CROSSROADS CHURCH

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6.23.19 - Living a Life that Matters

Crossroads Church

Standing in the Gap — Week 4 Study Guide

Living a Life that Matters

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE: Ezekiel 18:29-32

ADDITIONAL READING: Ezekiel 18

Introduction

Is God fair? Is God just? Why does God judge people? In these verses God is answering the people's complaint that God is not fair (see verse 29). For a good understanding of these verses, read through the whole of chapter 18. Their basic reasons for stating that God was unfair were that God was judging them but not the other people around them who were evil (Comparison). They also thought that since they were God's chosen people, then God would treat them differently than others (Identity). They also focused on the good they had done in the past, believing that the good balanced out the bad they were doing now (Good works). God turns the question around and shows that He, God, is perfectly just but that the people's ways are unjust.  

Sermon Outline

I. Basic Principle of Life: God’s law of individual responsibility: Everyone has the right, the ability, and the responsibility to make their own choices in life.

Fatalism is a satanic lie—results in inactivity and is deadly to the soul.

II. God Doesn’t Play Fair: Three Scenarios — Verse 29

A. Comparison: Matthew 20:1-16

B. Identity: Matthew 3:9

C. Good works

D. God is fair — Key verse: Deuteronomy 32:4

III. God Will Judge You — Verse 30

Key verse: 2 Corinthians 5:10

IV. Repent Means to Turn Around — Verse 31

A. Romans 3:25-26

V. Why Are People Broken? Two reasons — Verse 32

A. People are not broken and headed to Hell because of God—God is just

1. Verse 32: His desire is that people be saved and live

2. Verse 31: God offers a new heart and new spirit to all ask

B. Why? Choice, not Destiny

1. Because of their choice. People are broken and headed to hell because they refuse God’s offer of salvation, new life, new heart, new spirit, forgiveness

2. Because of our choice, No one stands in the gap for the broken and lost; in prayer, in speaking God’s word, in building bridges so people will understand they have a choice—they can chose life.

Choice determines your destiny and the destiny of others.

Background Information

There apparently was a belief at the time of Ezekiel that the children were guilty and would be punished for the sin of the parents (see chapter 18 verse 2). In response to this, Ezekiel, speaking for God, establishes the basic life principle of personal responsibility. We all have choices to make in life, and we are responsible for those choices. Note this principle throughout these verses. Repent literally means to turn around. The root word is metamorphosis, meaning transformation. 

An Invitation

Become part of what God is doing and connect with a group. Find a Point of Light Group.

Guide for Point of Light Groups

  1. Read out loud the purpose of your group:

    We are a network of healthy groups caring for each other while expanding Jesus' Kingdom together as points of light.

  2. Go over the introduction and background.

  3. Read Ezekiel 18:29-32 aloud together.

  4. Discuss the following questions together.

Point of Light Group Discussion Questions

  1. What are some reasons people give for saying that God is not fair? What reasons did the Israelites give in these verses for thinking that God is unjust?—Read verses 21-29 of chapter 18.

  2. Discuss point 1 in the outline above. Mention different applications of the law of individual responsibility. How have you seen that working in your life and the lives of others?

  3. What does it mean to repent? How would you explain repentance to someone? Have several people role play that in your group.

  4. Why do we need a new heart and a new spirit? How can we get a new heart and a new spirit?

  5. What is God's basic desire?—Read verse 32. How have you seen that demonstrated in your life? How is God's fairness demonstrated by his giving people a choice to repent? What is our role in helping others know they have a choice in life?

  6. Read out loud Romans 3:25-26; break it down and discuss it.

  7. What can you apply in your life from these verses?

This Week’s Challenge

As a group, come up with your own challenge based on what you learned from this study.

Prayer Time

  1. Pray for an empty chair representing new people who you want to join the group.

  2. Pray for the needs of the members of the group. It is best to divide into two groups, one for males and one for females.