Embracing Humility and Responsibility in Divine Revelations

 

Summary

In reflecting on the passage from Ezekiel 40:4, we are reminded of the profound humility and responsibility that comes with being chosen by God to receive His revelations. Ezekiel, despite his greatness as a prophet, is continually referred to as "son of man," a title that underscores his humanity and the grace of God in choosing him. This serves as a powerful reminder that God can reveal Himself to any of us, regardless of our perceived insignificance or unworthiness. The key is not our own merit but God's grace and purpose.

God's revelations are not constant but come at specific times, often during periods of great distress or need. These moments are like "angels' visits," rare and precious, meant to uplift and prepare us for greater understanding and service. They are not just for personal edification but are intended to be shared with others, to bring light and hope to those around us. The experiences we go through, whether joyful or sorrowful, are often designed to equip us to minister to others in similar situations.

The responsibility of receiving God's revelations is significant. We are called to engage all our senses and faculties to truly understand and internalize His truth. This involves seeing with our eyes, hearing with our ears, and setting our hearts upon His word. It is not enough to merely hear or see; we must immerse ourselves in His teachings, allowing them to saturate our hearts and transform our lives.

Moreover, we are tasked with sharing what we have learned with others. This is not limited to formal preaching but extends to everyday interactions where we can offer comfort and guidance based on our own experiences with God. We must be willing to speak the truth, even to those who may reject it, trusting that God will use our words to reach those who need them.

Ultimately, the purpose of these divine manifestations is to deepen our relationship with God and to enable us to serve as His instruments in the world. By faithfully receiving and sharing His revelations, we fulfill our role as His chosen people, bringing His light to a world in need.

Key Takeaways:

1. Humility in Divine Calling: Ezekiel's title as "son of man" reminds us of our humanity and God's grace in choosing us for His purposes. This humility is crucial, as it allows us to recognize that our worthiness comes not from ourselves but from God's condescension and love. [01:07]

2. Purpose in Suffering: God's revelations often come during times of distress, serving as a reminder that our trials may be preparing us for greater understanding and service. These experiences are not wasted but are used by God to equip us to minister to others. [07:11]

3. Engaging with God's Word: We are called to use all our senses and faculties to truly understand and internalize God's truth. This involves a deep, immersive engagement with His word, allowing it to transform our hearts and minds. [17:04]

4. Sharing Divine Revelations: The insights and experiences we receive from God are meant to be shared with others, offering comfort and guidance based on our own encounters with Him. This sharing is a vital part of our responsibility as His chosen people. [26:03]

5. Trust in God's Timing: Divine manifestations are rare and precious, often coming at specific times to uplift and prepare us for greater service. We must trust in God's timing and purpose, knowing that He reveals Himself to us for a reason. [06:17]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction to Ezekiel's Vision
- [00:40] - The Humility of Being "Son of Man"
- [01:21] - God's Grace in Choosing Us
- [02:36] - God's Ability to Use Us
- [03:17] - The Responsibility of Receiving Revelations
- [04:08] - Special Manifestations of Christ
- [06:04] - The Rarity of Divine Revelations
- [07:11] - Comfort in Times of Distress
- [09:25] - Elevated Spiritual Conditions
- [10:51] - Purpose in Our Experiences
- [13:27] - The Movement of the Divine Spirit
- [16:39] - Responsibility of Chosen Men
- [20:23] - The Importance of Verbal Inspiration
- [24:20] - Declaring God's Truth to Others
- [27:41] - Encouragement to Share God's Word

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Ezekiel 40:4

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#### Observation Questions
1. How does the title "son of man" used for Ezekiel emphasize his humanity and God's grace in choosing him? [00:52]
2. What specific instructions were given to Ezekiel regarding how he should receive God's revelations? [16:51]
3. According to the sermon, what are the conditions under which God often reveals Himself to His people? [06:04]
4. How does the sermon describe the purpose of God's revelations to His chosen people? [24:20]

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. What might be the significance of God choosing to reveal Himself to Ezekiel during a time of great distress? [07:11]
2. How does the sermon suggest that personal experiences, whether joyful or sorrowful, prepare individuals for ministry to others? [11:56]
3. In what ways does the sermon imply that humility is essential in receiving and sharing God's revelations? [01:07]
4. How does the sermon describe the responsibility of those who receive divine revelations in terms of sharing them with others? [24:20]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy of God's calling. How can Ezekiel's example of humility encourage you in your spiritual journey? [02:21]
2. Have you experienced a period of distress that later revealed a deeper understanding or purpose? How did that experience equip you to help others? [07:11]
3. What practical steps can you take to engage more deeply with God's Word, using all your senses and faculties as described in the sermon? [17:04]
4. Think of a recent revelation or insight you have received from God. How can you share this with someone in your life who might benefit from it? [26:03]
5. How can you trust in God's timing and purpose, especially when His revelations seem rare or delayed? [06:17]
6. Consider a situation where you might need to speak God's truth, even if it might be rejected. How can you prepare yourself for this responsibility? [27:02]
7. Identify a person in your life who is going through a similar experience to one you have faced. How can you offer them comfort and guidance based on your own encounters with God? [26:14]

Devotional

Day 1: Humility in Divine Calling
In Ezekiel 40:4, the prophet is addressed as "son of man," a title that emphasizes his humanity and the grace of God in choosing him. This humility is essential for recognizing that our worthiness comes not from ourselves but from God's condescension and love. It is a reminder that God can choose anyone, regardless of their perceived insignificance or unworthiness, to fulfill His purposes. This understanding should lead us to a posture of humility, acknowledging that it is by God's grace and purpose that we are called to serve. [01:07]

"For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?" (1 Corinthians 4:7, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle with pride? How can you practice humility today, recognizing that all you have is a gift from God?


Day 2: Purpose in Suffering
God's revelations often come during times of distress, serving as a reminder that our trials may be preparing us for greater understanding and service. These experiences are not wasted but are used by God to equip us to minister to others. In moments of suffering, we are given the opportunity to deepen our reliance on God and to gain insights that can be shared with others who face similar challenges. This perspective transforms our view of suffering, seeing it as a tool for growth and service rather than a mere burden. [07:11]

"Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope." (Romans 5:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent trial you have faced. How might God be using this experience to prepare you to help others in similar situations?


Day 3: Engaging with God's Word
We are called to use all our senses and faculties to truly understand and internalize God's truth. This involves a deep, immersive engagement with His word, allowing it to transform our hearts and minds. It is not enough to merely hear or see; we must immerse ourselves in His teachings, allowing them to saturate our hearts and transform our lives. This active engagement with God's Word is essential for spiritual growth and for equipping us to share His truth with others. [17:04]

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16, ESV)

Reflection: How can you create a daily habit of engaging deeply with God's Word? What specific steps will you take to let His Word dwell richly in you?


Day 4: Sharing Divine Revelations
The insights and experiences we receive from God are meant to be shared with others, offering comfort and guidance based on our own encounters with Him. This sharing is a vital part of our responsibility as His chosen people. It is not limited to formal preaching but extends to everyday interactions where we can offer comfort and guidance. We must be willing to speak the truth, even to those who may reject it, trusting that God will use our words to reach those who need them. [26:03]

"Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!" (1 Chronicles 16:24, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life could benefit from the insights God has given you? How can you share these revelations with them in a meaningful way today?


Day 5: Trust in God's Timing
Divine manifestations are rare and precious, often coming at specific times to uplift and prepare us for greater service. We must trust in God's timing and purpose, knowing that He reveals Himself to us for a reason. These moments are like "angels' visits," meant to uplift and prepare us for greater understanding and service. Trusting in God's timing requires patience and faith, recognizing that He knows the perfect moment to reveal His plans to us. [06:17]

"For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay." (Habakkuk 2:3, ESV)

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you are struggling to trust God's timing? How can you cultivate patience and faith as you wait for His perfect timing?

Quotes

In reflecting on the passage from Ezekiel 40:4, we are reminded of the profound humility and responsibility that comes with being chosen by God to receive His revelations. Ezekiel, despite his greatness as a prophet, is continually referred to as "son of man," a title that underscores his humanity and the grace of God in choosing him. This serves as a powerful reminder that God can reveal Himself to any of us, regardless of our perceived insignificance or unworthiness. The key is not our own merit but God's grace and purpose. [00:00:09]

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. [00:01:10]

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. [00:02:19]

These revelations are not incessant. I suppose that no man is always alike. John was in Patmos I know not how long, but he was in the spirit on the Lord's day on one occasion and he specially notes it. I do not suppose that Daniel or Ezekiel saw visions every night or beheld the glories of God every day. Humanity is scarcely capable of the incessant strain of a perpetual manifestation of God. [00:05:50]

Days of heavenly fellowship are red-letter days to be remembered so long as memory holds her seat. Yes, and it is noteworthy that the occasion of these manifestations was one of great distress. Five and twenty years of captivity must have been enough to wear down the spirits of God's servants. Hence He whose feet are His fine brass as if they burned in a furnace comes and manifests Himself to His people. [00:06:53]

Whenever you have much joy, be cautious there is a sorrow on the road, but when you have much sadness be hopeful there is a joy on the way to you, be sure of that. Our blessed Lord reveals Himself to His people more in the valleys, in the shades, in the deeps, than He does anywhere else. He has a way and an art of showing Himself to His children at midnight, making the darkness light by His presence. [00:07:49]

God leads His people from one place to another of Christian experience, along hills and dales, ravines and precipices, all in order that their minds being elevated, they may be prepared to see bright visions of Himself and know Him better, love Him better, and serve Him better. However, it is not outward circumstances that can affect the divine purpose. There must always be a movement of the divine spirit. [00:12:58]

We never learn a truth inwardly until God brings us to it. We may hear a truth, we ought to be careful that we do not hear anything but the truth, but God must bring that truth home. No truth is known well until it is burnt into us as with a hot iron. Some doctrines we can never doubt. [00:13:45]

The things I preach are part and parcel of myself. I am sure that they are true. Are you infallible say you? Yes, when I declare what is in God's word, when I declare God's truth I claim infallibility, not for myself but for God's word. Let God be true and every man a liar. It will not do to be saying these are our views and opinions. [00:14:23]

Set your heart upon God's word. It is the only way to know it thoroughly. Let your whole nature be plunged into it as cloth into a dye. The Lord bids us to do this towards all that He shall show us. Set thine heart upon all that I shall show thee. We are to be impartial in our study of the word and to be universal in its reception. [00:21:56]

The object is this: declare thou all that thou seest to the house of Israel. First see it yourself, hear it yourself, give your heart to it yourself, and then declare it to the house of Israel. I have lately heard of a minister who said in the pulpit, the doctrine of atonement I have heard a great deal about it, but I do not understand it. [00:24:20]

Are we all to be preachers then? Yes, all that have been taught of God are to teach. Are we all to stand up in public says one? I did not say that, but somewhere or other perhaps in the pew where you now sit, or on the steps as you go out, or by the roadside or in the shop tomorrow morning, you can all put in a word edgeways for Jesus Christ. [00:28:47]

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Transcript
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