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Lessons from Nehemiah Chapter 2

Answering God’s calling is a journey filled with phases that shape our faith and purpose. In the book of Nehemiah, we find a remarkable example of how one man responded to a divine calling. Nehemiah’s story, as told in Chapter 2, offers profound insights into the process of answering God’s call. This blog post will explore four distinct phases inspired by Nehemiah’s journey: The Waiting Phase, The Courageous Phase, The Teambuilding Phase, and The Opposition Phase. Each phase serves as a guide, shedding light on how we can navigate the path of divine purpose in our own lives.

In the first phase, we encounter Nehemiah’s patient waiting for the right moment to fulfill his calling. Let’s delve into the significance of this phase as we embark on our quest to answer God’s call.

Section 1: The Waiting Phase – Be Patient and trust God’s Timing

In the journey of answering God’s calling, patience is often the first test of our faith. Nehemiah’s story teaches us the profound importance of the Waiting Phase, a time of preparation and spiritual growth. During this phase, Nehemiah waited for the opportune moment to approach King Artaxerxes, seeking permission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Just as Nehemiah waited, we too must be patient in our response to God’s calling. Nehemiah didn’t rush into his calling but patiently sought the right moment. As we wait, we learn to rely on God’s wisdom and timing. The waiting phase is an opportunity to draw closer to God through prayer and reflection. It’s a time to seek His guidance and understand His purpose for your life. Use this period to equip yourself mentally and spiritually for the journey ahead. Nehemiah’s waiting phase allowed him to gather his thoughts and plan his approach.

Remember, answering God’s calling is not a sprint but a marathon. Embrace the Waiting Phase as a season of spiritual growth and preparation for the phases that lie ahead. In the next section, we’ll delve into the Courageous Phase, where Nehemiah displayed remarkable courage in pursuing his calling.

Section 2: The Courageous Phase – Be Bold

In the journey of answering God’s calling, there comes a time when courage becomes the defining attribute. Nehemiah’s journey from waiting to action is marked by a display of unwavering faith and boldness, which we’ll explore in this second phase. Nehemiah’s courageous phase is exemplified when he approached King Artaxerxes, a powerful ruler, and requested permission to return to Jerusalem and rebuild its walls. This act of courage offers profound lessons for those of us seeking to answer God’s calling. Nehemiah’s faith in God’s calling overcame any fear he might have had in approaching the king. Like Nehemiah, we must trust in God’s purpose and rely on His strength when we step out in faith to answer His call. Courage doesn’t mean the absence of fear; it means taking action despite fear. Nehemiah’s boldness in presenting his request to the king is a testament to his unwavering commitment to fulfilling his calling. Pursuing your calling with courage doesn’t guarantee a smooth path. Challenges and obstacles may arise, but it’s in facing these challenges that we grow in faith and character.

The Courageous Phase is a critical step in answering God’s calling, as it propels us from waiting and reflection into active engagement. In the next section, we will explore the Teambuilding Phase, where Nehemiah’s journey takes a collaborative turn as he assembles a team to support his mission.

Section 3: The Teambuilding Phase – Reach out and Collaborate for a Divine Mission

Answering God’s calling often involves working in concert with others, and this is exactly what we discover in Nehemiah’s journey. In the Teambuilding Phase, Nehemiah embarks on the crucial task of assembling a dedicated team to support his divine mission of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah recognized that he couldn’t achieve his calling alone. We must acknowledge that our own strengths are complemented by those of others. Teaming up with individuals who share the same purpose can lead to remarkable achievements. By actively involving others in your calling, you create a collective force, making the mission more impactful and far-reaching. In the next section, we will address the challenges encountered in the Opposition Phase and how to remain steadfast in the face of adversity.

Section 4: The Opposition Phase – Stand Firm, Persevere Amidst Challenges

In the journey of answering God’s calling, it’s almost inevitable that you will encounter opposition and challenges. Nehemiah’s mission to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls was no exception. In this phase, we see how Nehemiah and his team faced various forms of opposition and adversity. When you’re obedient to God’s calling, opposition may arise from various sources – skeptics, critics, or external obstacles. Understanding that challenges are part of the process can help you remain resolute. Remember that opposition can be a refining fire, strengthening your resolve and deepening your faith. Nehemiah’s story reminds us that with unwavering determination and faith in God, we can overcome obstacles and continue to answer His calling.

In conclusion, Nehemiah’s journey through these four phases – The Waiting Phase, The Courageous Phase, The Teambuilding Phase, and The Opposition Phase – serves as a profound guide for those seeking to answer God’s calling. By embracing patience, courage, collaboration, and perseverance, we can navigate our own unique paths and fulfill our divine purposes.

As you reflect on Nehemiah’s story, consider where you are in your own journey of answering God’s calling and how these phases can provide guidance and encouragement. Remember that God’s calling is a continuous journey of growth and service, and by following these principles, you can find fulfillment in fulfilling your unique purpose.

 

In Nehemiah 1:11, he ends his prayer with a very specific request, notice what it is,

“11 Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”

(Nehemiah 1:11, NIV)

“The man” Nehemiah is talking about is the King of Persia, Artaxerxes, the most powerful person in the whole world at that time.  And here Nehemiah is asking for God to grant him favor and we’ll see in the coming chapters that Nehemiah will ask him for permission to go and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

And this is why chapter 1 ends this way, “I was cupbearer to the king.” Nehemiah begins to see there’s an opportunity for him, and he is willing to put himself on the line. He is willing to leave the comforts of the palace and go to the ruins and work on this problem himself. He was willing to sacrifice the security of Persia and move to the dangerous territory of Jerusalem, a city with no protection.

Why does Nehemiah do that? The answer is because he was a man with a dislocated heart. Which leads us to point and important aspect of Nehemiah which is the position of Nehemiah

You see, Nehemiah’s not just asking God to solve the problem, He’s asking God to allow Him to be part of the solution. And so after this prayer, he stands up with confidence and he begins to see, this was the opportunity God placed before him, and here he is going to do something about it and here he realizes that this was his life’s calling.

Nehemiah cared enough to volunteer. Nehemiah didn’t just care enough to ask, weep, pray, he also cared enough to volunteer. And the rest of Nehemiah tells that story and it’s amazing. After decades of the city being in ruins, he completes this entire project in 52 days! 52 days! Incredible. We will get there in the coming chapters.

 

Introduction:

In the realm of dreams and visionaries, the story of the Wright brothers stands as an iconic example of human aspiration. They dared to dream the impossible—to fly. Much like them, Nehemiah, an ancient figure from the Bible, had a vision that defied the odds. In this blog post, we will explore Nehemiah 1 and uncover the powerful message it holds for us today. We’ll delve into the passion, prayer, and position of Nehemiah, drawing inspiration from his story to encourage you to discern your own vision and calling in life.

Section 1: The Passion of Nehemiah

Passion is the fuel that ignites extraordinary dreams. Just as the Wright brothers were passionate about aviation, Nehemiah was deeply moved by the plight of his people. Nehemiah lived in a time when Jerusalem lay in ruins, and its inhabitants were in distress. His heart was broken, and his passion to see Jerusalem restored burned within him. Dr. Howard Hendricks said, “Nehemiah was a man with a dislocated heart.” Nehemiah’s story reminds us that our most significant visions often arise from a place of profound empathy and concern for the world around us.

Section 2: The Prayer of Nehemiah

Nehemiah’s passion was accompanied by fervent prayer. He didn’t rush into action; instead, he turned to God in prayer. In Nehemiah 1, we find a heartfelt prayer in which he confessed the sins of his people, sought God’s guidance, and implored His favor. Nehemiah recognized that true vision is not born out of self-reliance but through a deep connection with a higher purpose. His prayer teaches us the importance of seeking divine guidance and relying on faith when pursuing our dreams. His prayer provides a model for our own prayers.

Section 3: The Position of Nehemiah

Nehemiah was not just a dreamer; he was a man of action. As the cupbearer to the king, he held a position of influence and access to the corridors of power. His position enabled him to speak to the king about his vision for Jerusalem’s restoration. This demonstrates that our life circumstances and positions can be strategically used to fulfill our vision. Nehemiah teaches us that sometimes, our current roles and resources are stepping stones toward our greater calling.

In conclusion, the story of Nehemiah reminds us that a broken heart can indeed become the source of a big vision. Just as the Wright brothers revolutionized aviation with their determination to fly, Nehemiah changed the course of history by rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls. Let us reflect on our own lives. What passions burn within us? Have we turned to prayer and sought divine guidance for our dreams? Are we leveraging our current positions and resources for the greater good? Nehemiah’s example challenges us to discover and pursue our own visions and callings, for it is in our dreams that we find the power to shape a better future for the glory of God.

 

 

Let’s talk about Ezra’s specific journey for just a moment. I want you to see how big a deal this was. First, this journey was long. This was not a short trip. The total distanced covered would be 900 miles because they had to go north along the river to secure a water supply. They could not take the shortest route. Second, this route was dangerous. There were many robbers and looters along the route who would seek to attack them. Ezra and his people would bring a considerable amount of gold and silver with them for the temple. We read this in Ezra chapter 8 verse 26:

I weighed out into their hand 650 talents of silver, and silver vessels worth 200 talents, and 100 talents of gold,

(Ezra 8:26, ESV)

This is just one verse, there was more! To put this in perspective, one talent was equal to 66 pounds. So, in this one verse we are told they are carrying 6,600 pounds of gold with them on this journey. I’m no financial expert but that seems like a lot of gold, and just as much silver. Now, if you were carrying that much precious metal, wouldn’t it be nice to have an armed escort from the king? After all, he seems to be granting all your requests. Given the circumstances, Ezra’s choice seems very odd. After counting the costs and praying for a safe journey, Ezra says this:

For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, “The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him.”

(Ezra 8:22, ESV)

Wow. Just to summarize, Ezra is leading 5,000 people (men, women and children) on a dangerous 900 mile trip on foot! And they will be carrying with them thousands of pounds of silver and gold under threat of ambush. Ezra says, “I was ashamed to ask the king for help because I told him God would protect him.”

This passage raises an important question, how do you balance faith and discernment? Right? This question and scene expose some personality types. Some of us, we are big faith people! You might say, “Ezra has it right! Just have faith that God will protect us! All you people who over prep and plan, where is your faith?”

Others of us think Ezra is crazy. “Just ask for the escort and swallow your pride! You are being foolish!” Now, what’s interesting is that if you skip head to Nehemiah 2, he asks for asks for an escort! All my preppers and planners say, “that’s right, Nehemiah is the wise, spiritual leader!”

My point is, how do you balance faith and discernment? How do you trust the hand of God? Was Ezra wrong? Was Nehemiah wrong?

This question gets at the heart of God’s providential work in the world. I believe God works providentially in different ways. Was Ezra wrong? No. He was trusting in God’s supernatural providence. Sometimes, God may be calling us to trust him and it makes no sense to anyone else.

I’ll offer an illustration. I had a friend who used to take mission trips to China and smuggle in Bibles. If they were caught, they would be sent right back to the United States. While they made some preparations, they had to trust, at some level, that God would supernaturally allow them to pass. And he had several stories of God allowing them through. Have you ever had a moment where God providential guided you around danger?

Sometimes God is simply calling you to step out in faith, and trust that he will protect. Was Nehemiah wrong? No. I think he was also trusting God. He was trusting in the mundane providence of God. God supplied protection to Nehemiah because he had an escort from the king. Both can be true and both can be the hand of God. What is true in your situation? Do you Trust the hand of God?

The Foundation of Heart Architecture

We’ve been the exploring the lives of three OT characters: Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah. Last week, we finished with Zerubbabel. Today, we will look at Ezra. Next week, we will finally get to Nehemiah. Each played a significant role in the restoration of God’s people from exile.

Zerubbabel rebuilt to TEMPLE. Nehemiah will rebuild the WALLS of Jerusalem. Ezra led a REVIVAL among the people of God. By the end of Ezra 10, the people are God are coming forward, confessing their sin, re-committing their lives to YHWH God, and desiring his presence. How did that happen? By the end of this post, I hope you will see that revival requires the movement of God in the heart of his people.

Ed Stetzer and Thom Rainer make this statement in their book, Transformational Church: “There can be no renewal, revival or rebuilding without a vision for and an experience of the all-consuming, all-illuminating presence of God (Transformation Church, pg. 15).” If you want revival, you need a hunger for God. You must desire him, and his presence, before anything else. How does this transformation happen? It starts with the architecture of our heart; revival is an inside out event. This is the foundation of the Second Wave Spirituality found in Ezra 7-10.

Love the Word of God

Second Wave Spirituality begins, first, by loving the WORD of God. Revival occurs with a renewed focus on God’s Word. Just to be clear, the Word of God revealed to us today is captured in the 66 books of the Old and New Testament. It is God’s special revelation, his love letter to his people. It reveals who he is, what he has done, and how we should live in response. This was true of Ezra, the priest. Look at Ezra 7:10,

“For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel (Ezra 7:10, ESV).”

Ezra is in the business of HEART ARCHITECTURE. He is called the BUILD UP the people of God. This one verse offers some rich applicational points for us. What does it look like to love God’s Word?

• It moves our EMOTIONS.  It captures our affections. Other translations say Ezra devoted himself to study. He dedicated all of his life to learning God’s word. It was on his mind when he went to sleep and when he woke up. Has God’s Word capture your affections? An affection is a fondness for something. When you wake up in the morning, do you see your study as something you have to do or something you get to do?
• It stimulates our INTELLECT. Our study expands. When we love God’s word, we want to go deeper in understanding God’s Word. That may mean joining a bible study, a small group, or even taking graduate level courses. If you love someone, you want to know more about them. What is your level of study with God’s word?
• It transforms our WILL. In other words, our lives are changed daily. When you spend time with someone, it changes you. You start to take on certain shared qualities. If you love God’s word and you are studying it deeply, you will be transformed. In fact, I would suggest that you would act different on the days you don’t study God’s word.
• We take ACTION. We are hungry to teach others. If you love God’s word, if you are studying it deeply, if it is transforming your life, how can you NOT tell others? This was Ezra. The Word of God exploded from his heart. He had a gift he could not help but share because he believed it offered the key to a flourishing life.

Trust the Hand of God

When you love the Word of God, you see how God works. What does Ezra say repeatedly? “The hand of the Lord my God was on me.” Ezra saw that God was guiding him and it built his faith. Do you trust the hand of God? You see, here is the thing, many of say we love the Word of God. We may read it every day, multiple times a day. However, when push comes to shove, when faced with a challenge, do we trust that the hand of God will be with us? And if you don’t trust the hand of God … why? For some of us, we do not have a Christian worldview. Others of us, we have a difficult time trusting anyone because of our life experience. Still others, we do not trust the hand of God because we want the glory for ourselves; we want to be the architect of the building.

Trusting the hand of God is all about heart architecture. Sometimes God challenges us so that we can see his hand at work in our lives. He wants to build our faith IN HIM! Ezra encounters a major challenge in 8:21,

“Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods (Ezra 8:21, ESV).”

Let’s talk about Ezra’s specific journey for a moment. I want you to see how big a deal this way. (1) First, this journey was LONG—it was not a short trip. The total distanced covered would be 900 miles because they had to go north along the river to secure a water supply. They could not take the shortest route. (2) Second, this route was dangerous. There were many robbers and looters along the route who would seek the attack them. Ezra and his people were bring a considerable amount of Gold and Silver with them for the temple. After counting the costs and praying for a safe journey, Ezra says this:

For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, “The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him.” (Ezra 8:22, ESV)

Just to summarize—Ezra is leading 5000 people (men, women and children) on a dangerous 900-mile trip—on foot! They will be carrying with them thousands of pounds of silver and gold under threat of ambush. Ezra says, “I was ashamed to ask the king for help because I told him God would protect him.” This passage raises an important question: How do you balance FAITH and DISCERNMENT?

This question gets at the heart of God’s providential work in the world. I believe God works providentially in different ways. Was Ezra wrong? No. He was trusting in God’s SUPERNATURAL PROVIDENCE. Sometimes, God may be calling us to trust him and it makes no sense to anyone else. Some of us think Ezra is crazy. “Just ask for the escort and swallow your pride! You are being FOOLISH!” Now, what is interesting is that if you skip head to Nehemiah 2, he asks for an escort! All my preppers and planners say, “That’s right, Nehemiah is the wise, spiritual leader!” Was Nehemiah wrong? No. I think he was also trusting God. He was trusting in the MUNDANE PROVIDENCE of God. God supplied protection to Nehemiah because he had an escort from the king. Both can be true and both can be the hand of God. What is true in your situation?

Seek the Face of God

In Ezra 9 we learn that Ezra and his people have been in Jerusalem about 4 months. They are living with the people who came before them, they are tending to the temple, the people are hearing the Word of God! However, there is a problem. It comes to Ezra’s attention that the people of God have compromised their holiness. It was widespread. What is nature of the problem? The people of Israel, even their priests, are in bed … literally … with the people of the land. How does Ezra respond?

“As soon as I heard this, I tore my garment and my cloak and pulled hair from my head and beard and sat appalled (Ezra 9:3, ESV).”

Okay—woah! Calm down Ezra—this seems extreme. You learn about some mixed marriages and you are tearing your clothes and ripping out your hair? Crazy! At least he is not as bad as Nehemiah. In Nehemiah 13, when there is problem—Nehemiah ripped out the offenders hair! Ezra was the pastor and Nehemiah was the political leader, so I suppose they act different! Now, some of us may be wondering why this is such a big deal. The laws forbids this action because who you marry deeply affects your children. Any foreigner would have worshipped a different God. As such, a generation of children would grow up confused.

Ezra loves the word of God. He has experienced the hand of God. And now, in the midst of deep spiritual grief, he seeks the face of God. He knows he is completely dependent upon him. He knows his people are completely dependent upon him. The rest of the chapter is a prayer of confession to God.

Ezra’s response shows us an important application point: Our Holiness Matters. You may think you secrets sins are no big deal, but they can affect the entire community. In this case, there was some cultural normativity to this practice that was far reaching. The question we should all ask ourselves is this: Am I spiritually compromised? Is that preventing a work of revival God wants to do in my heart? God cares about our holiness—he wants us to seek his face.

Where is God bringing conviction into your heart today? Conviction leads to revival. Maybe God is opening your eyes to a practice you thought was normal … but it’s not pleasing to him. Maybe there is a relationship that needs to be mended. Maybe we have not been seeking his face in prayer as you should. Allow the Holy Spirit to bring conviction and set you heart on fire—that’s revival! And if you feel spiritually dry, ask these diagnostic questions:

Do I love the Word of God? This is how God reveals himself to his people. If you don’t love his Word, how can you love God himself?

Can you say, like Ezra, the HAND OF GOD was with me? When you step out in faith and trust God … you see him work.

The psalmist once prayed, your face, of God, we seek. Are you pursuing the face of God? When you do your heart will be open to him in fresh ways. You will confess sin. You will have new affections and motivations. Your life will be different. And, I would argue, revival is just around the corner.

 

God has an specific, individual calling for each of us. He has planted you for a purpose. He has placed Millington Baptist Church on this corner for a mission. The question is, will we answer the call to God’s mission? To do that, we have to trust him. I’m going to note three based on what we just discussed and I want you to ask yourself each question.

1. First, where are you seen God’s PROTECTION? Both personally and as a church. What trials has God brought you through? MBC has been here since 1851. That is a long time. God has protected his church for many years. He is He is still using us. And even if the cultural forces come, he wants us to be faithful to the call. The same thing is true in your personal life.
2. Second, how have you experienced God’s PROVISION? There are have been seasons of financial drought both personally and as a church. And yet, God always manages to provide. What he calls us to he will provide the resources, whether that is financial, leadership, encouragement.
3. Third, where can you trust him for PRESERVATION? Some of us right now may be getting ready to throw in the towel. The suffering is too great. We have been going through a very hard season. Do you trust that God is preserving you for a purpose?

The reason we don’t build God’s kingdom, often, is because we don’t believe God will protect, provide or preserve. We look back at our own abilities. But God wants us to lift our eyes up to him and realize that he is bigger than any trial or opposition. The way we overcome opposition is by fixing our eyes on the slaughtered Lamb of God who defeated sin, and hell, and Satan, and death on the cross. He is worthy of worship and trust.

After the temple is completed. Zerubbabel and his people have a worship service. They celebrate the Passover. They remembered who God is, and how he had saved them those many years ago.

So they slaughtered the Passover lamb for all the returned exiles.

(Ezra 6:20, ESV)

They slaughtered the Passover lamb for the returned exiles. It is here that this story points to something greater. The story of Ezra and Nehemiah is about God, by his grace, saving and restoring an exiled people. It is the story of the Exodus, God saves his people in exile. And don’t miss this, it is also the Christian story. Every one of us in this room, we were once an exile. We were once far from God. But then he sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to be the true and better Passover Lamb.

If you don’t know Jesus Christ, you are in exile. But the good news of the Gospel is you can come home and be adopted into the family of God, because of the blood of the Lamb. On the cross, Jesus paid our penalty, absorbed the wrath of God against sin, and secured our salvation. We didn’t deserve it, but he did it by his mercy. He is the fulfillment of all the prophecies, and one day he will come back and the dwelling place of God will be with his people, the true temple will be here! In Revelation 5, John tells us everyone will be singing the same song:

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”

(Revelation 5:12, ESV)

And all we can do is sing with joy, like God’s people did in Ezra 6.

The true Passover lamb was slain for you! Will your life sing with joy? Because of Jesus you are PROTECTED from wrath. Because of Jesus, all the riches of heaven has been PROVIDED to you. And if you know Jesus, he will PRESERVE you to the end. Now, live with joy, as you rise up and build his kingdom in the city where is has both planted and called you. Will you do that? I pray that you will.

 

Prepare for Resistance

Following Jesus today requires brave, sacrificial hearts. There will be resistance but we can’t give up. Do you think people tried to talk Zerubbabel, or Ezra, or Nehemiah out of answering their call to restore the temple and the city? I imagine there were plenty of people who said, “You are crazy! Don’t do it?” Praise God that these men resisted and said, “No! The walls of the city are broken … the temple is gone … we must rebuild them so a fresh work of God can come!”

We may not be called to build a structure for God … but we are called to build his kingdom. Church, our society seems to be breaking down but it’s a time for Christians to build—to build the kingdom! It’s hard. There will be pushback. Where have you encountered resistance? It could come from anywhere: the lunch room at work, a mother’s gathering, the classroom at school. When certain topics come up—worldviews are exposed! If you start sharing the Gospel, if you start really standing up for what the Bible says, if you start attempting to make a difference in the culture outside the walls of the church … people won’t like it. Why? It is an issue of worship. People don’t want to worship and submit their lives to Jesus … they want to live for themselves. Consider some of the major cultural issues of our day. At the root of issues like sexuality, or materialism, or freedom and control—it’s all about wanting to live for ourselves. It’s all about us wanting to be our own God. If you threaten people’s self-sovereignty—there will be pushback.

The question for us, church, is how will we handle the resistance. Will we give up … or will we rise up?

Face the Adversary

Overcoming resistance requires that we face the adversary. Don’t run away. Let’s pick up the story in Ezra 4:1,

“Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the returned exiles were building a temple to the Lord, the God of Israel, they approached Zerubbabel … (Ezra 4:1-2a).”

What do we learn right away? There is a confrontation between Zerubbabel, his people and their enemies. These adversaries were people from Samaria who did not truly worship God. They wanted to help build the temple. However, Zerubbabel and his people rejected their offer—because they wanted to protect the work of God. This let to decades of persecution.

Are you afraid to build God’s kingdom? What adversities are stopping you? Are they coming with force and power … attempting to silence your preaching of the Gospel? I would like to outline three forms these adversaries can take.

First, specific PEOPLE can be our adversaries. In Ezra 4:1, we read about specific people who came to Zerubbabel. Later there were specific people who were attempting to influence the King. Right now, you may be picturing people in your life who are keeping you from People can be adversaries. However, I want to offer an important caveat—there is an enemy behind those people. We did a whole series on spiritual warfare this summer, and if you read Ephesians 6 you know that Paul tells us our battle not against flesh and blood. Rather, we fight the spiritual forces of darkness who are influencing those people. How do you face them? You speak the truth in love … and leave the consequences to God. Who are the adversarial people in your life?

Second, IDEAS can be adversarial. Once Zerubbabel rejected the adversaries offer to help with the temple—he became an enemy. The mood in the room changed. The adversaries started to recruit people to their side by spreading ideas. Even in the letter to the King, they sold the idea that Jerusalem was a threat to this power. Ideas have consequences—in this case the temple was delayed. Let me just state, there are many bad ideas floating around our modern world. Just look at the advertisements, peruse the entertainment platforms, listen to the debates and you will quickly scratch your head. What is going on??? Ideas can be adversarial to the Gospel. How do you face this adversary? You speak the truth and influence people with better ideas. Show them the beauty of the Gospel. What are the adversarial ideas in your life?

Finally, CULTURAL SYSTEMS can be adversarial. At the end of the King’s letter in Ezra 4, the king made a policy that went against God’s kingdom agenda. Today, similarly, there will be bad policies that go against the Gospel and God’s Kingdom. Ideas create cultural narratives that eventually get embedded in institutions like schools and government. There may be policies you encounter that are adversarial to your faith. How do you face them? You speak truth and advocate for change. Why? Because everyone was made to worship God. And when God’s kingdom is built—everyone flourishes.

Seek Prophetic Insight

The word “Prophet” is used a number of ways in the Bible. When I say prophetic insight, what I mean is the ability to see “beyond the lies, bad ideas, and destructive narratives of this world. It is the ability to see God for who he is and follow him in faith.” When God provides prophets to his people in OT, this is what they do. The expose the lies we believe and call us to repentance. They speak a word from God with points the way forward. Or put another way, prophetic insights: (1) Expose our sin and (2) Confirm our calling.

In the midst of this destructive season of resistance in Ezra, God sends two prophets. Skip down to Ezra 5:1,

“Now the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel who was over them (Ezra 5:1, ESV).”

How many of us have read the books of Haggai and Zechariah? I don’t see a lot of memes on the internet from Haggai and Zechariah. Lots from the Psalms and Philippians … very little from the minor prophets. This week you should go read them because you know the background of when they were speaking. They come to God’s people at the end of this season of testing—and they revive God’s people for God’s mission.

Haggai is the plain speaker who “tells it like it is.” In the first movement I asked if you are afraid to build God’s kingdom. In this second movement, Haggai gives us prophetic insight. Maybe the reason we don’t build God’s kingdom, maybe the reason we don’t answer God’s call is because we are too comfortable. Material Comfort keeps us from answering the call. You are PLANTED and CALLED! Don’t just be a plant! Zechariah is the vision caster. Remember, God sends prophets to expose our sin and points us toward his will. In this midst of this encounter, Zechariah reassures Zerubbabel that God is with him—finish the mission! Look at Ezra 5:5,

“But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they did not stop them until the report should reach Darius and then an answer be returned by letter concerning it (Ezra 5:5, ESV).”

The people of God, guided by prophetic insight, chose to trust God and obey his call. Notice that phrase, “The Eye of God.” The author is indicating that God is with them in their mission, just as Zechariah had confirmed. God gave them a calling and his watchful eye would see it through to completion. V. 5 points to an important applicational point for us all. When God plants us in a location, he calls us to a mission, then he offers providential protection. This is what Ezra 4-6 is all about.

Rest In The King’s Favor

In Ezra 6, we read that King Darius made a decree and enlisted all the smartest people in the city to go find the ancient documents that corroborate this. King Cyrus did tell them to build the temple and gave specific instructions. It’s all true and the work can resume. So … Darius begins his response to the governor like this:

“Now therefore, Tattenai, governor of the province Beyond the River […] keep away. Let the work on this house of God alone. Let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews rebuild this house of God on its site (Ezra 6:6-7, ESV).”

That is a definitive response. HANDS OFF! Keep away! Let them complete the work. Talk about God’s providence! Zerubbabel kept working without this word from the King … but God protected his people and their work. They rested in the favor of the King and they fulfilled their calling.

God has a specific, individual calling for each of us. He has planted you for a purpose. He has placed Millington Baptist Church on this corner for a mission. The question is will we answer the call to God’s mission? To do that, we have to trust him. Here are three questions to consider.

First, where are you seen God’s PROTECTION? Both personally and as a church. What trials has God brought you through? MBC has been here since 1851. That is a long time. God has protected his church for many years. He is still using us. And even if the cultural forces come … he wants us to be faithful to the call. The same thing is true in your personal life.

Second, how have you experienced God’s PROVISION? There are have been seasons of financial drought both personally and as a church. And yet, God always manages to provide. What he calls us to he will provide the resources, whether that is financial, leadership, encouragement.

Third, where can you trust him for PRESERVATION? Some of us right now may be getting ready to throw in the towel. The suffering is too great. We have been going through a very hard season. Do you trust that God is preserving you for a purpose?

The reason we don’t build God’s kingdom, often, is because we don’t believe God will protect, provide or preserve. We look back at our own abilities. But God wants us to lift our eyes up to him and realize that he is bigger than any trial or opposition. The way we overcome opposition is by fixing our eyes on the slaughtered Lamb of God who defeated sin, and hell, and Satan, and death on the cross. He is worthy of worship and trust.

After the temple is completed. Zerubbabel and his people have a worship service. They celebrate the Passover. They remembered who God is, and how he had saved them those many years ago.

“So they slaughtered the Passover lamb for all the returned exiles (Ezra 6:20, ESV).”

They slaughtered the Passover lamb for the returned exiles. Friends, it is here that this story points to something greater. The story of Ezra and Nehemiah is about God, by his grace, saving and restoring an exiled people. It is the story of the Exodus—God saves his people in exile. And don’t miss this—it is also the Christian story. Every one of us in this room, we were once an exile. We were once far from God. But then he sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to be the true and better Passover Lamb. If you don’t know Jesus Christ, you are in exile. But the good news of the Gospel is you can come home and be adopted into the family of God … because of the blood of the Lamb. On the cross, Jesus paid our penalty, absorbed the wrath of God against sin, and secured our salvation. We didn’t deserve it … he did it by his mercy. He is the fulfillment of all the prophecies—and one day he will come back and the dwelling place of God will be with his people—the true temple will be here! In Revelation 5, John tells us everyone will be singing the same song:

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” (Revelation 5:12, ESV)

And all we can do is sing with joy, like God’s people did in Ezra 6.

Church, the true Passover lamb was slain for you—will your life sing with joy? Because of Jesus you are PROTECTED from wrath. Because of Jesus, all the riches of heaven has been PROVIDED to you. And if you know Jesus, he will PRESERVE you to the end. Now … live with joy, as you rise up and build his kingdom in the city where is has both planted and called you. Will you do that? I pray that you will.

 

Here at Millington Baptist Church, our vision is to make disciples of Jesus who are “Firmly Planted, Growing Together and Made to Multiply.” to establish people in a growing relationship with Christ and spread the gospel. So, despite all of the rapid cultural change, all around us, we believe God still has us on his mission here.

But here’s the problem, sometimes we wish it would go back to the way it was, maybe 5 years ago, or maybe 20 years ago to when things felt more “normal.” But here’s the reality: we can’t go back, we’ve can only go forward, and sometimes it will look different than the way it was or even the way we expected it to look. So here’s the challenge, will you embrace the moment God has called you to in this world? Will you respond with cheers, or tears?

We pursue restoration when we embrace our moment. (Ezra Chapter 3)

This is your moment. Don’t you see? Jesus Christ hand picked you, for this moment. On purpose. The Bible says God is doing a new thing. This is what restoration is, it’s not going back to exactly what it was, it’s something completely new. Something you’ve never seen before.

I sometimes wonder what God thought about those who were crying and sad. Because God knew what he was going to do. And maybe God was up there in heaven thinking  you want to go back? Don’t you realize that on this foundation you’re laying right now, that’s where my one and only son will walk? Do you have any idea, the plans I have in store for this second temple?

You want to go back to Solomon? Someone so much greater than Solomon is coming, you need to look forward and prepare the way for what’s next. It’s the same principle today. We need to look forward. God wants to restore his people, and the path forward toward restoration is found eyes wide open to where we are today.

Here’s the truth: “Normal isn’t coming back, Jesus is coming back.” And he’s coming back looking for a restored church. And he’s coming back as the true and better Ezra to restore not the physical temple, but he’s going to make this whole world into a temple. This is where we’re headed.

And in the meantime, he’s looking for a church that’s really seeking after him and his restorative power.

 

Summary of Ezra 1-3

The book of Ezra, nestled in the Old Testament of the Bible, unfolds a captivating narrative of restoration and renewal. It offers a profound lesson for us all, encapsulated in the resounding call to “Rise Up and Build.” In chapters 1 to 3, we witness the remarkable journey of a community determined to rebuild their lives, their faith, and their homeland after years of exile. This story provides not only a historical account but also three powerful points of application for our own lives today.

Point 1: We pursue restoration when we remember God’s promises.

Ezra’s tale begins with Cyrus, the King of Persia, issuing a decree to allow the exiled Jews to return to their land and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. This decree was not merely a political decision; it was the fulfillment of God’s promise made through the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:10). The first point of application for us is to remember God’s promises. Just as the Jews held on to God’s word in their darkest hours, we should cling to the promises found in Scripture. These promises provide us with hope, purpose, and the assurance that God is always faithful.

Point 2: We pursue restoration when we respond to God’s calling.

The exiled Jews faced a choice: remain in the comfort of their foreign lands or respond to God’s calling to return and rebuild. Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and others chose to heed the call, embarking on a challenging journey to reconstruct the temple. Similarly, we are called to respond to God’s calling in our lives. It might not always be easy, and the path may be fraught with obstacles, but like Ezra’s group, our response to God’s call can lead to the restoration of our faith, relationships, and purpose.

Point 3: We pursue restoration when we embrace our moment.

As the foundation of the temple was laid, mixed emotions filled the hearts of those present. Some rejoiced while others wept, remembering the grandeur of the previous temple. Yet, they recognized that they were in a unique moment in history. They embraced the opportunity to rebuild, regardless of the challenges. In our own lives, restoration often hinges on seizing the moment, even when circumstances are less than ideal. When we recognize the significance of our current situation and embrace it with faith and determination, we position ourselves for restoration and renewal.

In conclusion, the story of Ezra 1-3 reminds us that restoration is not merely an event in history but a timeless principle that can guide our lives. We must remember God’s promises, respond to His calling, and embrace our moment, just as Ezra and his companions did. As we follow these principles, we too can hear the call to “Rise Up and Build” in our own lives, ushering in a season of restoration, renewal, and spiritual growth.

For further study, take a look at these background notes here:

https://millingtonbaptist.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Background-notes-on-Ezra-Nehemiah.pdf

 

What is praise? The word “Praise” in this text comes from the Hebrew verb Hallel. It means to boast, to give thanks, to adore, to magnify someone for their good qualities. It shines a light on a person and uplifts them in the company of people. This attention is to be given to God because HE alone is worthy.

The word Hallelujah is a compound word meaning “Praise Yahweh!” Notice also that this verb is found in the imperative mood, in other words, it’s not an option for only when I feel like it, rather it’s a command even when I don’t feel like it.

It’s kind of like when I don’t feel like getting up in the morning, I still need to get up anyway. I still use an old fashion alarm clock. It sits on my nightstand. It’s got that fake wood paneling, popular with electronics made in the 70s. I’ve had it since I was a kid, and I still have it and it still works. One of my goals during sabbatical was to set boundaries around my devices, so one thing I did was I stopped sleeping next to my device this summer. I didn’t want my phone to be the last thing I looked at before bed, nor did I want it to be the first thing I looked at in the morning.

So if I had to be up early, I refused to use my phone as my alarm clock, I use this. It’s the kind of alarm clock with a buzzer. Now, it used to be that the only alarm clock you could buy was one with a buzzer, “EHH EHH EHH EHH”. Do you still use a buzzer alarm clock?

Yeah, now, there are few things that we both love and hate as much as an alarm clock. Without it, most of us would miss an early start to the day, peacefully sleeping the morning away. So the alarm clock is a blessing to us, but it is also somewhat unwelcome as it rouses us from our slumber and shouts, “It is time to engage life!”

Here’s my point, Psalm 150 is a spiritual alarm clock, waking us up from our self-focused life to engage in praise of the Lord. Notice 13 Times in six verses it says to praise! Wake up! It is time to engage in praise of the Lord our God.

Perhaps you, like me, need a spiritual wake up this morning to praise the Lord. How is your praise life? Do you need to raise your praise? Or Would you rather hit the spiritual snooze button than energetically and fully engage in praise of God? Do you have some Praise procrastination?

Psalm 150 wants to wake us up to engage in praise.