Pastor Dave Martin ~ Cross Creek Community Church ~ Jan 21, 2007
“The Building Project”
Ezra 1-6
Part 3 of 3
Matthew 16:18b “…I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it”. ~Jesus NLT
The “church” is not a building but people!
Part 1 – The Purpose (Why does Cross Creek exist?)
Exalt – Evangelize – Equip – Elevate
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Because we will soon be engaged in a building project… wise to look at another project 2500 yrs ago. |
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In 586BC the Babylonians destroyed the magnificent Solomon’s temple, 50 yrs prior… |
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The Jews were taken into captivity for 70 years (Jer 25:11)… The Persian King Cyrus conquerors the Babylonians and show great favor to the Jewish captives… allowing them to return to Israel… |
Twelve Building “Principles”
Part 2 – The Preparation (God is working and calls us to join Him)
1.)Vision 2.)People 3.)Finances 4.)Unity 5.)Faith 6.)Plans
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Each of the first six principles or keys are precisely true for us here at Cross Creek. |
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This morning we’re going to look at the last six principles, the construction phase of the building project |
Part 3 - The Project
Building “Principle”…
# 7. Begin
Visible, tangible results begin to take place.
Ezra 3:8-9 8 In the second month of the second year after their arrival at the house of God in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel… Jeshua… and the rest of their brothers (the priests and the Levites and all who had returned from the captivity to Jerusalem) began the work, appointing Levites twenty years of age and older to supervise the building of the house of the LORD.
Mt 7:24;; Heb 3:3-4; Jam 1:22,2:17; Neh 2:17;
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Last week we saw the 2 year & 2 month preparation to begin rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem |
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Today we’re going to see the actual work happening… what anticipation, excitement, enthusiasm |
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Joshua the high priest and the Levites supervised the construction v9… (see also Haggai 1:14) |
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It’s normally difficult to “get the ball rolling”… the rocket expends much more fuel just getting off the launch pad then it does traveling to or staying in orbit (principle of momentum). |
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It’s not how you begin but how you finish that counts – to hear the words someday… Matthew 25:21 "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' |
Psalms 127:1 Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.
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Before long, we too will be witnessing some major construction… site prep, digging, foundations, steel… |
# 8. Gratitude
People are overwhelmed in thanksgiving and praise.
Ezra 3:10-12 10 When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests in their vestments and with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their places to praise the LORD, as prescribed by David king of Israel. 11 With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD: "He is good; his love to Israel endures forever." 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. Col 2:6-7,3:16; Heb 12:28; Ps 95:1-3,100:1-5
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Once the foundations were laid… seeing the project taking shape, the people rejoiced in praise! |
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They were overwhelmed in gratitude to God… they sang, “He is good, His love endures forever” |
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There was pageantry, trumpets, cymbals, there were shouts of praise… very moving & contagious! |
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Many older men wept because this temple was smaller and less magnificent then Solomon’s (Hag 2:3) |
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Mixed emotions… scary yet good, ruins now a foundation, less magnificent yet still God’s temple… |
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The praise & weeping blended together in gratitude toward the Lord… It’s all about Him! |
Colossians 2:6-7 6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
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We too need to be overflowing with praise & thanksgiving… now and as we build our project. |
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Keeping the right perspective in the good times or hard times… maintain an attitude of gratitude! |
# 9. Testimony
The community witnesses a great work of God
Ezra 3:13 No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people made so much noise. And the sound was heard far away.
Mt 5:16; 1Thes 4:11-12; Acts 2:47
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Though Zerubbabel (Governor) and Joshua (High Priest) were afraid… they led their people to build |
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People around Jerusalem were “half-breed” Samaritans… intermarried with pagan foreigners. |
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What a witness to the unsaved world… God is working! This is seen throughout scripture… The plagues of Egypt, parting of the Red Sea, walls of Jericho, Sun standing still, miracles of Jesus, etc… |
Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
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The community became aware of what was going on in Jerusalem or in our Trucksville! |
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As our building rises from the ground… people will take note that God is working in our midst too! |
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We must always remember where we came from and stay committed to Biblical core beliefs / purpose. |
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Understand, as we take a stand for Christ and step out in genuine faith, it will always produce… |
The Devil is active – Deception, Discouragement, Detours.
Ezra 4:1-3 1 When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple for the LORD, the God of Israel, 2 they came to Zerubbabel and to the heads of the families and said, "Let us help you build because, like you, we seek your God and have been sacrificing to him since the time of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here." 3 But Zerubbabel, Jeshua and the rest of the heads of the families of Israel answered, "You have no part with us in building a temple to our God. We alone will build it for the LORD, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia, commanded us."
Ezra 4:4-6,24 Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building. 5 They hired counselors to work against them and frustrate their plans … they lodged an accusation against the people of Judah and Jerusalem… 24 Thus the work on the house of God in Jerusalem came to a standstill ...
Eph 6:10-18; Rev 12:10; 2Co 4:4; Jn 10:10; 1Pet 5:8; 2Co 11:14
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In Ezra 4:13-16 we see three reasons the enemy reported to the King 1.) Lose of tax revenue 2.) King dishonored 3.) Lose of territory |
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God’s people are never without opposition… Who’s behind this opposition? |
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Wherever God works the Devil is not too far behind… Satan operating in the unseen world… |
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Look at Zech 3:1-2 for insight… Haggai & Zechariah were two prophets God used at this time… |
Zechariah 3:1-2 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. The LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?"
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The Devil is out to steal, kill or destroy (Jn 10:10)… A murderer & speaks lies (Jn 8:44). He’s the father of the unsaved (John 8:41)…A master at rousing His “children” to accomplish his diabolical schemes. |
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Just as the Lord uses His children, the Devil instigates his also to bring division & confusion |
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Attempted to get the builders to compromise their convictions… Satan will try to get people to be critical of the work while doing little themselves… all talk and no action. He prowls around looking! |
1 Peter 5:8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
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Satan uses deception… he deceives people in lies… comes across as an angel of light - 2Co 11:14 |
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Churches are normally destroyed from within not from without… tries to get a foot in the door in ministry |
2 Corinthians 11:14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
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He uses schemes – methods, craftiness, stealth, cunning as in a wild animal stalking its prey. |
Christians must not fear or ignore the devil. Both positions are dangerous. The hog-nosed snake is an evil looking reptile which responds to the threat of danger with two ruses. First, it impersonates a pit viper, coiling and striking and hissing viciously. If this fails to intimidate the attacker the snake turns belly up, opens its mouth and lolls its tongue out, playing dead. If it is picked up and placed right side up it simply turns over and resumes the death ruse again. It seems to realize that if it cannot bluff, it has to mimic death.
Ephesians 6:11-12 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
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He attempts to discourage & depress bringing despair and detours… get you out of God’s perfect will |
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Ultimately because of the interference by the Samaritans, Assyrians, and political forces, sadly we see in verse 24 the outcome of this opposition, “the work came to a standstill”. (Like in churches today…) |
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Be very careful not to find yourself on the Devil’s side concerning the Lord’s Work… not a good day. |
# 11. Perseverance
God sends help, encouragement & victory.
Ezra 5:1-2 1 Now Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the prophet… prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them. 2 Then Zerubbabel… and Jeshua… set to work to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them, helping them.
Jam 5:11; Heb 10:36,11:27,12:1; Jam 1:3-4
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For 15 years the building of the temple was delayed… In the midst of discouragement & detours, God raised up Haggai & Zechariah, prophets of God to help in the rebuilding of the temple. |
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Isn’t it neat to see how the Lord comes with encouragement at just the right time? “Battle is the Lords!” |
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As Christians we can become lethargic, indifferent & lazy in the face of a challenging God-sized task. |
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God is not going to do the work for you… He will come alongside of you to encourage you… right track |
Look at the promise God gave Joshua (High Priest) if he stays faithful & perseveres…
Zechariah 3:6-7 6 The angel of the LORD gave this charge to Joshua: 7 "This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'If you will walk in my ways and keep my requirements, then you will govern my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you a place among these standing here.
Look at the promise God gave Zerubbabel (Governor) if he stays faithful & perseveres…
Haggai 2:23 "'On that day,' declares the LORD Almighty, 'I will take you, my servant Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel,' declares the LORD, 'and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you,' declares the LORD Almighty."
Look at the Promise God gave Zerubbabel, Joshua & the people if they stay faithful & perseveres…
Haggai 2:4 But now be strong, O Zerubbabel,' declares the LORD. 'Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,' declares the LORD, 'and work. For I am with you,' declares the LORD Almighty.
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Don’t quit, jump in and work, get involved and do it – complete the task I’ve called you to do! |
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The Lord tells us if we persevere in doing God’s perfect will… we will be greatly rewarded. |
Hebrews 10:36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
What has God promised us? Forgiveness, Spiritual Fruit, Eternal Life, Authority, Rule & Reign with Him, etc…
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Don’t get detoured in running your race… or in the building project… but hang in there… God is faithful. |
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We must remain committed to the vision, the calling God has given us… reaping if we don’t faint… |
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
# 12. Celebration
Work completed and they celebrated the dedication.
Ezra 6:14-16 14 So the elders of the Jews continued to build and prosper under the preaching of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah… They finished building the temple according to the command of the God of Israel…15 The temple was completed …16 Then the people of Israel--celebrated the dedication of the house of God with joy.
Phil 4.4; Neh 8:10,12:43; 2Chron 30:26
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God richly blessed Israel with the preaching of Haggai & Zechariah – vital for today’s church. |
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The temple was completed in obedience to the Lord… the people celebrated the dedication with joy! |
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What a faith builder, what a powerful testimony to the unsaved, what satisfaction & joy in completing task |
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! “…the Lord is near” v5
When We Fulfill God’s Purpose…
Ø My Life is Eternally Changed! – Spiritual growth… blooming where God plants you! Equip
Ø People Drawn to Christ! – Precious Souls are saved… Lives changed forever! Evangelize
Ø God is Glorified! – It’s all about Him… worship, thank & praise Him! Exalt
When God’s plans are fulfilled our world (lives) around us is affected! Elevate
“Cross Creek is a Great Church with Great People who Serve a Great God”
Cathy & I are heading to Lancaster for the next few days…
Pastor Barry will be preaching next week and we’ll be celebrating the Lord’s Supper together…
I’ll be starting a new series Feb 4th “Home Sweet Home”
Let’s Pray