God's Work Accomplished

Last Sunday we discussed the opposition to God’s work. It comes and goes with various intensities and focuses, but all opposition has one thing in common: a desire to see God dethroned and declare autonomy (see Psalm 2).

What we see in Scripture, however, is that God’s work is always accomplished. What God sets out to do, He does. The Scripture John read for us this morning discusses this.

As we continue to discuss God’s work in our failures, we are reminded of this truth that God’s work is always accomplished. Paul tells us this in Phil. 1:6, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

What we see in these two chapters of this book is how God’s work is accomplished. Though the thoughts we will focus on here this morning are found throughout this book, we will deal with them as they appear in the text. As we do, we will learn vital lessons for our own lives.

I. God’s Work is always accomplished through God’s Word- 5:1-17

The first truth we see is that God’s work is always accomplished through God’s Word. Think of creation. God spoke things into existence. Think of Christ, who is called the Word of God (John 1:1-3). Think of spiritual birth, of growth in holiness, of peace of mind, all built on the foundation of God’s Word.

Like a mighty tower which depends upon a solid foundation on which to stand, the lives of God’s people are built on the firm foundation of God’s Word. His Work, likewise, is accomplished through that Word. What we see as displayed here is that it was through the encouragement from the Word of God that the people were able to finish construction.

A. Encouragement through preaching- 5:1-2

Two prophets appear (one we discussed last week), Haggai and Zechariah, to encourage the people. They prophesied to the Jewish people, which involves foretelling, forthtelling, or both (see their books).

As a result of this preaching the people begin reconstructing the house of the Lord. They continued “supporting” them through the preaching of the Word of God.

What we see in these two verses is important for us today. God encourages His people through the Word of God proclaimed by God’s servants. We see this in such passages as Eph. 4:11-16 and 1 Pet. 5:1-3. We need to be encouraged by the Word of God to do the work of God.

Think of our bodies. When we fail to give them the energy they need (i.e., food), we feel sluggish and irritable. We are hangry. They need nourishment to do what we need to do. The encouragement from the word of God is the food that we need (1 Pet. 2:2).

It is from this foundation that the people of God were able to do the work of God. Brothers and sisters, we need this foundation as well, through corporate and individual worship.

B. Encouragement in spite of opposition- 5:3-17

As is often the case, God’s work does not proceed unopposed. At times we can view the life of a child of God through rose colored lens, but this is not the case. We are to expect it, not be surprised by it (see 1 John 3:13). But equally true is the fact that encouragement from God’s Word comes in spite of that opposition.

The opposition focuses on that previous letter discussed in chapter 4. We will not rehash everything there, but we do need to consider that opposition is relentless.

We live in a world that is opposed to God. We cannot ignore this fact, and it is a failure to keep this truth in our minds that leads us to hopelessness as we consider the present state of this country. Though Christians have enjoyed enormous freedoms to worship, we have become to tied to this nation, and it has blinded us to the opposition that is regularly manifesting itself against God.

Rather than discourage us, this should do the exact opposite. It should encourage us, because it drives us back to the Word of God and from that word we learn what is going on and what will happen.

God’s work is always accomplished through God’s Word. Let us cling to it, like a baby clinging to his momma in the midst of a bunch of strangers.

Though God’s work is always accomplished through God’s Word, we also see that God’s work is often accomplished through unlikely means.

II. God’s Work is often accomplished through unlikely means- 6:1-12

This is the second time in this book that a pagan king is used by God to accomplish His will (see 1:1-4). We learn from Scripture that God uses a variety of means to accomplish His will, and many times they are unlikely means. Barren women are used to bring the Messiah. A donkey communicates God’s message. A giant whale redirects Jonah. Persecution spreads the Gospel. Finite human beings are chosen to share the treasure of the Gospel.

It should not surprise us that God uses unlikely means to bring about His work, rather we should take a Romans 11:33-36 approach in worship and awe the wonders of God’s plans.

A. God used a pagan king

King Darius is the means by which God’s work continued. Like a pawn on a chess board, God established this pagan ruler and used him to allow the Jewish people the time and materials to reconstruct the temple.

Perhaps we need to be reminded of this truth. Though wicked people are in power, God’s work is accomplished, and sometimes through those very rulers opposed to God.

B. God used a pagan government

Perhaps this is more shocking because it involves a number of individuals. The fact remains, though, that God used the government of the Persian empire to help facilitate the construction of the temple.

To the Jewish people of Ezra’s day, this would have been the equivalent of Planned Parenthood helping out a pro-life organization. Yet, through the power of God, this is exactly what happened. We find ourselves surprised, but why?

Could it be that the people of God have a low view of God?Could it be that we, in this present age, see the government, or media, or whatever entity or person as more powerful than almighty God?

Perhaps the words of Isaiah the prophet need to be considered this morning, Isaiah 40:18-24

Isaiah 40:18–24 ESV

To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with him? An idol! A craftsman casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and casts for it silver chains. He who is too impoverished for an offering chooses wood that will not rot; he seeks out a skillful craftsman to set up an idol that will not move. Do you not know? Do you not hear? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in; who brings princes to nothing, and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness. Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth, when he blows on them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble.

God’s work is often accomplished through unlikely means, which is another way of saying God is sovereign enough to use anyone, including pagan governments and rulers, to do as He wishes. We know this, by the way, through the Word of God.

God’s work is always accomplished through His Word. Like a plant nourished by the soil, the water, and the sun, the Word of God is the means by which the believer grows and performs God’s work.

However, this in no way implies that God is confined to work as we think he should, or to limit him on the various ways that he chooses to accomplish his will. Often times He uses all sorts of means to bring about His work, even unlikely means. But there is one more thing we see from these two chapters, and this is the wonders of Scripture as a whole, and that is God’s Work pointed to something better.

III. God’s Work pointed to something better- 6:13-22

After the governor and his associates received this letter from King Darius, the work began and was ultimately finished. This task of about 20 years finally came to completion. I see four ways that God’s work here in Ezra chapter 6 specifically points to something better.

A. Their sacrifices pointed to the Sacrifice

They begin to worship the Lord through the sacrifices prescribed by the Law of Moses. As they had done for centuries, and as they would continue to do for several more centuries, the Jewish people sacrificed animals in worship and atonement.

Day after day, month after month, festival after festival, year after year, the Jewish people had, were, and would be sacrificing animals to atone for their sins. This was a shadow of something better, the author of Hebrews reminds us in Heb. 10:1-4. They could not take aways sins. Thus, they pointed to something greater, not to a lamb without blemish, but to the perfect Lamb of God that would take away the sins of the world.

B. Their worship pointed to greater Worship

Their worship, likewise, was pointing to something greater, greater worship. They had to be at the Temple, worshipping in accordance with the Law of Moses. This pointed to the greater worship provided through the Lamb of God (pascal lamb, see 1 Cor. 5:7) without separation (see Matt. 27:51).

Regardless of our physical location, or line of descent, we can worship God anywhere so long as we worship in spirit and in truth. We can confidently, not in our own abilities but in the person and work of the perfect Lamb of God, enter into the presence of God and find mercy and grace (Heb. 4:16). Their worship pointed to greater worship.

C. Their worship pointed to inclusive Worship

In this period of human history, it was the Jewish people who enjoyed right worship (see, for example, Paul’s comments in Rom. 9:4-5). They had the Law, the Temple, all of the festivals, and they were meant to spread this worship all over. They failed, however, to remain faithful to God, let alone to bring this wonderful worship to all nations (Gen. 12:3).

We see a glimpse of this inclusion in 6:21. As these foreigners followed God alone, they enjoyed worship. This pointed to a greater inclusion of the Gentiles are represented in the books of Acts, Galatians, and Ephesians. It pointed to Revelation 7:9, where “a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb” worshipping the glorious Triune God!

D. Their joy pointed to truer Joy

Their worship brought joy, true joy in the fullest understanding. They were doing what they were created to do. And likewise, when we worship, we have joy, true joy not built on the temporal pleasures of this life.

Verses 16 and 22 both describe their joy in worship, but as we see in Scripture, this points to a truer joy. 1 Peter 1:7-9

1 Peter 1:7–9 ESV

so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

The joy of worshipping God in the Old Testament pales in comparison to the inexpressible joy that comes with worshipping God through Jesus Messiah. All of those shadows of the old, though bringing true joy, are enhanced to an unimaginable degree through Jesus.

But even this points some an even greater expression of joy. We read of this unimaginable joy in Rev. 22:1-5.

CONCLUSION

Three points of application:

A greater commitment to God and His Word (i.e., daily reading, meditating, memorizing, applying)

A helpful reminder that God reigns

A wonderful promise that worship will get unimaginably better