Devadas Prakash
INTRODUCTION: Have you ever noticed the caterpillars in the Summer. They are pretty ugly, in spite of the colors that they display. But if you followed the life of that caterpillar you will find an amazing change. In a matter of days that caterpillar will turn into a beautiful butterfly, with broad wings and beautiful patterns of colors like the rainbow! It has changed completely from the old life it had. It is still the same bug, but a new creation! The Bible tells us that men and women are the same way. We sin when we reach an age where we know right from wrong. Sin makes us ugly and hideous before God. But when we experience the the birth we become new creatures, much like the butterfly comes forth from the caterpillar! BODY I. THE NEW TESTAMENT COMMANDS US TO BECOME NEW CREATURES. A. We are told that we must be “Born Again.” 1. John 3:3_ Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 2. 1 Peter 1:23_ having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, B. We are commanded to “put off” the old life of sin. 1. Ephesians 4:22_24 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. 2. Colossians 3:9_10 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10_ and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, C. The new life comes as a result of us leaving the world and entering into a relationship with Jesus Christ. 1. 2 Corinthians 5:17 2. Colossians 1:13_14 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14_ in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. II. WHAT IS NEW ABOUT US WHEN WE BECOME A NEW CREATION? A. A New Beginning – Born again. 1. John 3:3-8 2. James 1:18– Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. B. A New Start – All our sins are forgiven 1. Acts 22:16 2. Colossians 1:13_ He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14_ in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. 3. Revelation 1:5_ and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, C. A New Relationship with God – We can now call Him Father. 1. Galatians 4:6_7 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7_ Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. 2. Hebrews 4:14_16 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15_ For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16_ Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 3. 1 John 3:1_2 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2_ Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. D. A new abundant way of Life – Life in Christ 1. John 10:10– “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. 2. 2 Corinthians 9:8– And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 3. Ephesians 3:19– to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. E. A New Hope – A home in Heaven. 1. Colossians 1:5_ because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, 2. 1 Peter 1:3– Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, III. HOW DO WE BECOME THIS NEW CREATION? A. Paul tells us. 1. 2 Corinthians 5:17– Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2. Paul is saying that we become that new creation by being “in Christ.” 3.. Ephesians 1:7– In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 4. Titus 3:5– not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 5. Adding these together we are new creations “in Christ.” We receive forgiveness of sins “in Christ.” And all Christians have the “washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit.” B. By getting into Christ we become new creatures. John 3:3-5 gives the key. 1. Born of water – Baptism into Christ 2. Born of the Spirit – Receiving the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. 3. Parallel to Acts 2:38 a. Acts 2:38– Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 4. Acts 22:16 5. 1 Peter 3:21– There is also an antitype which now saves us; baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, C. Paul gives further details. 1. Romans 6:1-6 IV. WHEN WE BECOME NEW CREATURES IN CHRIST, PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT IT. A. People will know that we have come under the influence of Jesus. 1. Acts 4:13– Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. 2. Galatians 2:20– “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. B. Others will perceive that we are not living like the world. 1. Colossians 3:1ff 2. 1 Peter 2:11_12 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. CONCLUSION: Just like the caterpillar, we can be a completely different person. God will cleanse you, forgive you, and make you pure and clean. But you must be born again! “THE HAND OF THE LORD MY GOD WAS UPON ME”
Ezra 7:28 INTRODUCTION 1. The Bible is filled with stories of people who lived their lives under the influence of God… a. Through deep faith and a willingness to serve, God used them to fulfill His purposes b. Ezra is one such example of what can happen: 1) When a person determines to seek God 2) And allows the Lord to use him 2. In 457 B.C., Ezra led a group of Jews from Babylonian captivity back to Jerusalem… a. About eighty years after a group led by Zerubbabel to rebuild the temple b. The mission of Ezra’s group was to restore the people of God 3. In the book of Ezra… a. The first six chapters describe the work of Zerubbabel b. The final four chapters relate Ezra’s arrival and the great restoration he brought about [The theme of Ezra’s life and work could be stated as “The Hand Of The Lord My God Was Upon Me,” for six times in two chapters he thus attributes his success. In our lesson, let’s first notice…] I. HOW THE HAND OF THE LORD WAS UPON EZRA A. IN RECEIVING REQUESTS FROM THE KING… 1. Notice Ezra 7:6 2. Because the hand of the Lord was upon Ezra, Artaxerxes allowed him: a. To go to Jerusalem – 7:12-13 b. To take silver and gold to buy animals for sacrifice – 7: 14-17 c. To buy what is needed for the service of the house of God – 7:18-23 d. To be free from taxation – 7:24 e. To set up magistrates and judges – 7:25-26 — Ezra recognized the hand of God was at work in his behalf! – 7:27-28 B. IN FINDING SERVANTS FOR THE TEMPLE… 1. Prepared to leave, Ezra noted none of sons of Levi – 8:15 2. He sends men to find some who will go with them – 8:16-17 — By the good hand of God upon them, they find 38 Levites and 220 Nethinim to assist them! – 8:18-20 C. IN PROVIDING SAFE JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM… 1. Ezra proclaimed a fast to seek from God the right way to travel – 8:21-23 2. Having told the king that God’s hand would be them, he was ashamed to ask for a military escort – 8:22 — God’s hand was upon them, and they safely arrived in Jerusalem! – 8:31-32 [From beginning to end the hand of the Lord was upon Ezra. Why did Ezra enjoy the blessing of God’s provision in his life? Is there anything we can glean from Ezra’s story that might ensure the hand of God in our own lives? I believe there is! Let me suggest some reasons…] II. WHY THE HAND OF THE LORD WAS UPON EZRA A. EZRA HAD PREPARED HIMSELF… 1. In a summary passage, we learn why God was with him – 7:9-10 2. God was with him “For (because) Ezra had prepared his heart” a. “to seek the Law of the Lord” (to learn what God wanted him to do) b. “to do it” (to apply it to himself first) c. “to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel” (and then teach others) — Ezra had first made himself “useful for the Master, prepared for every good work” – cf. 2 Ti 2:21 B. EZRA HAD SOUGHT THE LORD… 1. He believed that God would be with those who seek Him – 8:22 2. Thus he entreated God’s protection through fasting and prayer – 8:21-23 — Ezra believed that God rewarded those who diligently seek Him; such faith undoubtedly pleased God – cf. He 11:6 C. EZRA WAS WILLING TO STEP OUT IN FAITH… 1. Trusting the Lord would protect them, they began their perilous journey – 8:31 2. It was not easy, for there were enemies and potential for ambush along the way! — But Ezra illustrated that he had a living, working faith! – Ja 2:17,26; Ga 5:6 D. EZRA WAS WILLING TO FACE DIFFICULT SITUATIONS… 1. Upon his arrival, Ezra found a difficult situation – 9:1-2 a. Many of the Israelites had inter-married with Gentile women b. The rulers and leaders of Israel were the worst violators 2. He was moved to fasting and prayer – 9:3-15 a. Others joined him (“everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel”) b. He offered prayer confessing the sins of Israel 3. He accepted the responsibility that was his – 10:1-8 a. Encouraged by those willing to repent b. Leading the people to a great restoration! — It would have been so easy to rationalize away any need for the people to change; but Ezra did not let the emotionally charged issue deter him from doing God’s will! CONCLUSION 1. The hand of the Lord was upon Ezra because he… a. Had prepared himself b. Sought the Lord c. Was willing to step out in faith d. Was willing to face difficult situations 2. Ezra was not the only person who experienced the hand of the Lord upon him… a. The Lord was also with a contemporary, Nehemiah – cf. Neh 2:18 b. Sometimes the hand of the Lord was for the purpose of judgment – cf. 1 Sam 5:6 c. But here we have considered the working of God for good in the life of his servant 3. How will the hand of the Lord be for us? For our good, if we emulate Ezra by… a. Preparing ourselves to be useful to the Master! b. Seeking the Lord with diligence and faith! c. Stepping out in faith against the odds d. Facing difficult issues and situations head on Let the example of Ezra encourage us to so live in Christ, that one day we can look back at the events in our lives and say: “The Hand Of The Lord My God Was Upon Me!” |
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