INTAKE BEFORE OUTFLOW

 

 Old Mother Hubbard 
Went to the Cupboard,
 To give the poor Dog a bone;
 When she came there,
 The Cupboard was bare,
 And so the poor Dog had none.

As a preacher of God’s Word, we cannot give what we do not have. There must be intake before there can be outflow. If the spring is not flowing, then we cannot draw out water. Our people come to us, thirsty and longing for the Water of Life. Is the well dry?

We may all feel that way at times. Having given and given and given—we are poured out and exhausted—with nothing left to give. Yet, here comes another Lord’s Day and the assembling of the saints to drink. They are thirsty. The world they have functioned in all week has drained them dry. They look to the pulpit for help. What will you do?  Jesus provides the solution. 

There must be DESIRE. He says, “If anyone thirsts.”  

Self-sufficiency may drain our desire. Pride calls us to self-sufficiency. It’s our job to give the people the Lord’s message and satisfy their spiritual thirst.  We have been to seminary. We are the Bible experts. So, we function as professionals, just doing our job. There will be no outflow of grace from such a pulpit, for there has been no intake. God gives grace to the humble, and not the self-sufficient.

Carnal satisfaction can deplete our desire. Rather than the intake from the tributaries of truth in Scripture, we may satiate ourselves at this world’s well.  Distracted by electronic devices, addicted to worldly amusements, and gorged with fleshly pursuits, we think on Saturday night, we can borrow some other preacher’s bucket and share the contents of his intake with the thirsty Sunday morning crowd. 

Jeremiah speaks to this:  “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water.” (‭Jer. 2‬:‭13‬‬). 

God forbid that we be a broken cistern!  Let us desire to drink deeply of Christ all week long through the fountain of the Spirit-inspired Scriptures.  Then, no matter how demanding our week has been, we may claim the promise, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled,” (Matt. 5:6). 

There must then be DIRECTION.  Jesus said, “let him come to me.”

Good intentions will not get the job done. We may have meant to dive deeply into the text we are to preach, but so many good things have detoured us from the primary task. I think of the Apostles, in the early days of the church. The congregation was growing exponentially, conflict arose, ministry demands intensified, and the church turned to the leadership. Their response was to install other godly men to care for those needs, for they said, “we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word,” (Acts 6:4). There must be delegation of many tasks, if there is to be the declaration of mighty truths. 

Wrong direction will keep us from the right direction. There is a place for reading commentaries and listening to podcasts. But, we must prioritize seeking Jesus. Our agenda is to drink deeply of Him, before we dive deeply into research. Pray much before you study long—to seek the Savior and not just create a sermon. You will be amazed how if you are in the Word with regularity, the Lord will fill you up, so you can pour out. Prayer and the ministry of the Word are inseparable.

Finally, this calls for DECISION. Our Lord said, “drink.”

The old adage is, “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.”  I can present this, but you can ignore it. You may nod your head and say, “Amen,” with your lips, while returning to the old rut of doing what you’ve always done. You may feel guilty and so drained as to despair and quit the ministry. Some preachers go down in flames of moral failure, while others just fade away.  

It is time to come and drink. Open your heart to Christ anew. The Holy Spirit promises to flow into you and then out of you!  That outflow will be “rivers of living water,” not a trickle, but a torrent!  You may be drained, but the Spirit within you never is—not even a bit—from His boundless supply. 

Let us seek the Lord, brothers. God will supply the outflow if you take care of the intake.

FEAR WILL FLEE

God’s servants are not exempt from the storms of life. They are certain to come. It is at that time we face a choice—faith or fear?

John tells us that he and the other disciples were in the same boat. It is true of everyone in ministry. Our “boat” may be a different size and the storms we face may be of a diverse nature, but the bottom line—it is a storm that tests us with the same choice.  I have heard it said, “You are either heading into a storm, in a storm, or coming out of one.”  It is the common lot of those who follow Christ in this creation that is groaning under the curse. 

“And it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them,” (v. 17b). What do you do when darkness envelopes you, and you long for the Lord and He is nowhere apparent. Perhaps that is the way you feel today. You are rowing and rowing, but the wind only blows harder and the waves mount higher!

It is then—in that moment of desperation—that Jesus shows up. The very storm that we never wanted to be in becomes the means by which Christ will manifest His presence in a profound manner!

Yet, at first, His appearance only intensified their fear. Can you imagine being in such a desperate situation and seeing what appears a specter walking on top of the water toward you?  

Then the Lord speaks, “It is I; do not be afraid.”  It is the Word of God that produces faith and drives away our fear. Circumstances change.  One moment the disciples were on course and suddenly they are in a storm. Yet, just as quickly the storm is over and “immediately the boat was at the land where they were going,” (v. 21b). What does not change are the immutable promises of God.

To those who preach the Word, let us be reminded to trust that Word. We call people to faith, and so should model that faith. 

    Standing on the promises that cannot fail.
    When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
    By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
    Standing on the promises of God.

You can stand on the promises, even when sitting in a boat buffeted by winds and waves. Often we have little choice about the circumstances we find ourselves in, but we always have a choice as to how we respond to them. Fear or faith?  You make the call.

HEAVEN’S HONOR

 

“I” is at the heart of sin—s-“I”-n. The first sin was in eternity where a celestial being named Lucifer became enamored with himself:

“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!  How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the  nations! For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into  heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit  on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the  north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like  the Most High.’ Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the  lowest depths of the Pit.”  (Isaiah‬ ‭14‬:‭12‬-‭15‬‬ NKJV). 

Five times we hear him say, “I will” concluding with, “I will be like the Most High,” and in that moment an angel of light became the prince of darkness. 

The first sin on earth was when the Serpent enticed Eve similarly to eat the forbidden fruit, “and you will be like God,” (Gen. 3:5). As Eve ate and shared with Adam, humanity fell into the pit of pride and the fall was catastrophic. That virus of vanity has infected all their offspring.

In John 5, we find the Lord Jesus confronted by the spawn of Satan—the Pharisees. They claimed to be children of Abraham and thus children  of God, but Jesus would later say, “You are of your father the devil…” (John 8:44).  Egotism was the motivation for their religiosity. They did not seek the honor from God that comes from seeking to honor God, but lusted for the honor of other men. 

These were in many ways orthodox in their belief and faithful—even fervent—in their teaching. Yet, they did not serve God for His glory, but for their own. Jesus said they were devoid of God’s love. They did not love others, for their hearts were consumed with self-love. 

Preachers are not immune from this peril. Seeking the honor of man can be like a drug addiction. The first dose of recognition brings brief euphoria, and then we want more and it takes increasing injections of celebrity to bring the sensation back. 

We love a pat on the back—a place on the platform—a position of power. The celebrity preacher is birthed when he basks in the celebration from other men.  It is such a subtle and sinister seduction. 

May God guard our hearts!  May the Spirit of God consume us with a desire to honor God!  I have written a prayer in my Bible from A. W. Tozer. Out of that I have starred and circled one particular sentence: “If in Thy permissive providence honor should come to me from Thy church, let me not forget in that hour that I am unworthy of the least of Thy mercies, and that if men knew me as I know myself they would withhold their honors or bestow them on others more worthy to receive them,”

If we are to receive honor, let it be from honoring God, and receive it not on earth, but in eternity. Humble yourself and seek God’s glory alone. Then, you will not be deflated when you  are criticized, nor inflated when you are celebrated. Trust in Jesus who promised, “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” (John‬ ‭12‬:‭26‬‬). 

Serve the Savior rather than serving yourself. Concentrate on following Him instead of gathering your own following. Look to the acclaim of eternity and not the adulation of earth.

I preach to myself, and hope that if you listen these words will help you, also.

A SON OF MAN TO TEACH THE SONS OF MEN

 Here is a quote from Spurgeon taken from a sermon on Ezekiel 40:4:   ”And the man said to me, “Son of man, look with your eyes and hear with your ears, and fix your mind on everything I show you; for you were brought here so that I might show them to you. Declare to the house of Israel everything you see.”(NKJV‬‬)

WE learn from this text something concerning Ezekiel himself. He was certainly one of the greatest of the prophets; his visions remind us of those of John, both for their brightness, splendour, and number, and yet this eminent prophet was, nevertheless, styled “son of man.” He is continually called by that name. The title is used over and over again throughout the book of his prophecies— “ Son of man”— to remind him that even the seer, the prophet, the inspired, the man who was indulged with vision upon vision, was still only a man. The best of men are men at the best. Those eyes that are strengthened to behold the cherubim, and to gaze upon the stupendous wheels of providence, are still only the eyes of a son of man. The title was used to teach him humility, and also to remind him of the condescension of God towards him, and to fill him with awe and wonder that he should be chosen from the rest of mankind, though no more than they, to see such wondrous sights, withheld from other eyes. To us this wears a very promising aspect, for if God can reveal himself to one “son of man,” why not to another? And if God can speak, as he did speak, so wonderfully through Ezekiel, one son of man, why not through you? why not through me? for we, too, are sons of men. We have no worthiness or fitness; neither does Ezekiel claim any. He is reminded of his descent: he is still one of the sons of men. Oh, be of good comfort, you who think that God can never use you— you who are poor in spirit, and wish to serve him, but deeply feel your own insignificance. Remember that God is able to do for you exceedingly abundantly above what you ask or even think. He can yet reveal his Son in you, and himself to you, and by you, after such methods as you have never dreamed of; and, possibly, the painful experience through which you are passing even now may be preparing you to stand upon yet loftier mounts, and to behold visions of God, which in happier days you shall tell out to the house of Israel, by which multitudes shall be blessed through you.

A PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH

 I am offering Spurgeon’s prayer today. Will you join me?

We ask especially for this Lord’s Day, that we may be in the Spirit, and know the fulness of his quickening power. May we do nothing after the dead manner of formality. May there be no dead hymn, nor dead prayer. Lord, give the preacher life. Oh, give the hearers life. Oh may this be living worship this morning, the bowing not of heads alone, but of hearts, and the closing not alone of the eyes to things that can be seen, but the closing of the eyelids of the thought to everything worldly.

Amen.

GUARDING AND GUIDING GOD’S PEOPLE

 The thrust of Ezekiel 33-34 is guarding and guiding God’s people. Those who are entrusted with leading and feeding the flock have a solemn duty and sacred accountability. Two primary metaphors are used: the sentinel and the shepherd.

We read about THE FAITHFUL SENTINEL WHO IS CONFIRMED, (33:1-33). This is basically a confirmation of Ezekiel’s previous call given in 3:16-21. The words are essentially the same. 

This is a reminder of the mandate, (v. 1-9). In the wear and tear of ministry, it is easy to be distracted and diverted from the essentials of our work. We are forgetful people, who need to refocus. The first phase of Ezekiel’s labor that focused on condemnation will now turn to the next phase that will concentrate on consolation. It is a good time for a reminder of the man of God’s stewardship. “Moreover it is required of stewards that they be found faithful,” (1 Cor. 4:2).

We must be wary of the approach of the enemy. Spiritual perils are ever about. The enemy is looking for opportunity to attack. Thus, our mandate is a call to watchfulness. 

Further, there is a reinforcement of the message, (v. 10-33). Again, these are truths that have previously been shared. God’s messenger is not searching for something novel. He preaches, “the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints,” (Jude v. 3b). 

Our mandate is to warn of spiritual perils, but also to proclaim Scriptural principles. Our mandate is a call to watchfulness, and our message is a charge to witness.

We summon the sinner to repent of sin and to receive the Savior. While Ezekiel was faithful to proclaim the truth, the people stubbornly refused to heed the warning. Thus, the horrifying moment—long predicted—was fulfilled in the fall of Jerusalem. The prophet was faithful and fearless, but the people were stubbornly sinful. They would hear the preaching and say, “Amen,” then walk away and do as they pleased. 

The blood was off the preacher’s hands and on the people’s heads. The Lord is loving and righteous and holds these attributes in perfect balance. He does not desire to condemn the wicked. But, if they perish, then His justice will be meted out. He shows us the way to life, but if we choose our own path, it will bring our doom, and we cannot say that God is unjust to give us what we want.

From the faithful sentinel who is confirmed, we turn to THE FAITHLESS SHEPHERDS WHO ARE CONFRONTED, (34:1-31). The assignment of the shepherd is to guide the people as he leads them and feeds them. This chapter confronts those failing to fulfill their duty. 

Consider first the shepherds who scatter the sheep, (v. 1-10). Rather than feed the flock, the shepherds stuffed themselves. Instead of giving out the Word to aid the sheep, they twisted the truth so the sheep would benefit them. Their focus was on self-indulgence and self-aggrandizement. 

A good shepherd will support the weak, bring healing to the sick, bind up the broken, reclaim the straying, and seek the lost. These faithless shepherds were utter failures. They used and abused the sheep. They used them for personal gain and abused them for personal glory. Their motive was carnal and their manner was dictatorial. God will judge such faithless shepherds. A day of reckoning is coming!

The Lord will rescue His sheep. So we observe secondly the Savior who seeks His sheep, (v. 11-31). The Good Shepherd will not lose one of His sheep, (cf. John 10:1-5, 27-30). Men often fail, but the Master does not!  He will lead and feed the flock. Oh, may we as shepherds seek to emulate the Good Shepherd, rather than be as these faithless ones!

Ultimately, God will gather His flock. Ezekiel takes us to the last days, where literally Israel will be regathered to their land. Showers of blessing will make the land fruitful. The Lord will reign over them and be their God. David will be their prince. Most commentators see this fulfilled in Jesus, David’s descendant, the Messiah. That is likely. But, it is at least possible that David will be resurrected and reign under the Lord in the earthly Jerusalem, while Christ reigns in the eternal Jerusalem—the city of God come down from heaven to earth. It is an intriguing thought. We do know that as those who are part of the Bride of Christ, we will reign with the Lord. We will be given charge over cities and citizens then based on our faithfulness to God now.  

What we certainly know is that a great day is coming.  This is the prophetic interpretation. But, we also have a practical illustration.  The literal prophecy conveys a spiritual principle. When shepherds faithfully feed and lead the flock, there can be  showers of blessing in revival and the church may manifest the fruit of the Spirit and gather a harvest of souls!  It is a foretaste of glory divine!  May it be so in our day!  Recall the old hymn:

 1. There shall be showers of blessing:
  This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
  Sent from the Savior above.
  
Chorus: Showers of blessing,
  Showers of blessing we need;
Mercy-drops round us are falling,
    But for the showers we plead.

2. There shall be showers of blessing—
  Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys,
  Sound of abundance of rain.

3. There shall be showers of blessing;
  Send them upon us, O Lord!
Grant to us now a refreshing;
  Come, and now honor Thy Word.

 4. There shall be showers of blessing;
  O that today they might fall,
Now as to God we’re confessing,
  Now as on Jesus we call!

5. There shall be showers of blessing,
  If we but trust and obey;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
  If we let God have His way.