Jan09

Habakkuk 2:6-18

by Roby

Well. I am in Phoenix for the game so I will be blogging the sermon from my cousins church this Sunday.

Northwest Valley Baptist Church
Dr. Kevin Schaal
www.nwvbc.org

v. 6
God is great enough to use whoever he wants to change you.
We think about us and them, instead it should be us and Him. God is famous for using unlikely people to bring about change.
God doesn’t excuse the Babylonians sins even though he uses them. They are still culpable.
We expect God to do things and answer us instantly. We sin and have 20 years af habits and then repent. A week later they fall away because there was no change.
The Babylonians great sin is in verse 5. Their Pride and Arrogance.
God will deal with you based on how you treat others. Both for nations and individuals.
Therefore… Am I proud? Am I humble? Am I selfish?
Actions based on pride:
1) Extortion – covets what others have. Takes advantage of others to get it. Creates indebtedness on the weak. It is stealing. God says that they will be plundered in return.
V. 9
2) Ambition – Wants to be superior to others. Wants gain for his family at any cost. Destroys others for the sake of personal security. Our security is in the Lord. Gods responds is to make their house terrifying. Answered when the Persians conquered babylon.
V. 12
3) Abuse – Enslaves others for selfish gain. Uses force to conquer. Uses superiority to force labor. Employer to employee relationship. Does not allow people to enjoy the fruit of their labor. People are not treated rightly or justly or fairly. God notices. God response: He glorifies himself at the expense of them. Nebuchunezer dream of statue that eventually is blown away by Gods kingdom.
V. 15
4) Perversion – Enjoys shaming others. Finds their sinful weakness and exploits it for enjoyment and control. This demonstrates pride and sinful arrogance at the expense of others. Roman gladiators and abuse of others. Gods response: He embarasses them and turns their glory to shame.
V. 17
Gods judgement is complete and fair.
How do you treat others??
We can be arrogant and not even know it or see it.