I Have Made You a Watchman
I Have Made You a Watchman
Ezekiel 33:7
So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from Me. (KJV)
What we do today with powerful technology was done in Biblical times by placing a watchman in a strategic location so he could sound a warning when an enemy approached. I’m sure there are still times and places where such watchmen are used even today.
God compared Ezekiel’s job as a prophet to that of a watchman. 33:7-9. He was to be given a warning from God and was expected to pass it on to everyone else. The task of the Church and the Christian today is very similar. It is to confront men with the message of God.
I. Consider the watchman’s task:
A. He had great responsibility.
1. He sat in a high place, possibly a tower on the city wall, especially at night when extra vigilance was needed. The rest of the city slept. Other defenders would sleep.
2. It was presumed they were safe from surprise attack because of the watchman. He would sound a warning if an enemy approached.
3. If you were sleeping in the city, what kind of man would you want on the tower? Alert, dependable, focused.
B. What if he does not do his job?
1. What if he was embarrassed to wake people, afraid of hurting their feelings, or just afraid? People would die.
2. What would we think of a person with such responsibility who failed to do his job?
3. What would we think of someone who allowed thousands of people to die without a warning?
C. The Bible fixes responsibility where it belongs. 33:2-6
1. If he sounds the warning and is not heeded, then he is not responsible for defeat.
2. But, failure to sound warning makes the watchman accountable for defeat or death
3. All this seems quite fair and reasonable. It is just.
II. God has made us watchmen in our world today: I Pet. 2:9 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:” (KJV)
A. We live in a world and even in a nation where most people do not know the True God:
1. It has been estimated that the Church reaches about 25% of the population.
2. People look for life’s meaning in occult religions, Buddhism, Hinduism, Yoga, witchcraft, Satan worship.
3. America is rapidly becoming like Israel was accused of being in Judges 2:10 “And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.” (KJV). An entire generation of people who know nothing of God.
B. We have a message from God the world needs to hear:
C. What of our friends and relatives?
1. These are people we love, for the most part. We want the best for them.
2. But, love also involves responsibility. Cain asked God, "Am I my brother’s keeper?’ The answer is "Yes." We must take God’s Truth to those we love.
III. The watchman’s message:
A. There is such a thing as sin. It will condemn you to hell.
1. Judgment is coming. We don’t know when the Lord will return, but, He will.
2. Most people don’t think sin is an important issue. Claim they have the right to live "any way they want." Everything is just a matter of opinion. Not so.
3. The wages of sin is still death and it is still true we have all sinned and fallen far short of God’s expectations.
B. Jesus died to pay the penalty for your sin and mine.
1. It was done as an act of extreme love and compassion. It was voluntary.
2. Also died for the sins of the entire world and He entrusted us with the task of spreading that message.
3. We usually fail to share this message because we fear rejection, ridicule, or embarrassment. Deep down inside, we fear for ourselves, not the other fellow.
C. He calls upon you to surrender your life to His care and give yourself to His allegiance.
1. In faith, one must acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior and surrender to Him through repentance and baptism. We must strive to grow more Christ like.
2. God expects us to be a part of His Body, doing His work on earth.
3. Finally, He has made us watchmen to spread His message to others. Jesus said, "You are the light of the world." Matt. 5:14-15 “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.”(KJV)
4. The watchman’s message is not just, "Come to Church, we have a lot of nice people there," true as that may be. The Message is; "come to Jesus. He will meet your need for forgiveness and eternal life. He’ll give you a chance to carry His Truth to those you love."