Headwinds

Introduction:

· One of the largest rebuilding projects in Israel’s history – and sometimes rebuilding is frustrated

· E-N tells the story of a massive rebuilding project: God’s dwelling, His kingdom in the world

ONE OF THE THEMES THAT COMES UP – THE HEADWINDS! TODAY, WE’RE GOING TO LOOK AT HOW TO FACE THREE SPECIFIC TYPES OF OPPOSITION TO GOD’S WORK.

I) Don’t Assimilate When The World Invites Compromise

A. The Enemy’s Playbook Part I: “Assimilate!”

i. An offer too good to turn down? (vv. 1-2)

1. A generous offer to people in need? Zerubbabel meets the neighbors

2. Not Pride, but spiritual compromise with “adversaries” (2 Kings 17:33-34)

2 Kings 17:33–34 ESV

So they feared the Lord but also served their own gods, after the manner of the nations from among whom they had been carried away. To this day they do according to the former manner. They do not fear the Lord, and they do not follow the statutes or the rules or the law or the commandment that the Lord commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel.

3. On the surface they are the same, but critical differences lie beneath

ii. Sometimes “fitting in” seems like the best option for us

1. Partnering with those who compromise invites that influence

2. EXAMPLE: Baal/Asherah altars in the temple: “Our money, our temple!”

B. Assimilation’s Fatal Flaws

i. “Christianity & Other religions are different on the surface but same underneath.

1. One way we compromise: The mountain, don’t evangelize, impose

2. The Problem: this assumes an intellectually superior perspective

ii. Assimilation leads to a loss of faith (vs. 3)

1.  Adapt to the world àRelevant, appealing à LOSS OF FAITH! (2 Kg.)

2. APPLICATION: When faced with opportunity to compromise, stand firm!

WHEN THE SAMARITANS HEAR THIS REJECTION, THEY DON’T TAKE IT VERY WELL.

II) Don’t Be Discouraged When Hostility Comes

A. The Enemy’s Playbook Part II: Hostility

i. The True colors emerge: A campaign of hostility (vv. 4-5, 6-23)

1. The Samaritans switch tactics: Bullying, harassment, corruption

2. Ezra emphasizes how this effort persisted for decades

ii. Jesus Promises that His Church Will Face Hostility (John 15:18-19)

John 15:18–19 ESV

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

1. Jesus calls us to follow him…& warns of persecution: Prophets, me, You!

2. ILLUSTRATION: Paul; Apostles die brutal deaths; Spurgeon: Depressed;

3. ILLUSTRATION: “Christians are bigots” “The church is outdated…”

B. Don’t Be Discouraged to Despair

i. The Failure of Israel (and the Temptation for us): Move on! (6:24)

1. Opposition, discouragement àThey don’t stop believing…but reprioritize

2. APPLICATION: God calls us to do difficult things (Plant a church; share the gospel; adopt; we get discouraged, and other things take over

ii. The Voice of the Prophets Comforts…and Corrects (5:1-2, 6:14)

1. Twice, the prophets come to minister: Comfort…AND repentance

2. APPLICATION: Some: hear a call to comfort; others a call to repent

THE FINAL WAY THAT THE ENEMY SHOWS UP, IS WEARING A WHITE SUIT AND CARRIYNG A CLIPBOARD.

III) Trust The Providence of God When Obstacles Mount! (5:1-5 6:13-15)

A. The Enemy’s Playbook Pt. III: Red Tape!

i. Sometimes The Enemy wears a suit: (5:1-5)

1. Tattenai & Shethar-Bozenai are bureaucrats who question the paperwork

2. Sometimes the enemy works through inconvenience rather than hostility

ii. The Church isn’t exempt from the thorns & thistles that make ministry difficult

1. EXAMPLE: a Church in DC is told feeding the homeless isn’t allowed

2. APPLICATION: The CRC church Plantingàregulations? Expenses? Bureaucracy?

B. The Eye of God Remains Upon His People (5:5, 6:13-15)

i. God allows the work to continue

1. As the matter is sorted, work goes on under God’s sovereign watch

2. The outcome: Darius allows the work to proceed AND he funds it all!

ii. God guarantees that the work will succeed

1. Jesus calls us to follow him, take up a cross for the sake of his kingdom

2. The church that Jesus loves, and dies for, will prevail

Transition:

Conclusion

Pastor Ezra Jin