July 13, 2011
BE USABLE FOR GOD'S PURPOSES
Ezekiel 15
Chad Pilkinton
Central Truth
A worker continually unfaithful in his duties will be removed from his position.
Key Verse | Ezekiel 15:6
"Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD, 'As the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so have I given up the inhabitants of Jerusalem." (Ezekiel 15:6)
Ezekiel 15
Jerusalem, a Useless Vine
1 And the word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, how does the wood of the vine surpass any wood, the vine branch that is among the trees of the forest? 3 Is wood taken from it to make anything? Do people take a peg from it to hang any vessel on it? 4 Behold, it is given to the fire for fuel. When the fire has consumed both ends of it, and the middle of it is charred, is it useful for anything? 5 Behold, when it was whole, it was used for nothing. How much less, when the fire has consumed it and it is charred, can it ever be used for anything! 6 Therefore thus says the Lord God: Like the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so have I given up the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 7 And I will set my face against them. Though they escape from the fire, the fire shall yet consume them, and you will know that I am the LORD, when I set my face against them. 8 And I will make the land desolate, because they have acted faithlessly, declares the Lord God.”
Dive Deeper | Ezekiel 15
Vines are excellent for growing fruit, but apart from this they are good for little else. The wood of the vine is not good for making furniture or even for making into a peg to hang your hat or coat on. In fact, a vine that does not grow fruit is useless and serves no practical purpose. It might as well be used as firewood where it will be consumed.
The people of Israel were supposed to be a "kingdom of priests and a holy nation" for God (Exodus 19:6). Because of their continued rebellion and idol worship, however, they made themselves useless to perform this purpose. Thus, God removed Israel from its prominent position by letting the people be taken into exile by their enemies.
As believers in Christ, we know that He is the true vine (John 15:1). Jesus tells us, "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5) Similar to Israel in the Old Testament, we as disciples of Jesus Christ are commanded to bear fruit for God, something we can do only when we abide in Christ.
Getting rid of the idols in our heart is something we must do if we desire to abide in Christ and be usable for bearing fruit. I went through Celebrate Recovery, and the first step in the program is admitting that we are powerless. Step two is that God can restore us to sanity. If we are stubborn like Israel, the idols of our age (whether it be money, status, sex, body image, or fill in the blank) will bring us to spiritual ruin just like idolatry did to the Israelites. If we instead find our identity in Christ and are deeply rooted in His love for us, then we will grow in our faith and bear much fruit. This brings glory to our Father in heaven and joy into our own hearts as we wait to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant," on that Day.
Discussion Questions
1. Read the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23. Which of these things are being manifested in your life? Which are absent?
2. How is God using you to make disciples of others?
3. Are there idols in your heart that you need to get rid of?
WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY
EZEKIEL 13-17 (JULY 11-15)
Read Ezekiel 14:1-6.
What did the leaders set up in their hearts? What does it mean to "set up an idol in your heart"? What are idols that you have set up in your heart or are tempted to set up in your heart?
These idols had become stumbling blocks that led the Israelite leaders into sin. How could the idols you struggle with lead you into sin? (Remember, sin is disobedience to God and His ways.)
Read Exodus 20:3-6.
What is God's commandment to the Israelites? Do you believe this applies to us now?
What does Ezekiel 14:6 tell us to do if we have put something before God? Take time and ask God for His forgiveness if there are things you have set up as idols in your heart before Him.
ACTIVITY: Identify one thing in your life that you are tempted to put before God. It could be things like sports, grades, schedule, working out, control, or money. Once you have identified something, find an object that represents that struggle (e.g., a soccer ball for sports or a calendar for your schedule). Then write Matthew 22:37 across your object and put it somewhere that you will see it every day, reminding you to put God FIRST in your heart.