181. EZE 33:5. THE IMPORTANCE OF TAKING WARN ING

Eze_33:5. The Importance of Taking Warn Ing

"But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul."’97Eze_33:5.

The prophet is directed by the Lord to the duties of his office, as a watchman, whose business it is to blow the trumpet, and warn the people in time of danger. He is reminded, that if any one hears the trumpet, and neglects its warning, then the blood shall be upon his own head. On the other hand, he who hears the trumpet, and takes warning, shall deliver his own soul. The text relates to Warning given’97Warning taken’97Warning effectual.

The text refers,

I. To Warning given.

This implies,

1. That the sinner stands in need of warning.

He is in danger’97in imminent peril’97exposed to eternal death’97condemned already’97wrath of God abideth on him, &c.

2. God has given the sinner ample warning.

(1) By the solemn statements of his word. "The soul that sinneth," &c. "The wicked shall be turned into hell," &c. "He that believeth not." &c. "We unto the wicked," &c.

(2) By the faithful preachers of the gospel. "Warning every man," &c. "Knowing the terrors of the Lord," &c. Paul and Felix.

(3) By the reproaches of conscience. How often has it accused, alarmed, and distracted the sinner!

(4) By the strivings of the Spirit. Spirit sent in connection with the word to convince of sin, of righteousness, and of a judgment to come.

(5) By the striking examples of his displeasure. Old world and the flood. Sodom, &c. Pharaoh and his host. Korah and his fellows. Assyrian army. Nebuchadnezzar. Belshazzar. Herod. Jerusalem, &c., &c.

Our subject refers,

II. To Warning taken.

"He that taketh warning," &c. To take warning implies,

1. Serious attention.

"Hear ye the word of the Lord." Some will not hear; therefore do not know, and cannot consider. It implies,

2. Earnest belief.

That we credit it. And that it has a personal influence upon our fears, hopes, and desires. An operative belief. Believe it so as to be alarmed and convicted. It implies,

3. Grateful obedience.

That we obey the warning, and thus prove our faith genuine. That we escape from the danger’97cease to do evil’97flee to the refuge provided’97abandon our evil ways, and live; Eze_14:16; Isa_1:16-19; Isa_55:6, Isa_55:7.

The subject refers,

III. To Warning effectual.

"He that taketh warning shall deliver his own soul."

1. He shall deliver his own soul from the guilt and condemnation of sin.

"I am he that blotteth out thy transgressions," &c. "Justified freely." "No condemnation," &c. "He that believeth hath life."

2. He shall deliver his soul from the thraldom and misery of sin.

No longer slaves, prisoners, captives, blind, wretched, &c.; but sons, freemen, happy, children of light, &c. He shall deliver his soul,

3. From the future and eternal consequences of sin.

Despairing death’97terrible resurrection’97dreadful sentence’97and the wrath to come.

Application

1. Urge the sinner to take warning By the preciousness of his soul’97by his imminent peril’97by the shortness of time’97by the approach of death’97by the judgment day’97by the woes of eternity. To take warning now, and thus deliver his own soul.

2. The inexcusableness of those who perish.

3. The gratitude believers ought to display to him who hath delivered them from the wrath to come.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS