Good morning everyone. Often we are called to do things we simply don’t enjoy. That’s what is happening here with Ezekiel.
Ezekiel 3:
1 And he said to me, "Son of man, eat whatever you find here. Eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel."
2 So I opened my mouth, and he gave me this scroll to eat.
3 And he said to me, "Son of man, feed your belly with this scroll that I give you and fill your stomach with it." Then I ate it, and it was in my mouth as sweet as honey.
4 And he said to me, "Son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak with my words to them.
5 For you are not sent to a people of foreign speech and a hard language, but to the house of Israel---
6 not to many peoples of foreign speech and a hard language, whose words you cannot understand. Surely, if I sent you to such, they would listen to you.
7 But the house of Israel will not be willing to listen to you, for they are not willing to listen to me: because all the house of Israel have a hard forehead and a stubborn heart.
8 Behold, I have made your face as hard as their faces, and your forehead as hard as their foreheads.
9 Like emery harder than flint have I made your forehead. Fear them not, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house."
10 Moreover, he said to me, "Son of man, all my words that I shall speak to you receive in your heart, and hear with your ears.
11 And go to the exiles, to your people, and speak to them and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD,' whether they hear or refuse to hear."
12 Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me the voice of a great earthquake: "Blessed be the glory of the LORD from its place!"
13 It was the sound of the wings of the living creatures as they touched one another, and the sound of the wheels beside them, and the sound of a great earthquake.
14 The Spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness in the heat of my spirit, the hand of the LORD being strong upon me.
15 And I came to the exiles at Tel-abib, who were dwelling by the Chebar canal, and I sat where they were dwelling. And I sat there overwhelmed among them seven days.
A Watchman for Israel
16 And at the end of seven days, the word of the LORD came to me:
17 "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me.
18 If I say to the wicked, 'You shall surely die,' and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die for his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand.
19 But if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, or from his wicked way, he shall die for his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.
20 Again, if a righteous person turns from his righteousness and commits injustice, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die. Because you have not warned him, he shall die for his sin, and his righteous deeds that he has done shall not be remembered, but his blood I will require at your hand.
21 But if you warn the righteous person not to sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live, because he took warning, and you will have delivered your soul."
22 And the hand of the LORD was upon me there. And he said to me, "Arise, go out into the valley, and there I will speak with you."
23 So I arose and went out into the valley, and behold, the glory of the LORD stood there, like the glory that I had seen by the Chebar canal, and I fell on my face.
24 But the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and he spoke with me and said to me, "Go, shut yourself within your house.
25 And you, O son of man, behold, cords will be placed upon you, and you shall be bound with them, so that you cannot go out among the people.
26 And I will make your tongue cling to the roof of your mouth, so that you shall be mute and unable to reprove them, for they are a rebellious house.
27 But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD.' He who will hear, let him hear; and he who will refuse to hear, let him refuse, for they are a rebellious house.
Things to think about…
1. The similarities between the Apostle John’s vision and commissioning in Revelation and Ezekiel’s vision is striking. John also had to eat a scroll that was sweet to his taste, Rev 10:9, 10. The words of Ezekiel would not be tolerated by his people. In fact, he would have had more success if he was speaking to foreigners, Ezek 3:6. Do you feel the Aussie’s that you speak to are hard just like ancient Israel? I think they are comfortable speaking about faith but are less inclined to embrace. The Lord opens the minds and hearts of people to receive God’s word, whether to ancient Jews or modern-day Aussies.
2. Look at the Lord’s counsel to Ezekiel. Whether they hear or refuse you must still say “Thus says the Lord”, Ezek 3:11. As Christians we must bring all arguments back to the cross and the sacrifice of Christ. Regardless of what the atheist, the humanist, the liberal Christian, or anyone else says. We have the words of eternal life. Let’s use them and never compromise.
3. No prophet wants to be told that his ministry will be unprofitable! Even Isaiah when told similar news exclaimed, “How long, O Lord”, Isa 6:11. Ezekiel went to the exiles in “bitterness in the heat of my spirit”, Ezek 3:14. Even though the hand of the Lord was upon him he knew these people were stiff-necked, hard-hearted rebels and yet he still had a ministry to tell them the truth. Do not be concerned by how many repent or otherwise at your message. Be concerned as to whether you have been faithful with the message. This is easier said than done and often our spirits get upset by the lack of response. The fruit of the Spirit however is self control.
4. It is interesting that Ezekiel was accountable with the message, Ezek 3:18. Even though people are saved only by the Lord’s grace, we are still accountable to faithfully deliver the message. My encouragement for you today is to pray for an opportunity to speak into someone’s life and then to have the boldness to go and do it. Who can you think of right now to share the Word of God with today? As Jesus would later echo to his hearers, and also to John in Revelation, “He who will hear, let him hear”, Mt 11:15, Rev 22:17.
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Title was “The desire of the bride” – Reading Song of Sol 3
1. Do you remember your first love? How did that affect your future relationships?
2. This young woman is devoted to her young lover. She will do anything to be with him. Why was she so attracted to him?
3. We are the bride of Christ, Rev 21:1-4. We are to be totally distracted and devoted to Jesus – our husband. What distractions get in the way. How can we maintain our first love of Jesus. Do you remember this first love?
4. Pray for each other and the outreach of the gospel
Prayer Points
1. John Ward passed into glory on the 30th Aug – 73yo. Please pray for the family as they prepare funeral arrangements. Funeral service will be held at CBC 10am Mon 12th Sept.
2. The right choice for a full time Youth and Young Adults Pastor to start Jan 2023 and the finances to support them.
3. Some away through sickness.
4. Ministry leaders within the church.
5. Our One for Israel ministry.
6. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
7. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Wonderful Potjie and Braai on Sunday. Thankyou especially to Shaun, Fred and Paul. You guys did an amazing job. Tasted wonderful.
2. Many returning back to full health.
3. Worship on Sunday – thankyou Beatty Boys and Maddison looking after Kidz at Church. Ben for rebooting after blackout. Fiona and Suzy in café always do a stellar job. Thankyou for those who welcomed at the door.
4. All those who faithfully serve in ministries, Worship, Sound/Technical/Kids Church/ Cell Groups/Admin - Bulletins/Finances/Property/Welcoming/Spiritual Leadership/Cafe
5. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Remember to check your duty rosters.
2. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
3. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism question for September...
Q. 8. What will happen to the righteous in the day of judgment? A. They shall live with Jesus Christ forever, in a new heaven and a new earth.
