In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of studying and discussing the Word of God. He encourages his congregation to engage in conversations about God's word, whether they are in the fields, in the kitchen, or doing any other activity. The preacher refers to the story of Ezekiel, where God instructed him to eat a scroll representing the Word of God. He explains that consuming the Word of God means fully immersing oneself in it, digesting it, and allowing it to transform every aspect of their lives. The preacher also addresses the issue of idleness and dishonesty, urging his listeners to be diligent and trustworthy in their work.

We thank you Lord for these words we've heard. Lord may it indeed be so as your servant has said that your fire and salt would work in each and every one of us. That everything of this world, all that springs from our hearts, all that is our own desire, would be burnt up as fire burns the dross and burns the brushwood. Lord, work in a wonderful way in our midst. That every life here would be a sweet-smelling savor to you. Amen. We find our text today in Ezekiel, chapter 3. Ezekiel, the third chapter, from verse 1. And he said to me, son of man, eat what is before you, eat the scroll, then go and speak to the house of Israel. So I opened my mouth and he gave me the scroll to eat. Then he said to me, son of man, eat the scroll I'm giving you and fill your stomach with it. So I ate it and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth. He then said to me, son of man, go now to the house of Israel and speak my words to them. We'll read thus far. This is a marvelous matter. This is something that should be understood by everyone. Ezekiel, the prophet, saw God placing something in front of him, placing a scroll in front of him. Now a scroll was a book. We now have it bound as a book like this. But in ancient times, the paper was folded thus to be a scroll. And the next page too, like this. And there would be sticks between the pages. And when they would read it, they would read it and then unfold it like this. Now God has taken the book, his scroll, and has unfolded it in front of us. Now that's what he did to Ezekiel saying, now Ezekiel, eat of it. Eat this scroll. I want you to eat of it, to chew on it, and to fill your stomach with it. Eat it with this book. Open your mouth and eat it for yourself. And he said, when you've eaten it, I want you to eat it to the full. I want you to fill your stomach with it, all parts of you. Then you are to chew on it. Digest it. Let this become part of you and fill your being. Ezekiel tells us, I did that. I opened my mouth, I filled my stomach with it, I ate the scroll. He said, as I ate it and digested it, it became as sweet as honey. I swallowed it. It filled my stomach. And then the Lord said, now that you have consumed this, you have digested it, take now this word which you have eaten to the house of Israel. Do you see how God presents the matter? It is a great mistake if you take God's word and you pass it on to the next person and you haven't eaten it yourself, digested it for yourself. You are getting things mixed up. You are spoiling it. You are not listening to God. If God presents you with the word, don't pass the buck, take it for yourself, you must eat it first. There are some people who are spiritual freaks, abnormal, they take the word of God, they are glad about the word and they quickly pass it on to the next man. But it has never worked in them yet. And through that, your speech and what you give to the next person is not a blessing, you are only passing on what is accursed. It must first work in you. Always you are to take God's word which he gives you for yourself first. There is no exception, don't just pass it on to the next person, let it fill your heart, your mind, your being, that it would consume you first. Now we know that Jesus is the word. And Jesus comes to us with the book, with the scroll. Presumably, you understand that it doesn't mean literally the paper. You don't take this paper and eat it like a smoker would put his tobacco into a piece of paper and consume it. No, you are to take symbolically his word, you are to eat it, you are to consume it with hunger. Not just a little symbolic nibbling, but you are to gobble it up, eat your fill. When Jesus comes to us, whatever he presents us with, accept it, open your mouth and receive it. When Jesus comes to us, whatever he presents us with, accept it, open your mouth and receive it. The prophet Ezekiel didn't go and chat to others about what God had said. He didn't go and ask for the opinions of others. He tells us, no, I simply open my mouth and consume the word. Now it says here that God placed this in front of me and said, what is before you, eat. In other words, there's no choice in the matter, you can't sniff at it in disdain and say, I don't eat this sort of food. Like I heard of some African children who were in Europe, where they were taken to a fancy hotel, offered this food and they sniffed at it, they said, we don't eat this type of food. Well, that man who had invited them said, well, I have nothing to do with that family if they are so choosy. And that person was right. To this very day, it is clear that that has been a bad breed. God simply says, I don't eat this sort of food. God simply says, what is before you, you eat. You're not to be picky. Not like a lady who's dieting saying, I don't like this and I don't eat that. No, you are only showing what breed you are if you are choosy when God puts it before you. You can't be a lady when you are before God. He expects you to do what he puts before you. And he wants you to be obedient. Not stiff-necked, but obedient. Bow to him and accept his will. Eat the scroll. And so he took the scroll and ate it. And he tells us that when I ate of it, a marvelous thing happened. It was sweet. As sweet as honey. That's why I say I rejoice when I'm with a man of God like Uncle Hans. because we don't chat about women, or men, or whatever. We speak about God's Word. That is what is of utmost importance. He has a little book. It is a daily reading book, and I ask them these days to read a bit to me. It is called The Laws of Men. Originally from the Brethren, and there was a reading here from von Zinzendorf. For Zinzendorf had a place that was quite similar to this mission. People came from various places and stayed at his center, and they were trained and prepared to go out with the gospel. Zinzendorf had a place that was quite similar to this mission.