EXPRESSING EXPRESSLY

Expressing Expressly

Text: Ezekiel 1:1–3
Theme: When God speaks expressly, we must listen.

Introduction — What Does “Express Expressly” Mean?

  • Express = to state or show.

  • Expressly = plainly, directly.

  • Example: Jonathan spoke expressly to David (1 Sam. 20:20–22).

  • In Ezekiel 1, God speaks plainly and directly—and Ezekiel responds.

I. The Word of the Lord Came Expressly (Ezekiel 1:3)

A. The Word Came Expressly to Ezekiel

  • God wanted His message heard, understood, and declared.

  • “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” (Mt. 11:15)

B. The Spirit Speaks Expressly Today

  • 1 Timothy 4:1 — “The Spirit speaketh expressly…”

  • Revelation — “He that hath an ear, let him hear…” (7 times)

The Spirit speaks expressly about:

  1. The condition of the church

  2. The conspiracy of deception

  3. The call to discernment and faithfulness

C. We Also Have a Sure Word

  • 2 Peter 1:19 — “A more sure word of prophecy…”

D. Tozer:

“The Bible is not only a book for reading but a voice for hearing.”

II. The Hand of the Lord Came Expressly (Ezekiel 1:3)

A. God Deals Directly Through His Hand

  • His hand is powerful, personal, purposeful (Ps. 110:5).

  • His hand is good (Ezra 8:18).

  • His right hand identifies with Christ (1 Pet. 3:21–22).

  • He even wrote on a wall with His hand.

B. His Hand Works Expressly in Four Ways

  1. Salvation (Psalm 138:7; 21:8)

  2. Strengthening (Ezra 7:28)

    • “I can do all things…” (Phil. 4:13)

    • Christ’s right hand on John (Rev. 1:17)

  3. Comfort (Isa. 41:10)

  4. Correction (Heb. 12:5–11)

C. The Hand That Steadies Also Shapes

  • Jeremiah 18 — God the potter.

  • E.M. Bounds: “The man whom God uses is the man God touches.”

III. The Glory of the Lord Appeared Expressly (Ezekiel 1:28)

A. God’s Glory Seen Clearly

  • Ezekiel (ch. 1, 8, 10), Isaiah (ch. 6), the disciples (Mt. 17),
    Paul (2 Cor. 12), John (Revelation).

  • God’s glory is unmistakable even in captivity.

B. We Behold His Glory

  • 2 Corinthians 3:18 — “Beholding the glory of the Lord…”

C. Four Ways God’s Glory Appears Expressly

  1. Like a Cloud — His presence surrounds (Ex. 40:34)

  2. Like the Morning Sun — His light breaks the night

    • Ps. 30:5; Rev. 1:16; Lam. 3:22–25

  3. Like a Rainbow — His promises never fail

    • Gen. 9:13; Titus 1:2

  4. Like a Humbling Presence — Worship before His glory

    • Luke 2:9; Joshua 5:14

D. Amy Carmichael:

“One morning in heaven will make up for all the dark nights on earth.”

Conclusion

“Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” (Heb. 3:7–8)

God speaks expressly through:

  • His Word

  • His Hand

  • His Glory

Richard Baxter: “The great danger is not that God does not speak, but that we refuse to hear.”

The issue is not whether God speaks expressly—
but whether we respond expressly.

Jeffrey smith