The Responsibility of the Believer

The Responsibility of the Believer

Ezekiel 3:16-21

16 And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 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. 18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 19 Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. 20 Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 21 Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.

I.                  A RESPONSIBILITY GIVEN

A.   A responsibility not assumed

B.   A responsibility not to be ignored

C.   A responsibility given by God

II.               TO WHOM THE RESPONSIBILITY IS GIVEN

A.   Those called by God

B.   Those to whom the message is given

C.   Those who have received the spirit

III.           THE BURDEN AND THE JOY OF THE RESPONSIBILITY GIVEN

A.   Failure to sound the warning is grievous

B.   To sound the warning provides deliverance

C.   To sound the warning brings great joy