God's Word is to be Obeyed (Pt. 1)

Intro

Recap where our story has gone so far; lead into the topic of obedience

I think obedience gets a bad rap

Easy to think of it as something that gets in the way of having fun

I’m sure you can all think of ways your parents ask for obedience that you don’t appreciate

In fact, we don’t always look for obedience in others well

Its demanded, bribed, threatened, coerced, guilted, you name it

I have been guilty of all of these with my children

Yet as I became a parent, I learned much more about God’s perspective on obedience

NOT designed for domination or to take away joy

Much more about desiring what is best for someone else and to see them thrive

Like limiting sugar amounts out here at camp so they don’t get sick and throw up; or require them to not visit the water alone so they don’t drown

As we finish our journey through the book of Ezra, obedience takes centre stage

And sure enough, it is the type of obedience that is designed for our own benefit

So don’t let some pre-conceived ideas turn you off to a call to obey

Obedience is a vital part of a real realtionship with God that can be fulfilling and yes, even a lot of fun

Set Your Heart on God’s Word (Ezra 7:10)

We FINALLY meet Ezra, the author of the book in chapter 7

Read Ezra 7:10.

Time has jumped about 60 years ahead

New king is on the throne of the empire (Artaxerxes)

Ezra is a priest

Not only that, but a well-recognized scribe who was “skilled in the Law of Moses”

He was an expert on the Law; an expert in God’s Word to His people

He was also following God’s call on his life to go and teach God’s Word in the temple in Jerusalem

Because of this, we see a great example of obedience

Set your heart

Ezra was determined to study and follow the Word of God

“set his heart” = “devoted himself”

Share about commitment to marching band and learning 4 mallet on marimba

Show picture of 4 mallet marimba technique and video of marching band

What are you devoted to? What have you set your heart upon?

Could be friends, family, grades, sports, video games, or nothing at all

Obviously, some of these are more valuable than others; you would do well to follow Ezra’s example and set your hearts on God’s Word

Ezra’s example for following God:

Study

This was what we are doing together!

Don’t let it stop

Attend church, youth group, Bible studies, your own devos

Set your heart on studying the Word of God

Obey

Study is never just for the sake of study; it needs to be put into practice through obedience

What we see from Ezra is just one way that he is living out what he is learning about his faith

This needs to be true for us, too

Cf. James 2:14-16.

Knowing without doing is dead; obedience is required

Teach

Ezra learned, he put it into practice, and then he encouraged others to do the same

Easy for me as a pastor; I LOVE teaching

But this doesn’t have to be formal; just pass on what God is teaching you to someone else

Often works best with those who look up to you

Talk about the mentor/mentee program at SCS

Who in your life can you pass along some lessons?

Obey God or Obey the World (Ezra 8:21-23)

As Ezra obeys God’s call to go to Jerusalem, he gathers others (for the purpose of temple worship) and heads out

With the king’s blessing

Notice how this is now the 3rd king that God has moved to help His people and His worship

But the group is worried about bandits ambushing them along the way

Share Silas’ ongoing concern about “bandits” in Steinbach

A legit concern for Ezra and his party, as they had no guards

Ezra’s dilemma: Obey God or obey the world?

Read Ezra 8:21-23.

Obey the world’s wisdom and ask for an armed escort

This is what trusting in the world would look like (common sense)

Didn’t seem much of an option, because he was literally bragging that God would see them through

Obey God’s call to go to Jerusalem and trust Him to come through

Shows that obedience always includes TRUST

At least in a healthy way; to obey God requires us to trust God, especially when He asks us to do something that goes agains the grain

Like journey without an armed escort

Ezra’s response:

Prayer and fasting

Didn’t just pray, but “implored” God

Have you prayed this way?

Fasting can help

Has anyone tried fasting?

Talk about 30 Hour Famine as a youth pastor; thinking it was dumb to stay awake while so hungry

Fasting as a healthy spiritual discipline is about focusing our prayers, so we “implore” God with our requests that mean so much to us

As Ezra and the others prayed and fasted, God listened

This is one promise of Scripture we should always remember

Active obedience

To no one’s surprise, Ezra chose to trust and obey God, and set off for Jerusalem without any military protection

Obedience is the Way to Blessing (Ezra 8:31-34)

God’s hand was upon Ezra in his obedience

In fact, “God’s hand was upon me” is the prevailing theme in these chapters

We see it 7 times!

God’s hand = strength, provision and care

He is active in making sure that Ezra and his group are cared for

Remember, God’s word is powerful enough to make things happen

Ezra boasted that “the hand of God is for good on all who seek him” (v. 22)

One significant way we seek Him is through our obedience

Not just knowledge, but relationship in action

The end result was one of blessing; obedience is for your own good

Obedience is designed to help us avoid self-inflicted wounds

The exile a perfect example for Israel

Drunkenness an example for our time

Cf. Ephesians 5:18.

Perfect way to avoid puking, losing control of your actions and doing something you regret, passing out, forgetting what happened… don’t get drunk in the first place

Share my own “party” experience and realize I hadn’t missed out on anything

Obedience is also designed to be the path to blessing and fulfillment

The return from exile was proof of this for the Israelites

Other side of the coin in Ephesians 5:18 = be filled with the Spirit

Way better, guilt free path to fulfillment, joy and fun

Look around to the examples at camp

Because God knows what is best, since He created you in the first place

Make the analogy of using the books I was gifted to prop up a table leg

Cf. Psalm 119:1-3.

Conclusion

Ezra’s example has taught us our big idea for today: God’s Word is: to be obeyed

What is your attitude toward obedience, especially to God?

Does it seem stifling, boring, unfair and limiting?

I challenge you to put the words of the Bible into practice, and test that theory

My guess is that you will find obedience to God’s word to be joyful, fulfilling, peaceful and even fun

Pray