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Text: V's 17 & 18 "Son of man I have made thee a watchman... hear the word... give them warning..." The responsibility and solemnity attending the profession of Christianity cannot be taken lightly. Those who profess the Name of Christ and those who preach in the Name of Christ have a solemn duty. God calls them his watchmen. 1. He is entrusted with a message. v.17 "Hear the word at my mouth and give them a warning from me." (a) "Thou shalt surely die..." v 18 These words were first spoken by God, the Creator in Genesis 2 v's 16-17. Here is the Death Sentence! From Eden's garden to Ezekiel's prophecies, God's solemn warning had not changed. (b) "Why will ye die?" ch 33 v.11 "God willeth not the death of a sinner." He is not willing that any should perish. (c) "Turn... and live." ch 33 v.11 This is not a message of doom. You can choose between death and life. Years before, Joshua challenged the people with the message, "I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore, choose life..." Deuteronomy 30 v. 19 2. He is under obligation. The lives of the people in the city were his responisibility. He should be the first to see danger. God says to the watchman, "Give them warning from Me." Ch 3 v.17 Do it, and you will be free from their blood. Neglect it and their blood will be on your hands. Can we begin to understand the awful judgement resting on those who have failed to warn lost souls of their peril? Can we begin to feel the agony of coming to life's end, having lived for self while our friends and neighbours go, unwarned, to hell? Adam Clarke wrote, "Oh worthless and helpless men, better you had never been born! Oh, what perdition awaits you! To have the blood of every soul that has died in your parishes or in your congregations unconverted laid at your door!" As a watchman responsible for immortal souls around you, are you guilty or guiltless? Is their blood on your hands or on their own? David cried to God, "Deliver me from blood guiltiness, oh God..." Psalm 51 v.14 3. He will be rewarded. There will be a day of reckoning. There will be eternal gain or eternal pain. God says, "A faithful witness delivereth souls" and the faithful watchman will be rewarded in this life and in the life to come. What a reward! A crown of life, and a harvest of souls to bring to Christ's nail-pierced feet! Paul said in Acts 20 v's 26-27, "I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God." What about you?
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Due to be updated: end November Archived Messages.
14/05/03 An epoch making day. |