Opposition or Restoration

Transcription

1 Opposition or Restoration Sunday, May 20, 2018 God s people, in our story today, had a lot of obstacles to get around. But God helped them in order to get His work accomplished. More importantly, to reestablish His relationship with His children. As we get into God s word, I want to share that God is still working in a special way here this morning in many of you. It may not be something that is always easy to do, nor do we see the impossible become possible. But as it says in: Philippians 2:13 (NKJV) - 13 "for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure". This morning we will be in the book of Ezra. Ezra is a book of narrative history and genealogies. Ezra s purpose was to accurately record the events of the return from Babylonian exile after a seventy-year period, and the events that surrounded the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. God is faithful in fulfilling His promises and so the Jews return to Jerusalem from their exile in Babylon. Ezra 3:8-13 (NKJV) 8 Now in the second month of the second year of their coming to the house of God at Jerusalem, Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the rest of their brethren the priests and Levites, and all those who had come out of the captivity to Jerusalem, began work and appointed the Levites from twenty years old and above to oversee the work of the house of the LORD. 9 Then Jeshua with his sons and brothers, Kadmiel with his sons, and the sons of Judah, arose as one to oversee those working on the house of God: the sons of Henadad with their sons and their brethren the Levites. 10 When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests stood in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the LORD, according to the ordinance of David king of Israel. 11 And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the LORD: For He is good, For His mercy endures forever toward Israel. Then all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. 12 But many of the priests and Levites and heads of the fathers houses, old men who had seen the first temple, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this temple was laid before their eyes. Yet many shouted aloud for joy, 13 so that the people

2 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 sound was heard afar off. So we see right away the unity in working together as brothers and sisters in the Lord. At last, the temple foundation was finished! Now it was time to celebrate. Completing the foundation required great effort on the part of all involved. Everyone praised God for what had been done through many with His help and enabling. God had provided the talents, abilities, strength, and leadership to do the job. With a God-given desire, the people had remained faithful to what God had called them to do. Church, let the Lord continue to show you how you can be faithful to God in continuing to expand His kingdom, whether here on the grounds or out there in the mission fields of this valley, or within your own homes. The people of Israel had endured great suffering because of their sinful rebellion toward God, but now, united together in heart-felt praise, they sang of God s goodness towards them. Though the people had been faithless in the past, God still remained faithful to them, for His love endures forever. Some of the very old men had seen the old temple before its destruction, 70 years prior. These men wept. Looking back and remembering the former glory days of Solomon s temple, they were, no doubt, reminded of the devastation of the temple and Jerusalem the bitter consequences of rebellion against the one true God. So we have mixed emotions here being displayed. The younger generations who had never seen the temple are rejoicing greatly at God s goodness and faithfulness; then there was the older generation, or seasoned believers, who wept, remembering the former glory of the temple. Both emotions were legitimate. God s work among us can stimulate us both to rejoice over the goodness of His grace and to mourn over our sins that have required Him to intervene. The celebration shouts of joy and sobs of sorrow was heard from far away. The point to be focusing on this morning is that the foundation of the temple had been laid. God had been faithful to bring His people out of captivity and fulfill His promise to rebuild the temple. The consequences of sin had been devastating, yet, God had not forsaken His people. He remained faithful in His commitment to

3 them. Seventy years later, His People, with a renewed heart, were faithful in their response to Him and worked hand-and-hand, side-by-side, to see His purposes accomplished. Every now and then I hear of the attendance in years past; the numbers of youth or the amount of families who helped serve here years ago. There's no need to go into details for those who remember, but I want to reassure you, as the generation in our text was reassured, God is the same yesterday, today and forever. God is faithful to us Church, so let us be faithful to God! May we offer our lives--our talents and abilities--to serve Him and to see His purposes accomplished. Our job isn't done Church, no matter what season you're in. No matter how many seasons you've been serving the Lord, our job is to live in this temporary body with our temporary citizenship here on earth so when the Lord calls us home, then and only then will we no longer need to share the Good News because we will be a part of it. Until then, WE are encouraged to work side-by-side with our brothers and sisters, continuing to build His church, and sharing the testimony of where our God has brought us from, and what He is doing in and around our lives now. Some of you here might not know where to start. Well, let's get back to God s word - Ezra 7:10 (NKJV) - 10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel. What a great example to follow! I believe each and every one of you here this morning has experienced, at times, opposition in your Christian walk. The word opposition can be defined as hostile resistance or an obstacle that is set against someone. As you begin a good work for the Lord, obstacles may appear everywhere you turn. In our lesson here this morning, the children of Israel were rejoicing, celebrating the completion of the foundation of the temple. God s promise had come to pass! God had accomplished this big task using the talents and abilities of the people who had determined to serve Him. Laying the foundation was just the beginning. The people again set themselves to the task of rebuilding the temple, but there arose opposition! Ezra 4:1-5 (NKJV) 1 Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the descendants of the captivity were building the temple of the LORD God of Israel, 2 they came to Zerubbabel and the heads of the

4 fathers houses, and said to them, Let us build with you, for we seek your God as you do; and we have sacrificed to Him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here. 3 But Zerubbabel and Jeshua and the rest of the heads of the fathers houses of Israel said to them, You may do nothing with us to build a house for our God; but we alone will build to the LORD God of Israel, as King Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us. 4 Then the people of the land tried to discourage the people of Judah. They troubled them in building, 5 and hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia. Adversaries (or enemies) of the children of Israel came to Zerubbabel and the chiefs of the people. They wanted to participate in the rebuilding of the temple. Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the rest of the chiefs would not allow them to help. They made a wise decision in having, what we call today, discernment, because they knew that allowing outside influences would cause division. Now for those who don't know, the Assyrians had conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel and had scattered the ten tribes throughout the world. Their strategy was to move conquered people to new lands. Foreigners from other lands were resettled in Israel. Fearing disfavor with the God of Israel, the foreigners sought help to learn how to worship God. So what we read in vs. 2 is correct, but there was a reason for that it s because God was sending lions to attack them. 2 Kings 17:26 (NKJV) 26 they feared Jehovah and worshiped their own gods That's backward thinking, and it s because of that backward thinking that there has been a stronghold for many, many decades. And, not to get off topic, but Israel and the surrounding cultures, or mixed blood, have been at war and are more so even today as we see the end-time prophecies being revealed (see 2 Kings 17:33-41). You see Church, God was added to their worship program, yet they did not truly worship Him, nor were they the descendants of Israel. Their hearts were divided. Like many today, they seek to place the Lord apart from their lives (oh, every Sunday, every holiday, when I get a chance) and not to be a part of their lives. Give God what's right, not what's left.

5 Here we can say that the children of Israel have finally learned from no longer compromising with the world or outside influences that do not give honor to the Lord. To allow outside influences of participation could cause the children of Israel to stray away from God. Notice, they were called the people of the land (v.4), not the people of God. Sadly, they did not take well to the rejection of their offer to participate. (Isn't that how it goes when those who disagree with God s plan or Christ-like followers; the defensiveness is unleashed from family and friends who begin to hate on you, distance themselves as they ridicule you or test you?) So we see here that they began to discourage the people of Judah and troubled them in building. They went so far as to hire counselors to frustrate their efforts. The people of the land caused problems for the remaining five years of King Cyrus reign until the second year of the reign of Darius, sixteen years in all! As Christians, we should be cautious not to fall into the traps of our enemy, Satan. Those who would work against us may try at first to join us. The enemy will use their involvement to cause us to compromise, to lose focus, and be made weak. It is always dangerous for us to spend too much time with the people of the land - emergent, LGBTQ, coexisting, politically correct, unity in diversifying in other words, to compromise. 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NKJV) 33 Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (NKJV) 14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people." 17 Therefore, "Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. 18 I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty. These are not my words Church, but God s words. Like our Pastor and front office who steadily use discernment in screening the phone calls of those who are asking the church to join their programs, promotions, or how the people of the land, so to speak, can better the Lord s Church. This also includes the argumentative phone

6 calls, lengthy s, and continued spiritual attacks on the Church from the outside. In referring to the unequally yoked, it is a term referring to the use of two unmatched animals yoked or tied together on a cart or plow to do work. For instance, two horses pulling a cart or a plow would be a smooth operation. What would happen if one has a horse and an ox pulling the same cart? It would not be a smooth ride. They are different sizes and are built for different purposes. So, the Christian cannot join with a person of the world to accomplish God s purposes, for he has very different values, goals, and purposes. We have been called out, a separate people--in this world, but not of this world. Whether He promises chastening or blessings, God is always faithful to His Word - Joshua 23:14 (NIJV) 14 " not one thing has failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spoke concerning you. 1 Kings 8:56 (NKJV) 56 " There has not failed one word of all His good promise Matthew 24:35 (NKJV) 35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, [said Jesus] but My words shall not pass away. Read Ezra 4:6-16. Because of time sake, here's the condensed version: The people of the land sent out quite an accusation to the king against the children of Israel; as we would say today, an exaggeration of the truth to make it seem more wrong. While they represented themselves as loyal to the king and concerned for his welfare, they represented the children of Israel as being disloyal to the king and a danger to his government. They represent Jerusalem as a rebellious and evil city. After throwing suspicion on the Jews and labeling them as a defiant people, the accusers concluded:...if this city is rebuilt and its wall completed, the result will be that YOU will have no dominion beyond the River. No work had been done on the walls yet - that we ll cover next week. The opposition certainly knew how to present a powerful case an accusation--against God s people. As Christians, we too, face opposition and accusation.

7 Satan is the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10). Not only does he accuse us before God, but he will also accuse us to one another. Satan is endeavoring to create strife and division within the body. For the past several months of the Men's Breakfasts, the men of this body have been getting a in depth study of that. Satan's goal is destruction. He does not want to see God s plans accomplished. He doesn't want the Churches to be reaching out in the highways and byways. Though others may be against us, God is for us. (Romans 8:31) Fast forward to Ezra 4: Ezra 4:21-24 (NKJV) 21 Now give the command to make these men cease, that this city may not be built until the command is given by me. 22 Take heed now that you do not fail to do this. Why should damage increase to the hurt of the kings? 23 Now when the copy of King Artaxerxes letter was read before Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem against the Jews, and by force of arms made them cease. 24 Thus the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem ceased, and it was discontinued until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia. In response to the exaggeration of a letter, the king sent orders to stop the work of rebuilding the city and the temple. Sadly, he did not examine the situation for himself; he just believed the opposition. However, the king did examine the records about Jerusalem and found that the city had rebelled against the king of Babylon; he, therefore, concluded that rebellion and sedition have been fostered in it. Learning that kings in times past who had reigned in Jerusalem and to whom all the countries (Jerusalem side of the river) had paid tribute (special taxes), he feared that the people of Judah might once more rebel if ability and opportunity were allowed. Here is a great visual for us Believers to not let emotion rule any decision; not believing the hearsay or third party gossip; taking everything to the Lord and waiting on the Lord to provide discernment and peace in resolving the issues and bringing to light the truth from among the darkness. As a result, the king at the time, appointed the accusers to stop the building of the city immediately until further orders should be given about it.

8 These men then ran with haste to the construction site of the Lord, armed to show intimidation and to provide force if the workers did not cease in the construction. The builders were served orders to stop immediately. They were successful in stopping the work, but only for a time, until the second year of the reign of King Darius. Though, at times, it may appear that the enemy has stopped the work of God, he is a defeated foe, Church. We must never be discouraged. Discouragement is a tool of the enemy. Luke 18:1 (NKJV) 1 men always ought to pray and not lose heart, In Ephesians 6:11 we are admonished: Ephesians 6:11 (NKJV) - 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 1 Peter 5:8-9 (NKJV) 8 Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith God was faithful to the children of Israel. Despite opposition and setbacks, when the Lord wants something to be accomplished, it is going to happen. When we set out to do God s work, we will encounter opposition, just as the people of Israel did. Our adversary, the devil, will be sure of that! Opposition comes in many different forms people, circumstances, temptations, etc. Yet as a Christian, we have God s assurance of victory over our enemies for: 1 John 4:4 (NKJV) 4 He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world Romans 8:31 (NKJV) 31 If God is for us, who can be against us? Ezra 5:1-5 (NKJV) 1 Then the prophet Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophets, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them. 2 So Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak rose up and began to build the house of God which is in Jerusalem, and the prophets of God were with them, helping them. 3 At the same time Tattenai the governor of the region

9 beyond the River and Shethar-Boznai and their companions came to them and spoke thus to them: Who has commanded you to build this temple and finish this wall? 4 Then, accordingly, we told them the names of the men who were constructing this building. 5 But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, so that they could not make them cease till a report could go to Darius. Then a written answer returned concerning this matter So, in similar fashion as in the first letter sent to King Artaxerxes, who ordered the construction to come to a stop, the governor of the region beyond the River sends a letter to king Darius about these people who were stirred up by the spirit of the Lord as they were told in Haggai 1:1-15, and now, years later, began to do what the Lord had asked. It's been now a little over 16 yrs since the construction was stopped, making it over 85 yrs in total since God s children have had the proper opportunity to worship and give sacrifices unto the Lord. The opposition was clearly in full force against the children of the Lord, however, let's see what happens as we fast forward to: Rear Ezra 6:1-11 How did this all happen? Well, to be honest, it started in Ezra 1: 1-11 with King Cyrus being exposed by the word of the Lord through prophecy of himself by the old servant Daniel who read thru Isaiah 44:28, cross reference for my note takers in Jer. 25:11, 29:10-14 & Dan 9:2. Once the King had heard those words of the Lord he was stirred up in his spirit and then created a proclamation of returning all slaves to their countries. But for the Jews, God s children, there was a plan to build His church and the provisions were to be funded at the king s expense. Then opposition rose up and halted the construction to stop, but years later God s prophets Haggai and Zechariah, who revered the Lord more than their own lives, began to start the work of the Lord again. As the enemy tried to oppose the construction of God s church, we see that God had other plans and the business of stirring the spirit and provisions began to pour out from heaven. Proverbs 21:1 (NKJV) - 1 The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water, He turns it wherever He wishes. Not to get political here, but we have seen forms of that taking place from the President of the U.S.A.

10 In closing Church, there are some of you here this morning who have stopped the building of God s temple within you. There are some folks here who have stopped using your abilities and gifts in expanding Gods kingdom here. There are brothers and sisters who have been hit with so much opposition that they are content in being a part of the people of the land, accepting depression, suppressing their failures with substances, made to believe I'm not good enough, I'm not worthy, I this and that, wrapped up in hopelessness. As Pastor had said two weeks ago of the Lord having open borders for you, God s word is living and gives hope to the hopeless. So whatever is going on in your lives, Church, let me repeat these words by a Gentile king used by God in Ezra 6: first part of verse 7 Ezra 6:7 (NKJV) 7 "Let the work of this house of God alone; Those who are feeling distant, those who are feeling hopeless, those who are feeling defeated, pray Let the work of this house of God alone, Amen. Brothers and sisters, sons and daughters of the Most High, I pray that the Lord has stirred up your spirits and has given you the desire to be doers of His will. In the midst of the storm or the fog, who might be thinking to give up, don t. The testing, pruning, the molding that is being done in and around you, is all for a reason. What we heard this morning, Church, is the Gospel. You see, the Lord sent out His children, prophets to share the word of God, even using the least likely to give freedom from bondage and opposition. And in the midst of that was given the truth that has always remained the same. Later, along the genealogies and Scriptures, Jesus came on the scene, who was given to us, born in the least likely of situations and yet displayed an understanding of grace to build our lives with unmerited favor. We either are giving into the opposition that has stopped the building, the construction, the growth, or we are submitting ourselves in allowing the restoration of God who is stirring up your spirit this morning. Success is nearest when discouragement is the greatest. I came across in the commentaries of the disciples who were to cross over the river in Matt 8:24 of a storm that hit the disciple's boat within three miles of their trip. This storm made them lose faith. They saw the Master, Jesus, not worried - actually sound asleep - while there boat was tossed from side to side and yet their journey was only four miles long. Psalm 129:7 (NKJV) - 7 He calms the storm, So that its waves are still.

11 Church, it has taken over 85 years in this the context of scriptures to see the realization of what God is asking of His children. Let us not focus on the past; let us not be influenced by the world; let us not be lead to believe in our oppression because Jesus paid the price and endured so much for our sakes that our twentieth or fortieth chances mean nothing. He has shown you consistency of His grace for our lives. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV) 14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Philippians 1:6 (NKJV) 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; THE KING OF KINGS DECREE: FOR I KNOW THE THOUGHTS THAT I THINK TOWARD YOU, SAYS THE LORD, THOUGHTS OF PEACE AND NOT OF EVIL, TO GIVE YOU A FUTURE AND A HOPE. JEREMIAH 29:11 In Chapters 1-6, a relatively small number of Jews return to the city of Jerusalem and immediately prepare to construct the new temple. They began the planning, the gathering of materials, and the beginning of construction. The building drags on because the surrounding enemies begin oppressing and frightening them. Twenty years later, it is completed. The sons of Israel who returned from exile and all those who had separated themselves from the impurity of the nations of the land to join them, to seek the LORD God of Israel, ate the Passover. And they observed the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy, for the LORD had caused them to rejoice, and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them to encourage them in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel (6:21-22). From chapters 7-10, the second group of Jews returns to Israel. Ezra is included in this return. He teaches the Law, but has problems with intermarriage and addresses the pagan women who brought their religious practices with them.