II Rebellion

 

I Samuel 15:23, Proverbs 17:11, Jeremiah 5:23

 

A. Rebellion...to resist authority, to resist laws, to revolt, to be in defiance, to

oppose, to resist control.

 

B. Rebellion is a revolt (to rise up against authority) against ones rightful lord or

master. Rebellion is insubordination ( not willing to be submissive). Rebellion is

taking one-self out of the hands of God and saying, I will run my own life, I will

rule myself, I will decide what is right or what is wrong for myself. I don't need

God. I will be my own God. I can make it on my own. Rebellion recognizes no

authority superior to itself.

 

C. Rebellion does not end in itself, it induces self-complacency, creates ingenious

excuses, prompts to observance of outward religious acts, throws blame on

circumstances for it's sins, and even emboldens the soul to argue with the

messengers of God.

 

D. Rebellion knows what is the authority which it defies, and it defies that authority, not only intelligently, but of purpose. There can be no rebellion where there is no government, no rebel where there is no govenor. There can be no rebellion through ignorance (i.e. for the lack of knowledge) for rebellion is voluntary, rebellion is deliberate. Brutes do not rebel, but mankind does, rebellion is willful. Rebellion is resistance and defiance of that which it knows. Rebellion knows the truth, but because of stubborness (headstrong, fixed in opinion or purpose, not yielding) of will refuses to accept it from sheer opposition to its spiritual requirements. If truth is recognized as Divine, rejection of this truth is rejection of the voice of God. It is sinning against light. It is refusing to accept offers of mercy, and returning insult for favors.

 

E. Rebellion is a preference of one's own will to the clearly-declared will of God.

Rebellion is setting up of one's will as a better, more-to-be-desired will than God's, it is positive rebellion of a subject against their king, a setting of naught against the supreme authority of the universe.

 

F. Rebellion cuts at the very roots of God's authority, it is the assertion of a power

and a wisdom against the power and wisdom of the eternal, it makes man a

worshiper of himself rather than God, it ignores the solemn truth that we “we

cannot serve two masters.” It does dishonor to him whose commands are holy, just and good. It claims for the desires of a sinful creature a higher value in the

determination of actions than is to be attached to the purposes of the All Perfect One not to obey the clean commands and to submit in all things to the yoke of God, is as dreadful in the sight of God as being an idolater or a vile deceiver...I Samuel 15:23. God tells us what will happen to those who knowing the Lord's will, nevertheless prefer their own will to his...Matthew 11:20-24.

 

G. Rebellion springs from self conceit and a dislike for constituted authority, and a love of self-will. Rebellion springs from a vain-proud-ambitious display of self

spirit. Rebellion springs from an over estimation of self, and an unlimited

confidence in oneself. Rebellion springs from a spirit of independence. Thinking

that you don't need anyone else, you can make it on your own. I'll do it my way.

 

a. Rebellion springs from self-will, Deuteronomy 1:43.

b. Rebellion springs from stubborness, II Peter 2:10.

c. Rebellion springs from not wanting to be corrected, Jeremiah 5:3.

d. Rebellion springs from not wanting to take instructions, Jeremiah 32:33

e. Rebellion springs from resisting authority, Romans 13:2.

 

H. Rebellion will not endure restraint, dispises authority, speaks evel of Godly men or divine authority, dispises lordship. Rebellion delights in singularity for it's own sake, it defies Godly opinions, shows disrespect to names and authority.

 

I. Reverence is an important element in salvation. Reverence for God commands men to obey those who by God's providence are set over them.

Rebellion destroys reverence and respect for authority. Rebellion substitutes

self as authority to replace that which is designed by God.

 

J. The character of a person lies primarily in the main principles and passions

that are deep down in his nature, and which in course of years share his outward

conduct. Absalom's real character was in existence long before it came out to the

eye of the public in the form of rebellion against his father's authority. “He had

unlimited confidence in himself.” His vain, low cunning, love of outward show

was revealed through his rebellion.

 

K. How God deals with rebellion ...Isaiah 27:1-4, Proverbs 17:11. He grinds it to

powder, they lick the dust of the earth, Satan, Ahab, Manasseh, Nebuchadnezzar,

Saul, Pharoah, etc, Hosea 13:15-16, submission with true repentence or conquest

destruction. He shall break the rebellious with a rod of iron. The east wind will

blow, his spring will dry up, his treasures of goodly vessels would be plundered...

i.e. rebellion blights the soul, it robs the soul of it's bloom and fruitfulness, it dries

up the springs of it's life, it despoils it of it's costly treasures of goodness, truth,

holiness, affection, etc.

 

Lessons

 

a. It is very dangerous to begin to compare our wishes and plans with the clear

revealed will of God.

b. Every thought should at once be brought into subjection.

c. Beware of making excuses for your wrong conduct.

d. Beware of transferring to others the blame that is due to you.

e. Beware of estemming yourself above others.

f. Be submissive and give yourself over to those whom God has appointed as your overseer.

g. Beware of taking it upon yourself to decide what is right and what is wrong.

h. Beware of opposing the preached word of God, or opposing the standard of

holiness that God sets down in his word.

i. Beware of seeking your own will, in preference to God's will.

 

All these things breed rebellion, and rebellion will revolt against God, thus bringing

about your eternal destruction.