Ezra 4
DATE: 4 Mar, 2001
AM
PLACE: BBC Blarney
I.
Introduction (Acts 17:6). Do you know what this world needs? To be turned
upside down. It will either be turned by the Gospel of Christ, or by the
judgment of God. The question is, can Christians do it again? We can if we would
do it together
II.
Background (Ezra 4:3)
A.
The Jews had been in captivity for over 70 years now.
B.
It is still 530 years before the coming of Jesus
C.
And Jerusalem lays in rubble. The armies of Nebchadnezzar had swiftly
swept through the land and destroyed everything in their path, just as God had
said it would happen. God had judged His people for their sins, and idol
worship.
D.
But now, in the centre of all that rubble, a structure was taking shape.
A Temple. Several thousand Jews had been allowed to return to Israel, just for
the purpose of rebuilding that Temple, and now it was taking shape. But it was
taking a lot of work.
E.
Nehemiah focused on clearing the city, and rebuilding the walls.
F.
Ezra, the man of God, focused on rebuilding the Temple.
G.
Along came some adversaries (Ez 4:1,2) – trouble-makers – enemies of
the cross.
1.
Offered
to help – how kind
2.
Said they
were just the same as the Jews – believed in the same God
3.
Just
confirmed those few Jews were not enough to do such a great task
H.
To which
two men, full of faith responded, “Ye have nothing to do with us to build an
house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the LORD
God of Israel.” (Ezra 4:3).
I.
What a
bold statement indeed! Turning down government assistance. Refusing the help of
“kind” people. What is going on? It is called the work of God, and He
doesn’t need great numbers, or great wealth, or great strength – He just
needs some hearts full of faith ready to obey His word (2Chron 16:7-9)
III.
Some Principles of Missions
I want to compare the great task of rebuilding of
that temple with the even greater task of winning souls.
A.
God
expects us to win souls
1.
Just like
He expects parents to have children, and raise them right
2.
Just as
He expects people to pay their bills
3.
God
expects Christians to turn hearts and minds of people to repent and follow
Christ – God expects it
B.
We really
can win souls
1.
Because
what we are doing is just delivering a message – We are not the savers –
just the postmen. It is the word of God that changes people!
2.
Because
what we are doing is just planting a seed – the seed brings life
3.
Because
what we are doing is just dropping a hook with bait into the water – Jesus
compares it to catching fish, and if ANYONE stays at it long enough, ANYONE can
catch fish – AMEN!
C.
The whole
world can be reached if we would do it HIS way
1.
Yes I am
talking about winning a world of over 6 billion people
2.
But, No,
I am not talking about us doing all the work
3.
God’s
way has never been that a few would win all – no – the work is to be done by
all Christians – and the key is their local church – that thing that we are,
when we gather together as a team to fulfil our purpose
IV.
Message – What We Ourselves Together Can Do (Ezra 4)
A.
We Can Assemble Together (Ez 4:3; Acts 1:8-15; 2:41,42,46,47; Heb 10:25)
1.
The world
can’t do that – not without drink, and music, and entertainment, and guns
pointed at people’s heads, and loads of money making it worth people’s while
a.
Man, it
is neat how the Lord puts so many different kinds of people together, and
fashions them with each other in a local church!
b.
Oh if
only we would let the Lord change us through our church!
2.
We just
need to see ourselves as God sees us
a.
As a Team
– that is what a church is
b.
With 1
Leader – the Lord Jesus Christ
1)
So many
say they follow Jesus, but don’t OBEY Him (Lk 6:46)
2)
If Jesus
Christ is your leader, and YOURS, and yours, then we should all be sort of
organised around His way of doing things wouldn’t you think?
c.
We have 1
Goal (John 15:8)
1)
No way
for one couple to have 6 billion children
2)
But with
every couple having children, you can have lots of kids
3)
Same with
Christians – each one winning just ONE a year would do it! We only need 34
years to win 6 billion!
4)
Does
anyone here know what is holding us back? Apathy!
d.
We have
only 1 Enemy
1)
Sick and
tired of Christians fighting each other in a church – called DIVISIONS, and
CARNALITY
2)
We have
the most freedoms and “rights” of all time, and we hate each other with only
a passion in churches, and it just ain’t right!
3)
The devil
does nothing but spend his time sowing discord among brethren (Pr 6:16-19)
4)
If we
just saw what the devil has been doing right in this church, we would get on our
knees and repent of being so stinking selfish, and unthankful for the miracle we
have in this old building
e.
We have 1
Direction – forward - slowly, deliberately, forward! Always seeking souls, and
teaching them this Book!
B.
We Can Believe God Together (Ezra 4:4-6; 4:21)
1.
Zerubabel
and the High Priest, Joshua declare an amazing resolve - What God has commanded
us to do, He has therefore enabled us to do. Repeat!
a.
In spite
of the culture, and the pressures of the people around us
b.
In spite
of the wisdom of this world – the counsel
1)
Always
trying to prove the Bible is just a myth
2)
Always
trying to impress a Bible believer that this modern world has a better answer to
life’s problems than God’s way
3)
In spite
of the set-backs…
a)
These
guys get the government to stop Jews from building
b)
The Jews
have to decide what is right to do – they never riot
c)
They get
God’s word on the matter (Ez 5:1,2)
d)
They get
God’s help (Ez 6:6,7,11,12)
e)
Then they
get back to work!
2.
Faith
starts with believing this Book (Ex 19:7,8) that God is right, period!
a.
Does
anyone here really believe this Book?
1)
That this
whole world is going to hell (John 3:16)
2)
That only
Jesus is the answer for this world (John 14:6) – for the Jew, for European,
for the Muslim, for the Hindu, for the Indian, for the atheist, for the
religious, for the catholic, for the protestant, for the Baptist – for every
man, woman, and child!
3)
That the
mark of a Christian is that we follow Jesus’ instructions, and not our own
ways any longer (Lk 9:23)
4)
That the
work of a church is not to just get people “saved” but to teach them ALL
things that Jesus taught (Matt 28:19,20)
b.
Do you
know why first century Christianity was so successful? Because they just
believed this Bible – they trusted that God was a whole lot smarter than
themselves!
3.
Faith
builds as we all pray together
a.
There is
NO spiritual battle won without prayer (Zech 4:6)
b.
There are
no hearts bonded without prayer
c.
People
who say they believe this Book, but make no time for individual prayer, or
especially for times of prayer together as a church never really grow – they
can’t!
4.
Faith
becomes real when we ALL start obeying the Lord together
C.
We Can Labour Together (1Cor 3:6-9). This is where our team-work is
activated – becomes reality – where all the preparation comes together.
1.
We labour By Growing – that what church is for – so that we come,
learn, and grow. Takes effort to learn this Bible and mature. How many of you
stopped eating this past week? Stopped sleeping? Couldn’t could you? Did
anyone put off studying their Bible, or skip Bible Study, or miss a Sunday at
church? It all takes effort!
2.
We labour By Giving
a.
To the
Lord belongs all of our substance – every penny
b.
To Him
belongs our very lives and future – we are not our own
c.
Have you
ever wondered why people find it so hard to give their money to God, or even
give their time to His kingdom? The Bible is very clear that it is because we
love this world more than God!
d.
Our
giving every week has to Mission’s focused. The reason why I give is for
souls. The reason why you should give is for souls!
3.
We labour By Going (Rom 10:13,14)
a.
The world
will never come to church – not on its own
b.
The
church has to go out into the world
c.
I never
would have heard the Gospel if it weren’t for a faithful soul-winner named
Maureen Smith making the effort to witness to me and my friends on a Saturday
night at a Coffee Shop!
d.
Have you
ever counted up how many times our Lord commands His disciples to GO? Hundreds
of times! Here is a few!
1)
Mr 16:15
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to
every creature.
2)
Mt 28:19
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
3)
Lu 14:23
And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges,
and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
4)
John
15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I
have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and
that your fruit should remain:
e.
When was
the last time you stepped out of your comfort zone, and mentioned to someone
that you wanted to give them a Gospel leaflet, and that you were concerned about
where they would spend eternity?
f.
That’s
why on Saturdays at around Noon we go out for just a few hours and catch people
at home and give them the Gospel – because unless we go, no one will hear!
4.
We Labour By Grinning – it takes a lot of effort to keep smiling when
things don’t work right the first time, or the second time – AMEN? This
labour is not a labour of profit and efficiency – it is a labour of love, and
it ought to show on your face
V.
Conclusion – I think we would all be amazed at what we could do
together
A.
We Can Assemble Together As a Team, With 1 Leader – the Lord Jesus Christ,
with 1 goal, the winning and training of souls, fighting only 1 enemy, always
heading 1 direction, as we follow the Lord Jesus!
B.
We Can Believe God Together
1.
Faith
starts with believing this Book
2.
Faith
builds as we all pray together
3.
Faith
becomes real when we ALL start obeying the Lord together
C.
We Can Labour Together (1Cor 3:6-9). This is where our team-work is
activated – becomes reality – where all the preparation comes together.
1.
We labour By Growing
2.
We labour By Giving
3.
We labour By Going (Rom 10:13,14)
4.
We Labour By Grinning – it takes a lot of effort to keep smiling when
things don’t work right the first time, or the second time – AMEN? This
labour is not a labour of profit and efficiency – it is a labour of love, and
it ought to show on your face
D.
And do
you know what will be the result of our efforts together? A world turned upside
down, once again! I believe this world needs to be turn upside down once every
generation, at least. And God has given us the where-with-all to do such a task!
Is there anyone willing to join with me, and say pastor, I want to be part of
God’s team. I want to see this world changed for good!