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  EZEKIEL 3:17
  by Chuck Smith
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Summary: As Christians, our primary responsibility is to serve God and
warn others of their wicked actions, not to convert them.

Topics: "Responsibility of Believers", "Warning the Wicked"
Scripture References: Ezekiel 3:17, Matthew 11:28, Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15, Acts 20:26-27, Romans 10:14-15, 1 Corinthians 9:16, 2 Timothy 4:2, James 4:17, 1 Peter 2:9

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DESCRIPTION
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Chuck Smith emphasizes the role of believers as watchmen, drawing from
Ezekiel 3:17, where God calls Ezekiel to warn Israel of their
wickedness. He highlights that the responsibility of Christians is to
hear God's word and share it, not to convert others, as that is the work
of the Holy Spirit. Smith encourages believers to recognize their duty
to serve God and warn others of the consequences of sin, asserting that
delivering the message is fulfilling their responsibility. He reassures
that even if people mock or dismiss the warning, the truth will remain
with them. Ultimately, serving God is not optional but a divine mandate
for all Christians.

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CONTENT
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"DELIVERING OUR SOULS"

I. GOD'S CALL. vs. 17.

A. Ezekiel called as a watchman to Israel.

1. He had a two-fold responsibility.

a. To hear the word from God.

b. To give that word to the people.

c. God's method has always been to use those who

are in touch with Him, to reach those out of

touch with Him.

d. Through wickedness, people get out of touch

with God.

2. Notice, he was not called to convert them.

a. His only responsibility was to warn them.

b. Sometimes we become discouraged in our

Christian service because we seek to do more

than God requires of us.

1. We speak of winning souls - that is the

work of the Spirit.

2. My work is to warn.

3. My responsibility is fulfilled when I

have witnessed. Now they are

responsible before God for what they do

with that witness.

B. God has called all of us.

1. His call is first to salvation - then to service.

a. Jesus said, "Come unto Me..."

b. No sooner does one come until He says, "Take My

yoke upon you."

2. God leaves us here on this cursed earth for one reason

only.

a. To serve Him.

b. Jobs and all else is incidental.

c. God seeks to use you who are in touch with Him

to reach those who are not in touch with Him.

C. Serving God is not an option for the Christian, it is a

responsibility.

1. God holds me responsible to warn the wicked.

a. God said to Ezekiel - their blood is on your

hands.

b. But if you warn them, you have delivered your

soul.

2. When I observe some wicked action, I should warn that

person that God is not pleased with what they have

done - and if they do not change, He will destroy them.

a. They may laugh at you or mock you.

b. But I promise you, they won't forget what you

said.

c. You don't have to preach to people.

d. You don't have to argue over other religions.

e. You don't have to defend God, the Bible, your

faith.

f. Just simply speak the truth - don't get caught

in the trap of trying to defend the truth.

g. If they sincerely ask honest questions, seek to

answer them.

h. If they seek to argue, just restate the truth

and let it go at that.

1. Your silence will bug them far more

than any eloquent argument or debate.

2. They may defeat your argument - they

can't defeat the truth.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/chuck-smith/ezekiel-317/
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