Print

EZEKIEL 3:17-21

"DELIVERING OUR SOULS"

I. GOD'S CALL. vs. 17.
        A. Ezekiel called as a watchman to Israel. 
                1. He had a two-fold responsibility.
                        a. To hear the word from God.
                        b. To give that word to the people.
                        c. God's method has always been to use those who
                           are in touch with Him, to reach those out of
                           touch with Him.
                        d. Through wickedness, people get out of touch
                           with God.
                2. Notice, he was not called to convert them.
                        a. His only responsibility was to warn them.
                        b. Sometimes we become discouraged in our
                           Christian service because we seek to do more
                           than God requires of us.
                                1. We speak of winning souls - that is the
                                   work of the Spirit.
                                2. My work is to warn.
                                3. My responsibility is fulfilled when I
                                   have witnessed. Now they are
                                   responsible before God for what they do
                                   with that witness.
        B. God has called all of us.
                1. His call is first to salvation - then to service.
                        a. Jesus said, "Come unto Me..."
                        b. No sooner does one come until He says, "Take My
                           yoke upon you."
                2. God leaves us here on this cursed earth for one reason
                   only.
                        a. To serve Him.
                        b. Jobs and all else is incidental.
                        c. God seeks to use you who are in touch with Him
                           to reach those who are not in touch with Him.
        C. Serving God is not an option for the Christian, it is a
           responsibility.
                1. God holds me responsible to warn the wicked.
                        a. God said to Ezekiel - their blood is on your
                           hands.
                        b. But if you warn them, you have delivered your
                           soul.
                2. When I observe some wicked action, I should warn that
                   person that God is not pleased with what they have
                   done - and if they do not change, He will destroy them.
                        a. They may laugh at you or mock you.
                        b. But I promise you, they won't forget what you
                           said.
                        c. You don't have to preach to people.
                        d. You don't have to argue over other religions.
                        e. You don't have to defend God, the Bible, your
                           faith.
                        f. Just simply speak the truth - don't get caught
                           in the trap of trying to defend the truth.
                        g. If they sincerely ask honest questions, seek to
                           answer them.
                        h. If they seek to argue, just restate the truth
                           and let it go at that.
                                1. Your silence will bug them far more
                                   than any eloquent argument or debate.
                                2. They may defeat your argument - they
                                   can't defeat the truth.