Episode 41: 5/21/09

Readings:

Psalm 91
Ezekiel 1:28-3:3
Hebrews 4:14-5:6
Luke 9:28-36

Sermon:

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.
Ephesians 4:11-13

Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.

For Ezekiel it had to have been a frightening thought…

In the quiet of his surroundings a voice would cut through the darkness and speak to him. He would be called by the Lord to go forth into the land to preach and teach the Children of Israel, to call back a rebellious people to the God of their Fathers, the God that delivered them from the hands of their captors and their slave masters. Though he knew the Lord and that the power of His might was great, it had to be an overwhelming task to him.

Men, great men, men he would have considered greater than he, had been sent to do the same before him, only to be spurned, to be outcast among their people, to, at times find death at the hands of those they were called to minister to. He would have known of the misery and the pain that overtook the soul of Jeremiah, of his cries and his lamentations as he witnessed the evil of his people, and the captivity at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar. Before Jeremiah he had, undoubtedly learned of the martyrdom suffered by Isaiah at the hands of Manasseh for his faithfulness to God’s word and the wickedness that overcame his people.

The challenges he would suffer, he had to know, were to be great. They would try his very soul and cast his spirit amidst a great and overwhelming battle, a tempest that would threaten to overtake him.

The fact that it was amidst the Babylonian Exile and Captivity couldn’t have given him confidence either. The Chaldean Kings, inclined to their idolatry and their violent ways to those who did not bow before the feet of their gods, would more than likely threaten his task handed down to Ezekiel from the Lord. They knew not the God of Isaac and Abraham, the God who gave unto His people Moses to deliver them from the hands of the Egyptians and they did not fear Him. Why then would they treat His Prophet with any thought or regard?

The road ahead, filled with obstacles and trials, would not be a simple one or an easy one. But then God, in calling him, would make no illusions that it would somehow be anything but an arduous journey.

But then so it’s been for the Saints of every age…

Standing for truth and righteousness, standing for the sanctity and the purity of God’s word and will has never been a simple or an easy task, regardless of the age, regardless of the world or the nature of civilization around us. The natural inclination of man is sinful, prone to iniquity and transgressions, and opposed to the will of God, the Heavenly Father. Those who stand for Him and for that deliverer sent upon us to offer our salvation, Christ Jesus, face opponents and opposition that try their very soul that they may continue in their unrighteousness believing there is little to no accountability for their actions.

Yet, despite this, God still calls us, each and every one of us, to do the work of His Kingdom, to spread His word and His message unto the world. Christ came to die for all humanity, to conquer sin, death and the Devil that all may stand before the throne of God and be judged as righteous as His redeemed children, bought in the blood of the lamb. Regardless of the challenges, regardless of the road ahead, regardless of the adversity and the trials we may face it is our task, as it was the calling of Ezekiel, to go forth to a rebellious people and proclaim the word of God.

Yes, we will face hard, harsh opposition, we will face pain and hardship, with the voices of those around us mocking or deriding us, threatening and trying to cause us harm. Ours though must be to know that God lives and that, come what may, come what must, He stands beside us, shielding us and protecting us, equipping us with all we need to do the work of His will here on earth.

Forever faithful to him, ours must be to listen to His calling, to trust in His mercy and to abide in His love and compassion, seeking His will and His desire for our lives in all that we are and all that we do, withholding noyhing of ourselves from Him. We must know that the works of His Kingdom are for all of His children, and that when Christ tells unto the Apostles “Go ye unto all nations” he means all of us, all believers, all of God’s children, that we may prepare for the harvest of souls.

Abide therefore in the Gospel message, ever seeking, ever listening, to His calling, never shrinking from the tasks He places before you, but rather being a vessel for His divine will and plan. Place your trust in His hand, believing in His promises that He will never leave you like a sheep to the slaughter, but that He will walk beside you giving you the strength and endurance you need to run the race, and to dwell amidst His grace.

Live for His calling dear brothers and sisters, knowing that He has a plan for you and for your life and that He will open all doors necessary to make it happen. Countless saints have endured more than we will ever know for the sake of His word and still, knowing what they would face, they went forth according to His word, knowing He was there with them throughout it all. A loving father to all His children, His promises still stand today if we have faith in them.

Therefore, hear His call to go forth and give all you are, all you can to the tasks He has for you in your life. It is then that you know, even in facing affliction and trial, tribulation and pain, you have lived a life worth living.

Now may the peace of the Lord that transcends all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus even unto life everlasting. Amen.