1. Lessons from Ezekiel Ezekiel 18:2 “What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge?” Ezekiel 18:2 Fathers Sinned We are Innocent Counted Guilty Jer.31:29-30

2. Lessons from Ezekiel Ezekiel 18:3 “As I live, saith the Lord GOD, ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel.” Ezekiel 18:3 Father V.5-9 Son V. 10-13 Grandson V. 14-17

3. Lessons from Ezekiel Ezekiel 18:19 “Yet say ye, Why? doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son hath done that which is lawful and right, and hath kept all my statutes, and hath done them, he shall surely live.” Ezekiel 18:19

4. Lessons from Ezekiel Ezekiel 18:20 “The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.” Ezekiel 18:20

5. Lessons from Ezekiel Not guilty or righteous Collectively Accountability to God is Individual

6. 1. You cannot trust another’s good relationship with God to save you Matt. 3:9 Jews: We have Abraham as our Father Matt. 3:9 Trusting in righteous parents Righteousness & Rebellion are choices

7. 2. You cannot assume your faith will be passed to your children Assume they will become a part of what we believe and hold dear. They do not inherit our beliefs Deut. 6:4-7 Deut. 6:4-7 - Teach them, Talk to them

8. 3. You cannot always judge the faith of parents by the deeds of children Sometimes bad kids come from good homes A good man can have a BAD SON Some Judge the parents by the children

9. 3. You cannot always judge the faith of parents by the deeds of children Prov. 22:6 Prov. 22:6 “Train up a child in the way...” Proverb = an adage, a rule of thumb Prov. 10:4Matt. 8:20 Prov. 10:4 & Matt. 8:20 Was Jesus Lazy?

10. 3. You cannot always judge the faith of parents by the deeds of children Prov. 22:6 Prov. 22:6 is not a rule but a proverb If a Rule If a Rule : 1.Destroy Free Agency 2. Make us Robots 3.Salvation depends on parents 4.Salvation not our personal will 5.Impossibility of Apostasy

11. 4. No one is responsible for the Sins of someone else Might bear consequences Can’t say: “I’m a sinner because of somebody else’s actions” - Inherited sin The soul that sins, it shall die !! Don’t blame anyone for your sins !!! Look in the mirror

12. 5. Everybody is free to struggle with life and choose their own destiny You may come from a bad background Do not have to repeat the bad Ezek. 18:14 NKJV Ezek. 18:14 NKJV “If, however, he begets a son Who sees all the sins which his father has done, And considers but does not do likewise;”

13. Lessons from Ezekiel The soul that sins will die Parents have a responsibility to train their children. Children have a responsibility to make the right decisions. INDIVIDUALLY We will stand before God INDIVIDUALLY

14. Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga. 30809 706-855-1249arthurpigman@cybrtyme.com Sunday Morning July 2, 2006