Jeremiah 48:11
Chuck Smith's sermon emphasizes the transformative, purifying, and delivering power of the gospel, using Moab as a cautionary example of complacency and fleshly living.
Chuck Smith discusses God's impending judgment on Moab, emphasizing that the people have not changed despite their circumstances. He explains that the gospel of Jesus Christ is transformative, purifying, and delivers individuals from the bondage of sin and fleshly desires. Smith warns that many may claim to follow Christ but remain unchanged, likening them to wine that has settled on its lees, retaining the impurities of the flesh. He encourages listeners to rely on God rather than their own security and comforts, as true change comes from being poured out and renewed by the Spirit. The sermon serves as a call to self-examination and a reminder of the need for spiritual renewal.
Text
Intro: God's judgment is about to fall on Moab. He is soon to go into captivity - his cities
destroyed. The reason for judgment given in verse 11.
I. "HIS TASTE REMAINED IN HIM, AND HIS SCENT IS NOT CHANGED."
A. The gospel of Jesus Christ changes people.
1. The natural unregenerate man is ruled by his flesh.
2. His mind is filled with fleshy things.
a. His desires and heart set on fleshly goals.
b. His taste is for things of this world.
1. Jesus said their main concerns - "what shall we eat, what
shall we drink, what shall we wear?"
2. Jesus said, "if any man come after Me, let him (deny
himself.."
3. Many have come to Jesus Christ in theory but not in practice.
4. They are saying "Lord, Lord" - yet they are not doing the will of the
Father.
B. The gospel of Jesus Christ purifies.
1. Moab had settled on his lees, dregs.
a. These are the things of the flesh life.
b. The wine-making process.
1. Set the grape juice in a vessel.
2. Lees or dregs settle in the bottom.
3. Carefully pour off top, into another vessel.
4. If it would settle in lees, it would take on taste and
smell and color of lees.
c. Some of you have settled on your lees.
1. Your lives have all the marks of the flesh.
2. You have not experienced the purifying power of the
gospel.
3. Though you have been around the church for years, you're
still babes in Christ.
C. The gospel of Jesus Christ delivers.
1. Some of you are slaves to the flesh.
a. What started out as pleasure has ended up as master.
1. We have a great number of alcoholics here at Calvary
Chapel.
a. They didn't know when they took those first few
drinks - the hell it was leading to.
b. Thank God they know now, and God has delivered
them from that hell.
2. We have many addicts. Little did they know when they took
that first pill - that first fix - the hell they were
entering.
2. The Bible warns us to give no place for the flesh.
3. Jesus can deliver you from your bondage.
a. Maybe today you find yourself trapped by the flesh.
1. You're caught up in an adulterous relationship.
2. You're hooked on a drug.
3. You can't stop drinking.
4. You have a lust for clothing or jewelry.
II. WHY WAS MOAB SO MARKED BY FLESH?
A. Had been at ease.
1. Very few people can handle success or prosperity.
B. Not been poured from vessel to vessel.
1. Whenever God begins to change us, we begin to panic.
2. We get settled in a job.
3. We get settled in a community.
4. We get to relying on our job security.
5. We get to relying on ours friends.
6. We get to relying on our bank account.
God wants us to rely on Him.
God, many times uses disturbances to purify us.
Maybe this message has disturbed some of you today. Praise the Lord!!
Sermon Outline
- I points: - '{''A'': ''The gospel changes people.'', ''B'': ''The gospel purifies.'', ''C'': ''The gospel delivers.''}' - The Impact of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
- II points: - '{''A'': ''Moab had been at ease.'', ''B'': ''Moab had not been refined.''}' - The Condition of Moab
Key Quotes
“The gospel of Jesus Christ changes people.” — Chuck Smith
“Some of you have settled on your lees.” — Chuck Smith
“Jesus can deliver you from your bondage.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- Reflect on areas of your life where you may have settled into complacency.
- Seek the purifying power of the gospel to transform your heart and mind.
- Trust in Jesus for deliverance from any bondage you may be experiencing.