Telford Christian Fellowship

Ezra - part 12. I've not covered much in Ezra chapter 9.  Instead I've linked one theme which is apparent in Ezra chapter 9 as well as what is going on in many people's hearts in Jerusalem from Palm Sunday to Good Friday.  This theme is the deception and power of sin in the human heart.

Ezra 9:1 - 3 linked with Palm Sunday and the events of Passion Week

Those who returned from exile in 538BC - their first port-of-call was Jerusalem and the site of the Temple.  Their first task was to re-build the Altar - which was hugely important in re-establishing true worship of God.

Ezra 2:64 to ch 3:6 - Re-building the Altar

This is the first sermon of a new series - on the book of Ezra.  The first 3 verses of Ezra is identical to the last 2 verses of 2 Chronicles, showing the historical continuity.  We see God's mercy and grace in starting to repatriate His people, after exiling them 70 years earlier.

Ezra 1:1 - 3 - with reference to 1 & 2 Chronicles

This again emphasises the only way to be justified is by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Initially, I cover 2 examples of how we can easily try to lead our lives by relying on our own efforts, rather than by faith in Jesus Christ. I then offer some points as to what it means on a daily basis to live a Cross-centred life: 
1. Cross speaks of the seriousness of sin and the wrath of God. 
2. Cross speaks of God's amazing, loving initiative in dealing with our sin. 
In light of these first 2 points - to daily give thanks to Him, to rejoice & worship Him and live in the fear of God. 
3. "Lord, You gave yourself completely for me, I therefore give myself completely to you today ... You are my life ... no one else is of greater importance ... I want to do those things You give me to do ..." 
4. Giving oneself to one's church. If I give myself to Jesus who is the Head, then I give myself to His body. 
5. Giving oneself to loving and accepting all other people, demonstrating the Cross to those who don't yet believe in Jesus. This also means treating everyone who is different from me with equal respect - there's no room for racism or prejudice in the heart of a Christian. 
NB: One error in the written reference towards the end - should be 2 Peter 1:5 - 9 (not 2 Peter 2:5 - 9)

This again emphasises the only way to be justified is by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  Initially, I cover 2 examples of how we can easily try to lead our lives by relying on our own efforts, rather than by faith in Jesus Christ.  I then offer some points as to what it means on a daily basis to live a Cross-centred life:
1. Cross speaks of the seriousness of sin and the wrath of God.
2. Cross speaks of God's amazing, loving initiative in dealing with our sin.
In light of these first 2 points - to daily give thanks to Him, to rejoice & worship Him and live in the fear of God.
3. "Lord, You gave yourself completely for me, I therefore give myself completely to you today ... You are my life ... no one else is of greater importance ... I want to do those things You give me to do ..."
4. Giving oneself to one's church.  If I give myself to Jesus who is the Head, then I give myself to His body.
5. Giving oneself to loving and accepting all other people, demonstrating the 

Galatians 3:10 - 13 - living a Cross-centred life

Develops the importance of the 2 core bases of the faith of the Galatians that are instructive to us: (1) The Cross; (2) Receiving the Promise of the Holy Spirit. We also look at 2 Peter 1:3 & 4 - God has given us His "very great and precious promises" - and it is through these promises that we are justified by faith alone in the Lord Jesus and we receive the Holy Spirit in power. 
We also look at the example of the faith of Abraham who "believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness". We, like Abraham, need to believe what has been promised - so that we can be made right with God (receive Jesus' righteousness) - and to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit in full. In receiving both these - we are "blessed" (Galatians 3:9) - and we need to stick to living at the foot of the Cross and to be filled with the Holy Spirit. If we feel there is a void in our hearts, let's get back to these 2 bases of our faith - (1) The Cross; (2) Receive the Holy Spirit in full.

Develops the importance of the 2 core bases of the faith of the Galatians that are instructive to us: (1) The Cross; (2) Receiving the Promise of the Holy Spirit.  We also look at 2 Peter 1:3 & 4 - God has given us His "very great and precious promises" - and it is through these promises that we are justified by faith alone in the Lord Jesus and we receive the Holy Spirit in power.
We also look at the example of the faith of Abraham who "believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness".  We, like Abraham, need to believe what has been promised - so that we can be made right with God (receive Jesus' righteousness) - and to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit in full.  In receiving both these - we are "blessed" (Galatians 3:9) - and we need to stick to living at the foot of the Cross and to be filled with the Holy Spirit.  If we feel there is a void in our hearts, let's get back to these 2 bases of our faith - (1) The Cross; (2) Receive the Holy Spirit in full.

Galatians 3:5 - 9

2 parts: (1) Remembering the poor; (2) Behaving in line with the Gospel.  Re: part 2 - I try to deal with the complex matter of why Peter separating himself from the Gentiles to only eat with the "Circumcision group" - is not acting in line with the Gospel.

Telford Christian Fellowship Videos

Ezra 9:1 - 3 linked with Palm Sunday and the events of Passion Week

Ezra 2:64 to ch 3:6 - Re-building the Altar

Ezra 1:1 - 3 - with reference to 1 & 2 Chronicles

Galatians 3:10 - 13 - living a Cross-centred life

Galatians 3:5 - 9

Galatians 2: 10 - 14

Group of Brands

Telford Christian Fellowship Videos

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Ezra 9:1 - 3 linked with Palm Sunday and the events of Passion Week

Ezra 2:64 to ch 3:6 - Re-building the Altar

Ezra 1:1 - 3 - with reference to 1 & 2 Chronicles

Galatians 3:10 - 13 - living a Cross-centred life

Galatians 3:5 - 9

Galatians 2: 10 - 14

Group of Brands