EZRA
Theme: Ezra was a devoted student of God’s word and as a result he became a teacher of God’s truth which restored a nation to a right relationship with God.
Introduction:
The return to Jerusalem was made possible by Cyrus’ decree. The Prophecies by Isaiah 44: 28-45:3 and Jeremiah 29:10 were divinely fulfilled in Cyrus, by means of this Persian monarch’s decree. (vs. 2-4)
What we need to look for in Ezra is God’s message. "Ezra reveals God as the power behind earthly events, moving even pagan kings according to His purposes.”
Key verses:
Ezra 1:1 In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and to put it in writing:
Ezra 6:22 For seven days they celebrated with joy the Feast of Unleavened Bread, because the LORD had filled them with joy by changing the attitude of the king of Assyria, so that he assisted them in the work on the house of God, the God of Israel.
Ezra 7: 6 this Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the LORD his God was on him.
Ezra 7:27 Praise be to the LORD, the God of our fathers, who has put it into the king’s heart to bring honor to the house of the LORD in Jerusalem in this way
T.S. Let’s look at this priest of God, Ezra, and see a man of God who held up the standard of God’s holiness and earned himself the reputation of having God’s hand on him..
I. EZRA’S REPUTATION REVEALS A MAN WHO THIRSTED AFTER GOD’S holiness and insights and then he communicated it effectively to others.
A. The writer, or should I say compiler of Ezra makes distinct statements which paints for us Ezra’s reputation of having God’s hand on him.
Ezra 7:6 "This Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the Lord, the god of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he asked for, the hand of the Lord, His God, was on him."
1. Ezra’s reputation – was God’s Hand was on him! You might be thinking, “How did Ezra get to the point where he earned the reputation of having God’s hand on him??
a. That is a good question and we will explore how he earned his reputation.
2. We learn from the text we just read, that Ezra was a teacher who was well studied and diligent in knowing God’s teachings.
i. Ezra’s reputation was one of being known as a studious student of God’s law and because of his studious mindset God’s hand was on him.
1. We are reminded of how important it is to be studious of God’s word in II Timothy 2:15 “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
2. Note: “The best teacher is one who is always a student and always learning."
Illustration:
Hendrick’s "Learning" Professor
Dr. Howard Hendricks tells of a professor who made an impact on his life. He passed his home many times, early in the morning and late at night, and often saw him pouring over his books. One day, Hendircks asked him, "Doctor, I’d like to know, what is it that keeps you studying? You never cease to learn."
His answer: "Son, I would rather have my students drink from a running stream than from a stagnant pool."
- Christian Teacher
Bruce Wilkinson shared about a professor who made an impact on his life. He states,” The first time I heard him teach, I said to myself “ I want to study under that man.”
His name was Howard Hendricks, and I entered seminary to learn everything I could from this master teacher. I wanted to learn not only what he taught but also how he taught. During those four years of graduate study, I listened to him for more than 350 hours and always left his class instructed, challenged, and a step closer to God. By the time I was a senior, I began to wonder if ‘Prof.’ Even understood the word boring” (23, 7 Laws of the Learner).
Note: Excerpt on how Dr Hendricks felt it was the responsibility of the teacher to teach people to learn not the students. See page 23,24.
Ezra 7:10
10 For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.
a. Ezra did not just study – he devoted himself to studying he was zealous relentless in his study of God’s word. Nothing superseded his study time. He digested it into his heart and then it changed him so much that he then became devoted to observing what he learned. He learned and then he put it into practice in his own life.
i. Result was others noticed and he earned a reputation!
ii. Ezra was an avid student – he loved to learn about the things of the Lord.
iii. But more than learning he applied what he learned to his behavior – and he was zealous to make sure he did what the Lord instructed him to do.
b. Ezra’s reputation was he was a teacher of God’s word and God’s hand was on him as he taught
i. Ezra was not only studious but a trainer a teacher of people and probably followed these principles:
The Research Institute of America lists these requirements for those who train others: (1.) Desire to teach (2) Knowledge of the subject (3) Ability to communicate (4) Patience (5) Sense of humor (6) Time to do a thorough job.
--Donald Kirkpatrick
ii. Ezra’s reputation was also that He gave to others what God revealed to him.
1. Bruce teaches us what it means to teach. He tells us, “To teach, therefore means to busy oneself eagerly with the students learning. It also means ‘to urge’ to cause others to do,’ and ‘an eager pursuit of an action” (page 26).
2. Bruce Wilkinson helps us understand how important it is to be an effective teacher of the Word. He states 7 essential ingredients to be an impact teacher: These 7 are taken from the Seven Laws of the Learner, pages 29-41:
1. Teachers are responsible to cause students to learn.
a. He states, “Are you sensing the utter importance of this mindset, that the teacher is the one who is responsible? Obviously, the students are responsible to learn the material-but the teacher is responsible to cause them to know the material” (30).
b. Do you present the Word of God like this to the ones you are teaching?
2. Teachers will stand accountable to God for their influence.
a. He instructs us, ‘When someone delegates responsibility to us for a given project, usually we must give an account for our performance. God’s word clearly reveals that each of us is going to be held accountable to God for how we fulfilled his instructions” (32)
b. Texts that assert this truth are found in 2 Cor. 5:10, and James 3:1
c. The truth is friend you will be held accountable by God on how you fulfilled your role of teaching others.
3. Teachers are responsible because they control subject, style, and speaker.
a. Subject – The teacher controls this by what he says. He does by illustration and by either staying on the subject or drifting away from the subject.
b. Style – A teacher can whisper, shout, use media, jump, spin, shout, use body motions and the like but he is in control of these means. People learn or don’t learn by the style the teacher uses. Good teachers change their styles to impact their learners. If one does not work they adjust and do what does work. There goal is to be flexible so as to facilitate learning process.
c. Speaker- the teacher controls everything about the learning process. That’s why the teacher causes the student to learn by using the correct method of subject, style and speaker (34).
4. Teachers should judge their success by the success of their students.
a. Bruce notes, “Teachers cause students to learn the material, and great teachers cause great numbers of students to learn great amounts of material” (37).
b. He adds, “The most important test of teacher effectiveness is student performance.”
c. It’s not about accumulation of knowledge but of the desired action resulting from the education.
5. Teachers impact more by their character and commitment than by their communication.
a. Bruce states, “Character out-influences communication every time.’
6. Teachers exist to serve the students.
a. They must serve the student by teaching them through serving them the essential food that will give them abundant life.
b. The student is not there to serve the teacher – it’s the other way around. The teacher serves the food to the learner.
7. Teachers who practice the Laws of the Learner can become master teachers.
a. These types of teachers like Ezra will affect a nation.
b. D.L Moody said, “The Bible wasn’t given for our information but for our transformation.”
c. And teaching is the main element God uses to affect transformation in peoples lives.
3. Ezra’s reputation was not just known in the Israelite community but it was acknowledged in the secular community as well.
Ezra 7: 11-12
11 This is a copy of the letter King Artaxerxes had given to Ezra the priest and teacher, a man learned in matters concerning the commands and decrees of the LORD for Israel: 12 Artaxerxes, king of kings, To Ezra the priest, a teacher of the Law of the God of heaven: Greetings.
a. The King even noted Ezra’s character and verified his reputation to all. When secular leaders testify about your reputation you know you are making an impact. It’s important to take a look around and see what secular leaders say about your reputation.
i. The best reputation is one that is acknowledged by Christians and the world.
ii. Share about incident with saved parents with unsaved kids and the importance of reputation.
b. It is obvious that Ezra was a walking sermon.
I’d Rather See A Sermon
I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day.
I’d rather one should walk with me than merely show the way.
The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear;
Fine counsel is confusing, but example always clear;
And the best of all preachers are the men who live their creeds,
For to see the good action is what everybody needs.
I can soon learn how to do it if you’ll let me see it done,
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run.
And the lectures you deliver may be wise and true;
But I’d rather get my lesson by observing what you do.
For I may misunderstand you and the high advice you give,
But there’s no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.
- Edgar A. Guest
B. Ezra’s attitude was one of humility, note 7:27-28
27 Praise be to the LORD, the God of our fathers, who has put it into the king’s heart to bring honor to the house of the LORD in Jerusalem in this way 28 and who has extended his good favor to me before the king and his advisers and all the king’s powerful officials. Because the hand of the LORD my God was on me, I took courage and gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me.
1. He always gave glory to God for all he did and accomplished.
2. He never said “It’s because of me that this nation is restored to a right relationship with God.” He knew it was God working through his life that others where transformed.
a. It was not his knowledge or wisdom that changed people’s life it was because God used him to work a miracle. God directed him as he was willing to serve the Lord in his God given task.
3. A person with humility is one who has a godly reputation and everyone says “The hand of God is on him!”
II. Ezra was a priest who had the reputation of trusting GOD WITH HIS WHOLE HEART, MIND, SOUL, AND BODY this is why God’s hand was on him.
A. Ezra 8:21-32.
1. He had faith in God to see him through to the completion of the task God gave him.
2. He understood that it was God who protected them. He also knew that he needed to trust in God and not say one thing and do another when it came to serving God.
3. So he refused the king’s protection and revealed that God would protect them.
a. Ezra’s example expresses this poem:
Faith and Doubt
Doubt sees the obstacles
Faith sees the way!
Doubt sees the darkest night,
Faith sees the day!
Doubt dreads to take a step,
Faith soars on high!
Doubt questions, "Who believes?"
Faith answers, "I"!
--Gospel Banner
B. He not only had faith in God but he trusted those under him to do the jobs assigned to them.
1. Ezra 8:24-34
a. The man who will place trust in men will make fewer mistakes than he who distrusts others.
i. Share about church scenario!
b. Trust and love are at the heart here. Love lets go and permits the others ministers to stretch their wings and take on some responsibility.
i. Love pushes the priesthood of all believers!
c. Trust also operates on the dimension of mutual respect.
d. Ezra here illustrates a leadership principle which shows that he was secure enough in himself and God to trust others for ministry and then allow them to do it and be successful.
e. He reveals a leader who is also a leader who allows others to lead and succeed.
III. Ezra was a priest and leader who had the reputation of knowing the heartbeat of God this is why God’s hand was on him..
A. He grieved over sin like God does.
1. Ezra 9:1-5
a. Grief is itself a medicine -William Cowper
b. Ezra here felt the pain of sin as it grieves the Holy Spirit.
Personal Illustration "Swindol on the H.S.
B. He knew how to repent and pray to touch the heart of God.
1. Like a modern pastor, Ezra led in a public prayer of confession. He did not personally commit the sins mentioned from the pulpit, but Ezra saw himself vitally linked to the community
even in its sin. Ezra showed care and responsibility for his people rather than setting himself above them. Quest, 640
2. “True repentance has a double aspect; it looks upon things past with a weeping eye, and upon the future with a watchful eye.” Robert Smith
C. Ezra’s prayer chapter 9
1. He involved himself with those of whom he spoke (6)
2. He was keenly aware of the havoc wrought from sin (7)
3. He was conscious of God’s mercy (8,9)
4. Ezra confess’ blatant disobedience of God’s commands
(10-12)
5. He recognizes the right of God to destroy them (13)
6. He cries for mercy (14,15)
D. Ezra’s example led a nation to repentance.
1. Share about Coach McCartney’s vision he had for PK at Washington D.C.
Conclusion:
WE as Christians need to imitate Ezra’s example: We need to have a reputation like Ezra’s that God’s hand was on him.
1. We need to study God’s word with diligence and have a Godly reputation.
2. We need to be devoted to God’s teachings and have a Godly reputation.
3. We need to have a reputation that is so Godly that earthly rulers see and testify about it.
4. We need to be walking sermons not just talking sermons with no action.
5. We need to be men and women of humility always praising God and giving him the credit for our accomplishments. This is an everlasting reputation.
6. We need to be priests that trust God with our whole heart. A reputation of being confident in God 100%.
7. We need to step out in faith and let God protect us and defend us.
8. We need to also trust our fellow Christians with his work and encourage them in God’s labor. We need to have the reputation of being builders of Godly leaders who will impact our nation for God.
9. We need to be priest who when are exposed to sin weep for God’s mercy. We need to feel God’s pain as he feels the pain of sin. We need to have the reputation that says “Sin hurts their heart like God’s”
10. We need to be priests of prayer. We need to have the reputation of being prayer warriors.
11. We need to lead a nation to repentance! We need to have the reputation of leading people to Jesus Christ for transformation.
