The Story We Tell
Tonight we are wrapping up our series entitled, “Influencer”. We are discovering what the truth of God’s word says about the ever-changing digital and technological world around us.
Ezekiel 12 is an interesting and even peculiar story. God speaks to the prophet and tells him to go to the people and act out what will happen to them because of their rebellion to God. This includes packing up all his things and climbing through a hole in the wall while blindfolded and carrying all of his belongings.
Though strange, this one-man show is done to illustrate to the sinful nation around the prophet what their future holds.
Stories often have impact on us from a young age. From superheroes, to princesses, thrillers to rom-coms we all are drawn to good stories. As followers of Jesus God is calling us to stand out from our world. To be different and to tell a story. This is our mission from him.
So what kind of story should we tell?
First we see the example from Ezekiel is a story that is active and engaged with the world around him. Ezekiel 12:3 says, “go into exile in their sight”. 12:4 continues “while they watch”. Throughout this chapter God is instructing Ezekiel to live this out in front of other.
While we are called to stand out from our culture, we are not called to hide from the culture. I believe firmly that God is not done working in our world! God is not afraid of what is happening in our culture, instead all the more we are seeing opportunities for God to work and move as only God can.
It’s not time for us to lean out or hide. Our call is not to hold on tight until Jesus comes back! Today is the day that we should all step up and step in to the calling and the work of God. We need to be actively engaged in the world around us.
There are those who may never hear our pastor preach, but hear the way we speak each and every day. There are those who do not follow Jesus but follow us on social media. There are those who don’t know God but they know you. We are called to be engaged with those around us.
Each of us is also called to tell the story which we are assigned. Ezekiel 12:7 “So I did just as I was commanded. In the daytime I brought out my bags like an exile’s bags. In the evening I dug through the wall by hand; I took them out in the dark, carrying them on my shoulder in their sight.”
Ezekiel did what God told him to do! Each of us should do the same both with the story God has given us corporately to share and individually. All of us have been called to tell Jesus story. The last thing He instructed his followers was to preach the Gospel to the world. Still today it should be our mission to share the good news of Jesus purposefully with those around us.
In each of us is also a call to share our personal story. In the Apostle John’s letter to the persecuted church in Revelation 12:11 he reminded them that we find strength in “the blood of the lamb”, Jesus’ sacrifice for us on the cross, “and the word of our testimony” the eye witness accounts of what God has done in our lives.
These are our marching orders, to tell the story God is writing through Jesus in us to the world around us and to identify the ways God is using technology, art and culture to make himself known to man.
Questions for further discussion:
What is one thing that stood out to you from this week's message or your small group discussion?
What do you remember about what God asked Ezekiel to do in Ezekiel 12. What was God’s purpose in that?
What is a movie, TV show, piece of art or story that you have experienced recently that reminded you of God in some way?
If someone were to observe our family for a week outside of church, do you think they could tell that we are a followers of Jesus? What are things that don’t tell that story in our lives?
What is the story of how you gave your life to Jesus? Share with your student and ask your student to share with you.
