God's Word Leads to Worship (Pt. 1)

Intro

Because I have moved around a few times, I have also experienced some emotional “homecomings” after a long time away

Talk about visiting Dallas in my first year of Bible school (2004) and with Karen (2013)

These times are emotional; a flood of memories returning

But they would also pale in comparison to the experience of the children of Israel during the time of the book of Ezra

They had been taken into captivity away from their home for over 50 years!

Had to trust that God would bring them back (which He had promised to do)

Their home (the Promised Land) was also a key to their status as God’s people

It was tied up to the hope that they had in God; the land was crucial

So if we can keep this in mind, we can start to imagine how they must have felt when they returned home

Ezra 1 = King Cyrus of Persia decrees a group may return to rebuild (specifically the Temple)

Ezra 2 = A very specific list of who returned (over 50,000 people!)

A list may not seem compelling, but this was a HUGE development for the people; they returned HOME

Ezra 3 = We start to see what the people did once they returned

Read Ezra 3:1-7 and pray

First Thing’s First

What they did first shows us what their priority was

And this is just like us! First thing’s first

Imagine what everyone will do first when they get home from camp: Talk to family, greet pets, message friends, play video games, go to sleep!

Whatever you choose to do first will show your priorities

In the case of the Israelites, the first thing they did (as recorded in Ezra), was to rebuild the altar for sacrifices

The altar was required for worship of the Lord according to the Law that the people had at that time

Briefly describe the bloody mess of the altar

This was worship! It looked VERY different *make joke here* but it was worship

As we continue to learn about God’s Word, we learn that God’s Word is leading us to worship

The Israelites had God’s Word (Law and Prophets) and it revealed to them a living God worthy of their worship

They had learned to trust Him (He brought them home, after all)

So they continued to trust Him

Motivation for building the altar = “for fear was on them because of the peoples of the lands” (v. 3)

Notice they didn’t build walls or arm themselves, but they dedicated themselves to worship

The same can be true for us; as we learn from God’s word, it will reveal to us a living God worthy of our worship

I don’t worship anyone or anything!

Sure you do! You worship whatever is the top priority in your life

Yourself, money, success, popularity, fame… we all worship something

Try these diagnostic questions from Kyle Idleman:

What disappoints you?

What do you complain about?

Where do you make financial sacrifices?

What worries you?

Where is your inner sanctuary?

What infuriates you?

What are your dreams?

I believe in God, but what does worship look like today?

Great question! It’s more than just music, and we will unpack this more as our day goes on

And the answers are still in God’s Word

We Need to Worship Accurately

Notice that Israel did not just haphazardly start worshipping again; they worshipped according to the letter of the Law

Multiple times they did things “as it is written” (v. 2; 4), “according to the rule” (v.4), “as required” (v. 4) and as the Lord “appointed” (v. 5)

Clearly, they wanted to do everything by the book (God’s Word)

This was in stark constrast to the mindset of the people before the exile

They were exiled out of disobedience to God and His law, despite patience and repeated warnings

Now that they are home, they have learned from their mistakes, and want to worship God accurately and obediently

Not only does God’s Word lead us to worship the one true God, it leads us to worship accurately

You believe in God? What does that mean? What does He look like? What is required of you?

Soooooo many potential different answers

Show the picture and warn away from “Starbucks spirituality”

In God’s Word, we learn about who He is, and who we are in Him

A significant way that the Bible is a lamp to our feet and light to our path

Because what is the point of worshipping someone we don’t know?

It is futile at best, and dangerous at worst

Point to the cautionary tale of Jephthah in Judges 11 (Cf. Judges 11:30-35)

His rash vow cost him his daughter, something God would NEVER require

So take the time to get to know God through His Word

You will find that He is all powerful, holy, jealous and pure

You will also find that He is loyal, loving, merciful and deeply desires to be with you

From this knowledge of God, we can make him our priority (first thing’s first) and worship Him truly (in relationship with Him)

Of course, all of this is only possible through Jesus, as we will discover this afternoon

Pray