Ezra: God’s Church
What I want them to know: We, collectively, are the temple being built to God’s glory. Each of us, and all of us. He builds the temple, but we have contributions to make.
What I want them to do: Find the area of your contribution, and contribute what you can to the building of God’s kingdom.
God made an agreement with Israel in Exodus
Worship no other gods and live in a way that represents my character, and my presence and favor will be with you
o “…and they didn’t do that”
o God removes his presence
o Sacked by Babylon
o Sent into Exile
o We pick up now as King Cyrus has given his blessing to the Israelites to reestablish the house of God in Jerusalem and given they the financial aid to do so
o Zerubbabel leads 50,000 back to Jerusalem
Ezra 2:68-70
68 Some of the heads of families, when they came to the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem, made freewill offerings for the house of God, to erect it on its site. 69 According to their ability they gave to the treasury of the work 61,000 darics of gold, 5,000 minas of silver, and 100 priests' garments. 70 So the priests and the Levites and some of the people and the singers and the gatekeepers and the temple servants lived in their towns, and all the rest of Israel in their towns.
Why is this building so important?
o The Temple starts in Genesis 2
o Eden
o Tabernacle
o David
The fall of Jerusalem
2 things to commend the Israelites for
o They never go back to other gods
o they prioritize the presence of God
They finally get that He is the source of abundant and eternal life
Now here’s the problem…
o Built with human hands; destroyed with human hands
1 Peter 2:4-5
4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Acts 7:48-49
48 Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says, “49 ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest? Did not my hand make all these things?’”
1. Prioritize the presence
If I’m living in proximity to his presence, he will…
§ Inform my career
§ Give wisdom for my family
§ Supply all my needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus
Matthew 6:33
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
2. Contribute to the construction
Ezra 2:68-70
68 Some of the heads of families, when they came to the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem, made freewill offerings for the house of God, to erect it on its site. 69 According to their ability they gave to the treasury of the work
o Money
With this money, we pursue the mission of God. There are churches planted in other countries bringing people to salvation
o The body of Christ is equipped for the work of ministry
Some people’s contributions will be primarily in these 4 walls, some will be primarily outside
o There are some
Evangelists
Teachers
Prophetic Voices
…in here who’s passion hasn’t been awakened yet
o Find the area God has graced you to contribute, and give according to your ability