King James Bible Study – “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” – Mark 8:34
Date: Thursday, September 17, 2020
Chapters: Ezra 1-3
Message: A Strong Foundation
Hello My Friend,
When I first dedicated my life to Christ I went to a soul winning church, we knocked doors every Thursday night and Saturday morning, witnessing to those who would listen. I am sure that you have noticed, especially in the past ten years or so, how much the church has changed, they allow sinful things to creep into the church, while not necessarily condoning it, still live with it out of fear of losing people and quite frankly, money. Let me you, it is time to rebuild God’s church, and it all starts with a strong foundation, and that foundation is Jesus Christ [I Corinthians 3:10-11 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.]
The Book of Ezra is the fifteenth book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains ten chapters. The author of the book is Ezra, and it was written to the Jews in Babylon. The purpose of the book was to record their return from captivity after spending seventy years in Babylon and of their rebuilding the temple. The timeline for these events is approximately 536 BC to 457 BC. What we are to learn from the book is repentance and restoration are the keys to returning to God. It had been seventy years since Nebuchadnezzar seized Judah and taken the Jews captive into Babylon, God is ready for His people to return to rebuild Jerusalem, and the temple. King Cyrus stood before the Jews, stirred up by God, eager to send any willing volunteers to go to Jerusalem. When God gave Daniel visions of Babylon’s destruction it was in the third year of Cyrus, so the Jews release from captivity had taken place three years before Daniel’s vision.
[Ezra 1:1-3,5-6 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, 2 Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. 3 Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem. 5 Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem. 6 And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered.]
[Who is there among you of all his people?] God is looking for God fearing, saved, born again Christians to help rebuild His church. Are you willing to step out of your comfort zone and accept the challenge? Rebuilding the church begins with willing souls, and God will send you where He needs you to do that, remember, we are lambs among the wolves, and let me tell you, Jesus does not keep us locked up in a bubble, He sends us out there to bring them in, there are just as many wolves in the church, if not more, [Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.]
Many of the people were willing to take the journey back to Jerusalem, a census was taken of the families that came up out of captivity, forty-two thousand, three hundred and sixty people, headed back to help rebuild the temple and town. Some of the Jews were not recognized by their heritage, they had no idea where they came from, therefore, were not allowed to do work in the temple, but were still used somewhere.
[Ezra 2:1-2,61-64 Now these are the children of the province that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and came again unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city; 2 Which came with Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel: 61 And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name: 62 These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood. 63 And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim. 64 The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,]
[that they should not eat of the most holy things,] There is as great error among the church, which is probably the contributing factor as to why so many are falling, they are allowing people who are not members to serve in the church. Let me tell you, God welcomes all to come to the church, learn about Him, and worship Him, but until they are willing to accept Christ as their Saviour, get baptized, and join the church, no one should be allowed to serve, and especially take communion, [I Corinthians 11:24-29 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. 27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.]
We have to stop and think about the conditions in which these volunteers were about to embark. Remember, Jerusalem was in ruins, the temple was destroyed, and pretty much everything that resembled God was gone. It was not going to be easy, but God would be with them if they were willing to accept the call and do it with all their heart. While it may be hard work sometimes, and may take us away from earthly things we enjoy or we may even have to sacrifice some of our free time, there is no better feeling or reward than seeing the church rebuild. Rebuilding the church must begin with the foundation, it took them seven months to get there, but as soon as they did they got right to work, first building an altar.
[Ezra 3:1-3,9-11 And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem. 2 Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God. 3 And they set the altar upon his bases; for fear was upon them because of the people of those countries: and they offered burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD, even burnt offerings morning and evening. 9 Then stood Jeshua with his sons and his brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together, to set forward the workmen in the house of God: the sons of Henadad, with their sons and their brethren the Levites. 10 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. 11 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.]
[together as one man to Jerusalem.] We can pray to God all we want, without a strong foundation we cannot have a strong church. That strong foundation is Christ, we must build the church upon Him, otherwise, it will crumble and fall when the storms come, [Matthew 7:24-27 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.]
Today’s Prayer: God, What a blessing it is to be one of Your children, not because of any good that I have done, but because of my belief in what Your Son has done for me. I am saved, redeemed, and one of Yours because I am only trusting in Him for my salvation. Thank You Jesus. While I can do anything to get into Your Kingdom, except believe in You, I can do something to reach others by willingly offering myself to You in whatever it is that You call me to do. Lord, Lead me and guide me, let me be the living sacrifice that lets others see You through me. When I get discouraged remind me that You never leave me, and that my work is not of void. Let me be a witness and serve You faithfully as You use me to help You rebuild Your church. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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