2. The Theocracy of the LORD

3. God’s Theocracy for Israel Elders of Israel (Exodus 3: 16-17) Aaronic priesthood of high priest and priests (Exodus 28: 1-3) Judges over 1000’s, over 100’s over 10’s (Exodus 18: 15-26) Original God directed taxes still in place –Certain sacrifices and tithes to the Levites (Numbers 18: 1-(8-24)-32) –Additional Tithes for Levites and the poor (Deuteronomy 14: 22-29; 24: 19-22)

4. Israel departs from God’s Theocracy God grants Israel’s request a king (1 Samuel 8) –A rejection of God directed rule –God’s will declared through the law and prophets –God still intervened to save or punish Israel The price of having a king (Civil consequences) –An additional level of bureaucracy –An additional level of taxation –An additional level of servitude –An additional level of control over personal lives –Allowed by God to maintain order of a rebellious people

5. Desired To Be Like Other Nations Loss of uniqueness in rule Loss of uniqueness in other areas followed –Turned away from God to worship idols –Made priest of some who were not Levites –Made alliances with ungodly nations

6. Do We See Parallels in America Straying from Constitutional rule A bureaucracy like other nations No ethical, moral and spiritual truths Never a Christian nation as some believe A nation for Christians to worship freely –Become a nation where Christians are despised –Become a nation where God is publicly mocked –Judgment perverted by human reasoning –Darwinism is the prevailing philosophy

7. RESULTS AbortionEuthanasiaNo death penalty Values: Not Moral Truths Situation EthicsAlternate Lifestyles Self-worshipMaterial idolatry Rampant fornication AdulteryPre-marital sexHomosexuality Legal homosexual marriageHomosexual adoption Children’s protections for sexual abuse being debated Love of many growing cold

9. God’s Theocracy for the church Ephesians 1: 22-23 “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” Philippians 1: 1 “Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus: To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons.” Revelation 1: 5b-6 “To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

10. Is Spiritual Israel straying? 2 Timothy 4: 3-5 “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

11. Is Spiritual Israel straying? Want our ears scratched (2 Timothy 4: 3-5) –Outspoken brethren not welcome –Feel good stories and psychology welcome –Stand against changes to conform more to God Changes in own personal life Changes in worship Changes in other church related conduct God’s word not the standard –Opinions bound as law –God’s plain truth treated as an opinion

12. Is Spiritual Israel Lukewarm? Some churches neglecting weak members –Not restoring fallen brethren –Not seeking the sheep that has left the flock –Not casting out the unrepentant brother To prick his conscience unto repentance To limit his influence of sin on others Some Christians not confessing Jesus –All have opportunities –All should seek more opportunities

13. 2 Timothy 2: 13-14 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.