1st Sunday Service | Sermon PE Charles Lewis | The Watchman Sounds The Alarm

Sep 06, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: Watchmen on the Wall: Staying Awake While Others Sleep

A watchman’s eyes pierce the darkness others ignore. While families sleep and communities celebrate, God positions His people on spiritual guard towers to spot approaching danger. This isn’t about criticism but care—like a parent awake at midnight listening for coughs in a sick child’s room. To watch means to love proactively, noticing when relationships drift, faith cools, or culture shifts. Spiritual alertness requires trading comfort for clarity, seeing beyond surface calm to eternal stakes. The wall is no place for yawns. [52:23]

“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand.”
(Ezekiel 3:17-18, ESV)

Reflection: Where has comfort dulled your spiritual alertness this week? What specific situation or relationship requires you to “climb the wall” and watch with God’s eyes?

Day 2: Sounding the Alarm: Love’s Urgent Whisper Before the Storm

Tornado sirens howl not to annoy but to save. Ezekiel’s trumpet blast wasn’t about shaming neighbors but shielding them—like grabbing a toddler’s wrist before they touch a hot stove. Warning becomes worship when motivated by love’s trembling hands. This isn’t about being right but being responsible: the church can’t mute heaven’s megaphone when culture drifts toward cliffs. True love risks awkward conversations, late-night prayers, and hard truths whispered through tears. Silence isn’t peace—it’s surrender. [58:22]

“And if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand.”
(Ezekiel 33:6, ESV)

Reflection: When have you muted a necessary warning to avoid conflict? Who needs you to blow the trumpet—gently but clearly—this week?

Day 3: U-Turns in the Kingdom: Mercy’s Open Road Back Home

God’s highway has endless off-ramps for rebels. Where earthly justice slams doors, divine grace props open emergency exits—like a father leaving the porch light on for prodigals. Ezekiel’s warnings weren’t death sentences but detour signs: “Road Closed Ahead—Turn Here!” Repentance means more than feeling sorry; it’s GPS recalibration, spinning heels toward home while mercy sweeps ash from the driveway. Every U-turn honors the cross. [01:03:27]

“Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?”
(Ezekiel 33:11, ESV)

Reflection: What destructive path have you rationalized as “too far gone” to change? How might today’s grace make a U-turn possible?

Day 4: Grace Over Guilt: The Watchman’s Hands Are Clean, Not Condemning

Bloodstains on a watchman’s hands come from ignored warnings, not failed rescues. God measures faithfulness by obedience, not outcomes—like a nurse administering medicine she can’t force patients to swallow. Ezekiel’s duty ended with the alarm; hearts remained God’s territory. This frees us from savior complexes. We’re not called to fix everyone but to faithfully point to the One who can. Responsibility ends where control does. [01:06:19]

“And you, son of man, neither will I let you punish yourself anymore by their idolatry… When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you shall surely die!’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand.”
(Ezekiel 33:7-8, ESV)

Reflection: What burden have you carried that belongs to God alone? How can you release someone to His care after warning them?

Day 5: Love Requires Speaking: Truth’s Wound That Heals

Surgeons don’t apologize for scalpels. Ezekiel’s words sliced pride to save souls—like removing splinters before they fester. Our culture confuses love with silence, but real love operates when it hurts, speaking hard truths to prevent eternal harm. It’s not about winning arguments but binding wounds: “I see you heading toward a cliff—let’s walk another way together.” Truth without love is a hammer; love without truth is a hollow hug. [01:01:30]

“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.”
(Ephesians 4:15, ESV)

Reflection: When has someone’s tough truth saved you? Who needs you to speak life-giving words that may sting but will ultimately heal?

Sermon Summary

Ezekiel 33 calls God’s people to be watchmen on the wall. God gives Ezekiel a serious assignment: hear the word from God, see what is coming, and warn the people. A watchman cannot be sleep when danger is near. A watchman cannot see trouble and decide to mind his own business. The church cannot get so comfortable that it stops watching what is happening in families, with children, in communities, and all around the world.

The watchman must watch because nobody can warn people about what they refuse to see. God positions some people in families and churches to notice when somebody is drifting, hurting, or headed in the wrong direction. Christ calls His people to watch and pray, not just enjoy the benefits of being on the wall. God’s assignment requires spiritual alertness, faithfulness, and a willingness to stay awake while others sleep.

The watchman must also sound the alarm. Love does not keep quiet when somebody is walking toward destruction. Love tells the truth without hatred, arrogance, or trying to embarrass somebody. Love wraps its arms around a brother, sister, or child and says, “There’s danger here. Turn around.” The church is not called to be the echo of culture. The church is called to be the voice of God, even when the crowd does not applaud.

God’s warning has restoration at its heart. God says, “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from their ways and live.” Repentance is a turn around. Repentance says, “I was headed toward destruction, but I’m changing directions. I was doing it my way, but now I’m going God’s way.” Grace gives people an opportunity to turn before consequences become permanent.

The watchman cannot save everybody, because the response belongs to the person hearing the warning. God calls the watchman to be faithful, pray, speak, warn, and point people back to Jesus. God still says, “Come home,” to those pulled away by sin, anger, disappointment, pain, or uncertainty. The kingdom allows U-turns at any given time. Christ receives those who come weak, weary, worn, broke, busted, and disgusted, because God’s grace, not human goodness, makes the way back home.

Key Takeaways

1. Watchmen must stay spiritually awake [55:38] The watchman cannot carry out the assignment while asleep on the wall. Spiritual alertness means paying attention to the real condition of families, children, churches, and communities. God may allow one person to see danger early so that silence does not become part of somebody else’s fall. [55:38]
2. Love speaks before destruction comes [01:00:56] Love is not proven by letting people walk into what will wound them. Truth spoken in love does not humiliate or control, but it refuses to call silence compassion. A faithful warning can become the hand that turns somebody away from a fire they did not have to enter. [60:56]
3. God’s warning makes room for turning [01:02:21] God does not warn because He enjoys punishment. God warns because He desires life, restoration, and a changed direction. Repentance is not getting everything together before coming to God; repentance is turning toward God because only God can put broken lives back together. [62:21]
4. Faithfulness matters more than results [01:05:32] The watchman is called to sound the alarm, not force every person to respond. God gives one person the work of planting, another the work of watering, and God gives the increase. Faithfulness means telling the truth, praying with love, and leaving the response in God’s hands. [65:32]
5. Kingdom U-turns are still allowed [01:14:14] Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow is not promised, but God gives grace in the present moment. Christ does not require a cleaned-up life before receiving a returning heart. God’s invitation remains open for anybody ready to turn around and come home.

## [74:14]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[42:46] - Trusting God Through Life’s Ups and Downs
[49:50] - Ezekiel 33 and the Watchman’s Call
[51:24] - Watchmen, Sound the Alarm
[52:23] - The Church Cannot Be Asleep
[54:28] - Stay Faithful on the Wall
[55:38] - Point One: The Watchman Must Watch
[57:59] - Point Two: The Watchman Must Sound the Alarm
[60:56] - Real Love Warns People
[62:21] - Point Three: Warning Brings Restoration
[64:25] - A Watchman Generation
[66:43] - God Is Calling People Home
[69:43] - Grace, Not Human Goodness
[72:55] - God So Loved the World
[74:14] - Make a U-Turn to Jesus

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Ezekiel 33:7–11
“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.

“And you, son of man, say to the house of Israel, Thus have you said: ‘Our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and we rot away because of them. How then can we live?’ Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?” [49:59]

John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” [01:12:55]

Psalm 121:4
“Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” [56:43]

1 Corinthians 3:6
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.” [01:05:59]

Observation questions

In Ezekiel 33:7–11, what are the three main parts of the watchman’s assignment: hearing from God, seeing danger, and warning people?
What does Ezekiel 33 say happens when a watchman sees danger but refuses to give a warning? [59:16]
According to Psalm 121:4, what does God’s constant watchfulness show about His care for His people? [56:38]
What words in Ezekiel 33:11 show that God’s warning is meant to bring life and a changed direction rather than destruction? [01:02:25]

Interpretation questions

Ezekiel was specifically appointed as a watchman for Israel. How can believers today be spiritually alert in their families, churches, and communities without acting as if they are better than others? [57:34]
Why is silence sometimes mistaken for love, and what does it look like to warn someone with truth, humility, and care rather than anger or embarrassment? [59:47]
God says He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked but desires that people turn and live. How does this truth shape the way a believer should understand repentance? [01:02:34]
First Corinthians 3:6 says that people may plant and water, but God gives the growth. How can this keep a believer from carrying guilt over another person’s response to a loving warning? [01:06:19]

Application questions

Where have you become spiritually comfortable or distracted? Is there something happening in your family, among young people, in the church, or in the community that God may be calling you to notice and pray about? [56:47]
Is there someone you care about who may be drifting, hurting, or headed toward trouble? What would it look like to reach out with compassion instead of simply saying, “That is their business”? [01:01:04]
Think about a time when someone corrected or warned you in love. How did you respond then, and what did that experience teach you about giving and receiving godly correction?
When you need to speak a hard truth, what helps you make sure your words are loving, humble, and meant to restore rather than embarrass? [59:47]
Is there an area of your own life where God is calling you to make a U-turn—perhaps involving sin, anger, pain, disappointment, fear, or distance from God? What would turning toward Jesus look like this week? [01:03:15]
Have you been waiting to “get yourself together” before coming closer to God? What does it mean for you to come to Christ as you are and trust His grace to change you? [01:03:51]
Whose decision or spiritual condition have you been carrying as though it were fully your responsibility? How can you faithfully pray, speak truth, and point them to Jesus while leaving the growth in God’s hands? [01:05:32]

Sermon Clips

48s

#ToughLoveSaves

“She told me in love, don't put my hand on the stove. Sometimes we have confused being loving with being solid. Uh-huh. But real love warns people. If you see somebody walking towards destruction, love doesn't simply say that's their business. No. Love says you go and stop them. Love says you go and wrap them up and say, no. Don't do that. We allow too many people in the church to fall through the Christ. We allow too many people to go through things that they don't have to go through because we want to be silent. Love says, my brother, my sister, my child, there's danger here.”

33s

#VoiceOfGodNotCulture

“The church is not called to be the echo of culture. The church is called to be the voice of God. Yes. And sometimes the message won't be popular. Sometimes people won't applaud. Sometimes people won't even understand, but the watchman doesn't determine his or her assignment by the applause of the crowd. The watchman answers to god. Yeah. And I want you to know as a watchman, we all have an assignment.”

60s

#SpeakInLove

“When folk fall in the traps that they didn't have to fall into, and we watch them fall into those traps, We are held accountable That's right. For not saying it. That's right. Now that's a powerful word for the church. Yeah. You got to say something. Yeah. You got to open your mouth. Yeah. See, there comes a time when love requires us to speak. Not speak with arrogance, not speak with hatred, not speak to embarrass people, but speak in truth and in love. Yeah. When somebody is going astray, we ought as the church ought to come and wrap our arms around Yeah. And just walk with them a little ways and tell them, you know what? I love you, baby. But I see you're going somewhere you don't need to go. Alright. I see you're experiencing something you don't need to experience.”

40s

#WarnToSaveNotCondemn

“While we are living at a time when people need directions, family need direction, young people need directions, community needs directions, and the church cannot afford to be asleep when God has called us to watch. Yes. But notice something important. God warned and is not intended to condemn people. It is intended to give people an opportunity to turn their life around. Yes. In other words, I'm trying I'm trying to say to us that God didn't call us to to destroy us, but he's called us to help save people lives.”

49s

#BlowTheTrumpet

“The watchman must sound the alarm. Yes. It says, if and when he sees the sword come upon the land, he'll blow the trumpet. This is verse number three. He will blow the trumpet and warn the people. The watchman responsibility wasn't simply to see danger. He had to say something. Alright. Many times we see things, and we don't say anything. We just say, well, I'm a go alone and get alone. No. God didn't call us to go alone and get alone. God called us to say something. Yeah. I remember most of you who are sitting here can testify when you was growing up at that young tender age, and you messed around and did something wrong, folk didn't wait to get you.”

31s

#WarnBecauseYouLove

“You don't sound the alarm because you hate the people. You sound the alarm because you love the people. That's the responsibility God gave Ezekiel in this passage. God tells Ezekiel, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel. A watchman has an, an important assignment. He or she was positioned on the wall, looking beyond what everybody else could see.”

30s

#WarnThePeople

“He was called to sound the alarm. I want you to know, no. You might not get everybody in a year. No. You might not get some folk in a month. But as long as you warn the people, that's all God has called us to do. Yeah. It's left up. The Bible says one person plant, another person water, but the increase comes from God. Yeah. I stand today to let us all know. Do not be ashamed to warn the people.”

32s

#HumbleByGrace

“Are you a watchman today? Are you a watchman? Have you warned anybody lately? Or maybe you're in a place that you don't know which way to go or what to do. Beloved, we sit in the church like we have it together. But can I tell the truth today? We're all dirty, filthy, right? Yeah. Yeah. It's God's grace. Yeah. Not our goodness, but God's grace. Yeah.”

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