REBELS AGAINST GOD

Lesson and text: Judges17:5 And the man Micah had an house of gods, and made an ephod, and teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest.

6 In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

7 And there was a young man out of Bethlehemjudah of the family of Judah, who was a Levite, and he sojourned there.

8 And the man departed out of the city from Bethlehemjudah to sojourn where he could find a place: and he came to mount Ephraim to the house of Micah, as he journeyed.

9 And Micah said unto him, Whence comest thou? And he said unto him, I am a Levite of Bethlehemjudah, and I go to sojourn where I may find a place.

10 And Micah said unto him, Dwell with me, and be unto me a father and a priest, and I will give thee ten shekels of silver by the year, and a suit of apparel, and thy victuals. So the Levite went in.

11 And the Levite was content to dwell with the man; and the young man was unto him as one of his sons.

12 And Micah consecrated the Levite; and the young man became his priest, and was in the house of Micah.

13 Then said Micah, Now know I that the LORD will do me good, seeing I have a Levite to my priest.

Introduction: What is right and what is wrong?Whether it be a question of law, morals, learning, business, or social customs, there must be authority if chaos is not to reign!

I. Rebellion in action today.
A. Children against parental authority Result; runaways etc.
B. Parents against parental responsibility; Result: throwaway children.
C. Students bring anarchy to the campus.
D.Riots in the streets for just about any 'cause'.
E. Terrorism by groups ranging from PETA to 'religious' fanatics.
F. Citizens rebelling against lawful authority.
G. Human rebellion at it's worst: Defiance against God.
II Thes.2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

II. Religious rebellion.
A.Those who,"Will not have this man to rule over us", are not confined to Jerusalem of A.D. 33!.
1.Some will rebel against church authority but this is rebellion against Christ for it came from Him. Matt.18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican.

18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

2.Rebellion against Christ destroys Christian homes.
3. Rebellion against God destroys Christian testimony.
4. Rebellion against God robs Him of Glory and men of opportunity in everything from service to giving. Statements which begin with, "I don't think--" should stop with that honest expression.
a.It will cause the work to suffer and the work to be discredited.
5. It will cause disunity between brethren and disrupt the fellowship of the church.
III. Rebellion of the lost.
A.God doesn't ask you how you would like to be saved.
B. He doesn't ask if you think you need to be saved.
IV. When rebellion is ended, find peace with God.