1. The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
MAN ANSWERS TO GOD:
The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
Ezek. 18:4

2. The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
MAN ANSWERS TO GOD:
The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
Introduction
1. Ezek. 18:1-4 Man is responsible to God

3. 1. Ezek. 18:1-4 Man is responsible to God
1 The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying,
2 What mean ye,
that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes,
and the children's teeth are set on edge?
3 As I live, saith the Lord GOD,
ye shall not have occasion any more
to use this proverb in Israel.
4 Behold, all souls are mine;
as the soul of the father,
so also the soul of the son is mine:
the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

4. The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
MAN ANSWERS TO GOD:
The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
Introduction
1. Ezek. 18:1-4 Man is responsible to God
We cannot blame our forefathers
Live: fellowship with God, & related blessings
Die: separated from God, & consequences
2. Ezekiel convicts man of sin & removes excuses & objections

5. The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
MAN ANSWERS TO GOD:
The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
Introduction
3. We learn valuable lessons needed today!
God created us, we answer to Him
Every man is responsible directly to God
God is fair, just, & merciful to all men

6. The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
MAN ANSWERS TO GOD:
The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
I. Ezekiel Convicts Man of Sin & Removes Excuses
A. A Just Man Will Live
Ezek. 18:5-9 Gives example of just man

7. Ezek. 18:5-9 Gives example of just man
5 But if a man be just,
and do that which is lawful and right,
6 And hath not eaten upon the mountains,
neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols
of the house of Israel,
neither hath defiled his neighbour's wife,
neither hath come near to a menstruous woman,
7 And hath not oppressed any,
but hath restored to the debtor his pledge,
hath spoiled none by violence,
hath given his bread to the hungry,
and hath covered the naked with a garment;

8. Ezek. 18:5-9 Gives example of just man
8 He that hath not given forth upon usury,
neither hath taken any increase,
that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity,
hath executed true judgment between man and man,
9 Hath walked in my statutes,
and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly;
he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord GOD.

9. The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
MAN ANSWERS TO GOD:
The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
I. Ezekiel Convicts Man of Sin & Removes Excuses
B. The Wicked Son of a Just Man Will Die
Ezek. 18: Gives example of wicked son

10. Ezek. 18:10-13 Gives example of wicked son
10 If he beget a son that is a robber,
a shedder of blood,
and that doeth the like to any one of these things,
11 And that doeth not any of those duties,
but even hath eaten upon the mountains,
and defiled his neighbour's wife,
12 Hath oppressed the poor and needy,
hath spoiled by violence, hath not restored the pledge, and hath lifted up his eyes to the idols,
hath committed abomination,
13 Hath given forth upon usury, and hath taken increase: shall he then live? he shall not live:
he hath done all these abominations;
he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him.
Ezek. 18: Gives example of wicked son

11. The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
MAN ANSWERS TO GOD:
The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
I. Ezekiel Convicts Man of Sin & Removes Excuses
C. The Just Son of a Wicked Man Will Live
Ezek. 18: Gives example of just son

12. that seeth all his father's sins which he hath done,
Ezek. 18: Gives example of just son
14 Now, lo, if he beget a son,
that seeth all his father's sins which he hath done,
and considereth, and doeth not such like,
15 That hath not eaten upon the mountains,
neither hath lifted up his eyes
to the idols of the house of Israel,
hath not defiled his neighbour's wife,
16 Neither hath oppressed any,
hath not withholden the pledge,
neither hath spoiled by violence,
but hath given his bread to the hungry,
and hath covered the naked with a garment,

13. Ezek. 18:14-20 Gives example of just son
17 That hath taken off his hand from the poor,
that hath not received usury nor increase,
hath executed my judgments, hath walked in my statutes; he shall not die for the iniquity of his father,
he shall surely live.
18 As for his father, because he cruelly oppressed, spoiled his brother by violence,
and did that which is not good among his people,
lo, even he shall die in his iniquity.
19 Yet say ye, Why?
doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father?
When the son hath done that which is lawful and right, and hath kept all my statutes, and hath done them,
Ezek. 18: Gives example of just son

14. Ezek. 18:14-20 Gives example of just son
20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die.
The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father,
neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son:
the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

15. The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
MAN ANSWERS TO GOD:
The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
I. Ezekiel Convicts Man of Sin & Removes Excuses
D. If a Person’s Conduct Changes, Results Change
Ezek. 18: Examples of changed conduct

16. Ezek. 18:21-24 Examples of changed conduct
21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins
that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes,
and do that which is lawful and right,
he shall surely live, he shall not die.
22 All his transgressions that he hath committed,
they shall not be mentioned unto him:
in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.
23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD:
and not that he should return from his ways, and live?

17. in them shall he die. 24 But when the righteous turneth away
Ezek. 18: Examples of changed conduct
24 But when the righteous turneth away
from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity,
and doeth according to all the abominations
that the wicked man doeth, shall he live?
All his righteousness that he hath done
shall not be mentioned:
in his trespass that he hath trespassed,
and in his sin that he hath sinned,
in them shall he die.

18. The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
MAN ANSWERS TO GOD:
The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
I. Ezekiel Convicts Man of Sin & Removes Excuses
E. God Is Just, But Men Are Not Fair to God
Ezek. 18: God answers man’s complaint

19. Ezek. 18:25-29 God answers man’s complaint
25 Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal?
are not your ways unequal?
26 When a righteous man turneth away
from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity,
and dieth in them;
for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.

20. and doeth that which is lawful and right,
Ezek. 18: God answers man’s complaint
27 Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed,
and doeth that which is lawful and right,
he shall save his soul alive.
28 Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
29 Yet saith the house of Israel,
The way of the Lord is not equal.
O house of Israel, are not my ways equal?
are not your ways unequal?

21. The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
MAN ANSWERS TO GOD:
The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
I. Ezekiel Convicts Man of Sin & Removes Excuses
F. God Appeals to Men to Repent & Live
Ezek. 18: Why die? Repent & live!

22. Ezek. 18:30-32 Why die? Repent & live!
30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel,
every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves
from all your transgressions;
so iniquity shall not be your ruin.
31 Cast away from you all your transgressions,
whereby ye have transgressed;
and make you a new heart and a new spirit:
for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD:
wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

23. The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
MAN ANSWERS TO GOD:
The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
II. God Created Us, We Answer to Him
A. God Made Us, We Did Not Make Ourselves
Gen. 1:27 “God created man in his own image”
Heb. 12:9 “subjection to the Father of spirits”
Ezek. 18:4 “Behold, all souls are mine”

24. MAN ANSWERS TO GOD: The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
Alibi for fornication:
I fell in love with this person
& could not help myself.
II. God Created Us, We Answer to Him
B. We Do Not Escape Our Relationship & Responsibility to God by Blaming Other Men
Ezek. 18:2 False proverb blamed others
Alibi for worldly sins:
All my friends do it
& they persuaded me.
2 What mean ye,
that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes,
and the children's teeth are set on edge?
Alibi for forsaking worship:
I have to come alone
& my mate makes it hard on me.

25. The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die & temptation too powerful—
MAN ANSWERS TO GOD:
The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
The Bible is too strict,
times have changed.
II. God Created Us, We Answer to Him
C. We Cannot Blame God for Our Broken Relationship to Him
Ezek. 18:25 False charge blamed God
God made me this way.
God made Satan, sin,
& temptation too powerful—
I cannot resist.
25 Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal.
Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?

26. The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
MAN ANSWERS TO GOD:
The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
III. Every Man Is Responsible Directly to God
A. Man Has Free Will
Made in God’s image (Gen. 1:27): able to understand God’s Word & choose to obey or disobey
Created pure by God’s hand just as Adam & Eve: Gen. 1:27; Heb. 12:9; Ezek. 18:4

27. The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
MAN ANSWERS TO GOD:
The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
III. Every Man Is Responsible Directly to God
A. Man Has Free Will
Ezek. 18:20 We do not inherit sin— inherited sin nullifies free will!
20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die.
The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father,
neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son:
the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

28. The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
MAN ANSWERS TO GOD:
The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
III. Every Man Is Responsible Directly to God
A. Man Has Free Will
“The soul that sinneth” exercises free will (vs. 20)
“But if the wicked will turn from all his sins, …and keep all my statutes” (vs. 21): free will
“When a righteous man turned away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity” (vs. 26): free will

29. The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
MAN ANSWERS TO GOD:
The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
III. Every Man Is Responsible Directly to God
B. Each Man’s Faith in God Is Personal, Not by Proxy or Tradition
Ezek. 18:5-13 No one lives on another man’s faith & righteousness
Vv “If a man be just,…he shall surely live”
Vv “If he beget a son that is a robber, …he shall surely die
From a good family, church, nation? But you!

30. The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
MAN ANSWERS TO GOD:
The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
III. Every Man Is Responsible Directly to God
C. We Need a New Heart
Ezek. 18:31 Replace love of sin with love of God
31 Cast away from you all your transgressions,
whereby ye have transgressed;
and make you a new heart and a new spirit:
for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

31. The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
MAN ANSWERS TO GOD:
The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
III. Every Man Is Responsible Directly to God
C. We Need a New Heart
The new heart repents & seeks God’s forgiveness
Vv. 23, 32 Seek & find forgiveness
23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD:
and not that he should return from his ways, and live?
32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD:
wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

32. MAN ANSWERS TO GOD: The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
With God to teach us,
we are NOT helpless victims
of Satan,
of fate,
of our genes,
or of our old sinful habits!
III. Every Man Is Responsible Directly to God
C. We Need a New Heart
God teaches us how to overcome sin
Vs. 21 God teaches the penitent sinner
21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins
that he hath committed,
and keep all my statutes,
and do that which is lawful and right,
he shall surely live, he shall not die.

33. The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
MAN ANSWERS TO GOD:
The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
III. Every Man Is Responsible Directly to God
C. We Need a New Heart
We must be faithful to the end
Vs. 24 Backsliders will be lost

34. Vs. 24 Backsliders will be lost
24 But when the righteous
turneth away from his righteousness,
and committeth iniquity,
and doeth according to all the abominations
that the wicked man doeth,
shall he live?
All his righteousness that he hath done
shall not be mentioned:
in his trespass that he hath trespassed,
and in his sin that he hath sinned,
in them shall he die.

35. The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
MAN ANSWERS TO GOD:
The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
IV. God Is Fair, Just, & Merciful to All Men
A. God Gives Every Man a Fair Chance
Vs. 20 Each man answers for his own deeds
20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die.
The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father,
neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son:
the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

36. The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
MAN ANSWERS TO GOD:
The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
IV. God Is Fair, Just, & Merciful to All Men
B. God Is Merciful Not Vindictive
Vs. 23 His joy is to save not to punish
23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD:
and not that he should return from his ways, and live?

37. The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
MAN ANSWERS TO GOD:
The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
IV. God Is Fair, Just, & Merciful to All Men
C. God Will Surely Reward the Righteous
The righteous “shall surely live:” vv. 9, 17, 21-23, 27-28, & 32
21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins
that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right,
he shall surely live, he shall not die.

38. The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
MAN ANSWERS TO GOD:
The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
IV. God Is Fair, Just, & Merciful to All Men
D. God Will Surely Punish the Wicked
The wicked “shall surely die:” vv. 4, 13, 18, 24, & 26
10 If he beget a son that is a robber…
13 …shall he then live? he shall not live:
he hath done all these abominations;
he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him.

39. The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
MAN ANSWERS TO GOD:
The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
IV. God Is Fair, Just, & Merciful to All Men
E. God Wants All to be Saved!
Vv God pleads for all to repent & live
31 Cast away from you all your transgressions,
whereby ye have transgressed;
and make you a new heart and a new spirit:
for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD:
wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

40. The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
MAN ANSWERS TO GOD:
The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
Invitation
1. The gospel of Christ proclaims same truths now:
2 Cor. 5:10 God created us, we answer to Him
10 For we must all appear
before the judgment seat of Christ;
that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done,
whether it be good or bad.

41. The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
MAN ANSWERS TO GOD:
The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
Invitation
1. The gospel of Christ proclaims same truths now:
Acts 2:38 Everyone has free will & must act upon his own faith to repent & seek forgiveness
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent,
and be baptized every one of you
in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

42. The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
MAN ANSWERS TO GOD:
The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
Invitation
1. The gospel of Christ proclaims same truths now:
Acts 8:22 God calls backsliders to repent & seek forgiveness
22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness,
and pray God,
if perhaps the thought of thine heart
may be forgiven thee.

43. The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
MAN ANSWERS TO GOD:
The Soul That Sinneth, It Shall Die
Invitation
1. The gospel of Christ proclaims same truths now:
2 Cor. 6:1-2 God is fair, just, & merciful to all
1 We then, as workers together with him,
beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee:
behold, now is the accepted time;
behold, now is the day of salvation.)