With the morals, ethics, and value systems of our nation on the decline, and immorality, sensuality, perverse human behavior, and violence on the increase, yet all the while God’s mandate to the Christian church being the same; that we be a positive witness of the gospel, evangelize the world, and making disciples of all men, beginning with the guy across the street, it becomes increasingly and painfully evident as we track the advancement of the church in these areas that the Church of Jesus Christ in the United States of America stands in need of revival.
We as a body are no different than any other church in America. We too need a fresh touch of the hand of God, a fresh anointing poured out on us, and our hearts stirred so that we are no longer a lethargic collection of individuals, we are no longer apathetic toward the task that lies before the church, but our hearts burn with passion, and we become zealous for the things of God and the work of His church.
Some said, “Yes, and I have been waiting for those services to be scheduled!” But the revival we need is not just a few consecutive nights of meetings that we have to fulfill our religious calendar, but we need a move of God’s Spirit that resurrects the Body of Christ, that awakens sleeping saints and gets the church on the move, that brings new vision, and makes the world stand up and take notice of a Spirit anointed ministry going forth in the land.
God’s grace is so great! I am thankful for my position as a child of God and I realize that I can have a relationship with Him, that I can be saved and enjoy the blessings of His grace, and I do not try to diminish the value of that great fact, but the point to be stressed in this message today is that this world, this nation, this very community is in need of bodies of believers who will position themselves in such a way spiritually that our hearts would resonate and bear witness with the very words of Christ who as a young child stated to His earthly parents: "I must be about my Father's business."
I believe we are living in the last days! I believe the events that we see taking place on a daily basis are a fulfillment of the signs of the times, but regardless of our positioning on the eschatological calendar there are souls all around us perishing daily to a godless eternity.
There are people at your workplace whose eternity may be dependent upon your being about the Father’s business. There are people in the market places of this world whose eternity depends upon your availability to be about the Father’s business. There are alcoholics, drug addicts, prostitutes, liars, cheaters, adulterers, fornicators, and murderers whose eternity may be hanging in the balance waiting for someone’s availability to be about the Father’s business.
May I submit to you that in the midst of life’s hectic schedules, personal agendas, days filled with more tasks than seem humanly possible to accomplish, and greater demands on our time than ever before that there has to be, there must be made time to be about the Father’s business!
We need to awaken to the fact that not only have we not personally attained everything that God has desired for us to be, much less have we been efficient in accomplishing the work that has been set before us. It is time for the Church of the Lord Jesus to arise and build!
When I speak of building I am not making reference to timbers, brick and mortar, but rather to an effort through the work of ministry, being faithful laborers in the field of the Lord adding to the church daily through our testimony and service to God. The Bible gives us this portrait of the building of a church when it says: (Ephesians 2:19-22)
This is the structure our Lord desires to be built, the Body of Christ, people of faith in the Lord added to our fellowship, and hearts of men enraptured by the Glory of God’s grace, this is the structure that the Lord desires to be built, and He has enlisted the aid, and given a post of ministry, a place of labor to all who have faith in Him.
With a heart burdened that the people of God would know first the urgency of the hour and the necessity of personal ministry in the building up of the church, and receive an encouragement concerning the personal rewards and benefit of the giving of one’s self to the Lord in this way the Holy Spirit led me to the Old Testament to the books of Haggai, Zechariah, and even back as far as Ezra. Wherein we find the Ezra’s accounting of the work of Zerubbabel the governor among the Hebrew people, and Jeshua, the High Priest of that time, and we find the prophecies of Haggai and Zechariah to these men concerning their work in rebuilding the Temple of the Lord.
Through the study of these books I believe the Holy Spirit has opened my heart and given understanding and a relevant word for His church today concerning the activity and participation of Christians to have a hands on part in the building up of the Church.
It would be an easy parallel for us to understand that contained in the structure and principles of the Old Testament Temple and Its worship are types and a foreshadowing of the church. At the onset of this message I want to encourage you, child of God, that there is a divine plan and purpose for your life and regardless of what stage of life you are in and God desires to use you in a hands on way in the building of the church. Therefore as we read these admonitions of the Lord to Zerubbabel and Jeshua concerning the reconstruction of the Temple I would ask that you, in your mind, equate these as admonitions to you as a believer to be active in your dedication to see to it that the work of the Lord goes forth through your own life.
This will be a three part message, so I encourage you everyone to make every effort to be here to hear these messages and I trust that your hearts will be encouraged by our time together in the Word and our church will be empowered to accomplish the tasks that have been set before it. I pray as well that from the councils of the Bible you will find the courage to put away all excuses, cast off inhibition and launch out into whatever God’s calling on your life is for this particular season of your life.
Body
The Reason to Build
We learn according to the date and the reference given to Jeremiah’s prophecy in Ezra 1:1 that the scene and setting for this occasion was just as the Babylonian exile was coming to a close. The Babylonian regime had been overthrown by the Persians and now Cyrus was the ruler of the land. In just a few more words we will find what seems to be the most peculiar of circumstances as we read in this verse: (Ezra 1:1)
Here we have a heathen king being so passionately moved by the revelation of the Holy Spirit concerning the will of God that he makes a decree to his entire kingdom, Jew and Gentile alike.
This would serve as a great illustration for anyone desirous of Spiritual gifts that we should always be careful to seek the giver above the gift, because God can use who He pleases without regard of their spiritual status, even if He has to open the mouth of a donkey.
It is in the very next verse that we read this decree: (Ezra 1:2-4)
Very simply put, the reason to build is found in the revelation of the will of God to His people. God had spoken! Regardless of the mode He chose to speak through, regardless of the fact that this was not a Jewish ruler or priest through whom He spoke the people heard the heart of God.
How could they be sure? How could they know that this was the will of God? They knew it was the will of God because it was in keeping with the Word of God. God had already spoken to them in captivity through the mouth of Jeremiah the prophet and said: (Jeremiah 29:10-14)
I can just imagine somewhere over in the amen corner some ole’ boy was getting a blessing as he heard that king’s decree read that day. Somebody else said, “That’s just like my God; to fulfill His word and use the decree of my captor to accomplish it!”
When they heard that decree there was something in their hearts that bore witness with the word that was spoken and the Bible says: (Ezra 1:5)
Christian there is a revelation of the will of God contained in the Word of God, and for the Christian it is that we put our hands to the plow and work while it is still day for the night comes when no man can work. The Will of God is that the church be busy with the spread of this gospel, he has called us to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, and lead them to the feet of Jesus where they can find beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.
God has laid before us the plan and the blueprint and He is looking for faithful Christians who will arise and build!
The Resistance to Building
Naturally as God’s will is being fulfilled through His people it will not be without resistance. This situation was no different. It’s funny to see that neither the tactics of the enemy nor human nature has changed much over the past 2,500 years.
This endeavor to fulfill God’s will was met with resistance, and they faced the same two elements of resistance that we face in fulfilling God’s will for our lives; the enemy and ourselves.
We read in Ezra chapter four that it was but a short period after construction had begun on this new temple that the locals became irate about this endeavor and begin to complain and bring discouragement against the Hebrews. (Ezra 4:4-5)
They complained to King Cyrus to no avail, but soon there was to be a new king, King Artaxerxes, and their cries did not fall upon deaf ears when they made their pleas to him.
Why were they so upset at these people minding their own business? Why did it matter to them? I’ll tell you that it was not the simple fact that these people were building a building. It was the fact that this building was a representative of a higher standard. It was the fact that this building was the representation of a higher authority, a constant reminder of a supreme deity and as those special people gathered there, those who were called out of darkness and into His marvelous light it only served to cast conviction in the hearts of the pagan inhabitants of that land.
This world is not upset in the least that the church continues to operate as a benevolent charitable organization. It is not affected at all by the fact that we congregate in this building. The reason that the church suffers so much scrutiny from the world today is the same as it was then. When we are active to uphold the standards of God, to proclaim the true gospel message it sets the world on edge. It is when we uphold the standards of God that we become labeled as intolerant bigots, and we are called narrow minded trouble makers, that’s when the ACLU begins to appeal to the leaders of this land that the Christian voice be silenced, that the work be halted, and they request decrees insisting that Christian’s be penalized for hate speech when we speak truthfully about sin and its consequences.
They told him how much trouble these people were going to cause, how insubordinate they were going to be, and just how all around awful these people could be and this king made another decree which most simply stated says: (Ezra 4:21)
Not only did their efforts meet resistance from the enemy’s camp but they had the problem of self to deal with as well.
I am sure, beyond doubt, that it was with great delight, tears of joy, and much rejoicing that this remnant traveled to Jerusalem; almost in dismay that the day had finally arrived, awe struck that God was indeed able to deliver them and speak to them and “perform His good word” as He had said.
As resistance to the work was met and things happened as things do, the story goes on to account that they went as far as to lay the foundation suddenly zeal and fervency were not enough to carry the day; resolve seemed to diminish as they labored and constantly dealt with the problems afforded them because of their service to the Lord. They grew apathetic.
Sure we have all heard about this thing called the New Testament church and in the pages of the Bible it seems a glorious thing, perhaps we can even recollect some former glory of the church, but it seems as we begin to work toward that goal there always seems to be circumstances that arise that makes it seem an elusive goal and we too become apathetic toward the work to which God has called us.
After a short while these had left off the work of the ministry of building the temple and had immersed themselves in the developments of their own kingdoms. It was at this point that the prophets Haggai and Zechariah began to prophecy simultaneously to this group addressing themselves to the two leaders Zerubbabel and Jeshua. From the first of this series of prophecies we read: (Haggai 1:1-7)
Five times throughout this prophecy God tells the people to consider their ways. In considering their ways they may find the answer as to why blessing had been withheld from them. When they consider that the only kingdom prospering at the work of their hands were their own, that they lived in the finest homes and God’s house lay in shambles.
I believe today if we would consider our ways we would enjoy greater spiritual blessing. As we employ the gifts that God has given us to ensure that His house is built up which is the purpose of the gift to begin with, that He would bless us in a greater measure for that obedience.
I submit to you that the greatest way to spiritual blessing is not to come to God and pray, “bless me, bless me, bless me,” but rather it is to come to Him and ask that He make you a blessing to somebody else. Come and ask that you could be the instrument that He would use to affect change in the life of another. Ask that you could be His oracle to speak through. Ask that you could be His arm extended. Ask that you could be His feet going. Ask that you could be His hand touching the downcast and unsavory of this earth. I guarantee greater spiritual blessing if you will present yourself in that way. Put yourself in second place and God’s plan above your own and the storehouses of heaven will be opened over your heart and life.
Oh, the countless stories of ministry leaders with a vision who had understood the will of God as it pertained to building the body that were constantly met with the words, “too busy.” What would the church be if the priority of its people was the building of the body over their own kingdom? What would the church be if our agenda included building up the body as a priority?
The Right To Build
Having spoken to you about the reason for building and the resistance to building; I want to conclude by speaking about the rights to build. Now there may be question in the minds of many if you have been following along as to just how much right this remnant of the people have to build this temple. After all King Artaxerxes has issued the decree that they cease the building of the temple.
Well, it’s not long before King Artaxerxes has passed from the scene and Persia now has a new ruler; his name is Darius. It was at this point, Ezra chapter five declares, that Haggai and Zechariah began to prophesy to the Jews concerning their lack of obedience and diligence to build the temple of the Lord.
The Jews in Ezra chapter five send a letter to this new ruler explaining the plight of their situation and ask that a search be made of the archives to find King Cyrus’ original decree, and it seems fitting to Darius that this be done so the search is made and indeed Cyrus’ original edict is found.
I cannot tell you how happy I soon became at this point in our study. Now it appears that doubt and dispersion, and a greater interest in personal things have broken down the building process, but we find that a great deal of this is caused by an illegitimate decree.
If you will study Persian governmental structure you will find that what one Persian king had decreed could not be overturned by another; no matter how ridiculous it might seem once a Persian king had decreed a thing no successive king could undo it.
I want to read to you from Ezra six that original decree of King Cyrus, and I pray that you will listen not only with your ears but your heart as well and I believe you will hear the Holy Spirit speak to you through these words. (Ezra 6:1-3)
Now I must confess to you that until this point this had not been the most interesting read, but in the next few words we will read we will begin to understand without a doubt that Cyrus’ words were inspired by the Spirit of God because they are so reminiscent of the Words of our own Lord and the principles of the Christian faith, and we continue: (Ezra 6:4)
Is that not just like Jesus? He has made a decree that He would build His church and the gates of hell would not prevail against it, and has commissioned us as believers to be fellow-laborers with His Holy Spirit to see this process of building be carried on throughout the generations and all over the world, and the only thing it’s going to cost us is our obedience because just after making that decree Jesus paid the price, and now freely we have received now freely we give.
Skipping down to verse eight we read what is to be done for those who engage in this building process: (Ezra 6:8)
It is here that we hear the voice of our King saying, “Take no thought for your clothes, what you are going to wear, nor for your food, but seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you. If you will work in obedience it will be supplied from the King’s treasury!
It is in this verse we see the principle taught by Christ, “Give and it shall be given to you pressed down shaken together, running over…”
Our King has made a decree that His church would be built and for that one who feels that they lack gifting and ability, for the one who feels inadequate and insufficient to be used of the Lord in the building of the church, for the one who feels they have nothing to offer the King says: (Ezra 6:9-10)
God has a supply, there is an equipping of the Holy Spirit that you can live your life as a sweet smelling aroma before the Lord.
Conclusion
Today Christian God is calling His Church to arise and build! Our King has made a decree that no king of this earth can ever overturn. There are no circumstance, no world affairs that overturn the decree of our King. His words are forever settled in the heavens, and will not pass away until every one is fulfilled.
I don’t know why He chooses to use the frailty of human flesh in this process but I am so thankful to be a part of the building of God’s kingdom. And today God is calling! Will you put your hand to the plow? Will you answer, “Yes Lord!” Will you position yourself for greater blessing through service to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords? Will you avail yourself to ministry, and not be too busy to heed the call? If that is you I want you to dedicate your heart to this Word today as we sing.
