The book of Ezra is a book in the Bible that is overlooked in the scriptures by many.
Some refer to as one of the Minor prophets. This gives some the idea perhaps it not as important as one of Major prophets.
Just because it is not as big as Isaiah or Jeremiah in size does not mean it is less significant.
We can learn a great deal from this small book in the scriptures.
For example, let us look at Ezra 3: 10-13, we read, And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel. And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy: So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.
This passage of scripture is an interesting passage of scriptures. It has to do with:
(1) Two different generation of people (Old and the Young)
(2) Two different temples (Old temple and the New Temple)
(3) Two different responses
Solomon’s temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 B.C.
Look at 2 Kings 25:8-9 And in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month, which is the nineteenth year of king Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, unto Jerusalem: And he burnt the house of the LORD, and the king's house, and all the houses of Jerusalem, and every great man's house burnt he with fire.
When the Syrians defeated the Babylonians in war, King Cyrus gave Israel permission to go back and rebuild the temple. (see Ezra 1).
This passage has to do with the Building of the New temple and the Old Temple.
First, let us look at the NEW FOUNDATION that was beling laid for the NEW TEMPLE.
Again, look at Ezra 3:10-12, we read, and when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel. And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth forever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.
• Because of the foundation being laid for the new temple these young people were ecstatic.
The Bible tells us---their eyes, wept with a loud voice, and many shouted aloud for joy.
• But now let us look at the OLD FOLKS when the NEW FOUNDATIION was being laid.
They were sad when the NEW FOUNDATION WAS BEING LAID.
WHY?
• They remembered when the FIRST FOUNDATION was laid for Solomon’s Temple.
• They rememberd when the temple was built that God came down and filled the temple with His GLORY.
Look at Ezr 3:12-13 But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy: So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.
WHAT IS TAKING PLACE IN THIS PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE?
Two things:
(1) The young are shouting because of the new temple foundation was being laid.
(2) The old folks were saddened because they remember Solomon’s Temple.
Solomon’s temple was one of the most attractive building ever been built.
• The cost of Solomon’s Temple was high because it took over 30 years to build.
• More than 1,000 people were employed to build it.
• They used different types of materials like gold, silver and bronze.
The cost of building this temple today has been estimated at about one million dollars then which is equivalent to about $200 billion today.
But the reason the old folks were sad was because the NEW FOUNDATION for the New Temple and they remembered when they built it that God was so pleased with it that He filled the temple with his glory.
Illus: Years ago, Dr. Odell Belger had a man in his church and his wife had died years ago. After her death he never would date any of the ladies in his church.
Dr. Belger asked him one day, “Bro. Otis why don’t you date some of these women in the church.”
He said, “Preacher, I had one of the best women for a wife that a man can have. And Preacher, when you have had STEAK, it is hard to settle for a hot dog!”
This is the way the older folks felt when they saw this NEW FOUNDATION being laid.
It was just too hard for them to settle for anything when they have had the best.
The concept of the Glory of God filling the temple symbolized God's presence, holiness, and majesty dwelling among His people.
Look at 1 Kings 8:10-11, we read: "And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, the cloud filled the house of the LORD so that the priests could not stand there to minister because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD".
This manifestation of divine glory confirms the temple as the chosen dwelling place of God on earth, a central location for worship and sacrifice.
So, when the young folks were thrilled at the new foundation to replace the old foundation, the old folks were SADDENED!
Why?
Because SOMETHINGS CANNOT BE REPLACED!!!
The NEW FOUNDATION can never REPLACE the OLD FOUNDATION that was laid!!!
How does that apply to us today?
We who have lived for many years still prefer the OLD TIME RELIGION to this THIS NEW FOUNDATION THAT IS BEING LAID TODAY for God’s church.
Let me tell you why?
For me to do this I am going to have to name some names.
Now in doing this some who do not know the Word of God will say, I do not believe it is proper to name names.
I do not know if it is proper or not, but it is scriptural.
In Matthew 7:15-20, we read, beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
The Lord said BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS.
You cannot know who to BEWARE OF IF YOU DO NOT KNOW WHO THEY ARE.
This is why the apostle Paul called out the false prophets by name.
• He mentioned by name Alexander and Hymenaeus Who was Handed Over to Satan.
• He also mentioned the name of Demas who had forsaken him during hard times
I can see why some do not wish that their names be called out in public, it is because they do not want to be EXPOSED for what they are!!!
Because my heart is broken because these false prophets, I want to expose them and do everything I can to stop them with this NEW FOUNDATION THEY ARE LAYING FOR THE CHURCH.
For example:
(1) It disturbs me today that we have preachers in the pulpits today that do not have enough respect for the house of God that preach wearing T-shirts, britches with holes in them and wearing flip-flops in the pulpit.
Illus: Some are wearing their britches so tight they make me think of some of these women that wear their pants so tight if they put a quarter in their back pocket, you could tell if it is HEADS OR TALE.
Some justify this lifestyle by saying they do this to reach the lost people.
• This would be like for us to win those who are hooked on drugs is for us to take drugs.
• This would be like trying win prostitutes to the Lord that a woman would become a prostitute.
No where in the scriptures we are encouraged to COMPROMISE to win the lost.
If I am not mistaken, we are not supposed to be trying to get them to look like us, not for us to look like them.
(2) It disturbs me a great deal with men in the pulpit like Joel Osteen and was asked why he doesn’t he preach against sin. He responded that he rather talk about the POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING.
(3) It disturbs me a great deal with men in the pulpit like Ken Copeland telling people if they do not tithe, they have a ticking bomb in their pockets that might go off anytime.
(4) It disturbs me a great deal with men like Jesse Duplantis bragging about the jet airplanes he has an that he lives in a 35,000 square foot house he lives in.
He implies in his sermon see how God has blessed me, if you plant some seeds with your money God will bless you also.
Illus: When Jesse’s granddaughter said to him, “Grand dad, it looks like everything you touch turns to gold.” He said that is because I CREATE MY OWN WORLD AND LIVE IN IT!”
The Bible teaches there is only ONE CREATOR, and it is not Jesse Duplantis!!!
(5) It disturbs me a great deal with men like Mike Murdock on television bragging about all the jets, watches, cars he has.
He claims all these material things he has been given is proof of God’s approval on his life.
Illus: If material things are a sign of GOD’S APPROVAL, then all of these rich Actors and Actresses in Hollywood God’s approval must be on their sinful life.
(6) It disturbs me a great deal today we have denominations ordaining homosexual to preach. To just name a few of many…
• Episcopal
• Lutherns
• Presbyterians
• United Church of Christ
Is a few of the many who are ordaining homosexual as clergymen
(7) It disturbs me greatly to have preachers in the pulpit today who have been married 2-times like RICHARD ROBERTS.
(8) It disturbs me greatly to have preachers in the pulpit Like Paula White, Benny Hinn, Ken Copeland to name a few WHO tell their congregations send me a thousand dollars and I will pray for you.
Where do you find that in the Bible?
(9) It disturbs me greatly to have preachers in the pulpit like John Haggee who left his wife and tell his congregation to plant a seed.
And if you have a big problem like cancer you need to plant a lot of seeds. (a lot of money)
(10) It disturbs me greatly to have preachers in the pulpit like Benny Hinn who acts like he is so filled with the Holy Spirit of God he can blow on someone and knock them down.
(11) I do not have any respect for GEO JENNINGS that preach holiness and had a child out of WEDLOCK and teaches salvation by baptism!
(12) It disturbs me greatly to have preachers in the pulpit like RICHARD ROBERTS who sings MY GOD CAN DO ANYTHING AND HE DIVORCE HIS WIFE
(13) It disturbs me greatly to have preachers in the pulpit like ORAL ROBERT who mocked the Word of God.
For example…
In Acts 3:3-6 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I unto thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
He called KEN COPELAND before a large crowd as he was turning the torch over to him. He said to KEN COPELAND, “Look at me, silver gold have we many.”
And thousands of people in attendance thought it was funny MOCKING THE WORD OF GOD.
He had plenty of gold alright!!!
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Oral Roberts’ net worth at the time of his death was estimated to be around $300 million.
These false prophets have stolen more of God’s tithes than anyone on the face of the earth.
Illus: Mike Murdock recently after telling people to send in a big seed was not satisfied with them just sending him a thousand dollars
He went further and said:
• Maybe you do not have any money, but you can put it on your crdit card.
• Maybe you have some money stash away for a vacation, college or retirement
He went on and on trying to squeeze every penny out of them.
God’s Word tells us to BEWARE OF THESE FALSE PROPHETS.
Some of the riches people on earth is some of these false prophets. They are the most corrupt individual on earth
It is a big show of DECEPTION!
Illus: Dr. Odell Belger tells how years ago when Jim Bakker came on the air and thousands in his congregation had their hands up in the air and they were shouting.
He said I was impressed with the excitement he saw and wish his congregation had such excitement.
Illus: It was impressive how they came on the air they were shouting like their favorite team just made a touchdown.
Since I was nearby traveling back home, I thought I might stop by the PTL service.
I set in the back hoping no one would see me.
Before the service about thirty minutes before service they sent someone out to get the crowd excited who had been talking to each other.
But the people sung like they did in his church.
But right before the service they had a countdown of ten and when they came on the air at the end of the count down, 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1. different ones held up signs, SING, SHOUT, GET EXCITED and all of a sudden that congregation started SHOUTING, WHOOPING AND HOLLERING!!!
Dr. Belger said when he saw this, he thought to himself, that is the way they do it…IT IS ONE BIG PUT ON!!!
Listen, God’s church needs to follow the instruction of God’s Word, not these compromising churches to draw a crowd.
Listen, not only are the pulpits in this country in a mess so is the congregation.
(1) It disturbs me a great deal with young people dancing and shouting with their hands up in the air and they are shacking up with the opposite sex and even some with the same sex.
It is disturbing that these young people who are thrilled with this NEW FOUNDATION that is being laid think just because they are DANCING AND SHOUTING IS A SIGN OF SPIRITUALITY.
GIVE ME THAT OLD TIME RELIGION ANYTIME ABOVE THIS NEW FOUNDATION FOR THE CHURCH IS BEING LAID.
I. I still believe in the old hymns, not this spiritual rock roll singing.
II. I still believe the Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God.
III. I still believe salvation is by grace alone.
IV. I still believe once we are saved by the grace alone our works is the proof we have been saved by the grace of God
V. I still believe when we are saved, we are given eternal life by grace not by works.
VI. I still believe when we are saved and we go to church we look like we are going to church, NOT WALMARTS.
VII. I still believe what the Word of God teaches without holiness no man shall see the Lord.
VIII. I still believe that the Catholic church, Mormon church and the Jehova Witness is a cult leading men and women to hell.
Illus: When Larry King asked Joel Osteen, he was a Jew, and some preachers preach since he did not believe that Jesus was the Savior would he go to hell.
Joel Ostein said, “Larry, I rather not say.”
If we do not preach against this NEW FOUNDATION HOW WILL PEOPLE KNOW THE TRUTH!!!
This NEW FOUDATION THAT IS BEING LAID DOES AWAY WITH OLD HYMNS.
What wrong with the old hyms like…
• Rock of ages
• Great is thy faithfulness
• The old rugged cross
• Blessed assurance
• How great thou art
• Isn’t He wonderful
There is not a thing wrong with these OLD hymns!!!
The problem is not with the HYMNS; the problems is with the HIMS!
The church today is in a mess!!!
I do not need a bunch of young girls on the platform wearing with their miniskirts lead me in a song service to worship the Lord.
WE NEED TO BE STIRRED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT NOT BY SOME MINI-SKIRT.
Illus: Some men say Preacher I looked at these young women up there with their miniskirts strutting their stuff and it does not stir me sexually at all!!!
Don’t tell me you can set in church and watch some min-skirt…
• Shake everything, she can shake
• Wiggle everything, she can wiggle
And you sit there claiming you are worshipping God.
God’s church does not need:
• The mini- skirts worship leader,
• The mirror balls,
• The flashing lights,
• Smoke machines,
We just need to remember how it use to be when God filled His house with the sweet holy spirit.
Yes, without apology I am with the old crowd that remembers how it USE TO BE, and I do not want anything to do with this NEW FOUNDATION FOR THE CHURCH that is being laid for God’s church.
Conclusion:
Martin Luther the reformer was a priest in the Catholic church. God began to show him what the Catholic church was teaching and sending souls to hell.
He came to reject several teachings and practices of the contemporary Roman Catholic Church,
in particular:
• The seling of indulgences
• Papal authority.
Luther initiated an international debate on his Ninety-five Theses, which he authored in 1517.
In 1520, Pope Leo X demanded that Luther renounce all of his writings, and when Luther refused to do so, excommunicated him in January 1521.
Later that year, Holy Roman Emperor Charles V condemned Luther as an outlaw at the Diet of Worms. When Luther died in 1546, his excommunication by Leo X was still in effect.
Luther taught the free gift of God's grace through the believer's faith in Jesus Christ.
It is time for Christians today to PROTEST this new foundation for Christianty that is being laid and take a stand.
Luther did and then he said, HERE IS STAND!
Where do you stand!!!
I. The new foundation
II. The old foundation
