Graham has recovered from the shock of last week’s surprise celebration. He continues his Ezra series this morning from Ezra 8:15.

Ezra 9 [ 44:25 ] Play in Popup | Download

Ezra 8:15 to 9:4

Intro

Ezra comes to Jerusalem Chapter 7. In verse 8 we read that he arrived. Chapters 7 & 8 give details of his journey.

Last week we looked at the royal support Ezra had because God was at work. Ezra asked (and we linked that to New Testament encouragements to pray and ask). We also saw how the hand of God was ‘on’ Ezra in a special way, and he knew it (see 8:18).

1) “Is anyone called?” was a question Ezra knew the answer to.

Ezra 8:15 I assembled them at the canal that flows towards Ahava, and we camped there three days. When I checked among the people and the priests, I found no Levites there.

Are you called? What to? They could have stayed behind. Why would you have wanted to stay? What would have tempted you to stay behind

2) He who calls equips

They would not ask for the king’s protection. They handed over the riches to God so that he could defend what was his own.

What does this say about my finances? My life? Your finances? Your life?

See Matthew 10:10

As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep. Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave. As you enter the home, give it your greeting. If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. (verses 7-13)

What would they have done if they had been robbed and all was lost?

3) He who calls calls

He who calls us to follow, or to some special sphere of service continues to call us on. What does he expect? Are sacrifice and self-denial outdated concepts? Surely that is one of the core issues in the debate about homosexual practice and the Christian life-style.

My visit to the Isle of Man and the missionary history I learned about there, one year as a hermit copying a copy of the scriptures then off into the sea in a coracle to see where he would end up.

He who calls calls. What do I mean? That the call of God abides upon us all our life. Perhaps not to a specific task, but to be his and to follow Jesus.

See:

Matthew 24:12-14 (New American Standard Bible) Jesus said,

“Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Mark 13:13 (New American Standard Bible)

“You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.

James 2:14-17

What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”

James 2:14-17

What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”

Philippians 2:12 [see in context, verses 3-16]

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed- not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence- continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,