Message for June 1,
2008- Ezra 7:10
Intro: Today we are
going to look at three lessons we can learn from the book of Ezra. The power of the Word of God in human live,
trials are a stepping stone to faith and lastly we all need personal revival
and renewal.
Background
-
Ezra in this book gives an account of the Jewish nation in Palestine from the degree
of
Cyrus till the time of Nehemiah and the
problem of mixed marriages.
-
The hand of God is beautifully seen when the decree is made and they were
given the
Materials to rebuild the temple. Those who return endure hardship but were
rewarded
When they saw the temple rebuilt and the
nation restored.
-
Temple
construction was stopped for 16 years but a revival turned the situation
around.
Haggai.
Giants of faith on their own but together an unstoppable force,
- This book shows that God can use heathen
people to accomplish His purposes.
1. From this book we
learn about the power of the Word of God in human life. In the
Old Testament it
was the book of the law or the Pentateuch, the first five books of the
Bible. The 614 laws of Moses, the commandments which
Jesus summed up in
Mt 22:37-40. “To love the Lord with all your heart, soul
mind and strength and love
Your neighbour as
yourself.”
a.. As we learn from
our scripture Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance
Of the law of the
Lord and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel . His
Responsibility at
this time was to enforce the law. To
Ezra, the Word of God was the
foundation of
life. It was equated to the name of
God. It is the expression of His
Nature and
character. To him it was not an option
or set of guidelines it was the
Essence of life
and was to be obeyed.
b. The Word of God is
food for the Soul. Job called it bread
for his soul in Job 23:12.
Ezra
as the writer of Psalm 119 called it sweeter than honey. Ps 119 :103.
Jeremiah
Called the
word, his joy and hearts delight. Jer
13:16 Peter called it spiritual milk
In 1 Pet 2:2
and Paul called it meat in his letters.
The protein for the soul.
c. The Bible is
divinely inspired. Paul says all scripture is God breathed, useful for
Teaching,
rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. 2 Tim 3:16
Peter said,
Men spoke from
God as the Holy Spirit moved them along.
2 Pet 1:21. Its precepts
Are written on
the heart.
d. Ezra wrote Ì have
hidden your word in my heart that I will not sin against you in
Ps 119:11. Paul writes in Col 3:16 that we should let
the word of God dwells in you
Richly.
George Washington wrote:
It is impossible to rightly govern the world with God and the Bible.
Charles Dicken wrote:
The New Testament is the best book that was ever written and will be
ever known to the world.
Horace Greely wrote: It is
impossible to mentally or socially enslave a Bible believing people. The principles of the bible are the ground
work of human freedom.
I have a warning for
you this morning church. This book is
habit forming. Regular use cause lack of
anxiety, decreased appetite for lying, cheating, stealing, hating. Symptoms:
increased sensations of love, peace, joy and compassion.
2.. The second truth
we are going to learn today is adversity, trials and problems are only
Stepping stones
in the life of faith and a pathway to victory.
The enemies of God in
This case gained
a temporary victory. . This was a test to see whether the work of
God was going to
be completed. We often face setbacks and
reverses in the work of
God. The enemy does not want the work of God to go
ahead.
a. There is also
other reasons for reverses and struggles.
These build character, develop
Creativity and
resourcefulness. Trials make us wiser
and we learn to trust and obey
God. That does not seem to happen any other way.
b. When things are
good that is when we often become complacent and self centered.
Most of never
see the good in trials until they are over.
The secret is learning from
The trial and
asking the question, `God what are you trying to teach me here and
Help me so I won’t make the same mistake
again.
c. When we put our trust in God, We may not
always understand things but you
Know all things work together. All things may not be good but all things
work
Together for good and that is enough. Read 6834 and 6852
3. Ezra is associated with Nehemiah in starting
a revival of the study of the scriptures.
That is a real necessity today. Many believers do not have a full
appreciation or
Necessity in the reading, study and
application of the Bible to daily life.
a. Ezra as the writer of 1 @ 2 Chronicles
understood the secret of revival. In
2 Chron 7:14, he writes God view of how an
individual and nation can be revived.
We are to humble ourselves, pray, seek His
face, turn from our wicked ways and God
Will hear, forgive and heal our land. The healing of the nation does not lie in
the
Hands of the nation but in the
church. We are the secret of national
restoration.
b. As we learned in our character study of Ezra,
he is the originator of the Jewish
Synocague. He believed in daily and weekly worship and
study of the scriptures.
And set up local places to do that. He was a pioneer in this and actually help
set a
Pattern which we follow even today when we
set up local churches.
c. He also was a complier of the Old
testament. Ezra was a man of incredible spiritual
Power.
His prayer and fasting through God’s help helped the people make a new
Covenant with God.
d. Ezra and the leaders of Israel
have to put our trust in God and we will
win.
Conclusion
1. As we prepare for communion my prayer is that
we be reminded of God’s word is so
Essential to our spiritual life. It tells of Jesus’ death burial and resurrection. It
Explains His broken body and shed blood.
2. Today we learned that problems, trials and
tribulations make us stronger, wiser,
Teachable and dependant on God. Deeper in our faith and trust.
3. We lastly need personal renewal and revival. Today let us draw close to God.
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