ARE YOU AN ENEMY OF THE CHURCH?

Ezra 9:1-3, “Now when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites.  

For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of those lands: yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass.  And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down astonied.”

I. THE CANAANITES

They liked living in plains and lowlands They liked living in plains and lowlands. GOD'S people like mountains like David in Psalm 121:1-2 ("I look unto the hills...). Caleb was a mountain climber. John the Baptist came from the hill country. In most congregations they have people who live in the lowlands. They are never looking up, or seeking to move up. You can't change that crowd! It is tiresome trying to make mountaineers out of lowlanders.

2 Thess. 1:3, “We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth.”

2 Pet. 3:18, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”

II. THE HITTITES

The Hittites were the dark descendants of Heth, the second son of Canaan, youngest son of Ham.  In the Book of Genesis, they are declared to be one of the 12 Canaanite nations dwelling inside or close to Canaan from the time of Abraham up to Ezra’s era. They lived in the Promised Land. That’s why God commanded the Israelites to eradicate them.

The Hittites were idolaters. They worshipped many gods The Hittites were idolaters. They worshipped many gods. A people who had no faith in Jehovah.

It is not difficult to find the Hittite mentality in the church It is not difficult to find the Hittite mentality in the church. These are people with no faith. They always have a fear that the money will perish, the doors will close, and the Lord’s church will perish.

III. THE EGYPTIANS

Look how they oppressed the children of Israel Look how they oppressed the children of Israel? Here we have the crowd that puts people in bondage. Not all the Pharisees are dead. They oppress folks with their little rule book (not GOD'S Book). They are taskmasters like Hitler. Don't ever dare question their authority. Just bring your check book to the services and leave your brains at the door.

Gal. 5:1, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

1 Cor. 7:22, “For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.”

Concerning elders: 1 Pet Concerning elders: 1 Pet. 5:3, “Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.”

We don’t need taskmasters; we need good people living Christian lives We don’t need taskmasters; we need good people living Christian lives. We need every person being treated with dignity and respect. Remember Christianity is a theocracy! That means God is in charge!

IV. THE AMMONITES

The first mention of the Ammonites is in Genesis 19:37, 38 The first mention of the Ammonites is in Genesis 19:37, 38. They were descended of Ben-Ammi, a son of Lot through incest with his younger daughter.

The Ammonites along with the Moabites are the one’s who sent Balaam to lead the Israelites astray! (Num. 22)

We read in the Bible that the reason the Ammonites were punished to be forever forbidden from marrying into the Israelite nation was not only because of the Balaam incident, but because they did not greet the Israelites with food and water when they traveled in the desert (Deut. 23:4).

When someone acts inhumanely, such as denying water to a thirsty group of weary travelers in a hot desert, this expresses a deeply rooted evil nature, which no one would encourage their loved ones to associate with.

We don’t need bitter people in the church We don’t need bitter people in the church. We need good hearted Christian people who are not only willing to love their brothers and sisters, but have the ability to forgive them of their transgressions when they ask.

Gal. 6:10, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

V. THE RIGHTEOUS

The Bereans Acts 17:11, “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

The Samaritans Jn. 4:39, “And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.” The good Samaritan (Luke 10), the Samaritan leper that thanked Jesus (Lk. 17:16), and the receptive Samaritans of Acts 8.

The Righteous 1 Pet. 2:5, “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”

1 Pet. 3:12, “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”