RE:Build, Part 1 - 9.10.2023

Read: Ezra 1:5-8; 3:10-13Over a period of about 500 years, the Israelites began wondering away from God and turning their backs on him. In 627 BC, the prophet Jeremiah predicts that Jerusalem will fall and lose everything because they have forsaken their relationship with God. The prophecy was fulfilled 40 years later 586 BC) when King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon sent his army to attack and conquer Jerusalem. The people held out for some time, but the city was destroyed along with the Temple and the outer wall of the city. Another 40 years go by, (537 BC) and the people of Israel become active again and desire to see the Temple restored. This would be impossible had it not been placed on King Cyrus’ heart to build a Temple to honor the LORD in Jerusalem. The Collision of Hope and Loss. The youngest among them was shouting for the beginning of something new, something that filled them with hope. The oldest among them had seen the former temple and couldn’t escape the feeling of loss that was overtaking them. This new temple wasn’t the old one and never would be. We speak of the need for revival. We have the same collision of hope and loss between our youngest and oldest generations. One is looking forward and hoping for a glorious future. The other is looking back and recalling a more glorious past. The two must find a way to work together. The history of God’s Church must guide us, but it might not shape it to be the exact way that it was. The hope of the future must stir us, but it must be kept in check with that which is appropriate for building God’s Church. If we hope to rebuild faith and hope in our culture, we are going to have to do it with both perspectives in mind. We don’t want to stray from the things that truly matter in faith. We must realize that we are building with new materials and resources. It might not look the same or sound the same, but it has to possess the same power of God in it to be successful. Read: Ezra 4:1,4-5Opposition to God’s Work. There will always be people who oppose the work to which we have been called. We are seeing this on an incredible level today. People have full hatred for the people of God and all that they stand for today. There is a militant move to silence the voice of the church and to extinguish the message of the Gospel. Our world wants God kicked out of everything so that they can live the lives they want to live without having to face the realities of morality that they are side-stepping. Read: Haggai 1:2-6The Cost of Second Place. When God gave Moses the 10 Commandments, the very first thing that he said was that he has to be first. He referred to himself as a “jealous God!” It would be self-seeking if it was coming from anyone else, but this is God talking. Through the Prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah he repeatedly says against Israel that they have abandoned him and chosen to seek other gods. He expressed his frustration with being placed among all the other idols of the world as though he were just some other god-object. He uses the metaphor of marriage to speak to how we are to be faithful only unto him. He uses the physical possession of money to teach us about how important it is to put him first in tithing. He demands to be first and refuses to be 2nd to anything or anyone. When we fail to prioritize God in the place where he belongs, there is a price to be paid. God makes this very clear through the ministry of the major and minor prophets. Haggai tells the people that they are struggling in life because they have put their own wants and needs ahead of God. As a direct result, God is frustrating their plans. God’s Plan A is HumilityGod’s Plan B is Humiliation