Spiritual Recovery Plan – Jesus' Soon Return 2Peter3:1-13

There are philosophical and theological differences among believers. Some of these differences are caused by poor doctrinal teaching. Some are caused by a desire to be comfortable in this world. Even in Peter's day, there was the uniformitarianism (“all continues just as it was from the creation”) versus catastrophism (“earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed being flooded with water...”) controversy over origin and design of the universe. And even then, there was an attending contemptuous mocking and sarcastic ridicule of those who believed in intelligent design.

Now, we do not believe that the false teachers were believers, but some who followed them were.

In this section of holy scripture, Peter seeks to reanimate the purified and uncontaminated mind that the Holy Spirit gives to each believer at salvation. He does this by reminding us of the infinity (Psalm90:2 “from everlasting to everlasting”) of God and the immutability (Malachi 3:6 “I am the Lord, I change not) of God. And in reminding us of who and how God is, we are called to evaluate our life ...”what sort of people ought you to be...”

The Word of God has promised that Jesus is coming again.! God keeps His promises.

CHRISTIAN EXPECTATION OF JESUS' RETURN

• Our Blessed Hope Titus 2:11-14 Tit 2:13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

• Our Longing and the Climax of Salvation Romans8:23; groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

  Matthew25:31-46 Mat 25:34 Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

• Our Redemption as Believers Ephesians4:30 Eph 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

  ….and the judgment of Christ rejectors 2Thessalonians2:1-12 2Th 2:12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

  :13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. :14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

• The Inauguration of Jesus' Earthly Kingdom Revelation20:6 Believes will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

• Our Bodies will be Resurrected and Renewed 1Thessalonians 4:13-18 bring with Him those who have died in Christ and remaining will meet Him in the air; 1Corinthians15:42-50 mystery, not all will die but all will be changed

• Our Works will be Rewarded Matthew25:21,23 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' Revelation11:18 18 The nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth." ; 1Corinthian3:12-15 builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw-- 1Co 3:13 each one's work will become manifest,

• World System will be made Righteous Isaiah9:6 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

HOW SHOULD WE LIVE? Revelation 22:6-12

• In Obedience to Christ Rev.22:6-7

  • Immediate obedience Romans13:11 as if running out of time.

  • In hope that purifies 1John3:3

• In Worship Rev.22:8-9 God is the object

  • Psalm 26

    • Worshiper:

      • Trusts v.1 stated and demonstrated

      • Praises God's Loving Kindness v.3

      • Walks in truth v.3

      • Avoids evildoers v.4-5

    • Worship

      1. Thanksgiving v.7

      2. Praise v.7b

      3. Love of God's presence and people v.8

      4.Trust v.11b

      5. Commitment v.12

• In Telling the World About Jesus and Judgment Rev.22:10-11

• In Working Rev.22:12

  • Do not overlook the significance of one day 2Peter3:8 This is a very important day... in regard to a casual attitude toward sin “only once,” … but neither in regard to the sacrifice of Jesus for sins of those who trust Him.

JESUS' RETURN IS SO IMPORTANT TO BELIEVERS

• That the deceiver wants to make it a non-issue 2Peter3:4

• That there is special blessing for those who focus on Jesus' return Revelation1:3

• That there is special punishment for those who take away from the prophesies of His return Revelation22:18-19

• That the final words of the Holy Bible include: “Surely I am coming quickly.”

God is faithful to His Word. Jesus is coming quickly.

Revelation 22:17 Thirsty? Come!

Reservations and Deliverance 2Peter2:1-9

You may have heard of “deliverance ministries” these days. Of course, we know that there is no deliverer other than Jesus, but Jesus involves us in what He is doing. Next week we will look at confronting evil spirits in our day. Today's scripture tells us that “the Lord knows how to deliver the godly...” v.9 There is much interest in God's delivering. But, the scripture also tells us that “the Lord knows how to … reserve the unjust (ungodly) under punishment for the day of judgment.” There is much less interest in this ministry of God. However, the same God who “delivers” also “reserves.”

It is not difficult to find books, radio, TV programs, and internet sites peddling deliverance with amazing testimonies. Peter here records some amazing testimonies of judgment. These are compared to the ends of those who teach unbiblical doctrines which give the position of preeminence to anything other than Jesus.

PROOF OF JUDGMENT denouncing apostates

Fallen Angels v.2:4 Most details are still a mystery

• What we know: Isaiah 14:12-21;Isa 14:12 "How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low!

Isa 14:13 You said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north;

Isa 14:14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.'

Isa 14:15 But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit.

Isa 14:16 Those who see you will stare at you and ponder over you: 'Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms,

Isa 14:17 who made the world like a desert and overthrew its cities, who did not let his prisoners go home?'

Ezekiel 28:12-19; Eze 28:12 "Son of man, raise a lamentation over the king of Tyre, and say to him, Thus says the Lord GOD: "You were the signet of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.

Eze 28:13 You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, emerald, and carbuncle; and crafted in gold were your settings and your engravings. On the day that you were created they were prepared.

Eze 28:14 You were an anointed guardian cherub. I placed you; you were on the holy mountain of God; in the midst of the stones of fire you walked.

Eze 28:15 You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created, till unrighteousness was found in you.

Eze 28:16 In the abundance of your trade you were filled with violence in your midst, and you sinned; so I cast you as a profane thing from the mountain of God, and I destroyed you, O guardian cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.

Eze 28:17 Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor. I cast you to the ground; I exposed you before kings, to feast their eyes on you.

Eze 28:18 By the multitude of your iniquities, in the unrighteousness of your trade you profaned your sanctuaries; so I brought fire out from your midst; it consumed you, and I turned you to ashes on the earth in the sight of all who saw you.

Eze 28:19 All who know you among the peoples are appalled at you; you have come to a dreadful end and shall be no more forever."

Revelation 12:3-9 great dragon will be thrown down into Hell

• Those in special confines of hell – Jude6-7;Jud 1:6 And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day--

• re. Genesis 6 (the perversion of marriage by demonic influence) though other demons may be released for a season – Revelation 9:1-2, 20:3

Men of the Days of Noah v.2:5 After 120 years of “gospel” preaching Genesis6:3; 1Peter3:20 1Pe 3:20 because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.

• Like in the days of Paul and Peter and us - Romans 1:18ff.

• Against the preaching of Noah - Hebrews 11:17 Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

• Carrying on “business as usual” - Luke17:26-27 Luk 17:26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.

Luk 17:27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.

Sodom and Gomorrah v.2:6 Wicked by God's standards - Genesis 13:1 (when Lot was moving that direction); 18:20 Gen 18:20 And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;

• Just trying to keep the economy on track by the world's standards –Luke17:28Luk 17:28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;

Luk 17:29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.

• The focus of the people was so devoid of God that their lifestyle and desires were quite comfortable though contrary to nature. Romans 1:24-27

• Abraham interceded – Genesis18:22ff

• Lot warned Genesis19:7, 14

These men continued in rebellion in spite of God's gracious pleas. (We do not know about the angels' opportunities to repent)

PROOF OF DELIVERANCE encouraging true believers

Noah v.2:5

• Delivered from the pollution of his world

  • Not by isolation - Noah was among the unbelievers preaching as he worked.

  • By enabling of God Jesus' prayer for you – John17:15Joh 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

Joh 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word

• Raising kids in a world so wicked they could have no friends who were believers However, God found believing wives for Noah's three sons and God guarded their homes against the pollution of that world.

• Delivered from judgment of the world. The flood that condemned the world lifted Noah and his family above the judgment

Lot v.2:6-8

• Grace (and grace alone) of God is evident in the life of Lot.

  • Lot chose his dwelling based on its resemblance to Egypt Genesis13:10

  • Lot moved closer and closer to Sodom until he was in the middle of it being vexed by the immorality Genesis13:12; 14:12

  • God tried to have Lot rescued from Sodom by a local war, but he went right back. Genesis 14

  • Abraham had more influence over Sodom (and everything else) from outside Sodom than Lot did inside.

• Peter did not point to Lot as an example of separated living, but as a saved man whom God delivered from pollution and condemnation.

  • Evidence of the Holy Spirit's work in Lot -

    • Reverence for the holy messengers of God

    • Though he hesitated at first, he obeyed God's command to leave city

    • He warned his sons-in-law

    • He refused to look back

    • His spirit was oppressed by the filthy, sensual conduct of the wicked

• Rescued (along with two of his daughters) from judgment.

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE FAITHFUL

• God can save from judgment.

  • Jesus is our ark. By His sacrifice on the cross, we are lifted out of destruction. We will never face judgment (John5:24) because He suffered our judgment on the cross and was raised to prove that it took

• God can save from the pollution of the world.

  • We are to work to prove our election by walking separated from the world

  • We are to pray for deliverance from evil

  • Jesus is at the right hand of the Father ever making intercession for us.

For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus

Christ, who died for us... 1Thessalonians5:9-10

WARNING FOR THE UNJUST (those not counted righteous by the imputed

righteousness of Jesus)

• In spite of God's demonstrations of grace in this life, He will reserve those unrighteous for punishment.

Therefore we persuade men - 2Corinthians 5:11 - knowing the terror of the Lord.

Reservations and Deliverance 2Peter2:1-9

You may have heard of “deliverance ministries” these days. Of course, we know that there is no deliverer other than Jesus, but Jesus involves us in what He is doing. Next week we will look at confronting evil spirits in our day. Today's scripture tells us that “the Lord knows how to deliver the godly...” v.9 There is much interest in God's delivering. But, the scripture also tells us that “the Lord knows how to … reserve the unjust (ungodly) under punishment for the day of judgment.” There is much less interest in this ministry of God. However, the same God who “delivers” also “reserves.”

It is not difficult to find books, radio, TV programs, and internet sites peddling deliverance with amazing testimonies. Peter here records some amazing testimonies of judgment. These are compared to the ends of those who teach unbiblical doctrines which give the position of preeminence to anything other than Jesus.

PROOF OF JUDGMENT denouncing apostates

Fallen Angels v.2:4 Most details are still a mystery

• What we know: Isaiah 14:12-21;Isa 14:12 "How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low!

Isa 14:13 You said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north;

Isa 14:14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.'

Isa 14:15 But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit.

Isa 14:16 Those who see you will stare at you and ponder over you: 'Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms,

Isa 14:17 who made the world like a desert and overthrew its cities, who did not let his prisoners go home?'

Ezekiel 28:12-19; Eze 28:12 "Son of man, raise a lamentation over the king of Tyre, and say to him, Thus says the Lord GOD: "You were the signet of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.

Eze 28:13 You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, emerald, and carbuncle; and crafted in gold were your settings and your engravings. On the day that you were created they were prepared.

Eze 28:14 You were an anointed guardian cherub. I placed you; you were on the holy mountain of God; in the midst of the stones of fire you walked.

Eze 28:15 You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created, till unrighteousness was found in you.

Eze 28:16 In the abundance of your trade you were filled with violence in your midst, and you sinned; so I cast you as a profane thing from the mountain of God, and I destroyed you, O guardian cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.

Eze 28:17 Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor. I cast you to the ground; I exposed you before kings, to feast their eyes on you.

Eze 28:18 By the multitude of your iniquities, in the unrighteousness of your trade you profaned your sanctuaries; so I brought fire out from your midst; it consumed you, and I turned you to ashes on the earth in the sight of all who saw you.

Eze 28:19 All who know you among the peoples are appalled at you; you have come to a dreadful end and shall be no more forever."

Revelation 12:3-9 great dragon will be thrown down into Hell

• Those in special confines of hell – Jude6-7;Jud 1:6 And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day--

• re. Genesis 6 (the perversion of marriage by demonic influence) though other demons may be released for a season – Revelation 9:1-2, 20:3

Men of the Days of Noah v.2:5 After 120 years of “gospel” preaching Genesis6:3; 1Peter3:20 1Pe 3:20 because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.

• Like in the days of Paul and Peter and us - Romans 1:18ff.

• Against the preaching of Noah - Hebrews 11:17 Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

• Carrying on “business as usual” - Luke17:26-27 Luk 17:26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.

Luk 17:27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.

Sodom and Gomorrah v.2:6 Wicked by God's standards - Genesis 13:1 (when Lot was moving that direction); 18:20 Gen 18:20 And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;

• Just trying to keep the economy on track by the world's standards –Luke17:28Luk 17:28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;

Luk 17:29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.

• The focus of the people was so devoid of God that their lifestyle and desires were quite comfortable though contrary to nature. Romans 1:24-27

• Abraham interceded – Genesis18:22ff

• Lot warned Genesis19:7, 14

These men continued in rebellion in spite of God's gracious pleas. (We do not know about the angels' opportunities to repent)

PROOF OF DELIVERANCE encouraging true believers

Noah v.2:5

• Delivered from the pollution of his world

  • Not by isolation - Noah was among the unbelievers preaching as he worked.

  • By enabling of God Jesus' prayer for you – John17:15Joh 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

Joh 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word

• Raising kids in a world so wicked they could have no friends who were believers However, God found believing wives for Noah's three sons and God guarded their homes against the pollution of that world.

• Delivered from judgment of the world. The flood that condemned the world lifted Noah and his family above the judgment

Lot v.2:6-8

• Grace (and grace alone) of God is evident in the life of Lot.

  • Lot chose his dwelling based on its resemblance to Egypt Genesis13:10

  • Lot moved closer and closer to Sodom until he was in the middle of it being vexed by the immorality Genesis13:12; 14:12

  • God tried to have Lot rescued from Sodom by a local war, but he went right back. Genesis 14

  • Abraham had more influence over Sodom (and everything else) from outside Sodom than Lot did inside.

• Peter did not point to Lot as an example of separated living, but as a saved man whom God delivered from pollution and condemnation.

  • Evidence of the Holy Spirit's work in Lot -

    • Reverence for the holy messengers of God

    • Though he hesitated at first, he obeyed God's command to leave city

    • He warned his sons-in-law

    • He refused to look back

    • His spirit was oppressed by the filthy, sensual conduct of the wicked

• Rescued (along with two of his daughters) from judgment.

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE FAITHFUL

• God can save from judgment.

  • Jesus is our ark. By His sacrifice on the cross, we are lifted out of destruction. We will never face judgment (John5:24) because He suffered our judgment on the cross and was raised to prove that it took

• God can save from the pollution of the world.

  • We are to work to prove our election by walking separated from the world

  • We are to pray for deliverance from evil

  • Jesus is at the right hand of the Father ever making intercession for us.

For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus

Christ, who died for us... 1Thessalonians5:9-10

WARNING FOR THE UNJUST (those not counted righteous by the imputed

righteousness of Jesus)

• In spite of God's demonstrations of grace in this life, He will reserve those unrighteous for punishment.

Therefore we persuade men - 2Corinthians 5:11 - knowing the terror of the Lord.

Trust Worthy Word – Untrustworthy Teachers 1Peter1.19-2:3

Resuming Peter's letters to the scattered pilgrims (believers in Jesus) who are in the world but citizens of heaven – In the first letter, Peter warned of and comforted sufferers of physical threats. In the second letter, Peter addresses the threats of teaching that is contrary to the Word and character of God. Peter began this second letter reminding believers of the value of the relationship they have with God in Jesus and the source of that relationship – the Sovereign Lord.

He continues by writing about the danger of teaching that contradicts the revelation of God in Holy Scripture.

THE VALUE OF THE WORD OF GOD V.19

• More Valuable (“sure”)than personal experience or observation v.19 The experience of Peter and the other apostles (such as the experience on the mountain when Jesus was transfigured and Moses and Elijah appeared) confirmed the prophetic word that God gave to reveal His plan (Jesus). However, the proclaimed Word is a more sure evidence of Divine revelation than miracles.

  • The Old Testament words pointing to God's redemptive plan through Messiah can be studied as thorough and objective. i.e.

  • Phillip – Acts8:27-36

  • Jesus -

    • on the road to Emmaus Luke24:27

    • after eating with the disciples Luke 24:44-48

  • The prophesies were to bring about obedience of faith Romans 16:26

• Worth Heeding – As a light to one who is hopelessly lost in the dark. The heeding is to continue until the day of his second, last, and most glorious appearing to judge the world.

THE SOURCE OF THE WORD OF GOD V.21

• Not personal (human) source or origin v.20

• Not by human will v.21

• Rather, by the Continual Carrying/bearing along by the Breath of God (2Timothy 3:16) as winds in the sails moves a sailing vessel across the water.

• Therefore All Scripture is Worthy of All Belief. Acts24:14

DISTORTION OF THE WORD OF GOD 2;1-3a

• From Within the Church “among you”

  • Thus the need for teaching doctrine – 2Timothy 4:2-4; Romans 16:17

  • Thus the need to learn doctrine – Titus 1:9b

• Secret; Destructive (damnable KJV); Heresies

  • Deceptive – replacing God-centered worship with man-centered activities sin vs self-esteem; repentance and holiness vs felt needs

  • Destructive to the teachers and their followers

  • Heresies = opinions, especially self-willed opinions which substitute for submission to the power of truth and lead to division. (W.E. Vines) i.e. “How do you feel about this verse?” or “I just don't believe God would do that or be like that.”

• Denying the Master/Lord = sovereign ruler who:

  • Redeemed the elect out of the market place as when a slave who moves at the whim of his master, is purchased and set free

  • Made payment which was specific and effectual. There are none for whom Jesus died who are in Hell. Although His sacrifice is sufficient to save all mankind, it is only efficient/effective to save those who come to Him by faith (which is a gift of God).

  • Offered Himself as sacrifice for those absolutely powerless to redeem themselves. If I have any power over a situation, there is a good chance I will mess it up. But you and I have no power to set ourselves free from the bondage of sin. Therefore we need an all-sufficient Savior to do what we cannot.

  • NOTE: Since salvation is totally a work of God, it is totally trustworthy. If you have not been part of the work of salvation, except as you were moved by the Spirit of God, you have not messed it up. Phippians 2:13 For it is God who worketh in you, both to will and to accomplish, according to his good will.

• Senses Replace Scripture

  • Many will follow the message of: riches can be yours; pull yourself up by your own bootstraps; there are many roads to God, choose you that suits you...

  • The truth will be made light of.

So focus on the light of scriptural revelation until you get to see the revelation of the face of Jesus. The Word of God and Jesus the Son of God are trustworthy.

God Knows About Artaxerxes Ezra 8.21-23

Ezra 1:1b -” ...the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing ...” God wanted Cyrus to build Him a house at Jerusalem and any Jew that wanted to go, could go build a temple for the Lord, the God of Israel. And the people who lived around any Jew who wanted to help build the house of the Lord, were to assist him with silver, gold, supplies, pack animals, and freewill offerings for the house of God in Jerusalem.

Proverbs 21:1 The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.

Ezra 6;14b “They finished their building by decree of the God of Israel and by decree of Cyrus and Darius and Artaxerxes king of Persia...”

v.22 “And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy, for the Lord had made them joyful and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, so that he aided them in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.”

The historical book of Ezra is an account of Sovereign God acting on the desires of men's hearts to accomplish His will for His glory. Ezra the scribe (Ezra 7; Nehemiah 8) was skilled in keeping accurate records and in particular knowing the interpretation and application of the Word of God. Ezra was probably the compiler of the books of Ezra and Nehemiah (which were one book in Christian literature until the 3^rd century and remain so in the Hebrew Bible).

Ezra and Nehemiah were written while Israel was still under Persian rule. The purpose at the time was probably to reveal that God, the Sovereign Lord of All was redeeming Israel and reestablishing true worship among them. It also reminds us today that our Redeemer God still “turns hearts wherever He will.” We need to be like Ezra – Paying Attention to God's History; Revering God's Holiness; and Seeking God's Help for His Glory as we cooperate with the Holy Spirit in Jesus' Name.

PAYING ATTENTION TO GOD'S HISTORY

• Ezra knew what to look for.

  • Knew the Word of God v.1:1a

  • Recognized God's action v.1:1b

• Ezra gave an accurate account (verifiable) [see stats in Chap.2 as with witnesses to Jesus' resurrection 1Corithians 15:5-8] How miraculous does something have to be to be a miracle. Tell what you know and can verify or what comes from people you know and can trust to verify. Keep statistics real Jesus fulfilling 8 prophecies is plenty.

REVERING GOD'S HOLINESS V.7:10

• “Ezra had set his heart...”

  • God: calls us– John15:16;

  • moves us- Proverbs 21:1;

  • equips us – Luke 24:45; 2Corinthians 3:14; to “set our hearts”

• “...to study the Law of the Lord...” The law of the Lord reveals His character - holiness

• “...and to do it...” John13:17

• “...and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.” Matthew 28:19-20

• The people of God separated themselves – even from help of non-believers vv.4:1-3; chptrs9-10

• Repentance was community wide v.9:3,ff.

  • Sorrow and

  • Correction see also Nehemiah13:23-30

SEEKING GOD'S HELP FOR HIS GLORY Vv.8:21-23

• Bragging on Jesus will often require depending on Jesus God knew about the opposition and the support Vv.4:7-24; 5:8-6:12 See Joshua chapters 3&4 – God often works upstream and out of sight.

Ezra the scribe the priest noticed God's movement around him and was careful to respect and present God as holy. In doing these he put himself in God's hands so that God would have to be God in his life.

He did these things knowing God only by God's revelation of Himself through history and the law. We can know God personally through Jesus. How should we live? Do you know God by history, law, or relationship?