WEIGHED IN THE BALANCES OF GOD

Dan. 5:27.

INTRO:

1. Read the 5th chapter of Daniel and you will appreciate the heading of this sermon more.

2. Webster says that to weigh means to, "examine by the balance; to ascertain the weight of; to measure out on or as on scales;"

3. To balance means, "an equality between the totals of the two sides of an account."

4. In this day and time, it seems that most people are very weight conscious.

A. They worry about either being overweight or underweight.

B. Diet peddlers and product peddlers are making a fortune off of people because of this weight problem.

C. Of course, it is to be admitted that people do have weight problems.

D. Either overweight or underweight can be harmful to ones health.

5. But, I could only wish that people would have at least half as much concern about their weight spiritually as they do physically.

A. We could hope that they would go to as much to correct their weight problems spiritually as they do physically.

B. What about you my friend, do you have a weight problem spiritually?

6. The second part of the reading in Dan. 5:27 says: "And art found wanting."

A. In weighing what men say and do religiously, with what the Bible teaches should be done, we come up with many imbalances.

1) For instance, this week, a Roman Catholic Nun, an American, will be canonized into sainthood by the pope of Rome. She will be the first natural born American citizen to receive such honor.

a. In reference to her qualifications, she is said to be perfect in life and body. She had worked three notable miracles, (of course, in order to be canonized as a saint, one must have worked five miracles; but since this is a holy year, the pope said that he would overlook the need for two more miracles to be worked and would go ahead and canonize her into sainthood.

B. After becoming a saint, she could intercede before God for people and people could pray to her.

1) Another instance of being weighed in the balances of God and found wanting is shown in an article in todays paper.

a. With reference to a Korean in this country, by the name of Moon, and a movement of which he is the head, it is said that he has complete authority to speak for God; in fact, he is referred to as the "new messiah". No one is to question his teaching or authority.

7. With the above activities of men added to the actions of Belshazzar of old, we will weigh the creeds, opinions, thoughts, actions, assertions, and lives of men over against the counterbalance of the Word of God.

A. (NOTE:)Some of the references given above were added to this lesson after I first preached it 40 years ago. So don't let the happenings mentioned, and the dates of such confuse you.

I. WE WILL NOW PLACE THEM ON THE SCALES ONE BY ONE.

A. Man says: "There is not God." But God says: "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God..." Psa. 53:1; Gen. 1:1. (Atheist).

B. Man says: "I don't know." But God says: "Be still, and know that I am God..." Psa. 46:10. (Agnostic). Jno. 8:32.

C. Man says: "Christ is not God's Son." But God says: "This is my beloved Son..." Matt. 17:5. Jesus says: "...except you believe that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." Jno. 8:24.

D. Man says: "The Bible is not the Word of God." But Paul says: "All scripture is given by the inspiration of God." 2 Tim. 3:16,17.

E. Man says: "The Bible is a dead letter." But the writer of Hebrews says: "For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart." Heb. 4:12.

F. Man says: "We will not be judged by the Bible." Jesus says; "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my sayings, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I spake, the same shall judge him in the last day." Jno. 12:48.

G. Man says: "There are many ways that a man can be saved." Jesus says: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me." Jno. 14:6.

H. Man says; "There are many churches and one is as good as another." Jesus says: "And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church..." Matt. 16:18. Paul says: "There is one body" and that one is the church. Eph. 4:4; 1:22,23; Col. 1:18,24.

I. Man says: "Works are not essential to salvation." James says: "Ye see that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." Jas. 2:24.

J. Man says: "Baptism is not essential to salvation." Peter says: "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us." 1 Pet. 3:21.

K. Man says: "It is impossible to fall from grace." Paul says: "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." 1 Cor. 10:12. He also says: "Ye are severed from Christ, ye who would be justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace." Gal. 5:4.

L. Man says: "The church is not essential to salvation." Paul says: "Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood." Acts 20:28. Note also what is said in Acts 2:47.

II. ALL OF THESE AND MANY OTHERS THAT COULD BE WEIGHED IN THE BALANCES OF GOD AND THEREBY BE FOUND WANTING.

A. But these should be sufficient to get you to thinking how you will balance out when weighed in the balances of God.

CONCLUSION:

1. Are you ready to be weighed in the balances of God?

By Jim Sasser

Return to the Sermon Outlines page