God Moves The Heart

I. EXORDIUM:

Is GOD moving you?

II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:

Believers

III. OBJECTIVES:

To show that GOD always moves. Thank Him for His moves.

IV. TEXT:

Ezra 1:1 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, the Lord fulfilled the prophecy he had given through Jeremiah. He stirred the heart of Cyrus to put this proclamation in writing and to send it throughout his kingdom:

Ezra 1:5 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

Then God stirred the hearts of the priests and Levites and the leaders of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple of the Lord.

V. THESIS:

"Lord, you know everything" (1 John 3:20) Thanks for your love.

1 John 4:19 (New King James Version)

We love Him because He first loved us.

GOD always moves because of His Love.

VI. TITLE:

GOD moves the heart

VII. EXPLICATION:

A. Author: unknown. Ezra might have been the compiler

B. Date written: 450 B.C.

C. Purpose: To document GOD's faithfulness, keeping His promises, sovereignly protecting His People and returned them to their own land.

D. To whom written: Jerusalem's restored remnant and future generations.

E. Main theme: Return of the Jews from Babylonian captivity

F. Keywords: Word of GOD, Power of the Word of GOD in human life, Word of the LORD

G. Key verses:

Ezra 1:3 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

Any of you who are his people may go to Jerusalem in Judah to rebuild this Temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, who lives in Jerusalem. And may your God be with you!

Ezra 7:10 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

This was because Ezra had determined to study and obey the Law of the Lord and to teach those decrees and regulations to the people of Israel.

VIII. MAIN BODY:

A. GOD moves.

"the Lord fulfilled the prophecy He had given through Jeremiah"

"He stirred the heart of Cyrus"

Ezra 1:1 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, the Lord fulfilled the prophecy he had given through Jeremiah. He stirred the heart of Cyrus to put this proclamation in writing and to send it throughout his kingdom:

Ezra 1:5 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

Then God stirred the hearts of the priests and Levites and the leaders of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple of the Lord.

The LORD GOD is the One who works in us not us. We rest in our faith in Him.

The phrase "stirred up" came from the Hebrew word: "ur" meaning to wake up, to lift up, to stir up, to raise up. Since GOD does not sleep or slumber, He awakes us to reveal us His Plans, plus the desire to do so and the resources needed to do the task.

1. He awakes us - because King Cyrus might be sleeping.

"He stirred the heart of Cyrus"

2. to reveal us His Plans

"to put this proclamation in writing"

3. plus the desire to do so - King Cyrus refuses to cooperate with GOD, then GOD can easily choose another vessel or instrument or human king to carry out His will.

"and to send it throughout his kingdom: "

4. the resources needed to do the task

"Then God stirred the hearts of the priests and Levites and the leaders of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple of the Lord. "

Acts 18:25 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

He had been taught the way of the Lord, and he taught others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit and with accuracy. However, he knew only about John’s baptism.

Exodus 35:21 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

All whose hearts were stirred and whose spirits were moved came and brought their sacred offerings to the Lord. They brought all the materials needed for the Tabernacle, for the performance of its rituals, and for the sacred garments.

2 Chronicles 36:22 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, the Lord fulfilled the prophecy he had given through Jeremiah. He stirred the heart of Cyrus to put this proclamation in writing and to send it throughout his kingdom:

John 11:33 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled.

B. Our heart

"He stirred the heart"

Deuteronomy 6:5 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.

Psalms 9:1 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.