Signed, Sealed, Delivered

Pastor Cory Herthel

Midland SDA Church

February 18, 2017

Key Texts: Ezekiel 20:5-20; Exodus 20:8-14; Hebrews 4:1-13; Deuteronomy 7:6; John 14:15; 1 John 5:3

SOP Reference: Counsels for the Church, pg. 261.4

Introduction: The value of time in reality is truly undefinable.  The moment it is gone…it is gone.  Imagine an existence without time.  Why does time matter: obvious reasons for us as mortal beings…but why does it matter to the infinite, to the divine, to our creator?  God is a relational being and has created us as such.  His biggest desire is to be connected to us…and He uses the Sabbath as the hallmark instrument to do this.

I. Signed, Sealed, Delivered (Ezekiel 20:5-20)

  A. It is all about relationship (v. 5-6)

    1. He uses the word oath (a solemn promise…regarding one’s future action or behavior)

    2. He reminds them of their previous deliverance…

  B. Revisiting rebellion (v. 7-9)

    1. God’s anger a result of their redemption reversal

    2. God shows mercy as to not scare away on-looking nations

  C. Gives a solution for them to be delivered once more (v. 10-20)

    1. God gives His sign

      a. In addition to all of the statutes

      b. This sign is the pinnacle of all signs

      c. it relates to His unwavering love for them (Deuteronomy 7:6)

    2. Ultimately God is trying to reintroduce Himself to His people…that they may know Him

II. The Sign of Deliverance (Hebrews 4:1-13)

  A. The promise remains (v. 1-3)

    1. What promise? (Discuss oaths of God again)

    2. The Sabbath is tied to the Gospel

    3. God’s people will be delivered in obedience and submission to Him

  B. The two classes of earth’s people are described (v. 4-11)

    1. There are the obedient and the disobedient

    2. Disobedience leads to destruction because it places the individual outside of God’s jurisdiction

      a. God is benevolent and is the author of freedom and liberty

      b. We do not serve a holy dictator

    3. Paul urges for diligence towards obedience in order to be placed under God’s grace

  C. A Test of Love & Loyalty (v. 12-13)

    1. The world and unfallen universe take notice (1 John 5:3; John 14:15)

    2. Ultimate purpose for the Sabbath à SOP Reference

SOP: The Sabbath given to the world as the sign of God as the Creator is also the sign of Him as the Sanctifier. The power that created all things is the power that re-creates the soul in His own likeness. To those who keep holy the Sabbath day it is the sign of sanctification. True sanctification is harmony with God, oneness with Him in character. It is received through obedience to those principles that are the transcript of His character. And the Sabbath is the sign of obedience.

Conclusion: God has placed a time stamp on creation as His sign of sovereignty, love, and watch-care.  In a planet replete with rebellion, God has made a way for us not to be deceived, but to be sealed by the bonds of His everlasting grace, mercy, justification, and sanctification.  And in this symbol of His workmanship in our lives…we find the promise of guaranteed deliverance from sin when Jesus comes.  If you desire to ready yourself to meet Jesus with hopeful expectations…accept His sign, be sealed by the living sovereign God, and look up for deliverance draws nigh.