Warning You are about to see men as

Warning! You are about to see men as God does n Men without the influence of God’s word are wicked. (Jer 9: 9; 14: 14; 17: 9)

Warning! You are about to see men as God does n Jeremiah 9: 9 (NKJV) - Shall I not punish them for these things? ” says the Lord. “Shall I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this? ”

Warning! You are about to see men as God does n Jeremiah 14: 14 (NKJV) - And the Lord said to me, “The prophets prophesy lies in My name. I have not sent them, commanded them, nor spoken to them; they prophesy to you a false vision, divination, a worthless thing, and the deceit of their heart.

Warning! You are about to see men as God does n Jeremiah 17: 9 (NKJV) - “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?

Warning! You are about to see men as God does n When you life is based on the flesh you will take “short cuts. ”

Warning! You are about to see men as God does When you life is based on the flesh you will take “short cuts. ” n If “religion” has an earthly advantage then you will do that for a while. n

Warning! You are about to see men as God does When you life is based on the flesh you will take “short cuts. ” n If “religion” has an earthly advantage then you will do that for a while. n If a man does not trust God then dishonesty “makes sense. ” n

Warning! You are about to see men as God does When you life is based on the flesh you will take “short cuts. ” n If “religion” has an earthly advantage then you will do that for a while. n If a man does not trust God then dishonesty “makes sense. ” n We need to see the true nature of a living God. (Heb 4: 12 -13) n

Warning! You are about to see men as God does n Hebrews 4: 12 -13 (NKJV) - For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

Warning! You are about to see men as God does n If someone walks in and everything that you are doing is seen there is no point denying it. Right?

Warning! You are about to see men as God does If someone walks in and everything that you are doing is seen there is no point denying it. Right? n The real issue is do we know God? Men approach their “god” that cannot see. n

Ezekiel meets the Elders of God’s people and then meets the living God (8: 1 -5) n The Elders of Israel represented the spiritual Shepherd of God’s people. (8: 1)

Ezekiel meets the Elders of God’s people and then meets the living God (8: 1 -5) n Ezekiel 8: 1 (NKJV) - And it came to pass in the sixth year, in the sixth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I sat in my house with the elders of Judah sitting before me, that the hand of the Lord GOD fell upon me there.

Ezekiel meets the Elders of God’s people and then meets the living God (8: 1 -5) n They looked and dressed like good men. Ezekiel is about to see as God does.

Ezekiel meets the Elders of God’s people and then meets the living God (8: 1 -5) They looked and dressed like good men. Ezekiel is about to see as God does. n Jesus knew men for who they really were. (Jn 2: 23 -24) n

Ezekiel meets the Elders of God’s people and then meets the living God (8: 1 -5) n John 2: 23 -24 (NKJV) - Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. 24 But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men,

Ezekiel meets the Elders of God’s people and then meets the living God (8: 1 -5) n What is a hypocrite? hupokrites 1) one who answers, an interpreter b) an actor, stage player 3) a dissembler, pretender, hypocrite.

Ezekiel meets the Elders of God’s people and then meets the living God (8: 1 -5) n Dishonesty is the foundation of the hypocrite’s character.

Ezekiel meets the Elders of God’s people and then meets the living God (8: 1 -5) Dishonesty is the foundation of the hypocrite’s character. n Ezekiel comes into the presence of God. (8: 2 -5) n

Ezekiel meets the Elders of God’s people and then meets the living God (8: 1 -5) n Ezekiel 8: 2 -6 (NKJV) - Then I looked, and there was a likeness, like the appearance of fire—from the appearance of His waist and downward, fire; and from His waist and upward, like the appearance of brightness, like the color of amber.

Ezekiel meets the Elders of God’s people and then meets the living God (8: 1 -5) n 3 He stretched out the form of a hand, and took me by a lock of my hair; and the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven, and brought me in visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the north gate of the inner court, where the seat of the image of jealousy was, which provokes to jealousy. 4 And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, like the vision that I saw in the plain.

Ezekiel meets the Elders of God’s people and then meets the living God (8: 1 -5) n 5 Then He said to me, “Son of man, lift your eyes now toward the north. ” So I lifted my eyes toward the north, and there, north of the altar gate, was this image of jealousy in the entrance.

Ezekiel meets the Elders of God’s people and then meets the living God (8: 1 -5) n God wants us to know His nature. Our God is fire and light!

Ezekiel meets the Elders of God’s people and then meets the living God (8: 1 -5) God wants us to know His nature. Our God is fire and light! n No sin is in Him or can abide in His presence. (1 Jn 1: 5 -6) n

Ezekiel meets the Elders of God’s people and then meets the living God (8: 1 -5) n 1 John 1: 5 -6 (NKJV) - This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

Ezekiel meets the Elders of God’s people and then meets the living God (8: 1 -5) n God now allows Ezekiel to bear a burden, he will now see these men as God does!

Ezekiel meets the Elders of God’s people and then meets the living God (8: 1 -5) God now allows Ezekiel to bear a burden, he will now see these men as God does! n Ezekiel sees their works in contrast to the glory of God. n

Ezekiel meets the Elders of God’s people and then meets the living God (8: 1 -5) n He is brought to the temple and sees some incredible scenes.

Ezekiel meets the Elders of God’s people and then meets the living God (8: 1 -5) He is brought to the temple and sees some incredible scenes. n An idol, “the image of jealousy was, which provokes to jealousy’ was there. n

Ezekiel meets the Elders of God’s people and then meets the living God (8: 1 -5) He is brought to the temple and sees some incredible scenes. n An idol, “the image of jealousy was, which provokes to jealousy’ was there. n What if these men had known the living God? (Ezek 16: 38; 23: 25) n

Ezekiel meets the Elders of God’s people and then meets the living God (8: 1 -5) n Ezekiel 16: 38 (NKJV) - And I will judge you as women who break wedlock or shed blood are judged; I will bring blood upon you in fury and jealousy.

Ezekiel meets the Elders of God’s people and then meets the living God (8: 1 -5) n Ezekiel 23: 25 (NKJV) - I will set My jealousy against you, And they shall deal furiously with you; They shall remove your nose and your ears, And your remnant shall fall by the sword; They shall take your sons and your daughters, And your remnant shall be devoured by fire.

Ezekiel meets the Elders of God’s people and then meets the living God (8: 1 -5) n Paul wanted Christians to know this well. God will not share us! (1 Cor 10: 22; 2 Cor 11: 2)

Ezekiel meets the Elders of God’s people and then meets the living God (8: 1 -5) n 1 Corinthians 10: 22 (NKJV) - Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?

Ezekiel meets the Elders of God’s people and then meets the living God (8: 1 -5) n 2 Corinthians 11: 2 (NKJV) - For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

Ezekiel meets the Elders of God’s people and then meets the living God (8: 1 -5) n This idol was in the open and the Elders would have denied their sin.

Ezekiel through the Spirit of God now sees behind closed doors (8: 6 -12) n Sin causes God to depart from us! (8: 6)

Ezekiel through the Spirit of God now sees behind closed doors (8: 6 -12) n Ezekiel 8: 6 (NKJV) - Furthermore He said to me, “Son of man, do you see what they are doing, the great abominations that the house of Israel commits here, to make Me go far away from My sanctuary? Now turn again, you will see greater abominations. ”

Ezekiel through the Spirit of God now sees behind closed doors (8: 6 -12) n The most incredible thing about this is that these Elders thought God was with them! (Isa 59: 1 -2)

Ezekiel through the Spirit of God now sees behind closed doors (8: 6 -12) n Isaiah 59: 1 -2 (NKJV) - Behold, the Lord’S hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.

Ezekiel through the Spirit of God now sees behind closed doors (8: 6 -12) n The desire to practice sin causes men to justify anything.

Ezekiel through the Spirit of God now sees behind closed doors (8: 6 -12) n What are the hidden sins of the hypocrite? (8: 7 -12)

Ezekiel through the Spirit of God now sees behind closed doors (8: 6 -12) n Ezekiel 8: 7 -12 (NKJV) - So He brought me to the door of the court; and when I looked, there was a hole in the wall. 8 Then He said to me, “Son of man, dig into the wall”; and when I dug into the wall, there was a door. 9 And He said to me, “Go in, and see the wicked abominations which they are doing there. ”

Ezekiel through the Spirit of God now sees behind closed doors (8: 6 -12) n 10 So I went in and saw, and there—every sort of creeping thing, abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, portrayed all around on the walls. 11 And there stood before them seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel, and in their midst stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan. Each man had a censer in his hand, and a thick cloud of incense went up.

Ezekiel through the Spirit of God now sees behind closed doors (8: 6 -12) n 12 Then He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the room of his idols? For they say, ‘The Lord does not see us, the Lord has forsaken the land. ’”

Ezekiel through the Spirit of God now sees behind closed doors (8: 6 -12) n This room was off limits except to the priests. The Elders used it because the people could not see them.

Ezekiel through the Spirit of God now sees behind closed doors (8: 6 -12) n Can you imagine this scene? A room filled with idols, the walls covered with idols, and secret worship to idols by the leaders of God’s people?

Ezekiel through the Spirit of God now sees behind closed doors (8: 6 -12) Can you imagine this scene? A room filled with idols, the walls covered with idols, and secret worship to idols by the leaders of God’s people? n The most incredible statement is made about their thoughts about the nature of God! n

Ezekiel through the Spirit of God now sees behind closed doors (8: 6 -12) Can you imagine this scene? A room filled with idols, the walls covered with idols, and secret worship to idols by the leaders of God’s people? n The most incredible statement is made about their thoughts about the nature of God! n The acceptance of sin and deceit has a terrible fruit. n

Ezekiel through the Spirit of God now sees behind closed doors (8: 6 -12) n Dishonesty has a progressive effect upon the mind. (1 Tim 4: 1 -2)

Ezekiel through the Spirit of God now sees behind closed doors (8: 6 -12) n 1 Timothy 4: 1 -2 (NKJV) - Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,

Ezekiel through the Spirit of God now sees behind closed doors (8: 6 -12) n How many have told a lie so many times that they believe it?

Ezekiel through the Spirit of God now sees behind closed doors (8: 6 -12) How many have told a lie so many times that they believe it? n When you want something so bad your “thinking” lines up with your desires. (2 Thess 2: 10 -11) n

Ezekiel through the Spirit of God now sees behind closed doors (8: 6 -12) n 2 Thessalonians 2: 10 -11 (NKJV) - and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,

Ezekiel through the Spirit of God now sees behind closed doors (8: 6 -12) n Ever have a Bible study with someone like this?

Ezekiel through the Spirit of God now sees behind closed doors (8: 6 -12) n Jesus described these influential men as “blind. ” (Mt 15: 10 -13)

Ezekiel through the Spirit of God now sees behind closed doors (8: 6 -12) n Matthew 15: 10 -14 (NKJV) - When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear and understand: 11 Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man. ” 12 Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying? ”

Ezekiel through the Spirit of God now sees behind closed doors (8: 6 -12) n 13 But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. 14 Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch. ”

Ezekiel through the Spirit of God now sees behind closed doors (8: 6 -12) n Jesus tells us to protect the heart! Just as drugs have a progressive effect and eventually enslaves, so does dishonesty.

Ezekiel through the Spirit of God now sees behind closed doors (8: 6 -12) Jesus tells us to protect the heart! Just as drugs have a progressive effect and eventually enslaves, so does dishonesty. n Could men think they are serving God but in reality miss the foundation of what God wants? (Mt 23: 23 -24) n

Ezekiel through the Spirit of God now sees behind closed doors (8: 6 -12) n Matthew 23: 23 -24 (NKJV) - “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. 24 Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!

Ezekiel through the Spirit of God now sees behind closed doors (8: 6 -12) n Some of the greatest hypocrites of today will condemn the Pharisees.

The fruit of hypocrisy (8: 13 -16) n Ezekiel 8: 13 -16 (NKJV) - And He said to me, “Turn again, and you will see greater abominations that they are doing. ” 14 So He brought me to the door of the north gate of the Lord’s house; and to my dismay, women were sitting there weeping for Tammuz.

The fruit of hypocrisy (8: 13 -16) n 15 Then He said to me, “Have you seen this, O son of man? Turn again, you will see greater abominations than these. ” 16 So He brought me into the inner court of the Lord’S house; and there, at the door of the temple of the Lord, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs toward the temple of the Lord and their faces toward the east, and they were worshiping the sun toward the east.

The fruit of hypocrisy (8: 13 -16) n Hypocrites think that their actions only affects them.

The fruit of hypocrisy (8: 13 -16) Hypocrites think that their actions only affects them. n Ask anyone who has had a relationship with one like this can bear witness. n

The fruit of hypocrisy (8: 13 -16) Hypocrites think that their actions only affects them. n Ask anyone who has had a relationship with one like this can bear witness. n Satan knows there will be fruit that will abound in others. (Rom 2: 17 -24) n

The fruit of hypocrisy (8: 13 -16) n Romans 2: 17 -24 (NKJV) - Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, 18 and know His will, and approve things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, 19 and are confident that yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,

The fruit of hypocrisy (8: 13 -16) n 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law. 21 You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? 22 You who say, “Do not commit adultery, ” do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?

The fruit of hypocrisy (8: 13 -16) n 23 You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? 24 For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you, ” as it is written.

The fruit of hypocrisy (8: 13 -16) n Consider the deep commitment that many under these Elders had made to Satan. (8: 13 -16)

The fruit of hypocrisy (8: 13 -16) n Ezekiel 8: 13 -16 (NKJV) - And He said to me, “Turn again, and you will see greater abominations that they are doing. ” 14 So He brought me to the door of the north gate of the Lord’S house; and to my dismay, women were sitting there weeping for Tammuz. 15 Then He said to me, “Have you seen this, O son of man? Turn again, you will see greater abominations than these. ”

The fruit of hypocrisy (8: 13 -16) n 16 So He brought me into the inner court of the Lord’s house; and there, at the door of the temple of the Lord, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs toward the temple of the Lord and their faces toward the east, and they were worshiping the sun toward the east.

The fruit of hypocrisy (8: 13 -16) n Jesus knew that this kind of “religion” can be taught and shared.

The fruit of hypocrisy (8: 13 -16) n Imagine the stern warning of Jesus himself. (Lk 12: 1 -3)

The fruit of hypocrisy (8: 13 -16) n Luke 12: 1 -3 (NKJV) - In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known.

The fruit of hypocrisy (8: 13 -16) n 3 Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.

The fruit of hypocrisy (8: 13 -16) n The temptation to become a hypocrite is great. It is not hard to be one.

The fruit of hypocrisy (8: 13 -16) The temptation to become a hypocrite is great. It is not hard to be one. n The Pharisee’s were very successful in duplicating their character. (Mt 23: 15, 27 -28) n

The fruit of hypocrisy (8: 13 -16) n Matthew 23: 15 (NKJV) - “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.

The fruit of hypocrisy (8: 13 -16) n Matthew 23: 27 -28 (NKJV) - “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. 28 Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

What can we do to avoid hypocrisy? n We need tender hearts. Consider the reaction of the disciples. (Mk 14: 18 -19)

What can we do to avoid hypocrisy? n Mark 14: 18 -19 (NKJV) - Now as they sat and ate, Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you who eats with Me will betray Me. ” 19 And they began to be sorrowful, and to say to Him one by one, “Is it I? ” And another said, “Is it I? ”

What can we do to avoid hypocrisy? n We need to ask as His disciples did at the last supper: “Is it I? ”

What can we do to avoid hypocrisy? n Are you teachable?

What can we do to avoid hypocrisy? Are you teachable? n We need close associations with spiritual men. (Gal 2: 11 -13) n

What can we do to avoid hypocrisy? n Galatians 2: 11 -13 (NKJV) - Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; 12 for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.

What can we do to avoid hypocrisy? n 13 And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.

What can we do to avoid hypocrisy? n When men have little associations with Christians and close associations with the world this is done for a reason.

What can we do to avoid hypocrisy? When men have little associations with Christians and close associations with the world this is done for a reason. n Sadly there are some Christians that are too “spiritual” to rebuke. n

What can we do to avoid hypocrisy? When men have little associations with Christians and close associations with the world this is done for a reason. n Sadly there are some Christians that are too “spiritual” to rebuke. n We need to love justice and mercy and faith. (Mt 23: 23) n

What can we do to avoid hypocrisy? n Matthew 23: 23 (NKJV) - “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.

What can we do to avoid hypocrisy? n Hypocrisy will cause men to be critical and merciless. (Jas 2: 13)

What can we do to avoid hypocrisy? n James 2: 13 (NKJV) - For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

What can we do to avoid hypocrisy? n We can be a hypocrite that hates hypocrisy.

What can we do to avoid hypocrisy? We can be a hypocrite that hates hypocrisy. n Did Jesus condemn openness and rebuke here? (Mt 7: 1 -5) n

What can we do to avoid hypocrisy? n Matthew 7: 1 -5 (NKJV) - “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?

What can we do to avoid hypocrisy? n 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

What can we do to avoid hypocrisy? n Some view their “spirituality” only in terms of criticism.

What can we do to avoid hypocrisy? n Some of the weakest Christians I know think there are in fact strong.

What can we do to avoid hypocrisy? Some of the weakest Christians I know think there are in fact strong. n When we are concerned only for ourselves then we will run over others that get in our way. (Lk 13: 15 -16; Jn 16: 1 -3) n

What can we do to avoid hypocrisy? n Luke 13: 15 -16 (NKJV) - The Lord then answered him and said, “Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? 16 So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath? ”

What can we do to avoid hypocrisy? n John 16: 1 -3 (NKJV) - “These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. 3 And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me.

What can we do to avoid hypocrisy? n Can you see what is going on behind your closed doors? (Rev 3: 20 -21)

What can we do to avoid hypocrisy? n Revelation 3: 20 -21 (NKJV) - Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.