WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.899 Welcome to Ontario Community Church, 00:00:02.899 --> 00:00:04.799 where we're dedicated to encouraging, 00:00:04.799 --> 00:00:07.799 equipping, and engaging lives for Christ. 00:00:07.799 --> 00:00:10.000 Located in Ontario, Oregon, 00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:11.720 Pastor Patrick Daley preaches 00:00:11.720 --> 00:00:13.800 insightful sermons from the Word of God, 00:00:13.800 --> 00:00:16.760 offering practical applications for modern living. 00:00:16.760 --> 00:00:19.400 We're delighted to share this sermon with you. 00:00:19.400 --> 00:00:20.760 Well, good morning, everyone. 00:00:20.760 --> 00:00:23.000 I want to apologize in advance. 00:00:23.000 --> 00:00:26.000 I did lose my voice this week, 00:00:26.000 --> 00:00:32.159 and I'm still recovering from basically my voice going two octaves down. 00:00:32.159 --> 00:00:36.560 So I may not be as shouty as I normally am, 00:00:36.560 --> 00:00:39.719 but really I am on the road to recovery. 00:00:39.719 --> 00:00:42.760 So just bear with me as I have my cup here 00:00:42.760 --> 00:00:45.320 and I have a little bit of the sniffles, 00:00:45.320 --> 00:00:46.719 but don't worry, I'm much better. 00:00:46.719 --> 00:00:51.280 So I hope to I don't get anyone sick in the process here. 00:00:51.280 --> 00:00:58.280 Well, today we are beginning our biblical exposition of the Book of Ezra. 00:00:58.280 --> 00:01:00.439 You know, this last week, 00:01:00.439 --> 00:01:07.240 we as the church, we participated in the public reading of Scripture. 00:01:07.240 --> 00:01:11.319 This practice is something that is not only historical, 00:01:11.319 --> 00:01:15.439 but it is biblical. 00:01:15.439 --> 00:01:20.640 Can you imagine in the time of the Old and the New Testament, 00:01:20.640 --> 00:01:27.079 how often it was to open a scroll and to read it? 00:01:27.079 --> 00:01:29.640 Now, we don't have scrolls today. 00:01:29.640 --> 00:01:34.719 I mean, at least I don't think you can get scrolls, but maybe you can. 00:01:34.719 --> 00:01:37.760 But we read from the Word of God together 00:01:37.760 --> 00:01:43.920 as a way for us to become familiarized with Scripture 00:01:43.920 --> 00:01:48.000 and to let the Word of God speak to us. 00:01:48.000 --> 00:01:52.519 Have you heard God speak to you through His Word? 00:01:52.519 --> 00:01:58.840 Perhaps there's been new insight and new wisdom that's come from His Word. 00:01:58.840 --> 00:02:04.920 As we grow in the faith, the Word of God will continue to feed us. 00:02:04.920 --> 00:02:09.479 And so today, we're breaking it down with our biblical exposition. 00:02:09.479 --> 00:02:15.879 We're going deeper into the text, discovering truth and connections within Scripture. 00:02:15.879 --> 00:02:20.439 And then what in the world can we do with these verses? 00:02:20.439 --> 00:02:23.000 How does it apply to us today? 00:02:23.000 --> 00:02:29.199 So what are the lessons, the insights, the connections, and how can we apply that today? 00:02:29.199 --> 00:02:33.919 In the first chapter of Ezra, there are specific prophecies 00:02:33.919 --> 00:02:41.639 that were fulfilled regarding the time, the people, and the place. 00:02:41.639 --> 00:02:48.239 And you'll see in here that you'll have double-sided notes here. 00:02:48.239 --> 00:02:52.879 And it is, I got to admit, you guys, it is pretty comprehensive. 00:02:52.879 --> 00:02:58.279 There's a lot in here because there's a lot of connections 00:02:58.279 --> 00:03:04.119 with other books of the Bible, other verses within Scripture. 00:03:04.119 --> 00:03:10.159 And you'll see in here that have your Bible, have your notes with you, 00:03:10.159 --> 00:03:18.960 we're going to go through all of this because Ezra fits into the overall narrative of Scripture. 00:03:18.960 --> 00:03:25.560 You know something that's incredible that we find in Scripture is that God works 00:03:25.560 --> 00:03:31.439 through saints and sinners for His divine purpose. 00:03:31.439 --> 00:03:34.519 We're going to learn about how important it is. 00:03:34.520 --> 00:03:45.520 Just like God's people responded to God's call, we too should respond to the call that God has for us, 00:03:45.520 --> 00:03:49.640 whether that is to build or even to rebuild. 00:03:49.640 --> 00:03:56.439 We're also going to go into, look, as Christians, we need to trust in the Lord 00:03:56.439 --> 00:04:00.879 because He fulfills His promises. 00:04:00.879 --> 00:04:10.639 We can see in the pages of Scripture how God has worked in so many lives, so many generations. 00:04:10.639 --> 00:04:15.079 And still God will work in our lives today. 00:04:15.079 --> 00:04:23.439 This is so much how, look, in the same way that God fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament, 00:04:23.439 --> 00:04:29.439 God will fulfill the prophecies of the Second Coming, right? 00:04:29.439 --> 00:04:34.439 Much like how God fulfilled the promises of the First Coming. 00:04:34.439 --> 00:04:39.439 So let us turn to the Lord and I want us to pray before we go any further. 00:04:39.439 --> 00:04:43.800 That's our little bit of our opener, our teaser of what we're going to go over. 00:04:43.800 --> 00:04:45.759 So let's pray together. 00:04:45.759 --> 00:04:53.720 Gracious Father, we thank you for giving us this time and this opportunity for us to come together, united in Christ. 00:04:53.720 --> 00:05:02.000 I pray that we, as we are looking towards the Old Testament, that we may still find truth in wisdom and insight in it. 00:05:02.000 --> 00:05:10.240 I pray that we may learn not only the history of how you've worked in and through so many people, 00:05:10.240 --> 00:05:16.360 but how you God continue to work in and through us today. 00:05:16.360 --> 00:05:21.200 You God are, as that song says, the God of wonders. 00:05:21.199 --> 00:05:24.959 You are the promise keeper, you are the God of miracles. 00:05:24.959 --> 00:05:28.240 You are everlasting to everlasting. 00:05:28.240 --> 00:05:40.039 And we pray that we may come to believe in you through faith, grow in, grow in this faith and be moved to do good in the name of your son, Jesus, the Christ. 00:05:40.039 --> 00:05:44.879 Teach us, let us be hungry for your word. 00:05:44.879 --> 00:05:48.120 Open our eyes so that we can see. 00:05:48.120 --> 00:05:52.759 Let our mind and our heart be ready. 00:05:52.759 --> 00:05:58.240 It is in the name of Jesus Christ that we all say together, amen. 00:05:58.240 --> 00:06:08.600 So in order to understand the beginning of Ezra, we have to understand where Ezra is in Scripture, right? 00:06:08.600 --> 00:06:19.080 What's so fascinating about this book is that Ezra begins where Second Chronicles ends. 00:06:19.080 --> 00:06:24.600 And this helps us set the scene for where we are in Ezra. 00:06:24.600 --> 00:06:27.360 We're going to read together, so let me explain here. 00:06:27.360 --> 00:06:30.680 In fact, you guys can turn to the Second Chronicles one. 00:06:30.680 --> 00:06:31.560 Let's go ahead and turn there. 00:06:31.560 --> 00:06:33.000 You know, let's do that. 00:06:33.000 --> 00:06:38.320 It's going to be page 456 in here. 00:06:38.319 --> 00:06:42.279 So I want to make it abundantly clear. 00:06:42.279 --> 00:06:48.920 The ending of Second Chronicles is the beginning of Ezra. 00:06:48.920 --> 00:06:51.839 So we're going to see here how Second Chronicles and Ezra, right? 00:06:51.839 --> 00:06:54.519 They're directly connected with each other. 00:06:54.519 --> 00:07:02.120 Second Chronicles is ending with destruction and decline that is happening. 00:07:02.120 --> 00:07:05.159 That doesn't sound familiar at all, does it? 00:07:05.160 --> 00:07:08.360 Declined, moral decline and destruction that's happening? 00:07:08.360 --> 00:07:08.880 Not at all. 00:07:08.880 --> 00:07:10.760 We have no relation to that. 00:07:10.760 --> 00:07:15.080 We have no idea what that's like. 00:07:15.080 --> 00:07:19.160 With destruction and decline, though, there is hope. 00:07:19.160 --> 00:07:24.879 And in that last passage, that's where it leads us to the beginning of Ezra. 00:07:24.879 --> 00:07:34.120 And so Ezra is written as the continuation to show that, and hear me out here, in the midst of decline, 00:07:34.120 --> 00:07:45.840 in the midst of darkness and sin, in the midst of disobedience, there was hope for the future. 00:07:45.840 --> 00:07:48.959 That's God's timing, you guys. 00:07:48.959 --> 00:07:53.879 There's no way I could have planned this with things that are going on in our country and 00:07:53.879 --> 00:08:00.240 it's going on around the world even things that are happening in our community. 00:08:00.240 --> 00:08:03.240 The Lord time for this to happen. 00:08:03.240 --> 00:08:06.920 And so that's something that's remarkable, right? 00:08:06.920 --> 00:08:13.840 You'll see in here in Ezra, like I said, the ending of Second Chronicles, the beginning of this book. 00:08:13.840 --> 00:08:18.680 God uses this man by the name of Cyrus to fulfill his plan. 00:08:18.680 --> 00:08:26.319 So how many of you have your Bibles open to page 456? 00:08:26.319 --> 00:08:37.279 It's going to be Second Chronicles chapter 36 verses 14 through 23. 00:08:37.279 --> 00:08:39.000 Let's read it together. 00:08:39.000 --> 00:08:47.080 Verse 14, all the officers of the priests and the people likewise were what? 00:08:47.080 --> 00:08:52.000 Exceedingly unfaithful, following all the abominations of the nations. 00:08:52.000 --> 00:08:55.919 Say that abominations of the nations, it's like it rolls off your tongue, right? 00:08:55.919 --> 00:09:02.360 And they polluted the house of the Lord and that he had made holy in Jerusalem. 00:09:02.360 --> 00:09:04.959 What does it mean to pollute the house of the Lord? 00:09:04.959 --> 00:09:07.479 Does it mean to be smoking in the temple? 00:09:07.479 --> 00:09:09.279 Or does it mean something else? 00:09:09.279 --> 00:09:10.360 Right? 00:09:10.360 --> 00:09:12.559 They had polluted, right? 00:09:12.559 --> 00:09:14.039 The house of the Lord he had made. 00:09:14.039 --> 00:09:16.199 So verse 15, the Lord, let's read it together. 00:09:16.199 --> 00:09:24.599 The God of their fathers sent persistently to them by his messengers because what? 00:09:24.600 --> 00:09:28.879 He had compassion on his people on his dwelling place. 00:09:28.879 --> 00:09:30.840 But what did they do? 00:09:30.840 --> 00:09:35.440 They kept on mocking the messengers of God, despising his words. 00:09:35.440 --> 00:09:37.320 And were they welcoming? 00:09:37.320 --> 00:09:43.440 No, they were scoffing scoffing at his prophets until the wrath of the Lord rose against his 00:09:43.440 --> 00:09:47.680 people and tell there was no remedy. 00:09:47.680 --> 00:09:50.279 So God gave him a chance. 00:09:50.279 --> 00:09:51.279 God sent messengers. 00:09:51.279 --> 00:09:56.159 I want to make that clear, right? because a lot of us, even as Christians, were like, 00:09:56.159 --> 00:10:01.319 oh, you know, God can be wrathful and God gave these people a chance here. 00:10:01.319 --> 00:10:03.120 So that's something to keep in mind. 00:10:03.120 --> 00:10:10.240 So verse 17 here, therefore he brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans who 00:10:10.240 --> 00:10:15.639 killed their young men with the sword and the house of their sanctuary and had no compassion 00:10:15.639 --> 00:10:20.319 on young man or virgin or old man or aged. 00:10:20.320 --> 00:10:26.640 He gave them all into his hand and all the vessels of the house of God, great and small 00:10:26.640 --> 00:10:30.080 and the treasures of the house of the Lord and the treasures of the king of, there's 00:10:30.080 --> 00:10:32.160 a lot of treasures, right? 00:10:32.160 --> 00:10:38.720 And the treasures of his princess, he brought to Babylon, verse 19, and they what? 00:10:38.720 --> 00:10:45.200 They burned the house of God and broke down the wall of Jerusalem and burned all its palaces 00:10:45.200 --> 00:10:48.920 with fires and destroyed its precious vessels. 00:10:48.919 --> 00:10:51.079 He took them where? 00:10:51.079 --> 00:10:52.599 Into exile. 00:10:52.599 --> 00:10:58.039 Those who had escaped from the sword and they became servants to him and to his sons until 00:10:58.039 --> 00:11:04.120 the establishment of, this is important here, the establishment of the kingdom of Persia 00:11:04.120 --> 00:11:06.000 for what purpose? 00:11:06.000 --> 00:11:11.679 To fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah until the land had enjoyed its 00:11:11.679 --> 00:11:13.240 Sabbaths. 00:11:13.240 --> 00:11:19.000 All the days that it laid desolate, it kept Sabbath to fulfill how many years? 00:11:19.000 --> 00:11:20.000 70 years. 00:11:20.000 --> 00:11:21.440 So there's a lot in here, right? 00:11:21.440 --> 00:11:24.120 Now let's stop right there. 00:11:24.120 --> 00:11:26.519 That's a horrible ending of a book, right? 00:11:26.519 --> 00:11:30.200 The destruction happens, book ends, right? 00:11:30.200 --> 00:11:32.240 But does it end there? 00:11:32.240 --> 00:11:33.879 It doesn't, right? 00:11:33.879 --> 00:11:36.519 Then you have the proclamation of Cyrus, right? 00:11:36.519 --> 00:11:38.840 Let's read this together, verse 22. 00:11:38.840 --> 00:11:43.519 Now in the first year of Cyrus, King of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of 00:11:43.519 --> 00:11:47.639 Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord did what? 00:11:47.639 --> 00:11:53.280 Stirred up the spirit of Cyrus, King of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout 00:11:53.280 --> 00:11:56.960 all his kingdom and also put it in writing. 00:11:56.960 --> 00:12:03.400 Thus says Cyrus, King of Persia, the Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms 00:12:03.399 --> 00:12:09.600 of earth and has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. 00:12:09.600 --> 00:12:15.559 Whoever is among you of all his people, may the Lord, his God be with him. 00:12:15.559 --> 00:12:16.559 Let him go up. 00:12:16.559 --> 00:12:19.279 Go to the next page. 00:12:19.279 --> 00:12:22.319 Ezra chapter one, what does it say? 00:12:22.319 --> 00:12:26.439 In the first year of Cyrus, King of Persia, this sounds a little repetitive, right? 00:12:26.439 --> 00:12:27.960 But it's right there. 00:12:27.960 --> 00:12:28.960 Let's read it together. 00:12:28.960 --> 00:12:34.040 The word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled. 00:12:34.040 --> 00:12:41.400 The Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus, King of Persia, so that he made a what? 00:12:41.400 --> 00:12:46.560 A proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing. 00:12:46.560 --> 00:12:49.280 So just think about this for a second. 00:12:49.280 --> 00:12:50.519 You see how it's connected. 00:12:50.519 --> 00:12:52.879 It's directly connected with each other. 00:12:52.879 --> 00:12:56.600 This idea of a second chronicles, right? 00:12:56.600 --> 00:13:01.080 And you're going to see here that there's a reason why we need to understand that ending 00:13:01.080 --> 00:13:04.240 of second chronicles to set the scene. 00:13:04.240 --> 00:13:09.920 So we have an understanding of what is going on with Ezra, right? 00:13:09.920 --> 00:13:14.080 And so where are we on verse verse two? 00:13:14.080 --> 00:13:19.360 Thus says Cyrus, King of Persia, the Lord, the God of heaven has given me all the kingdoms, 00:13:19.360 --> 00:13:20.360 right? 00:13:20.360 --> 00:13:21.360 It's the same thing. 00:13:21.360 --> 00:13:25.399 He has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. 00:13:25.399 --> 00:13:32.039 Whoever is among you of all his people, may his God be with him and let him go up to Jerusalem, 00:13:32.039 --> 00:13:33.039 which is in Judah. 00:13:33.039 --> 00:13:37.559 And what rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel. 00:13:37.559 --> 00:13:41.199 He is the God who is in Jerusalem. 00:13:41.199 --> 00:13:45.360 You see the ending of second chronicles is showing. 00:13:45.360 --> 00:13:47.879 I cannot emphasize this enough. 00:13:47.879 --> 00:13:50.240 Even in decline, right? 00:13:50.240 --> 00:13:53.519 Moral decline, darkness that's happening. 00:13:53.519 --> 00:13:54.799 There is still hope. 00:13:54.799 --> 00:14:00.240 There's hope for God's people, despite sin and despite disobedience to the Lord. 00:14:00.240 --> 00:14:06.439 But I want you to think for a moment, 70 years in exile is a long time. 00:14:06.439 --> 00:14:10.000 That's an entire, how many generations is that? 00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:13.319 That's a long time. 00:14:13.319 --> 00:14:18.319 That period, that 70 year period of exile is a fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy. 00:14:18.319 --> 00:14:20.159 I want to go to this next slide. 00:14:20.159 --> 00:14:27.199 I'm going to put on here first Jeremiah chapter 25 verse 12. 00:14:27.199 --> 00:14:29.240 This is the prophecy. 00:14:29.240 --> 00:14:34.059 It says then after how many years, 70 years are complete. 00:14:34.059 --> 00:14:40.159 I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans for their 00:14:40.159 --> 00:14:44.519 iniquity declares the Lord, making the land and ever waste. 00:14:44.519 --> 00:14:49.000 So it's talking about here the end of the 70 year exile. 00:14:49.000 --> 00:14:53.600 Let us go to that next verse, Jeremiah 29, 10. 00:14:53.600 --> 00:14:57.519 Thus says the Lord when how many years? 00:14:57.519 --> 00:15:03.320 70 years are completed for Babylon because remember Babylon had taken over, right? 00:15:03.320 --> 00:15:11.080 I will visit you and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place, 00:15:11.080 --> 00:15:15.600 bringing them back to Jerusalem, back to Judah. 00:15:15.600 --> 00:15:21.720 And I'm showing you all of this to understand again the significance of what is happening 00:15:21.720 --> 00:15:27.159 here, leading up to the book of Ezra, this, these first four verses. 00:15:27.159 --> 00:15:32.240 The prophecy was fulfilled for the people being in exile for 70 years. 00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:37.399 And I got to tell you, that's got to be some really bad sin to be exiled out of your land 00:15:37.399 --> 00:15:40.040 for 70 years. 00:15:40.040 --> 00:15:42.360 And Ezra 11. 00:15:42.360 --> 00:15:44.680 We see here in the verse, right? 00:15:44.679 --> 00:15:46.799 Let's read that together in the first year. 00:15:46.799 --> 00:15:51.359 Who Cyrus, the king of Persia, right? 00:15:51.359 --> 00:15:56.239 That is the fulfillment of the prophecy, right? 00:15:56.239 --> 00:15:58.719 It says that the word of the Lord, right? 00:15:58.719 --> 00:16:01.599 I put it in bold, it's somewhat in bold, right? 00:16:01.599 --> 00:16:06.799 So Cyrus, the king of Persia is coming to power for what purpose? 00:16:06.799 --> 00:16:12.000 That the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, right? 00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:15.919 Something about that 70 year reign, the ending of that. 00:16:15.919 --> 00:16:20.919 Now I want to talk for a moment specifically about Cyrus. 00:16:20.919 --> 00:16:27.080 Did you know that Cyrus was actually prophesized that that specific name, that specific king? 00:16:27.080 --> 00:16:35.159 So the rising of this kingdom of Persia, so to speak, the specific individual was prophesized 00:16:35.159 --> 00:16:36.500 in scripture. 00:16:36.500 --> 00:16:41.000 So we have the timing where there's going to be the rebuilding of the temple, the Jewish 00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:47.480 people returning from their 70 year exile, and the person specifically Cyrus who's going 00:16:47.480 --> 00:16:49.440 to fulfill the Lord's prophecy. 00:16:49.440 --> 00:16:51.039 Let me show you, okay? 00:16:51.039 --> 00:16:52.879 We're going to go to Isaiah. 00:16:52.879 --> 00:16:53.960 It's going to be on the screen here. 00:16:53.960 --> 00:16:55.720 It's a lot of verses to go through. 00:16:55.720 --> 00:16:59.399 Okay, you'll also find it in your notes here. 00:16:59.399 --> 00:17:01.480 What does it say? 00:17:01.480 --> 00:17:04.640 Who says of Cyrus? 00:17:04.640 --> 00:17:13.440 He is my shepherd and he shall fulfill all my purpose saying of where saying of Jerusalem, 00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:17.440 she shall be built and of the temple. 00:17:17.440 --> 00:17:21.040 Your foundation shall be laid. 00:17:21.040 --> 00:17:22.400 Look at that. 00:17:22.400 --> 00:17:25.080 That's incredible, right? 00:17:25.080 --> 00:17:28.759 Let's go to Isaiah chapter 45 verse one. 00:17:28.759 --> 00:17:38.160 And in fact, in scripture, if you go to pretty much, it's chapter 45 verses one through 13, 00:17:38.160 --> 00:17:41.200 there's a lot about Cyrus. 00:17:41.200 --> 00:17:50.440 We can have an entire sermon just about how Cyrus is a prefiguration of Christ, right? 00:17:50.440 --> 00:17:56.559 Cyrus isn't Christ, but he's showing an example of who Christ is going to be later on in scripture. 00:17:56.559 --> 00:17:57.960 So just read this. 00:17:57.960 --> 00:18:01.200 God's instrument thus says the Lord to his anointed, right? 00:18:01.200 --> 00:18:05.720 You always got to pay attention in the Old Testament when you see an anointed one, right? 00:18:05.720 --> 00:18:07.559 Because anointed means what? 00:18:07.559 --> 00:18:09.279 It means Messiah. 00:18:09.279 --> 00:18:12.640 So Messiah in nature, right? 00:18:12.640 --> 00:18:19.279 So he is a type of Messiah, so to speak, not the Messiah, not Christ, but a type of Messiah. 00:18:19.279 --> 00:18:25.279 So thus says the Lord to his anointed to Cyrus whose right hand I have grasped to subdue 00:18:25.279 --> 00:18:32.160 the nations before him and to loose the belts of kings, to open doors before him that gates 00:18:32.160 --> 00:18:35.160 may not be closed. 00:18:35.160 --> 00:18:37.279 It goes on and on. 00:18:37.279 --> 00:18:45.160 When you get home, your homework, go to Isaiah 45, go through verses one through 13. 00:18:45.160 --> 00:18:52.599 It's incredible passage that's talking about Cyrus who's going to help rebuild the temple, 00:18:52.599 --> 00:18:53.839 right? 00:18:53.839 --> 00:18:59.559 Then Daniel recognized the 70 year timeframe from the Prophet Jeremiah and you'll see in 00:18:59.559 --> 00:19:05.879 your notes, there's what four verses in that I put here in the notes. 00:19:05.879 --> 00:19:08.559 The Prophet Daniel, he prays a prayer to the Lord. 00:19:08.559 --> 00:19:10.159 He is confessing. 00:19:10.159 --> 00:19:18.720 He realizes the 70 year prophecy of Jeremiah and he goes to the Lord and he prays for restoration 00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:21.559 of God's people. 00:19:21.559 --> 00:19:24.759 So do you see how it's all connected here? 00:19:24.759 --> 00:19:28.200 It's truly remarkable. 00:19:28.200 --> 00:19:32.359 He confesses the sin and he acknowledges God's power. 00:19:32.359 --> 00:19:38.440 Now for many of you, if you like the book of Daniel, you'll know that there's a lot 00:19:38.440 --> 00:19:41.319 of end time prophecies in there, right? 00:19:41.319 --> 00:19:43.519 So here's the fun fact. 00:19:43.519 --> 00:19:52.079 So Daniel realizes that there is, oh I do have it, okay, just a second here. 00:19:52.079 --> 00:19:57.480 It's right before Daniel receives the 70 week prophecy. 00:19:57.480 --> 00:20:01.839 So for those of you who know about Daniel's 70 weeks, some of us may know, some of us 00:20:01.839 --> 00:20:05.920 may not have any idea what I'm talking about, this is right before that revelation. 00:20:05.920 --> 00:20:12.639 So what's happening is Daniel, he's, I imagine, okay, that he's studying scripture, maybe 00:20:12.640 --> 00:20:14.360 he has a scroll or whatever, right? 00:20:14.360 --> 00:20:17.240 And he's looking, he's like, that's the prophecy. 00:20:17.240 --> 00:20:19.840 I need to confess and pray for God's people. 00:20:19.840 --> 00:20:21.120 And he does that. 00:20:21.120 --> 00:20:27.759 And what happens is, well, God's like, or excuse me, the angel comes to him and reveals 00:20:27.759 --> 00:20:31.840 the 70 week prophecy for the end times. 00:20:31.840 --> 00:20:37.560 So it's like Daniel doesn't really have the answer specifically for the 70 year exile, 00:20:37.559 --> 00:20:42.919 that you have the 70 week prophecy that is the end times. 00:20:42.919 --> 00:20:48.119 Don't want to get too off track there, but for those of you who understand what I mean, 00:20:48.119 --> 00:20:50.399 that's a really cool connection here. 00:20:50.399 --> 00:20:55.200 Let's go to Daniel chapter nine, verses two through three. 00:20:55.200 --> 00:20:59.399 This is what's happening here in the first year of his reign, I Daniel perceived in the 00:20:59.399 --> 00:21:02.839 books the number of years. 00:21:02.839 --> 00:21:07.440 He realized how many years according to the word of the Lord of Jeremiah, the prophet 00:21:07.440 --> 00:21:11.880 must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem. 00:21:11.880 --> 00:21:13.880 How many years? 00:21:13.880 --> 00:21:15.200 70 years, right? 00:21:15.200 --> 00:21:17.880 Then it goes into the next part, the next slide here. 00:21:17.880 --> 00:21:20.200 That's verse three. 00:21:20.200 --> 00:21:27.240 It's saying, then I turned my face to God, seeking him by prayer and please for mercy 00:21:27.240 --> 00:21:32.840 with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. 00:21:32.840 --> 00:21:34.920 Prayer is powerful. 00:21:34.920 --> 00:21:35.920 Fasting is powerful. 00:21:35.920 --> 00:21:40.560 Many of you have ever fasted before when it's coming to your prayer life. 00:21:40.560 --> 00:21:47.240 There's a spiritual, there's something that's really special and spiritual about that. 00:21:47.240 --> 00:21:49.560 Daniel chapter nine, verse 16 through 17. 00:21:49.560 --> 00:21:51.160 This is important one. 00:21:51.160 --> 00:21:54.880 Oh, that's an old slide. 00:21:54.880 --> 00:21:58.279 Well I'll read it anyways. 00:21:58.279 --> 00:22:03.800 Says, Oh Lord, according to your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away 00:22:03.799 --> 00:22:10.200 from your city, Jerusalem, your holy hill, because for our sins and for the iniquities 00:22:10.200 --> 00:22:16.720 of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a byword among those around us. 00:22:16.720 --> 00:22:18.759 Okay, so it is there. 00:22:18.759 --> 00:22:20.279 Okay, right? 00:22:20.279 --> 00:22:25.159 He's praying to the Lord for the sin that had happened. 00:22:25.159 --> 00:22:30.039 Now therefore, let's see is that let's go to that next verse, verse 17. 00:22:30.039 --> 00:22:37.759 For Oh, our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and his pleas for mercy and for your 00:22:37.759 --> 00:22:38.759 own sake. 00:22:38.759 --> 00:22:46.159 Oh Lord, make your face shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate. 00:22:46.159 --> 00:22:51.399 All of this is tied up to the beginning of Ezra. 00:22:51.399 --> 00:22:52.720 That's incredible. 00:22:52.720 --> 00:22:57.440 We can see that it was prophesied that the Jewish people would be in exile for 70 years 00:22:57.440 --> 00:22:59.079 by the prophet Jeremiah. 00:22:59.079 --> 00:23:03.720 It was prophesied that Cyrus would be the instrument of God. 00:23:03.720 --> 00:23:10.839 And finally we see that Daniel is recognizing that the exile would end and pray to the Lord. 00:23:10.839 --> 00:23:12.480 So all of these pieces are happening. 00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:16.759 All of these things are of great significance and importance. 00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:23.759 Learning about this should help us to realize that what God has prophesied, God's promises 00:23:23.759 --> 00:23:25.399 will be fulfilled. 00:23:25.399 --> 00:23:26.399 Period. 00:23:26.400 --> 00:23:33.240 Let's remember that for God tells the truth. 00:23:33.240 --> 00:23:40.040 God is not a liar and it is great to see how God uses different people in different parts 00:23:40.040 --> 00:23:42.320 of scripture, right? 00:23:42.320 --> 00:23:45.840 Different situations to accomplish his purpose. 00:23:45.840 --> 00:23:52.400 It's incredible to see that Jeremiah's prophecy about the 70 year exile for the Jewish people 00:23:52.400 --> 00:23:55.160 that it was foretold long ago. 00:23:55.160 --> 00:24:01.560 This doesn't that help us with our understanding and our walk with the Lord that there's context 00:24:01.560 --> 00:24:03.440 and connections. 00:24:03.440 --> 00:24:09.960 This is much like how Isaiah foretells specifically about Cyrus the king, right? 00:24:09.960 --> 00:24:14.519 You have Daniel, like I was saying, mentioning that 70 year prophecy, praying to the Lord 00:24:14.519 --> 00:24:19.040 and receiving yet an additional prophecy. 00:24:19.040 --> 00:24:21.240 It's wonderful. 00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:32.480 And like I said, in regards to Daniel, can you just imagine you're discovering that 00:24:32.480 --> 00:24:39.039 you need to pray, you're going to pray to God that the end of the exile will happen, 00:24:39.039 --> 00:24:43.839 that God will fulfill his promise and that yet you receive even further revelation. 00:24:43.839 --> 00:24:44.839 That's incredible. 00:24:44.839 --> 00:24:50.400 That's a thought to really, it's a fun one to think of. 00:24:50.400 --> 00:24:56.600 And so everything at this point has been basically setting the scene, setting up the 00:24:56.600 --> 00:25:06.680 stage, so to speak, giving us this understanding of the first few verses of this book of Ezra. 00:25:06.680 --> 00:25:08.560 So we go into verse one, right? 00:25:08.560 --> 00:25:14.880 It's talking about the first year that Cyrus being the king of Persia, that the Lord stirred 00:25:14.880 --> 00:25:18.280 up the spirit of Cyrus. 00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:20.920 And because of this, he made a proclamation. 00:25:20.920 --> 00:25:23.960 This is a wonderful thing. 00:25:23.960 --> 00:25:26.279 Cyrus the great was a Persian king. 00:25:26.279 --> 00:25:27.399 He was not Jewish. 00:25:27.399 --> 00:25:30.279 He was considered a Gentile. 00:25:30.279 --> 00:25:37.519 But yet despite him being a Gentile, God used him for divine purpose. 00:25:37.519 --> 00:25:43.599 That's an incredible thing, especially in the Old Testament where you're seeing a Gentile 00:25:43.599 --> 00:25:48.039 do it playing such a significant role. 00:25:48.039 --> 00:25:55.960 God used this Gentile king to fulfill God's plans and promises much like it was foretold. 00:25:55.960 --> 00:26:05.879 I can't imagine reading Isaiah and says Cyrus is going to be this instrument as a Jew before 00:26:05.879 --> 00:26:07.839 it was ever fulfilled. 00:26:07.839 --> 00:26:09.599 Well, who is Cyrus? 00:26:09.599 --> 00:26:10.720 Is that, is that a plant? 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:12.279 Is that a person? 00:26:12.279 --> 00:26:15.119 Do I even understand that at all? 00:26:15.119 --> 00:26:20.039 But we, right, they say hindsight's 2020, we can understand it and make such a connection 00:26:20.039 --> 00:26:21.039 here. 00:26:21.039 --> 00:26:28.839 And this is just an example of how God can use even in the Old Testament, Gentile, a 00:26:28.839 --> 00:26:35.319 Jew, saints and sinners, as I said earlier, for God's purpose. 00:26:35.319 --> 00:26:40.759 And in this case, Cyrus was used for great purpose. 00:26:40.759 --> 00:26:43.319 God had a great plan for the king. 00:26:43.319 --> 00:26:46.720 We go into verse two, right, the proclamation. 00:26:46.720 --> 00:26:51.799 It's in line with the end of Second Chronicles that the God of heaven, right, has given 00:26:51.799 --> 00:26:57.399 Cyrus all the kingdoms in the earth and has charged him to build him a house at Jerusalem, 00:26:57.399 --> 00:26:58.399 which is in Judah. 00:26:58.399 --> 00:27:08.399 Can you imagine for a moment if a, I don't know, an atheist or an unbeliever, someone 00:27:08.400 --> 00:27:13.759 who you wouldn't imagine as Christian says, we're going to build a cathedral, we're going 00:27:13.759 --> 00:27:17.200 to build a church and they're not, they're not Christian. 00:27:17.200 --> 00:27:21.600 That'd be kind of an incredible thing, wouldn't it? 00:27:21.600 --> 00:27:23.480 Think of it like that. 00:27:23.480 --> 00:27:29.880 I can't emphasize enough that Cyrus was not Jewish, but yet his heart was stirred. 00:27:29.880 --> 00:27:32.560 He was moved to build. 00:27:32.560 --> 00:27:33.560 Just think about it. 00:27:33.560 --> 00:27:34.560 It's just kind of a crazy thought. 00:27:34.560 --> 00:27:35.840 You're like, well, who would do that? 00:27:35.839 --> 00:27:39.799 Like that's a very strange thing, but that is what happened. 00:27:39.799 --> 00:27:45.359 And that goes to show you that God can stir in the heart of people who aren't Christian. 00:27:45.359 --> 00:27:51.679 God can stir in the heart of people who are outside of the Jewish faith in this context. 00:27:51.679 --> 00:27:57.159 Maybe a prayer for us is that God will stir in the lives of many, that they'll come to 00:27:57.159 --> 00:28:01.480 the Lord, that they'll have that faith. 00:28:01.480 --> 00:28:05.639 Maybe that's something that you should be moved to do. 00:28:05.640 --> 00:28:11.960 And so in that verse two, he is declaring to have it put in writing and he is acknowledging 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:15.640 Cyrus is acknowledging who God is. 00:28:15.640 --> 00:28:18.680 It is such a wonderful thing. 00:28:18.680 --> 00:28:21.240 God can work through you. 00:28:21.240 --> 00:28:23.560 We then go into verse three here. 00:28:23.560 --> 00:28:28.680 The Gentile King whoever is among you of all his people may his God be with him and let 00:28:28.680 --> 00:28:32.080 him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, right? 00:28:32.079 --> 00:28:39.039 The Gentile King is calling upon God's people, the call for the Israelites to return to Jerusalem 00:28:39.039 --> 00:28:40.919 and rebuild the temple. 00:28:40.919 --> 00:28:42.960 It is a call for action. 00:28:42.960 --> 00:28:45.319 It is a call to act. 00:28:45.319 --> 00:28:54.039 And then finally in verse four, let each survivor in whatever place he sojourns be assisted by 00:28:54.039 --> 00:29:00.119 the men of his place with silver and gold, with goods and with beasts besides free will 00:29:00.119 --> 00:29:03.879 offerings for the house of God that is in Jerusalem. 00:29:03.879 --> 00:29:10.959 So Cyrus is decreeing that every survivor, what survivor? 00:29:10.959 --> 00:29:13.519 What are we talking about here? 00:29:13.519 --> 00:29:15.439 Let's think about that. 00:29:15.439 --> 00:29:20.959 Perhaps the people who are still alive, perhaps the people that are still in exile. 00:29:20.959 --> 00:29:25.399 Do you realize if you were kicked out for 70 years, that's not a convenience to say the 00:29:25.399 --> 00:29:27.079 least. 00:29:27.079 --> 00:29:31.839 So the ones that are still there, that are still alive from that time period, come on 00:29:31.839 --> 00:29:33.000 back. 00:29:33.000 --> 00:29:36.839 We will take care of you. 00:29:36.839 --> 00:29:41.199 Cyrus is speaking to those who have remained faithful. 00:29:41.199 --> 00:29:48.519 The ones who are still there, the remnant, as it were, to return. 00:29:48.519 --> 00:29:57.240 We have to remember because of the destruction of Jerusalem, the destruction of the temple, 00:29:57.240 --> 00:30:03.160 I can't imagine something like that happening that not only you're having a destruction 00:30:03.160 --> 00:30:08.279 of a city, but you're having the destruction of a church, so to speak, right? 00:30:08.279 --> 00:30:16.160 The destruction of the temple that can be disheartening, discouraging to say the least 00:30:16.160 --> 00:30:19.759 and then being exiled for 70 years. 00:30:19.759 --> 00:30:22.200 That's very hard language. 00:30:22.200 --> 00:30:26.960 But despite what is happening, there were those who were survivors, those who are still 00:30:26.960 --> 00:30:31.680 remaining still alive and those who remain faithful to the Lord. 00:30:31.680 --> 00:30:40.240 And here Cyrus is calling up upon the community of others to help these exiles to accomplish 00:30:40.240 --> 00:30:44.920 the work that God has set before him. 00:30:44.920 --> 00:30:49.560 And so then the question then comes, what let's put that on the screen. 00:30:49.560 --> 00:30:53.160 What can we learn from all of this? 00:30:53.160 --> 00:30:56.080 There's many things that we can learn from this. 00:30:56.080 --> 00:31:00.960 And the first thing is that our God is faithful. 00:31:00.960 --> 00:31:03.080 The God keeps all of his promises. 00:31:03.080 --> 00:31:06.480 I cannot emphasize this enough. 00:31:06.480 --> 00:31:10.279 The living God does not lie. 00:31:10.279 --> 00:31:13.880 He is not darkness. 00:31:13.880 --> 00:31:18.920 That's something that's remarkable, right? 00:31:18.920 --> 00:31:26.440 God keeps all of his promises from the 70 year exile to the return to Cyrus playing such 00:31:26.440 --> 00:31:29.840 a significant part in the rebuilding of the temple. 00:31:29.840 --> 00:31:37.880 It's all connected and God had his hand in how all of that would play out. 00:31:37.880 --> 00:31:42.920 Then we have the respond to God's call. 00:31:42.920 --> 00:31:47.440 Despite the decline of culture and the darkness of sin, right? 00:31:47.440 --> 00:31:52.759 That's a terrible thing to happen that we find in scripture that people were disobeying 00:31:52.759 --> 00:31:55.720 the Lord and there was consequence for that. 00:31:55.720 --> 00:32:01.640 But yet remember God had compassion on the people sending sending messengers to turn 00:32:01.640 --> 00:32:05.840 away from your sin, stop being disobedient, listen to the word of the Lord. 00:32:05.839 --> 00:32:13.480 And in the same way, despite decline of culture, things that happen in our country, things that 00:32:13.480 --> 00:32:16.279 happen in our community. 00:32:16.279 --> 00:32:17.439 There's a lot of sinners out there. 00:32:17.439 --> 00:32:20.799 And I mean, quite frankly, we all are sinners, right? 00:32:20.799 --> 00:32:23.039 But there's still a lot of darkness that happens. 00:32:23.039 --> 00:32:30.879 God calls for us to listen to him, to hear the words of the gospel and to respond to 00:32:30.880 --> 00:32:36.520 him, listen to the words of the Lord. 00:32:36.520 --> 00:32:43.640 That's why I always put and I always say this, I put at the bottom of every note here, what 00:32:43.640 --> 00:32:51.120 Christ says in John chapter six, verse 47, where Christ says, whoever believes has eternal 00:32:51.120 --> 00:32:55.560 life, put that in there as a reminder. 00:32:55.560 --> 00:33:00.800 Not about if you can give a $10,000 donation, not about if you have 10,000 followers, not 00:33:00.799 --> 00:33:03.919 about if you have 10,000 houses, it goes on and on. 00:33:03.919 --> 00:33:06.440 It's about belief in Jesus Christ. 00:33:06.440 --> 00:33:10.680 Have you responded to God's call for you life, your life? 00:33:10.680 --> 00:33:14.319 The next thing is that God can use anyone. 00:33:14.319 --> 00:33:15.839 God can use anyone for his purpose. 00:33:15.839 --> 00:33:21.519 He will do what he wishes from the Christian to our neighbor to the stranger. 00:33:21.519 --> 00:33:26.680 God can work in anyone as he sees fit. 00:33:26.680 --> 00:33:30.039 How many times have you perhaps this has happened to you? 00:33:30.039 --> 00:33:35.680 You've talked to someone and there's a lesson that God wants to get through to you. 00:33:35.680 --> 00:33:36.680 You don't hear it once. 00:33:36.680 --> 00:33:41.480 You hear it many times from different people and they're saying the same thing. 00:33:41.480 --> 00:33:48.559 And you're like, wait a minute, I hear it from, you know, the guy who made my coffee, 00:33:48.559 --> 00:33:53.559 the grocer and the grocery store and my mother who had no idea what's going on in my life. 00:33:53.559 --> 00:33:55.119 The same thing. 00:33:55.119 --> 00:34:01.359 I am convinced that God will speak through people to get through to you, whether it's 00:34:01.359 --> 00:34:09.519 something basic, tell the truth, be appreciate what you have to turn to Christ. 00:34:09.519 --> 00:34:12.559 Some of the heavier things. 00:34:12.559 --> 00:34:15.799 That's what's remarkable about our God. 00:34:15.799 --> 00:34:17.639 He can use anyone. 00:34:17.639 --> 00:34:23.239 And then you see here, scripture is connected from second chronicles to the prophecies of 00:34:23.239 --> 00:34:27.599 Isaiah and Jeremiah and even the prophet Daniel. 00:34:27.599 --> 00:34:31.839 That's remarkable that he recognized that 70 year exile and prayed for the end of this 00:34:31.839 --> 00:34:33.399 to happen. 00:34:33.399 --> 00:34:40.679 That's why we look at the context of scripture, but also the connections in seeing how is 00:34:40.679 --> 00:34:43.959 scripture connected with itself. 00:34:43.959 --> 00:34:48.119 Sometimes it's even going beyond scripture and finding where historical documents are 00:34:48.119 --> 00:34:52.039 pointing back to scripture. 00:34:52.039 --> 00:34:53.360 That's what's remarkable. 00:34:53.360 --> 00:34:58.639 It helps us with our understanding of the Lord, understanding of his word. 00:34:58.639 --> 00:35:00.960 It gives us clarity for our life. 00:35:00.960 --> 00:35:04.199 And then finally, it is to trust in God. 00:35:04.199 --> 00:35:10.759 Let us trust in the God who keeps his promises, who calls all of us to have a relationship 00:35:10.759 --> 00:35:18.519 with him to believe in the Lord and to be saved upon that salvation, become baptized, 00:35:18.519 --> 00:35:20.679 become a student, become a disciple, right? 00:35:20.679 --> 00:35:25.599 Just like the Great Commission go out and make disciples. 00:35:25.599 --> 00:35:27.799 There's an importance of baptism. 00:35:27.799 --> 00:35:32.279 There's an importance that we go from milk to solid food. 00:35:32.279 --> 00:35:38.119 There's an importance that the word being the seed is planted in us and it grows and 00:35:38.119 --> 00:35:47.719 it cultivates that we become more like Christ, that we become more wise that through all of 00:35:47.719 --> 00:35:51.079 this, we live it out. 00:35:51.079 --> 00:35:57.319 We live out the faith for God calls us to go from darkness to light. 00:35:57.319 --> 00:35:59.959 And then finally, we have this question here. 00:35:59.959 --> 00:36:03.559 It's how can we apply this to our lives? 00:36:03.559 --> 00:36:10.000 Well, first off, reflect on how God has worked in your life. 00:36:10.000 --> 00:36:16.119 As you pray, be mindful of how God answers prayers. 00:36:16.119 --> 00:36:21.719 There's always prayer requests, but there's also praises, right? 00:36:21.719 --> 00:36:23.619 Prayers answered. 00:36:23.619 --> 00:36:27.359 How has God answered your prayers? 00:36:27.359 --> 00:36:31.159 What are you praying for seeing how God works in your life? 00:36:31.159 --> 00:36:39.000 And sometimes it's even just looking at how you have another day here on this earth. 00:36:39.000 --> 00:36:43.119 Another moment to spend with your friends and your families. 00:36:43.119 --> 00:36:45.199 Life here on earth is short. 00:36:45.199 --> 00:36:47.799 That's why it is so important for us. 00:36:47.799 --> 00:36:51.559 Yes, to appreciate how God works in our life. 00:36:51.559 --> 00:36:56.799 But every day is another moment to praise God or if you don't believe in the Lord to 00:36:56.799 --> 00:36:59.359 believe in him. 00:36:59.359 --> 00:37:01.719 It's another opportunity. 00:37:01.719 --> 00:37:04.159 It's another day. 00:37:04.159 --> 00:37:08.839 Be mindful of how God answers prayers and how God speaks to you. 00:37:08.839 --> 00:37:15.159 And in all of this, share in your testimony, share in how God works. 00:37:15.159 --> 00:37:18.319 This in your life. 00:37:18.319 --> 00:37:19.519 People need to hear that. 00:37:19.519 --> 00:37:25.639 And quite honestly, with all the darkness and the sin and the disobedience of our own 00:37:25.639 --> 00:37:36.119 culture, we need God and we need people need to hear about how God continues to work, how 00:37:36.119 --> 00:37:40.719 God continues to speak to us today. 00:37:40.719 --> 00:37:46.159 If we have the light of Christ, let us exhibit the love of Christ. 00:37:46.159 --> 00:37:51.519 If we have the truth of Christ, let us speak to others. 00:37:51.519 --> 00:37:55.319 And then finally, respond to God's call for your life. 00:37:55.319 --> 00:37:57.279 Consider your life. 00:37:57.279 --> 00:37:59.639 There are questions that you'll see on the back of your notes. 00:37:59.639 --> 00:38:02.759 Are you responding to God's call for your life? 00:38:02.759 --> 00:38:04.159 I can't answer that for you. 00:38:04.159 --> 00:38:05.439 I wish I could. 00:38:05.439 --> 00:38:06.439 Maybe I don't. 00:38:06.440 --> 00:38:11.519 But in that, ask yourself that question. 00:38:11.519 --> 00:38:16.840 Have you received the gift of salvation? 00:38:16.840 --> 00:38:21.159 Believe in the Lord, believe in the death, burial and resurrection. 00:38:21.159 --> 00:38:27.440 First Corinthians chapter one, verses 15, verses one through four is the simple gospel. 00:38:27.440 --> 00:38:31.400 You need to believe in is the death, burial and resurrection and that Christ fulfilled 00:38:31.400 --> 00:38:32.400 the scriptures. 00:38:32.400 --> 00:38:36.639 I mean, even think about the thief on the cross. 00:38:36.639 --> 00:38:42.119 That's one of the greatest examples here where the thief is saying, Jesus, remember 00:38:42.119 --> 00:38:44.800 me. 00:38:44.800 --> 00:38:46.960 That's pretty simple. 00:38:46.960 --> 00:38:50.920 It's remarkable and it's sometimes hard for us. 00:38:50.920 --> 00:38:57.519 Well, I can't imagine salvation is very simple. 00:38:57.519 --> 00:39:00.160 Have you received the gift of salvation? 00:39:00.160 --> 00:39:02.240 Have you been baptized? 00:39:02.239 --> 00:39:06.799 The public declaration of your faith? 00:39:06.799 --> 00:39:08.719 Have you been baptized? 00:39:08.719 --> 00:39:12.919 Have you been ignoring God's specific plan or purpose for your life? 00:39:12.919 --> 00:39:19.159 For some of you, God may call you to not associate with a certain friend. 00:39:19.159 --> 00:39:24.500 Maybe God's having asking you to associate with a certain friend. 00:39:24.500 --> 00:39:30.119 Maybe God's calling you for forgiveness or maybe God's calling you to pivots. 00:39:30.119 --> 00:39:36.519 I don't know for that is something that you have to reflect upon in your own walk with 00:39:36.519 --> 00:39:38.559 the Lord. 00:39:38.559 --> 00:39:45.159 Pray to God for clarity, pray to God for direction and the courage for you to trust and to follow 00:39:45.159 --> 00:39:47.159 the Lord. 00:39:47.159 --> 00:39:50.679 And a fun thing I want to have. 00:39:50.679 --> 00:39:57.000 There's one other thing here is not on your notes, but recognize that God works in everyday 00:39:57.000 --> 00:40:00.599 people, right? 00:40:00.599 --> 00:40:03.320 God works in many incredible ways. 00:40:03.320 --> 00:40:12.960 And as I said in that sermon before, God uses everyday people for extraordinary purpose. 00:40:12.960 --> 00:40:16.360 That is a truth that is simply remarkable. 00:40:16.360 --> 00:40:23.000 And in all of this, let us realize that Ezra is a part of the bigger picture of the biblical 00:40:23.000 --> 00:40:29.239 narrative, the story that leads up to salvation in Jesus Christ. 00:40:29.239 --> 00:40:35.880 We can see that the same God that fulfilled all of these prophecies is the same God that 00:40:35.880 --> 00:40:44.760 gave his son Jesus Christ for us to know the Lord is by far the greatest decision that 00:40:44.760 --> 00:40:50.880 you can make in your life here on the earth and your eternal life. 00:40:50.880 --> 00:40:56.840 I pray that if you do not know the Lord, that you will have that relationship with Jesus 00:40:56.840 --> 00:41:02.840 Christ, that you will grow in discipleship with him and that you will be moved to do 00:41:02.840 --> 00:41:05.079 good in the name of Christ. 00:41:05.079 --> 00:41:07.519 Before we pray, I have one final thing to show you. 00:41:07.519 --> 00:41:15.519 If you look on your notes here, it's in second chronicles and I found this to be remarkable. 00:41:15.519 --> 00:41:17.559 Some of you may have read Ezra before. 00:41:17.559 --> 00:41:19.640 Some of you might not have. 00:41:19.639 --> 00:41:21.679 Some of you may have read Nehemiah. 00:41:21.679 --> 00:41:23.920 Some of you may not have. 00:41:23.920 --> 00:41:27.879 Second chronicles, see how this is all connected. 00:41:27.879 --> 00:41:31.920 Chapter 36, verse 19, what did they do? 00:41:31.920 --> 00:41:33.480 They burned the house of God, right? 00:41:33.480 --> 00:41:37.420 They burned the temple and they broke down what? 00:41:37.420 --> 00:41:39.079 The wall of Jerusalem. 00:41:39.079 --> 00:41:40.359 They burned all its palaces. 00:41:40.359 --> 00:41:41.960 It's a big mess, right? 00:41:41.960 --> 00:41:46.400 With fire and destroyed all the precious vessels. 00:41:46.400 --> 00:41:50.639 Both the temple and the wall are destroyed, right? 00:41:50.639 --> 00:41:52.720 That's the disaster. 00:41:52.720 --> 00:41:58.840 But with the book of Ezra, it is about rebuilding the temple, the house of God. 00:41:58.840 --> 00:42:01.840 What's even more incredible, it goes further with that. 00:42:01.840 --> 00:42:05.639 Nehemiah is about rebuilding the wall. 00:42:05.639 --> 00:42:09.920 So just from that verse, that which was destroyed gets rebuilt. 00:42:09.920 --> 00:42:12.039 It takes two books to explain that. 00:42:12.039 --> 00:42:16.800 But that's incredible seeing the connection that we find within scripture. 00:42:16.800 --> 00:42:18.400 Isn't our God amazing? 00:42:18.400 --> 00:42:22.719 And I hope that go through these notes. 00:42:22.719 --> 00:42:30.000 Find that if you find time, open your Bible and just see the connections. 00:42:30.000 --> 00:42:31.000 It's incredible. 00:42:31.000 --> 00:42:38.480 Jeremiah, Daniel, Isaiah, Ezra, Nehemiah, it is all connected together. 00:42:38.480 --> 00:42:41.239 What an awesome God we serve. 00:42:41.239 --> 00:42:43.319 Let's pray together. 00:42:43.319 --> 00:42:47.399 Gracious Father, we thank you for giving us the time to be together today. 00:42:47.399 --> 00:42:51.679 We thank you for this incredible book of Ezra. 00:42:51.679 --> 00:42:55.239 As we are going deeper in your word, we've just tapped into the first four verses of 00:42:55.239 --> 00:42:56.739 your book. 00:42:56.739 --> 00:43:01.359 We're grateful, God, that you are faithful, that you are everlasting to everlasting, 00:43:01.359 --> 00:43:07.239 that you are light, love and truth, that you keep your word and that you work in amazing 00:43:07.239 --> 00:43:13.759 ways through everyday people and in ways that we can't even fathom or understand. 00:43:13.759 --> 00:43:18.239 Father, we pray that we respond to your call for our lives. 00:43:18.239 --> 00:43:21.959 And may we know that you love us. 00:43:21.959 --> 00:43:28.000 May we know that despite what happens in our world, despite destruction and decline, may 00:43:28.000 --> 00:43:33.879 we trust in you as the way, the truth and the life. 00:43:33.880 --> 00:43:39.760 We thank you for sending your Son, Jesus Christ, who paved the way for salvation for all who 00:43:39.760 --> 00:43:41.480 believe. 00:43:41.480 --> 00:43:46.079 Be with us as we go in this final song from this place. 00:43:46.079 --> 00:43:51.640 May we sing this song together in thanksgiving for who you are. 00:43:51.640 --> 00:43:59.840 It is in Jesus Christ's name that we pray and we all say together, amen, amen. 00:43:59.840 --> 00:44:03.800 Thank you for tuning in to the Ontario Community Church sermon podcast. 00:44:03.800 --> 00:44:08.160 For more about our church and how you can get involved or support our mission, please 00:44:08.160 --> 00:44:11.760 visit ontariocommunitychurch.org. 00:44:11.760 --> 00:44:31.320 May God's blessings be with you.