SOAP: my first king

S. Say to them, "This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Will it thrive? Will it not be uprooted and stripped of its fruit so that it withers? All its new growth will wither. It will not take a strong arm or many people to pull it up by the roots. 10 It has been planted, but will it thrive? Will it not wither completely when the east wind strikes it—wither away in the plot where it grew?" - Ezekiel 17:9-10 (TNIV)

O. Israel, as a people group, was meant to have God as their King. They were not satisfied. Then came their own king. God was not satisfied. Then came their exile to Babylon and submission to a new king (the first eagle in the previous verses). They were not satisfied. So they sought ought the king of Egypt (the second eagle). In all these settings there were times of growth because of God's grace. Yet the people always looked for a man to help them.

A. By God's grace we can grow in many settings that are MUCH less than God's ideal. We must be careful not to become compliant when we see a little growth assuming we are in God's sweet spot for us. Our wayward hearts will quickly misguide us, and will prevent us from thriving as God wants.

P. Jesus, who was my second king? South Hills.
Who is my third king? Crossroads.
And I still haven't found what I am looking for. You have always been looking for me.
Vision. Hope. Security. Belonging. Purpose.
All of these you have looked for in the "church," but these things lie in the Creator... not the creation, "founder," or the "barbarian"... they are found in me... so follow me.