EZRA THE SCRIBE
TEXT
: Ezra 7:1-10INTRODUCTION
:A. RETURN FROM CAPTIVITY - REBUILDING BY ZERUBBABEL.
B. EZRA - DESCENDANT OF AARON - REINSTATEMENT OF THE LAW.
C. KEY TO DEVELOPING QUALIFICATIONS( vs. 10 ).
IMITATE EZRA!
EZRA HAD SET HIS HEART TO:
I.
TO SEEK THE LAW OF JEHOVAH.A. GOD'S LAW IS TRUTH AND RIGHT (John17:17; Psa.119:137-142, 172).
B. GOD'S WORD IS SALVATION (Rom. 1:16; James 1:21).
C. WITHOUT GOD'S WORD WE ARE BLIND (Jer. 10:23; Prov. 14:25).
D. DISASTER STRIKES THE IGNORANT:
1. The Jews (Hosea 4:6).
2. Gentiles (Rom. 1:28). What things? (context)
3. Us? (2 Pet. 3:18; Phil. 1:9).
E. IS IT PRECIOUS TO US?( 1 Pet. 2:1-2 ).
F. IS IT IMPORTANT TO US?( John 12:48 ).
II.
TO DO IT.A. THE LIFE OFFERED BY THE WORD IS IN THE DOING (James 1:22-25).
B. OBEDIENCE HAS ALWAYS BEEN DEMANDED.
1. Even when it was hard (Gen. 22).
2. Even when it was inconvenient (2 Sam. 6). new cart.
3. Salvation is in obeying (Heb.5:8-9).
C. IN JESUS' DAY (Mat. 7:21-23, 24-27).
III.
TO TEACH IN ISRAEL STATUTES AND ORDINANCES.A. WE HAVE A SOLEMN DUTY (Heb. 5:12; 2 Tim. 2:2).
B. THE RESPONSIBILITY IS GRAVE (James 3:1).
C. OTHERS NEED US (Matt. 9:36-38; Rom. 10:13-15).
IV.
THE KEY: EZRA HAD SET HIS HEART.A. SERVING GOD IS HARD SOMETIMES.
1. Some commands are difficult - forsaking old habits, discipline, defending the truth, etc.
2. Opposition is great (Mat. 10:34-36).
3. Persecution (2 Tim. 3:12 - Phil. 1:15-17; Job 2:9).
B. WE DARE NOT BEGIN WITH OUR EYES CLOSED (Luke 14:28; 13:24).
C. WE MUST SET OUR HEARTS - COMMIT OURSELVES.
1. More than a casual decision - no return.
2. Theme of 1 Pet. (1:13; 2:21-23; 3:13-15-17; 4:1-2, 19).
3. What will Jesus guard? (2 Tim. 1:12).
D. PREOCCUPATION – DETERMINATION (Josh.24:15; 23:6; Col.3:1-2).
CONCLUSION
:A. WE CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH THE IMPORTANCE OF LEARNING, TEACHING, AND DOING GOD'S WILL.
B. ARE OUR HEARTS SET?
