1. So you want a prophet? EZEKIEL

2. The essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus. Rev 19:10 (NLT) Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives - especially the ability to prophesy. 1 Cor 14:1 No prophet is accepted in his own hometown. Luke 4:24

3. Who was Ezekiel? Younger contemporary of Jeremiah and Daniel. Taken captive to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar. A priest, a prophet and God’s ‘watchman’: Whenever you receive a message from me, warn people immediately. (Ez 3:17) Dispels the false hope of a short captivity. Nations judged re joy of temple’s destruction. Proclaims hope of forgiveness & restoration.

4. Relevance today God is holy (morally perfect) - we are not. Nations & individuals are accountable to God. God will Shepherd those who turn to Him. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, gives Himself for us. Worship & service are our response to His love.

5. Revelation and Responsibility On July 31 of my thirtieth year, while I was with the Judean exiles beside the Kebar River in Babylon, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. (Ez 1:1) The Glory of the L ORD Ez 1:4a,5-6 & Rev 4:6b,8 Ez 1:15,18,22,26-2:5 & Rev 1:17-18 Andrew White The Vicar of St George’s Baghdad Faith Under Fire

6. Horror and Hope Revelations of captives being forced into exile, the siege & destruction of Jerusalem, & the L ORD ’s glory leaving the temple. Ez 12:1,3-6 a,7-12 a,13 a 2Kings 24:18 a,19 a, 25:1-6 a Yet hope... Ez 11:14,16-21 Background: 605 BC: Daniel taken captive to Babylon 597 BC: Ezekiel taken captive to Babylon 586 BC: Jerusalem destroyed

7. Tears and Tenderness Ezekiel’s wife dies – Ez 24:15-20,21b,24b,26 Yet – Ez 16:59-63 Who is righteous & loves like God? (Ez 18:5-9) The Watchman’s Message: The L ORD is our only hope (Ez 33:10-14,15b-19)

8. Searched for and Saved The Shepherd’s search (Ez 34:11-12a, 23-24) The Saviour’s Spirit (Ez 36:22,25-29a, 32,36) The simply sublime (Ez 37:1,2b-14,24,27, 43:2-4, 48:35b)

9. So you want a prophet? So you want an apostle? So you want an evangelist? So you want a pastor? So you want a teacher? Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do His work and build up the church... that we will be mature in the Lord. (Eph 4:11-13) Do we really want what God wants?