Confronting Sin: The Cost of God's Glory

Devotional

Day 1: Recognizing Sin's Insidious Path

Sin's progression is subtle and often unnoticed until it has taken a firm hold. It begins with what may seem like harmless actions or thoughts, but these can quickly escalate into habits that are hidden from others. As these habits become entrenched, they form emotional bonds that are difficult to break, leading to a state where sin not only affects the individual but also influences those around them. This dangerous path can be halted, but it requires vigilance and a commitment to transparency before God and the community.

"Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy." - Proverbs 28:13

Reflection: What sin in your life have you been minimizing or hiding, and what steps can you take today to bring it into the light and seek accountability? [25:24]

Day 2: The Gravity of God's Patience

God's patience is a testament to His love and mercy, yet it is not without limit. Understanding that God's justice will ultimately prevail should motivate believers to live with a sense of holy reverence. The knowledge that God sees all can be a powerful deterrent to sin, as well as an encouragement to live a life that is pleasing to Him. The consequences of sin are real and should not be taken lightly, as they can affect both the present life and the one to come.

"For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil." - Ecclesiastes 12:14

Reflection: How does the understanding that God's patience has limits affect the way you approach habitual sin in your life? [26:44]

Day 3: The Impact of Sin on Fellowship with God

The departure of God's glory from the temple is a stark illustration of how sin disrupts fellowship with the divine. While believers are secure in their salvation, sin can still strain the relationship with God. It is essential to pursue holiness and live in a manner that is pleasing to Him to enjoy the fullness of fellowship. The presence of God is a precious gift, and maintaining a close relationship with Him requires a commitment to turning away from sin.

"But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear." - Isaiah 59:2

Reflection: In what ways might your current lifestyle be hindering a deeper fellowship with God, and what changes can you make to enhance your spiritual connection? [37:40]

Day 4: Breaking Free from Emotional Attachments to Sin

Emotional attachments to sin can be one of the most challenging bonds to break. These attachments often stem from seeking fulfillment or comfort in things other than God. To overcome these powerful desires, one must cultivate a greater love for God, allowing His Spirit to transform the heart and mind. This transformation leads to a life that honors God and aligns with His will, breaking the chains of sin's allure.

"Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry." - Colossians 3:5

Reflection: What sin are you emotionally attached to, and how can you begin to replace that attachment with a deeper love and desire for God? [22:02]

Day 5: Living in the Light of God's Presence

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a profound gift that believers carry with them. This presence is a constant reminder of God's love and a call to live in obedience. The actions of a believer reflect their relationship with God and have eternal significance. Living in a way that honors this divine presence is a daily commitment to rejecting sin and embracing a life of holiness.

"For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." - 1 Corinthians 6:20

Reflection: How can you honor God's presence in your daily life, and what practical steps can you take to avoid jeopardizing this relationship with willful sin? [42:49]

Sermon Summary

In our journey through the Book of Ezekiel, we have encountered a profound truth: God's patience has a limit when it comes to sin's ugly progression. As we delved into chapters 8 to 11, we were confronted with the stark reality of God's response to unchecked sin among His people. The vision given to Ezekiel reveals a series of abominations occurring right in the temple, the very place where God's presence dwelt. From the idol known as the image of jealousy at the temple gate to the hidden sins of the elders, the people of Israel had allowed sin to infiltrate and defile what was meant to be holy.

The progression of sin is clear and dangerous. It begins with sin in plain sight, moves to hidden sin, then to an emotional connection with sin, and finally, it causes others to sin. This progression, if left unchecked, leads to a point where God's patience runs out. When that happens, His justice and judgment are executed, both in this lifetime and the next. The assurance of forgiveness is not an excuse to continue sinning, for there are consequences and punishment for sin.

As we reflect on these truths, we must recognize that sin drives God away. If we desire fellowship with Him, we must avoid sin. Spiritual growth and maturity cannot occur if sin remains unaddressed in our lives. This is why unchecked and accepted sin is so dangerous—it leads to a tolerance for sin that strains our relationship with God. Even as Christians, we must remember that God's discipline can be severe, as seen in the concept of a sin unto death for those who continue in gross sin.

The departure of God's glory from the temple is a somber reminder of the consequences of sin. God's glory, which once filled the temple so magnificently that the people fell down in worship, could no longer coexist with the sin and wickedness that had permeated His holy place. Yet, even as God's glory departed, there was a glimmer of hope. God promised to preserve a remnant, a group of faithful individuals who would follow His ways.

As we consider our own lives, we must strive to live in a manner that is holy and pleasing to God. We must hate sin and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, seek to be spirit-filled so that we can enjoy a personal relationship with our Lord. The glory of God may have departed from the temple in Ezekiel's time, but it returned to Earth in the person of Jesus Christ. And now, as believers, we have the assurance that God's presence, through the Holy Spirit, will never leave us.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What specific abominations did Ezekiel witness in the temple according to Ezekiel 8:1-18?
In Ezekiel 9:4-6, what instructions did God give to the angels regarding the inhabitants of Jerusalem?
Describe the sequence of events that led to the departure of God's glory from the temple as seen in Ezekiel 10:4, 18-19.
According to the sermon, what are the four stages of sin's progression? [06:22]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God showed Ezekiel the abominations in the temple? What was the significance of these specific sins? [05:42]
How does the concept of God's patience running out challenge our understanding of His character? [02:02]
What does the departure of God's glory from the temple symbolize about the relationship between God and His people? [32:57]
How does the sermon explain the emotional connection to sin, and why is it particularly dangerous? [17:53]

Application Questions

Reflect on the idols in your own life. What are some things that might be taking priority over your relationship with God? How can you begin to address these idols? [07:43]
The sermon mentioned that sin drives God away. How can you actively avoid sin to maintain a close fellowship with God? [09:11]
Hidden sins can be particularly dangerous because they are not addressed. Are there any hidden sins in your life that you need to bring into the light? How can you take steps to deal with them? [15:13]
Emotional attachments to sin can be powerful. What are some practical ways you can cultivate a greater love for God than for your sinful desires? [17:53]
The sermon highlighted the impact of our actions on others. How can you ensure that your behavior sets a positive example for those around you, especially in your family and community? [24:45]
God's presence is a profound gift. How can you live in a way that honors this gift and avoids jeopardizing it through willful sin? [42:49]
Reflect on a time when you experienced God's discipline. How did it impact your relationship with Him, and what did you learn from that experience? [30:57]

Sermon Clips

- "Sin drives God away. If we want fellowship with Him, we should avoid sin. Spiritual growth and maturity will not happen if there's undealt with sin in our lives." [09:51] (Download | )

- "Unchecked and accepted sin in plain sight... if you allow a little sin and tolerate a slippage in your character, then you're doing nothing about sin." [10:32] (Download | )

- "God's patience runs out when sin's ugly progression is unstopped... God's patience runs out when sin's ugly progression is unstopped." [06:22] (Download | )

- "When God's patience runs out, He punishes those who sin... the assurance of forgiveness is not an excuse to continue sinning because there are consequences and punishment for sin." [29:35] (Download | )

- "God leaves when there is sin, however reluctantly because of His love... God will not stick around if we willfully sin." [37:40] (Download | )

- "The glory of God returned in the person of Jesus Christ... God promises that He will never withdraw His presence again when we accept Jesus Christ as our personal savior." [42:49] (Download | )

- "Our response should be to repent and ask God to cleanse us from our sins... so that we don't get to that point where God's patience with us runs out." [43:29] (Download | )

- "If you love God more than you love sin, we must love God and hate sin. That is how we deal with sin, with the help of the Holy Spirit." [19:58] (Download | )

- "When your sins cause others to sin... that's often when God has had enough. The very nature of sin makes it very hard to contain unchecked." [24:45] (Download | )

- "God's glory could no longer remain in the temple... God had put up with a lot with these people, but enough was enough, and so He started to leave." [32:57] (Download | )

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