WHO IS ON THE LORD’S SIDE?

Text: Exodus 32:26

  I. Facts leading to this challenging and soul searching
     question.
     A. When Moses delayed his coming down from the Mount,
        the people asked Aaron to make them “gods” to go 
        before them.  Exodus 32:1
        1. Made calf, Exodus 32:2-6, 17-18.
        2. A violation of the first two commandments.
           a. “You shall have no other gods before Me."
           b. "You shall not make for yourself a carved 
              image…” Exodus 20:3-4
     B. God’s wrath waxed hot against them for their sin.
        Exodus 32:9-10
        1. This was a religious sin.
        2. Many religionists today can only conceive of sin
           in terms of the immoral.
     C. Moses anger also waxed hot against those people,
        and he made them drink of their sin. Exodus 32:19-
        20
     D. Aaron offered two excuses for his mis-conduct:
        1. Verses 21-22
        2. Verses 23-24 – This concept would say, “don’t
           blame me, the gun did it” (for the murderer) or 
           “it is not my fault, the match did it.” (for the 
           arsonist).
     E. No choosing sides for Lord’s Side for Moses and the
        sons of Levi.

 II. Negative answer: Not everyone who thinks that they are
     on the Lord’s side are.
     A. Men of faith only.
        1. King Agrippa – Acts 26:27-28
        2. John 12:42-43; Matthew 10:33.
        3. James 2:24
        4. Galatians 5:6 “Faith that works through love.”
     B. The moralist.
        1. Acts 10:2; 11:14
        2. If morality would have save; then Christ would
           not be needed as a savior.
     C. Many religious people.
        1. Matthew 7:21-23.
        2. Errors taught by religious people.
        3. Religion is a blessing or a curse depending on
           whether it is true or false.
        4. Religion links man to God or places him against
           the Lord, depending upon whether it be the 
           Lord’s religion or the devil’s deceitful snare.
        5. The Devil’s works in the realm of religion. 2 
           Corinthians 11:13-15.
           a. Bible speaks of false prophets. 2 Peter 2:1-3
           b. Other plants and blind guides Matthew 15:13-
              14
           c. Vain worship. Matthew 15:9
           d. Satan’s synagogues. Revelation 2:9; 3:9
           e. Satan’s ministers. 2 Corinthians 11:14-15
           f. This means that there are many unconscious
              enemies of Christ. Philippians 3:17-19
           g. At one time, Paul was such. 1 Timothy 1:13
     D. Some whose names are on the rolls of churches of
        Christ. 2 Peter 2:20-22
     E. Those who substitute – add to – take from.
        Revelation 22:18-19; Galatians 1:6-9
     F. Those who foster parties – divisions, etc. 1
        Corinthians 1:10; John 17:20f
     G. Those who exalt themselves; desire pre-eminence. 3
        John 9, 11; Matthew 23:12
     H. Those who organize the church universal.

III. The positive answer – “Who is on the Lord’s side?”
     A. From the context, we learn that the sons of Levi
        were.
        1. Verse 26
        2. “Why call me Lord, Lord and do not the things I
           say.” Luke 6:46
     B. John 15:14; 1 John 2:3-4
     C. Those who walk by Faith.  2 Corinthians 5:7
        1. Romans 10:17
        2. Romans 14:23
     D. Those who contend for the faith. Jude 3
     E. Those who are set for the defense of the Gospel.
        Philippians 1:17
     F. Those who keep the faith, fight the good fight of
        faith. 2 Timothy 4:6-8

 IV. There can be no neutrality in this fight.
     A. There is no middle ground Christ said. Matthew
        12:30
     B. Now this personal question, “Am I on the Lord’s
        side?”

This outline is based an outline of my father, Howard I. See.