What warnings should we deliver as modern-day watchmen, according to Ezekiel 3:17? Our Calling as Watchmen Ezekiel 3:17: “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from My mouth, give them a warning from Me.” God’s commission to Ezekiel frames every believer’s responsibility today: having heard God’s Word, we must faithfully pass it on. Essential Warnings We Must Sound • Sin brings sure judgment – Romans 6:23a: “For the wages of sin is death.” – Hebrews 9:27: “It is appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgment.” Encourage hearers to face sin honestly and understand the reality of God’s holy justice. • Christ alone saves – John 14:6: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” – Acts 4:12: “There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Warn against relying on works, religion, or any alternative path. • Repentance is urgent – Acts 17:30-31: “God now commands all people everywhere to repent, because He has set a day when He will judge the world in righteousness.” Stress that delayed repentance hardens hearts (Hebrews 3:13). • A counterfeit gospel endangers souls – Galatians 1:6-9 warns of “a different gospel.” Sound the alarm about teachings that dilute grace, deny Christ’s deity, or excuse sin. • The return of Christ is imminent – Matthew 24:42: “Keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:2-6 urges believers to stay awake and sober. Remind hearers that today’s decisions echo into eternity. • Cultural approval cannot overrule God’s Word – Isaiah 5:20: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil.” Challenge societal norms that contradict Scripture on life, marriage, gender, and moral absolutes. Why These Warnings Matter • God holds watchmen accountable (Ezekiel 33:6). • Warnings reveal love, not harshness (Proverbs 27:6). • Eternal destinies hinge on truth received or rejected (John 3:18,36). How to Deliver the Warning Faithfully 1. Listen first: immerse yourself in Scripture so the warning is “from My mouth” (2 Timothy 2:15). 2. Speak plainly: avoid foggy generalities; call sin what God calls it (Isaiah 58:1). 3. Combine truth with compassion: “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). 4. Model holiness: credibility flows from a life aligned with the message (1 Peter 1:15-16). 5. Persevere: results belong to God; our duty is to warn (1 Corinthians 3:6-7). Consequences of Silence • Blood-guilt: “His blood I will require at your hand” (Ezekiel 33:8). • Compromised witness: a muted church loses saltiness (Matthew 5:13). • Spiritual drift within the body: unaddressed error spreads “like gangrene” (2 Timothy 2:17). Encouragement for Faithful Watchmen • God’s promise of strength: “Do not fear, for I am with you” (Isaiah 41:10). • Reward for obedience: “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21). • Joy of rescued souls: “Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death” (James 5:20). Stand on the wall. Speak His Word. The house still needs warning—and hope. |
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