SUMMER QUARTER SUNDAY SCHOOL 2013

THEME: “COME LET US WORSHIP THE LORD…”

Unit One: A Prophet’s View of Worship

Unit Two: A Priest’s View of Worship

Unit Three: A Plenipotentiary’s View of Worship

“COME LET US WORSHIP THE LORD…WITH JOY AND THANKSGIVING FOR HIS SOVEREIGNTY”

Sunday School LessonNo.VII – July 14, 2013

Presented by Rev. Frank A. Davis, III

Pastor-Teacher

Lesson Text: Ezra 6:13-22

Required Reading:Ezra4 – 6

Motto Text:Ezra 6:16, “And the children of Israel,

the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of

the children of the captivity, kept the

dedication of this house of God with joy.”

Reliable Resources: Logos Bible Software; Union Gospel Press Expositor and Illuminator; Precepts for Living (UMI); Worship by A. P. Gibbs; The Outline Bible, H. L. Wilmington; Word Search 10 Electronic Library, MacArthur Study Bible Notes; Wesley’s Commentary

INTRODUCTION

The lesson today enters the “Worship Zone” with great joy and jubilance because the Jews had completed their rebuilding of the second Temple. This meant so many things to them, but perhaps the greatest was that the captivity was truly over, and they were totally reconciled to their sovereign God! Jeremiah 29:10-14 tells us, “For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.”

Beloved, how do you think you would have worshipped in such a time as this…having overcome the jealousy and envy of your immediate neighbors (4:1-5); the reviving words of God’s prophets (5:1-2); the favor of God through secular kings (6:1-2)? All of this sums up to what I call this week: “Come Let us Worship the Lord with Joy and Thanksgiving for His Sovereignty.” This sovereignty of Jehovah is demonstrated by the following Anticipated Power Points:

  • His Sovereignty over all Adversity. Ezra 6:13-15
  • His Sovereignty Deserves all our Adoration. Ezra 6:16-18
  • His Sovereignty is the Source of our Atonement. Ezra 6:19-22

LESSON OUTLINE

I. His Sovereignty over all Adversity. Ezra 6:13-15

As one looks back from the decree of Cyrus to the final completion of the Temple, there was about 20 years filled with much adversity from jealous, divisive adversaries! I Peter 5:8 tells us, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” Dr. Warren Wiersbe highlights two major adversities:“Compromise, 4:1-3 and Interference, 4:4-5.” Israel’s local neighbors wanted to assist in the rebuilding but were denied and they sought then to undermine the work of the Jews’ restoration. “In either case, the lesson is clear; worldly people use every means they can to hinderthe work of the Lord.” The adversaries of the Jews caused them to be hindered for nearly 16 years until the work ceased. But according to chapter 5, God raised two prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, whose stirring preaching, practice and example encouraged Zerubbabel and the people to resume the work. Psalm 119:130 says, “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” God’s Word makes a difference.

II. His Sovereignty Deserves all our Adoration. Ezra 6:16-18

The Israelites followed the model of Solomon in celebrating the rebuilt Temple, but without as much substance, for they were not as affluent. Read I Kings 8:63, noting Solomon offered “200 times more.” But God looked not on the outward appearance, but at the heart! And at their heart was the “sin offering” – This offering included the shedding of blood and the burning of the whole sacrifice unto Jehovah. All Israel and its leaders were agreeing with God that they had sinned and offended Him, seeking His forgiveness as a nation! Hebrews 9:22, “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”

According to Precepts for Living by UMI, page 543: “Sin offerings, also known as the guilt offering, was a most holy sacrifice presented for intentional and unintentional sins of individuals, as well as the priest and whole congregation (Leviticus 4 – 5).” Now beloved, let us remember that Jesus Christ is our “sin offering,” that is we no longer bring lambs, goats, bulls, etc. Isaiah 53 declares, “He was wounded for our transgression, He was bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed.” So without fail, He Deserves all our Adoration! No wonder they kept the dedication of the Temple with great joy!

“COME LET US WORSHIP THE LORD… WITH JOY AND THANKSGIVING FOR HIS SOVEREIGNTY”

III.His Sovereignty is the Source of our Atonement. Ezra 6:19-22

Remembering the institution of the Passover in Exodus 12, they celebrated this holy feast in its timelyinstitution, the 14th day of the month Adar (March-April). As was in the days of Moses, so it was on that day, a time to worship and praise Jehovah for His atoning grace and mercy. He had delivered Israel by His sovereign hand and they had to recognize Him. This may have been their first Passover since the fall of the first Temple. Passover was followed by the Feast of Unleavened Bread. This too is most symbolic because leaven was a type of sin. The Israelites cleared their homes of all leaven at this time and found themselves ceremonially purified before the Lord. A new Temple, a new mindset, a new commitment…they were in a state of atonement with God, that is, reconciled back to Him!

Beloved, we as Christians should practice daily, what we are told in I John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just toforgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”In so doing, we can exercise all the joys of Jesus that areavailable to us. It would give us so much to rejoice and worship God for in our lives daily. We need to be at peace

with God, and that happens when we confess, forsake, and hate our sins against Him.

Closing:

The rebuilt and dedicated Temple was a great sign that the chastising of the Jews’ sins was now over and God was giving them a new start. May we walk in the newness of life through Jesus Christ our Lord and Worship Him Because of His Sovereignty. We close with the words of Proverbs 3:6, “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Bibleway Missionary Baptist Church, New Orleans, LA & Little Bethel Baptist Church, Amite, LA

Mailing Address: Post Office Box 19768, New Orleans, LA 70179-0768

Phone: (504) 486-7876

Website: (See and hear lesson taught via Video)

Radio Broadcasts: WLNO AM 1060, Saturday 8:30 a.m.; Sunday 5:30 a.m.

WHNO TV-Channel 20, Sunday, 6:30 a.m.

LOOKING AHEAD: July21, 2013 Ezra 8:21-23

Pastor Davis invites you to attend the Sunday School class that he teaches at Bibleway on Wednesdays at noon.