Ezra-Nehemiah series part 1-The Freedom and Responsibility to Rebuild
February 27, 2010 9:54 amPreached by Chris Broom, 2/21/2010
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Families Benefit from Disciples Who Get Ready, Get Settled, and then Build!
Ezra-Nehemiah Series part 1: The Freedom and Responsibility to Rebuild – Outline
Ezra 1:1-8 As we open Ezra, God’s people have been in exile in Babylon for 70 years because they were unfaithful to God & their sin had grave consequences. Put yourself in the situation: what was it like when the Babylonians came into Jerusalem destroying the city and taking all the people captive? What would it be like if a foreign enemy did this in Chicago? Now what would it be like to be freed 70 years later? When God says he’s gonna do something, he’s gonna do it! But amazingly enough, not all the Israelites were ready to return. Did God intend that only some hearts would be moved?
Acts 2:22-24, 36-39 Are our hearts still moved by God (v.37)?
- If we are moved, we ask God, “what should we do?”
- “Everyone of you.” (v.38) We all need forgiveness
- God isn’t just trying to move a few hearts, but ALL.
- At least 100,000 Jews were present in Jerusalem this day, but only a small percentage, 3000, responded.
- Just like in Ezra’s day, it is your choice to accept God’s call to build. Will you?
#1 GET READY - Ezra 1:5
- Are you ready? Because God is calling you
- In Ezra 2, those who accepted God’s call are counted
- Psalm 69:27-28 – There is another book of names
- Revelations 3:5 – We must overcome to be in that book
# 2 GET SETTLED – Ezra 2:68-70
- Are you settled? It starts with your time & money
- Know what you are able to give of both to the building
- They had to get ready for worship – we have same roles in the church today
- Need to find your role in the church – Nobody is just a spectator
#3 ONLY THEN YOU CAN BUILD
- Temple signified continuity with the past and God’s presence in the present
- It was important for them to rebuild because it represented a better reality for them & God’s presence among them
In Closing: As Cyrus wrote a proclamation (Ezra 1:2-4) – you write one:
- This is what God has done for me
- This is what God has called me to
- This is how I’m going to use my resources to do it
2 Responses to “Ezra-Nehemiah series part 1-The Freedom and Responsibility to Rebuild”
Great sermon, very inspiring!!
Just what I needed to hear today. Thank you Chris.
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