Scripture:
Jude 1:20-23 NKJV Ezekiel 3:16-19 NKJV
Jude 1:20-23 NKJV
[20] But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, [21] keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. [22] And on some have compassion, making a distinction; [23] but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.
https://bible.com/bible/114/jud.1.20-23.NKJVE
Ezekiel 3:16-19 NKJV
[16] Now it came to pass at the end of seven days that the word of the Lord came to me, saying, [17] “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: [18] When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. [19] Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.
https://bible.com/bible/114/ezk.3.16-19.NKJV
Observation:
The process that takes place for the scripture to be chosen every morning is probably a little more intense than one might think. The prayer and seeking that put into practice, may not ever be seen. However, not one of these SOAPS are put together without careful thought and research so when I land on scriptures like where we are this morning it has not been done carelessly. It’s a message that I know the Holy Spirit has brought to the surface. Both these scriptures have been on my mind for a significant amount of time. Some who may be reading will see that due to some of the discussions that have taken place over the past few days. I felt like staying with the topic that we have been teaching was important. I believe the topic of faith is something that needs to be at the forefront of the topics spoken about by any teacher or preacher. So when I came across these verses in the short 1 chapter letter wrote by Jude I felt like there was a reason they had been brought to my attention, coupled with the verses that have been floating around in my mind out of Ezekiel, I feel like a powerful message can be put together that will not only build up our own faith, but bringing others to the kingdom as well. So let’s take a look at what GOD has in store for us this morning, this may take more time than I have this morning but I am going to push as hard as I can to get this out. The letter Jude wrote was not one he wanted to write, but one he felt necessary to write. We can find that out by going back to the beginning of it in verses 3 and 4. I know these verses were not included in our SOAP but as always my desire is to put you in your Bible so don’t trust what I say….go and look. This urgent letter was written to warn of false teachers. So by the time Jude gets to the 20th verse a lot has been said already. Bringing his letter to a close he felt like it was important to build up those to whom he was writing, so the statement that follows was designed to do just that, and to show whose responsibility it was to do so, “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keeping yourself in the love of GOD looking for the mercy of our LORD Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” I want to look at that statement and focus on a few words, “keeping yourself” “mercy” and our “LORD Jesus Christ.” What I believe Jude to be saying is that the responsibility is placed on the believers to stay focused on the one who brought them out of their sin due to HIS mercy. As we look at the verses that follow. It may seem a little harsh, but in reality it’s what the bible says, so it honestly has to happen, moving as quickly as possible without skipping what needs to be said I feel like the best way to break this down is something I was told a few years ago, a friend of mine told me, “Some are saved by the light and some are saved by the heat.” What a profound statement, however over the years I have found it to be true. What Jude is saying is just that you can be the light, but let GOD bring the heat. Moving on the second set of scriptures which I believe is tied to this as GOD brings the heat lets look into what HE has said to Ezekiel, a prophet whom HE had a special calling on. Ezekiel had several visions that are all somewhat mind blowing the one that most zero in on is the valley of dry bones, his calling, however, was to be a watchman as we can see in the verses that were chosen for us this morning, but what does that mean, and how did it play out. Well let’s take a look. The word of the LORD came to Ezekiel on the 7th day, giving him some very important instructions, “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth,” GOD is speaking directly to Ezekiel… but wait there’s is more, “And give them warning from Me.” This is what it means to be a watchman. When GOD gives a message it needs to be spoken. That’s why you are reading what you find in your hands right now. Moving forward we see that sometimes that’s just not pretty, “when I say to the wicked, “You shall surely die, and “YOU” give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; “BUT” his blood I will require at your hand. The responsibility of a watchman was not a pretty one. I’m sure just like Jeremiah and Isaiah Ezekiel was not the one you wanted around if you wanted your ears tickled. He had a responsibility to the calling that probably didn’t produce a lot of friends, responsibility to not only live lined up, but to warn those who were not, according to how the LORD spoke to him. Their blood was on his hands; the warning had to be spoken. It probably wasn’t something that he wanted to do, but honestly what we want doesn’t matter near as much as what the LORD has called us to. Now I want to go a little further than what we have read this morning. As we continue in the book of Ezekiel we can see that the warning is not just for the wicked, as always I’m doing my best to encourage you to read your Bible looking at verses 20 through 21 we see the warning is for the righteous as well. The calling was to be a watchman, that includes everyone. So let’s look at the word for the calling, it means a spiritual lookout appointed by GOD to warn HIS people of impending judgment and calling them to turn from their sin. Today we might call that an Apostle, a Pastor, a Prophet, a Teacher, or an Evangelist.
Application:
I’m not here to tickle ears, although that’s what I would rather do. I’m sure if I did my life would look substantially different. I have been called to truth which unfortunately is not something most want to hear today. The bible has warned about it says, “For a time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their “OWN” desires because they have itching ears, they will heap up for “THEMSELVES” teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and turn aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure affliction, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. So listen I would rather have friends then do what GOD has called me to, but that’s not my choice. I do my best to speak the truth in a manner that doesn’t hurt, but in my mind your soul is more important than your feelings. I have been called to watch and warn good, bad and indifferent. This calling has cost a lot, but its ok I’m not concerned with this side of eternity we have to say what GOD has said, anyone who has been called to one of those portions that were stated above. The 5 fold ministry, Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, Teacher, these are all watchman portions, and need to be considered before stepping into. One needs to count the cost. We are called to warn about sin and its bondage. We do not have to be a slave to it, its a choice we are given, and the fruit of our fear will show our choice. Living in sin shows whom you have chosen to follow. If you are justifying your sin and excusing it away by using grace as a license to live how you want your choice is to serve the wrong one, and this is a warning. We have to embrace the “NEW” life we have been given. The Bible is clear about that…. The question becomes can you trust the watchman whom “YOU” have chosen? Is he stepping on your toes….. or is he aiming for your heart? I believe you can hit the toes and miss the point. The word repentance is also important to pay attention to because it takes away our license to sin, and puts a decision in front of us. We are new creations, embrace that or walk away from it. But if GOD has called you to be a watchman “STOP TICKING EARS” the blood is required of you for not warning people. We have to be less concerned about feeling and more concerned about the truth according to what the bible says. We have to be willing to offend in order to save.
Prayer:
Father, this morning we trust that we have said what you have told us. I know its not a comfortable message and some will reject it, but I also know that those who reject it have made a choice, and so have I. You have called me to warn and so I have to do so…. Sin leads to death, but Jesus leads to eternal life. Help us to follow HIM and lay down our sin, we want to walk as close to you as we can get, knowing that we have to rest on HIS finished work, not as an excuse but to restore. Help us to live in a constant position of repentance. Help us to see where our fault is and change it. We know that you are not trying to take something from us, but trying to get us to a life beyond what we could ever picture for ourselves. Guide our steps and keep truth at the forefront of our hearts so that we can see you clearly and say only what you would have us say. Those who look at this message and reject it Father convict there’s hearts for that they can see that they are not rejecting me but the truth that is found in your word. Change us, conform us, shape us in tge image of your son. Its in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.