Return to the Word of God Ez 7:10 (2)

Return to the Word God

Ezra 7:10 KJV 1900

For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.

When evangelist John Wesley (1703–1791) was returning home from a service one night, he was robbed. The thief, however, found his victim to have only a little money and some Christian literature.

As the bandit was leaving, Wesley called out, “Stop! I have something more to give you.” The surprised robber paused. “My friend,” said Wesley, “you may live to regret this sort of life. If you ever do, here’s something to remember: ‘The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin!’“ The thief hurried away, and Wesley prayed that his words might bear fruit.

Years later, Wesley was greeting people after a Sunday service when he was approached by a stranger. What a surprise to learn that this visitor, now a believer in Christ as a successful businessman, was the one who had robbed him years before!

“I owe it all to you,” said the transformed man. “Oh no, my friend,” Wesley exclaimed, “not to me, but to the precious blood of Christ that cleanses us from all sin.

Words make a difference and the word of God pierces hearts changing things in the lives of those who it reaches. In fact the Bible says “faith come by hearing and from the word of God.” This truth is made clear in the book of Ezra.

Ezra was a Scribe from the High Priestly family (Aaron), he had dedicated his life to the Law of the Lord therefore God’s hand was upon him. God used him in a mighty way when God moved upon Artaxerxes to send worship leaders to return to Jerusalem to restructure the worship of Judea.

God brought judgment on Judah because of their Idolatry. Judah had gone into captivity in three waves they would return in three ways, the book of Ezra records the return of the first two waves of captives. Ezra lead a band of Israelites (1500) for 4 months and 900 miles to find the spiritual condition of Judea bankrupt, they had disobeyed the Law of God and intermarried with the Canaanites of the land, why is this a big deal? Because it was against God’s Law but also because of Idolatry that had been introduced due to intermarriage.

The Bible does not give specific description of Ezra proclaiming the Law of the LORD to the Jews in Judea but in Ezra 10:10-11 he addresses their sin. Since Ezra had set his heart to the study, obedience, and teaching of the Law there is no doubt that he in fact proclaimed the Word of God as he stood and addresses the sins of the people. Ezra 10:12 tells the people repented of their sin and put away their foreign wives, therefore returning to the Word of God.

Our world today is not much different, we have turned away from the Word of God and live our lives to whatever extent pleases us. We are wrapped in idolatry, worshipping the god of success and personal pleasure. Even the state of self proclaim Christians (who are suppose to be light to the dark world) are spiritually bankrupt because they are living under the Word of God but not in nor by the Word of God. Did you know that 3 out of 5 Christians can not recall the names of the 1st four books of the N.T.?

CPS: It is time we (Christians) return to the Word of God by setting our hearts on the Word of God so the World will be changed and worship will be restructured from “me” to “Him!”

I. This World will be changed when we Christians set our hearts to the study of God’s Word! vs. 10 a

Let’s keep in mind the context of this text, Ezra was a scribe and priest but I want to testify to you today that the study of God’s Word is not left up to the vocational minister, it has been given to us to examine for ourselves.

The conjunction “for”, (the good hand of the Lord was upon Ezra) Why? Because he prepared his heart. prepared (kûwn, koon) he erected his heart “set up”. The idea of having his life firmly established.

The Verb “seek’ (dârash, daw-rash) careful inquiry. “To see or dig in” study is not a quick read nor listening to a sermon by your favorite preacher but it is careful examination of the Word of God. When you go to the Dr. you don’t him to just look at you but to examine you. Like Ezra we are to examine the Scriptures carefully!

A scientist tells of his early years at college, he entered into the lab of one of the professors at Harvard and tells him “I want to be a zoologist and I have purposed myself to this task.” The professor asked “when do you wish to begin?” “Now” the student replied, this seemed to please the professor, “very well” said the professor as he reached for a huge jar of specimen on the shelf and set before him a fish. “take this fish and look at it.” the professor left… the young man looked at the fish for a while thinking “its a fish.” Several hours pass by and he is looking at the fish… then the young man begins to notice feature of the fish... he sees fleshly lips, lidless eyes, spinous fin,… the professor returns and asked what he has noticed… “good but look again, the young man goes back to his task for several more hours, then he looks beyond the fish.. pulls out a sheet of paper and a pencil and sketches the fish, he notices it has symmetrical sides, paired organs, 450 scales then the professor returns and asks his findings… “good good” replied the professor “keep on looking… look, look, look”

I am convinced this was Ezra’s attitude toward the Law of the LORD (1st 5 books) Contextualized today when can apply this to the complete cannon of Scripture... This is to be our attitude toward the Word of God, because it is the way God has chosen to reveal Himself to wayward mankind. Without careful examination of the Word of God we can't know and understand His righteousness, His love for us, His redemptive purposes, His plan for the faithful, and His plan for the faithless.

What the world needs now is a people of faith who know and understand the Word of God like the back of their own hand, are you that Christian? Without setting our hearts on the study of the word of God we can never walk in closeness to Him and will be unprepared to bring forth the light of the world that Jesus commissioned us to be.

II. This world will be changed when we Christians set our hearts to living out the Word of God! vs. 10 b

Ezra was a wise man (Ezra 7:25) understood that the study of God’s Word was of utmost value yet with out without living it out the study was in vain. What is the difference between wisdom and knowledge: Application!

to do (aw-saw´) obey the Law of the Lord. The Word of God is not to make you smarter but to make you into the likeness of Christ Jesus. we are to work out what God has worked in! I am convinced this what the Apostle Paul was teaching in Phil. 2:12-13

Philippians 2:12–13 KJV 1900

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Gipsy Smith (British Evangelist 19th and 20th century) told of a man who said he had received no inspiration from the Bible although he had “gone through it several times.” “Let it go through you once,” replied Smith, “then you will tell a different story!”

Are you putting the Word of God to use in your life? Have you let the Word of God “go through you.” It is a fact that the Word of God is the final author in not only doctrine but also deed. This is something Ezra understood before the fulness of the Scriptures were established.

What the World needs right now are Christians who exemplify obedience to the Lord who back up their talk by their deeds becoming light to a world full of darkness.

III. This world will be changed when we Christians set our hearts to teaching God’s Word! vs. 10 c

Here Ezra shows the result of diligent study and application, He taught the Law! It’s not enough to study and apply a Christian is called to teach. What did Jesus say about it?

Matthew 28:18–20 KJV 1900

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Teach (lâmad, law-mad) - Idea of causing one to learn, The intentional teaching of God’s Word has a purpose... it is to cause other to come to faith in the Lord, to study the Word of God for themselves, to live out the Word of God in their lives.

I have been so fortunate to have many great teachers/mentors in my life. Had it not been for someone taking an interest in me there is no way of knowing where I would be right now. Let us individually set our hearts to teaching God’s word so that others will come to faith.

Do you know what they say about teachers?

* The mediocre teaches tells

* The good teacher explains

*The superior teacher demonstrates

*The great teacher inspires

What the world needs now are Christians who will rise up and faithfully teach the Word of God. (Who is your area of influence)

Conclusion: Why is this important? We see the hand of God was upon Ezra due to his dedication to the Word of God and if we are dedicated to the Word of God I am convinced that God’s gracious hand will be upon us and His Word will radiate through every aspect of our lives and the Word of God which is living and effective and sharper than any two edged sword will penetrate through to soul of the hardest on earth bringing about repentance and a return to God through faith in Jesus Christ.