Brian Fisher
Grace Bible Church
“Properly Paranoid”
Ezra 4
From the days of the Garden of Eden, two kingdoms have engaged in fierce conflict – the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness. Whenever and wherever God has moved to secure worship for Himself, the enemy has also emerged, provoking unrelenting opposition against the people of God. As the first group of returned exiles attempted to establish God's worship by rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem, they immediately faced opposition. This persistent pattern of opposition to God's work through His people continued from the reign of Cyrus (539-530) all the way through to the reign of Artaxerxes I (464-423). God's people should always expect opposition from the adversary and act accordingly.
Generally speaking, paranoia doesn’t help us function in life. We don’t want to be irrational or break with reality. But when it comes to spiritual warfare, we need to be paranoid because someone is out to get us… all the time.
Are you properly paranoid? Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.
Ezra 4 people came under attack
Enthusiastic beginning
Timid at the altar; ordered supplies; began to build; shouting at the laying of the foundation; ATTACKS BEGAN IMMEDIATELY
I. Opposition to God’s work is inevitable
Immediate opposition. Why? Nature of our universe – 2 kingdoms; biblical worldview is correct
Satan is jealous
Disrupt God’s work
Be like God; temptation of Eve; tower of Babel; Is. 14:13-14; Herod tried to kill baby Jesus; Jewish leaders jealous of Jesus
What is God’s work?
His work in you – conformed to the image of Christ
His work through you
Your worship informed and emboldened
Your influence on fellow worshippers (encouragement; conflict)
Your influence on future worshippers
Screwtape Letters; Screwtape (experienced demon); Wormwood (nephew); p. 57
In this world you will have tribulation; persecuted – John 15:20; 16:33; 17:15
I want it easy; leave us alone for a little while
God is stretching us; strengthening us for warfare
II. Opposition to God’s work is creative; imaginative
A. Ezra 4:1-2; Offers of help; appears innocent
2 Kings 17:24-41; worshipped Yahweh and other gods
Elijah; how long will you limp between the two
B. Ezra 4:4-5; Bribery (aligning authorities against us)
C. Ezra 4:12-16; Slander; exaggeration; ignore facts (changed situation) –
Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
—Matthew 5:11
Lies against Jesus
D. Ezra 4:21-23; Physical force
E. Threats and intimidation
Screwtape Letters; study the man; watch his ways; tempt accordingly
Luke 4:1-12; Jesus in wilderness – physical hunger, fear, pride
Luke 4:13; Departed for a more opportune time
III. Opposition to God’s work is unrelenting
3 letters – Ezra 4:6-8
Period of time; pattern of opposition; wore them down
Departed for a more opportune time
This should not discourage you. This is reality of our situation.
Constantly tempted to abandon God’s work
Expect opposition, respond accordingly
IV. Responding to the opposition
A. Identify it
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert
This is not God
This is not merely a distraction, it is an attack
1. Disharmony instead of mutual submission
2. Anger instead of mutual respect
3. Confusion and disorientation instead of patience
4. Paralyzing fear instead of courageous faith
5. Discouragement instead of hope
6. Resignation instead of holy ambition
B. Fight right; Use the right weapons
Jesus fought Satan’s attacks quoting the Word; Deuteronomy
Truth – Why we are here? Sunday morning entertainment? No, we are here to worship and become equipped for battle. Who are we? Worshippers and warriors.
Prayer – engages the Spirit
Encouragement; power of the body of Christ
Strengthen the hands that are weak
Haggai and Malachi
C. Don’t quit
Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is to refuse to quit
Discouragement led to defeat; stopped building for 16 years
Vulnerable to other temptations because God’s glory was not first
Keep worshipping; praise, thanksgiving
Though the fig tree may not blossom and there be no fruit on the vine