Where Is The Man?

EZE. 22:30 “WHERE IS THE MAN?”

A) In the book of Ezekiel we find about as dark a picture of the conditions of this day in which

he preached as you will find painted anywhere in the Bible!

* v.23-29 … It was a day of uncleanness … A day of murdering … Not many drawn to God …

* God’s Word was dishonored … Dishonesty was rampant … Selfishness … Compromise …

* Unconcern … Sin on every hand … Kind of sounds like the day we’re living in, doesn’t it?

B) In the days of evil, God found men like Noah, Moses, Gideon, Elijah, Moody, Sunday …….

* My question for today is, “Where are the men today to make up the hedge and stand in the gap?”

* Let me paraphrase this verse … God said, “I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of

righteousness that guards the land …….”

* “I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land,

but I found no one.”

C) This being Fathers’ Day, I wonder if God can find a man in this hour?

* Some people say that any man can be a father … It’s a job that takes very little talent.

* The facts, however, show that the rate of failure at fatherhood is higher than any other

occupation that you can name.

D) Being a father is actually a job that most people underestimate!

* Just what does it take to be an adequate father? * How do you measure up?

* Is it true that being a father is the most important job on earth?

* I BELIEVE SO … And I also believe that being a father is not a part-time job!

E) A man that would be a true father … A father that does his job well … And fulfills his

responsibilities must work at it full-time!

* And there are not many full-time fathers these days!

* The Bible is very clear that the ideal pattern for every home and family is built on a godly father.

* The father is the dominate figure in the home and his role is vital and important!

F) The Bible implies that to be without a father is the greatest affliction for a family!

* In fact, the law said in Exo. 22:22-24 says, “Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.

If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry;

And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows,

and your children fatherless.”

* God Himself is moved to pity the fatherless … Hos. 14:3 “… for in thee the fatherless findeth

mercy.” * Psa. 146:9 “ … he relieveth the fatherless.”

* Psa 68:5 says that God is “A father of the fatherless,”

G) But even worse than a home without a father, is a home in which the father fails to fulfill

his role … And there are many today!

* Maybe they’re too busy, or maybe they just don’t see the responsibility of their task.

* Whatever the reason, one of our greatest needs today is for fathers to fulfill their roles, and to

fulfill it full-time!

H) Now let’s get back to my text … God said, “I sought (looked) for a man among them …….”

* My question today is, “Where is the man?” * Let me ask you three questions …….

(1) WHERE IS THE MAN PROVIDING?

A) The first need of every family, and probably the most obvious is the material need!

* Not many fathers fail here … We may not give them everything they want, but we take pride in

giving them all that we’re able! * Providing is a great privilege for the parent!

* Paul writes in 2 Cor. 12:14 “… for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the

parents for the children.”

B) The man who does not do his best to provide the material needs of his family commits a

great sin! * Listen to 1 Tim. 5:8 …….

* “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the

faith, and is worse than an infidel.” * No greater charge could be hurled at anyone!

* The Greek word for infidel is “apistos” (ap’-is-tos) and means, “a heathen, untrustworthy person,

faithless, unbeliever, disbelieving, i.e. without Christian faith.”

C) But perhaps the greater danger for most of us today is that we sometimes provide beyond

our needs! * Wants ……. * When I was growing up my mama use to tell me …….