God Using King Artaxerxes

I. EXORDIUM:

Have you been so generously used by GOD as His channel?

II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:

Believers

III. OBJECTIVES:

To show that we are meant to be channels of blessings not storages of wealth or storehouses of wealth, for storehouses are our churches.

IV. TEXT:

Ezra 7:17-20 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

These donations are to be used specifically for the purchase of bulls, rams, male lambs, and the appropriate grain offerings and liquid offerings, all of which will be offered on the altar of the Temple of your God in Jerusalem.

Any silver and gold that is left over may be used in whatever way you and your colleagues feel is the will of your God.

“But as for the cups we are entrusting to you for the service of the Temple of your God, deliver them all to the God of Jerusalem.

If you need anything else for your God’s Temple or for any similar needs, you may take it from the royal treasury.

V. THESIS:

We are meant to be channels of blessings not storages of wealth or storehouses of wealth, for storehouses are our churches.

VI. TITLE:

GOD using King Artaxerxes

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. Donations for sacrifices on altar of GOD's temple

Ezra 7:17 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

These donations are to be used specifically for the purchase of bulls, rams, male lambs, and the appropriate grain offerings and liquid offerings, all of which will be offered on the altar of the Temple of your God in Jerusalem.

Hebrews 13:15 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name.

Psalms 4:5 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

Offer sacrifices in the right spirit, and trust the Lord.

Psalms 66:2 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

Sing about the glory of his name! Tell the world how glorious he is.

King Artaxerxes prioritized the sacrifices on the altar of GOD's temple. That's where the center where GOD acts and provides.

B. Do whatever seems best with GOD's will with the rest of gold and silver

Ezra 7:18 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

Any silver and gold that is left over may be used in whatever way you and your colleagues feel is the will of your God.

Haggai 2:8 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

Job 22:25 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

the Almighty himself will be your treasure. He will be your precious silver!

Matthew 6:19 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal.

Matthew 6:21 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

As long as it's GOD's will, King Artaxerxes will support it and does rely on Ezra's wisdom and knowledge of GOD's will to give it away.

C. Deliver all the articles of worship to GOD of Jerusalem

Ezra 7:19 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

“But as for the cups we are entrusting to you for the service of the Temple of your God, deliver them all to the God of Jerusalem.

Exodus 23:19 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

“As you harvest your crops, bring the very best of the first harvest to the house of the Lord your God. “You must not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.

All other worship articles are also provided for.

D. Royal treasury will supply anything else needed for GOD's temple

Ezra 7:20 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

If you need anything else for your God’s Temple or for any similar needs, you may take it from the royal treasury.

Philippians 4:19 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.