EZRA 9:8 - ESCAPE AND SANCTUARY – A Brief moment of grace!

TOPIC: Revival; Deliverance, Discipline, Forgiveness, Sanctuary

TITLE: ESCAPE AND SANCTUARY – A Brief moment of grace!
TEXT: Ezra 9:8 [5-15]

"... now, for a brief moment, grace has been shown from the LORD our God, to leave us an escaped remnant and to give us a peg in His holy place, that our God may enlighten our eyes and grant us a little reviving in our bondage."

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How is “a brief moment of grace” shown here?

TRUTH/CONTEXT: In the midst of a section on the dangers of God’s people commingling their assets with non-believers (i.e., marriage to non-Jews), the prophet Ezra comments on the reality of his little group’s situation. He is well into his confession for the people when he makes his observation.

Three truths are evident in his words –

1. God places ethical and moral demands upon His people
2. God’s righteousness demands punishment for transgressions
3. God is merciful; forgiveness, deliverance, and revival are provisions of His mercy

If it were not so deadly serious, this verse would be somewhat humorous. Here they are, a people who've just been freed from Babylonian captivity only to find themselves apparently in bondage again; needing sustained grace, they get a moments worth; and needing a huge revival, they get a little.

Also apparently, Ezra foresees their freedom as being in their possession only “for a brief moment.”

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How is “a brief moment of grace” shown here?
EXPANDED OUTLINE

I. THE LORD LEFT THIS GROUP AN ESCAPED REMNANT!

A. Though in the thousands they represented only a fraction of their former self

The ten northern tribes were lost to all until the appointed time in the end times

B. Though in the thousands they were a small group to revive a great nation

II. THE LORD GAVE THEM A PEG IN HIS HOLY PLACE!

A. Two pictures are possible –

1. That of a coat peg in the holy place of God

a) For some reason this one appeals to me
b) Perhaps the Holy Place in the Temple

(1) Implies a place to serve
(2) Great comfort to own place of worship

2. That of a tent peg in Jerusalem

a) This one goes well with a small escaped remnant
b) Perhaps a place of sanctuary (to escape to)
c) Or a place to be hung for safe keeping by owner

B. In either case, the remnant has a God provided place to –

1. Either rest their hat
2. Or rest their head

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: Notice the purpose of this provision – “that our God may”

1. enlighten our eyes and
2. grant us a little reviving in our bondage

In other words, Ezra sees the circumstances of the moment as a classroom experience … not for their punishment but for their discipline (i.e., to revive them and encourage their hearts).

And it matters not that it is for “a little reviving” for any small morsel in the service of God is a filling feast for the soul of man.

The conclusion drawn by the prophet from the reality of their situation is this – since, due to our sins, we deserve no grace at all, a moment of grace and an iota grace is sufficient to cause us to avoid sinning even more.

In the midst of this bounty,

• how ungrateful to offend a God who has been so kind
• how hypocritical to continue mingling with unbelievers
• how unwise to risk God’s displeasure when we are dependent upon Him for what little we have

Our Church is going through a rough period of its history, a kind of captivity if you will. I am here to tell you this is “a brief moment (of grace).” He has both left “us an escaped remnant” and given “us a peg in His holy place.”

For what purpose? For the same purpose as was offered the returned Hebrews – “(to) enlighten out eyes and (to) grant us a little reviving in our bondage.”

We too, being delivered from bondage find ourselves in it again; needing sustained grace, get only sufficient grace; needing a huge revival, get only a little from time to time.

Yet remember, we deserve punishment in Hell forever for our transgressions; we get enlightenment instead.

So leave here today and walk like a man who's received a reprieve from further bondage and death.

Christianity, Deliverance, Expository,
Ezra, Homiletics, Outlines,
Preaching, Revival, Sermons

EZRA: Full Sermons

The following are links to full sermons, preached at FBC La Verne in Southern California or at San Carlos Community Church (SCCC) in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico ...

9:8

ESCAPE AND SANCTUARY - A Brief moment of grace!

Ezra, Homiletics, Preaching,
Sermons, Sermon Series

ROMANS: Full Sermons

6:4-7

DISCIPLESHIP: It’s A Relationship, Not A Religion!

6:19

OUR OBLIGATION - To Die, Live, Serve, and Be United to God!

Christianity, Expository, Homiletics,
Outlines, Preaching, Romans, Sermons

2 SAMUEL 9:1-13 - It's Others, Not self!

TOPIC: Others, Priorities, Righteousness
TITLE: IT’S OTHERS; NOT SELF!

TEXT: 2 Samuel 9:1-13; plus 1 Samuel 20:15-17; Philippians 2:3-4

Read aloud the text below; relate the story of Saul’s death and David’s ascension to the throne; comment as you read.

Then David said, "Is there yet anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?"

2 Samuel 9:1

"And you shall not cut off your lovingkindness from my house forever, not even when the LORD cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth." So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, "May the LORD require it at the hands of David's enemies." And Jonathan made David vow again because of his love for him, because he loved him as he loved his own life.

1 Samuel 20:15-17

(2-3) Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David; and the king said to him, "Are you Ziba?" And he said, "I am your servant." And the king said, "Is there not yet anyone of the house of Saul to whom I may show the kindness of God?" And Ziba said to the king, "There is still a son of Jonathan who is crippled in both feet."

(4) So the king said to him, "Where is he?" And Ziba said to the king, "Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel in Lo-debar."

(5-6) Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo-debar. And Me-phibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and prostrated himself. And David said, "Mephibosheth." And he said, "Here is your servant!"

(7) And David said to him, "Do not fear, for I will surely show kindness to you for the sake of your father Jonathan, and will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul; and you shall eat at my table regularly."

(8) Again he prostrated himself and said, "What is your servant, that you should regard a dead dog like me?"

(9-10) Then the king called Saul's servant Ziba, and said to him, "All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master's grandson. "And you and your sons and your servants shall cultivate the land for him, and you shall bring in the produce so that your master's grandson may have food; nevertheless Mephibosheth your master's grandson shall eat at my table regularly." Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.

(11-13) Then Ziba said to the king, "According to all that my lord the king commands his servant so your servant will do." So Mephibosheth ate at David's table as one of the king's sons. And Mephibosheth had a young son whose name was Mica. And all who lived in the house of Ziba were servants to Mephibosheth. So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate at the king's table regularly. Now he was lame in both feet.

2 Samuel 9:2-13

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

Philippians 2:3-4

[NEW MEMBER] Listening to the radio this week I heard a message from Chuck Colson concerning a church in Florida.

Colson had been in the church when the pastor was asked his people if they remembered the day the Brown family had joined the church ... many "amens" were heard among the congregation.

The pastor continued asking if that was not a great day for their church (more amens) ... "what with their financial support, their participation, and their children." He continued. Then he asked if they remembered the other person that joined the church that day. No one could, blankly looking each to another. No one remembered.

"His name was _____ !", the pastor said. "He joined the same morning as the Browns. We all got busy and put the Browns to work. I visited them! They have become close friends. But we lost track of young ____________."

The pastor then held up a newspaper with a picture of someone on the front page. "This is what has happened to young ________, he was arrested for murder last Wednesday.”

TRUTH CLAIM: The Bible says, "Don’t be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap." [Galatians 6:7] It also says, "the sins of the father shall be visited unto the third and fourth generations"; and Saul’s family reaped ruin because he sowed ruin!

But in Acts 13:36 [NKJV], Paul says, "But David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers …" Notice: “by the will of God”!

Had it not been for David and his desire to live after God’s will, Saul’s seed would have been wiped out!

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What Characteristics of God Were Exhibited By David In This Story?
EXPANDED OUTLINE
I. HE REMEMBERED HIS PROMISE TO JONATHAN [COVENANT]!

Once David acceded to the throne he immediately acted upon his covenant with Jonathon.

II. HE DIDN’T WAIT FOR HIS FRIEND’S SEED TO FIND HIM BUT RATHER SENT SOMEONE TO FIND THEM!

But rather David sent someone to find him.

III. HE WAS WILLING TO OVERLOOK THE FAULTS OF HIS FRIEND'S RELATIVES!

His father King Saul was a pain in David's neck from the time he slew Goliath until the king's death in Gilead.

IV. HE RESTORED HIS INHERITANCE AND MORE!

God demonstrated this characteristic of His nature when He restored Job to a condition better than the one he lost.

V. HE DIDN'T LET THE CRIMES OF HIS ENEMIES INTERFERE WITH BEING CONCERNED FOR THE INNOCENT OR WITH HIS WORD!

For example, in 1997 the U. S. didn't let our relationship with Iran interfere with humanitarian aid for the victims of an Iranian earthquake! We did the right thing!

VI. HE DIDN'T USE HIS SOVEREIGNTY TO OPPRESS HIS SUBJECTS!

David had the right and the power to eliminate his enemies and their seed.

VII. HE DIDN'T TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE CRIPPLED BODY OF MEPHIBOSHETH!

Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh.

2 Corinthians 5:16 NKJV

APPLICATION: Most Bible scholars and teachers see David as a type of Christ, who was both his Lord and his descendant.

Most agree that David was used by the Holy Spirit to illustrate God’s kindness and love and faithfulness towards fallen man, though David was not necessarily aware of this at the time!

Man is most certainly just as guilty of rebellion against the house of God as Saul was, and, like him, is under a general sentence of rejection by Him.

And like Saul’s offspring Mephibosheth, Adam’s offspring was cast out of his possession, destitute, impoverished, lame and impotent … as a result of the fall!

And hasn’t the Son of God, of whom David is a type, remembered His covenant with the sons of men and inquired, "Is there yet anyone left … [of this degenerate people]?” He not only inquires but comes to seek and to save (them).

The Bible asks, "What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him"? (Psalms 8:4 NKJV)

CHALLENGE: It is imperative that you notice the demeanor of Mephibosheth. To those who humble themselves before Him, to those who acknowledge their Master’s sovereignty, and commit themselves to His rule, He returns their forfeited inheritance, restores their pedigree, and provides that they should dine at His table with Him, not as one to be pitied, but rather as a member of the King’s family!

The Bible quotes Jesus as saying,

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me."

Revelation 3:20

2 Samuel, Christianity, Expository, Homiletics,
Outlines, Preaching, Sermons