ST. PAUL SCHOOL OF LEADERSHIP

"Be ye followers of me as I also am of Christ." (I Corinthians 11:1)

(With Frank Eiklor and Walter and Cecilia Contreras)

THE BOOK OF EZEKIEL

LESSON 72  

INTRODUCTION

The eleventh chapter of Hebrews has been called God's "Hall of Fame." Listed are biblical giants-men and women whose faith in the Lord was evidenced by their actions.

Today's Church in America is in danger of preaching a "cheap grace" that mocks the true grace of God. We have programmed a form of Christianity that can function without Jesus. He stands on the outside of His church, knocking at the door and asking if there is anyone inside who will hear His voice and invite Him in (Revelation 3:20).

When will the Spirit of the Lord finally get through to us that it is the blood of Jesus that covers sins-not God's grace that allows us to continue in sin!? The true grace of our Lord Jesus enables us to live a righteous life where we learn to hate sin. We are warned to learn from Old Testament examples the cost of disobedience to God and the blessedness of obedience. When the Lord tells us twice within only six verses

(1 Corinthians 10:6, 11) to go back and study those examples, we are wise to heed the warnings. This study will hit the high peaks in the great prophetic book of Ezekiel.

EZEKIEL

2:3-8; 3:7-10,              Example of God's preparation before sending His servant on a

17, 18, 26, 27              difficult assignment.

8:6, 12-16                    Example of a once-righteous nation abandoning the living God and

                                     choosing instead the gods and sins of the pagan world.

9:4-6, 9                        Example of hearts broken over their nation's sins.

11:1-4; 12, 13,             Example of judgment on a false shepherd-and the faithfulness of

16-19                            the true Shepherd of Israel.

COST OF FOLLOWING SELF

13:2, 3, 6, 10, 19, 22   Example of the cost of following one's own deceived human spirit.

14:14, 16, 18, 20         Example of God honoring the godly.

16: (all)                         Example of trampling the grace of God.

18:4-10, 13, 14,           Example of being warned by both bad and good examples.

17, 21-23, 26, 27

30-32

20:8-14,21-23,32-41   Example of the cost of shaming God's holy Name.

CURSING OF NATIONS

25: (all)                        Example of God cursing four nations that cursed Israel (plus Tyre-

                                     Chapter 26).

28:1-19                        King of Tyre an example of Lucifer and the fall of pride.

29: (all)                        Egypt an example of "lowest nations" for opposing Israel.

33:1,8, 11-16, 25,      Example of the wicked repenting and the righteous growing 

26, 30-33                     careless.

FALSE SHEPHERDS

34:2-7, 10, 11, 16,       False, selfish shepherds over Israel are an example to pastors and

17, 20-26, 28-31         teachers today.

35:5, 10, 11, 15           Edom-an eternal example to haters of Israel.

36: (all)                        Example of the all-knowing, all-seeing, all-loving God vindicating

                                     Himself regarding Israel.

DOING THE IMPOSSIBLE

37: (all)                        Example of God keeping His promises by doing the "impossible"

                                     In preserving the Jewish people.

38:1-11, 15, 16,         Example of God judging a "superpower" as a lesson to the

20-23                          world-that He is the guardian of Israel.

39: (all)                        Same lesson as chapter 38.