REVIVED - EZEKIEL 2

Summary

In Ezekiel 2, God calls the prophet Ezekiel to speak His truth to a rebellious and stubborn people, urging him not to be discouraged by rejection. Ezekiel’s task is to proclaim God’s message, regardless of whether the audience listens or responds. The script emphasizes that evangelism's success is not based on immediate results but on faithfulness in delivering the message. The speaker reflects on their own experience in evangelistic campaigns, stressing that while baptisms may be few, the true measure of success is in fulfilling the call to preach, leaving the results to God.

Takeaways

• 😀 The vision in Ezekiel 1 serves as the foundation for his prophetic mission, calling him to speak God's truth.
• 😀 Ezekiel is chosen to be a prophet, tasked with delivering God's message, despite the people's resistance.
• 😀 God describes the people Ezekiel is sent to as 'impotent and stubborn children' who may not listen.
• 😀 Ezekiel is assured that his mission will be to proclaim God's words, whether the people hear or refuse.
• 😀 The effectiveness of Ezekiel's message is not about the people's acceptance but about them hearing the message.
• 😀 Evangelistic work should not be measured by the number of conversions but by the number of people who hear the message.
• 😀 Despite the lack of response, Ezekiel is instructed to continue preaching without fear, even in difficult circumstances.
• 😀 God assures Ezekiel that he should not be afraid of the people's rejection or harsh words.
• 😀 The preacher's responsibility is to deliver God's message, and the listener's responsibility is to decide whether to accept it.
• 😀 Evangelism should focus on being faithful to the task of preaching, not on the immediate outcomes like baptisms or conversions.
• 😀 The message emphasizes that the decision of who accepts the gospel is ultimately in God's hands, not the preacher's.

Q & A

What was the purpose of the grand vision in Ezekiel Chapter 1?

The grand vision in Ezekiel Chapter 1 had the purpose of preparing Ezekiel to be a prophet, a mouthpiece of God, to deliver God's message to a rebellious people, as described in Chapter 2.

What challenge did God prepare Ezekiel for in his mission as a prophet?

God prepared Ezekiel to face the challenge of proclaiming truth to people who would be resistant, rebellious, and unwilling to listen to his message.

What does God say to Ezekiel about the people he is sent to?

God tells Ezekiel that the people are 'impudent and stubborn children,' and that whether they listen or reject his message, they will know that a prophet has been among them.

What is the significance of the phrase 'Though briars and thorns are with you, and you dwell among scorpions'?

This phrase illustrates the dangerous and hostile environment that Ezekiel would face in delivering God's message. It symbolizes the opposition, rejection, and hardships he would endure as a prophet.

What does God instruct Ezekiel to do if the people refuse to listen to him?

God instructs Ezekiel to continue speaking His words, regardless of whether the people listen or reject the message, emphasizing the prophet's duty to proclaim the truth consistently.

How does the message of Ezekiel relate to the work of evangelism today?

The message of Ezekiel highlights that the effectiveness of evangelism should not be measured by the number of people who accept the message but by how many hear it. Evangelists are called to preach, not to control the response of the audience.

What is the common frustration among evangelistic campaign leaders, and why is it misplaced?

Many evangelistic campaign leaders are frustrated when the number of baptisms is low, but this frustration is misplaced because the effectiveness of evangelism is not determined by the number of conversions, but by the faithful proclamation of the message.

What should the focus of evangelism be, according to the script?

The focus of evangelism should be on preaching the message of God to every creature, not on achieving a specific number of conversions. The decision to accept or reject the message is in the hands of the listeners, not the preacher.

What does the script say about Jesus' calling to His followers in relation to evangelism?

Jesus' calling to His followers was not to baptize the whole world, but to preach the gospel to every creature. The responsibility is to deliver the message, not to control the outcome.

What lesson can be learned from Ezekiel's mission as a prophet for today's preachers?

The lesson is that preachers should remain faithful in proclaiming the message of God, regardless of the audience's response. The outcome is not their responsibility, but the faithfulness of their proclamation is.