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Biblical
references in Gahanna-Jefferson Church of Christ's nondenominational sermon
outlines are linked directly to text of the King James version of the Bible.
Bible quotes you hear in the streaming audio may be from the New King James
version of the Bible.
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Introduction:
1. Most Bible students could relate the story surrounding the conversion of the
Ethiopian Eunuch. He serves as an example for us today.
2. However, unknown to some and forgotten by others, is another Ethiopian
Eunuch, named
Ebed-Melech. He too, should serve as an example for us today.
Body:
I. Historical Background Of The Text
A. Babylon was besieging the city of Jerusalem (37:5).
B. Babylon received news that Egypt was coming from the South to help Jerusalem,
so they temporarily lifted their siege (37:5).
C. During this time, Jeremiah prophesied that Babylon would return and destroy
D. Jeremiah was arrested, charged with being a traitor (37:11-16).
E. King Zedekiah sends for Jeremiah and Jeremiah tells him the bad news. After
counsel, the King decides to imprison Jeremiah once again (37:17-38:6).
F. This is when Ebed-Melech came to Jeremiah’s defense (38:8-13).
II. Practical Lessons From This Ethiopian Eunuch
A. He knew the difference between right and wrong.
1. (Isaiah 5:20).
"Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put
darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet
for bitter!"
a. What God calls an abomination, we call gay. (Romans 1:26-27)
"For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women
exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men,
leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men
with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of
their error which was due."
b. Taking innocent life is called choice. (Proverbs 6:17)
"A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood"
c. Rejection of God is called scientific fact. (Romans
1:20-22)
"For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen,
being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and
Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God,
they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their
thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they
became fools"
d. False doctrine is called Christian liberty. (2
John 9-11)
"Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have
God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.
If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into
your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds."
B. He had concern for another in the midst of his own personal trouble.
1. (Matthew 22:37-40).
"Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with
all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the
first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your
neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the
Prophets.'"
2. (Romans 12:10).
"Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving
preference to one another"
3. (Philippians 2:4).
"Let each of you look out not only for his own interests,
but also for the interests of others."
C. His concern led him to action.
1. (James 2:14-17).
"What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has
faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is
naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in
peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are
needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it
does not have works, is dead."
3. (James 1:22)
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving
yourselves."
4. (James 4:17)
"Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him
it is sin."
Conclusion:
1. Just as in the days of Jeremiah, God needs people of courage and compassion
today.
2. Would you have stood up for Jeremiah if you were one of his contemporaries?
3. Will you stand up for Jesus today?
Don Treadway, May
2003 |
