Podcast Summary: Cornerstone Chapel - "The Watchman"
Date: June 1, 2025
Host: Cornerstone Chapel
Episode Theme: Exploring the biblical role of the "watchman" from Ezekiel 33 and its relevance for Christians today.
Overview
In this episode, the speaker unpacks Ezekiel 33, exploring the ancient biblical role of the "watchman" and its spiritual application for modern Christians. The teaching weaves humor, practical anecdotes, and scriptural depth, emphasizing the twin responsibilities of Christians to warn and teach others with both truth and grace. The message culminates in powerful reminders about God’s unchanging heart for repentance and His promise to forgive and forget sins.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Ezekiel: The Underrated Prophet
- Ezekiel, often overlooked, offers deep lessons relevant even today.
- Setting: The book was written about 2,500 years ago during Israel's exile in Babylon.
- Ezekiel’s ministry was filled with difficult tasks and strange prophetic acts, demonstrating obedience amidst a rebellious people.
- [00:20] "Ezekiel is a very, very, I think, overlooked book. It's very underrated, and he's one of the major prophets... there's so much application for us even for today."
2. The Biblical Watchman Explained
- Ancient watchmen were stationed in high places (towers or gates) to scan for threats and sound alarms.
- Their job was straightforward: watch and warn, not engage in battle.
- [05:30] "A watchman's role was simply this... to keep watch and warn the people of impending threats. Those two main things: watch and warn."
3. Spiritual Watchman: Ezekiel's Calling
- God appoints Ezekiel as a "spiritual" watchman for the people of Israel, tasked with warning them of judgment and urging repentance.
- Emphasis: Ezekiel is accountable only for his obedience, not the people’s response.
- [13:40] "He was not held responsible for the people's response. He was only held responsible for his obedience to God. That is very freeing."
4. Transition from Judgement to Hope
- Ezekiel’s book splits: first 32 chapters focus on judgment, Chapter 33 shifts to hope and restoration.
- Even in deep rebellion, God offers forgiveness if the people turn (repent).
5. 'Son of Man' – Title Explained
- For Ezekiel, "Son of Man" means "Son of Adam," emphasizing his humanity and ordinariness—God uses normal people as His vessels.
- [18:00] "You're the son of the earth, you're Son of Dirt. Meaning you're just human. There's nothing special about you, Ezekiel."
6. Application to Christians Today
- All Christians are called to be spiritual watchmen: to "sound the alarm" by sharing the message of Jesus.
- New Testament parallel: Christians as "salt and light" (Matthew 5), impacting the world through righteous influence and guidance.
- [25:00] "We're not to really... be on towers or in castles and watching the impending threat, but we can be salt and light in a spiritual sense."
7. The Balance of Warning and Teaching
- Paul (Colossians 1:28) tells believers to "warn everyone and teach everyone" with wisdom and love.
- Dangers of imbalance:
- Only warning leads to judgmentalism (e.g., "repent or go to hell" preachers with no grace).
- Only teaching without warning neglects the consequences of unrepented sin.
- [34:55] “We can warn them in a loving way, but we can also teach them and show grace and truth. We can do both. It is possible.”
8. Freedom in Obedience
- Christians are accountable to God only for their obedience in sharing the message, not for people’s reactions to it (e.g., Jonah and Nineveh).
- Comfort: Even when rejected, faithfulness is what counts.
- [42:54] "We are not responsible or accountable for people's response in Jesus Christ. Amen to that. That is very freeing."
9. God’s Heart: Repentance and Forgiveness
- God’s deepest desire is for all to repent and receive forgiveness; he takes "no pleasure in the death of the wicked." (Ezekiel 33:11)
- Repentance means not just a change of mind, but a turning away from sin.
- When the wicked repent, "none of his sins... shall be remembered" (Ezekiel 33:16).
- [55:12] "Say to them, as I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live."
10. Scriptural Affirmations About God’s Forgiveness
- God erases, forgets, and never again brings up a forgiven person's former sins (Micah 7:19, Isaiah 43:25, Psalm 103).
- Christians are called to receive, believe, and rest in this forgiveness.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
On the People-Watching Analogy:
[02:30] (Speaker joking about dates with his wife)
“We love people watching together. We'll do it together. This guy's going to eat it. He's going to fall flat on his face. Let's watch... Sometimes you just have to laugh at people falling.”
On God’s Use of Ordinary People:
[18:00]
"You're just human. There's nothing special about you, Ezekiel."
On Christian Responsibility:
[28:00]
"People are watching you... let your good deeds shine out for all to see. People will notice that… They'll see that, wow, that's amazing, and they glorify your Father in heaven.”
On The Balance Between Warning and Teaching:
[34:55]
"We can warn them in a loving way, but we can also teach them and show grace and truth. We can do both. It is possible."
On God’s Justice and Mercy:
[55:15]
“God does not send anyone to hell. A person chooses to go that way. And God says, all right, you chose it… I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked."
On Divine Forgetfulness and Forgiveness:
[61:55]
"God says, I forget your sins, and I erase them from my memory... He's all knowing, but he chooses not to hold them against us. He will never bring up the past. He erases it."
Important Timestamps (MM:SS)
- 00:20 – The overlooked value of Ezekiel
- 05:30 – Explanation of the ancient watchman
- 13:40 – Spiritual accountability for Ezekiel
- 18:00 – "Son of Man" – ordinary vessel for God
- 25:00 – Modern Christians as watchmen; salt and light analogy
- 28:00 – On being observed and letting deeds "shine"
- 34:55 – The balance between warning and teaching
- 42:54 – Freedom in being responsible for obedience, not results
- 48:00 – Jonah as a reluctant but effective watchman
- 55:12 – God’s heart for repentance, not punishment
- 61:55 – God’s promise to forget forgiven sins
Core Takeaways
The Watchman’s Message Today
- Christians are called to watch, warn, and teach—responsible only for obedience, not outcomes.
- God’s heart is consistently for repentance and for everyone’s restoration.
- True repentance is a turning away from sin; God promises to forget all forgiven sins—He delights in mercy, not judgment.
- The balance of truth and grace in communicating faith is essential—both are necessary for genuine impact.
Scriptural Pillars
- Ezekiel 33:11: God’s lack of pleasure in judgment; call for repentance
- Matthew 5:13-16: Christians as salt and light
- Colossians 1:28: Warn and teach everyone
- Micah 7:19, Isaiah 43:25, Psalm 103: God’s forgiveness and forgetting of sins
- 2 Peter 3:9: God is patient, desiring none to perish
Closing Encouragement
The speaker concludes with Psalm 103, reflecting on God’s compassion and mercy, cementing the episode's main point: Christians are called as watchmen—not to stand idly by, but to warn, teach, and love—pointing people to the God who offers forgiveness, new beginnings, and unending love to all who turn to Him.