16At the end of seven days th...

16At 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 people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.

18When I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood.

- P112

21But if you do warn the righteous person not to sin and they do not sin, they will surely live because they took warning, and you will have saved yourself." - P112

22The hand of the Lord was on me there, and he said to me, "Get up and go out to the plain, and there I will speak to you."

23So I got up and went out to the plain. And the glory of the Lord was standing there, like the glory I had seen by the Kebar River, and I fell facedown.

- P113

24Then the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet. He spoke to me and said: "Go, shut yourself inside your house.

25And you, son of man, they will tie with ropes; you will be bound so that you cannot go out among the people.

26I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth so that you will be silent and unable to rebuke them, for they are a rebellious people.

- P113

27But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth and you shall say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’ Whoever will listen let them listen, and whoever will refuse let them refuse; for they are a rebellious people.

- P113

God makes Ezekiel a watchman for the people of Israel. He must warn thewicked and the righteous. If he fails to warn a wicked person, the Lord will holdhim accountable for their blood, but if he warns them, he saves himself - P113

. TheLord will make Ezekiel mute except when given a message. When the Lordspeaks, He will open Ezekiel‘s mouth to proclaim His word. - P113

God makes Ezekiel a watchman for His people. A watchman’s role, in the traditional military sense, is to protect soldiers and civilians by keeping watch from a tower and blowing the trumpet when danger is approaching. - P114

Likewise, as a spiritual watchman, Ezekiel is to personally warn people whose souls are in danger due to disobedience and rebellion. - P114

Believers today should be willing to do the same for our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. If we truly care about their well-being, then we should warn them when they are straying away from God’s commands. We should also be grateful when we receive warnings from others, taking them to heart instead of being defensive, because even those who are righteous are in need of such warnings. - P114

Believers today should be willing to do the same for our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. If we truly care about their well-being, then we should warn them when they are straying away from God’s commands. - P114

We should also be grateful when we receive warnings from others, taking them to heart instead of being defensive, because even those who are righteous are in need of such warnings. - P114

Heavenly Father, I confess that I am sometimes stubborn and rebellious, wandering and making excuses instead of following You. - P115

Soften my heart so that I may obey Your commands and faithfully watch over my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. In Your Son’s name I pray, amen. - P115

1And he said to me, ˝Son of m...

1And he said to me, "Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the people of Israel."

2So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat.

3Then he said to me, "Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it." So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.

4He then said to me: "Son of man, go now to the people of Israel and speak my words to them.

5You are not being sent to a people of obscure speech and strange language, but to the people of Israel—

6not to many peoples of obscure speech and strange language, whose words you cannot understand. Surely if I had sent you to them, they would have listened to you.


- P108

7But the people of Israel are not willing to listen to you because they are not willing to listen to me, for all the Israelites are hardened and obstinate.
- P108

10And he said to me, "Son of man, listen carefully and take to heart all the words I speak to you.

11Go now to your people in exile and speak to them. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says,’ whether they listen or fail to listen."

12Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me a loud rumbling sound as the glory of the Lord rose from the place where it was standing.
- P109

14The Spirit then lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the Lord on me.

15I came to the exiles who lived at Tel Aviv near the Kebar River. And there, where they were living, I sat among them for seven days—deeply distressed.

- P109

God tells Ezekiel to eat the scroll and speak to Israel. The scroll tastes sweet ashoney. The Lord then tells Ezekiel to go to the rebellious people of Israel andspeak His words to them. Though they will not listen, Ezekiel must speak andnot be afraid. The Spirit lifts Ezekiel up and takes him away. He arrives amongthe exiles in Tel Aviv and sits among them for seven days, deeply distressed. - P109

God tells Ezekiel that, had he been sent to a foreign people instead of to the Israelites, he would have found more success. The Israelites have become hardened and refuse to hear God’s simple message even when it is presented to them openly. The people are unwilling to listen to God’s messenger because they are unwilling to listen to God. - P110

If we are set in our own ways, we can easily become hardened when God sends us the same message over and over. - P110

Like the Israelites, we fail to listen even though God’s message is clearly presented to us. God continually sends messengers to speak His Word to His people. The Holy Spirit warns us, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts" (Heb. 3:8a). - P110

The people‘s stubbornness does not intimidate God; He decides to be justas unyielding. He empowers Ezekiel to stand firm before the obstinateIsraelites and strengthens him to confront a rebellious people. The strengthGod supplies enables Ezekiel to speak the truth to the Israelites, regardlessof their response. This, however, does not spare Ezekiel the discomfort ofthe message he must speak.  - P110

When God sends us into the world, He doesnot send us in our own strength. He has given usus the Holy Spirit, whosepower enables us to live and speak as His witnesses. We will sometimes findit uncomfortable to speak a message many do not want to hear. However,
we can take courage in the fact that God will supply the strength and per-severance we need. - P110

The people‘s stubbornness does not intimidate God; He decides to be justas unyielding. He empowers Ezekiel to stand firm before the obstinateIsraelites and strengthens him to confront a rebellious people. The strengthGod supplies enables Ezekiel to speak the truth to the Israelites, regardlessof their response. This, however, does not spare Ezekiel the discomfort ofthe message he must speak.  - P110

When God sends usnot send us in our own strength. He has given to the world, He doesus the Holy Spirit, whosepower enables us to live and speak as His witnesses.  - P110

We will sometimes findit uncomfortable to speak a message many do not want to hear. However,
we can take courage in the fact that God will supply the strength and perseverance we need. - P110

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word and for sending obedient messengers who continually remind Your people of Your eternal truth. - P111

Soften my heart to receive Your correction and help me honor those You have placed in authority to share Your Word with me. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen. - P111

A sermon is not a motivationalspeech or a lecture; it is God‘s Word proclaimed to God‘s people. Sermonpreparation is as much a spiritual exercise as it is an intellectual one. Thegoal is not to say something interesting or new, but to ask: What does Godwant to say to His church this week? How is this Biblepassage relevant toour congregation?
- P111

While I have become better at preparing and writing sermons, I still approach the pulpit with reverential fear and a heart ofbeers and a heart of repentance. I still hearmy inner judgmental voice, but I have learned that this voice is not who I‘mpreaching to. My job is to faithfully preach the message God has entrustedto me and entrust the rest to Him.
70+%E - P111

The Lord tells Ezekiel to ris...

The Lord tells Ezekiel to rise, and the Spirit enters him and sets him on his feet.
The Lord sends Ezekiel to a rebellious nation, and tells him not to be afraid ofthem.  - P105

Ezekiel must speak God‘s words to them, whether they listen or not, andthey will know that a prophet has been among them. God then gives Ezekiela scroll filled with words of lament, mourning, and woe. - P105

Dear Jesus, You are the reason we need not fear anything.  - P107

Open our heartsto receive Your words, which strengthen and encourage us. Thank you forbeing our shield and refuge. In Your name, amen. - P107

27I saw that from what appear...

27I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him.

28Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking. - P99

Ezekiel sees wheels beside each living creature, sparkling like topaz, full ofeyes, and moving with the spirit. Over their heads is a vault, and above it athrone of lapis lazuli. On the throne is a figure like that of a man. This is theappearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. Ezekiel sees it and fallsfacedown and hears the voice of one speaking. - P99

In the vision, Ezekiel sees four wheels, one next to each of the heavenly creatures. These are no ordinary wheels. They sparkle like gemstones and appear to travel in any direction, in step with the creatures’ movements. Twice, Ezekiel explains that the wheels are able to move this way because the spirit of the living creatures is in the wheels. - P100

In the fascinating and multi-dimensional imagery of this prophetic vision, we see that God is not stationary. He is actively moving, able to go wherever He pleases to fulfill His plans. We are reminded that we, too, have access to His Holy Spirit. As we pay attention to His leading, we can also participate in following our active God. - P100

The creatures fly under a vault, an expanse that sparkles like crystal. Ezekiel describes the sound of their flapping wings as comparable to the roarof rushing waters, like the thunderous voice of the Almighty.  - P100

Above thevault, he sees a throne and a heavenly figure, and Ezekiel falls facedown ashe hears a voice speaking. For the first time in the vision, sound featuresprominently, accompanying the vivid imagery. We see clearly from thisvision that our glorious God speaks from His heavenly kingdom.  - P100

It maynot always be as clear as a thunderous voice, but we can be assured that Hespeaks to us. May we listen carefully to what the Lord is saying in the Wordand in our prayers. - P100

Dear Lord, thank you that You are an active God who reigns from Your heavenly kingdom. - P100

Through Your Spirit, help me to better listen to Your Word, see Your truth, and experience Your glory. In Your name I pray, amen. - P100

God converses with us primarily through His words in Scripture.
We can also use His words to respond to Him.
Use the following guide to pray through this week‘s memory verse.
Don‘t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example forthe believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. - 1 Timothy 4:12 - P101

1In my thirtieth year, in the...

1In my thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. - P94

4I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north—an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal,

5and in the fire was what looked like four living creatures. In appearance their form was human,

6but each of them had four faces and four wings.

- P94

7Their legs were straight; their feet were like those of a calf and gleamed like burnished bronze.

8Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands. All four of them had faces and wings,

9and the wings of one touched the wings of another. Each one went straight ahead; they did not turn as they moved.

- P95

13The appearance of the living creatures was like burning coals of fire or like torches. Fire moved back and forth among the creatures; it was bright, and lightning flashed out of it.

14The creatures sped back and forth like flashes of lightning.

- P95

10Their faces looked like this: Each of the four had the face of a human being, and on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox; each also had the face of an eagle.

11Such were their faces. They each had two wings spreading out upward, each wing touching that of the creature on either side; and each had two other wings covering its body.

12Each one went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, without turning as they went.

- P95

In the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin, the word of the Lord comesto Ezekiel the priest. Ezekiel sees a windstorm coming out of the north withflashing lightning and a brilliant light.  - P95

Four living creatures appear, each withfour faces and four wings. They move straight ahead, going wherever thespirit goes. Their appearance is radiant, like burning coals of fire or torches. - P95

Ezekiel begins his book with an autobiographical tone that contrasts with the way other prophets begin their works. He offers a literary journey of narratives, oracles, and visions, and it all begins with a note indicating that the vision is told from Ezekiel’s personal experience. His readers have a sense of his perspective as he situates himself in a particular time and place. - P96

Ezekiel’s authorial style reminds us of our own lives of faith. God fulfills His sovereign plan, but He does so through individual people. - P96

We are not just spectators; we are woven into God’s story. Let us remember that in our faithfulness to the Lord, each of us contributes his or her personal story to His grand plan. - P96

Ezekiel‘s detailed vision is compelling. He sees a windstorm in the form ofa massive cloud surrounded by light, representing the glorious presence ofGod. Four heavenly creatures come from its fiery center, traveling straightahead as they follow the spirit. The imagery is intimidating, but by showingHis fearsome presence to Ezekiel, God also indicates His care for His people.  - P96

He is sending a message through Ezekiel because He loves them. Thevision reminds us today that we serve an all-powerful and glorious God,
and we should not take His love and grace for granted.  - P96

May we be gratefulfor His care and be diligent in heeding His commands as He guides us intheshouldway wego. - P96

Dear God, thank you that I am personally a part of Your divine story. I am grateful for the privilege of serving an all-powerful and glorious God. - P97

Help me to be faithful in fulfilling my role in Your great plan. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P97

Remember that you are the light of Christ, and displaying God‘s love andcompassion is often a compelling aspect of the gospel message. Sometimes,
it is good to meet a person regularly, actively listening and thoughtfullyresponding to any questions. Praying for the Spirit‘s guidance is helpful asyou do this.  - P97

Sharing your testimony of how Jesus became important to youcan also be inspiring to others. Finally, inviting a person to church can bean effective way of demonstrating the gospel. If you know the person well,
you can also mention that it is an excellent opportunity for the two of youto spend more time together doing something you deeply value. - P97