The purpose of the pulpit is not to provide a religious pick-me-up, encouragement, or inspiration. We must appropriate what we hear, apply it to our lives, and be changed by it-

When the pulpit becomes a bully pulpit, a place where a man speaks according to his own perspective and will on the issues of the day, no matter how moved one might be as a result, God has dishonored- Yet that is what God's people will want in the last days -cf. 2 Timothy 4-3-4- Jeremiah 5-31a-.

In the course of fellowshipping with God-s people on a week to week basis, we undoubtedly will rub shoulders with a Christian who has lapsed into moralism in their thinking about Christ and His Kingdom- So what is our message- Listen to find the three most common pastoral problems to look for as you fellowship.

We see that being a watchman also means ministering ever mindful that on a weekly basis there will be a portion of this body that has lapsed into relating to God on the basis of their deeds. Accordingly, what must be the basis of our fellowship-encouragement each week--

Those who are in the place of mourning on account of sin is to turn from all forms of self -and so excuses, bartering, religious lucky charms, and the like- and turn to God and God alone.

God is serious when it comes to wickedness in the body of Christ. While we ourselves may not be culpable for murder in the case of neglect in ministry, we ought not conclude that neglect of the body is not big deal, for it is a big deal.

As we-ve seen throughout our study of this prophecy, the masterpiece which is Ezekiel contains much more than the call and ministrations of the prophet Ezekiel. It first and foremost was written to encourage the newly arriving exiles as to how they must live and so serve the Lord as His people in a foreign land. Yes, the nation was gone. But the people who bear God-s name would forever endure. Now that they were a pilgrim people, how were they live- Each must consider themselves -a watchman- when it came to the welfare, growth, and protection of the covenant community- More than anything, that is the theme of Ezk. 33-37- that is the theme of exile- that is the theme of the body life of the church today-

Service and ministry in this fallen state is going to be hard. Yet we must know that because of Christ, God is pleased with your service and ministry.

How important it is that church leaders stand vigilant over their hearts and ministry- Stand ever and always watchful- You say, -But how will I know I am ministering with wrong motives-- The fruit you reap in your own lives will show it- especially when the sheep bite you -which brings us back to the first point-- If you respond with resentment, entitlement, or a sense of moral superiority, you know you have been serving with false motives.