Notes on Ezekiel 3:20

Ezekiel 3:14 KJV So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away,
                               and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit;
                              but the hand of the LORD was strong upon me. 

Introduction:
        These verses describe the call and charge Ezekiel Gets from the LORD. 

       First. we are told the spirit lifted Ezekiel up. Then the place the Spirit carried Ezekiel upon the call.

       Second. It is explained to Ezekiel the important of the warning ( preaching )  to the lost.

              A. The outcome if they stay in their sins.  Death
              B. The outcome if they repent. Salvation.
                             Repent == 5. In theology, to sorrow or be pained for sin, 
                                                     as a violation of God's holy law,
                                                    a dishonor to his character and government,
                                                   and the foulest ingratitude to a Being of infinite  benevolence.
                                Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary of American English www.e-sword.net
                     By repent I mean turning to Accepting Jesus Christ as ones own personal saviour.

             C. The wages for the watchman if he doesn't warn the wicked.
                     Death is wages of sin in the Physical life.
             D. The wages if the wicked don't repent. Death in both the Physical life and Spiritual life. Rom 6:23
             E. The wages for the watchman if the watchman doesn't warn the Self-Righteous. 
                   Death for the watchman, their blood will be on the watchman's hands.
             F. The wages if the Self-Righteous don't repent. Rom 6:23.
       Third.   The plight of the Self-Righteous
              A. What is the result of years of self-righteousness interrupted by one small sin?
                     The Law is a school master. The Law is self-rigtheous.
                       James 2:10 AMP For whosoever keeps the Law as a whole but  stumbles and offends in one single instance has
                                                          become guilty of  breaking all of it. 

                       Sin is Sin, there is none big or small sin.
                   All sin if not covered By the Blood of Jesus Christ carries the penalty of the second death. 
 

                            What is the standing of our self-righteousness with God?

                     Isa 64:6 KJV But we are all as an unclean thing, 
                                     and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; 
                                     and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities,
                                     like the wind, have taken us away. 
                                  7  And there is none that calleth upon thy name, 
                                       that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee:
                                       for thou hast hid thy face from us,
                                       and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities. 
                                  8  But now, O LORD, thou art our father;
                                       we are the clay, and thou our potter;
                                       and we all are the work of thy hand. 

                    The Following is from the Amplified Bible Just as a reference to the meaning of our self-righteousness.
 

                  Isa 64:6 AMP For we have all become like one who is unclean
                                            [ceremonially, like a leper], and all our righteousness
                                            (our best deeds of rightness and justice) is like 
                                           filthy rags or a polluted garment;  we all fade like a leaf, 
                                           and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away
                                           [far from God's favor, hurrying us toward destruction].

                                            Cp Lev 13:45-46
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               B. They must be warned. Isa 6:1-10
               C. The blessings of the Self-Righteous that repents and accepts the finished work of Jesus Christ as their 
                     sin debt paid in ull, Eternal Life. Rom 6:23
               D. Then the outcome for the faithful watchman that warns the lost of their ways. 
                  His Physical will be extended. 
       Fourth The LORD through the Spirit Teaches the words to say and live the Witness life that can allow people 
                       see Christ  in your life. Acts 11:26.
 
 

Ezekiel 3:15 KJV Then I came to them of the captivity at Tel-abib,
                     that dwelt by the river of Chebar, and I sat where they sat,
                     and remained there astonished among them seven days. 
Ezekiel 3:16 KJV  And it came to pass at the end of seven days, 
                       that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 
       Facts:
         1. Ezekiel was placed in their shoes so he could fully understand their captivity.
                If we as believers understand the lost the greater the chance of the being converted if the Gospel is 
             delivered in language they can relate too.
         2. These verses tell the place of the captivity. See verse 15.
         3. He remained among them overwhelmed for seven days. 
         4. At the end of Seven days the Word of the LORD came to Ezekiel.

Ezekiel 3:17 KJV Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto
                              the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at 
                              my mouth, and give them warning from me. 

       Facts: 
         1. Ezekiel is told the Lord has made him a watchman.
               Watchman, n. [watch and man.] A sentinel; a guard.
                                  Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary of American English www.e-sword.net

              Watchman ==, a sentry stationed on a wall (2 Sam. 18:24; 
                                           Song of Sol. 5:7) or in a watchtower (2 Chron. 20:24) 
                                            whose task it was to warn of approaching danger
                                            (Ezek. 33:2-6; cf. Ps. 127:1). 
                                          Watchmen also guarded the fields and vineyards, 
                                           especially during harvest season  (Isa. 5:2; cf. Job 27:18). 
                                            The term is often used in a figurative or symbolic sense 
                                            (Isa. 62:6; Ezek. 3:17; 33:7-9; Mic. 7:4). 

               James 1:22 CEV Obey God's message! 
                                              Don't fool yourselves by just listening to it. 

                The word from which hear is translated is Strong's, For obeying. 

           hear  ==  sha^ma? shaw-mah'
                     A primitive root; to hear intelligently 
                    (often with  implication of attention, obedience, etc.; 
                    causatively to tell, etc.): -  X attentively, 
                    call (gather) together, X carefully, X  certainly,
                     consent, consider, be content, declare, X diligently, 
                      discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear (-ken, tell),
                      X indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, 
                     perceive, (make a) proclaim (-ation), publish, regard,
                     report, shew (forth), (make a) sound,
                      X surely, tell, understand, whosoever [heareth], 
                      witness.
                   Dictionaries of Hebrew and Greek Words taken from 
                                 Strong's Exhaustive Concordance by 
                                      James Strong, S.T.D., LL.D., 1890.
                    www.swordsearcher.com      www.e-sword.net
 

         5. Everything in God's Word has application to All of God's Children.

       First , the warning are for the People of Israel.
                   Israelites Are God's chosen people.
                Saints ( believer in the Gospel of Jesus Christ ) are God's children.

                 John 1:12; Rom 8:16-17: Gal 3:26; Eph 1:5; 1 John 5:2;
                 Cp  Acts 3:25; Rom 9:27; Gal 3:7; Rev 2:14; Rev 7:4; Rev 21:12

        Second, A pastor is a watchman over the flock God has given him. 

       Third, Every born again believer is their brother's or sister's keeper.

                   When a believer leads a soul to Jesus Christ, we are to nurture them in the Lord. 1 John 5:16-17.

         6. Each one of God's children is given the commission to spread the Gospel ( 1 Cor 15:1-11 ) to the Lost. 
               Sin can affect the flesh there by affecting the  Believer's witness. The believer is to witness of what 
              Jesus Christ has done in their heart and life. The world is looking to see how the Christians live their life. 
                A believer that truly is save, with the Spirit of God in their heart, will want to live like they truly believe 
             what they preach. The believers preach with their lives.  James 2:15-16.
 
 
 

Ezekiel 3:18 KJV When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die;
                            and thou givest him not warning,
                              nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way,
                              to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity;
                              but his blood will I require at thine hand. 
Ezekiel 3:19 KJV Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his 
                               wickedness, nor from his wicked way,
                               he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

       Facts:
         1. The Jews were living in Exile as a result of sin.
         2. Here God is talking about the Wicked.
              Who are the Wicked?
               Deut. 32:5; Job 4:8; Rom 1:21-23.
           Wicked ==  H7563 ra^sha^? raw-shaw'
                                      From H7561; morally wrong; concretely an (actively) bad person:
                                      -  + condemned, guilty,  ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong.

                                                           Signs Employed in Strong's
                                 + (addition) denotes a rendering in the Authorized Version of one or more Hebrew/Greek words in connection with 
                                               the one under consideration.
                                 X (multiplication) denotes a rendering in the Authorized Version that results from an idiom peculiar to the 
                                            Hebrew/Greek.
 

                                          ? (degree), appended to a Hebrew word, denotes a vowel-pointing corrected from that of the text. 

                                            (This mark is set in Hebrew Bibles over syllables in  which the vowels of the margin have been inserted 
                                               instead of those properly belonging to the text.)
                               ( ) (parenthesis), in the renderings from the Authorized Version, 
                                              denotes a word or syllable sometimes given in connection with the principal word to which it is annexed.
 

                                       [ ] (bracket), in the rendering from the Authorized Version, 
                                               denotes the  inclusion of an additional word in the  Hebrew/Greek.

                             Italics, at the end of a rendering from the Authorized 
                                                   Version, denote an explanation of the variations from the usual form.

                     Dictionaries of Hebrew and Greek Words taken from Strong's Exhaustive 
                      Concordance by James Strong, S.T.D., LL.D., 1890.
                                  www.esword.net   www.swordsearcher.com
                  Wicked is Anyone who performs evil ways in their  lives, never acknowledging God as their saviour.
             They never perform to have the Lord in their lives or much less live it.
 

         3. The wicked will surely die if they don't repent.  Sin brings about death. Gal 6:7. 

         4. Each believer is given charge to spread the Good News.
              Matt. 28:16-20; Cp Mark 16:15-18; Luke 24:46-48; John 17:18; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; 1 Cor 15:6 

         5. Ezekiel is told in the warning that he can both save his life and if the ones he is warning heeds the warning 
              their life can be saved.
 
 

         The life used here is referred to by many students of God's  as physical life.
 

                  Life == H2421 cha^ya^h khaw-yaw'
                              A prim root (compare H2331, H2424); to live, whether  literally
                              or figuratively; causatively to revive: - keep (leave, make) alive,
                             X certainly, give (promise) life, (let, suffer to) live, nourish up,
                             preserve (alive), quicken, recover, repair, restore (to life), revive,
                             (X God) save (alive, life, lives),
                              X surely, be whole. 
                     Dictionaries of Hebrew and Greek Words taken from Strong's Exhaustive 
                                      Concordance by James Strong, S.T.D., LL.D., 1890.
 

                              Eze 3:16-19 notes. After seven days of silence Ezekiel's  solitude
                                        was shattered by God's words. God  appointed him a 
                                          watchman for the house of  Israel. 
              "Watchman" is used several times of  prophets 
                                            (cf. Isa. 56:10; Jer. 6:17; Hosea 9:8). 
                       Watchmen were stationed on city walls, hilltops,  or specially 
                                   designed watchtowers. A watchman  was to be on the 
                                   alert for approaching enemies  and warn the city's people
                                  of any impending  attack. 
                                   This gave city dwellers outside the walls an opportunity to 
                                  seek protection and gave the people time to secure the gates
                                  and man the defenses.

                                     Similarly, as God's watchman, Ezekiel was  responsible 
                                   for sounding the warning of impending judgment to Israel. 
                                  He was to warn both the wicked (Ezek. 3:18-19)  and the
                                  righteous  (Ezek 3:20-21).

                        A wicked person was to be warned to turn from his evil ways 
                                    in order to save his life. 

                                    Though both the Old and New Testaments clearly indicate 
                                 the spiritual results of sin, the focus here is  on the physical 
                                 consequences. A wicked person who refuses to heed God's
                                  warnings will die for his sin. 

                                      Since all are spiritually dead from birth, the  obvious 
                                 reference here is to physical death. 

                                  As  Nebuchadnezzar's armies approached, the wicked could 
                                 expect death at the enemy's hands.

                                   Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological  Seminary.
                                               (1983-c1985). The Bible knowledge commentary :
                                                  An exposition of the scriptures. 
                                      Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.  .http://www.libronix.com 
                                          1313 Commercial Street Bellingham, WA 98225-4372

        6. There were Watchman on the walls and gates of all  of the cities. Ezekiel and the House of Israel knew 
              the duties of the watchman. He had to be able to speak as well see and hear.

         7. Ezekiel's Job was to Warn. His punishment did not depend on whether he convert anyone or not. His 
               job was to warn.
                 Today believers stop being soulwinners because they are not seeing any converts from their efforts. 
                   For a person to be Saved it takes the work of all believers.

                      1. Someone has to prepare the soil.
                      2. Someone has to sow the seeds.
                      3. Someone has to nurture the seedlings.
                      4. Someone has to harvest.
                     There are people that are better talented by God for each Phase.  Some Students of God's Word
                      try to say the Gifts Of the Spirit are done away. 
                      They need to read.
                       Eph 4:10-12; Heb 2:4; James 1:17; Cp Rom 1:11; Rom 12:6; 1 Cor 7:7; 1 Cor 12:1 to 1 Cor 14:12;
 

         8. If the Watchman was unfaithful in his duties the consequence could be death. Ezekiel as do
               ministries today have a duty today to warn of the impending dome coming to the lost of this world.

              The position of leaders in the Religious World is a place of great weight. As believers we should
              uphold our church leaders, teachers, and every worker in the church of which Christ is the head.
 

              Eph 1:22; Eph 5:23-24; Col 1:18; Cp Acts 20:28; 1 Cor 12:28.

              In 1 Peter 5:2-11 Peter gives the rules for the leaders of the local, national, and Jesus Christ's Church. 

              Are you today at peace as to where you will spend Eternity?

              It is a danger to get in God's way! Cp 1 Cor 11:27-32.
                Some here in Corinth Had sin in their lives and were sick. Others were taken home to be with their
               Lord Jesus Christ because of disobedience.
              These only got into Heaven by the skin of their Teeth their works were burned.  1 Cor 3:15. 

         9.   Paul use these verse and took them to heart.
                Acts 18:6; Acts 20:26; Cp James 5:19-20.
                 The failure to let people know the result of sin is in it's self a sin. Rom 6:23. 
              This is the theme of these verses that the lost needs to hear the Gospel.
                  How else can the Lost be saved?
                 Rom 10:9-16. 
                      Rom 10:14 KJV How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?
                                               and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?
                                               and how shall they hear without a  preacher? 

                       A preacher is anyone ( man, women, and child ) that heralds the Gospel. It today can be done
                    by one on one, Radio, Television, Print, movies, internet, telephone and any other  way one can
                    think of that can be prayed over and ask God's  blessing.
                        If and it will lead some to Jesus Christ it will hide a multitude of sins. James 5:19-20.
                       There is joy in Heaven when a soul is saved. Luke 15:10.

           By proclaim the warning the watchman would save his own soul. 
 

                                   "But if the watchman sounded the alarm and the city  did not respond, the watchman could hardly be blamed.
                   delivered your soul: As a faithful watchman, Ezekiel would not have placed his own life in jeopardy by failing in his critical duty. 

                         A watchman  who was  "asleep at the switch" would forfeit his life.

                          The word soul often merely means "life" in Hebrew."
                          The Nelson Study Bible Copyright: 
                          Electronic Edition STEP Files Copyright ? 1999,
                          Parsons Technology, Inc.  Cedar Rapids, Iowa

                        "The warning was not only of physical death,    but also of spiritual doom.

                            The duties of the spiritual watchman are presented in  Eze 33:1-9." 

                                 The Believers Study Bible Copyright: Copyright ?
                            1991 by the Criswell Center for Biblical Studies Special Study Helps,
                                    Copyright ? 1991, 1990, 1985, 1983, 1975 by
                               Thomas Nelson, Inc .Electronic Edition STEP Files Copyright ? 1998, 
                               Parsons Technology, Inc. Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publishers Nashville,TN
         The prophet not only Saved the sinners Physical Life he is saving his by obeying the Lord.
          Many a servant of the Lord has never found peace until they surrender to the Call. 
         All of the Great Men and Women of the bible are examples.
 

Ezekiel 3:20 KJV Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness,
                        and commit iniquity,  and I lay a stumblingblock before  him, 
                        he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning,
                       he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered;
                      but his blood will I require at thine hand.
       Facts:
       1. In verse 20 the Word moves to another type of human, the Self-Righteous.

            This is a person that is orthodox in their religious practices.
             In other words this person  is righteous by their own right. 
            They perform works of  Righteousness. 
             That is boasting, saying look what I have Done.  Mat 6:2-6. 

              These works are performed without Christ in their Hearts. 
              They set God up to conform to their belief instead of them to accepting God for who He is.
                 Isa 29:13-14; Matt. 15:7-9; Mark 7:6-8; Cp Matt. 23:13-15.

                The tradition of the elders will send a soul to the place prepare for the Devil and his angels. 
              Matt. 25:41; Rev 20:10.
                This is the Final Hell for the lost. Tormented in this flame day and night. Rev 20:10;
              Cp Matt 8:29; Mark 5:7; Luke 8:28; Luke 16:23-28; Rev 14:10-11.
         2. Notice of the use of the word His righteousness.
              Ezekiel 3:20: this part of the verse makes it very clear Who's righteousness it is and that it was his actions:

               "his righteousness which he hath done." We can do nothing but accept Christ's finished work on the Cross
                for us.
                 Rom 4:6-8; Rom 4:24; Rom 5:13; James 2:23.
         3. Without Jesus Christ a person can not be righteous in God's eye. 
          Rom 3:10; Rom 3:22-23; Rom 4:6;  Rom 5:17-18;
                1 Cor 1:30; Eph 2:7-10; Titus 3:5
                            Titus 3:5 KJV Not by works of righteousness which we have done, 
                                                     but according to his mercy he  saved us,
                                                     by the washing of regeneration, 
                                                     and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 
                                          6  Which he shed on us abundantly through  Jesus Christ  our Saviour; 
                                          7  That being justified by his grace, we should  be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 
 

                        In an attempt to make the verses in Titus simple here are these verses in another translation.

                          Titus 3:5 CEV He saved us because of his mercy, and not because of any good things that we have  done. 
                                                      God washed us by the power of the Holy Spirit.
                                                     He gave us new birth and a fresh beginning.
                                       6 CEV God sent Jesus Christ our Savior to give us his Spirit. 
 

         4. If the Wicked or the Self-Righteous neither turn  (repent) of their sins they both will die in their sins.
              Die a physical death. Rom 6:23. 
                    Ezekiel 3:20  Both the wicked and the righteous must accept responsibility for their sins and the consequences  thereof. 

                                         The phrase "he shall die in his sin," as referring  to the righteous man, means that he shall die "by"
                                           or  "because of" his sin. 
                                             The death described is  physical, and the emphasis  is upon the physical consequences of sin. 

                                        These  physical consequences are the same for   saved and lost alike. 

                                                However, note that the wicked man dies "in" or "by" his iniquity or perverseness (v. 19). 

                                        This verse  does not present a doctrine of  "falling from grace." The righteous man does not lose his  salvation, 
                                         reputation, physical life, and finally,  but he may forfeit his health,  his rewards, as the result of sin (cf. 1 Cor 3:15).

                                                      The Believers Study Bible  Copyright ?
                                     1991 by the Criswell Center for Biblical Studies Special Study Helps,
                                    Copyright ? 1991, 1990, 1985, 1983, 1975 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. 
                                     Electronic Edition STEP Files Copyright ? 1998, 
                                     Parsons Technology, Inc. 
         5. The stumbling Block is that the Self-righteous will die a Physical death. Death is always separation. 
              Separation of the body from the spirit and soul is physical death. 
              The Death that separates the humans from God for all eternity is called the second death.

               Rev 20:14; Rev 21:6-8; Cp Rev 2:11; Rev 20:6.
                        Rev 21:8 KJV But the fearful, and unbelieving,  and abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, 
                                                  and idolaters, and all liars, 
                                                 shall  have their part in the lake which  burneth with  fire and brimstone: which is the second death. 

                  Is this where you want to spend forever?
               This again is so important lets look at it in another Version.

                            Rev 21:8 CEV But I will tell you what will happen to coward sand to everyone who is unfaithful or dirty-minded
                                                        or who murders or is sexually immoral or uses  witchcraft or worships idols or tells lies.
                                                            They will be thrown into that lake of fire and burning sulfur. 

                                                      This is the second death. 
                       Again here it is in the NIV.
                                      Rev 21:8 NIV "But the cowardly, the unbelieving, he vile,  the murderers, the sexually immoral, 
                                                                  those who practice magic arts,   the idolaters and all liars-their place 
                                                                 will be in the fiery lake of  burning sulfur.  This is the second   death."
 

                        This is such a warning of such grave consequences it just needs to be repeated.
 

                                       Rev 21:8 NLT "But cowards who turn away from me, and  unbelievers, 
                                              and the corrupt, and murderers, and the immoral, and those who practice witchcraft, 
                                              and idol worshipers, and all liars- their doom is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur.
                                              This is the second death."
         6. One has to be Self-Righteous their entire life because just one sin both  small or large will cause all of the
             former  Self-Righteousnesses to be forgotten.

             Remember Self-Righteous is works. 
              Works are fruits of the Spirit. Gal 5:22; Eph 5:9.
           Works are not a means of Salvation.
                  Baptism is an ordnance of Christ's Church, the believer is baptized because they are a new creature 
             raised in newness of life.  Rom 6:4; 2 Cor 5:17.
                A Self-Righteous life with any sin is a sin unto death. 1 John 5:16-20.

         6. If a Self-Righteousness person is not warned then they will die because of their sins and their 
             blood will be on the Watchman's hands.
              The rule was, when someone died on your watch because the watchman did not warn them then
              the watchman would have to pay with his life.
              Ezekiel 33.6; Cp Mat 28:14; Act 12:19. 
         7. God as Father Corrects His Children. This chastisement was, is, and will be both to His chosen in the
              House of Israel and to believers past, present, and  future.
                   1 Cor 11:32; Heb 12:5-10; Rev 3:19; Cp Rev 3:5
                God is within His rights to take a righteous soul that sins home early. Cp Acts 5:1-11.
 
 

Ezekiel 3:21 KJV Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not,
                               and he doth not  sin, he shall surely live, because he is  warned;
                               also thou hast delivered thy soul. 
       Facts:
         1. What is a truly Righteous person? 
               Rom 4:21-25; Rom 5:1-2. 
                 The soul of both the wicked and righteous are only made just by the completed work of Jesus Christ.
               By having Jesus Christ in our hearts through the Holy Ghost can we live the righteous life. Mat 19:26; 
                 Cp Mat 19:16-26.
                 Man can not do the righteousness himself, it is just not possible, but with the creator it is possible!
                 Trust your soul to the one that has the power to keep your soul for Eternity.
                      1 Peter 4:19; Cp Isa 40:28; Rom 1:25.
         2. If the Watchman or a.k.a. Pastor, teacher, or believer warns the lost soul they are given the opportunity
             to witness by telling the Gospel of Christ and they are converted, their life will be saved plus the life 
             of the one doing the warning.
         3. The key here is to warn. The Lord in these verses has made it clear that for souls to be saved they
              have to hear the Gospel.
             It is each believer's God given duty to tell the Gospel, tell a lost dying World about Jesus Christ.
             If the self-righteous don't repent and you have told them of the saving Grace of Jesus Christ their blood
             will not be required of you  because you warned them.
          4. There are crowns and rewards for faithful Christian service for the saved of Jesus Christ. 
 

           Crowns 1 Cor 9:25; Phil 4:1; 1 Thess 2:19; 2 Tim 4:8; James 1:12;1 Peter 5:4; Rev 2:10; Rev 3:11.

               Rewards Matt. 5:12; Matt. 6:1; Matt. 6:18; Matt. 10:41; Matt. 16:27; Mark 9:41; Luke 6:23; Luke 6:35;
                                1 Cor 3:8; 1 Cor 3:14; Col 3:24; Heb 11:6;  2 Peter 2:13; 2 John 1:8; Rev 11:18; Rev 22:12.

               These can be won or lost. But first that soul must be a Child of God. 1 Peter 1:23.

         5. Let me repeat it is impossible for any one to be Self-Righteous their complete life on earth.
                        Rom 3:10 KJV As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 
         6. Churches are full of many that made false professions. Most did not make the wrong profession because 
               they wanted too.
                 Most were instructed to join a church.
              I had a pastor tell me he only baptized into the church.
              The Lord is the only one that can add a soul to His Church. Acts 2:41-47.
                  This means many have been lead to make false a profession. They didn't know, they just joined a club. 
                     Matt 7:21-23; Luke 6:48. 
           The first three chapters of Revelation speaks of this in the church. Rev 3:15-16
                          Rev 3:16 KJV So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot,  I will spew thee out of my mouth.

              These Church members Just go through the motions of a believer they belong to committees and perform 
               many other Church duties. All of his is done and as of yet they sand for nothing. They are Self-Righteous 
               but still do not know about Jesus Christ, they have never surrendered to the saviour. These people are at 
               home with any crowd whether they are a group of the wicked, the self-righteous, or a group of Christians.
 

         7. The Joy of Leading a soul to Jesus Christ is a great joy  in a Christians Life. Prov 11:30b; James 5:19-20.
         8.  Be converted today. Do you know where your soul will be in the forever in the after life? James 5:19-20

              Act 3:19 KJV Repent ye therefore, and be converted, 
                                        that your sins may be blotted out, 
                                        when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; 
 

                  The Bible and the indwelling Spirit of God tell  our spirit we are a Child of God.

               Most have the KJV Bible translation so I let you look it Up in the KJV.
 

                      1 John 5:9 CEV We believe what people tell us.
                                         But we can trust what God says even more, 
                                         and God is the one who has spoken about his Son. 
                                   10  If we have faith in God's Son, 
                                          we have believed what God has said. 
                                         But if we don't believe what God has said about his Son,
                                          it is the same as  calling God a liar. 
                                    11  God has also said that he gave us eternal life and
                                           that this life comes to us from his Son. 
                                    12  And so, if we have God's Son, we have this life. 
                                           But if we don't have the Son,  we don't have this life. 

                                    13  All of you have faith in the Son of God, 
                                          and I have written to let you know that you have  eternal life. 
                                   14  We are certain that God will hear our prayers when we ask for what pleases  him.
 
 
 

Ezekiel 3:22 KJV And the hand of the LORD was there upon me;
                              and he said unto me, Arise, go forth into the plain, and I will there talk with thee.

Ezekiel 33:23 KJV Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 
Ezekiel 33:24 KJV  Son of man, they that inhabit those wastes of the land of Israel speak, saying,
                                  Abraham was one, and he inherited the land: but we are many;
                                  the land is given us  for inheritance. 
     Facts:
         1. If God is going to use us He will empower each servant. 
            Jesus Christ Gave each believer the Great Commission  Matt. 28:18-20
           and the father Sent the Holy Ghost (Spirit) to empower them.

          2. The Holy Ghost came and taught Ezekiel. 
              The Father sends the Holy Ghost ( Spirit, the Comforter ) to  Empower each believer. John 14:26

          3. There is no doubt that there are times we need to be still to hear God speak to our hearts and soul.
               Psalm 46:10

   The Father in Jesus Christ's name has sent the "Comforter"
    which is the Holy Ghost ( Holy Spirit ) to each believer.

   Some believers quince the spirit by not letting the fullness of the Spirit empower them in Christian character,

  Power to witness, to lead, and most of all teach. 

   Pastors as well as Lay Speaks lack the Authority in their Messages for one and all of these four reasons.

      1. They must first be saved. That is have the Spirit in their Heart . 
            1 Cor 3:16; 1 Cor 6:19; 2 Cor 6:16
      2. They must believe the Gospel themselves.
      3. They must let the Spirit teach. The scriptures tell us the Spirit will bring all thing to remembrance. 
           The believer must Fill themselves with inspiration.
      4. Then the believer is to let the Spirit do its work.
              1 Cor 2:13-16
     1 Co 2:13 CEV Every word we speak was taught to us by God's Spirit,
                                 not by human wisdom. And this same Spirit helps us teach spiritual things to spiritual people. 
                   14  That's why only someone who has God's Spirit can  understand spiritual blessings. 
                         Anyone who doesn't have God's Spirit thinks these  blessings are foolish. 
                   15  People who are guided by the Spirit can make all kinds of  judgments,  but they cannot be judged by others. 
                   16  The Scriptures ask, "Has anyone ever known the thoughts  of the Lord or given him advice?" 
                        But we understand what Christ is thinking.
                 Since the Holy Spirit Protect us He also seals our souls.
                             Eph 1:13; Heb 13:21.
   Christ dwells in each believers Heart. Gal 2:20; 1 John 4:12.
  This is God's promise by Faith given to them that believe. Gal 3:22-26.

  Yes we as by faith are Justified by Jesus Christ.
    Gal 2:16; Gal 3:6; Rom 1:17.

Rom 1:16 KJV For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:
         for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;
          to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 
    17  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith:
           as it is written. The just shall live by faith. 
    18  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men,
           who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 
    19  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them.

 Why should we live and do righteous acts ( a Christian Life )?
       Gal 5:16-26.
   Gal 5:25 KJV If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 
 

Many souls will not surrender to Jesus Christ because the do not think they can live the Christian life.
A Soul Can not live the Christian life an be Lost. On By letting the Holy Spirit live in out heart and Guide can we
live the Christian Life.
 Christ died for all of our sins,
Past, Present, and Future Sins. 
Psalm 85:2; Matt 9:2; Matt. 12:31; Mark 2:5; Mark 3:28; Mark 4:12; Luke 5:20; Acts 26:18; Eph 1:7; 
 Col 1:14; Col 2:13; James 5:15; 1 John 2:12.

A soul who's sin are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ is Blessed.
Psalm 32:1; Rom 4:7.

Are your sins covered today?
Do you have the righteousness imparted to you by Christ?
Will you made a decision for your future today before it is too late?
The only sin that will not be forgiven is the sin against the conviction of The Holy Ghost ( Spirit ).

If you feel uncomfortable everytime someone brings up the Salvation of your soul, then if you don't heed that call You could be guilty of blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. Matt. 12:31; Mark 3:28; Luke 12:10.

If you are lost you have an unclean spirit. Mark 3:30.

Say the following Pray with your heart of sincereness.
  Heavenly Father, I come to You in the Name of Jesus.
Your Word says, "Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be
saved"
Acts 2:21; Rom 10:13. 
I am calling on You. I pray and ask Jesus to come into my heart and be
LORD over my life according to:
 Romans 10:9-10. "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."
 I do that now.
 I confess that Jesus is Lord, and I believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead.

Lord I know that baptism and church membership are not what saved me.
I ask you to steer me to the right decisions about attending Church.
1 John 5:12 KJV He that hath the Son hath life: 
                              and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
                13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God;
                      that ye may know that ye have eternal life,
                     and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 
 

Yes if we as believers and truly have Salvation and are making Jesus Christ both Lord and Master of our lives,

We can know that we are saved. 
This is the Peace we have in Christ.
He is able to keep that which we have given Him for safe keeping.
Rom 4:21; Rom 8:38-39; 2 Tim 1:12; Cp Heb 6:9
 

John 10:26 CEV But since you are not my sheep, you don't believe me.
              27  My sheep know my voice, and I know them. They follow me,
              28  and I give them eternal life, so that they will never be lost. 
                    No one can snatch them out of my hand. 
              29  My Father gave them to me, and he is greater than all others.
                    No one can snatch them from his hands, 
              30  and I am one with the Father.

You can know !!!
Rom 8:16 KJV The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 

Rom 8:16 AMP The Spirit Himself [thus] testifies together with our own spirit, [assuring us] that we are children
of God.
 
 

KJV  = This is the 1769 King James Version of the Holy Bible
             (also known as the Authorized Version).
CEV = Scriptures marked as "(CEV)" are taken from the Contemporary English Version ?
             1995 by American Bible Society.  Used by permission.
NIV =  The NIV and New International Version trademarks are registered in the 
            United States Patent and Trademark Office by International Bible Society. 
NLT = New Living Translation copyright ? 1996 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
            All rights reserved. Electronic Edition STEP Files Copyright ? 1998,
            Parsons Technology, Inc. 
           Tyndale House Publishers Wheaton, Illinois 60189
AMP = Amplified Bible  # ? Copyright (c) 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by
           The Lockman Foundation All rights reserved

    Rom 10:13 All who call out to the Lord will be saved.

          Today is the day of Salvation!!.
        The translation takens from e-sword 

      More Notes at Http:\\bible.jcmsoh.org/bible_doctrine.html