Kind Enough to Speak

Sermon by Pastor Derek Foo | Text: Ezekiel 33

In a world where politeness is prized and awkwardness is avoided, it’s easy to choose silence. But this sermon confronts a deeper question: Are we being “nice” when God is calling us to be “kind”?

Pastor Derek Foo opened with a simple but powerful contrast: being nice often means keeping everyone comfortable, even if something is wrong. But being kind means stepping into discomfort for someone’s good. Kindness may feel difficult because it involves honesty, courage, and care—not just social ease.

The Watchman: A picture of loving responsibility (Ezekiel 33)

To ground this truth, the sermon turns to Ezekiel 33, where God describes the role of a watchman. In the ancient world, a watchman stood on high ground, watching for danger approaching the city. When danger came, the watchman could not stay silent simply to avoid panic or criticism. Silence would not be kindness—it would be negligence.

In the same way, believers may not carry Ezekiel’s prophetic office, but we are still witnesses commissioned by Christ. God has placed the Gospel in our hands—not only to comfort us privately, but to bring rescue publicly.

1) Entrusted with the message

God tells Ezekiel: “Whenever you hear a word from My mouth, you shall give them warning.” This reminds us that faithful witness begins with hearing and receiving. We cannot speak with conviction about what we do not personally believe and treasure.

The Gospel is not something we invented or discovered; it was revealed and passed to us. It is a deposit—a treasure entrusted to God’s people. The message is clear:

• God is holy and sin is real

• Christ died for our sins and rose again

• Salvation is by grace through faith

• Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved

If we have truly received such good news, it isn’t meant to be hidden.

2) Commissioned with the message

God not only gives a message—He appoints messengers. Ezekiel didn’t volunteer; God commissioned him. Likewise, Jesus commissions every believer through the Great Commission and declares in Acts 1:8 that Spirit-filled believers will be His witnesses.

Witness is not reserved for a personality type or for the outspoken. It is part of our identity as disciples. God places us in families, schools, workplaces, and communities as ambassadors for Christ, making His appeal through us.

3) Responsible to relay the message

Ezekiel 33 carries a sober warning: if the watchman refuses to warn, the loss is not only tragic—it is avoidable. Yet God is also fair: the watchman is not responsible to force repentance. The hearer remains accountable for their response.

This is a crucial freedom for every believer:

• We don’t carry the weight of outcomes

• But we do carry the responsibility of obedience

Paul echoes this clearly: one plants, another waters, but God gives the growth. We cannot save anyone—but we are called to faithfully speak, plant, and water.

Why speaking matters

The sermon reminds us that the world is darkening, time is limited, and Jesus will return. When He does, the opportunity to witness will be over. That’s why Paul says, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation.” The Gospel carries power not only in church services, but in everyday places—homes, coffee shops, schools, and workplaces.

God doesn’t need our brilliance. He asks for our faithfulness.

A practical pathway to obedience

Pastor Derek Foo offered a simple flow to help believers respond:

1. Receive the Gospel again
   Return to gratitude. Don’t let salvation become “mental information.” When we remember what Christ has rescued us from—and the price He paid—love and courage rise again.

2. Name your one
   Identify one person God has placed in your sphere whom you can lovingly reach.

3. Pray for open doors (and pray “use me”)
   It’s easy to pray, “God save them.” It’s harder—but more obedient—to pray, “God use me. Give me an opportunity.”

4. Take a step of obedience
   Send a message. Reopen a conversation. Invite them to a meal. Move beyond small talk into spiritual matters.

5. Share simply and clearly (John 3:16)
   A simple way to share the Gospel is through John 3:16:

• God loves the world

• He gave His Son, Jesus

• Whoever believes will not perish

• But have eternal life

Then we trust God with the outcome.

Closing challenge: Nice or kind?

The message ends with a loving call: God has not called us to be merely nice. Nice is comfortable. Kindness seeks another’s eternal good. Sometimes kindness must speak—clearly, humbly, and courageously—because silence cannot be our normal.

May we be faithful watchmen, grateful for the Gospel, obedient to the commission, and kind enough to speak.