In our last Teaching Notes we looked at the work of the disciple of Jesus Christ.
In this edition we will look at the disciple’s secret.
[These notes are from a seminar series taught more than 40 years ago. The notes are in outline form.]
Ezra was an excellent example of a disciple. Let’s see what we can learn from him and several disciples of Jesus Christ about being a committed follower of our Lord and God.
Ezra 7:9-10
“For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him. For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.”
Ezra prepared his heart before the Lord
- The preparation of prayer – John 15:5
- The preparation of confession – 1 John 1:9
- The preparation of purity – Ephesians 1:4
- The preparation of love – 1 John 4:7-8
- The preparation of joy – Psalm 51:12-13
Ezra sought out the Word of the Lord
- It endures forever – 1 Peter 1:25
- It feeds the soul – 1 Peter 2:2
- It gives light – 2 Peter 1:19
- It gives hope – Romans 15:4
- It gives knowledge – 1 John 5:13
- It devours – Jeremiah 5:14
- It crushes – Jeremiah 23:29
- It saves – Romans 1:16
- It defends – Ephesians 6:17
- It probes – Hebrews 4:12
- It purifies – 1 Peter 1:22
Ezra obeyed the Word of the Lord
- Obedience brings blessing – Exodus 19:5, Deuteronomy 4:30; 5:29; 7:12-13; 28:1-6; Joshua 1:8; Matthew 7:21; 1 John 3:22; James 1:25
- Disobedience brings conflict – Deuteronomy 11:28; 28:15-19; 1 Samuel 12:15; 28:18; 1 Kings 13:21-26; Jeremiah 12:17
Ezra taught others to obey the Lord
2 Timothy 2:2
“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”
Paul —> Timothy —> Faithful men —> Others also
[Thank you for reading these teaching notes from more than 40 years ago. My prayer is they will be a blessing to you and your ministry.]
