Sermon Central
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Ezekiel
Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 11, 2024 (message contributor)
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1. A Job Description For God’s Messenger
Contributed on Mar 11, 2024
Some truths about some of the challenging aspects of trying to be a messenger for God.
A Job Description for God’s Messengers: - I’m going to keep this broad and include all of us who are called to share the good news of Christ. There would also be an avenue for preaching this sermon as the call of a preacher but I think the truths here are good for us in general. 1. We speak what ...read more
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2. The Gift Of Thick Skin
Contributed on Mar 13, 2024
This peculiar passage gives us a poignant picture of the need for tenacity and determination in the face of opposition to the message of God.
THAT'S A SURPRISE: Sometimes God needs His people to be hardheaded. - Ezekiel 3:8-9. - This passage continues the ideas we discussed in the last sermon about God’s messengers. It had a warning from God that the Israelites claimed to be God’s people but they weren’t listening to what God had ...read more
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3. When What God Asks Seems To Be Too Much
Contributed on Mar 22, 2024
This passage challenges the self-centered "gospel of self-fulfillment" that is too often proclaimed today. What does it mean that God wants us to focus on the "gospel of kingdom fulfillment"?
A HARSH STORY: God gives Ezekiel a task that overwhelms him. - Ezekiel 3:14-15. - 2 Corinthians 1:8-11; 2 Corinthians 4:7-10, 16-18. - This is a tough story and it’s going to lead us in this sermon to some difficult points. - We’ve been talking for the first two sermons in this series about the ...read more
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4. The Responsibility Of The Watchman
Contributed on Apr 12, 2024
A challenging passage on the essential responsibility of the spiritual watchman. How does this idea apply to today?
IN ANCIENT DAYS: There would be a watchman on the city wall to warn of impending danger. - Ezekiel 3:17. - 2 Samuel 18:24-27; 2 Kings 9:17-20. - In ancient times there was literally a watchman on the city wall, scanning the horizon for danger. When an army appeared, the quick alarm spread by the ...read more
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5. The Antidote To The ‘kindly Grandfather’ God
Contributed on Apr 16, 2024
This passage is a stark contrast to the "kindly grandfather" image of God that many had. What are the specific ways that shows up here?
JUDGMENT-FREE ZONE: Many people like to think of God as a kindly grandfather. - Ezekiel 5:1. - There is a popular conception of God as a kindly (and slightly senile) grandfather in the sky. He’s not going to rebuke you for anything you’re doing. He’s going to ask if everyone had a good time. And ...read more
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6. When Money Isn’t Valuable
Contributed on Apr 29, 2024
This verse depicts a scene where formerly-valued gold and silver becomes worthless. What can we learn about money from this scenario?
EZEKIEL'S PROPHECY: There will time when money won’t be valuable. - Ezekiel 7:19. - Earlier in the chapter (vv. 1-6), multiple references to the End. Other references in this passage to economic instability (vv. 12-13 on property). - Disaster and catastrophe will come upon this people. This ...read more
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7. When The Glory Of God Departs
Contributed on Aug 2, 2024
The departure of the glory of God from the Temple was a milestone event. Was God forsaking His promises to Israel?
- It’s worth noting as I get started this evening that this is a wild chapter with a lot of interesting and unusual details. Those parts of the chapter are worth a Bible study unto themselves to unpack those meanings. This sermon, though, is not that Bible study. - Instead, we will be focusing ...read more
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8. God’s Response When The Prophets Start Lying
Contributed on Aug 27, 2024
This chapter is rich in details of what false prophets look like, what the practical consequences of false prophecy are, and how God will respond to false prophets.
- [This is more of a Wednesday evening study. Lots of points.] WHAT MANY PRESUME: If the religious leaders are saying it, it must be from God. WHAT DOES THEIR FALSE PROPHECY LOOK LIKE? 1. It’s out of their imagination. - Ezekiel 13:2, 17-18. 2. They follow their own spirit. - Ezekiel ...read more
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9. Two Steps To Trouble
Contributed on Sep 4, 2024
An interesting "two step" phrase is repeated three times in this passage. It gives us insight into how what we believe in our heart creates hurdles in real life.
TWO STEPS TO TROUBLE: 1. AN IDOL IS A SUBSTITUTE FOR GOD THAT WE PUT ON OUR HEART'S THRONE. - Ezekiel 14:3, 4, 7. - The triple repeat is interesting and significant. - An idol is the start of the problem. It’s a substitute God. - Let’s look at three examples. We’ll start with this step ...read more
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10. When Do We Take Pleasure In The Death Of The Wicked?
Contributed on Oct 21, 2024
A look at the ways we have allowed the culture war to make us hate those God called us to love as well as put secondary things first.
- [Maybe put this made-up passage up on the screen or in the sermon outline.] - Imagine that there is a Romans 17. (I’m not going heretical here - this is just a thought experiment with a point.) Imagine that at the end of Paul’s letter he shared some additional advice. - Let’s say that Romans 17 ...read more
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11. When We Ignore The "signs"
Contributed on Oct 24, 2024
This verse points out that the Sabbath was intended to be a sign but that Israel wasn't actually obeying it. What are some ways we do similar things today?
GIVE ME A SIGN: God says here that the Sabbath was intended as a sign. - Ezekiel 20:10-12. - These verses tell us that God brought Israel out of Egypt. He gave them the Mosaic Law as a path toward life and peace. And one of the signs He gave them was the Sabbath. - What exactly does it mean that ...read more
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12. Why Is There So Little Fear Of God’s Judgment Today?
Contributed on Nov 6, 2024
This passage gives us an example of people not ready for God's impending judgment. Why today are so many equally unready?
NOT CONCERNED: Why is there so little fear of God’s judgment today? - Ezekiel 21:7. - It’s without question that today there is little fear of God’s judgment. There’s little belief in Final Judgment but only a vague hope of a heavenly reunion. The idea that we are somehow accountable for the sin ...read more
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13. When Christians Try To Predict The Future
Contributed on Nov 7, 2024
The ancient phrase "examine the liver" tells of a Babylonian way to try to predict the future. We can shake our head at that, but there's a way we do the same thing today.
“EXAMINE THE LIVER”: This was an ancient Babylonian process to try to discern the future. - Ezekiel 21:21. - I’m quite confident that I’ve never heard a sermon on this obscure phrase in this obscure corner of the Bible, but I think it’s interesting and sets up an important point about prophecy ...read more
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14. When There Is No One To Stand In The Gap
Contributed on Nov 18, 2024
God makes a stunning statement here: there is no one left to stand in the gap on behalf of Israel. What does this passage tell us about the specific shortcomings of the people of God and the prophets of God in that day? And can this text encourage us today to stand strong amid a dark hour?
OFF-TRACK: The American church is far from what we should be. - I think this is largely beyond dispute, so I won’t belabor the point. - Let me simply share one proof that I think is instructive. - When you look at the early chapters of Acts, there are many people who are coming to know Jesus. The ...read more
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15. Is God Unjust To Ask Such A Sacrifice Of Ezekiel And His Wife?
Contributed on Nov 20, 2024
The tragic death of Ezekiel's wife is caused by God as a sign for Israel. Is God unjust to ask such a sacrifice?
WHAT DO WE DO WITH THIS? Is God unjust to ask such a sacrifice of Ezekiel and his wife? - Ezekiel 24:15-27. - This is just a tough passage, but it’s one that points us to an important truth that often gets overlooked in the American church. Let’s start by unpacking this passage and then we’ll ...read more