Ezk. 2-3

1 Cor. 2:1-4 1 And I, brethren, when I came unto you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

Jer 20:7 O Jehovah, thou hast persuaded me, and I was persuaded; thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am become a laughing-stock all the day, every one mocketh me. 8 For as often as I speak, I cry out; I cry, Violence and destruction! because the word of Jehovah is made a reproach unto me, and a derision, all the day. 9 And if I say, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name, then there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with forbearing, and I cannot contain.

WALKING A MILE IN EZEKIEL’S SHOES I. EZEKIEL SENT TO THE REBELLIOUS. (Ezk. 2:1 - 7) A. Speak “Thus Sayeth The Lord” (2:4). B. Hear or Not – They Shall Know A Prophet Has Been Among Them (2:5). C. Do Not Fear Them, Their Words or Looks (2:6). WOULD YOU WANT HIS JOB? WOULD YOU WANT TO BE RESENTED FOR TEACHING TRUTH?

II. EZEKIEL WARNED OF REBELLION (Ezk. 2:8 – 3:11) A. Be Not Thou Rebellious (2:8). B. Fill Yourself With God’s Word (2:8b- 3:3). 1. Negative message (2:10). 2. Sweetness (3:3) – For it is God’s Word! WOULD YOU PREACH A “NEGATIVE” MESSAGE & STILL CONSIDER IT SWEET? C. Warned That Some Would Not Listen Before He Even Started (3:4-11)! D. Still To Speak “All” God’s Words (3:10). WALKING A MILE IN EZEKIEL’S SHOES

III. EZEKIEL’S DELAY (Ezk. 3: ) A. Ezekiel overwhelmed just one week (3:15). B. God Rebukes Ezekiel: 1. God expected obedience, not delay (3:16f). 2. If he did not warn, Ezekiel held accountable (3:18, 20)! WOULD YOU PREACH WITH URGENCY? WALKING A MILE IN EZEKIEL’S SHOES 3. If he warned, Ezekiel saved himself (3:19; cp Acts 20:20, 26-27)! 4. If he warned, he might save some (3:21)!

IV. A LESSON FOR EZEKIEL (Ezk. 3:22-27) A. Ezekiel made to fear God (3:23; Is. 6:1-13). B. Ezekiel will be chained (3:25; Jer. 1:17). WOULD YOU LIKE TO GET YOUR WISH TO CEASE REPROOVING OTHERS? WALKING A MILE IN EZEKIEL’S SHOES C. Ezekiel “gets his wish” (3:26). D. Ezekiel will be allowed another chance to obey God (3:27; 1 Cor. 4:2; 2 Tim. 4:1-2).

Jer 20:7 O Jehovah, thou hast persuaded me, and I was persuaded; thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am become a laughing-stock all the day, every one mocketh me. 8 For as often as I speak, I cry out; I cry, Violence and destruction! because the word of Jehovah is made a reproach unto me, and a derision, all the day. 9 And if I say, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name, then there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with forbearing, and I cannot contain.

Jer 20:10 For I have heard the defaming of many, terror on every side. Denounce, and we will denounce him, say all my familiar friends, they that watch for my fall; peradventure he will be persuaded, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him. 11 But Jehovah is with me as a mighty one and a terrible… they shall not prevail... 2Cor 12:19 Ye think all this time that we are excusing ourselves unto you. In the sight of God speak we in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying.

CONCLUSION: 1. Do we resent it when our sins are exposed? 2. Do “negative” messages make us bitter? 3. Does urgency turn us off? 4. Be careful what you wish for, you may get it… WALKING A MILE IN EZEKIEL’S SHOES Heaven Is A Prepared Place, For A Prepared People. (Rev. 21:27; 1 Pet. 4:17-19;