19 February 2002

Ezekiel 11:1-13

THE MINISTRY OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD
Review:
A. The Commencement of the Holy Spirit's Ministry
"Then the Spirit entered me when He spoke to me, and set me on my feet; and I heard Him who spoke to me…" Eze. 2:2

1. The Spirit of God was given to Ezekiel when God spoke to him
2. The Holy Spirit from then on took control of the life of Ezekiel

(Note similarity to the work of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament period)

B. The Continuing Ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of the servant of God
"Then the Spirit lifted me up…" Eze. 2:12

"Then the Spirit lifted me up and took me away…" Eze. 2:14

C. The In-filling of the Spirit of God
"Then the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet, and spoke with me and said to me…" Eze. 3:24

1. The mention of the Spirit of God entering Ezekiel is a reference to the filling of the Spirit of God.
2. We must distinguish between the entrance of the Spirit of God as a sign and seal that we truly belong to the Lord, and the In-filling of the Spirit, which is "episodic."

THE ACTIVE MINISTRY OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD IN THE LIFE OF EZEKIEL
Then the Spirit lifted me up and brought me to the East gate of the Lord's "House…" Eze. 11:1

"Then the Spirit of the Lord fell upon me, and said to me,
'Speak! Thus says the Lord…' " Eze. 11:5

"Then the Spirit took me up and brought me in a vision by the Spirit of God into Chaldea…" Eze. 11:24

1. The Spirit of God plays a truly important role in the life and ministry of the servant of God.

2. Among other things, the Spirit of God's ministry in the life of Ezekiel included:-
a) Teaching
b) Guiding
c) Enlightening
d) Controlling
e) Empowering

THE PREACHING OF THE WORD OF GOD
1. Enlightening of the eyes of the servant of God
"I saw… princes of the people…" Eze. 11:1

"And He said to me:
'Son of man, these are the men who devise iniquity and give wicked counsel in this city…' Eze. 11:2

2. Empowering of the servant of the Lord
"Speak! Thus says the Lord…"

a) Authority is given to the servant of the Lord
b) A message from the Lord is given to the servant of God.
c) Courage from the Lord to preach boldly Eze. 11:5-13
d) Just judgment of the Lord meted out against the guilty and the wicked
e) An example of Judgment from the Lord against the wicked princes Eze. 11:13

3. Important Goals
a) Justice meted out
b) Proper regard of the Lord
("Then you shall know that I am the Lord" Eze. 11:10,12)

4. The shock of Ezekiel and his subsequent plea to God
a) Shock at the swift punishment of Pelatiah
b) Plea of Ezekiel

"Then I feel on my face and cried out with a loud voice, and said,
'Ah, Lord God! Will you make a complete end of the remnant of Israel." Eze. 11:13

(Cp. Acts 5 where Ananias and Sapphira were slain by the Lord)