Ezra's Resolutions

Ezra is a man that is often overlooked when the great leaders or heroes of the Bible are listed and studied. But looking over his life and his accomplishments, he played a huge part in keeping the remnant of God’s people faithful so Jesus the Messiah could be born in the fullness of time.

Ezra lived during the restoration period when the Israelites were allowed to return to Jerusalem after 70 years of captivity in Babylon. After the temple was rebuilt, Ezra went up to Jerusalem and led a spiritual renewal among the Jews that returned from the captivity. He brought them back from the sin of idolatry and the Israelites never again fell into idolatry as a nation.

Ezra’s great success came as a result of his resolutions. This is a time of resolutions. The College-Young Professional class this month is examining the resolutions we need to have, so we can grow in Christ during 2007. I believe Ezra was a great example of a man that made resolutions.

I see three goals that he adopted that can help us in our spiritual journey for the new year.

Ezra 7: 9-10

Ezra made what I call heart goals.

Ezra had set his heart. Resolutions and goals usually fail because they are not heart goals.

Here are the resolutions:

1. Ezra set his heart to study the law of the Lord

Ezra saw the importance of God’s word to help guide him in the spiritual ways not only for him but also for his people of Israel.

How about us? How much time have you devoted to the study of God’s Word so far this year? Not too late to begin now. Begin by finding ways to enhance your knowledge of God’s word. Get into the word daily and look for those passages that will help you as it helped Ezra.

2. Ezra set his heart to practice God’s Law

Not only did Ezra study, he put it in to practice. Difficult to be that committed at times, but what better people we would be for God, our families and those we come into contact with on a daily basis if we practiced the Words of God.

3. Ezra set his heart to teach God’s Law

Ezra knew he had a calling. To teach God’s law to the Israelite nation. We also have a calling a great commission to preach and to teach.

One of the goals the eldership set for 2007 was to reclaim those that have left the body. Building relationships not only with each other but also through Christ. God’s word is powerful and we have the obligation to teach his word at every single opportunity that we might have.

If each of us would set these 3 goals in our hearts in 2007, it would renew our spiritual lives, bring renewal to this body here at Central, and lead us to reclaim and convert those outside of Christ.

What is stopping us?

For me, sometimes fear, doubt, busyness, selfishness.

But God doesn’t want us to have fears, doubts, and selfishness. He wants us to have faith, hope and trust in him. He wants us to place others above ourselves. We can do that tonight. We can make the commitment that during 2007 I am going to try my very best with God’s help to live for Him and get into His word and study, practice and reach out to those outside of Christ.