From Captivity to Captivation
Introduction:
A. How
would it make us feel if (because of circumstances out of our control) we could
not read our Bibles, sing songs of praise, or worship God for 70 years?
B. Can
you imagine what it would be like not to read the Sermon on the Mount; sing
such songs as "I Want to Know More,” "Sing and Be Happy,” and "Amazing Grace”?
C. While
this is very hard for us to imagine, a similar incident did happen to the
Israelites (Ps 137:1ff, Jer 25:8-12; 29:9-10).
4(A) How shall we sing the LORD’s song
in a foreign land?
5If I forget you, O Jerusalem,
(B) let my right hand forget its
skill!
6Let my(C) tongue stick to the roof of my
mouth,
if I do not remember you,
if I do not set
above my highest joy!
7Remember, O LORD, against the(D) Edomites
(E) the day of Jerusalem,
how they said,(F) "Lay it bare, lay it bare,
down to its foundations!"
8O daughter of
blessed shall he be who(H) repays you
with what you have done to us!
9Blessed shall he be who takes your little ones
and(I) dashes them against the rock!
D. In
accordance with His promise, God did take His people into Captivity in three
waves—606,597,586.
E. But,
God also brought his people out of Captivity as He promised.
· Cyrus
536 (Isa 44:28; 45:1; Ezra 1:1-2)
Ezra 1:1-2 1(A) In
the first year of Cyrus king of Persia,(B) that
the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD
stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so(C) that
he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing:
2"Thus says Cyrus king of
· Ezra
(temple and Israelite morality restored)
· Nehemiah
444 (walls 52 days, the word of God).
F.
What
steps are necessary to have real restoration? Notice what steps were
necessary in Nehemiah 8 and what steps are necessary today.
1And
all the people gathered as one man into the square before(A) the
Water Gate. And they told(B) Ezra
the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the LORD had commanded
9And
Nehemiah, who was(L) the
governor, and Ezra(M) the
priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the
people,(N) "This
day is holy to the LORD your God;(O) do
not mourn or weep." For all the people wept as they heard the words of the
Law. 10Then
he said to them, "Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and(P) send
portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And
do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." 11So the Levites calmed all the
people, saying, "Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved." 12And all the people went their way
to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because(Q) they
had understood the words that were declared to them.
What steps are necessary to have
real restoration?
I.
Unity. Vs. 1
A. For
years the Israelites had been divided over spiritual matters (expound).
B.
God
has always wanted his people to have unity (Ps 133:1, Eph 4:3, I Cor 1:10).
a.
Ps 133:1: Behold,
how good and pleasant it is
when(B) brothers
dwell in unity.
b.
I Cor
1:10 10I
appeal to you, brothers,[a] by
the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no(A)divisions
among you, but that you be united(B) in
the same mind and the same judgment.
1.
In
unity there is strength. Eccl 4:9-12
Eccl 4:9-12: 9Two are better than one, because
they have a good reward for their toil. 10For if they fall, one will lift up
his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to
lift him up! 11Again, if two lie together, they
keep warm,(A) but
how can one keep warm alone? 12And though a man might prevail
against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not
quickly broken.
2. Unity
proves to the world that Jesus is the son of God. Jn 17:20-21, Eph 4:4-6
2.
We
must be diligent to strive to posses the seven ones of Eph 4:4-6.
a.
Eph
4:4-6: There is(A) one
body and(B) one
Spirit—just as you were called to the one(C) hope
that belongs to your call— 5(D)one
Lord,(E) one
faith,(F) one
baptism, 6(G) one
God and Father of all,(H) who
is over all and through all and in all.
II.
An attentive heart. Vs. 2-3
A. The
Israelites were attentive to the Word of God because they realized its’ great
worth.
B. The
only way that we can have an attitude of attentiveness is when we also realize
the Bible’s great worth. Riches---Mk 8:36-37
1. The
Bible contains the words of Life. Jn 6:68, II Pet 1:3, 2 Tim 1:13
2. It
edifies us closer to God. Acts 20:32, James 4:8
3. It
convicts us of sin. Acts 2:36, Acts 9:6 Ps 119:11, James 1:25-26
4. It
is able to save the soul. Jn 8:32, Jn 17:17, Acts 11:14, James 1:21, I Tim 4:16
5. It
tells us who we are(Gen 2:17, Isa 62:1-2, Acts 11:26), why we are here(Isa
43:7, Eccl 12:13), and where we are going (Jn 14, Matt 25,7:13-14).
6. It
is Powerful and Eternal. (Rom 1:16, Heb 4:12, Matt 24:35, I Pet 1:25).
III.
Respect for the Word of God. Vs. 4-5
A. After
70 years of hard captivity it finally dawned upon the Israelites that God’s
word was their only hope and so they stood up as a sign of respect for the
Bible.
B. Today
we stand up for the prayers, and songs, but what about the word of God?
C. The
only way that we can gain a respect for the Bible is when we realize that it is
God’s very words of instruction for us.
1. When
you buy a new car or a new appliance it usually comes with a user’s
manual.
2. The
prophets realized that the Bible was God’s word and they respected it as that:
· In
Jeremiah and Lamentations, Jeremiah says over 500 times that this is God’s
Book, not mine.
· In
Ezekiel, Ezekiel says some 309 times that this is God’s book and not mine.
· In
Zechariah, Zechariah says 78 times that this is not my book, but God’s.
D. When
we do respect the Bible, then we will apply its principles to our life.
1. Acts
20:7
2. I
Tim 2:11-12
3. Acts
2:38
4. Phil
1:1
IV.
Worship for God with Fear/Reverence. Vs. 6
A. The
act of bowing ones’ face to the ground was a sign of reverence, fear for God.
1. Ex.
3:5—Moses – Burning Bush
2. Isa
6:4-5—Isaiah – Vision of the Lord High and lifted up.
3. John
Revelation – When he sees the lamb
B You
and I must worship God in a reverent fashion (Jn 4:23-24).
1. Reverent
attitude.
V.
Proper Hermeneutics (Vs. 7-8,12)
A. Read
God’s Word (Eph 4:3, I Tim 4:13)
B. Help
understand God’s word (2 Pet 3:15-16, Bible is its own best commentary).
C. Apply its messages to our life (Phil 4:8-9).