Apostle Allison Smith-Conliff teaches that God is a God of order, so spiritual life and ministry cannot be done casually. The Apostle begins by pointing to the strict detail required under the Law (even priestly items like the prayer shawl with specific colours and knots) to show that divine service is done by instruction, not impulse. When God gives an assignment, He also sets the standard for how it must be carried out, and our first responsibility is to “hearken” (listen and respond) to His voice. 

The foundation of Ezekiel 3 is God telling Ezekiel to “eat the scroll.” The scroll represents the Word of God, and eating it means daily study until Scripture fills the inner person, mind, spirit, and conscience, so the messenger becomes what they proclaim. The Word is “sweet as honey”: it nourishes, steadies, and strengthens, even when the message itself may confront sin. The sermon makes it plain that believers cannot face temptation, discouragement, or demonic pressure on an empty spiritual stomach. If you want to stand firm and overcome, you must keep feeding on the Word so you can answer the enemy with Scripture (as Jesus did in the wilderness). 

God then sends Ezekiel to Israel but warns him ahead of time that the people will not listen, because they already refuse to listen to God. This becomes a key leadership and discipleship principle: obedience is not measured by people’s response, but by whether God sent you. You may be sent to people you can relate to, yet still be resisted; you must go anyway. To prepare Ezekiel, God makes his face and forehead “hard” like flint, strong against intimidation and hostile looks, showing that God equips the one He commissions.

From there, the Apostle applies the text to spiritual warfare and personal integrity. Authority cannot be borrowed; you cannot confront darkness by invoking “the Jesus” someone else preaches. Demons and opposition “smell” fear and weakness when a person lacks real authority, so each believer must know Jesus for themselves and move under God’s authorization, not under title, reputation, or personality.

The sermon then turns to holiness, repentance, and witness. It warns believers not to return to the “first Adam” life of the flesh, but to crucify it and be fully immersed in Christ. Baptism is explained as immersion (not sprinkling): going under the water represents burying the old life and rising into a new identity, an outward testimony that inward repentance and cleansing have taken place. The preacher also urges the church to call back the backslider without condemning them, reminding them that God still calls people to return and be useful workers in His kingdom.

Personal testimonies are used to underline that God’s preparation is practical: He can grant calm, wisdom, and strategy in moments of danger, preserve lives and purpose, and keep His people for His glory.

The climax is Ezekiel’s appointment as a watchman. God places responsibility on His servants and intercessors to warn the wicked to turn and to caution the righteous who drift back into sin. The sermon challenges complacency by emphasizing that a righteous person can turn from righteousness into iniquity; therefore the watchman must speak God’s warning. If we refuse to warn, we share accountability; if we warn faithfully (even if rejected), we have obeyed God and “delivered” our own soul. The message closes with prayer for mercy, renewed prayer life, steadfastness under pressure, peace, and courage to fulfill one’s calling rather than run from it.

Rec. Date: 26th September, 2024