13 November 2005
“Likewise you human being, --I have appointed you a watchmen for the house of Israel. Therefore, when you hear the word from my mouth, warn them for me. When I tell the wicked person, ‘Wicked person, you will certainly die’: and you fail to speak and warn the wicked person to leave his way; then that wicked person will die guilty; and I will hold you responsible for his death.” (Yechezk’el [Ezekiel] 33: 7-8)
While at first glance, this passage appears to be aimed at Yechezk’l in particular and prophets in general, it has much wider ramifications. I would invite you to read the entire passage starting at 33:1 and continue to the end.
Obviously this passage has ramifications for those of us who are clergy, and for those clergy who are truly longing for the sanctification of their congregations, much of this warning will be done through sermons. Unfortunately, the church seems to have forgotten its prophetic role in relation to Christians living. Christian children seem to have more children out of wedlock than non-Christian children. Faithfulness and virginity are unheard of in many pulpits today. Honesty in dealing with fellow men and women is ignored. The church instead of salting society is being salted by society. It is time that we who are clergy take note of this prophetic call on our lives and once again lead our members in holiness by preaching holiness.
We must not only preach holiness, but we need to lead lives of holiness as an example. In addition, as charged in our liturgy, if we know someone is living in sin, then we need to take them to task. Loss of communion is part of this. A notorious sinner might even be denied community. Premarital sex, adultery, cohabitation among others have become so common, that we have forgotten that they are sin.
But this task does not only belong to the clergy. Any Christian who knows of another Christian who is living in sin has the right, nay has the duty to call that person to task. The presbyters and bishop might not be aware of any problems, especially if the congregation is large. Some aspects of life are not readily obvious to the clergy, but are obvious to friends. I think specifically of something that I recently became aware of. A certain friend of mine is working with a dentist, who due to poor skills with managing time and money cannot retire because he has nothing to retire to. This friend must call the dentist to task on these items. Good stewardship is part of good Christianity. This includes not only time and money, but also stewardship of our bodies, eating right, and exercising in moderation, and stewardship of our minds, feeding them with helpful and useful items and not with garbage. These are all things we can help our brothers and sisters with. Remember that St. Paul says we are together for edification of the body. We are each to help each other in love. That includes calling each other to repentance.
As Christians, we also have a task to the lost. How many people are going to hell because we are too embarrassed, or scared to tell them about the wonderful love of Jesus Christ. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, but they need someone to tell them. I can tell you from experience, when God lays someone on your heart for you to lead to Jesus, when you accomplish it, your joy will be full. I have lead several people to Jesus, and it is always a joyful moment.
Listen then for the shofar. God is giving you a word for someone, either to holiness of life or to salvation. Listen to the call of God, that you may be an instrument of the kingdom.
Shalom and blessings in the Name of Yeshua
+Mar Michael Abportus
mjthan@quik.com
While at first glance, this passage appears to be aimed at Yechezk’l in particular and prophets in general, it has much wider ramifications. I would invite you to read the entire passage starting at 33:1 and continue to the end.
Obviously this passage has ramifications for those of us who are clergy, and for those clergy who are truly longing for the sanctification of their congregations, much of this warning will be done through sermons. Unfortunately, the church seems to have forgotten its prophetic role in relation to Christians living. Christian children seem to have more children out of wedlock than non-Christian children. Faithfulness and virginity are unheard of in many pulpits today. Honesty in dealing with fellow men and women is ignored. The church instead of salting society is being salted by society. It is time that we who are clergy take note of this prophetic call on our lives and once again lead our members in holiness by preaching holiness.
We must not only preach holiness, but we need to lead lives of holiness as an example. In addition, as charged in our liturgy, if we know someone is living in sin, then we need to take them to task. Loss of communion is part of this. A notorious sinner might even be denied community. Premarital sex, adultery, cohabitation among others have become so common, that we have forgotten that they are sin.
But this task does not only belong to the clergy. Any Christian who knows of another Christian who is living in sin has the right, nay has the duty to call that person to task. The presbyters and bishop might not be aware of any problems, especially if the congregation is large. Some aspects of life are not readily obvious to the clergy, but are obvious to friends. I think specifically of something that I recently became aware of. A certain friend of mine is working with a dentist, who due to poor skills with managing time and money cannot retire because he has nothing to retire to. This friend must call the dentist to task on these items. Good stewardship is part of good Christianity. This includes not only time and money, but also stewardship of our bodies, eating right, and exercising in moderation, and stewardship of our minds, feeding them with helpful and useful items and not with garbage. These are all things we can help our brothers and sisters with. Remember that St. Paul says we are together for edification of the body. We are each to help each other in love. That includes calling each other to repentance.
As Christians, we also have a task to the lost. How many people are going to hell because we are too embarrassed, or scared to tell them about the wonderful love of Jesus Christ. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, but they need someone to tell them. I can tell you from experience, when God lays someone on your heart for you to lead to Jesus, when you accomplish it, your joy will be full. I have lead several people to Jesus, and it is always a joyful moment.
Listen then for the shofar. God is giving you a word for someone, either to holiness of life or to salvation. Listen to the call of God, that you may be an instrument of the kingdom.
Shalom and blessings in the Name of Yeshua
+Mar Michael Abportus
mjthan@quik.com
posted by The Synod of Saint Timothy at 23:20
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