A WATCHMAN
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INTRODUCTION
We are living in a day when people give little concern to their actions, their speech, and their doctrine - therefore we see the need for a “watchman” - someone to watch for the souls of men
The prophet Ezekiel lived in a dark time.
The prophet Ezekiel lived in a dark time.
In the space of less that 20 years, three loads of Israelites were dragged from the promised land - away from Jerusalem, away from the temple - even away from God Himself it seemed.
Ezekiel was supposed to be a priest, serving at the temple in Jerusalem, but there he was in Babylon - far from Jerusalem, far from the temple.
In the midst of all of the trouble, God wanted a man to watch for, and to give warning to his people.
In the midst of all of the trouble, God wanted a man to watch for, and to give warning to his people.
Jeremiah was God’s watchman in Judah.
Daniel was God’s watchman in the king’s of palace.
Ezekiel was God’s watchman among the people by the river Chebar.
Let us first consider…
The Task of the Watchman
The Message of the Watchman
The Response to the Watchman
DISCUSSION
THE TASK OF THE WATCHMAN
THE TASK OF THE WATCHMAN
3 And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to nations that are rebellious, which have rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me even unto this very day.
There they were, God's people, children of Abraham - in a foreign land, a strange country, because of their sin - their rebellion against God!
Notice what else God tells Ezekiel…
5 And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house), yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them. 6 And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house.
They were to know that a prophet had been among them...
Today, the brethren must know that a faithful gospel preacher has been among them - not some sissyboy preacher - but one who contend for the faith
Question – will the world around us, your friends, your co-workers, your family know that a faithful Christian has been among them?
Yes indeed, the time of Ezekiel was a dark time
Unfaithful Israel had abandoned God
Sin and death was preferred, rather than obedience and life.
He is encouraged not to be afraid of them, or their words, or their looks... and neither should we today!
Yet God still wanted his people to come back.
So, He gives them a watchman…
17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.
A merciful God gave a watchman to protect their life.
Beware, of those who hold God’s watchmen in contempt and rebel against the mercy of God.
And what is his task as watchman?
And what is his task as watchman?
First one needs to understand what a watchman is…
1 And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying, 2 Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from among them, and set him for their watchman; 3 if, when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; 4 then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning, if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. 5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him; whereas if he had taken warning, he would have delivered his soul. 6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned, and the sword come, and take any person from among them; he is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.
Imagine a small city or town which needs protection.
To prevent the city from being overrun, walls are built up around the city.
There are gates of course, but as long as there is sufficient warning, these can be closed and defended.
The one way that the enemy has a chance of conquering this city is to take it by surprise - to get through those gates before anyone realizes it, and while they are undefended.
To ensure that they have plenty of warning in the event of an enemy attack, a man with a very important job is posted on the city walls.
There stands the watchman, high on the walls.
He has to be high up, so that he can see far into the distance.
His eyes scan the horizon constantly, panning the countryside, squinting in the bright light and searching for any sign of movement.
No matter what the weather, no matter how tired he is, he must stick to his task - he is a watchman!
If there is going to be an attack, he must see it.
He must see it as soon as becomes visible
He must blow the trumpet and blow it loud and long, to warn the people, to wake them up, to put everybody on the alert.
That is his task - Watching and warning!
The spiritual watchman must do two things:
The spiritual watchman must do two things:
He must watch - that is, he must hear God's Word.
Read and study…
15 Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.
13 Till I come, give heed to reading, to exhortation, to teaching.
Understand what the will of the Lord is (Eph. 5:17)
But he can only do this if he is knowledgeable in the Scriptures - he then has the ability to spot that which is false
Many do not know that an enemy is approaching because they do not know the Scriptures well enough
He must fall asleep at his post
He must warn - that is, he must bring God's Word.
He must announce it to God's people.
Preach the whole council of God
Today it is imperative to bring God’s word to all people (Matt. 28:18-20).
Simple isn't it?
Yes, it is simple, and yet very difficult at times.
Ezekiel was indeed a good watchman, but the message he had to bring wasn't exactly a popular one
God’s message today is not always popular
God’s message concerning salvation, the one church, moral issues, etc.
As watchman, he had to announce God's word of condemnation because of their sins... even if the people didn’t like it
And there were also false prophets. They did not bring God's Word - rather, they brought a message which the people wanted to hear, a message which they invented.
10 that say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits,
This adds to our difficulty to our duty as a watchman today
False: Faith alone, once saved always saved, one church is as good as another, etc.
These, the false prophets, were the watchmen mentioned in…
10 His watchmen are blind, they are all without knowledge; they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber.
Can you imagine a blind watchman - The enemy comes, and no one sees them. As they enter the gates there is no-body who blows the trumpet.
Before they realize it, they are being killed, as the voice of the blind watchman on the watchtower echoes off the walls ... "Don’t worry, all is well."
THE MESSAGE OF THE WATCHMAN
THE MESSAGE OF THE WATCHMAN
First of all, we must notice to where he is sent.
First of all, we must notice to where he is sent.
God says "I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel" (Eze. 3:17)
The watchman is concerned with God's people.
These are the people that God compared with briers and thorns and scorpions!
Ezekiel, the watchman, must go to these same people and give them a "Thus saith the Lord"
God gave them a watchman - to protect their life!
He doesn't want them to die in their sin, but wants them to live…
11 Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
God wants to give his people life, that's why he sends His watchman - to protect their life!
We must do the same today…
13 This testimony is true. For which cause reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
Ezekiel is also sent to the world about him, they also need warning.
We too are sent to the world
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned.
The message the watchman must bring is a serious one, it's a matter of life and death.
The message the watchman must bring is a serious one, it's a matter of life and death.
True life is in fellowship with God, and restored fellowship is with Him through Christ's blood
In Christ, sins are removed, they are washed away.
But that gift of life can only be enjoyed in the way of continued obedience.
The watchman, Ezekiel, and the watchmen of the new covenant must bring that same message.
Ezekiel was, and we are, watchmen of the covenant.
The church needs to be reminded about God's word, His covenant promises and threats, His covenant demands and obligations.
The world needs to be told that there is no hope for them outside of Christ (2 The. 1:8).
Watchmen are needed!
THE RESPONSE TO THE WATCHMAN
THE RESPONSE TO THE WATCHMAN
First of all, let's consider what God's response is to the watchman.
First of all, let's consider what God's response is to the watchman.
He will judge the watchman for his faithfulness.
Since God gives his people a watchman to protect their life, that means that the watchman who doesn't do his job properly is endangering the life of the people.
The watchman who fails to blow the trumpet is responsible for their souls.
In the church…
Elders are responsible…
17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit to them: for they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for this were unprofitable for you.
Preachers are responsible…
16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; for woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel.
20 how I shrank not from declaring unto you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly, and from house to house,
27 For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God.
Each member also bears responsibility…
1 Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in any trespass, ye who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Perilous times demand God’s people to be watchful
Perilous times demand God’s people to be watchful
Often, though, God’s message is rejected.
Often, though, God’s message is rejected.
Many will never give ear to God’s word
30 Yet many years didst thou bear with them, and testifiedst against them by thy Spirit through thy prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore gavest thou them into the hand of the peoples of the lands.
God’s word, many times, will be met with rebellion and bitterness by those whom the word cuts
54 Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
Some will be almost persuaded, but they too will be lost
28 And Agrippa said unto Paul, With but little persuasion thou wouldest fain make me a Christian.
But friends, those few who gladly receive the word and obey it, make all our efforts worthwhile.
Watchman must keep on watching.
Watchman must keep on watching.
A watchman who won’t watch is like:
A defective smoke detector, or an air bag with holes
Worse yet, the blood of the souls of men will be on his hands
We must keep watching for the souls of men
CONCLUSION
Remember, we are God’s Watchman
