Problems or Possibilities

Introduction: When things change

How do you react when change happens?

How do you react when disappointment hits?

Are you silent but deadly?

Are you a passive aggressive cabinet opener/slammer

Are you an aggressive ‘I’m coming at you like spider-monkey’

Here is one more question: How do you react when you are disappointed with God?

What cabinet do you close loudly to get God’s attention because of an expectation you had that wasn’t met

Do you go silent?

What has led up to Ezra:

This was a big deal, 70 years had passed and now the promise of God’s people returning was being fulfilled

The words of Isaiah the prophet were being fulfilled:

Isaiah 45:1-4 Cyrus called by name 150 years prior to this moment

Ezra 1:1-2 - Isaiah’s words are fulfilled

The words of Jeremiah the prophet were being fulfilled

Jeremiah 29:10 NLT

10 This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again.

Jeremiah 29:5 NLT

5 “Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce.

Jeremiah 29:7 NLT

7 And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.”

Jeremiah 29:10 - God promises to bring them back

Jeremiah 29:10 NLT

10 This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again.

Jeremiah 29:11–14 NLT

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. 14 I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”

TWO RESPONSES: Weeping and Celebration

Ezra 3:10–11 NLT

10 When the builders completed the foundation of the Lord’s Temple, the priests put on their robes and took their places to blow their trumpets. And the Levites, descendants of Asaph, clashed their cymbals to praise the Lord, just as King David had prescribed. 11 With praise and thanks, they sang this song to the Lord: “He is so good! His faithful love for Israel endures forever!” Then all the people gave a great shout, praising the Lord because the foundation of the Lord’s Temple had been laid.

This was their moment...

Ezra 3:12 NLT

12 But many of the older priests, Levites, and other leaders who had seen the first Temple wept aloud when they saw the new Temple’s foundation. The others, however, were shouting for joy.

1. Sometimes joy and pain are next door neighbors

Why? This was their moment:

they waited: 70 years

They got all dressed up: Priestly apparel with trumpets and cymbals

They prayed the right prayers: ‘He is good, His mercy endures forever’

AAAANNNNNNNNNDDDDDDDD...........nothing happened

The elders that were there remembered what was...

the new temple was built on the same foundations, they were the same size but the old temple was more elaborate and ornate

The OLD Temple:

Had surrounding buildings and courtyards

Solomon’s temple had gold and precious stones

It took 7 years to build at the hub of a thriving city...

The NEW temple:

Built in 4 years and surrounded by ruins

Can you imagine what Zerubbabel felt like? (insecurity much?)

Story: Doors would just NOT open for me in ministry

God’s presence but no job

I was disappointed but God was stripping me down so that I wouldn’t let my vocation/job/success define me

Apply: Take time to process

Mourn the loss / change / discomfort / disappointment

Disappointment doesn’t mean Disaster

but while the elders felt one way the other leaders felt something different...

Ezra 3:12–13 NLT

12 But many of the older priests, Levites, and other leaders who had seen the first Temple wept aloud when they saw the new Temple’s foundation. The others, however, were shouting for joy. 13 The joyful shouting and weeping mingled together in a loud noise that could be heard far in the distance.

2. I don’t want the memory of the past to be greater than my passion for the future

Those who were younger celebrated the fulfillment of the promises that their elders had told them about...

Some didn’t carry the burden of the past because they had only known exile

They only knew the stories that their elders had told them of what God was going to do, of God’s promise

To them THIS WAS IT!

A Few Things to Notice:

They built altars before they finished the temple

The New American Commentary: Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (1) The Altar and Sacrifices (3:1–6)

3:6 The point of v. 6 is that even though the sacrificial system had been reinstituted, there remained much to be done. For almost four hundred years Israel had connected worship necessarily with the temple. In fact, they had come to rely more on the temple than on the Lord (Jer 7). Now that the temple had been destroyed and they had discovered God’s presence even in exile, they could worship God even without a temple.

They celebrated the Feast of Tents

This was a celebration of God’s protection and providence

It was a visual declaration of their dependence on God

While this moment was a fulfillment of God’s promise, it was ONE part of many more that would ultimately lead to JESUS

Where they wouldn’t need a temple

Where they wouldn’t need only ‘certain’ people like priests

Where they would actually become the very temple that God’s presence wanted to dwell in (Acts 1:8)

Story: Talking to People on the phone recently

Apply: Look for the Possibilities

Ask “God, what am I not seeing in this? Show me your perspective?”

How are you challenging me to trust you right now

What does this mean for us?

Church, we may not be able to meet yet as we had before but let me assure you whole heartedly that we have NOT STOPPED BEING THE CHURCH that God has asked us to be

Tell stories of the Kokua Center

You helped to infuse the Koko Marina with $24,000 into local businesses

$1,000’s in groceries have been bought, delivered or gift cards

Yard work for our Aunty’s/Uncle’s/Kupuna completed

Hale Malamalama/Lunalilo Care Homes: games, stuffed animals, cleaning supplies, face masks were donated

Meal trains for members

Someone drove a Car full of goods to help with River of Life Homeless outreach

7/11 Saturday 900lbs of food and $2100 for Hawaii Food Bank

We’re learning how to be a shelter for those facing domestic violence

We’ve still been doing baptisms at people’s houses in their pools

We’ve launched an online service that will continue to reach and encourage locally and beyond

Conclusion: Review of 2020 Vision from Sept 2019

I see a church:

so life giving and so full of God’s presence

committed to searching for those far from God because God never stopped searching for us

I see a church that you are proud of and excited to invite your friends and family to

A church you are proud of…a church you are proud to give and tithe to

I see a church full of people connecting heart to heart and home to home

grandmas/pas, Aunties/Uncles and moms and dad’s speaking life, identity and purpose over the young people in our church

a church full of small groups meeting in homes all over Hawaii Kai

a church full of genuine life giving friendships

I see a church committed to growing and taking next steps…we will not be complacent

Where people and families are set free from generational habits, addictions and unhealthy thinking

So committed to praying, fasting and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us into His best

for a wave of revival to sweep Hawaii and the Pac-Rim

I see a church committed to discovering and developing the gifts in every person

Committed to serving our kids ministries, men’s and women’s ministries and small groups

raising up ministry leaders and marketplace leaders that will make a Jesus impact in Hawaii and the world

God using ordinary people to serve our city so that people open their hearts to God

A community center for families

Training center for leaders

Sending place for local/global missions

Could that look like a building that we can call our own?

Salvation Prayer

Prayer for our Future