Introduction

Good morning, dear family of faith. It's a joy to gather together, isn't it? To share in the warmth of fellowship and the light of God's Word. As we open our hearts and minds to the Scripture today, we are reminded of the words of Charles Spurgeon, who once said, "A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t."

Isn't that the truth? Our lives, so often filled with challenges and trials, find stability and strength in the Word of God. Our Scripture for today is from the book of Ezra, chapter 7 verse 10: "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."

In this passage, we see a model for our own lives. Ezra didn't just read God's Word, he studied it. He didn't just know it, he lived it. And he didn't keep it to himself, he taught it to others. Isn't that what we're called to do as followers of Christ?

Our first main point today is Choosing Righteousness Through God's Word. We'll look at how Ezra chose righteousness, and how we can do the same.

Next, we'll consider Cultivating Practice of God's Word. It's not enough to just know God's Word, we must live it out in our daily lives.

And finally, we'll reflect on Communicating God's Word to Others. As disciples of Jesus, we're called to share the Good News with others.

Let's pray together as we prepare our hearts to receive God's Word today.

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for this day, for the opportunity to gather together and study Your Word. We ask that You would open our hearts and minds, that we might understand Your truth and apply it to our lives. Help us to choose righteousness, to cultivate the practice of Your Word, and to communicate Your truth to others. We ask all this in Jesus' name, Amen.

Choosing Righteousness Through God's Word

Ezra, as we see in the Scripture, made a conscious decision to study the Law of the Lord. He didn't just stumble upon it or casually read it when he had some spare time. He set his heart on it. He made it his priority. He chose it. And that's the first thing we need to understand about choosing righteousness. It's a decision we make. It's a commitment we make to God and to ourselves.

We live in a world that often values convenience over commitment. We're tempted to take the easy route, to go with the flow, to do what's popular rather than what's right. But Ezra shows us a different way. He shows us the way of commitment, the way of dedication, the way of choosing righteousness.

But how do we make that choice? How do we choose righteousness in a world that often values the opposite? The answer is found in the second part of the verse: Ezra set his heart to study the Law of the Lord. He immersed himself in God's Word. He didn't just read it, he studied it. He didn't just know it, he understood it. He didn't just memorize it, he meditated on it.

Studying God's Word is more than just reading it. It's about understanding it, meditating on it, applying it to our lives. It's about letting it shape our thoughts, our attitudes, our actions. It's about letting it guide our decisions, our relationships, our priorities. It's about letting it shape our very lives.

But studying God's Word is not just about personal growth. It's also about impacting the lives of others. Ezra didn't just study the Law of the Lord, he also taught it to others. He shared the wisdom he gained, the insights he discovered, the truths he learned. He used his knowledge not just for his own benefit, but for the benefit of others.

Teaching God's Word is not just about imparting information. It's about inspiring transformation. It's about helping others understand God's truth, apply it to their lives, and experience its life-changing power. It's about helping others choose righteousness, just as Ezra did.

Cultivating Practice of God's Word

As we continue to reflect on the life of Ezra, we find him not just choosing to study God's Word, but also living it out ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO