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EZRA THE SCRIBE

TEXTEzra 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 KEYEZRA 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?