We are so glad that you joined us today at North Main Street Church of God. At North Main, we exist to develop completely committed followers of Christ who...

Know Christ intimately,

Grow in Christ continually, and

Go for Christ daily

We have TWO Missions trips coming up in 2025, and we’d love for you to join us! God calls us to GO be His hands and feet and reach the nations and we’re excited to offer you both of these opportunities.

Join us after church on Sunday, August 18th for our informational meeting for the Guatemala trip.

Join us after church on Sunday, September 9th for our informational meeting for the Uganda trip.

Each Informational meeting will have a light lunch provided, these details are also available on our website and at the Welcome Center. Make sure to sign up at the Welcome Center, we hope to see you there!

Helping Hands In Motion (HHIM) began with a simple yet profound mission: to offer assistance and bring hope to those in need. Founded by Richard Fields in 1997, HHIM has grown into a beacon of support and love for communities in both Haiti and India. We will be hosting a special meet and greet with Richard following the Sunday Morning Service NEXT SUNDAY, July 28th. A light lunch will be provided.

The Priestly Prophet
(Ezekiel)
Yearly Theme: “Goodness is… Governing”
Series Title: “Goodness in G minor”
July 21st, 2024

Something to think about:
Ezekiel was a priest by birth. Whether or not he worked within his priestly role before the Babylonian exile is not known. What we do know, according to Biblical scholar and author, Robert Chisholm is that…

“Ezekiel received a vision from the Lord in September of 592 B.C. as he sat in his house in the presence of ‘the elders of Judah,’ probably a reference to those who had assumed a leadership role among the exiles. Transported in his vision to Jerusalem, he saw the idolatry being practiced in the temple (chapter 8) and then witnessed the departure of God’s glory from the temple and the city (chapters 9-11).”[1]

Chisholm goes further to describe how…

“The Lord invited Ezekiel to look at the ‘detestable things’ going on there and also gave notice that this idolatrous activity would force him to leave his own sanctuary (8:6). The Lord then led Ezekiel closer to the entrance where they spotted a hole in the wall (8:7). In accordance with the Lord’s instructions, Ezekiel dug into the wall, found a doorway, and went into the inner court (8:8-9). He saw inscribed on the walls the images of ‘all kinds of crawling things and detestable animals and all the idols of the house of Israel’ (8:10). The seventy elders of Israel offered incense to the false gods represented by the images (8:11). These leaders were convinced the Lord did not see their actions, because they believed he had already abandoned the land (8:12).”

Needless to say, Ezekiel’s experience, different from Isaiah and Jeremiah, in that He actually witnessed the LORD’s exit from the Temple and the city of Jerusalem. GOD’s exit from His sanctuary in Jerusalem was not only a sign of His judgment, but also a sign of His intent to purify the land and the people. As He is exiting, GOD gives Ezekiel an image in his vision from the LORD of a man in linen clothes taking burning coals from the throne of GOD and scattering them over the city of Jerusalem:


[1] Robert B. Chisholm, Jr., Handbook on the Prophets, (Baker Academic: Grand Rapids, Michigan; 2002), 239.

Key Point: “The LORD’s judgment is meant to purify.”

What is the means by which GOD does this in Ezekiel’s text? Let’s take a look:

· The ______ exit.

Ezekiel 8:5-6
Ezekiel 10:4-5
Ezekiel 10:18-19

· False _________ influence.

Ezekiel 13:1-7
Ezekiel 13:17-23

· The _____ of _______.

Ezekiel 11:22-25
Ezekiel 43:1-4
Mark 11:1-3
Luke 19:41-44
Luke 22:39-40

Something to take home:
GOD’s refining fire is meant not only as a means of punishment, for it truly is a painful experience to be under GOD’s judgment, but also of purification, to make ready the people and the land for GOD’s purposes once more. GOD doesn’t merely bring destruction through judgment because of His anger against idolatry, but because of His love for humanity to find Him once more amidst the ash and rubble. Sometimes things must be consumed by the fire so that we can see the love of GOD that is left in its wake.

But let’s not get confused about GOD’s judgment. It’s all to often confused with human suffering. Judgment is a result of GOD’s wrath and anger being poured out upon the wicked manifestations of evil within a person, group, or nation. Suffering often comes as a result of sincerely living a life of complete faith and trust in GOD in a world that hates GOD and His message of love to the world. Which one has been your experience?

Key Point: “The LORD’s judgment is meant to purify.”

How does the vision of the glory of God influence your perception of divine sovereignty?

Can you draw parallels between Ezekiel's divine encounter and any personal spiritual experiences you've had?

How might this vision of God's glory and authority bring comfort to people experiencing exile or persecution today?

How do you respond when faced with delivering difficult truths to resistant individuals?




How can we ensure we're open to God's messages, unlike the rebellious Israelites?

How do you balance the responsibility to speak truth to those resistant to it with the need to maintain relationships and peace?

How does the sense of urgency in God's message through Ezekiel apply to our current society?

How can you ensure that you are not participating in modern-day idolatry?

OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Thursday
9:00am - 4:00pm