6 essentials for communicating God's Word

 Read Ezekiel 2.

God revealed Himself to Ezekiel visually and vocally.  By age, Ezekiel had just begun his official service as a priest.  Here, the LORD called him to be His spokesperson to the nation; a prophet.  In these ten verses are found the essential and transferable elements that apply to all those who preach or teach.

1. Relationship with God.
The LORD referred to Ezekiel as "son of man."  At least, 93 times in this book God called him by that term.  It indicates he was part of God's family and had a personal relationship with the LORD.  Today, a personal and growing relationship with Jesus is the first step for any who would represent God.

2. Empowerment by God.
"The Holy Spirit entered into me."  New Testament believers receive the Holy Spirit at salvation (Romans 8:9).  Under the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit would come upon God's people at strategic times to empower them to serve Him.  A life that is not dependent upon the power of the Holy Spirit will only be representing themselves. 

3. Call of God.
Twice the LORD said, "I send you."  The position of being God's spokesperson was not a job to seek; it was God's job to send.  Notice the compelling sense felt by the Apostle Paul to do what God called him to be doing.  "For the love of Christ controls us..." (2 Corinthians 5:14)  "For necessity is laid upon me.  Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!" (1 Corinthians 9:16b)

4. Message from God.
The content of his preaching was to be "Thus says the LORD God", "And you shall speak my words to them."  At the core was to be what God said in His written word (vv.9-10).    He was not allowed to communicate his own content and speak of other things.  Every word spoken needed to be in alignment with the word of God.

5. Assignment from God.
The LORD gave Ezekiel a tough audience.  They had heard God's word before and chose to ignore it.  More than complacent toward what they heard, they stubbornly lived in outright rebellion.  God warned him in advance that the people would reject the message.  They would speak against Ezekiel with threats.  While he preached the crowd would even make faces at him.  Fortunately, this is not the experience of all who communicate God's word.  But it does point out the fact that Ezekiel was not responsible for the behavior and response of the people.  The assignment of ministry and the measurement of ministry are two distinct issues.

6. Evaluation of God.
In this instance, the LORD encouraged Ezekiel twice to not be afraid of the responses of the people or the lack thereof.  What mattered to God was He had sent His spokesperson to communicate His expectations of the people.  "A prophet has been among them."  He would be held accountable for faithfully delivering the message.

Representing God before others, communicating His word, is not an easy ministry.  Because of the very nature of its influence upon others, there is a higher level of accountability.  "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness." (James 3:1)