The Extraordinary Power of Awakenings
‘The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones.’
Why Live and Die Without the Lord?
The great challenging question of the inspired Bible-writers of old – why? What are the motives that drive us away from God and His eternal plan for all who trust in Him? Here is why we recoil from Him, and all that we miss as a result.
When God Commissions
Many Bible-believing Christians, sadly, do not seem to have realised that each one has a personal commission. They think of themselves in a very humble way as recipients of the grace of God, but not as having received a special call to the service of Christ.
The Waters of the River of Life
Full chapter _____________ Ezekiel 47 Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the … Continued
God’s Feelings For Us
The feelings of God disclosed by the prophet for all who live and die without knowing Him and His forgiveness, wasting the treasures of life, and going into a lost eternity. Here is the call of God to come to Him for new life.
The Problem of The Heart
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 36:26) The deeper things of life are so easily crowded out today. Here at the Metropolitan … Continued
Explaining Ezekiel’s River of Life
Ezekiel has lamented the failure of separation from the world, and now the river symbolises the church’s positive work in the world. Here is the meaning of its secret source and miraculous expansion, with our soul-winning priority, and the incidental yet mighty social benefits in times when there is great acceptance and blessing of souls.
Ezekiel’s City and Its Meaning
Is this great city/temple vision to be fulfilled literally or does it portray Christ’s Church? Here are the reasons why historic interpreters were all sure it pointed to the Church, and how this view reveals the many vital pastoral applications for today.
A Prophetic Parable Explains our Times
An obvious parable (as Ezekiel shows by building in major pointers) about the coming of Christ and the church age, telling us about the constant hostility of the world against the church, how God will restrict it, and its end times crescendo when Christ returns.
The Unfolding Prophecy of Tyre
Among nations to be judged for hostility to God’s people, Tyre was unique, and subject to uniquely phased judgement. Here is how she parallels anti-Christian thought today, and the perspective we gain from this (already partially fulfilled) prophecy.
The Vital Duty of Private Judgement
Despite training, Israelites were ignorant of doctrine, choosing uninspired nonsense over the Word. They thought Exodus taught that parental sin was punished in children. Ezekiel denies it, unless children choose to sin. A call to personal knowledge of doctrine and conduct – so rare today.
God’s Agenda for Church Success
From the parables of the vine and of two great eagles the greatest faults of the ‘typical’ church (repeated today) were pride and idolatry. Ezekiel shows that humility, simplicity and faithfulness are essential for true blessing. We see how worldliness is the equivalent of idolatry.
God Teaches Ezekiel How to Preach
It is remarkable how the vision-messages given by God to Ezekiel are structured and divided to ideal sermonic form, as if they are inspired lessons in delivery. Here we see the Lord’s own subject, shape and divisions for several major ‘sermons’.
The Training of God’s Servant
A new vision of the holiness of God fills the prophet with indignation at the insult to Him of apostasy. Commissioned a watchman to souls, a time of barren ministry creates dependence on the unction of the Spirit, while the siege enactment teaches his attitude.
The Sending of God’s Servant
First, proof that Ezekiel’s commission applies to all believers. Secondly, why he is constantly reminded of his human vulnerabilities. Thirdly, how the Spirit carries him and us over the opposition of the age. Fourthly, proclamational not missional (in the modern sense) methods are commanded.
When God Calls
The personal spiritual message of Ezekiel 1 – the call of a prophet certainly, but also the commission that should dawn dramatically on all believers, bringing a powerful sense of God, His glory and omniscience. How this brings fruitfulness, while its absence has ruined much evangelical witness.
The Valley of Dry Bones
Often called ‘The parable of dry bones’, this dramatic prophetic vision predicts a future revival of God’s people, and also gives a narrative of spiritual conversion – the theme of this message. Here is our lifelessness as unbelievers, and the process of receiving new life from God.
The Fairness of God
‘God is unfair,’ they said. But God declares that He has no pleasure in seeing lives thrown away in materialism, unbelief and spiritual loss. Here is the cause of the problem, God’s remedy, His fairness, His mercy, and what He does for those who turn to Him.
What Pleases God?
‘Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?’ Full chapter _____________ Ezekiel 33 Again the … Continued