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 --> 00:00:09.339 Located in Ontario, 00:00:09.339 --> 00:00:11.279 Oregon, Pastor Patrick Daly 00:00:11.279 --> 00:00:13.800 preaches 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 --> 00:00:19.600 We're delighted to share this sermon with you. 00:00:19.600 --> 00:00:21.800 Well, good morning, everyone. 00:00:21.800 --> 00:00:24.740 It is great to be with you this morning as we are 00:00:24.740 --> 00:00:27.519 continuing our sermon series, 00:00:27.519 --> 00:00:30.800 this biblical exposition of the book of Ezra. 00:00:30.800 --> 00:00:35.479 We have learned so much about the moving of the Holy Spirit. 00:00:35.479 --> 00:00:39.119 In the Spirit, the heart of the King of Cyrus, 00:00:39.119 --> 00:00:42.960 the Gentile King, and how the Holy Spirit 00:00:42.960 --> 00:00:46.600 moved and stirred the hearts and the spirits of 00:00:46.600 --> 00:00:51.519 over 40,000 families to come out of their 70-year exile. 00:00:51.519 --> 00:00:55.920 The people of God traveled a 500-mile journey across the desert, 00:00:55.920 --> 00:00:59.560 with over 5,000 vessels that were once stolen. 00:00:59.560 --> 00:01:01.060 They were rightfully returned with 00:01:01.060 --> 00:01:04.640 thousands of animals to return to Jerusalem. 00:01:04.640 --> 00:01:07.840 All of this, what's leading up to today, 00:01:07.840 --> 00:01:11.599 goes to show the power of the God that we worship, 00:01:11.599 --> 00:01:14.680 the God that we love, and that we serve. 00:01:14.680 --> 00:01:19.520 Just as God has spoken and moved in the hearts and the minds, 00:01:19.520 --> 00:01:21.480 and the spirits of all these people, 00:01:21.480 --> 00:01:25.599 God continues to speak to us today. Amen. 00:01:25.599 --> 00:01:27.719 God is living inactive, 00:01:27.719 --> 00:01:30.919 much like the word of God is living inactive. 00:01:30.919 --> 00:01:33.359 With the moving of the people of God, 00:01:33.359 --> 00:01:36.879 all of these people, they returned to Jerusalem and they settled in. 00:01:36.879 --> 00:01:40.079 So we've now arrived to Ezra Chapter 3, 00:01:40.079 --> 00:01:43.079 where we will learn about the rebuilding of the altar. 00:01:43.079 --> 00:01:47.599 Well, wait a minute. I thought Ezra was about the rebuilding of the temple. 00:01:47.599 --> 00:01:50.359 Well, what's happening in Chapter 3 is, 00:01:50.359 --> 00:01:53.840 they had decided to rebuild the altar first. 00:01:53.840 --> 00:01:59.320 Why? They wanted to worship God once again, first and foremost. 00:01:59.320 --> 00:02:04.359 They wanted to do that before the laying the foundation of the temple. 00:02:04.359 --> 00:02:08.520 We're going over the first seven verses of Ezra Chapter 3, 00:02:08.520 --> 00:02:12.560 where we will see that the people of God came together as one, 00:02:12.560 --> 00:02:15.599 which is another way of saying in unity, 00:02:15.599 --> 00:02:17.719 under the leadership of Jeshua and 00:02:17.719 --> 00:02:22.480 Zerubbabel to rebuild the altar so they could once again partake in their services, 00:02:22.479 --> 00:02:24.599 their burnt offerings. 00:02:24.599 --> 00:02:27.799 Such a project, it requires lots of people, 00:02:27.799 --> 00:02:32.519 but also the movement of the Holy Spirit and the stirring of people's hearts. 00:02:32.519 --> 00:02:36.639 There has to have a need at times for specialists and people who can 00:02:36.639 --> 00:02:39.479 contribute to such a project as this. 00:02:39.479 --> 00:02:42.479 For many of us who might have worked on a project before, 00:02:42.479 --> 00:02:45.719 such as building of a house or maybe fixing of a car, 00:02:45.719 --> 00:02:49.599 sometimes you need specialists to help contribute to your project. 00:02:49.599 --> 00:02:53.039 Sometimes you need some additional help. 00:02:53.039 --> 00:02:57.519 I've watched before shows, 00:02:57.519 --> 00:03:01.479 how many of you watch Pawn Stars before or maybe the auction roadhouse? 00:03:01.479 --> 00:03:03.799 We have to call in a specialist and they're like, 00:03:03.799 --> 00:03:06.799 I have no idea how much this coin is worth. 00:03:06.799 --> 00:03:09.759 I have no idea what this Pokemon card, 00:03:09.759 --> 00:03:14.400 how much that is worth or this watch that looks funny. 00:03:14.400 --> 00:03:16.439 You have to call specialists. 00:03:16.439 --> 00:03:23.000 What we see here in Ezra is that there is this call to have specialists who are working in there. 00:03:23.000 --> 00:03:25.319 Before we go any further, 00:03:25.319 --> 00:03:27.800 what I'd like for us to do, let's open in prayer, 00:03:27.800 --> 00:03:32.359 let's pray to the Lord and we pray that the Holy Spirit will be with us. 00:03:32.359 --> 00:03:35.400 To stir our hearts to know Jesus Christ, 00:03:35.400 --> 00:03:38.439 to enter into a relationship with Him, 00:03:38.439 --> 00:03:40.639 to grow in Jesus Christ, 00:03:40.639 --> 00:03:43.360 not just learning about the history and observations, 00:03:43.360 --> 00:03:45.560 but to grow as what it means to be a Christian. 00:03:45.560 --> 00:03:47.879 So let's pray together. 00:03:47.879 --> 00:03:51.879 Gracious Father, we thank you for giving us the opportunity here to come together, 00:03:51.879 --> 00:03:55.319 united as the body of Christ to worship together, 00:03:55.319 --> 00:03:58.120 to sing praises to your Holy Name, 00:03:58.120 --> 00:04:02.199 and also to listen to what your Word has to say for, 00:04:02.199 --> 00:04:06.120 Father God, we are grateful that your Word is living and active. 00:04:06.120 --> 00:04:09.080 We are grateful that you are not a dead God, 00:04:09.080 --> 00:04:13.879 but you are the living God who continues to work in and through people today. 00:04:13.879 --> 00:04:16.600 We pray that we may follow your directive, 00:04:16.600 --> 00:04:20.279 your mission, and you follow your Word. 00:04:20.279 --> 00:04:24.199 We pray that we may not be afraid of what people may say or think about, 00:04:24.199 --> 00:04:27.719 who we are as Christians and who we are as Christ. 00:04:27.719 --> 00:04:30.439 We pray that we can stand firm in the Word of God, 00:04:30.439 --> 00:04:33.079 but also the ability to balance grace, 00:04:33.079 --> 00:04:35.719 the love of your Son Jesus Christ, 00:04:35.719 --> 00:04:38.759 and the truth of the Word of God. 00:04:38.759 --> 00:04:41.639 May we learn the importance of today, 00:04:41.639 --> 00:04:43.879 of how important it is for us to come together, 00:04:43.879 --> 00:04:46.120 united as the body of Christ together, 00:04:46.120 --> 00:04:50.279 whether that is to rebuild something or to build your church. 00:04:50.279 --> 00:04:54.360 May we contribute our time and our talent and our treasure, 00:04:54.360 --> 00:04:56.199 not only to literally build up the church, 00:04:56.199 --> 00:04:58.919 but to continue in the work of ministry, Father. 00:04:58.919 --> 00:05:02.199 You call all of us to be saved, to grow in faith with you, 00:05:02.199 --> 00:05:04.759 and to be moved to do good in your Holy Name. 00:05:05.639 --> 00:05:07.879 So in all of this, be with us, 00:05:07.879 --> 00:05:10.120 send your Holy Spirit down to be with us 00:05:10.120 --> 00:05:12.680 as we go forth in Ezra chapter 3. 00:05:12.680 --> 00:05:14.360 It is in the name of Jesus Christ, 00:05:14.360 --> 00:05:16.360 the Son of the Living God that we pray together. 00:05:16.360 --> 00:05:17.399 Can I get an amen? 00:05:17.399 --> 00:05:18.120 Amen. 00:05:18.120 --> 00:05:19.720 So we have the significance of the altar. 00:05:19.720 --> 00:05:20.840 We're going to go ahead and put that. 00:05:20.840 --> 00:05:22.360 That's just kind of a representation. 00:05:22.360 --> 00:05:25.160 I know with finding images, 00:05:25.160 --> 00:05:26.519 it's always kind of a weird one, right? 00:05:26.519 --> 00:05:28.360 But the building of the altar is something 00:05:28.360 --> 00:05:30.120 that is of great significance. 00:05:30.120 --> 00:05:34.519 In your notes, you'll see Exodus chapter 27, verses 1 through 8. 00:05:34.519 --> 00:05:37.800 It provides instructions for how to build the altar. 00:05:37.800 --> 00:05:41.879 Leviticus 9, 24 shows that the altar was a place 00:05:41.879 --> 00:05:43.560 for burnt offerings to the Lord. 00:05:43.560 --> 00:05:46.680 This was a way for the people of God 00:05:46.680 --> 00:05:49.960 to offer their sacrifices, so to speak, 00:05:49.960 --> 00:05:52.120 burnt offerings to the Lord. 00:05:52.120 --> 00:05:54.120 The people of God, they wanted to get back 00:05:54.120 --> 00:05:57.000 in the rhythm of their services, so to speak, 00:05:57.000 --> 00:05:59.879 to get back into observing their festivals. 00:05:59.879 --> 00:06:01.080 This would be like us, 00:06:01.080 --> 00:06:04.120 if we were not able to go to church for a while. 00:06:04.680 --> 00:06:06.519 It would be as if there was a time 00:06:06.519 --> 00:06:08.519 that we couldn't come together. 00:06:08.519 --> 00:06:10.519 Wouldn't there be an excitement? 00:06:10.519 --> 00:06:13.639 Or maybe there's this movement in your heart 00:06:13.639 --> 00:06:15.319 to be able to come back together 00:06:15.319 --> 00:06:17.719 and to get back in the rhythm of doing church life? 00:06:18.519 --> 00:06:20.279 That hasn't happened before. 00:06:20.279 --> 00:06:20.680 Has it? 00:06:22.680 --> 00:06:25.479 I'm being funny here, okay? 00:06:25.479 --> 00:06:29.319 But in that, you can think of the people of God, right? 00:06:29.319 --> 00:06:32.599 How excited they are to get back into their services, right? 00:06:32.599 --> 00:06:34.519 And you'll see that there are altars 00:06:34.519 --> 00:06:35.959 that are built out through Scripture, 00:06:35.959 --> 00:06:38.359 just as in Genesis and in Exodus. 00:06:38.359 --> 00:06:40.039 We're not going to go through all of those verses, 00:06:40.039 --> 00:06:42.279 but this is just for your information. 00:06:42.279 --> 00:06:44.039 We see in verse one, right? 00:06:44.039 --> 00:06:46.199 You have the children of Israel, right? 00:06:46.199 --> 00:06:48.199 They were in towns, they gathered together 00:06:48.199 --> 00:06:50.439 as one in Jerusalem. 00:06:50.439 --> 00:06:52.679 And that's something that is very significant 00:06:52.679 --> 00:06:55.000 because they are coming together, united. 00:06:55.000 --> 00:06:59.159 They're not divided, they're coming together to rebuild. 00:06:59.159 --> 00:07:01.000 They are ready to rebuild this altar 00:07:01.000 --> 00:07:02.519 so that they can worship the Lord 00:07:02.519 --> 00:07:04.599 and make their offerings to God. 00:07:04.600 --> 00:07:06.600 We see that these people were coming together 00:07:06.600 --> 00:07:11.960 as one under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Josiah, right? 00:07:11.960 --> 00:07:14.520 Ready to offer their sacrifices to the Lord, 00:07:14.520 --> 00:07:15.560 or Jesuit, excuse me. 00:07:16.600 --> 00:07:19.000 We go into verse three then, which says, 00:07:19.000 --> 00:07:21.560 they set the altar in its place. 00:07:22.200 --> 00:07:23.160 What does it say? 00:07:23.640 --> 00:07:24.760 What was on them? 00:07:26.200 --> 00:07:27.960 For fear was on them, right? 00:07:28.760 --> 00:07:30.360 Because of the what? 00:07:30.360 --> 00:07:33.560 The peoples of the lands, right? 00:07:33.560 --> 00:07:36.199 They offered burnt offerings on it to the Lord, 00:07:36.199 --> 00:07:37.800 burnt offerings of morning and evening, 00:07:37.800 --> 00:07:39.959 so they were getting back in the rhythm of doing things. 00:07:40.360 --> 00:07:42.839 And I find it very interesting that the people were afraid. 00:07:43.480 --> 00:07:44.759 They came back out of exile, 00:07:44.759 --> 00:07:46.840 they're starting to rebuild the altar, 00:07:46.840 --> 00:07:48.280 they're going to rebuild the temple, 00:07:48.280 --> 00:07:50.040 but yet they were afraid in this. 00:07:50.040 --> 00:07:54.279 It makes me think of times where maybe we have felt afraid before. 00:07:55.079 --> 00:07:56.680 Maybe there has been a time for us, 00:07:56.680 --> 00:07:57.879 and I know there's been a time for us, 00:07:57.879 --> 00:08:00.759 where we couldn't come to church, right? 00:08:00.759 --> 00:08:03.800 And we started going back to church, and maybe we got afraid 00:08:03.800 --> 00:08:05.719 that we wouldn't be able to go again. 00:08:05.719 --> 00:08:08.120 Or maybe there was a time where you have felt that 00:08:08.120 --> 00:08:10.759 in going to church, or being a Christian, 00:08:10.759 --> 00:08:11.959 or living out the faith, 00:08:11.959 --> 00:08:14.759 maybe you've been concerned about what your friends, 00:08:14.759 --> 00:08:19.000 or your family may feel or think about who you are as a Christian. 00:08:19.000 --> 00:08:23.159 It just goes to show that, look, these people are people, right? 00:08:23.159 --> 00:08:26.199 They have regular emotions just like you and I do. 00:08:26.199 --> 00:08:30.439 And despite the fear that they've had, they kept going 00:08:31.159 --> 00:08:33.480 with the rebuilding of the altar. 00:08:34.840 --> 00:08:37.960 We find often in Scripture that the Lord commands His people, 00:08:37.960 --> 00:08:41.960 His prophets, and even for us to not be afraid. 00:08:42.840 --> 00:08:45.399 That's a very big encouragement for us. 00:08:45.399 --> 00:08:49.879 Even when there are people who may say things, or do things, 00:08:49.879 --> 00:08:53.399 we remain rooted in our faith. 00:08:53.399 --> 00:08:57.559 We remain rooted in our faith in Jesus Christ. 00:08:58.360 --> 00:09:00.919 I'm reminded of Joshua 1-9 which says, 00:09:00.919 --> 00:09:02.199 Have I not commanded you? 00:09:02.199 --> 00:09:03.879 Be strong and courageous. 00:09:03.879 --> 00:09:06.360 Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, 00:09:06.360 --> 00:09:08.919 for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. 00:09:09.639 --> 00:09:12.600 And even if that means you might have been in exile, 00:09:12.600 --> 00:09:15.480 or you are returning from exile, 00:09:15.480 --> 00:09:17.079 God is going to be with you. 00:09:17.079 --> 00:09:21.240 For us today, we might have been through a season, right? 00:09:21.240 --> 00:09:24.440 There's, you hear that common saying, there's hills and valleys 00:09:24.440 --> 00:09:27.879 that we experience, but God is there with us in the highs 00:09:27.879 --> 00:09:29.000 and in the lows of life. 00:09:29.799 --> 00:09:32.360 I can imagine that when you're beginning to build, 00:09:32.360 --> 00:09:34.360 or rebuild an altar, right? 00:09:34.360 --> 00:09:36.039 Whether you're building a church, 00:09:36.039 --> 00:09:38.200 or you're building community together, 00:09:38.200 --> 00:09:41.399 it's very easy for us to sometimes get uneasy. 00:09:41.399 --> 00:09:43.639 Sometimes we do get afraid at times. 00:09:44.279 --> 00:09:47.240 Let us remember what Psalm 27 verse 1 says, 00:09:47.240 --> 00:09:52.360 That the Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? 00:09:52.360 --> 00:09:54.600 The Lord is a stronghold of my life, 00:09:55.399 --> 00:09:57.720 of whom shall I be afraid? 00:09:57.720 --> 00:10:00.360 It's a great reminder that even the people of God have got, 00:10:00.919 --> 00:10:01.639 they got afraid. 00:10:02.279 --> 00:10:04.039 It is in times where we are vulnerable, 00:10:04.039 --> 00:10:04.840 and now listen here, 00:10:05.799 --> 00:10:07.320 in the times where we are vulnerable, 00:10:07.320 --> 00:10:09.000 and the times we are afraid, 00:10:09.000 --> 00:10:12.120 that's a time for us to lean into the Lord, 00:10:12.120 --> 00:10:13.879 to trust in the Lord, 00:10:13.879 --> 00:10:16.919 and to not be afraid, trust in Him. 00:10:16.919 --> 00:10:18.039 No matter what's happening. 00:10:18.599 --> 00:10:21.639 We go to the next couple of verses where we have verse 4. 00:10:22.679 --> 00:10:25.240 They kept the Feast of Boots as it is written, 00:10:25.240 --> 00:10:28.519 and burnt offerings by number according to the rule, 00:10:28.519 --> 00:10:29.559 as each day required. 00:10:29.559 --> 00:10:30.679 And this is kind of, 00:10:30.679 --> 00:10:34.839 I tried to find some images of the representation 00:10:34.839 --> 00:10:36.120 of the Feast of Boots. 00:10:36.120 --> 00:10:37.639 And the idea that 00:10:40.039 --> 00:10:42.120 when we're seeing the Feast of Boots, 00:10:42.120 --> 00:10:44.360 this representation here, 00:10:44.360 --> 00:10:46.919 it was a reminder for the Jewish people 00:10:46.919 --> 00:10:49.080 when God led them out of Egypt. 00:10:49.080 --> 00:10:52.120 They had their Boots, or their tents, if you will. 00:10:52.120 --> 00:10:54.919 They were trusting in God as they were going out. 00:10:54.919 --> 00:10:58.440 So that's something that I think is really awesome with that. 00:11:00.919 --> 00:11:01.960 Let's see here. 00:11:04.600 --> 00:11:07.720 Verse 7 goes on to say that they gave 00:11:08.279 --> 00:11:11.080 money to the masons and the carpenters. 00:11:11.080 --> 00:11:14.200 Food and drink and oil to the Sidonians 00:11:14.200 --> 00:11:17.400 and the Tyrians to bring cedar trees from Lebanon 00:11:17.400 --> 00:11:19.960 to the sea to Jopah according to the grant 00:11:19.960 --> 00:11:22.200 that they had from Cyrus the king of Persia. 00:11:22.200 --> 00:11:23.400 I love that language, right? 00:11:23.400 --> 00:11:25.000 The grant that they receive, right? 00:11:25.000 --> 00:11:28.120 So grants happened back in those times as well, 00:11:28.120 --> 00:11:29.960 just like there's grants that happen today. 00:11:29.960 --> 00:11:31.800 I think that's just a really cool thing. 00:11:31.800 --> 00:11:34.040 We're seeing here not only the raising of money, 00:11:34.040 --> 00:11:35.160 the free will offerings, 00:11:35.160 --> 00:11:38.360 but we're talking about people who are all contributing, 00:11:38.360 --> 00:11:39.320 even if they're not, 00:11:39.320 --> 00:11:42.680 people who are all contributing, even if they need to go to specialists 00:11:43.480 --> 00:11:46.120 to have something done completed. 00:11:47.160 --> 00:11:49.080 And you'll see that in this final verse, right? 00:11:49.080 --> 00:11:51.240 There's so much that is happening here. 00:11:51.800 --> 00:11:54.120 You have the people of God that are coming together 00:11:54.120 --> 00:11:57.400 as one for this big project, the rebuilding of the altar, 00:11:57.400 --> 00:12:00.840 the needing of specialists who have specialized knowledge. 00:12:00.840 --> 00:12:03.880 This is getting people to help with the project at hand. 00:12:04.520 --> 00:12:06.600 And so we have, you'll see in your notes, 00:12:06.600 --> 00:12:11.080 there are three big lessons that we can learn in here. 00:12:12.600 --> 00:12:15.399 Three big lessons, three key lessons from Ezra, 00:12:16.440 --> 00:12:17.879 chapter three, verse one through seven. 00:12:17.879 --> 00:12:23.720 The first one in here is to step out boldly in action. 00:12:25.000 --> 00:12:28.200 The people of God stepped out boldly to rebuild the altar, 00:12:28.200 --> 00:12:30.040 despite the fear of others. 00:12:30.680 --> 00:12:34.279 And in the same way, we too should step out boldly 00:12:34.279 --> 00:12:37.480 and inspire action for the glory of God. 00:12:38.279 --> 00:12:40.439 This is where, again, the people, right, 00:12:40.439 --> 00:12:42.600 they're going out boldly to rebuild the altar. 00:12:42.600 --> 00:12:46.839 It's connected with how the Holy Spirit stirred the spirits 00:12:46.839 --> 00:12:49.240 of the people to return to their homeland 00:12:49.240 --> 00:12:51.559 and to be strong and courageous. 00:12:52.279 --> 00:12:54.919 And even though they might have been afraid, right, 00:12:54.919 --> 00:12:57.480 afraid of what people in the surrounding areas 00:12:57.480 --> 00:12:58.439 might have said or done, 00:12:58.439 --> 00:13:01.399 they stayed intentionally focused on building 00:13:01.399 --> 00:13:03.000 or rebuilding the altar. 00:13:03.000 --> 00:13:05.639 And that is a lesson that we can think of today. 00:13:05.639 --> 00:13:07.639 It's directly applicable. 00:13:07.639 --> 00:13:09.960 That even though there may be times 00:13:09.960 --> 00:13:11.320 where we may be in exile, 00:13:11.320 --> 00:13:14.519 there may be times where we're away from the body of Christ, 00:13:14.519 --> 00:13:17.720 there may be times where we may feel separated from God 00:13:17.720 --> 00:13:19.480 or separated from other people. 00:13:20.759 --> 00:13:23.320 Lean into the Lord, right? 00:13:23.320 --> 00:13:26.279 It's thinking, look, do not be afraid 00:13:26.279 --> 00:13:28.200 to step out boldly in action. 00:13:28.200 --> 00:13:30.279 Do not be afraid to trust in the Lord 00:13:30.279 --> 00:13:33.159 when there's trials and tribulations in your life. 00:13:33.159 --> 00:13:36.360 And if you ever are facing any sort of adversity 00:13:36.360 --> 00:13:37.959 or people who are against you, 00:13:37.959 --> 00:13:40.199 you continue in what you are doing. 00:13:40.839 --> 00:13:43.879 You keep on that trajectory of being strong 00:13:43.879 --> 00:13:45.319 and courageous in the Lord. 00:13:46.919 --> 00:13:49.240 Continue on the good work that you're doing. 00:13:49.799 --> 00:13:53.959 You don't just, can you imagine if all of these, 00:13:53.960 --> 00:13:59.320 the people of God who are returning from Babylon, 00:14:00.280 --> 00:14:01.480 that they were afraid and they're like, 00:14:01.480 --> 00:14:03.080 you know what, let's go back. 00:14:03.879 --> 00:14:05.320 That's not what the text says, right? 00:14:06.280 --> 00:14:10.360 So it goes to show that they kept with their project, 00:14:10.360 --> 00:14:12.360 despite being afraid. 00:14:12.360 --> 00:14:14.920 And in the same way, I cannot emphasize this enough, 00:14:15.560 --> 00:14:18.120 we continue on the path and the trajectory 00:14:18.120 --> 00:14:21.800 of what God has placed before us, right? 00:14:21.799 --> 00:14:25.079 To love the Lord with all your heart, right? 00:14:25.079 --> 00:14:25.879 Trust in the Lord, 00:14:25.879 --> 00:14:27.559 lean not on your own understanding, 00:14:28.439 --> 00:14:32.599 to grow in faith going from the spiritual milk of the Word 00:14:33.399 --> 00:14:35.159 and growing into solid food, 00:14:35.959 --> 00:14:39.159 or being moved to do good in the name of Jesus Christ 00:14:39.159 --> 00:14:41.559 and serving others. 00:14:42.279 --> 00:14:43.719 There's so many ways that, 00:14:43.719 --> 00:14:48.279 so many, it's all part of our spiritual journey in Christ. 00:14:48.279 --> 00:14:49.399 And we continue on that. 00:14:49.399 --> 00:14:50.839 We don't just turn around and go back. 00:14:50.840 --> 00:14:52.040 We keep moving forward. 00:14:52.040 --> 00:14:55.720 The next slide here is a unified community effort, 00:14:55.720 --> 00:14:59.399 the people of God united to rebuild the altar. 00:15:00.759 --> 00:15:02.120 So in the same way for us, 00:15:03.240 --> 00:15:05.800 unity in Christ and doing God's work 00:15:05.800 --> 00:15:08.680 is powerful and necessary for accomplishing His will. 00:15:09.320 --> 00:15:11.720 Just as it says in the first couple of verses 00:15:11.720 --> 00:15:12.920 in Ezra chapter three, 00:15:12.920 --> 00:15:15.639 the people of God came together as one. 00:15:16.440 --> 00:15:17.720 And for us as Christians, 00:15:17.720 --> 00:15:19.879 we can take encouragement from that. 00:15:19.879 --> 00:15:23.879 To be united in Christ in love and in unity. 00:15:25.159 --> 00:15:26.759 You'll hear me say this many times 00:15:26.759 --> 00:15:29.320 that there's a great balance that we have to have 00:15:29.320 --> 00:15:32.279 with grace and truth, right? 00:15:32.279 --> 00:15:34.200 We have the grace of God, 00:15:34.200 --> 00:15:35.960 the love of Jesus Christ, 00:15:35.960 --> 00:15:38.200 and the truth of the Word. 00:15:38.840 --> 00:15:41.320 And it's this great balance between the two. 00:15:42.439 --> 00:15:43.559 And in doing this, 00:15:43.559 --> 00:15:46.440 what an encouragement for us as Christians, 00:15:46.440 --> 00:15:47.720 as the body of Christ, 00:15:47.720 --> 00:15:49.080 to be united. 00:15:49.080 --> 00:15:51.960 And I'm reminded, you'll see in your notes, right, 00:15:51.960 --> 00:15:54.280 that the same way that the Jewish people came together, 00:15:54.280 --> 00:15:57.080 they contributed to the rebuilding of the altar 00:15:57.080 --> 00:15:58.280 and eventually the temple. 00:15:58.280 --> 00:16:01.320 We see that in Acts 432, 00:16:01.320 --> 00:16:03.720 there's something very similar that happens there. 00:16:04.680 --> 00:16:06.360 It says in here, and I'll read it to you, 00:16:06.360 --> 00:16:08.920 the full number of those who believed were 00:16:08.920 --> 00:16:10.600 one heart and soul. 00:16:11.160 --> 00:16:12.920 And no one said that any of the things 00:16:12.920 --> 00:16:14.440 that belonged to him was his own. 00:16:14.440 --> 00:16:16.840 So basically they're all contributing, right? 00:16:16.840 --> 00:16:18.600 Just like we're seeing in the Bible, 00:16:18.600 --> 00:16:19.879 just like we're seeing in Ezra, right? 00:16:19.879 --> 00:16:21.480 The free will offerings, right? 00:16:21.480 --> 00:16:22.759 The time, talent, and treasure, 00:16:22.759 --> 00:16:26.200 they're contributing together in the early church, 00:16:26.200 --> 00:16:29.560 just like the rebuilding of the altar here. 00:16:30.200 --> 00:16:31.080 And in the same way, 00:16:31.080 --> 00:16:34.120 when we're considering our contributions of our time, 00:16:34.120 --> 00:16:35.480 our talent, and our treasure, 00:16:36.040 --> 00:16:38.759 when we're giving according to our ability, 00:16:38.759 --> 00:16:42.440 we can have a greater impact in the name of Christ. 00:16:42.440 --> 00:16:45.879 And the greater impact is to reach the lost, right? 00:16:45.879 --> 00:16:49.960 To grow together in Christ, and to have a voice 00:16:51.320 --> 00:16:53.320 in the community for Christ, 00:16:53.960 --> 00:16:55.320 to be able to build the church, 00:16:55.320 --> 00:16:57.480 because the church is a beacon of hope. 00:16:58.039 --> 00:17:01.159 It also reminds me in 1 Corinthians 12, 00:17:01.159 --> 00:17:03.799 12 through 14, as the body is one, 00:17:03.799 --> 00:17:04.759 it has many members, 00:17:04.759 --> 00:17:06.279 some of you have heard about this, right? 00:17:06.279 --> 00:17:07.400 Members of the body, right? 00:17:07.400 --> 00:17:08.440 So it is with Christ. 00:17:08.440 --> 00:17:12.119 In one spirit, we're all baptized into one body. 00:17:12.839 --> 00:17:15.240 It's a great encouragement for us as Christians, 00:17:15.240 --> 00:17:18.440 be reminded, you've heard this from Scripture, 00:17:18.440 --> 00:17:20.599 you've probably heard it as a famous saying that, 00:17:20.599 --> 00:17:23.240 a house divided cannot stand. 00:17:23.240 --> 00:17:26.440 We have got to come together as Christians in love and unity. 00:17:27.160 --> 00:17:30.200 Think of the world and how much division there is happening, 00:17:30.839 --> 00:17:32.599 with media, social media, 00:17:34.039 --> 00:17:35.400 all of the unfortunate, 00:17:36.519 --> 00:17:38.359 terrible things that are happening in the world. 00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:41.559 That is an encouragement for us to share 00:17:41.559 --> 00:17:44.200 in the light and the love of Jesus Christ to others. 00:17:44.200 --> 00:17:46.200 Because when we're considering culture, 00:17:47.080 --> 00:17:49.640 I don't think of a lot of, and it's sad, I, 00:17:52.360 --> 00:17:55.480 can you think of a good article that's come out recently? 00:17:56.200 --> 00:17:58.360 And if you can, that's great. 00:17:58.920 --> 00:18:00.600 But how many bad articles, 00:18:01.000 --> 00:18:03.960 in comparison to one good article, right? 00:18:04.759 --> 00:18:07.880 In that, that gives us as Christians the opportunity 00:18:07.880 --> 00:18:11.480 to share in the love of Christ, to encourage others, 00:18:11.880 --> 00:18:13.000 and to be united. 00:18:13.000 --> 00:18:16.119 Let's not contribute to division among the body. 00:18:16.839 --> 00:18:18.119 Let us come together. 00:18:18.680 --> 00:18:20.440 Ephesians chapter four, verse three, 00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:23.400 eager to maintain the unity of the spirit 00:18:23.400 --> 00:18:24.759 in the bond of peace, 00:18:25.640 --> 00:18:27.720 the peace that comes from Jesus Christ. 00:18:27.720 --> 00:18:30.759 And for many of us, we have come to know Christ, right? 00:18:30.759 --> 00:18:35.559 Look, how we've all come to Jesus Christ is different. 00:18:36.039 --> 00:18:38.200 Some of you may remember your former life 00:18:38.200 --> 00:18:39.720 before you came to know the Lord, 00:18:39.720 --> 00:18:42.200 before God molded you into who you are. 00:18:42.200 --> 00:18:45.799 Today, many of us come from different denominational backgrounds. 00:18:46.200 --> 00:18:48.600 Some of us may have been raised 00:18:48.600 --> 00:18:50.600 with different theological perspectives 00:18:50.600 --> 00:18:51.480 and all these things. 00:18:51.480 --> 00:18:54.519 And what matters is that we, as the body of Christ, 00:18:54.519 --> 00:18:57.640 are on a journey together in love and in unity, 00:18:57.640 --> 00:18:59.240 balancing grace and truth. 00:18:59.240 --> 00:19:00.440 Let's go to that next slide. 00:19:00.440 --> 00:19:01.960 Yes, commitment to God's word. 00:19:01.960 --> 00:19:04.440 The people of God were committed to the law 00:19:04.440 --> 00:19:06.039 and building the altar, right? 00:19:06.920 --> 00:19:10.680 For us today, we are to be committed to God's word 00:19:10.680 --> 00:19:12.680 and to build up the church. 00:19:12.680 --> 00:19:15.640 The people of God followed the law of Moses, right? 00:19:15.640 --> 00:19:18.039 They continued the burnt offerings to the Lord 00:19:18.039 --> 00:19:21.960 in the same way we're not gonna be doing burnt offerings. 00:19:21.960 --> 00:19:23.160 And I know they're... 00:19:24.120 --> 00:19:25.960 No, we're not doing that, right? 00:19:25.960 --> 00:19:26.840 But in all of that, 00:19:27.799 --> 00:19:32.200 our commitment, though, is to the word of God, right? 00:19:32.200 --> 00:19:34.600 We have the living and active word 00:19:34.600 --> 00:19:38.440 that can help people come to know who Christ is, 00:19:38.440 --> 00:19:40.680 help us to grow in faith. 00:19:40.680 --> 00:19:43.080 In Joshua 1-8, it says that 00:19:43.080 --> 00:19:45.640 the book of the law shall not depart from you, right? 00:19:45.640 --> 00:19:48.600 This is the Lord speaking to Joshua. 00:19:48.600 --> 00:19:50.600 You shall meditate it on it day and night 00:19:50.600 --> 00:19:53.720 so that you may be careful to do according to all 00:19:53.720 --> 00:19:54.920 that is written in it. 00:19:54.920 --> 00:19:58.519 And in the same way that the Lord was speaking to Joshua, right? 00:19:58.519 --> 00:20:02.120 God speaks to us that we should read and study 00:20:02.120 --> 00:20:04.680 and apply the word of God to our own lives. 00:20:04.680 --> 00:20:08.360 We have Psalm 119, 105, the first verse. 00:20:08.359 --> 00:20:11.479 The famous verse that your word is a lamp to my feet 00:20:11.479 --> 00:20:13.159 and a light to my path. 00:20:14.279 --> 00:20:17.919 You turn on a flashlight in a dark room, right? 00:20:17.919 --> 00:20:20.359 Or you may literally have turned on a lamp before. 00:20:20.359 --> 00:20:23.039 How much it illuminates a room. 00:20:23.039 --> 00:20:26.240 And think of that as the light of Christ. 00:20:27.319 --> 00:20:29.759 Maybe think of the room as how God has 00:20:31.000 --> 00:20:33.159 brightened who you are. 00:20:34.079 --> 00:20:35.919 Or think of how the light of Christ, 00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:38.720 the truth of Christ, the love of Christ, 00:20:38.720 --> 00:20:43.080 how it is a beacon of hope, it is a light for others. 00:20:43.080 --> 00:20:44.880 To come out of darkness. 00:20:44.880 --> 00:20:47.960 I mean, what a powerful imagery we can think of. 00:20:47.960 --> 00:20:52.960 And so in all of this, you have also James 122. 00:20:53.039 --> 00:20:55.400 Be doers of the word, not hearers, right? 00:20:55.400 --> 00:20:58.560 In all of this, be reminded first and foremost, 00:20:58.560 --> 00:21:02.279 you come to faith in Jesus Christ and faith. 00:21:02.279 --> 00:21:05.519 In all of that, be on a path of growing 00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:07.160 and doing good in the name of Christ, 00:21:07.160 --> 00:21:10.240 being those doers of the word. 00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:11.400 And in all of this, right? 00:21:11.400 --> 00:21:13.799 We learn about the construction of the altar, 00:21:13.799 --> 00:21:16.519 the burnt offerings, the sacrifices to the Lord, 00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:19.599 the people were observing their festivals. 00:21:19.599 --> 00:21:23.440 We learn about the courage to worship the Lord. 00:21:23.440 --> 00:21:25.319 The people of God being united 00:21:25.319 --> 00:21:28.319 and following what scripture had to say in their time. 00:21:28.319 --> 00:21:29.960 Obviously a lot of time has passed 00:21:29.960 --> 00:21:31.660 and we have the New Testament. 00:21:31.660 --> 00:21:33.960 They didn't have the New Testament. 00:21:33.960 --> 00:21:37.480 But it becomes with the question that you might ask yourself, 00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:40.920 all right, what can we do with this information? 00:21:42.600 --> 00:21:46.120 How can we apply this to our own lives? 00:21:46.120 --> 00:21:47.700 What are some actionable steps? 00:21:47.700 --> 00:21:50.360 We call this the application. 00:21:50.360 --> 00:21:52.840 So the first thing that comes up is, 00:21:52.840 --> 00:21:55.640 prioritize worshiping the Lord. 00:21:55.640 --> 00:22:00.160 Make worshiping the Lord a priority in your life. 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:02.400 And that means worshiping the Lord personally 00:22:02.400 --> 00:22:04.240 and corporately, right, as the body of Christ 00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:05.600 coming together. 00:22:05.600 --> 00:22:08.040 We've got to prioritize praising the name 00:22:08.040 --> 00:22:10.440 of Jesus Christ worshiping the Lord. 00:22:10.440 --> 00:22:14.320 We've got to see to it that we are worshiping Jesus Christ 00:22:14.320 --> 00:22:17.420 praying to the Lord and being an active participant 00:22:17.420 --> 00:22:19.640 in the life of the church. 00:22:19.640 --> 00:22:23.600 It's very interesting and it may kind of go against what, 00:22:23.600 --> 00:22:25.800 when you're reading Ezra, they're making this big effort 00:22:25.800 --> 00:22:27.680 to rebuild the temple. 00:22:27.680 --> 00:22:30.360 Why build the altar first? 00:22:30.359 --> 00:22:32.719 It's so that they can praise the Lord, 00:22:32.719 --> 00:22:37.759 making it a priority for them to worship God. 00:22:37.759 --> 00:22:40.919 And what we can do as the body of Christ 00:22:40.919 --> 00:22:47.279 is prioritizing worship, worshiping the Lord. 00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:49.599 Many of you know Matthew 18, verse 20, 00:22:49.599 --> 00:22:52.159 which says that when two or three are gathered in my name 00:22:52.159 --> 00:22:55.919 in the name of Christ, there I am, there Christ is among us, 00:22:55.919 --> 00:22:57.279 right? 00:22:57.279 --> 00:23:01.279 Or Psalm 95, 6, let us worship and bow down, 00:23:01.279 --> 00:23:04.920 let us kneel before the Lord our maker. 00:23:04.920 --> 00:23:09.039 Or you may know Hebrews 10, 25, which says to not neglect 00:23:09.039 --> 00:23:10.639 meeting together, right? 00:23:10.639 --> 00:23:13.119 So there's this encouragement for us 00:23:13.119 --> 00:23:17.399 to prioritize worshiping the living God, 00:23:17.399 --> 00:23:19.279 praising and worshiping coming together 00:23:19.279 --> 00:23:21.160 as the body of Christ. 00:23:21.160 --> 00:23:26.160 And let's not forget, personally worshiping the Lord, 00:23:26.160 --> 00:23:28.360 your prayer life. 00:23:28.360 --> 00:23:31.240 How is your prayer life recently? 00:23:31.240 --> 00:23:34.720 How is reading your Bible? 00:23:34.720 --> 00:23:37.480 I know for some of us, we might have many Bibles. 00:23:37.480 --> 00:23:39.000 I'm very guilty of this. 00:23:39.000 --> 00:23:43.320 I have, I don't know how many Bibles don't ask me that question. 00:23:43.320 --> 00:23:44.720 I have to count one day. 00:23:44.720 --> 00:23:47.040 But you might have a few Bibles that are collecting dust 00:23:47.040 --> 00:23:48.360 on the shelf. 00:23:48.360 --> 00:23:50.800 Or maybe you have a Bible that's been beaten. 00:23:50.800 --> 00:23:51.600 It's been worn. 00:23:51.600 --> 00:23:53.840 It's been used because you've used it. 00:23:53.840 --> 00:23:55.759 Or maybe it's been handed to you. 00:23:55.759 --> 00:23:57.879 These are things to think about. 00:23:57.879 --> 00:23:59.720 So worship God, connect with him, 00:23:59.720 --> 00:24:02.879 but also worship as part of the body of Christ, 00:24:02.879 --> 00:24:05.680 the spiritual community, the church. 00:24:05.680 --> 00:24:10.240 The next one is to face our fears with faith in Christ. 00:24:10.240 --> 00:24:13.879 When we are afraid of what others may say or do, 00:24:13.879 --> 00:24:17.519 may we draw closer to God and trust in him. 00:24:17.519 --> 00:24:20.480 This is the second thing that we can learn from. 00:24:20.480 --> 00:24:21.640 This is, we can apply. 00:24:21.640 --> 00:24:24.480 We see from Ezra chapter 3 that the people 00:24:24.480 --> 00:24:27.240 were afraid of the peoples in the land. 00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:31.559 This makes me think again of how sometimes we can get afraid. 00:24:31.559 --> 00:24:32.559 It's natural. 00:24:32.559 --> 00:24:34.680 And if you haven't been afraid before, 00:24:34.680 --> 00:24:37.920 then you're a stronger person than I am. 00:24:37.920 --> 00:24:40.440 But there are many times we get afraid. 00:24:40.440 --> 00:24:43.759 Just like in sometimes we get afraid as children of, 00:24:43.759 --> 00:24:45.599 you know, we get afraid of the dark. 00:24:45.599 --> 00:24:48.319 And some of us adults might still be afraid of the dark. 00:24:48.319 --> 00:24:51.279 But in reality, though, it's natural for us 00:24:51.279 --> 00:24:53.200 to have those moments where we are afraid. 00:24:53.200 --> 00:25:00.400 And be motivated, be encouraged to not be afraid. 00:25:00.400 --> 00:25:02.279 But in those vulnerable moments, that's 00:25:02.279 --> 00:25:04.920 when you lean in, when you trust in the Lord 00:25:04.920 --> 00:25:07.279 with everything that you are. 00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:11.120 The Bible is full of so many times where scripture says, 00:25:11.120 --> 00:25:14.880 do not be afraid or do not worry. 00:25:14.880 --> 00:25:18.400 And how easy it is for us to get anxious or to worry 00:25:18.400 --> 00:25:21.360 about things that are going on in the world, our own lives, 00:25:21.359 --> 00:25:24.879 our family, just the other day. 00:25:24.879 --> 00:25:26.559 Last Sunday, I got a phone call. 00:25:26.559 --> 00:25:29.279 My dad was having chest pain. 00:25:29.279 --> 00:25:31.639 He was right after service. 00:25:31.639 --> 00:25:33.399 He thought he was having a heart attack. 00:25:33.399 --> 00:25:35.559 It was just indigestion. 00:25:35.559 --> 00:25:38.240 He needed carbonated water. 00:25:38.240 --> 00:25:40.439 I got anxious at that moment. 00:25:40.439 --> 00:25:41.279 I got afraid. 00:25:41.279 --> 00:25:43.879 I'm like, I got to drive all the way to Winamaka, which 00:25:43.879 --> 00:25:49.319 where he was at, what, four hours away. 00:25:49.319 --> 00:25:52.919 It's natural to have those moments, but in times like that, 00:25:52.919 --> 00:25:54.079 you've got to pray to the Lord. 00:25:54.079 --> 00:25:55.759 You've got to connect with him. 00:25:55.759 --> 00:25:58.319 Isaiah 41.10 is a great encouragement 00:25:58.319 --> 00:26:02.279 when the Lord is saying, fear not. 00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:07.399 Ooh, that's beautiful words, but it's not easy to do, right? 00:26:07.399 --> 00:26:08.720 Fear not, for I am with you. 00:26:08.720 --> 00:26:10.720 Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:11.599 I will strengthen you. 00:26:11.599 --> 00:26:14.599 I will help you, because look, God's on our side. 00:26:14.599 --> 00:26:19.679 Psalm 56, 3, when I am afraid, I put my trust in you. 00:26:19.679 --> 00:26:23.159 Well, I'd like to be able to say that statement. 00:26:23.159 --> 00:26:25.879 And I hope you do as well. 00:26:25.879 --> 00:26:30.919 John 14, 27, right, where Christ says, peace I leave with you. 00:26:30.919 --> 00:26:33.639 My peace I give to you. 00:26:33.639 --> 00:26:38.240 Not as the world gives, but as Christ as I give to you. 00:26:38.240 --> 00:26:40.599 Let not your hearts be troubled. 00:26:40.599 --> 00:26:43.240 Neither let them be afraid. 00:26:43.240 --> 00:26:46.240 And that's just a few examples of how 00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:49.640 we are to trust in God in those vulnerable moments. 00:26:49.640 --> 00:26:54.160 And it's natural to get afraid, but in those moments, 00:26:54.160 --> 00:26:56.279 again, trust in the Lord. 00:26:56.279 --> 00:26:59.880 The next one is to build and strengthen church community. 00:26:59.880 --> 00:27:02.759 Become an active member of your church community, 00:27:02.759 --> 00:27:05.680 encouraging and supporting fellow believers. 00:27:05.680 --> 00:27:09.359 The third thing here is, look, just as the people of God 00:27:09.359 --> 00:27:11.200 came together and participated, they 00:27:11.200 --> 00:27:14.640 became active in their sacrifices at the altar, 00:27:14.640 --> 00:27:17.559 it's an encouragement for us to participate 00:27:17.559 --> 00:27:20.120 in the life of the church. 00:27:20.120 --> 00:27:24.799 Maybe the Holy Spirit has been tugging at your heart, 00:27:24.799 --> 00:27:26.039 or you felt us stirring. 00:27:26.039 --> 00:27:28.039 I always think it's such a cool language, right? 00:27:28.039 --> 00:27:31.080 I think of like stirring of a drink or something, right? 00:27:31.080 --> 00:27:32.680 But maybe the Holy Spirit has been 00:27:32.680 --> 00:27:36.640 stirring in your heart, in your mind, in your spirit. 00:27:36.640 --> 00:27:40.400 We are to build up one another, to encourage one another, 00:27:40.400 --> 00:27:42.680 and to live in harmony with one another. 00:27:42.680 --> 00:27:46.840 Galatians 6-2 tells us, bear one another's burdens, 00:27:46.840 --> 00:27:49.120 and so fulfill the law of Christ. 00:27:49.120 --> 00:27:52.640 For Thessalonians 5-11 says, encourage one another, 00:27:52.640 --> 00:27:55.000 and build up one another. 00:27:55.000 --> 00:27:59.160 In Romans 12-16, it says, live in harmony with one another. 00:27:59.160 --> 00:28:02.360 Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. 00:28:02.360 --> 00:28:07.120 So not only is it talking about living in harmony 00:28:07.120 --> 00:28:08.720 with brothers and sisters in Christ, 00:28:08.720 --> 00:28:11.559 but be the light of Christ when you're 00:28:11.559 --> 00:28:14.160 associating with others. 00:28:14.160 --> 00:28:16.680 It's an encouragement that we are not only to just attend 00:28:16.680 --> 00:28:18.200 church and worship the living God, 00:28:18.200 --> 00:28:20.039 and hear the message from scripture, 00:28:20.039 --> 00:28:22.799 but to be active participants in the church, 00:28:22.799 --> 00:28:25.680 the life of the church, and to go out into the world 00:28:25.680 --> 00:28:28.120 and do good in the name of Christ. 00:28:28.120 --> 00:28:29.920 We're to build up the church community, 00:28:29.920 --> 00:28:35.039 but we're also to be active within the community. 00:28:35.039 --> 00:28:37.880 In our interactions with others, it could be at work, 00:28:37.880 --> 00:28:39.920 it could be at school. 00:28:39.920 --> 00:28:41.880 Even if you're taking classes online, 00:28:41.880 --> 00:28:46.120 you can still exhibit the light and love of Christ to others. 00:28:46.120 --> 00:28:51.480 Be active within our city, those we interact with. 00:28:51.480 --> 00:28:53.560 I mean, I know one guy, a good friend of mine, 00:28:53.560 --> 00:28:56.320 if he's watching this, he's going to get a good kick out of it. 00:28:56.320 --> 00:28:58.840 I have a friend of mine who is very introverted. 00:28:58.840 --> 00:29:01.760 He does not like leaving the house. 00:29:01.760 --> 00:29:05.960 He works online, and he just stays away from people. 00:29:05.960 --> 00:29:08.000 But you know what he does? 00:29:08.000 --> 00:29:11.400 He orders groceries online, and they deliver him. 00:29:11.400 --> 00:29:13.680 They deliver the groceries to him. 00:29:13.680 --> 00:29:18.440 Well, even at that, you can still exhibit the light of Christ. 00:29:18.440 --> 00:29:20.440 Whether you're an extrovert, and you love people, 00:29:20.440 --> 00:29:23.079 or whether you're an introvert, and maybe you interact 00:29:23.079 --> 00:29:26.519 with only a couple people, you still can do that. 00:29:26.519 --> 00:29:28.920 And so ask yourself the question, 00:29:28.920 --> 00:29:32.120 how are you building and strengthening the church 00:29:32.120 --> 00:29:33.360 community? 00:29:33.360 --> 00:29:35.559 And how are you impacting the community, 00:29:35.559 --> 00:29:40.000 the city, others, your neighbors for Christ? 00:29:40.000 --> 00:29:43.119 The next slide is to make a commitment to the Word of God. 00:29:43.119 --> 00:29:45.799 Commit to reading, to studying, and implying, 00:29:45.799 --> 00:29:50.399 and living out the Word to your daily life. 00:29:50.399 --> 00:29:54.359 There's transformation that comes from the Word of God. 00:29:54.359 --> 00:29:58.200 To live it out is just remarkable. 00:29:58.200 --> 00:30:02.440 From the spiritual aspect, people that don't know the Lord 00:30:02.440 --> 00:30:06.240 are very quick to know, you're a Christian. 00:30:06.240 --> 00:30:08.000 There's something very different about you. 00:30:08.000 --> 00:30:10.160 They can't put their finger on it. 00:30:10.160 --> 00:30:11.640 But you've got that joy. 00:30:11.640 --> 00:30:13.799 You've got that peace. 00:30:13.799 --> 00:30:16.120 You've got that love. 00:30:16.120 --> 00:30:18.640 Just think about that. 00:30:18.640 --> 00:30:21.759 Just as the people of God, they were committed in Ezra. 00:30:21.759 --> 00:30:24.000 They were committed to the burnt offerings. 00:30:24.000 --> 00:30:28.160 Ask Christians today, participate in the life of the church. 00:30:28.160 --> 00:30:33.040 But also, be committed to reading, studying, and applying 00:30:33.040 --> 00:30:35.400 the Word of God. 00:30:35.400 --> 00:30:38.480 I cannot emphasize enough how important it 00:30:38.480 --> 00:30:41.880 is for us to read the Word of God. 00:30:41.880 --> 00:30:46.000 It being living and active. 00:30:46.000 --> 00:30:49.680 For many of us, we may read the same scripture. 00:30:49.680 --> 00:30:52.920 But God speaks to us in so many different ways. 00:30:52.920 --> 00:30:56.720 Different moments in our lives, different time periods, 00:30:56.720 --> 00:30:59.200 because God continues to speak to us. 00:30:59.200 --> 00:31:01.400 I can't really do that if I read Shakespeare. 00:31:01.400 --> 00:31:02.079 I'm sorry. 00:31:07.000 --> 00:31:13.799 Shakespeare is a great author, but it's not the Word of God. 00:31:13.799 --> 00:31:16.440 I can read Shakespeare, and I know what's going on there. 00:31:16.440 --> 00:31:19.360 Well, at least I try to with the language thing. 00:31:19.360 --> 00:31:23.960 But with the Word of God, situations, times of joy, 00:31:23.960 --> 00:31:30.759 times of triumph, promotion, even times of crisis and trials 00:31:30.759 --> 00:31:35.559 or testing of your faith, God speaks to you. 00:31:35.559 --> 00:31:39.840 The next slide we have is to commit to doing good 00:31:39.840 --> 00:31:41.200 in the name of Christ. 00:31:41.200 --> 00:31:45.640 Be encouraged to engage the church and the community 00:31:45.640 --> 00:31:48.680 through service and sharing in your faith. 00:31:48.680 --> 00:31:53.200 I've mentioned before the 1 Corinthians, chapter 15, 00:31:53.200 --> 00:31:57.160 verses 1 through 4 as the simple gospel, right? 00:31:57.160 --> 00:31:58.240 I'm a Christian. 00:31:58.240 --> 00:32:01.600 I believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 00:32:01.600 --> 00:32:04.319 That's a pretty simple way of explaining your faith. 00:32:04.319 --> 00:32:06.640 You can do John 3.16. 00:32:06.640 --> 00:32:10.440 God so loved the world that he gave his only son. 00:32:10.440 --> 00:32:15.440 Or you can explain how God has worked in and through your life. 00:32:15.440 --> 00:32:18.319 There's many ways that we can do this. 00:32:18.319 --> 00:32:25.679 And so take time to think of your time, talent, and treasure. 00:32:25.679 --> 00:32:29.879 I want you to think that in everything that you do, 00:32:29.879 --> 00:32:34.639 you do it for the glory of God. 00:32:34.639 --> 00:32:36.399 Think about that. 00:32:36.399 --> 00:32:42.279 In everything that you do, do it in excellence. 00:32:42.279 --> 00:32:43.679 What's perfect? 00:32:43.679 --> 00:32:44.839 No. 00:32:44.839 --> 00:32:46.919 Do it to the best of your ability. 00:32:46.920 --> 00:32:50.560 Just like how we read in Ezra that people gave according 00:32:50.560 --> 00:32:51.440 to their ability. 00:32:51.440 --> 00:32:56.759 Do the best of your ability in the name of Christ, right? 00:32:56.759 --> 00:32:58.240 Something for us to think about. 00:32:58.240 --> 00:33:00.519 Do an excellence together as a church. 00:33:00.519 --> 00:33:03.400 When we're working to build up the church body, 00:33:03.400 --> 00:33:08.360 imagine the impact that we can have on the community, 00:33:08.360 --> 00:33:11.279 on our own lives growing for Christ, 00:33:11.279 --> 00:33:14.600 people that don't know the Lord, the working 00:33:14.599 --> 00:33:17.399 of the Holy Spirit and other people. 00:33:17.399 --> 00:33:23.359 In one of the, for the board here, 00:33:23.359 --> 00:33:25.879 you might have gotten my paper that I wrote about, 00:33:25.879 --> 00:33:28.599 the Gather to Scatter Conference. 00:33:28.599 --> 00:33:32.399 And one of the really incredible perspectives 00:33:32.399 --> 00:33:35.439 was talking about those who go to church 00:33:35.439 --> 00:33:37.839 and those who are not yet going to church. 00:33:37.839 --> 00:33:40.039 And I just thought that was a great way of looking at it. 00:33:40.039 --> 00:33:44.359 Because I'm so used to seeing believer and unbeliever, right? 00:33:44.359 --> 00:33:46.879 But they're not yet coming to the Lord. 00:33:46.879 --> 00:33:49.799 And that's just a different way of looking at it, right? 00:33:49.799 --> 00:33:53.919 Think of people who are not yet Christian 00:33:53.919 --> 00:33:57.639 or those who are not yet a believer, how 00:33:57.639 --> 00:34:00.519 we can exhibit the love of Christ through service 00:34:00.519 --> 00:34:04.240 and in sharing our testimony, sharing in the gospel message 00:34:04.240 --> 00:34:05.240 to others. 00:34:05.240 --> 00:34:07.879 Every single one of us has been given so much. 00:34:07.879 --> 00:34:11.639 God gives us everything you consider, 00:34:11.639 --> 00:34:15.559 you should consider how to give back to God. 00:34:15.559 --> 00:34:17.799 Colossians, we just did a series on that. 00:34:17.799 --> 00:34:21.279 Colossians chapter 3, verse 23 through 24, 00:34:21.279 --> 00:34:23.519 is a great encouragement. 00:34:23.519 --> 00:34:28.440 Whatever you do, work as for the Lord and not for men, 00:34:28.440 --> 00:34:31.719 knowing that from the Lord, you receive the inheritance 00:34:31.719 --> 00:34:33.039 as your reward. 00:34:33.039 --> 00:34:36.119 You are serving the Lord Christ. 00:34:36.119 --> 00:34:38.400 In everything that we do, we should 00:34:38.400 --> 00:34:41.720 do in excellence for the glory of God. 00:34:41.720 --> 00:34:43.960 In 1 Peter chapter 4, verse 10, it 00:34:43.960 --> 00:34:46.519 says that as each has received a gift, 00:34:46.519 --> 00:34:49.000 use it to serve one another. 00:34:49.000 --> 00:34:52.599 Second Corinthians 9, 7 tells us each one must 00:34:52.599 --> 00:34:55.760 give as he has decided in his heart. 00:34:59.360 --> 00:35:02.000 Not reluctantly or under compulsion, right? 00:35:02.000 --> 00:35:05.200 It's the famous God loves a cheerful giver. 00:35:05.199 --> 00:35:08.839 So think about assessing all that you have in giving 00:35:08.839 --> 00:35:10.039 according to your ability. 00:35:10.039 --> 00:35:13.719 Think about how you can share in the gospel message, 00:35:13.719 --> 00:35:15.879 the words of your testimony. 00:35:15.879 --> 00:35:18.719 The next slide that we have is to praise the Lord 00:35:18.719 --> 00:35:20.679 for his faithfulness with gratitude. 00:35:20.679 --> 00:35:22.000 I know that's a long one, right? 00:35:22.000 --> 00:35:23.839 With gratitude and thankfulness. 00:35:23.839 --> 00:35:25.919 Never stop praising and worshiping the Lord. 00:35:25.919 --> 00:35:27.519 That's another way of saying it. 00:35:27.519 --> 00:35:29.399 God is faithful. 00:35:29.399 --> 00:35:31.399 He never changes. 00:35:31.399 --> 00:35:33.719 Be thankful and be grateful. 00:35:33.719 --> 00:35:37.959 Let us never stop praising and worshiping our God, right? 00:35:37.959 --> 00:35:41.879 It's not just worshiping God in the church, 00:35:41.879 --> 00:35:46.199 but also being grateful and thankful for what God has given 00:35:46.199 --> 00:35:47.639 to us. 00:35:47.639 --> 00:35:48.559 You have another day. 00:35:48.559 --> 00:35:50.480 Do you realize as you are here, God 00:35:50.480 --> 00:35:55.799 has given you another gift of life, another day, 00:35:55.799 --> 00:35:59.399 another day to praise him, but also to focus 00:35:59.399 --> 00:36:02.239 on what really matters. 00:36:02.239 --> 00:36:04.359 That's something for us. 00:36:04.359 --> 00:36:08.039 It's always, it hits home when you think about that. 00:36:08.039 --> 00:36:10.479 But also the faithfulness of God recognizing 00:36:10.479 --> 00:36:13.879 that God has given you life. 00:36:13.879 --> 00:36:16.279 And when you look out in nature, 00:36:16.279 --> 00:36:18.039 I know it's difficult to look out in nature 00:36:18.039 --> 00:36:21.199 with the smoke and everything, but when you look out in nature, 00:36:21.199 --> 00:36:24.679 you can see God's creation, the goodness of God 00:36:24.679 --> 00:36:29.759 and the mountains, the rivers, the valleys, 00:36:29.760 --> 00:36:33.320 but also the goodness of God and other people. 00:36:33.320 --> 00:36:36.560 And that's wonderful for us to observe. 00:36:36.560 --> 00:36:38.920 So be encouraged to observe. 00:36:38.920 --> 00:36:41.200 How is God working in your life? 00:36:41.200 --> 00:36:45.160 How has God worked in your life? 00:36:45.160 --> 00:36:48.880 Maybe take inventory on how God has worked in your life. 00:36:48.880 --> 00:36:51.680 That's a way for us to be thankful. 00:36:51.680 --> 00:36:54.560 First Thessalonians 5.16, rejoice always, 00:36:54.560 --> 00:36:58.040 pray without ceasing, and give thanks. 00:36:58.039 --> 00:36:59.880 Let us praise the Lord. 00:36:59.880 --> 00:37:02.400 Let us give thanks to the Lord. 00:37:02.400 --> 00:37:05.279 For our God is good, amen. 00:37:05.279 --> 00:37:06.759 His steadfast love, right? 00:37:06.759 --> 00:37:10.400 As it says in Psalm 106, His steadfast love 00:37:10.400 --> 00:37:12.679 endures forever. 00:37:12.679 --> 00:37:17.519 Being a Christian means we are saved by grace through faith, 00:37:17.519 --> 00:37:18.400 but we're to grow. 00:37:18.400 --> 00:37:21.639 It's the beginning of our spiritual walk in Christ, 00:37:21.639 --> 00:37:25.360 to live and to love like Christ and having God 00:37:25.360 --> 00:37:27.320 at the center of our life. 00:37:27.320 --> 00:37:29.160 And so in all of this, we can see 00:37:29.160 --> 00:37:31.680 that with the return of the exiles, 00:37:31.680 --> 00:37:34.519 from Babylon going back to Jerusalem, 00:37:34.519 --> 00:37:37.559 the people of God were dedicated to coming together 00:37:37.559 --> 00:37:40.360 in unity to rebuild the altar. 00:37:40.360 --> 00:37:43.720 They were dedicated to worshiping the living God 00:37:43.720 --> 00:37:46.120 and to continue their services, 00:37:46.120 --> 00:37:48.840 offering birth sacrifices to the Lord. 00:37:48.840 --> 00:37:51.920 And for us today, we should be encouraged 00:37:51.920 --> 00:37:55.320 to come together, united as the body of Christ 00:37:55.320 --> 00:37:59.640 to build up the community, the community of Christ, 00:37:59.640 --> 00:38:03.800 of believers, but also doing good in our community 00:38:03.800 --> 00:38:06.320 outside the walls of the church. 00:38:06.320 --> 00:38:08.000 The church is made up of people. 00:38:08.000 --> 00:38:10.360 It's about relationships that we make. 00:38:10.360 --> 00:38:12.519 It's about celebrating together. 00:38:12.519 --> 00:38:14.720 It's about praising the living God. 00:38:14.720 --> 00:38:17.760 It's also about encouraging one another. 00:38:17.760 --> 00:38:22.840 It is being there for one another in trials and in tribulations. 00:38:22.840 --> 00:38:26.519 May we as the church body have the courage 00:38:26.519 --> 00:38:30.440 to boldly step out and continue to worship the living God 00:38:30.440 --> 00:38:33.960 no matter what people say or what people do. 00:38:34.960 --> 00:38:37.680 For those of us who do not know Jesus Christ, 00:38:37.680 --> 00:38:41.480 may you be encouraged to know Jesus Christ 00:38:41.480 --> 00:38:43.600 by knowing the simple gospel. 00:38:43.600 --> 00:38:47.600 It's that first Corinthians, chapter 15 verses one through four. 00:38:48.440 --> 00:38:52.039 The death, the burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, 00:38:52.039 --> 00:38:55.039 that all of this happened according to the scriptures. 00:38:55.039 --> 00:38:58.559 It's recognizing that Jesus Christ died for our sins 00:38:58.559 --> 00:39:00.599 on the cross, that he was buried 00:39:00.599 --> 00:39:03.239 and he rose again on the third day. 00:39:04.440 --> 00:39:07.639 It's just like that song says, Jesus paid it all. 00:39:08.759 --> 00:39:11.559 Jesus paid it all in full. 00:39:11.559 --> 00:39:14.000 If you know the Lord, may you have the courage 00:39:14.000 --> 00:39:16.119 to grow in faith. 00:39:16.119 --> 00:39:18.480 It can be scary to grow in faith at times. 00:39:18.480 --> 00:39:20.480 You have to wrestle with the text. 00:39:20.480 --> 00:39:23.360 You're like, what does this mean? 00:39:23.360 --> 00:39:25.800 What does this proverb mean? 00:39:25.800 --> 00:39:28.760 One of my favorite ones when I was a teenager 00:39:28.760 --> 00:39:30.480 is consider the ant. 00:39:30.480 --> 00:39:34.159 You have to observe the ant and learn from the ant. 00:39:34.159 --> 00:39:36.119 I'm like, that's a weird one, right? 00:39:36.119 --> 00:39:41.119 One of my favorite proverbs, it talks about slothful people, 00:39:41.119 --> 00:39:45.619 saying that a lazy person is one who gets tired 00:39:45.619 --> 00:39:48.360 as they're lifting a spoon to eat. 00:39:48.360 --> 00:39:51.519 It's in proverbs. 00:39:51.519 --> 00:39:53.000 I don't know the exact proverb, 00:39:53.000 --> 00:39:53.920 but look it up sometime. 00:39:53.920 --> 00:39:55.240 It's actually a really hilarious one. 00:39:55.240 --> 00:39:57.960 You can think the imagery of someone who's so lazy 00:39:57.960 --> 00:40:00.120 that they're getting tired to eat. 00:40:01.519 --> 00:40:04.760 But in all that, the point of this is that 00:40:04.760 --> 00:40:08.200 as you're growing in the Lord, you learn more scripture 00:40:08.200 --> 00:40:09.559 and you'll have to wrestle with it. 00:40:09.559 --> 00:40:12.480 But look, aren't there times where we learn 00:40:12.480 --> 00:40:15.519 a new subject in study and we have to wrestle 00:40:15.519 --> 00:40:19.199 with concepts like math, right? 00:40:19.199 --> 00:40:21.840 I'm not picking on my math people, right? 00:40:21.840 --> 00:40:23.199 Or English, right? 00:40:23.199 --> 00:40:24.679 Or if you're learning a second language, 00:40:24.679 --> 00:40:27.400 you have to struggle with different concepts and things. 00:40:27.400 --> 00:40:30.719 It's no different than when we're learning the word of God. 00:40:30.719 --> 00:40:35.719 You're like, what is, what's with the Nephilim, right? 00:40:37.599 --> 00:40:39.440 You might have that or whatever it is 00:40:39.440 --> 00:40:40.960 on your own spiritual journey. 00:40:40.960 --> 00:40:45.960 But in all of this, may you have the courage to grow in faith. 00:40:47.139 --> 00:40:49.699 There'll be times where you'll wrestle with theology, right? 00:40:49.699 --> 00:40:53.740 Or all the oligies, Christology, or eschatology, right? 00:40:53.740 --> 00:40:58.659 And in any case, balance that grace and truth 00:40:58.659 --> 00:41:01.500 and be encouraged to read and study the word. 00:41:01.500 --> 00:41:03.940 And for those of you who are doing the first two things, 00:41:03.940 --> 00:41:07.380 may you be moved to be an ambassador for Christ, 00:41:07.380 --> 00:41:10.659 going out into the world and making a difference. 00:41:10.659 --> 00:41:13.339 In leadership and your interactions with your work 00:41:13.339 --> 00:41:17.899 in the marketplace or in whatever it is you do. 00:41:17.899 --> 00:41:19.859 May you be a representative for Christ, 00:41:19.859 --> 00:41:22.259 telling people of what you believe in. 00:41:22.259 --> 00:41:25.779 But also being an example, that's a huge one. 00:41:25.779 --> 00:41:28.899 Some people, it's just how you conduct yourself, 00:41:30.039 --> 00:41:34.659 how you interact with people, your own neighbor. 00:41:34.659 --> 00:41:37.259 If you see someone who needs help and assistance, 00:41:37.259 --> 00:41:38.739 how do you help with that? 00:41:38.739 --> 00:41:41.539 People see that, people recognize that. 00:41:41.539 --> 00:41:44.019 May we all be encouraged to be a part of the life 00:41:44.019 --> 00:41:47.579 of the church and celebrate God's faithfulness. 00:41:47.579 --> 00:41:52.219 For God is faithful, he is holy, God is just, 00:41:52.219 --> 00:41:55.459 and he is righteous, God is good. 00:41:56.299 --> 00:42:00.139 And even though there may be times we may be afraid, 00:42:00.139 --> 00:42:05.059 or we may be afraid of what others say or think or do, 00:42:05.059 --> 00:42:07.739 may we come together, united in Christ, 00:42:07.739 --> 00:42:11.979 and remain focused on the things of God. 00:42:11.979 --> 00:42:14.459 Focus on the mission of Jesus Christ, 00:42:14.459 --> 00:42:18.179 the great commandment, to love God and to love others, 00:42:18.179 --> 00:42:20.139 the great commission to make disciples 00:42:20.139 --> 00:42:22.899 and to baptize believers. 00:42:22.899 --> 00:42:25.219 And may we be able to contribute 00:42:25.219 --> 00:42:27.000 to the building of the church. 00:42:28.139 --> 00:42:32.739 Think of all of this, just as we have learned from Ezra. 00:42:32.739 --> 00:42:35.259 Chapter three, verses one through seven. 00:42:35.260 --> 00:42:39.220 They came together, they built the altar, 00:42:39.220 --> 00:42:43.340 and even though they were afraid, they continued with that. 00:42:43.340 --> 00:42:47.060 And they also got some specialists when needed, right? 00:42:47.060 --> 00:42:50.500 So may we learn from this today, let's pray together. 00:42:50.500 --> 00:42:54.020 Gracious Father, we thank you for the lessons 00:42:54.020 --> 00:42:55.700 and the actionable steps that we have, 00:42:55.700 --> 00:42:58.500 but most importantly, we're thankful for your word. 00:42:59.940 --> 00:43:02.980 We pray, Father, that if there's any division among us, 00:43:02.980 --> 00:43:05.340 may we set those aside and may we come together 00:43:05.340 --> 00:43:08.619 in unity as the body of Christ. 00:43:08.619 --> 00:43:09.659 And I'm talking about, Father, 00:43:09.659 --> 00:43:11.420 setting aside the things that are secondary. 00:43:11.420 --> 00:43:13.139 May we focus on the primary things, 00:43:13.139 --> 00:43:16.420 the death, burial, and resurrection of your Son. 00:43:16.420 --> 00:43:18.659 May we focus on the primary things 00:43:19.860 --> 00:43:24.860 that we are to come together, 00:43:25.500 --> 00:43:28.300 sharing in the gospel to other people. 00:43:28.300 --> 00:43:30.760 Where to grow together in you. 00:43:30.760 --> 00:43:34.520 Where to do good in the name of your Son. 00:43:35.720 --> 00:43:37.760 We pray that we may follow your direction 00:43:37.760 --> 00:43:40.600 in the guidance of the Holy Spirit for our very lives. 00:43:41.500 --> 00:43:43.880 May we, Father, as the church body, 00:43:43.880 --> 00:43:46.600 may we never be afraid of what people may say 00:43:46.600 --> 00:43:49.120 or think when it comes to us being a Christian. 00:43:51.300 --> 00:43:54.020 And even when we go out into the world and our interactions, 00:43:54.020 --> 00:43:56.480 even if we're in a situation where 00:43:56.480 --> 00:44:00.400 we might not be able to share in our words, 00:44:00.400 --> 00:44:03.480 we can still share through our actions. 00:44:03.480 --> 00:44:06.519 We pray that we can be faithful to you, 00:44:06.519 --> 00:44:07.840 faithful to your word. 00:44:08.840 --> 00:44:12.720 We pray that just like what we're finding in Ezra, 00:44:12.720 --> 00:44:17.160 that we too can participate in the life of the church 00:44:17.160 --> 00:44:19.320 and in celebrations, 00:44:19.320 --> 00:44:22.360 just like our Easter and Christmas celebrations. 00:44:23.539 --> 00:44:28.539 May we also consider our time and our talent and our treasure 00:44:28.539 --> 00:44:33.179 and how we can contribute to you according to our ability. 00:44:34.460 --> 00:44:39.460 Father, we pray that your Holy Spirit 00:44:39.460 --> 00:44:43.739 will just move in everyone's lives here 00:44:43.739 --> 00:44:45.900 and those that are online. 00:44:45.900 --> 00:44:50.300 We pray that as we sing this last song, 00:44:50.300 --> 00:44:52.900 may we lift up a shout of praise. 00:44:52.900 --> 00:44:55.380 May we praise your Holy name. 00:44:55.380 --> 00:44:58.340 May we be thankful for who you are 00:44:58.340 --> 00:45:02.140 and do all of this with a heart full of gratitude towards you. 00:45:03.019 --> 00:45:05.420 We thank you so much and we say all of this 00:45:05.420 --> 00:45:09.660 in the name of Jesus Christ, the cornerstone of salvation. 00:45:09.660 --> 00:45:11.539 Can I get an amen? 00:45:11.539 --> 00:45:12.579 Thank you for tuning in 00:45:12.579 --> 00:45:15.579 to the Ontario Community Church sermon podcast. 00:45:15.579 --> 00:45:17.100 For more about our church 00:45:17.100 --> 00:45:19.780 and how you can get involved or support our mission, 00:45:19.780 --> 00:45:23.500 please visit ontariocommunitychurch.org. 00:45:23.500 --> 00:45:28.500 May God's blessings be with you.