fromthepreacherspc

STRANGE FIRE
Leviticus 9:22-10:7

INTRODUCTION
A. The Old Testament is of great value to the Christian
1. Romans 15:4
2. 1 Corinthians 10:11

B. This includes even the book of Leviticus
1. A dry book too many, but of value to all… It is a book about the holiness of God
2. Its name is derived from Levi – the priestly tribe
3. It is primarily a handbook for priests under the Law of Moses
4. Reading it helps the Christian to better understand the book of Hebrews

C. Though primarily a book outlining priestly rituals, it does record an incident involving two sons of Aaron: Nadab and Abihu
1. What happened to them can provide valuable lessons
2. What did happen and what we can learn from it will serve as the basis for this study

DISCUSSION
A. INCIDENT INVOLVING NADAB & ABIHU
1. The circumstances leading up to their actions
a. The consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests had just been completed (Lev 8-9)
b. In Leviticus 9:22-24, the glory of the Lord appeared when Aaron blessed the people
1) Fire came out from before the Lord
2) The fire consumed the fat on the altar
3) The people shouted and fell on their face

2. The profane fire offered by Nadab and Abihu
a. They offered a fire not commanded by the Lord  Leviticus 10:1
1) It is called a “strange” fire or “unauthorized” fire
2) It is important to note that it was something the Lord had not commanded!
b. Fire went out from the Lord and devoured them Leviticus 10:2
1) Compare the fire of Leviticus 9:24 with that of Leviticus 10:2
a) The one indicated God’s acceptance; the other – God’s rejection
b) The one indicated God’s blessing; the other – God’s curse
2) Why was God displeased? – They offered that which had not been authorized (v. 1)

3. Moses’ explanation for what happened
a. Those who approach God must “sanctify” Him, i.e. regard Him as “holy” 
Leviticus 10:3a
1) “Sanctified or holy” means “to set apart, consecrated” i.e., to treat as special
2) Evidently the actions of Nadab and Abihu did not respect God
b. God must be “glorified” before all  Leviticus 10:3b
1) This word means “to honor”
2) The actions of Nadab and Abihu therefore did not honor God

4. Moses’ further instructions
a. Nadab & Abihu’s bodies to be removed outside the camp 
Leviticus 10:4-5
b. Aaron and his surviving sons were not to grieve while still consecrated for service  Leviticus 10:6-7
c. It must have been very difficult for Aaron to lose his two sons in this way, on an occasion that should have been a time of great rejoicing for him.
d. Since these things were written for our admonition (1 Cor. 10:11), what lessons might there be for us?

B. LESSONS TO BE GLEANED
1. Regarding the Worship of God
a. When we approach God in worship, we must do only what He has
commanded
1) This was the mistake made by Nadab and Abihu
2) When we offer something God has not commanded:
a) We do not regard Him as holy (Lev. 10:3)
b) We do not truly glorify Him (Lev 10:3)

b. If God is holy and truly worthy of glory…
1) How can man know what God desires as acceptable worship?
2) Can man read the mind of God?
3) Indeed, man cannot know without Divine revelation how God ought to be worshipped and glorified
a) Isaiah 55:8-9
b) 1 Corinthians 2:11-13

c. This is one reason why mechanical instruments in worship is not authorized
1) In the New Testament, only singing is specified (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16)
a) To offer praise with mechanical instruments would be something God has not commanded, and would be presumptuous on our part
b) To do so would be trying to second-guess God – If God wanted such, He would have told us.
c) God must be sanctified – He must be glorified
2) Since He didn’t authorize the of mechanical instruments, we respect Him by
offering only what He commands
3) This is known as the Law of Exclusion…

2. Regarding the Priority of God …
a. Service to the Lord comes before service to the family
1) This we learn when Aaron was not allowed to grieve for his sons
a) It was necessary for others to take the bodies out of the camp (Lev. 10:4-5)
b) Aaron had been consecrated, and service to the Lord came first (Lev. 10:6-7)
2) Jesus made a similar point on several occasions:
a) Luke 9:59-62
b) Luke 14:25-33
c) Matthew 10:34-37

b. When a conflict arises between service to the Lord and commitment to the family, Christ must come first!
1) E.g., obeying the gospel despite the objection of family members
2) E.g., putting the assemblies of the Lord’s church first when company
comes
a) This does not require that we be rude to our guests
b) Have them make themselves at home until you return, if they are not willing to go with you
c. This is what it means to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Mt. 6:33)

CONCLUSION
A. It is very easy for us to become complacent in our service to God
1. When this happens, it shows in our worship and service to the Lord
2. Rather, we must regard Him as Holy and glorify Him as He deserves by doing exactly as He commands
3. Thus, our worship is not to be one of convenience, but rather of conviction!
4. Our worship is not to be one of self-will – but obedience

B. We need to be reminded of incidents like that which happened to Nadab and Abihu…
1. To humble us in the presence of God
2. To remind us of the seriousness of serving God

C. Do we regard God as holy, and properly glorify Him in our service to Him?
1. Do we serve Him first?
2. Even above those closest to us?

D. May the example of Nadab and Abihu encourage us to do that which honors God!

THE PRETENDERS
Ezekiel 33:30-33

INTRODUCTION
A. The word hypocrite is used more often with religious people than any other segment in our society
1. The hypocrisy of people is as old and established as the human race. Someone once said, “A hypocrite is a saint abroad, and a devil at home.”
2. The trouble with hypocrisy is that many do not view it with the same contempt as God does
3. May have the mentality: “Its not hypocrisy—just a little disobedience.”
4. From a Christians perspective there are two types of hypocrisy:
Hypocrites within the church
Hypocrites outside the church
Which is worse?
5. Have you ever heard someone say, “I would not go to a church full of hypocrites.”
B. The importance of this topic is seen in the number of times the word is used in the Bible: Hypocrites (20), Hypocrite (11), Hypocrisy (6)
1. Hypocrite comes from the Greek word hupokrites and means an actor of pretender; can be defined as “two-faced”
2. A hypocrite is one pretends to have Christian virtues – his main concern is his own agenda and concerns
3. It is important to remember that one bad word can cause many to think us a hypocrite – and throw shame on the church; therefore:
1) Matthew 5:16
2) 2 Corinthians 3:2
4. God detests hypocrisy. Notice just a couple of passages proving such:
Matthew 23:13, 15, 23, 25
Here it is clear how Jesus feels about hypocrisy
5. To help us understand what is often entailed in hypocrisy let us turn our attention to Ezekiel
C. Ezekiel was a prophet of God, a mouthpiece of God, who found himself in Babylonian captivity
1. Ezekiel was Israel’s communication with God
2. Ezekiel was addressing the great “pretenders” of his day—hypocrites
3. He was suffering the consequences of the wrong doing of others
4. What is also sad is Israel was in their present predicament because of their failure to listen—and still, they refused to listen
This is a great problem in our day
Many have a life full of pain, but refuse to listen to God’s remedy
5. Ezekiel addressed the “great pretenders” of his day in Ezekiel 33:30-33

DISCUSSION
A. “As for you, son of man, your people who talk together about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses” (33:30a)
1. There were talking about Ezekiel behind his back while pretending to be his friend
The were mocking him – putting him down
Scoffers
Backbiters
Gossipers
Slanderers
b. Many today do similar things calling the faithful legalists, judgmental, or “rule followers”
2. It is important to realize that those who would be a hypocrite in this fashion bring shame upon themselves. Why?
a. Note Acts 8:3; 9:4
b. Matthew 25:40
c. 1 Peter 2:9 … Christians are a royal priesthood!
d. Hypocrites who mock God’s priesthood are mocking God
e. God will not hold guiltless those who attempt to make His word and His ways appear foolish
B. The hypocrites say, “Come, and hear what the word is that comes from the Lord” (33:30b)
1. Hypocrites strive to portray a form of godliness as long as it works to their advantage, and accomplishes their own personal interest – Just “making a show”
a. Titus 1:16
b. 2 Timothy 3:1-5
c. Many are pretending to be godly but ridicule a “Thus says the Lord”
2. Since the 1960s more and more hypocrites have been leading others to reject the authority of the Scriptures
a. Jude 3-4
b. Change agents –
3. They pretend to be interested in God’s word while working feverishly to undermine it
a. Matthew 15:7-9
b. Many ridicule the idea of “rule keepers”
If there is any religious law—then there are rules
That we are not to be “law keepers” is a ridiculous notion
C. “And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain.” (33:31)
1. These hypocrites gathered before Ezekiel pretending to be followers of God and supporters of the prophet and his preaching, but had no intentions of following God’s commands
a. What ever their motive was – it was not obedience – they did not intend to listen
b. Mathew 13:13-15
c. Luke 6:46-49
d. Acts 28:26-27
2. The number today is mind-boggling who profess to be faithful members of the church, while inwardly sneering and rebelling at the mission and purpose of the church
The goal of many is to change the church into a mere social club designed to meet their “heart felt need”
In principle their demand is like that of the people of Isaiah’s day… Isaiah 30:10
It is sad that many would rather hear a lie than the truth of God’s word
Many have the mentality: “Tell us what we want to hear or we will leave.”
Proverbs 12:14
Jeremiah 10:23
D. “And behold, you are to them like one who sings lustful songs with a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument, for they hear what you say, but they will not do it” (30:32)
1. Again, these Hypocrites were acting as faithful, saying, “O, Ezekiel you are a wonderful man, faithful, and proclaim God’s word wonderfully.”
a. But again, their were only words – they refused to listen – refused to heed the message
b. We think you are a great speaker , but we will not listen
c. How often does this happen today where people love the preacher but refuse to listen and adhere to the words he has spoken from God’s word
2. Another angle that might be seen here is that of hypocritical preaching
a. 2 Timothy 4:3
b. Many preachers by their persuasive speech and magnetic personality lead many in apostasy
c. Their sermons are filled with “feel good” stories, but containing little or no scripture
It is true that has a pleasantness to it
Psalm 119:103
But notice also… Revelation 10:9-10
The sweet word of God becomes bitter to us when it instructs us to make a change
d. Sadly, many are as Jesus describes… Matthew 23:27-28
CONCLUSION
Hypocrisy must be avoided at all costs. We must not:
Mock God’s faithful
Be play-actors in our Christianity, or be-little “law keeping”
Be disobedient
B. In the Day of Judgment which would you rather hear:
You Hypocrite, or
Well done good and faithful servant

THE PRETENDERS
Ezekiel 33:30-33

INTRODUCTION
A. The word hypocrite is used more often with religious people than any other segment in our society
1. The hypocrisy of people is as old and established as the human race. Someone once said, “A hypocrite is a saint abroad, and a devil at home.”
2. The trouble with hypocrisy is that many do not view it with the same contempt as God does
3. May have the mentality: “Its not hypocrisy—just a little disobedience.”
4. From a Christians perspective there are two types of hypocrisy:
Hypocrites within the church
Hypocrites outside the church
Which is worse?
5. Have you ever heard someone say, “I would not go to a church full of hypocrites.”

B. The importance of this topic is seen in the number of times the word is used in the Bible: Hypocrites (20), Hypocrite (11), Hypocrisy (6)
1. Hypocrite comes from the Greek word hupokrites and means an actor of pretender; can be defined as “two-faced”
2. A hypocrite is one pretends to have Christian virtues – his main concern is his own agenda and concerns
3. It is important to remember that one bad word can cause many to think us a hypocrite – and throw shame on the church
4. God detests hypocrisy. Notice just a couple of passages proving such:
Matthew 23:13, 15, 23, 25
Here it is clear how Jesus feels about hypocrisy
5. To help us understand what is often entailed in hypocrisy let us turn our attention to Ezekiel

C. Ezekiel was a prophet of God, a mouthpiece of God, who found himself in Babylonian captivity
1. Ezekiel was Israel’s communication with God
2. Ezekiel was addressing the great “pretenders” of his day—hypocrites
3. He was suffering the consequences of the wrong doing of others
4. What is also sad is Israel was in their present predicament because of their failure to listen—and still, they refused to listen
5. Ezekiel addressed the “great pretenders” of his day in Ezekiel 33:30-33

DISCUSSION
A. “As for you, son of man, your people who talk together about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses” (33:30a)
1. There were talking about Ezekiel behind his back while pretending to be his friend
The were mocking him – putting him down
Scoffers
Backbiters
Gossipers
Slanderers
b. Many today do similar things calling the faithful legalists, judgmental, or “rule followers”
2. It is important to realize that those who would be a hypocrite in this fashion bring shame upon themselves. Why?
a. Note Acts 8:3; 9:4
b. Matthew 25:40
c. 1 Peter 2:9
d. Hypocrites who mock God’s people are mocking God
e. God will not hold guiltless those who attempt to make His word and His ways appear foolish

B. The hypocrites say, “Come, and hear what the word is that comes from the Lord” (33:30b)
1. Hypocrites strive to portray a form of godliness as long as it works to their advantage, and accomplishes their own personal interest – Just “making a show”
a. Titus 1:16
b. 2 Timothy 3:1-5
c. Many are pretending to be godly but ridicule a “Thus says the Lord”
2. Since the 1960s more and more hypocrites have been leading others to reject the authority of the Scriptures
a. Jude 3-4
b. Change agents –
3. They pretend to be interested in God’s word while working feverishly to undermine it
a. Matthew 15:7-9
b. Many ridicule the idea of “rule keepers”
If there is any religious law—then there are rules
That we are not to be “law keepers” is a ridiculous notion

C. “And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain.” (33:31)
1. These hypocrites gathered before Ezekiel pretending to be followers of God and supporters of the prophet and his preaching, but had no intentions of following God’s commands
a. What ever their motive was – it was not obedience – they did not intend to listen
b. Mathew 13:13-15
c. Luke 6:46-49
d. Acts 28:26-27
2. The number today is mind-boggling who profess to be faithful members of the church, while inwardly sneering and rebelling at the mission and purpose of the church
The goal of many is to change the church into a mere social club designed to meet their “heart felt need”
In principle their demand is like that of the people of Isaiah’s day… Isaiah 30:10
It is sad that many would rather hear a lie than the truth of God’s word
Many have the mentality: “Tell us what we want to hear or we will leave.”
Proverbs 12:14
Jeremiah 10:23

D. “And behold, you are to them like one who sings lustful songs with a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument, for they hear what you say, but they will not do it” (30:32)
1. Again, these Hypocrites were acting as faithful, saying, “O, Ezekiel you are a wonderful man, faithful, and proclaim God’s word wonderfully.”
a. But again, their were only words – they refused to listen – refused to heed the message
b. We think you are a great speaker , but we will not listen
c. How often does this happen today where people love the preacher but refuse to listen and adhere to the words he has spoken from God’s word
2. Another angle that might be seen here is that of hypocritical preaching
a. 2 Timothy 4:3
b. Many preachers by their persuasive speech and magnetic personality lead many in apostasy
c. Their sermons are filled with “feel good” stories, but containing little or no scripture
It is true that has a pleasantness to it
Psalm 119:103
But notice also… Revelation 10:9-10
The sweet word of God becomes bitter to us when it instructs us to make a change
d. Sadly, many are as Jesus describes… Matthew 23:27-28

CONCLUSION
Hypocrisy must be avoided at all costs. We must not:
Mock God’s faithful
Be play-actors in our Christianity, or be-little “law keeping”
Be disobedient
B. In the Day of Judgment which would you rather hear:
You Hypocrite, or
Well done good and faithful servant

Tom Moore
P. O. Box 107
Hamilton, Texas 76531
http://www.harrisandmoore.org
http://www.fromthepreacherspc.org
http://www.parkheightscoc.com