SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2025

THE URGENT CALL OF THE WATCHMAN

Author: Pastor Chris Oyakhilome

BH 192: Are You Washed?

Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Are you washed in the blood, In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb? Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you walking daily by the Saviour’s side? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Do you rest each moment in the Crucified? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
When the Bridegroom cometh will your robes be white? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Will your soul be ready for the mansions bright, And be washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin, And be washed in the blood of the Lamb; There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean, O be washed in the blood of the Lamb?

MEMORY VERSE: “Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?” (Ezekiel 33:11, NIV)

TEXT: Ezekiel 33:7-16a

[7] “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. [8] When I say to the wicked, ‘You wicked person, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. [9] But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved. [10] “Son of man, say to the Israelites, ‘This is what you are saying: “Our offenses and sins weigh us down, and we are wasting away because of them. How then can we live?” ’ [11] Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?’ [12] “Therefore, son of man, say to your people, ‘If someone who is righteous disobeys, that person’s former righteousness will count for nothing. And if someone who is wicked repents, that person’s former wickedness will not bring condemnation. The righteous person who sins will not be allowed to live even though they were formerly righteous.’ [13] If I tell a righteous person that they will surely live, but then they trust in their righteousness and do evil, none of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered; they will die for the evil they have done. [14] And if I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ but they then turn away from their sin and do what is just and right— [15] if they give back what they took in pledge for a loan, return what they have stolen, follow the decrees that give life, and do no evil—that person will surely live; they will not die. [16] None of the sins that person has committed will be remembered against them. They have done what is just and right; they will surely live.”

I. GOD’S PASSIONATE DESIRE: LIFE, NOT DEATH

The central, most powerful declaration in our text today comes directly from the mouth of the Almighty God, confirmed by an oath: “As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live.” (Ezekiel 33:11).

This verse is the very heartbeat of God’s redemptive nature. It shatters the notion of a vengeful, eager-to-punish deity and replaces it with the image of a merciful Father who pleads with His children. God is not sadistic; He is Sovereign, and He is merciful. His ultimate will for every human being is not eternal separation, but eternal life (2 Peter 3:9).

A. The Consequence of Unrepentant Sin

The Israelites, living in exile, were depressed and wasting away. Their excuse was: “Our offenses and sins weigh us down, and we are wasting away because of them. How then can we live?” (Ezekiel 33:10). They recognized the heavy burden and depressive effect of their wickedness, yet they felt trapped.

God clearly points out that their sins—and the resultant depression and despair—are the very reasons they feel condemned. The enemy wants people to believe they are too far gone, too wicked, or too burdened to change. But God, the Master of salvation, offers the simple, powerful solution: Turn! Turn from your evil ways!

The death of the wicked is a necessary result of their choice to remain separate from the life that is in God, not the desire of a cruel God. Repentance is the only escape route from the spiritual inertia leading to destruction.

B. The Urgency of the Call: “Why Will You Die?”

The intensity of God’s love is revealed in His question: “Why will you die, people of Israel?” This is not a rhetorical question; it is an urgent, pleading appeal. God is essentially saying, “I have made a way for you to live. I have paid the price. I have sent My messengers. Why are you determined to forfeit the life I freely offer?”

Every person facing judgment dies for their own sins, not because God refused to forgive them, but because they refused to repent. This underscores the truth that eternal life or eternal death is a matter of personal choice and will.

II. THE CRITICAL ROLE OF THE WATCHMAN (EZEKIEL 33:7-9)

The message of repentance is so vital that God commissioned Prophet Ezekiel as a watchman for the people of Israel. This role carries an immense spiritual weight, a responsibility that is transferred to every believer in the New Testament.

A. The Mandate of Warning

“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.” (Ezekiel 33:7)

The watchman’s job was to stand on the city walls, constantly scanning the horizon for approaching danger. His duty was simple: to hear the word and give the warning. The warning was uncompromising: “You wicked person, you will surely die.”

God holds the watchman accountable for two things:

If the Watchman Fails to Speak (Ezekiel 33:8): If the watchman refuses to speak out and dissuade the wicked, and the wicked person dies in their sin, God will hold the watchman accountable for their blood. This is a terrifying responsibility for anyone called to ministry or evangelism. Silence in the face of impending destruction is complicity.

If the Wicked Refuse to Turn (Ezekiel 33:9): If the watchman does his duty and warns the wicked person, but they still refuse to turn, they will die for their sin, but the watchman will be saved.

Every believer is a watchman (Mark 16:15). We are commissioned to share the Gospel, which is the warning and the solution. We must shake off spiritual sloth and boldly deliver the message of repentance and redemption. Our hands must be clean of the blood of those who perish due to our silence.

B. The Call to the Church

Today, the Church is the spiritual watchman. We are responsible for accurately declaring the Word of God—the good news of salvation and the solemn warning of judgment. We must ensure that the world understands both the imminent danger and the accessible remedy found in Christ.

III. THE NATURE OF TRUE REPENTANCE: A COMPLETE TURNAROUND

God’s demand is not just regret; it is repentance. The Greek word for repentance, metanoia, literally means a change of mind—a complete turn in direction. As the anonymous writer states: “Repentance is not only the sorrow for sins but also the determination to leave the path that leads to the sins.” And as Ezra Taft Benson said, “True repentance involves a change of heart and not just a change of behaviour.”

A. Confession and Forsaking

Many people today confess their sins, but are not ready to let go of such wicked acts. They feel remorse (which is sorrow over being caught or sorrow over the consequences), but they do not experience true repentance (which is sorrow over the sin itself, leading to a permanent change of course).

True repentance means to confess and forsake one’s sins or evil practices. It is a whole-hearted commitment to abandon the way of wickedness.

B. The Fruits of Righteousness (Ezekiel 33:14-15)

Repentance is proven by action. God gives powerful, practical examples of what true repentance looks like:

Restitution: “If they give back what they took in pledge for a loan, return what they have stolen.” (Ezekiel 33:15). True repentance demands correction of past wrongs. If you have stolen, you must return it. If you have damaged a reputation, you must seek to repair it. This restitution cleanses the slate practically and spiritually.

Righteous Living: “Follow the decrees that give life, and do no evil.” (Ezekiel 33:15). This is the determination to live righteously, in line with the righteousness we receive in Christ. It is a commitment to a new way of living, powered by the Spirit.

The promise is absolute: “None of the sins that person has committed will be remembered against them. They have done what is just and right; they will surely live.” (Ezekiel 33:16). This is the glorious power of God’s forgiveness—a complete blotting out of past transgressions!

IV. THE DANGER OF RELYING ON FORMER RIGHTEOUSNESS (EZEKIEL 33:12-13)

In a chilling warning, God addresses those who might rely on their past performance—the formerly righteous.

“If someone who is righteous disobeys, that person’s former righteousness will count for nothing… If I tell a righteous person that they will surely live, but then they trust in their righteousness and do evil, none of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered; they will die for the evil they have done.” (Ezekiel 33:12-13)

This passage utterly destroys the doctrine of unconditional once-saved-always-saved in the context of continued, wilful sin. Salvation is not a one-time immunization against consequences; it is a covenant relationship that demands continued faith and obedience.

A. The Peril of Presumption

The righteous person who sins and relies on his former righteousness falls into the trap of presumption. They believe their history of service, giving, and good deeds will cover their current indulgence in evil. But God warns that the moment the righteous person turns and trusts in their own past works rather than the continuing grace of God through obedience, they risk forfeiting their standing.

The lesson is clear: Righteousness is current, not historical. We must walk daily by the Saviour’s side and rest each moment in the finished work of the Crucified (as the hymn urges). We must never assume a license to sin based on past achievements.

B. The Power of Present Grace

Conversely, the wicked person who repents, forsakes his sin, and begins living righteously will not face condemnation based on former wickedness. God’s grace is immediate and complete. The moment you truly repent, your debt is cancelled, and your new life begins.

This means that while the backslider must return, the formerly wicked person can step forward in absolute confidence. The mercy of God covers the multitude of sins when repentance is genuine and complete.

V. PERCEIVE, PONDER, PRACTISE, PRAY

God is immensely interested in the repentance of the wicked, not their death. This knowledge must move us to immediate action.

PERCEIVE

God’s Heart: God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked; His desire is for all to turn and live.

The New Covenant: Our righteousness comes not through the Law, but through faith in Christ. However, this faith demands the fruits of righteousness (a changed life).

PONDER

Self-Examination: Are you willing to repent of your sins and forsake them? Is there a subtle sin or ‘acceptable’ wickedness you are holding onto?

The Watchman’s Duty: To whom are you refusing to speak the urgent warning of the Gospel? Whose blood might be on your hands because of your silence?

PRACTISE

Immediate Repentance: Repent of any known sin today. Do not delay, as the grace that calls you today is not guaranteed tomorrow.

Restitution: If your sin involves injustice, theft, or damage to another person, you must take practical steps toward restitution to demonstrate the sincerity of your repentance.

PRAY

Personal Prayer: Lord Jesus, I admit my sins. I confess them unto You; forgive me and wash me in Your blood. Grant me the strength to follow the decrees that give life and do no evil.

Prayer for the Spirit: Lord, help me to understand what You are doing now, so that I can have breakthrough in the Spirit and be an effective watchman for my generation.

Let us be washed in the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb, ensuring our garments are spotless, so that when the Bridegroom comes, our souls will be ready for the mansions bright. The time is short; the call is urgent: Let the wicked repent!

PRAYER FOR ORDAINED MINISTERS AND MEMBERS

Father, we pray for these ordained ministers and members: Wale Oyeniyi, Abeokuta; Kolawole S. Ogokunle, Ila Orangun; Adepoju John A., Ifo; Popoola Rhoda, Lagos; Rebecca A. Dari, Kaduna; Toogun Johnson A., Lagos; Jolupiyan S.O., Kogi; Eigbe Solomon E., Benin City; Victor Afolabi, Ejigbo; Oyebisi E.O., Modakeke; Adewuyi Simeon O., Zaria; Adesina O.A., Ibokun; Amen Egbeahie, Imude; John D. Tsoho, Iddah; Ayanwale Sunday D., Lagos.

We declare that they are sensitive to the Holy Spirit and hear the word of God clearly. Grant them the courage to be faithful watchmen, declaring Your Word without fear or favour. Bless their flocks with the spirit of true repentance, that they may turn from all evil ways and live righteously, producing fruits of the Spirit, in Jesus’ Mighty Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY

2 Corinthians 7:10: For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of.
Acts 3:19: Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.
James 4:8: Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

DAILY BIBLE READING PLAN

1 Year Plan: James 4:13-5:1-20 & Ezekiel 24-26
2 Year Plan: John 13:21-38 & 1 Chronicles 21