We Love What We Prioritize

Ezra 7:1–10 ESV

Now after this, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, son of Azariah, son of Hilkiah, son of Shallum, son of Zadok, son of Ahitub, son of Amariah, son of Azariah, son of Meraioth, son of Zerahiah, son of Uzzi, son of Bukki, son of Abishua, son of Phinehas, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the chief priest— this Ezra went up from Babylonia. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses that the Lord, the God of Israel, had given, and the king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him. And there went up also to Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king, some of the people of Israel, and some of the priests and Levites, the singers and gatekeepers, and the temple servants. And Ezra came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king. For on the first day of the first month he began to go up from Babylonia, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, for the good hand of his God was on him. For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.

Ezra prioritized 3 things.

1. Knowing God

2. Living for God

3. Sharing his love for God through Discipleship

Loving God Completely

Knowing him as he is revealed through his Word.

John 1:1-2

Psalm 138:2 ESV

I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.

Psalm 1:1–2 ESV

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

John 17:17 ESV

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

Living according to his word

John 14:15 ESV

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

Matthew 7:21 ESV

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Romans 2:13 ESV

For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.

1 Timothy 4:11–16 ESV

Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Loving Ourselves Correctly

· We are Loved by God

I John 4:19

· God’s love for us is priceless

John 3:16

· We are New Creature

2 Corinthians 5:17

· Our old selves were crucified with Christ, and I am no longer a slave to sin

Romans 6:6

· We have a new citizenship

Philippians 3:20

· We are complete in him

Col 2:10

· No condemnation

Romans 8:1

· We don’t live in fear of rejection or punishment from God.

o Romans 8:31-36

o I John 4:17-18

When we are still working through rejection and hurt and needing acceptance and validation for the world and the things for the world, it is practically impossible to love indiscriminately and selflessly.

Loving Others Compassionately

How can we say we Love God but not the people of God or God’s creation?

· I John 4:20

· Great Commission Matt 28:18-20

· John 13:34-35

· Lev 19:17-18

· Eph 2:14-16

· Gal 3:28

· John 2:1-13

· Rev 5:9; 7:9

Ezra’s Spiritual responsibilities were connected to his abilities that were birthed from his faithful prioritization to mission and things of God.

Matt 25:14-25