Sep. 25, 2022

RESTORING OUR SPIRITUAL PASSION         9-25-22    

Jeremiah 29:10 10 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place.”

- In 539 B.C…

Ezra 1:1-2 In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm…This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: "'The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah.  

- When Trying to Re-Build Spiritual Walls, we may feel like…

1.) OTHERS ARE PREVENTING US!

Ezra 1:3 3 Any of his people among you may go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem, and may their God be with them.

2.) I’M COMFORTABLE WHERE I AM!

Ezra 1:4 And the people of any place where survivors may now be living are to provide him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem.'"

3.) LET SOMEONE ELSE DO IT!

Ezra 3:2–3 2 Then Joshua… and his fellow priests and Zerubbabel… began to build the altar of the God of Israel… 3 Despite their fear of the peoples around them, they built the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the Lord... 

Ezra 4:4 4 Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building.

4.) THERE’S TOO MUCH OPPOSITION!

Hebrews 8:5 (The Priests) 5 serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” 

5.) COMPLAINING INSTEAD OF REJOICING

Ezra 3:11–13 11 And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. 12 But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy. 13 No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people made so much noise. 

When Trying to Re-Build Spiritual Walls, WE MUST Understand…

6. GOD’S GOT OUR BACK!

Jeremiah 29:10–11 10 …“When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 

Jeremiah 29:12–14 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.”