Facing the Giants
(Ezekiel 2:1-3:11)
Introduction:
1. Play the video, "Be an Encouager." (sermonspice)
2. Today is Superbowl Sunday...
a. The Indianapolis Colts will be facing the Chicago Bears today.
b. Like the team on the video they need to be a "stone wall".
3. We may not face the Bears, but like the team in the video, we are led to face the giants.
a. The enemy seems to get bigger and bigger the longer we try to hold him back.
b. We need to stand strong and encourage one another.
4. Preach on an OT passage that is meant for us today.
a. The game plan God gave the prophet Ezekiel He wants us to complete.
b. If we can stand against the enemy just a little longer...
5. Ezekiel gets to look into the throne room of heaven.
a. Out of His mercy the Lord appeared in a figure like that of a man.
b. Ezekiel 1:26b-28.
I. OUR HEAVENLY COACH CALLS US TO STAND UP AND NOT BE AFRAID.
1. Ezekiel 2:1-7.
2. Even in the presence of God, Ezekiel is told to stand up...
a. When you get close to Jesus you realize how inadequate you really are.
b. Yet Jesus wants you to stand up and look Him in the eyes as He speaks.
c. Stop letting Satan keep you down with a spirit of doubt and shame, stand up!
3. Notice it is God’s own people who are stubborn and obstinate. (vs. 3)
a. Obstinate: "to not lower your head in shame."
b. Christians don’t blush anymore. They aren’t sorry for rejecting God’s Word.
c. It is time to stop playing at the Devil’s house on weekdays and being upset you don’t feel God’s presence at His house on Sundays!
4. There are definite teachings of God.
a. Ezekiel 2:4b-5.
b. What our team is called to do is not easy: briers and thorns all around you and even scorpions.
Illustration: (Sometimes I think we are too popular. There was a pastor who wanted a wealthy man to join his church. The man was just being honest when he explained that sometimes he liked to get just a little bit drunk. That he liked to look at porn on the internet a little bit. The pastor looked around to make sure no one could hear and whispered, "It’s OK if you just do them a little bit." The man smiled and said, "Sorry pastor, I can’t join your church. I’m afraid you would let me go just a little bit to HELL.")
II. OUR HEAVENLY COACH EXPECTS US TO STICK TO THE WHOLE GAME PLAN.
1. Ezekiel 2:8-3:3.
a. Don’t fall into the very trap from which you are trying to set others free.
b. Notice the scroll was written on both the front and back.
c. Normally a scroll was written on only ONE SIDE.
d. This symbolizes COMPLETNESS.
e. We are not to pick and choose only what we like inn the game plan.
2. On both sides were written lament, warning and woe.
a. You can’t bring rebellious people to God by ingnoring their sin.
b. It is sad when God tells us that those who don’t accept Jesus will be lost.
c. People think the church is the love boat with an all-you-can-eat buffet.
d. In reality it is a battle ship in a war for souls.
Illustration: ("A Divine Revelation of Hell" by Mary K. Baxter. Tells of a vision where she was shown hell by Jesus Christ.
"We came to the next pit. Inside this pit, was another skeleton form. A man’s voice cried from the pit saying, ’Lord, have mercy on me!’ Only when they spoke could I tell whether the soul was a man or woman.
Great wailing sobs came from this man. ’I’m so sorry, Jesus. Forgive me. Take me out of here. I have been in this place of torment for years. I beg You, let me out!’ Great sobs shook his skeletal frame as he begged. I looked at Jesus and saw that He too was crying.
’It is too late,’ said Jesus. ’Judgment is set.’...At this the man became very angry and began to curse. Evil blasphemous words came from him. I looked on in horror as the flames rose up and his dead, decaying flesh began to burn and fall off. Inside this dead shell of a man, I saw his soul. I turned to Jesus and cried, ’Lord, how horrible!"...Jesus said, ’Tell the world for Me that hell is real, that men and women must repent of their sins.’")
3. Our heavenly coach wants you to fill YOUR life with His Words.
a. Ezekiel 3:3.
b. "Read My words; seek My face; talk to Me in prayer and listen to My voice."
c. God promises that His words will be as sweet as honey in your mouth.
III. OUR HEAVENLY COACH NEEDS US TO BE A STONE WALL.
(Note: taken from a scene in the video.)
1. Ezekiel 3:4-11.
2. You can do this because I AM not sending you to a foreign country.
a. I’m not sending you to a place where they can’t understand what youu are trying to say.
b. Ironically, if I sent you to another land they would listen.
3. God gives assurance to any who would complete His game plan...
a. Ezekiel 3:8.
b. Don’t give up even when your spiritual progress is hindered.
c. Don’t fear rejection or looks of disgust.
d. If you can just stand for a little longer.
4. The last verse of our passage today ends with two simple words: "GO NOW."
a. The struggle for the earth has reached the fourth quarter.
b. Our Sovereign Lord looks for those who will be a stone wall for truth.
c. Stick to our heavenly Coach’s plan.
d. The WHOLE plan.
e. Whether they listen or refuse to listen.
5. Facing the Giants...
