So, Now you WANT to study Ezra!

Glad to have you with us today!  Please turn to:
Jer 25:11-17  for some background material!

When you study the Bible, ask six questions along the way.

WHO?

WHAT?

WHERE?

WHEN?

WHY?

HOW?

For our framework in our study, we will be using an Inductive Bible Study method.

First, there are three areas we will be dealing with for this study.

Observation: What does it say? We will know more as we go.

Interpretation: What does it mean? As we go along…

Application: How does the meaning apply to me? As we go…

What kind of literature is this Book?
If were Psalms, it is poetry, if 2 Timothy, a letter to a young pastor.  But whenever you look at a book in the Bible, realize this one truth and follow it!

Context is King. In all ways, context rules!  

1. The words, phrases, or passages that come before and after a particular word or passage in a speech or piece of writing and help to explain its full meaning.
2. The circumstances or events that form the environment within which something exists or takes place.

In other words, this book was written during the return of the Jews to their homeland in Jerusalem.

It is a part of history. It tells of what went on during that time in history. It teaches us some important lessons but it describes the situation but it is not to be followed directly but to look for driving principles.  

There are just some plain rules of literature that needs to be followed. When it is a fact of history, it is fact. When it is poetry, than look at it as poetry. When it is in the form of a metaphor, then work it out as one. But when it is a statement of fact, then if one looks at it as anything else but a statement, then we have a problem.  

• Case in point: There are churches not far form this Fellowship that teach a major error.  They teach that  "ALL Scripture can be looked at as symbolic only! It really does not mean what it says—we just need to look for the deeper meaning: as in the Feeding of the 4,000, the Bible really means that God provides for our needs not that He REALLY feed 4,000 people. That would be way out of reality!"  (NOTE: while that is not a direct quote from their teaching, it is what they teach and it is false!  In a major way! ) 

Context is KING!

As disciples and followers of Jesus, I'm sure that you had the experience of seeing words leap off the page as you read Scripture. Suddenly, the Spirit of God highlighted the text, and directed your mind to it with a sense of urgency you had not expected. You become aware of an attitude that needs to be changed; you know the course of action that you should take. God-followers want that kind of revelation in their relationship with God. 

The Psalmist declared: Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your Law (Psalm 119: 18).  Trust in God for His Holy Spirit to guide and direct us.

Prayer has a BIG part in this. Before you ever read a portion of the Word, pray for guidance and protection.
Let’s go before Him now for just that right now! . . . . . . . . . . .(Prayer time.)

Ezra: Not a piece of poetry, but it is, in parts, a letter; it has history but it is not a text book for history; sometimes it resembles a story; other times it resembles the daily newspaper or archived material.  

The timing of the Book is over 60 years. After Babylon had taken Israel into bondage for 70 years, as predicted by the prophets, they would return. 

Examples: A century ½ before-even the name of the ruler Isa 44:28 and in Isa 45:13, God called him His anointed! Also see Jer 25:11-21; 29:10 for the 70-year prediction!  In 539BC, Cyrus took over Babylon- “all his ways smooth”!  Without really any fight, he took over that capital city with ease.

Its importance: God is a God of His Word!

How it fits into History: Remember the CHART of Redemption we handed out last week?  If you need one, come next week for a copy or write iccajapan@aol.com for a copy.  Thank you.

Observation:
May want to start with People in each chapter.
1. Cyrus, king of Persia (Chapter 1).
2. Nebuchadnezzar (2) [gives the time.]
3. Jeshua, priest (3).
4. Zerubbabel, priest (3).
5. Xerxes, King (4).
6. Artaxerxes, King of Persia (4).
7. Rehum, commanding officer of Persia (4).
8. Haggai, the prophet of God (5).
9. Zechariah, a prophet of God (5).
10. Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates (5).
11. Darius, King of Babylon (5).
12. Ezra, grandchild of Aaron, the Chief priest of Levi (7).

Now, Ezra was a priest of the tribe of the Levites and a scribe, a direct descendant of Aaron, through Eleazar (Ezra 7:1-5). His father was Seraiah, the chief priest who was executed at Riblah by direct order of Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kings 25:18-21) at the start of their captivity. What we know about Ezra is found in Ezra chapters 7~10, where he led the second group of exiles that returned from Babylon to Jerusalem.
In Ezra, chapter 7, we learn "that after these things" (v 1) "Ezra arrives in Jerusalem in the fifth month" and that the Hand of God was upon him (vs 9). The reason God's hand was upon him is found in the next verse. "for Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel." (v 10) .

What God needed was a willing teacher to go and teach RIGHT doctrine to the returning Jews. But God also needed someone who could show by example HOW to live such a life under that Right Doctrine.

A+A=A

Righteous Attitude + Righteous Actions = Righteous Accomplishments

Only 70 years have laps since the city of Jerusalem was taken away but the spiritual condition of the people back then was not the best either. God needed someone who knew the Word and was able to teach it to the people. Such a man was Ezra.  

. Are you like him? . Could you do it? . Do you feel you know the Word of God? . Know where certain Books are? . Who wrote Psalms? . Are these the things you know? . It has to go deeper than that but it is deep enough for a Child to understand His Word. . How much is enough to know before one believes? .

Matthew 18:3 

And He said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and 

become like little children, 

you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

A. Major Theological Themes.
Key Doctrines in Ezra.
God is directing events to a favorable conclusion for His Chosen Nation, Israel: Providence.
1. The wisdom, care, and guidance believed to be provided by God.
2. God perceived as a caring force guiding humankind.

Emphasizes the need for God’s People to be spiritually separated from unbelief: Holiness.

The history of God’s Covenant People: Covenant. This was/is a binding agreement or contact with God and His People that they would worship no other gods—among other things. The Land and blessings for the future also was included.

The books of Ezra and Nehemiah relate how God’s covenant people were restored from Babylonian exile to the covenant land as a theocratic (kingdom of God) community even while continuing under Gentile rule. The major theological themes of this account are:

1. The restoration of Israel from exile was God’s doing. 

• He moved the hearts of Persian emperors;
• He moved the hearts of the repatriates (those who were sent back home) and those who supported them;
• He raised up prophets to prod and support the repatriates;
• He protected them on the way and delivered them from their opponents;
• He stirred up Ezra and Nehemiah to perform their separate ministries;
• He prospered the rebuilding of the temple and Jerusalem so that it would be restored.

2. Even though political independence was not accomplished—the restoration of the covenant community was complete. “All Israel” was repatriated through a representative remnant; the temple was rebuilt and its services (daily sacrifices, priestly ministries, Levitical praise, annual feasts) all revived in accordance with the Law of Moses and the regulations instituted by David; the Law was reestablished as THE GUIDE for the life of the community;
• The “holy city” (Jerusalem) was rebuilt and inhabited;
• The People were purged of their sin;
• The Covenant was renewed.

3. Just as God used the world powers to judge His People Israel, so He used them to restore His People to their land; imperial action and authority directly and indirectly initiated, protected and sustained every aspect of the restoration. Even down to the cost of the rebuilding and protecting the returning Jews. Just like in Egypt with Moses…

4. Israel’s restoration evoked fierce opposition, but that opposition was thwarted at every turn. God’ purposed Will be brought about. What is impossible with man is not impossible with God. It was His Plan to restore His People then as He wants His People today to be restored in their hearts toward Him. Come to Me, Jesus said, and I will forgive you! Come to Me and I will fill you up with My Self! Come to Me and I will cover you with My Hand of Grace. But you must come….

5. The restored community was now a chastened (disciplined) people, (a corrected people) yet they were also in need of frequent rebuke and reformation (or restructuring). Israel remained a wayward people and they continued that way for many years. They still are waiting for the “new covenant” of which Jeremiah had spoken (Jeremiah 31) and the renewal to be effected by God’s Spirit as announced by Joel 1 and in Ezekiel 36. They were waiting for the Messiah and for the most part, missed Him when He came because their hearts were far from Him.

B. How this does work with me? How does this affect my life?
First, we need to examine our walk.  

Are we as close to Him as He would want us to be? Have we been taken away into another land because we have fallen away? Then, be the remnant and return to Him.

Are you in the reforming stage of life? Things are being put right within your life and family but not all things are really there yet? Please don’t be discouraged; His timing is everything. He will work out the details.  

Are you happy with the inner temple of worship that He has worked in your life? Then you may need to sing out and praise Him! In any case, know that He was the one who did it and not something you worked for. It was ours in Christ Jesus when we opened our hearts to Him. That was established before the foundations of the World. All ours in Christ Jesus! Amen!

Any definitions found in this sermon is from the Encarta® World English Dictionary© 1999 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Developed for Microsoft by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.

Next week, please come to ICCS and worship with us.  We are all in need of worship because God made us to worship Him.  After the service, we have a Covered Dish or Love Feast!  Great food and a time to get to know each other better.  Covered Dish means: bright some food or cold drinks to share.  A serving for 4-8 would help.  This meal is free.  We provide the plates, cups and the like.  Come for the meal and stay in the Fellowship!

Are You Sure You Want to Study EZRA?

That is a very good question!

This is not the book of Acts! Not the Gospel of Luke. Not really like any of Paul’s or Peter’s letters. This one is different BUT it can be understood.  

This book of Ezra is only ten chapters long. It has a long list of names of Jewish head’s of households. It is a number of personal letters and open general letters from both head’s of state and local men. There are a number of characters yet the main ones do not run thru the whole book.

The key verse, Ezra 7:10 stands out among the 280 verses.

For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord, / 

and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel.  (NASB)

He put his heart to know the Law of God.  This is a very good place to be.  Have you ever set your heart on something?  It is worth all the work and effort.  And Ezra also did more than just study the Law: he did it with action.  To practice it means he put feet on the study.  Many today feel that it must take three or more years to become a Believer.  I do not agree with that at all!  Once a person understands that God loves them and that Jesus died for their sins, he or she can be ready to believe.  It takes simple faith--that of a child.

But now that one believes, act on that belief.  Put it into practice.  You know full well that if you learn something and you have to teach it to someone, you know it better PLUS the other person learns well too!  Ezra knew the Law and he also knew how to put it into a life experience.  We should be so lucky!

Also, if the book is divided into two sections, the first deals with the reestablishment of the Temple worship, Ezra 6:16 would be the key verse. 

Then the people of Israel—the priests, the Levites and the rest of the exiles—

celebrated the dedication of the house of God with joy.

The second half deals with the need to return to obeying God’s Law regarding separation from evil. The key verse here would be Ezra 9: 10 

"But now, O our God, what can we say after this? 

For we have disregarded the commands..."

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF EZRA

The Book of Ezra was formerly associated with the Book of Nehemiah. Some times, both books were treated as one book. They give an account of the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylonia to Jerusalem. They tell of the re-establishment of the Temple, their worship, and national life in their original homeland. Ezra, whose name means "help", was a wonderful priest who led the people home. He wrote a very simple history and did not give much direct teaching. He made no effort to tell a continuous story. In fact, between Ezr.6 and Ezr.7 almost sixty years passed.

You should read the companion Book of Esther to discover what was happening elsewhere during this general time period. It would also be helpful to read the Books of Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi, who lived and preached during this restoration age. The two prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, were closely connected with the first return of Zerubbabel in 536 B.C. God encouraged the Jews to complete His temple through these men, despite much opposition. Actually, there were three groups which returned to Palestine. They were led respectively by Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah. Ezra's group went in 457 B.C., taking four months for travel. It is not known whether any women or children made the trip. Nehemiah came later as governor in 444 B.C. The Books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther cover about 100 years (536-432 B.C.).

Oh, I love history!  (His Story!)

The main message of Ezra is that God uses whomever suits His purpose, whether Cyrus and Artaxerxes, or Ezra, Zerubbabel, and Nehemiah. God empowered His chosen people to overcome all opposition, even against impossible odds.

Let’s start our study of this small book of reforms and restoration. A few items to fill our bag with:

Purpose of Ezra: 

A record of the events of the first and second return from exile in Babylon by a REMNANT of Jews who survived the captivity AND to show by means of history how THIS people group in the believing community can conduct their lives in a way the brings pleasure to the Lord.

Special Features: 

Documentary of historical facts and with detailed precision, this letter or book uses first-person documents (the king’s decree in 7:11-26, and also a section in which the author writes in a first-person or “I” format. 7:27-9:15.

Challenges:
1. Long ago historical events,
   a. hard not to get involved in fast action historical events
2. Whole sections that consist only of names,
   b. Once the literal facts are understood, you can extract general principles.
3. How to interpret the wholesale divorces undertaken by Jewish men who married foreign wives.
   c. A graphic way to understand the need to separate from evil and to protect the covenant.

Outline of Ezra
1 Preparations for the return      2 List of those who return
                          1 & 2 First return

3 Rebuilding the Temple begun    4-5 Rebuilding halted by Hostile challenge    6 Rebuilding permitted and finished
                          3-6 Rebuilding the Temple
                   1-6 the Restoration under Zerubbabel

7 Royal permission for Remnant to return    8 Return of the Remnant
                         Second Return under Ezra

9-10 Ezra’s decisiveness concerning intermarriage
                        Reforming the life of the community
                        7-9 Reform under Ezra

The Covenant--The Covenant People--The Covenant Community--The Covenant God

This Covenant God has a master plan for Community. It started back before there was time. Let’s look at this Master Plan of Redemption…

*
God Spoke #1 in Genesis
Adam
Noah  (the Flood
Abe
Isaac
Jacob
12 sons
    Joseph -sold into slavery by bothers(!)
Egypt  for 400 years until Moses took them out!

God Spoke #2 time and gave ...
The LAW
Wanderings for 40 years because of sin in the Camp
Joshua -took the nation into the Promised Land
Judges
(Saul) - People want a King like all the other countries ...  Not God's Man
David
Temple - was built

10 Tribes went to the North  (Evil)
2 South stayed in the South Capital city with Temple 
“A ”  Assyria
Daniel's Book
“B” Babylon
“C”   Cyrus
70 in captivity (predicted to last 70 years)
Return to Jerusalem -set up the Temple again!
400 Years of silence from God
   Until...
God Spoke #3 for the LAST time in the Person of Jesus!
The LIGHT Comes
Acts 1:8
Until the time you heard.  Now, the message needs to be brought to others beyond your country, people and nations-being faithful to spread the Word of God to others!

*(If you want a copy of the chart, please request one from ICCSJAPAN@AOL.COM.  Thank you.)

2 Tim 2:15 

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, 

a workman who does not need to be ashamed 

and who correctly handles the word of truth.

Next week, we want to dig a little deeper.  Join us at 10:30 at ICCS.

the BAD or GOOD News About Jesus

Luke 2:22-38 

Jesus’ birth was the best thing that could have happen to you—or the worst.

The day after Christmas or a week after Christmas can be disappointing or outright sad. Perhaps Mary and Joseph felt the same after Jesus’ birth. The visitors from the hills overlooking Bethlehem had left. They were getting use to each other as a family. In the days to come they had to face the bad news with the good news. From Luke 2:22-38, we read of this...
…………………………………………………………………………………………
The shepherds had left days before. The wonder of that special night was somehow in the past and the reality of DUTY was on the minds of the parents. They needed to go to Jerusalem. 

Lev 12: 1 The LORD said to Moses, 2 “Say to the Israelites: ‘A woman who becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son will be ceremonially unclean for seven days, just as she is unclean during her monthly period. 3 On the eighth day the boy is to be circumcised. 4 Then the woman must wait thirty-three days to be purified from her bleeding. She must not touch anything sacred or go to the sanctuary until the days of her purification are over. 5 If she gives birth to a daughter, for two weeks the woman will be unclean, as during her period. Then she must wait sixty-six days to be purified from her bleeding.

6 “ ‘When the days of her purification for a son or daughter are over, she is to bring to the priest at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting a year-old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or a dove for a sin offering. 7 He shall offer them before the LORD to make atonement for her, and then she will be ceremonially clean from her flow of blood. 
 “ ‘These are the regulations for the woman who gives birth to a boy or a girl. 8 If she cannot afford a lamb, she is to bring two doves or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. In this way the priest will make atonement for her, and she will be clean.’ ”

They needed to get to the Temple so the baby could be legitimate or kosher. He needed to be presented to the Temple and dedicated to the Lord as it was the DUTY of all parents of a first-born male child. As it said in the Law: "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord"

In life, there is sometimes good news mixed with bad.  

With our story today, we find two people, really three, who are living in a tough situation. The times are not all that sure, what with the Roman government in control of Israel. There are rebels trying to overthrow the Romans. Thieves and beggars are looking for fast riches. Those who were poor had to pay more taxes and to top it all off, here is a couple who do not have a home to call their own——yet.

So, being good Jewish parents, Joseph and Mary travel to the capital city to present their first-born son at the Temple. What they experienced there would only add to what Mary already held in her heart. It was something bad and good concerning her Son.

The Good News :
The old man Simeon, who saw them there was so excited. The One he had been waiting for ALL his life was before him. He broke into praise to the Father by saying:

29 "Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, 

You now dismiss Your servant in peace.

30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation,

31 which You have prepared in the sight of all people,

32 a Light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to Your people Israel."

That was the good news. God’s salvation was here! In the sight of ALL people everywhere—not to a few select people. This salvation was also for the Gentiles AND for the people of Israel.

But to Mary, he would say some sad or bad news: 

34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, His mother: “This Child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."

This Child is intended to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel. The imagery of this verse comes from...

Isaiah 8:14-15 14 “and He will be a sanctuary; but for both houses of Israel He will be a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem He will be a trap and a snare. 15 Many of them will stumble; they will fall and be broken, they will be snared and captured.” 

That means that some in Israel will not follow this Rock. That they will stumble over Him because they were looking for another—looking another way and they missed the Messiah. They will not make it. They will loose their way and be captured because we do not fight against flesh and blood. We are fighting against the spiritual forces in heavenly realms. 

(Eph 6:12 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.)

and 28:16 

16 So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: “See, I lay a Stone in Zion, a tested Stone, a precious Cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed.”

 

These Old Testament texts are alluded to in the New Testament 

(Romans 9:33; 1 Peter 2:6-8; Luke 20:17-18). 

Jesus will divide the nation (and the world) in two. Some will respond and others will oppose Him. That means that those who oppose Him will speak him against. People will be challenged with the facts of Jesus. The road to this Promise-fulfillment will not be a smooth one. To identify with Jesus will bring pain, because many will reject Him. That sounds like bad news to me! But wait!

Should that keep us from being open to His Love? Should that keep us from embracing the Truth found in the Person of Jesus? I think not. To be honest with ourselves and question the things at are puzzling and let go of those things that are dead ends, one would find the Peace that passes all understanding.  

In truth, the message of Simeon is both good news and bad because it shows us there is a difference with this Jesus. He is not neutral. He does make a difference in lives. He changes their hearts. He gives them forgiveness. He is the Light for us Gentiles to follow. And thru Him, we become the Glory of God’s People Israel—meaning we become the holders of the blessings of Abraham. AND He is alive today to prove that to be true.  

Good News, indeed! As it brings five things into focus!

1. Produced by Faith; By Faith we approach… Eph 3:12.

In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

2. Strengthened by Faith; I know whom I have believed… 2 Tim 1:12.

That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know Whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day. 

EVEN WHEN I AM WALKING THRU THE VALLEY OF DEATH—HE IS WITH ME. 

3. Made Sure by Hope… Anchor for the soul… Heb 6:19.

We have this Hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, Getting right before God Himself!

4. Confirmed by the Spirit… We know it… 1 John 3:24.

Those who obey His commands live in Him, and He in them. And this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He gave us.

The division Jesus brings reveals the thoughts of many hearts. Jesus is God's litmus test for where a person is.
Litmus is a powdery substance obtained from lichens (a fungi and algae growing together in symbiosis or are mutually beneficial between two things) that is used to indicate whether something is an acid or a base.
A test in which a single factor determines the outcome of weather or not one is a believe or not.

Do I sense a need to depend on God and come to him to walk in light, or do I not? My response to Jesus is the test, and the answer comes from my heart. Each person's response to Him reveals where he or she is before God, just as one day Jesus will reveal where everyone's heart is (Acts 10:42-43. 

He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43. All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.")

God's work is for all people. As with the shepherd’s reference in verse 20 going to the people all over, both Jew and Gentile, verse 32 makes clear. In fact, Jesus is the Light (1:78-79). But Jesus serves as the Light for Gentiles as He is a revelation to them. This term refers to His opening up the way of salvation to the nations in a way unknown or at least misunderstood before His coming.

The fifth focus…
5. Is the Effect of Righteousness… Peace… Isa 32:17.

The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.

No longer are men to wander looking for salvation—hoping to DO enough. It has been filled to overflowing in the Righteousness of Jesus alone!

The Bad News:
In case it was missed, the bad news went like this:
   Mix with Non Jews—outside the Fold—God’s Plan (1st in the book).
   Experience pain-rejected by a divided Israel.
   Stumbling stone 

Romans 9: 31-33 but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. 32. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the "stumbling stone." 33. As it is written: "See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame."( from Isaiah 8:14; 28:16.)

Matthew 10:34-36.

34."Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35. For I have come to turn " 'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— 36. a man's enemies will be the members of his own household. 

This sounds like the worst statement our Lord made. Maybe it was misquoted? Micah 7:6.

Though no details of Anna's prophecy are given, this section completes the cycle the Temple witnesses. Again, Anna's godliness is underlined by references to her old age, her faithful widowhood and her regular ministry at the Temple. She is full of thanksgiving at the arrival of the Child who will complete God's promise, and she speaks about the Child to all who were looking forward to the Redemption of Jerusalem. Just like the men on the hills with their sheep, they went everywhere and when they went, they spoke of the things they both saw and were told. All who frequented the Temple would have heard her teachings. Her hope, like Simeon's, looks to the completion of what God is starting.

Jesus' Growth (2:39-40).

Having obeyed the Mosaic law, Jesus' parents return with Him to Nazareth in Galilee where He grows in strength and wisdom, receiving the favor of God. There He awaits the ministry that will fulfill what Mary, Zechariah, the angels, the shepherds, Simeon and Anna have proclaimed. 

God will fulfill His word and perform His plan.

Has this been Good News for you or bad news? If it is good news, then you are experiencing the New Life already that He came to give. If it has been bad news, than we need to talk. I feel that going into 2008 without the Promise of God’s Grace and Forgiveness is not a good way to go. We have a relationship with one another or you have a relationship with someone else in this Fellowship. Ask them to help you.  

Then verse 40 would be ours to enjoy.

  There the child grew strong in body and wise in spirit. And the grace of God was on him. The Message.

Next week: Please read Ezra…

AND have a very Happy New Year!  See you on January 6, 2008!

A Christmas To-Do List Luke 2:8-20

So often in the Christmas story, we focus on the main characters: Mary, Joseph, and, of course, Jesus. But through the short account in Luke 2:8–20, we can learn from the shepherds four things that should make the top of our to-do list this Christmas.

Item #One Believe
The angels announced in spectacular fashion that the Messiah had been born. They came out in great numbers. As soon as the angels left, the shepherds looked at each other and said: What are we waiting for? Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened.

There is no debate. There is no procrastination. They don’t decide to sleep on it. They don’t go on the web for research. They just believe it! That’s faith. Scripture says that without faith it’s impossible to please God. The angel said, “Peace on earth among people with whom He is pleased.” Who are those people? It’s those who respond to God’s gift through faith. Scripture says, “For by grace you are saved, through faith…” Eph 2:8 Faith means you say yes to all that God did through Christ. Yes, He is the Savior of the world. Yes, He came to die for my sins. Yes, through Him I find forgiveness and new life. Yes, I want to follow Him. Believe in Him.


Believe

Item #Two Obey
The shepherds did exactly as they were told. We sometimes think of Christmas as a tame holiday. “All is calm, all is bright.” We think of sweet little baby Jesus asleep on a bed of hay. Everyone loves that because it’s so innocuous, harmless and safe. But Christmas isn’t safe! That baby is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He has come to usher in a kingdom that rivals the kingdom of self. That’s threatening. It threatens the social order. This Message changes lives forever! He bids those who would follow Him to take up their cross daily—to lay aside our own right to rule ourselves, to surrender to His rule.

The world loves to celebrate the birth of Christ, but they hate to obey Him as the Lord of their lives. Everyone wants to keep Christ in the manger. A Baby can be But the manger is meaningless apart from the Cross. As one writer put it many years ago: "But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD ? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.”1 Sam 15:22 Christmas is a time for obedience.


Believe-- Obey

Item #Three Tell
When the shepherds arrived in Bethlehem and saw the child lying in the feed trough, “they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child.”... They weren’t preachers. They weren’t missionaries. They were not professional Churchmen. But that didn’t matter. They had heard and seen something that meant salvation for the whole world. And they were not going to keep it to themselves.


ILL of the Gospel shared in China in the 1800’s—How long has the West known this Message and you JUST now bring it to us?! We must tell!

Christmas trees, eggnog, and exchanging of gifts are fine, but if we do all that stuff but don’t talk about Jesus—if we fail to speak of the real meaning of it all… If we neglect to tell someone that this Child was born as Savior and Lord, that He was sent by God to die on the Cross to purchase with His Royal Blood our own deliverance from sin, death, and the devil… If we neglect to publish that abroad, we’ve failed to do Christmas right. We have not read out To-Do List!

The angel said that this is good news of great joy which shall be for all the people. Share the joy. “Who do you know that NEEDS to hear this good News?”

Believe—Obey—Tell 

Item #Four Experience
The shepherds were overwhelmed at the angel’s announcement. They experienced holy wonder... Have you ever had Holy Wonder? When that happens then maybe that means you stop in the middle of your shopping, sit down, and read the Christmas story. Maybe that means you gather your children around a Nativity scene each night and unwrap a different piece and talk about the role it plays in the Christmas story. Maybe that means you wake up early one morning and find a place you can watch the sun rise as you meditate on Luke 1:79 "to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace."

The work of holy wonder is treasuring and pondering the fact that God invaded planet Earth on a perilous rescue mission. Amidst all the activities of this week, stop and treasure all these things. Ponder them in your heart. Engage in some holy wonder.
 

Believe—Obey—Tell—Experience The Christ, the Son of God 

Come to ICCS on Christmas Eve for a ICCS Family Christmas Eve Candle Light Service.  Starting at 5:30 for international soup and sandwiches AND Christmas cookies!  At around 6:30, we will have the Christmas Candle Service with singing, a video movie and a message by our own Ken Nishiono-San.  At the end of that service, we will leave the Chapel to sing in the Enoki-Cho community.  We will have about two houses to visit and sing Carols of Christmas.  Before  we all go home, return to the Chapel for some hot drinks and more Christmas cookies.

And Merry Christmas one and all!

He IS the REASON for the Season!

-Outline taken from Mark Mitchell, with JoHannah Reardon's A Christmas To-Do-List.  ChristianBibleStudies.com

What is the TRUE Spirit of Christmas

Just what is the Christmas spirit? And I suppose there are a lot of potential answers to that question. To Scrooge, in the Christmas Carol, the Christmas spirit was a ghost. On one website, it comes in a bottle as Vodka as their Christmas spirit. Some people feel that the Christmas spirit is somehow the truce that takes place in the family where nobody brings up issues, or quarrels. One site spoke about the Spirit of Christmas being Generosity. I suppose for some others, the Christmas spirit is expressed in a card that conveys a sentiment of well-being. In the West, a huge number of people will be involved in sending five billion plus Christmas cards expressing these sentiments.

For some people the Christmas spirit is an attitude of happiness found with the fellowship of friends or family, or in a party spirit while consuming 10 to 12 million hams and fried chicken. For others in the world, the Christmas spirit is not so trivial, or so frivolous or so much fun. For many the Christmas spirit is one of profound sadness, increased depression because all that is wrong in their life is then measured against the hilarity of the time and seems even more profoundly painful.

Last week, while speaking to one of our regular worshippers here at ICCS, she told me that well over 90 people kill themselves during this time of year: each day! Not exactly a warm feeling, is it?

But what is the True Spirit of Christmas? Is it in a card, in a song, in a bottle, or a poem or is it in a Person?

Some have said that the Spirit of Christmas is in the person of Santa Claus. That his giving of toys and gifts and with his generous attitude, he’d be the one people turn to for that good feeling. But then, he was invented after WW1. Was there a Christmas Spirit before that?

Well, it is no surprise to anyone here today that the Spirit of Christmas is indeed in a Person: The Person of the Son of God.

(As for the Day of Christmas and the celebration we have today: in the Western world, the birthday of Jesus Christ has been celebrated on December 25th since around AD 354, replacing an earlier date of January 6th. The Christians had, by then, collected many pagan festivals and traditions during the year and were in the hope of stamping them out.)

Let’s look at Luke 1:26–38 again and hear of that special encounter a teenager named Mary had with an Angel named Gabriel!

The true spirit of Christmas is not the spirit of family bonding or even the spirit of rejoicing. All of those things are well and good, but Jesus teaches us that the true spirit of Christmas is a spirit of humility.

Humility is not something you may have and tell people about. It is not like you would show the badge of Humility you received from the Queen of England. No, it is something as valuable as that but much more important. Humility. It’s hard to be humble. It is a great burden to live among others who think that you have arrived. Margaret Guenther, Holy Listening: The Art of Spiritual Direction.

Humility is facing the truth. It is useful to remind ourselves that the word itself comes from the word humus, or earth, dirt. In the end this simply means that I allow myself to be earthed in the Truth that lets God be God, and myself, as His creature. If I hold on to this it allows me to put God there at the center and helps prevent me from putting myself there instead. (Taken, in part, from Esther de Waal, Living with Contradiction: Reflections on The Rule of St. Benedict).

In our passage today, we can see the attitude of one young girl, who was being, in one way, forced to be even a younger person. She was at the edge of adulthood. She was forced to be as a little child. To believe what the angel Gabriel told her. 

Mark 10:15 5 "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." 

Mary was exercising her God-given-gift to belief.

She was humbled before the Lord and the Lord blessed her greatly. She became the Earthly mother of the Son of God. Her character did not change much from that time. She behaved as a young mother would; caring for her first child, watching out for Him as she came to understand much more as the years went on that this Boy was indeed the Promised One of the Lord, the Promised Messiah. [Mary’s Song]

And it is in this Promised One we can see what Humility really is. Turn with me to the Christmas passage found in Philippians 2:1:11. Here’s the Christmas Story—after the fact.  

Are you like me in that when all else fails finally read the manual? That's what Paul is now up to, showing the Philippians and us "the manual."

Philippians 2:1:11 The Message: 1-4 If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if His love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.

 5-8 Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of Himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of Himself that He had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, He set aside the privileges of Deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, He stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, He lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a Crucifixion.

 9-11 Because of that obedience, God lifted Him high and honored Him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that He is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.

Humility is usually confused with false modesty ("I'm no good") or with "milquetoast," a timid or submissive person. (a dated word) That kind of image only repulses us. Rather it has to do with a proper estimation of oneself, the posture of the creature before the Creator, who is utterly dependent and trusting in Him. In this position, you become well aware both of your weaknesses and of your glory (we are made in God's image, as His Image Bearer, after all). It is better not too make too much nor too little of either. True humility is therefore not self-focused at all but rather, as further defined by Paul, “considers others better than yourselves.” If you were lost in the wilderness and you had a compass that always pointed to you, would you feel good about that?

As with humility, this last phrase does not mean that one should falsely consider others better. As Philippians 2:4 will clarify "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others”, we are to consider others not in our estimation of them--which would only lead to the very vices Paul has just spoken against--but in our caring for them, putting them and their needs ahead of our own. Others in the community are not necessarily "better" than I am, but their needs and concerns should "surpass" my own. After all, this is precisely how Christ's humility expressed Himself, as Paul describes in verse 8. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death— even death on a Cross! This is how Paul and even John describe those whose behavior is genuinely Christian or not. If they do not seek their own good, but the good of others (1 Cor 10:24 24. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.) than there is a connect with the Gospel.

Here is the sure cure for selfish ambition or vain conceit, not to mention "complaining or arguing" (Phil 2:14. 14. Do everything without complaining or arguing).

The line, be like Jesus or what would Jesus do? are the focal theme of what Jesus did when He came to earth. He came to serve us. He came to give us. He came to die for us. He came to be an example of how we are to come, give and serve others, in His Name.

Jesus, who is the Son of God, equal with God, became flesh—the incarnation—born of a woman, in Bethlehem. He was obedient to His Father—even to death and that on a Cross…for us! His birth was the predicted event that shows us how we are to also live. Obedient to the Father. When Jesus humbled Himself before the Father, God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the Name that is above every Name. Under This Name, all of us in this room and all of the people in Tokyo and in Japan and in Asia and around the world can bow our knees before Him and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the Glory of God in the Highest!

Everyone is in the same place. We all start out there. We have the choice to move. Move and live or stay and die. He did not make it hard for us to believe. Just become a little child and trust in the Message.  

Trust in the Message and believe. We all are broken people. In fact, the Church is not made up of a bunch of spiritual giants; the True Church is only broken men leading others to the Cross. In part, from: David J. Bosch, A Spirituality of the Road. 

Are you that way? Are you a broken person? Are there things that need fixing? One said that God would only use a broken person to do His will. Hard to see that and hard to hear that but, over time, we can understand that!  

The True Spirit of Christmas was found in the Person of Jesus, the Christ Child. Go to Him afresh. Go to Him with your old stories. Go to Him with your heart. With your pain. With your questions and He will touch you with His Spirit and refresh and remake you. That is His Promise to Mary and to you. Verse 37 “For nothing is impossible with God."

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Next week: The Christmas List.

What to do this season? What to do to end the year? Keep Christ in the season with the reason of His Love being the focus. Share with others this great story of God’s love with those you know and with those you love. If you don’t, who will?

This is a little story about four people named Everybody,

 Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody.

There was an important job to be done 

and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it.

Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it.

Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody's job.

Everybody thought that Anybody could do it, 

but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it.

It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody 

when Nobody did what Anybody could have done

#2 Be Prepared

The following is not the full text of the talk given at ICCS on December 9.  At points in this presentation, there will only be an outline.  If you have any questions about the talk, please contact ICCS at the address provided in this web site.  Much thanks and Merry Christmas!

What God is offering this Christmas? Be ready to receive His Gift.  

We are not in this LIFE thing just for the ride. This is all for a reason. What is the reason for this season?

Remember the Boy Scout creed? “Be Prepared”
(A bag filled with ‘stuff’ is shown-candy, flashlight, matches, air pillow, silver sheet, knife, Kleenex, shaver, breath mints, bank note, map, Bible, paper & pencil, clean socks, soap, hat and a fishing pole.)  Be prepared for life as well.

Be Prepared for training for a run…what is needed? Practice!
Be Prepared for training for childbirth…what is needed? All sorts of thins to learn and to be ready for when the time comes!

Just in case, Be Prepared.

Jesus says for us to watch and wait. Why? “Cause He is to return.”

Titus 2:13 while we wait for the blessed hope—

the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy 

of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

1 Thessalonians 1:10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, 

whom He raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

Be ready and be prepared.
“The Boss in coming on Wednesday, how to prepare?”

Look at the events of our lives:

1. Things that brought Pain…
   
2. Things that brought Joy…
   
3. Things that brought Challenges…
   
4. Things that brought Uncertainty…
   

Events that change us.

1. Death of a child
   
2. Broken promises
   
3. Call to a calling
   
4. Rejected by parents
   
5. Becoming a Believer
   

Now, take these events that changed us and ask:

• How does this shape me?
  
• How does this move me?
  
• How does this change me? 
  

We need to turn--To Define our Faith
What kind of Faith do you have?

Faith comes by hearing; 

Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, 

and the message is heard through the Word of Christ. 

Without Faith-impossible to please God; 

Heb 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him 

must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

The Righteous will live by Faith; 

Romans 1:17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, 

a righteousness that is by Faith from first to last, just as it is written: 

"The righteous will live by faith."

Faith by itself is DEAD; 

James 2:17 In the same way, Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

Need to increase your Faith; 

Luke 17:5 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!"

Examples of Preparation in the Old Testament.
Marker #1

Joshua 7:13 “Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow.”

There was a great victory at Jericho but when the People of Israel took on a small hill town of Ai, they lost big time! Why? That is what Josh asked God. God’s answer was that there was sin in the camp. One man, Achan, by name, took some things from Jericho that he was told not to. He paid for it with his life.

• Maybe, you are Coming to Faith in Jesus
  
• Maybe you need to have a Rededication to the Lord
  
• Maybe, you are now Determined to follow Him
  

Remember, in this verse in Joshua, God said: “These is NO Victory IF the cleaning is not carried out."

Marker #2

1 Kings 5:1 Build the Temple

God had given Solomon great wisdom. His father David had been good friends with the King of Tyre, King Hiram. Because of this friendship and trust, the king gave Solomon all the cedar trees he needed to build the Temple.

• Step by step
  
• Directed by the Lord
  
• Open to His leading
  

If these markers are alive and in evidence in your life, THAT is a good marker that He is coming closer to you.

Marker #3

1 Chronicles 22:5 “I will make preparation for it.”

All this was done BEFORE David died. He was to give a great inheritance to his son. Men! What are you giving to your children? You MUST…

• Plan for the future
  

2 Chronicles 2:1 

• Built on what was gathered before
  

Marker #4

2 Chronicles 34:14 “They made preparation for others”

• Passover; first time it was celebrated since Samuel!  That was many years before.  People just plain forgot about the ways of God.  They forgot to remind their children of God's Work in Egypt.
  
• Law was found 34:8, 14
  

2 Chronicles 35:15 Unity, Community

• To receive the Full blessing
  

Question: Is GOOD better than BEST? Is all right always fine with us? Why do we settle for all right when excellence is in our grasp?
Don’t be caught doing ‘just fine’ when the Lord returns—ask for a heart of excellence.

Be fully prepared

1. In Spirit
   
2. In Community
   

Examples of Preparation in the New Testament
The movie “Mary”.

Marker #5 Luke 1:5-25
Zechariah and Elizabeth

• Your prayers have been heard—ever call for help? Vs 13
  
• Many…people will be brought to the Lord their God Vs16
  
• Believe or be silenced by His Hand Vs 19-20
  
• Acknowledge what He has done-verse 25
  

Be prepared for an out-of-the-way sort of event/or situation/or answer

• He shows His favor to His People
  

We also know that Jesus is preparing something for us as well. 
John 14:1-4

 1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. 2 In My Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going."

• A census, one language, the Peace of Rome-
  
• God made things ready for us!
  
• In the fullness of time…
  

Romans 5:6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

What is the Number ONE thing you can prepare for this Christmas? Are you ready to receive what God is offering this Christmas? Be prepared to see Him and to follow Him and to allow Him first place in your heart. Not the matter of gifts to be bought, cards to be sent, well wishers to be made, but your heart needs to be prepared for His visit—His presence—in your heart, in your life, 

in your family and in your Christmas. 

Be prepared. Be open to be open to His call for you to follow Him.

Wise men STILL follow Jesus. Will you?

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Next week: The True~Spirit~of~Christmas
Question: Are you where God wants you to be this Holiday Season?
Luke 1:26-56 Please stay for the Christmas Covered Dish. If this is your first time, just come and be our guest!  If you'd like, you can bring some food or drink to share with the rest.  This is a great time to join in on some important friendship building time. 

 Be Prepared to have some real fun!