EZRA 7:9-10

OBSESSION WITH SELF IS THE SUREST WAY TO DEPRESSION, BUT OBSESSION WITH GOD IS THE SUREST WAY TO JOY!

3 THINGS FROM EZRA’S LIFE. THAT WE NEED IN OUR LIFE. 

1.     LEARN IT 

PSALM 19:7-8 The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul;

The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

8 The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;

The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

DUSTY BIBLES ALWAYS LEAD TO DIRTY LIVES

2.     LIVE IT. 

OBSERVANCE – PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE PERSONALLY BEFORE TEACHING OTHERS

JAMES 1:22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves.

MSG – Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.

MATTHEW 7:24-25 NASB 1995  24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.

3.     TEACH IT

ROMANS 10:14-15 NIV - 14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

MSG - 14-17 But how can people call for help if they don’t know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven’t heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them? And how is anyone going to tell them, unless someone is sent to do it? That’s why Scripture exclaims,

A sight to take your breath away!

Grand processions of people telling all the good things of God!

But not everybody is ready for this, ready to see and hear and act. Isaiah asked what we all ask at one time or another: “Does anyone care, God? Is anyone listening and believing a word of it?” The point is: Before you trust, you have to listen. But unless Christ’s Word is preached, there’s nothing to listen to.

THE CHURCH CAN GROW IN ATTENDANCE AND STILL SHRINK IN INFLUENCE IF NO ONE IS BEING TRAINED TO DISCIPLE SOMEONE ELSE.

MATTHEW 11:28-30 MSG 28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”