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EZRA THE SCRIBE

TEXT: Ezra 7:1-10

INTRODUCTION:

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?