FBC Morning Light (8/17/2024)

Good Saturday morning people of faith.

This weekend we'll be looking or reading in Jeremiah chapters 27

through 29 and Ezekiel chapters 1 through 3.

We're gonna focus on chapters 2 and 3 of Ezekiel

and let's get started.

So when we think of Ezekiel oftentimes if you're like me you think

of a prophet of God who was instructed by the Lord

to do some kind of crazy things as object

lessons for the people of God.

And what we're going to be looking at in chapters 2 and 3 though is

is the instructions that God gave to Ezekiel as he was called

to this ministry of teaching and

and being a prophet.

So let me start in verse 6 of chapter 2 and it says, and you

son of man do not be afraid of them nor be afraid of their words though

briars and thorns are with you and you dwell among scorpions do

not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their looks though they are

a rebellious house.

So the first first thing of many things that are told to

Ezekiel here, one thing is do not be

afraid.

So remember do not be afraid.

Then we're going to go down to chapter 3 and verse 1 and we have some figurative

language here.

Ezekiel is receiving a vision from the Lord

back at the end of chapter 2.

It says now when I looked there was a hand stretched out to me and behold

a scroll of a book was in it.

Then he spread it before me and there was writing on the inside and on the

outside and written on it were lamentations and mourning and woe.

Alright so I learned something just an odd little thing in the last

couple of years that when you are asleep you can't read

anything in your dream.

So if you think back of the dreams you've had if you try and read something in your dream you generally wake up.

Alright so for all those who want to study by putting a book underneath their head at

night as they go to sleep it doesn't work and it won't work but this is

a clear indication that this is a vision and not a dream

that that Ezekiel was receiving and so this this

scroll we pick up in the beginning of chapter 3 it says me moreover he said to me

son of man eat what you find eat this scroll and go.

So he's supposed to take this scroll and eat it well that's the figurative language

this scroll was from the Lord God's Word and

he is supposed to eat it that's that's like meditating on it chewing it over thinking

about it letting that word nourish you

as Jesus said man does not live by bread alone but by every

word that proceeds from the mouth of God.

Alright so that's the second thing is be one who learns

the word.

Alright and then number three it said continuing in verse 1 of chapter 3 it

says go speak to the house of Israel and

and so and then down in verse 11 of chapter 3 it says and go get to the

captives and the to the children of your people and speak to them

and tell them thus says the Lord your God or the Lord

God whether they hear or whether they refuse.

Alright so three three things that have been told to Ezekiel

here and then we're gonna look at how they apply says do not be afraid

do not be afraid and he says study the word know the

word learn the word let it be your nourishment and finally

speak the word and that applies to that that applies to Ezekiel

in particular here but application can certainly be drawn for

all of us to not be afraid

of those who would seek to harm us for doing right or

for speaking the truth.

Alright and especially I would say for

pastors for teachers for those who have a responsibility to

stand up before the congregation and speak to them be

certain to not be afraid to hold back on what the word would

say out of fear of retribution from the congregation or

out of fear of needlessly offending but rather make

certain you speak the word clearly alright and make certain it is the

word that you speak.

Congregations do not need to hear your opinion about life

necessarily though it may be at times profitable ultimately

people need the Word of God.

It's the Word of God that gives life.

It is not your opinion.

And finally and finally make certain that you do speak

speak with clarity whether or not those people will respond.

Let's pray.

Heavenly Father thank you for this example of how you called Ezekiel

and may it be that we apply those principles

to our lives that it would be you that receives the glory and not us.

It's in your son's name Jesus we pray amen have an excellent day.

People of faith.