Jerusalem- A New Start Series

Series: Biblical Cities- Jerusalem [#12]

JERUSALEM- A NEW START

Matthew 23:37

Introduction:

We are continuing in our Series about some of the most mentioned Cities in the Bible. Tonight, we are going to study the city that is 1st on the list- Jerusalem. Jerusalem is mentioned 811 times in the Bible. Currently, there are 3 different Religions that consider Jerusalem to be a holy site- Judaism, Islam, and Christianity.

Matthew 23:37

As we studied over the last several weeks, there were many evil Kings of Judah and few that were good. King Josiah lived a life that pleased God. After his death, there were 4 more Kings of Judah and they were all very evil. The consequence of the Nation not obeying God had already been told to Josiah; but God waited until Josiah’s death to destroy Jerusalem and the people.

2 Chronicles 36:15-21

1. Bad endings.

For many in Jerusalem and in Judah, their story ended in a terrible way. God had sent many Prophets to the people to warn them to change their ways or suffer the consequences. God punished them many times- They would repent, God would forgive them; and then they would sin again.

God reached the point of destroying the Capital City of Jerusalem and the Temple. God used the Babylonians to kill many people; to take some into exile; to steal all of the valuables out of the Temple and Palace; to burn down the Temple; and to break down the walls of Jerusalem. This exile lasted for 70 years. During these years of exile, the Book of Daniel and Esther were written.

For most of the exiles, they died in Babylon. The Nation of Israel was told to settle down in Babylon. We all go through seasons in life and for many of us, some of those seasons ended badly. The encouragement here is, some things have to die so that there can be new beginnings.

2 Chronicles 36:22-23

2. Great beginnings.

After 70 years of captivity, God used King Cyrus of Persia to allow any of God’s people that chose, to go back to Jerusalem. God also appointed King Cyrus to build a new Temple to Him in Jerusalem. This passage of Scripture always reminds me of God’s faithfulness to His people. Over the next couple of weeks, we will look at the rebuilding of the Temple; the rebuilding of Jerusalem; and the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem.

Conclusion:

If you have experienced a bad ending to a season in your life, remember that means that you can have a great start to the next season. God needs to be at the center of your life regardless of what season of life you are in.