Pound The Pulpit
Bible Facts Newspaper Article (Ian C. Kurylyk)

"Thus saith the Lord GOD; Smite with thine hand, and stamp with thy foot, and say, Alas for all the evil abominations of the house of Israel! for they shall fall by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence" (Ezekiel 6:11). This was written by one of the major Old Testament prophets who had an energetic preaching ministry during his life and who also left us the book bearing his name, Ezekiel. The prophets were messengers sent by God to preach His Word according to the need of the day. Their ministries and messages that we read of in the Bible are enduring examples of what a preacher should be and do.

These were not men with their own agenda or men preoccupied with their own opinion. They were characterized by a profound reverence for God and His truth. "Thus saith the Lord GOD", was the authority for their lives and the key to their preaching. I wonder how many this could be said for today. If a man does not believe the Bible it is very inconsistent and hypocritical to fill the pulpit of a Christian church. By definition a preacher or a prophet is one who heralds God's Word. By God's order, he is himself to be subject to the same Word. "But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee" (Psalm 50:16-17).

Second, Ezekiel and the prophets of the Bible addressed the issues that were of the first concern to God. It may seem pleasant to go and listen to an engaging homily on neutral topics that upset nobody, but God wants people to know about their sin problem. Ezekiel was called to proclaim "the evil abominations of the house of Israel". Unfortunately, a lot of pulpits today have become displays of political skill, rather than prophetic boldness and unction. In fact, this is the common approach to church life today by both pulpit and pew. "Which say to the ... prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits" (Isaiah 30:10). The desire is to find a comfortable working relationship like that between political candidates and members of the riding. The problem with this is that the preacher abandons his true responsibility of being a spokesman for God against sin. When the time comes for the people to stand before God (one-by-one) they find out too late they have been robbed of the truth and now face God with a fatal sin problem.

Our text also emphasizes why faithful warning against sin is so important for the hearers. Sin places people in peril. "For they shall fall by the sword, by the famine, and by pestilence". God is holy. Sin brings His judgment. He confronts sin so people He loves will escape judgment. There is a counterpart to this same thing today in the Bible's warnings of sin and hell. The Bible clearly teaches that the sinner who dies without Jesus Christ will be tormented for all eternity in the fiery lake. There is much in this world and in our own nature to keep us from ever pondering this sober warning. It is the solemn responsibility of the Christian pulpit to make sure this warning is included in the messages preached. Where else will people encounter it if God's words are diminished here too? What will keep people from neglecting their own souls?

Finally, notice also the preaching style that is encouraged in light of the sure and sober warnings from God. It is to be earnest and challenging. "Smite with thine hand, and stamp with they feet and say...". Certainly some personalities are more placid than others, and there is a place for quiet scholarly instruction from the Bible. However, sin and its looming judgment is a call to the preacher to be earnest and energetic. The dangers are real. The preacher should apply himself wholeheartedly to the great work of decrying sin and stirring up the people to seek God. Where is this today? "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins" (Isaiah 58:1).