Question of The Day
When was the last time you thoughtfully read from the book of Ezekiel? I suspect the average pew dweller would, at best, need to answer with, “Honestly, I cannot remember.” I would respond with an A for integrity and a D for commitment. Hence, you are an average pew dweller. Do not feel too bad; most pastors would find themselves answering something like, “The last time I wrote a prophecy sermon.” They would get a C for integrity and an F for commitment.
Why Fuss?
Why the fuss over when I last read this book? After all, it is filled with some very odd symbolism, like having four faces. There is a simple but profound answer. It is this. The book of Ezekiel makes up forty-eight chapters of your Bible. Secondly, Paul, referring to the Old Testament, indicates that this (and the rest of the Old Testament) was penned through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (II Timothy 3:16-17), and he asserts that all Scripture is profitable for the believer.
Referring to the Pentateuch, Paul writes in I Corinthians 10 that these things were written for our instruction. Peter appeals to his flock to live holy lives and appeals to the Old Testament when he cites it, “You shall be holy, for I am holy (I Peter 1:14-16). He further puts the writings of the Old Testament prophets on par with the New Testament writings (II Peter 3:1-2).
Sometimes, you should study Jesus and the Old Testament. You will likely find yourself surprised. Likewise, trace the frequency with which the Apostles quoted the Old Testament when writing their epistles.
Finally, note God’s warning through the Apostle John when he comes to the end of the book of Revelation,
18 “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Consideration of the opening chapters of Ezekiel (1-5)
Let me point out the twelve important lessons for us found in these first five chapters. This is not an exhaustive list, just the five that popped as I read these chapters this morning.
- A person needs a vision of God’s glory to be ready for God’s call (1).
- To execute the call of God, a person must walk in the Spirit (2).
- To minister for God means much rejection as a person and of God’s Word (3:1-3)
- To minister for God, a person must digest the Scripture (3:4-10)
- To minister for God, a person is accountable to confront sin (3:17)
- To minister for God, a person is accountable to evangelize (3:18)
- To minister for God, a person must intertwine confronting and evangelizing (3:18-21)
- To minister for God, a person must be sensitive to God as to when to speak and when to shut up (3:22-27)
- To minister for God means to tolerate the unpleasant (4:1-3)
- To minster for God means sometimes being a living example (4:4-12)
- To minister for God means to speak boldly to God and for God (4:13-17)
- To minister for God means delivering the judgment of God (5)
A Charge to Seminary Graduates
I have the privilege to present the charge to our graduates at the Birmingham Theological Seminary graduation ceremony tonight. The theme of this charge is faithfulness in executing ministry for God. To illustrate my point, among other things, I wrote the following parable.
Like Jesus, let me tell you a parable. One young pastor told his story. It ran like this. Upon moving his wife and child to this rural city (probably more like a village), he was assured that some seventy-five-faithful offered him a unanimous call. Just before his first session meeting, an elder called him to let him know he was going to offer his resignation. He concluded his call with familiar words, “I have hung on till we called you to be sure the church stayed stable, but my wife and I are burned out.” Then, not long into his tenure, a nearby plant announced it was closing, and it was the place of employment of two major families in the church—they were being transferred.
He stayed the course. The church stabilized. He finished his doctoral work and was offered an online teaching position as he faithfully served his church. Several years later, an auto manufacturer built a new plant. The town and the church began to flourish.
I will follow this with the reading of Jesus’ parable in Matthew 25 regarding stewardship.
Conclusion
Ezekiel is a grand example of a faithful stewardship of his calling. In this 21st century, which is rapidly descending into raw paganism that is shot through with idolatry and lawlessness, many of us (all believers are called in the Great Commission) will increasingly find ourselves speaking to a culture permeated by paganism, lawlessness, and idolatry. It behooves us to study Jeremiah and Ezekiel in particular. We need to learn the lessons they provide for us.