Brian Fisher

Grace Bible Church

“Finish the Work”

Ezra 5-6

The work on the Temple stopped from 535-520 B.C. as the people gave in to opposition and apathy. However, as the people began to build again at the encouragement of Haggai and Zechariah, although they once again faced opposition, God confirmed the work of their hands. Darius (522-486 B.C.) received the letter of inquiry from his governing agents, searched the records and responded by upholding Cyrus' earlier decree – provide all protection and all provision necessary for the rebuilding of the Temple of the Lord. When God's work is done in God's timing, nothing can inhibit its progress. In the end, His worship cannot and will not be held back by the strongest of human or angelic forces.

What is the race He has given you to run? What is the work He has called you to do? Jesus had a very clear sense. I must work the works of Him who sent Me. Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God. It is finished.

Do you have a clear sense of God’s calling? The exiles knew exactly what God had called them to do.

I. God’s work

Began with a word from the Lord – Haggai

Ÿ Go up to the mountains and build

Ÿ 6:14b – by the command of

What was the function of the temple?

Focal point for worship:

Ÿ Atonement

Ÿ Repentance

Ÿ Supplication

Ÿ Thanksgiving

Needed to be taught to worship

Arrival of Ezra – train the people to worship

What is God’s work today?

Ÿ Worship

Ÿ Grow

Ÿ Witness

Ÿ Build

God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.

I will build my church

There may be apparent setbacks (cross), but ultimate victory is secured. There may be suffering and hardship along the way, but He will provide.

Read Ezra 4:24-5:5

II. God’s way

A. God’s people (no foreign helpers); Ezra 4:1-3

B. God’s timing; this generation, this day (urgency) – Haggai 1:2-3, 7

Ÿ Darius sensed the urgency – 6:8, 12, 13

Ÿ What do you get anxious about? What causes sleepless nights?

C. With opposition – 5:3-4

Ex – Missionary expansion in Acts 2:43-47

If you are pursuing God’s priorities for your life you will experience opposition.

III. God’s supply

A. Prophetic encouragement – 4:24-5:2; 6:14

4 years

Voice of fellow believers; Encourage one another and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

B. Physical protection – 5:3-5

“Eye of their God”; Persian inspectors called “the king’s eye”; Ps. 33:18-20; Ps. 34:15-18

No delay allowed

5:17; 6:1-5; Important documents found

Civil protection – 6:6-7, 11-12

God using non-believers as His tool

Ezra 5:11-12; Jews did not blame foreign rulers

Nebuchadnezzar – Jer. 25:9; 27:6-8; Dan. 4:4-5, 13-17

Cyrus – Is. 44:28-45:7

C. Financial support – 6:4b-5, 8-10

Hudson Taylor had complete trust in God's faithfulness. In his journal he wrote:

Our heavenly Father is a very experienced One. He knows very well that His children wake up with a good appetite every morning... He sustained 3 million Israelites in the wilderness for 40 years. We do not expect He will send 3 million missionaries to China; but if He did, He would have ample means to sustain them all... Depend on it, God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply.

(Our Daily Bread, May 16, 1992)

Better outcome than they could have imagined; what started out as a threat turned into a blessing

IV. God’s gets the honor, His people experience joy

Completion: 6:13-15

Dedication: 6:16-18

6:19-22; Able to celebrate Passover now that they have a temple

Conclusion

Conclusion of first major set of events; return to rebuild, completion

God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.

When we know we are in the center of God’s will, there is great joy.

There is no joy apart from complete devotion to God’s priorities.

“Where your pleasure is, there is your treasure; where your treasure is, there is your heart; where your heart is, there is your happiness.”

—Augustine.