Faithfulness - Bible Study Notes

Faithfulness

Read Ezra Chapter 9 and 10

As we finish looking at the book of Ezra in chapter 9 and 10, we see the importance of Intercession and Wisdom. These 2 things are what are necessary in every generation:-

1 - Intercession - for the people and for repentance.

2 - Wisdom - bringing a divine solution.

Joshua 22 v 16 – Asks  “How could you turn away from the Lord”?

After everything God had done for these exiles who had returned to their own land, Ezra was shocked and utterly appalled to hear that the people had not kept themselves separated from the other nations, but had actually intermarried and brought other gods and customs into Israel.

Ezra wept bitterly before the Lord and made intercession for the people, laying hold on the covenant God had made, until he had received the plan of deliverance and God's divine solution for his generation.  The people responded, it took time but they obeyed.  (Throughout the bible we see that God's plan was revealed in every situation and generation).  

Ezra understood that God is faithful and that his mercy never ceases.  This is the heart of our God.  This nature of God is revealed throughout every event recorded in the bible.  It reveals the perfect love of God for his creation, and how he ALWAYS provides a way of escape for his children.

2 Tim. 2 v 11 - 13  This is a trustworthy saying;  "If we die with him, we will also live with him.  If we endure hardship, we will reign with him.  If we deny him, he will deny us.  If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is."

Read Hebrews 3  This reminds us that the events recorded in the Old Testament are given to us to remind us to be faithful to our God.

2 Peter 3 v 17 - warns us to be on guard - and in verse 18 - Peter encourages us to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Ephs 5 v 1-20 - Warns us about the importance of living in the Light and by the Spirit's power.

Repentance = turn away from sin and turn to God

Matthew 4 - 17 - From then on Jesus began to preach "Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near".

Luke 24 v 46-48  And Jesus said "Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day.  It was also written that his message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem; "There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent".  

Luke 5 v 31-32  Jesus answered them "Healthy people don't need a doctor - sick people do.  I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent".

Acts 3 v 19 "Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away."

Acts 20 v 21 I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike- the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.

Romans 2 v 4 "Don't you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you?  Does this mean nothing to you?  Can't you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

Evil and adulterous generation  (Matthew 16 v 4, James 4 v 4)

Ezra was dealing with an evil and adulterous generation.  They had turned away from serving God only.

As Ezra and the leaders cried out to God, because of the sin of the people, God gave them wisdom - (what to do) - to bring the people back to God.

As we pray and stand in the gap for our generation, we must ask "Lord, give me wisdom, how to win this generation back to you".

We when study the bible, we will see the patterns of God's spiritual laws that govern every issue of life.  The greatest pattern being - God sent his Word to heal and deliver.  He loves men.  His love is still greater than sin and rebellion.  This generation is wicked BUT the greatest wickedness is were those who should be bringing hope and truth have fallen away.  Until Jesus comes again, this remains the day of Salvation.  We must obtain the Grace of God to stand in the gap and to obtain the Grace for wisdom to rise up and win the lost.

The lost are not just those outside the church.  Those who win SOULs are wise. Many are going after the lost, to bring the new birth to their spirit BUT what about the souls of men.  Our souls are being saved, being delivered and being made complete in surrender to serve God.

The people Ezra prayed for were already the children of Israel.  The people James spoke to were already born again.  The Adulterous Generation - is not the world and the sinners, but it is the children of God - doing their own thing.  As we read through the Old Testament, we see the tendency of the hearts of men to fall away from the fear of the Lord and turn to do things their own way.

1 Cor. 6 v 17 the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him.

God is spirit and we must worship him in spirit and in truth.  When we rely on our own emotions, understanding and desires, we are acting like an unfaithful wife.  A surrendered heart will be committed unto the Lord, wholeheartedly.

"The greatest difficulty in conversion is to win the heart to God.  The greatest difficulty after conversion is to keep the heart WITH GOD."

1 Sam. 16 v 7 - Remember God judges the heart not the outward appearance.

Prov. 4 v 23 - we are commanded to guard our own heart with all diligence.

Like a stringed instrument, has a natural tendency to fall out of tune, when it is moved about from environment to environment - so the heart of man, has a tendency to fall away from the heart of God to the weakness of their own flesh.  We must stay tuned to God at ALL times.

5 Steps to guard your heart.

1.  Watch and Pray.

Study the bible and study your own heart. Jesus said "watch and pray" - Matthew 26 v 41

1 Tim. 4 v 16 "Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching.  Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you."

Matthew 6 v 21 - For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The greatest way to gauge your affections and emotions is according to the Word of God.

2.  Investigate.

Galatians 5 v 1 - "So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law.

Galatians 5 v 7-10  "You were running the race so well.  Who has held you back from following the truth?  It certainly isn't God, for he is the one who called you to freedom.  This false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough!  I am trusting the Lord to keep you from believing false teachings.  God will judge that person, whoever he is, who has been confusing you.

Confusion is NOT from God. Whenever we feel, confusion, heaviness, fear or anything that is NOT from God. STOP!  Ask the Holy Spirit to help you Identify:-

1. What happened to You?

2. What or who stopped or hindered you?

3. What are the weights that slowed you down?

This is a time for ruthless honesty with yourself.  The Word of God is like a mirror, as we look into it, it will reflect what is in OUR hearts. Psalm 139 v 23-24

Psalm 1 - reminds us on the importance of keeping the right company.

3.  Confess

1 John 1 v 9 If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

When we confess to God, we stand before the one who knows every intent and motive of our heart, we have no alibi or excuse, we can blame nothing or no one.  True confession is calling sin what God calls it.

4.  Commit to DO

Galations 5 - Freedom in Christ.

The best way to guard your heart against falling is to be doing the will of God.  Be so committed to becoming who God has called you to be, that you have no time left to follow your own desires or to be distracted by other things or people.  The people didn't just confess their sin before God, they had to divorce and make a clean start.  God requires us to spiritually divorce our hearts from the lust of the flesh, false teachings/doctrines, fear and doubt.

5. Trust.

A Child of God can never trust their hearts too little and they can never trust God too much. Proverbs 3 v 5 - 6

If we want to win this generation for God, we must be fully committed to God and His ways.  Remember how Ezra had determined to study, obey and to teach the Word of God?  He was heartbroken and ashamed at the thought of the sin and unfaithfulness, after all God had done for them.  But he saw, the window of Grace - God had given them.  We must be walking in closeness and intimacy (oneness of spirit) with God; to make use of the time we have left to make a difference and to have an impact on this generation. 

It is not to late YET!

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