Celebrating Life Through a Personal Relationship with God
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, church family. Today, we delve into the book of Ezra, exploring the theme of celebrating life through a personal relationship with God. Our journey through the Old Testament reveals the gospel's foreshadowing of Christ's coming. Celebrating life means celebrating God, His presence, and His transformative power in us. This celebration is rooted in knowing Him personally and experiencing His change in our lives.
I shared a story about Rahim, a man from Saudi Arabia who found Christ despite living under oppressive conditions. Rahim's joy in openly celebrating Christ in the United States is a powerful testament to the freedom and joy that come from knowing Jesus. This joy is something we often take for granted, but it is a profound privilege to celebrate Christ openly.
Paul's words remind us not to be ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation. Psalm 118:24 encourages us to rejoice in the day the Lord has made, recognizing that every day is a gift from God with a purpose for us. Even though everything is better in heaven, God has us here for a reason—to grow, serve, and rejoice in Him.
We must not give out of obligation but out of love. God is not impressed with our works but with our hearts. Our giving should be generous, joyful, and consistent, reflecting the grace we have received. This principle is evident in the story of the Israelites returning from exile, where they gave generously to rebuild the temple.
Waiting is a significant theme in our lives and in the book of Ezra. Waiting teaches us to trust God, to listen, and to obey. It is during these times of waiting that we grow closer to God, learning to rely on Him and not on our own understanding. Waiting can be difficult, but it is a season through which God works in us and through us.
The story of the prodigal son illustrates the joy of celebrating a restored relationship with God. Just as the father celebrated his son's return, we should celebrate our relationship with God and the transformation He brings in our lives. This celebration should be evident in our lives, reflecting the joy and satisfaction we find in God.
Ezra's return to Jerusalem with the exiles is a story of hope and restoration. Despite the challenges, they returned to rebuild the temple and restore their worship of God. This story reminds us that God has a plan for us, even in times of waiting and struggle. He calls us to live generously, to give of our time, talents, and treasures, and to trust in His plan.
In conclusion, our lives should be a celebration of God's steadfast love. Everything we do, from our daily tasks to our interactions with others, should be an act of worship. We are called to live generously, to wait patiently, and to celebrate joyfully, reflecting the love and grace of God in all we do.
### Key Takeaways
1. Celebrating God in All Circumstances: Celebrating God means recognizing His presence and transformative power in our lives. It is easy to celebrate when we know Him personally and see His work in us. This celebration should be evident in our daily lives, reflecting the joy and satisfaction we find in God. [28:10]
2. Generosity Rooted in Love: Our giving should not be out of obligation but out of love. God is not impressed with our works but with our hearts. We are called to give generously, joyfully, and consistently, reflecting the grace we have received. This principle is evident in the story of the Israelites returning from exile, where they gave generously to rebuild the temple. [01:03:16]
3. The Spiritual Discipline of Waiting: Waiting is a significant theme in our lives and in the book of Ezra. It teaches us to trust God, to listen, and to obey. During these times of waiting, we grow closer to God, learning to rely on Him and not on our own understanding. Waiting can be difficult, but it is a season through which God works in us and through us. [35:52]
4. The Joy of Restoration: The story of the prodigal son illustrates the joy of celebrating a restored relationship with God. Just as the father celebrated his son's return, we should celebrate our relationship with God and the transformation He brings in our lives. This celebration should be evident in our lives, reflecting the joy and satisfaction we find in God. [30:56]
5. Living Generously and Joyfully: We are called to live generously, giving of our time, talents, and treasures. This generosity should be done joyfully, reflecting the love and grace of God. Our lives should be a celebration of God's steadfast love, and everything we do should be an act of worship. [53:59]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[26:22] - Rahim's Story: Celebrating Christ Openly
[28:10] - Rejoicing in the Day the Lord Has Made
[29:24] - Finding Joy in All Circumstances
[30:56] - The Prodigal Son: A Story of Celebration
[32:47] - Returning from Exile: A Story of Hope
[35:52] - The Spiritual Discipline of Waiting
[40:21] - God's Plan in Times of Struggle
[47:09] - Longing for Heaven
[49:35] - Living Generously in Times of Waiting
[53:59] - The Joy of Generous Giving
[56:26] - Personal Testimony: Learning to Give Generously
[01:00:44] - Encouragement to Grow in Generosity
[01:07:47] - Celebrating God's Steadfast Love
[01:10:50] - Closing Prayer and Worship
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Ezra 1:1-2 - "In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing: 'Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.'"
2. Psalm 118:24 - "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
3. Philippians 4:4 - "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice."
### Observation Questions
1. What proclamation did Cyrus king of Persia make according to Ezra 1:1-2?
2. How does Psalm 118:24 encourage us to view each day?
3. What does Paul emphasize in Philippians 4:4 about our attitude towards the Lord? [29:24]
4. What was the significance of the Israelites' return from exile in the book of Ezra? [32:05]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that Cyrus, a foreign king, was stirred by God to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem? [37:53]
2. How does the story of Rahim illustrate the joy and freedom found in openly celebrating Christ? [27:15]
3. What does the spiritual discipline of waiting teach us about our relationship with God? [35:26]
4. How does the story of the prodigal son reflect the joy of a restored relationship with God? [30:56]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced joy in your relationship with God. How can you make this joy more evident in your daily life? [30:13]
2. In what ways can you practice generosity rooted in love, rather than obligation, in your current circumstances? [53:29]
3. Think about a season of waiting in your life. How did it impact your trust in God, and what did you learn from it? [35:52]
4. How can you celebrate your relationship with God in a way that others can see and be inspired by? [30:56]
5. Identify one area in your life where you can live more generously. What specific steps can you take this week to give of your time, talents, or treasures? [49:35]
6. How can you incorporate the practice of rejoicing in the Lord into your daily routine, even during challenging times? [29:24]
7. What is one practical way you can show the steadfast love of God to someone in your community this week? [01:08:17]
Devotional
Day 1: Celebrating God in All Circumstances
Celebrating God means recognizing His presence and transformative power in our lives. It is easy to celebrate when we know Him personally and see His work in us. This celebration should be evident in our daily lives, reflecting the joy and satisfaction we find in God. [28:10]
Psalm 118:24 (ESV): "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Reflection: Think of a recent challenge you faced. How did you see God's presence and transformative power in that situation? How can you celebrate Him today, even in the midst of difficulties?
Day 2: Generosity Rooted in Love
Our giving should not be out of obligation but out of love. God is not impressed with our works but with our hearts. We are called to give generously, joyfully, and consistently, reflecting the grace we have received. This principle is evident in the story of the Israelites returning from exile, where they gave generously to rebuild the temple. [01:03:16]
2 Corinthians 9:7 (ESV): "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Reflection: Reflect on your motivations for giving. Are there areas where you give out of obligation rather than love? How can you shift your perspective to give more joyfully and generously?
Day 3: The Spiritual Discipline of Waiting
Waiting is a significant theme in our lives and in the book of Ezra. It teaches us to trust God, to listen, and to obey. During these times of waiting, we grow closer to God, learning to rely on Him and not on our own understanding. Waiting can be difficult, but it is a season through which God works in us and through us. [35:52]
Isaiah 40:31 (ESV): "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Reflection: Identify a situation in your life where you are currently waiting. How can you use this time to grow closer to God and trust in His plan? What steps can you take to listen and obey Him during this season?
Day 4: The Joy of Restoration
The story of the prodigal son illustrates the joy of celebrating a restored relationship with God. Just as the father celebrated his son's return, we should celebrate our relationship with God and the transformation He brings in our lives. This celebration should be evident in our lives, reflecting the joy and satisfaction we find in God. [30:56]
Joel 2:25-26 (ESV): "I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame."
Reflection: Think about a time when you experienced restoration in your relationship with God. How did it change your life? How can you celebrate and share this joy with others today?
Day 5: Living Generously and Joyfully
We are called to live generously, giving of our time, talents, and treasures. This generosity should be done joyfully, reflecting the love and grace of God. Our lives should be a celebration of God's steadfast love, and everything we do should be an act of worship. [53:59]
1 Timothy 6:18-19 (ESV): "They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life."
Reflection: Consider how you can live more generously with your time, talents, and treasures. What specific actions can you take this week to reflect God's love and grace through your generosity?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "If you got TikTok or TalkTik whichever it is or Instagram or Facebook or social media, it is to declare the glory of God. Period. If you speak to someone in a conversation this week it is to proclaim the glory of God. Sometimes it means just looking at somebody and being kind to them because they don't have anybody that looks them in the eyes. 40% of people in a recent survey said no one ever touches them in a meaningful way. To praise the living God may mean you care for someone and touch somebody and hold somebody that hasn't been lovingly touched. Everything is worship." [01:07:47]
2. "You don't have to live long in Christ. That you start saying. I like being here. But I can't wait. I can't wait to see him face to face. Times of waiting. They're meant to make our focus. Be about heaven. May I ask you a question? What are you waiting on? Jesus said where your treasure is. Your heart will be also. What you're waiting on. Will tell you a lot about what you desire in life." [47:41]
3. "Here's the one reason to really praise God that he forgave you of your sin and changed your life. Is that true about you? You can look at another person and say I can tell you about the love of God in Jesus Christ. He cleansed me. He forgave me. He changed me. Can you do that and be joyful about it?" [01:09:48]
4. "Paul said, don't be ashamed of the good news, the gospel. The gospel that saves people, that changes people's life. The Bible says a lot about celebration. Matter of fact, in Psalm 118.24, would you read this with me? You ready? This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. I've said this psalm for many years, almost every day of my life. This means the festival day. Or it may mean the last day, the day the Lord returns. But that is a truth about every day. Matter of fact, every day you wake up, you can know for sure God created that day. And God has something for you." [28:10]
5. "Christianity is about celebrating. Now, you wouldn't know that. For some of the Christians that we meet. You would think in the morning they started sucking lemons and they're still on them. But somebody who gets to know Christ. Some people who get to know Christ. You'll see it on them. You'll see it in their life. You'll see it in their eyes. You'll see it in their smile. You'll see it in their countenance. Christ will come out of you. It will be the overflow of Christ." [31:24]
### Quotes for Members
1. "I care that we grow in Christ. You can't grow in Christ. If you don't become generous. Can you imagine somebody introducing themselves today. And say hi. I'm a Christian hoarder. I'm a Christian hoarder. I like to hoard things that God gives me. What would you say to him? There's people. The average giving in America. Is now down to 2% Family household. 2% of any kind of outward giving. We're spending on average. 98% of everything. We make on ourselves. Something's wrong. When they leave. They're blessed with all this stuff. And God says this is the way to love. And this is the way to give." [01:00:44]
2. "You learn hope in times of waiting. Hope means confidence. Your confidence is in God not yourself. It's in times of duress. Waiting. Delay. Where he strips you of trusting yourself. And your feelings. And what you see. And your preferences. It strips you of those things. If you're grown in Christ. Over the years. You have learned one thing. My preferences really don't matter much. My opinions don't matter much. It's not that we don't have them. But not one time in my life. Has God said. You know what? I'm going to change my mind. Now that I've heard your side of the story. I didn't think of that. He's never said that to me." [43:23]
3. "Waiting is a part of life. Look at your note sheet. Waiting is a season. You could put a season of delay if you want. Or duress. But it's a season through which the Lord causes you. To turn to him and experience his presence. And his strength. He could answer that prayer immediately. He could answer it immediately. And he says. I withhold no good thing from you. So there's something that he's doing. That's greater than giving. The answer to the prayer. If a person. Doesn't learn that in life. You'll spend most of your life. Hurt and angry. You'll be disappointed. God didn't come through for me. God didn't answer the prayer. God didn't do this. And that will become your focus." [36:23]
4. "I want you to live generously. There's going to be times of waiting. And while you're waiting. Learn to give. Give generously. Of your finances. Your time. Your talents. Your treasures. Your encouragement. Your life to other people. Look at verse 3. Whoever is among you. Of all the people. May his God be with him. And let him go to Jerusalem. Now Jerusalem is the city of peace. They're going back. To live in shalom. God's peace. They're going to go separate themselves. They're going to do their sacrifices. They're going to build the temple. They're going to build the walls back. But all of it is centered around. God has put us at peace with him. Because he's sending his son one day." [49:35]
5. "He said give generously and joyfully. But pick a percentage and start there. So we started out with 5%. I'm telling you. That felt excruciating. You make $300 a month. You're going to school. You're paying for groceries. And I was working two jobs. I worked a job at the school. And I mowed yards in the afternoon. I'd go home. And we'd think about it. We'd pray about it. We're going to bless God's people. And inside I would say. What are you doing? So that's to my. I understand. I just wasn't a generous person. As I grew over the years. It became a privilege. That we went from 5% to 10%. We just aimed at something. Nobody has to do this in the New Testament. You don't have to give any percentage. So we aimed at 10%. And then we got to 10%. And then we said. Let's see if we can get to 20%." [56:26]
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