unique right of leading Israel and they exalted themselves among the Holy people of God. This is not the first time the people of Israel complained, grumbled, and murmured. God already dealt with them from the first time they complained and somehow you can see the on-going rebellious attitude of the nation of Israel and what sin can do. You did not wake up one morning and said, “OK it’s time to rebel” Other sinful attitudes will push you in that direction. v.3 “They assembled together” there was a conspiracy against Moses and the Leaders, it was organized. Bro. & Sis., don’t be a person who will instigate and do this kind of act.
And it starts with these several components of sins that associate with this rebellious heart.
1st Jealousy - Korah is jealous about the position of Moses and Aaron.
2nd delusions – Their belief is altered or different from God’s instruction
3rd Ungratefulness – Forgetting all God has done for them from the time they escaped the captivity.
4th Stubbornness – A determination of not changing their rebellious attitude…. and I am sure there are more. You can picture this source from Adam and Eve they deliberately disregard God’s authority. If you read the book of Numbers, you will see the many complaints, murmuring and rebellious attitude of Israel nation and their rebellions against the appointed leaders of God. This is serious my friend.
God will not allow this attitude of rebellion without any discipline and punishment. God is a just God.
II. The Seriousness
Rebellion has many devastating consequences. Why because it is an act against God and there will be judgement. There are four consequences that await those who rebel according to God’s word.
A. Leadership withdrawal – v.21“Separate yourselves from among this congregation that I may consume them instantly.” God commanded Moses and Aaron to pullback.
Often people wonder why those in authority seem to have little interest in them and this could be one of the reasons. If you are difficult to lead, often leaders will pullback and not lead you anymore. That can make life lonely and unprotected.
B. Innocent People suffer – v31 “And as soon as he finished speaking all these words, the ground under them split apart, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households v35 “Fire came out from the Lord and consumed the 250 men offering the incense.”
C. Guilty will be condemned – The rebels where judge for their rebellion. Despite what God did, they continue to rebel and complain.
D. Infection Spread – v41 “But on the next day all the congregation of sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron, saying “you were the ones who have caused the death of the Lord’s people.” Rebellion is contagious. So, brothers and sisters’ rebellion are ultimately against God. “Not just one person but all. v.11 “all your company are gathered against the Lord.” God did not see the rebellion against Moses & Aaron. God appointed these leaders, rejecting the authority He placed is rejecting God.
“15 But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then the hand of the Lord will be against you and your king”. 1 Samuel 12:15
The judgement is not just for one person but to many people.
We clearly see that an attitude of rebellion is dangerous and has devastating consequences. Let us now go to the solution. The question is how we can abandon and not be tempted in this wilderness attitude? Here is the solution.
III. The Solution
14 If you will fear the Lord and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God, it will be well. 1 Samuel 12:14
Thank God that He is a forgiving God. He alone can forgive us from all iniquities. The problem is the Jewish people are forgetful of all God has done for them from the beginning of the journey but despite that became rebellious and hardened their heart.
Nehemiah 9:27 “In the time of their trouble, when they cried to you, you heard from heaven and according to your abundant mercies you delivered and saved them from the hand of their enemies.”
Even now I am sure we still struggle with some attitude of rebellion, maybe in your family, in your job, or in the church wherever it is. I want us to pray and ask for forgiveness. We are still in the wilderness, and we are still living in the world of rebellion. But Jesus is willing to forgive us. That is the reason He died for us, to save us from this sin. Jesus sacrifice on the cross is not in vain and it will bring us to His glory in the future. That is the assurance of hope we will all experience. But for the meantime let us live according to His guidance and will, not complains or grumbling, but replace this attitude of rebellion with obedience. We are all save by grace not on our own effort or good works.
Do you know what will happen when we start to obey and submit ourselves to God and not rebel?
Deuteronomy 28:2-3 “And if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD you God, being careful to do all His commandments that I command you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth and all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you if you obey the voice of the LORD your God.”
These blessings will extend in the life of Israel and God favor is also intended to all their endeavors further in life. If this is true to the people of Israel, I am sure It is true to all His children who love Him and obey Him.
-Rev. Roldan Manlapig