Sermons

September 6^th 2026 - Ezikiel 33: 7-11 Calling of Sentinels

Pray

“Boy’s! Come look at this kitchen.” I was probably around ten, making my brothers 13 and 16. My mom had just returned home from work, while my brothers and I were couch potatoes on one of Summers final days. We marched into the kitchen and it looked pretty normal to us. Dirty dishes piled high in the sink because this was before we had a dishwasher and so we liked to let things soak as an excuse for our laziness. Shoes strewn across the floor because we were busy boys on the go. Counter tops filled with clutter and the box of that day’s frozen pizza. “Do you notice anything wrong?” Mom spoke with an intensity that was very much unlike her.  We looked again and thought “nope” all looks pretty normal. “The cabinets,” she said. We looked again and then realized, every single cabinet door was open and I mean every single cabinet door was open. We and maybe mostly me had the bad habit of grabbing whatever dish or food item we needed and then not closing the door. What followed was a call to action from our mom that we needed to take more responsibility. Accountability that needed to start with seeing the impacts that our actions had on the entire house.

Sometimes we are oblivious to the hurts we inflict and need someone to open our eyes to the cabinets we are leaving open. The Gospel of Matthew lays out a whole step by step process for healthy communication among church members when sin or brokenness is impacting relationships. However, this morning its Ezekial whom I want to focus on because I am fascinated with his call to be a sentinel.  Something about that word, sentinel. Maybe I am so interested in this passage because I am a fan of X-men and in the cartoon, Sentinels are robots that protect humanity from the “mutant danger.” However, more than childhood nostalgia for a cartoon I watched during the Summer, I find sentinel to be a helpful way to think about our calling as disciples today. “So you mortal, I have made a sentinel, a guard, a lookout for the house of Israel…”

Let’s talk a little bit more about Ezekial’s day. He was a priest in Jerusalem about 600 years before the birth of Christ. A time when the Babylonian empire was growing and conquering. Ezekial was taken captive by the Babylonians and while living in exile, he began to have visions and began to write extensively. The prophet calls out or calls attention to the ways the people of Israel had begun to worship other God’s, that’s a big no, no. More than just idolatry; leaders abuse their power, bribes and unjust business practices are hurting the vulnerable. Foreigners, orphans, and widows are being mistreated. To say, God is not happy is an understatement.

I don’t know about you, but sometimes scripture doesn’t feel like such ancient history. What was true then is true now. Sometimes people need wakeup calls be they preteen kids leaving messes, or nations not caring for the most vulnerable. Yet, what was true then is true now, God does not abandon God’s people. The creator has charged or called Ezekial to be a sentinel. To remind the people of their responsibility to their God and neighbor. I do not believe God uses war or other nations as a way to dish out cosmic retribution, wrath, or judgement. But I do believe when we neglect God and neighbor, we are susceptible to self-destructive behaviors. I believe Ezekial was called to alert his people about the disaster they were bringing about on themselves.

Church, we need sentinels today. Folks who lookout for the vulnerable and name where we as church, as individuals, and as a society are causing pain. Not just a need but a calling. We share Ezekial’s call to be sentinels for the world for the sake of our neighbor and because when we truly care for someone, we speak the truth in love. Even when or especially when the truths are about harmful behaviors. Where does the world need truth tellers? Around topics like corruption, around how immigrants are demonized, or how we abuse our planet. This is not about bringing politics into church but about being honest that we need to name harms and hurts. This is not about acting self-righteous like we have everything figured out but acknowledging we too contribute to the collective leaving open of the cabinet doors. We too can be thoughtless, careless, and selfish. I wonder how are you called to act as a sentinel? Where might we need a lookout to hold us accountable?

Ezekial writes on God’s behalf, “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked would turn from their ways and live…” Turn and live. Even in the face of great unfaithfulness. Even when ancient Israel had seemingly abandoned their promises and covenant with God, our parent in heaven is still present, pleading, and willing transformation. Change for the sake of life. God sends messengers, like parents, like Ezekial, like you, to guide and instruct, for life,

This is consistent with the character of God we see in Christ who was far more than a messenger. He is God’s own Son. Jesus came so that we might have life and have it abundantly. The one who made the blind to see and who did not overlook the pains of the world. Dear church, God does not abandon nor forsake us but is always inviting a new start. For people, for nations, for all of creation. Ezekial and the sentinels we have met in our lives are not extending threats…close those cabinets or else. But rather invitations to participate in new life. This life that was extended to all when Christs arms were open to all on the cross and when the tomb could not contain him. We are not bound to death, despair, or the powers of self-destruction but through Christ have been set free. Children, come look at this gift of new life. Amen.