"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT BEING FAITHFUL TO GOD'S CALLING"
Ezekiel 3:10 “Moreover He said to me: “Son of man, receive into your heart all My words that I speak to you, and hear with your ears.”
Ezekiel 3:11 “And go, get to the captives, to the children of your people, and speak to them and tell them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD,’ whether they hear, or whether they refuse.”
Taken from today's reading in The One Year Bible 11/2/14.
Some background, application, questions and a prayer:
Ezekiel was a prophet sent by God to a rebellious people, the children of Israel.
He was being sent to people who did not want to hear the Word and actually tried to kill him.
God encouraged him to not be afraid but to go and tell the people what God had to say to them.
Ezekiel was a faithful man, may we be like him in our day.
Ezekiel 3:10 “Then he added, “Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself.”
Ezekiel 3:11 “Then go to your people in exile and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says!’ Do this whether they listen to you or not.”
1. God wants us to receive His Word into our hearts.
Ezekiel 3:10 “Moreover He said to me: “Son of man, receive into your heart all My words that I speak to you, and hear with your ears.”
God speaks to us.
God wants us to receive His Word into our hearts.
We can choose to receive His Word.
Or we can choose not to receive His Word.
May we be people who are receptive.
The idea here is that we would be receptive to His Word, and let His Word sink deep into our hearts first, before we share it with others.
2. God wants us to hear His Word with our ears.
Ezekiel 3:10 “Moreover He said to me: “Son of man, receive into your heart all My words that I speak to you, and hear with your ears.”
Along with letting God's Word sink into our hearts, He wants us to listen to His Word carefully.
And, to see how it applies to our own lives before we share it with others.
God's own messengers need God's own Word as much as anyone the messengers are being sent to.
May we let His Word be applied to our own hearts first.
Ezekiel 3:10 “Then he added, “Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself.”
Ezekiel 3:11 “Then go to your people in exile and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says!’ Do this whether they listen to you or not.”
3. God wants us to share His Word with those who are held captive.
Ezekiel 3:11 “And go, get to the captives, to the children of your people, and speak to them and tell them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD,’ whether they hear, or whether they refuse.”
Many people are held captive today by sin and unbelief.
They do not want to hear God.
They would rather listen to the devil.
They do not even realize that they are bound by satan.
God knows they are held captive and wants to free them.
He sets people free by, and through, His Word.
Let's be those who go to the captives and tell them what God has said.
4. God wants us to be faithful to share His Word whether the people hear or they refuse.
Ezekiel 3:11 “And go, get to the captives, to the children of your people, and speak to them and tell them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD,’ whether they hear, or whether they refuse.”
Some people will listen, praise God for that.
Some people will refuse to listen, let's pray to God for them.
We are not to worry about people being open or not.
We are to faithfully and lovingly tell them the truth.
God will bless His servants who faithfully proclaim His Word.
May we be those faithful servants who faithfully declare His Word.
Some Questions:
1. Do you see the truth of many today who do not want to hear God's Word?
2. Will you pray right along with me that we let God's Word be applied first to our own lives?
3. Do you ever get discouraged by those who refuse to listen to God?
4. Will you pray to be faithful to share His Word whether people listen or refuse it?
A Prayer:
Father, what a blessing to know You and be in Your family, and to have the honor of serving You in these last days.
So many are mocking the truth of the Bible in these days. We pray for them, Lord, that You would send a great outpouring of Your Spirit upon them, and open their eyes and hearts to Your life saving, soul freeing truth. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
