OPENING STATEMENT: If you have your Bibles would you please turn with me to Book of Ezekiel chapter 22:23-30 ESV. The Title of our message this morning is BREACH. This is a 2 part message and today is part 1.

• The word breach as a verb is the act of breaking through something without permission
• The word breach as a noun is a compromise, a weakness, a breakdown, a failure, that jeopardizes something of value.

Before we go there, let me tell you a story: 3000 years ago, a young boy by the name of David went to the battlefield to bring some food for his brothers. Totally unqualified for battle, but there on the battlefield he witnessed something that alarmed him. His people, the people of God had forgotten who and whose they were. They trembled with fear giving the enemy the upper hand. The enemy had breached into their territory! Then David shouted: “Is there not a cause?”

TRANSITION: Through prophet Ezekiel here, God brings to our attention a breach by the enemy. But He does not hold the enemy accountable, instead He holds accountable the prophets and priests or pastors, the princes or government officials, the finally the people.

²³ And the word of the Lord came to me: ²⁴ “Son of man, say to her, You are a land that is not cleansed or rained upon in the day of indignation. ²⁵ The conspiracy of her PROPHETS in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured human lives; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in her midst. ²⁶ Her PRIESTS have done violence to my law and have profaned my holy things. They have made no distinction between the holy and the common, neither have they taught the difference between the unclean and the clean, and they have disregarded my Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. ²⁷ Her PRINCES in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, shedding blood, destroying lives to get dishonest gain. ²⁸ And her prophets have smeared whitewash for them, seeing false visions and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ when the Lord has not spoken. ²⁹ The PEOPLE of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have oppressed the poor and needy, and have extorted from the sojourner without justice. ³⁰ And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none.  (Ezekiel 22:23-30 ESV)

• This is a figurative passage talking about a breach, a spiritual breach that has allowed the enemy access through immorality, selfishness, idolatry, greed.
• God draws our attention not just to the fact that there is a breach, but God bring our focus to the ones responsible for the breach. One by one, starting with the prophets, He holds each one of them accountable.
• He is gracious, He is merciful, He is good, But He is also a righteous Judge! He holds people accountable.
• Here in Ezekiel, He starts right at the top, the spiritual leadership (AKA the church)

PROPHETS – VERSES 25, 28

“The conspiracy of her PROPHETS in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured human lives; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in her midst.” (Verse 25)

And her PROPHETS have smeared whitewash for them, seeing false visions and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ when the Lord has not spoken (Verse 28)

• He calls out the prophets because they have taken advantage of the people rather than serving them
• He calls out the prophets because they have misrepresented God by saying things that God is not saying.
• God calls out the prophets because they are not warning the people of this breach

PRIESTS- VERSE 26

²⁶ Her PRIESTS have done violence to my law and have profaned my holy things. They have made no distinction between the holy and the common, neither have they taught the difference between the unclean and the clean, and they have disregarded my Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.

• God calls out the priests or in today’s term, the pastors and holds them accountable.
• God calls them out for not teaching God’s righteousness.
• God holds them accountable because they have been negligent in teaching the people to differentiate right and wrong based on the truth of the Word of God

You might be wondering why is God so harsh on the spiritual leadership, on the church?

Here’s the reason why: The church, the body of Christ has remained silent, indifferent, and in certain situation even complicit concerning the breach. And forgetting their purpose.

Here’s the Purpose of The Church: To influence the world, to point the world to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. The church was designed to influence the business, to influence technology, and every single industry out there. The church was designed to influence politics.

• I believe for far too long the church has remained silent.
• This silence has allowed the enemy to breach
• In verse 26, God says: “I am profaned among them”
• The word profane come from the Latin word Profanum. Pro means “outside of” and Fanum means “temple”.
• We have cast God out of the temple.
• Our silence has kept God out of everything
• Our silence has caused us to ignore the breach of the enemy in our family, our community, in our nation.

STATEMENT: Here’s the bottom line: Our silence has cause a breach that has allowed the enemy in. Just like in Ezekiel’s time, God will hold today’s church responsible!

• Speaking as a Pastor today, I bear the responsibility to preach and teach the truth of the Word of God

TRANSITION: Pastor are you not afraid that if you are too truthful, people are going to leave the church? Here’s the truth: I am more concerned about what God would say if I don’t speak the truth!

• I believe we can speak the truth and still be compassionate and still be full of love without having to apologize for it
• So I challenged you the church to speak God truth with love with compassion. You are salt and light.
• Let me asked you this question: Is there not a cause? Is there not a cause to pray for the church, the leadership, your pastor?

PRINCES -VERSE 27 (Now God is calling out the government leaders)

“Her PRINCES in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, shedding blood, destroying lives to get dishonest gain” (verse 27)

• This passage is old, 2500 years old but still very relevant today. We still deal with government officials that are more concerned about their political career than serving the people.
• Let me asked you this question: Is there not a cause? Is there not a cause to pray for the government leaders?
• When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan (Proverbs 29:2 NLT)

PEOPLE – VERSE 29

^“The PEOPLE of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have oppressed the poor and needy, and have extorted from the sojourner without justice.”

• Finally God holds the people accountable; they are robbing each other, they are mistreating the poor and the needy. God brings into focus social justice.

Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. (Isaiah 1:17 NLT)

• Let me say something that is commendable for this generation. How passionate we are about social justice.
• But let me also throw in a word of caution: social justice can never be a substitute for the gospel.
• We need to give a cup of water in Jesus name and not a cup of water instead of Jesus name.
• Social justice by itself has become a religion to many people.
• Social justice has become a substitute for our need for Jesus as a Savior
• I believe the enemy is using this as a breach. To make people feel good about doing good to earn a good standing with God.

STATEMENT: Friends, we don’t do good to get God. But we do good because of God.

 MY LANDING SPOT THIS MORNING RIGHT WHERE I STARTED THIS MORNING:  Is there not a cause? By asking this question, David challenged a nation to realize who and whose they were.

So I ask you the same question: Is there not a cause? If the enemy has breached into your family, your children, your health, your finances. If they enemy has breached into your nation. Is there not a cause to pray, to be believe and to hope?

¹⁴ If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. ¹⁵ Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place. (2 Chronicles 7:14-15 NKJ)

• I know 2020 has been very difficult but let me give you a 2020 God’s perspective found in 2 Chronicles 20:20

“Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.” (2 Chronicles 20:20 NLT)

CONCLUSION:

• What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?