Spiritual Renewal: Embracing New Beginnings in Faith

 

Summary

As we embark on this new year, we turn our attention to the book of Ezra, a narrative that speaks profoundly to our current times. The story of Ezra begins with the Israelites in exile, a period marked by spiritual decline and separation from their homeland. This exile lasted 70 years, a time when God's people were away from the promised land, unable to worship as they once did. Yet, as the Babylonian empire waned, a new king, Cyrus of Persia, rose to power. Despite not being a believer, God stirred Cyrus's heart to allow the Israelites to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple, marking a new beginning after a long disruption.

This narrative is not just about physical return but also about spiritual renewal. The book of Ezra illustrates the ebb and flow of spiritual life, akin to the tides of the ocean. There are times of spiritual decline and times of revival. The Israelites' return to Jerusalem symbolizes a rekindling of passion and purpose after years of discouragement. It is a reminder that God can stir hearts, both of those who know Him and those who do not, to bring about His purposes.

The challenge for the Israelites was significant. Many had grown accustomed to life in Babylon, and the prospect of returning to a ruined Jerusalem was daunting. Yet, God stirred the hearts of a remnant who chose to return, demonstrating that true spiritual renewal often requires stepping out of comfort zones and embracing new challenges.

This story resonates with us today. We live in times where spiritual lethargy can easily set in, where the sparkle in our eyes and the spring in our step may have faded. Yet, God calls us to a new spiritual awakening, to gather as His people, to exalt His name, and to experience His presence among us. As we begin this year, may we be open to the stirring of our hearts, seeking a deeper faith, hope, love, and joy in Christ.

Key Takeaways:

- God's Sovereignty in Unlikely Places: The story of Cyrus, a non-believer, being used by God to fulfill His purposes, reminds us that God can work through anyone, regardless of their faith. This encourages us to pray for those who do not yet know Him, trusting that God can stir their hearts just as He did with Cyrus. [08:24]

- Spiritual Renewal Requires Courage: The Israelites' return to Jerusalem was not just a physical journey but a spiritual one, requiring them to leave behind the familiar and embrace the unknown. This teaches us that spiritual renewal often involves stepping out in faith, even when it feels risky. [26:41]

- The Ebb and Flow of Spiritual Life: Just as the tide rises and falls, so does the level of spiritual life among God's people. Recognizing this pattern helps us understand that periods of spiritual dryness are not permanent and that God can bring about revival and renewal. [17:20]

- The Importance of Gathering for Worship: The return to Jerusalem was significant because it was about re-establishing a place where God's presence could be known among His people. This underscores the importance of gathering as a community of believers to exalt God's name and experience His presence. [33:54]

- A Call to Spiritual Awakening: In times of mediocrity and spiritual lethargy, we are called to seek a fresh outpouring of God's Spirit, to renew our love for Him and for one another, and to embrace a new sense of purpose and calling. [19:24]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:15] - Introduction to Ezra
- [00:50] - Spiritual Decline and Exile
- [02:28] - The Fall of Babylon
- [06:46] - Cyrus's Proclamation
- [09:21] - A New Policy of Return
- [11:54] - A New Beginning
- [12:15] - Spiritual Passion Rekindled
- [13:28] - The Ebb and Flow of Spiritual Life
- [17:56] - The Need for Spiritual Awakening
- [21:34] - The Challenge of Returning
- [24:18] - Stability vs. Risk
- [29:05] - The Importance of Returning
- [32:25] - The Purpose of Gathering
- [34:14] - A Call to Gather and Worship
- [35:25] - Prayer for Renewal

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Ezra 1:1-5
2. Psalm 85:4-7
3. Isaiah 64:1-2

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Observation Questions:

1. What significant event marks the beginning of the book of Ezra, and how does it relate to the Israelites' return from exile? [06:46]

2. How does the sermon describe the spiritual condition of the Israelites during their exile in Babylon? [01:12]

3. What role did King Cyrus of Persia play in the Israelites' return to Jerusalem, and how was his heart stirred according to the sermon? [08:24]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the ebb and flow of spiritual life among God's people? [13:28]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the story of King Cyrus illustrate the concept of God's sovereignty in using unlikely individuals to fulfill His purposes? [08:24]

2. In what ways does the Israelites' return to Jerusalem symbolize a spiritual renewal, and what challenges did they face in this process? [21:34]

3. How does the sermon connect the Israelites' experience of exile and return to the spiritual lethargy that believers might experience today? [19:04]

4. What is the significance of gathering for worship according to the sermon, and how does it relate to the presence of God among His people? [33:54]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually distant or lethargic. What steps did you take, or could you take, to experience spiritual renewal? [19:04]

2. How can you be open to God's stirring in your heart, especially in areas where you feel comfortable or complacent? [21:34]

3. In what ways can you pray for those who do not yet know God, trusting that He can stir their hearts as He did with Cyrus? [08:24]

4. What are some practical ways you can step out of your comfort zone to embrace new spiritual challenges this year? [26:41]

5. How can you prioritize gathering with other believers for worship, and what impact do you think this will have on your spiritual life? [33:54]

6. Identify one area in your life where you desire a deeper sense of faith, hope, love, or joy. What specific actions can you take to cultivate this? [19:24]

7. Consider the ebb and flow of your spiritual life. How can you remain hopeful and proactive during times of spiritual dryness? [17:20]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Sovereignty in Unlikely Places
God's sovereignty is evident in the story of Cyrus, a non-believer whom God used to fulfill His purposes. This narrative reminds us that God can work through anyone, regardless of their faith or background. It encourages us to pray for those who do not yet know Him, trusting that God can stir their hearts just as He did with Cyrus. This is a powerful reminder that God's plans are not limited by human understanding or belief. We are called to have faith in His ability to move in unexpected ways and through unexpected people. [08:24]

Isaiah 45:1-3 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped, to subdue nations before him and to loose the belts of kings, to open doors before him that gates may not be closed: 'I will go before you and level the exalted places, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron, I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hoards in secret places, that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who call you by your name.'"

Reflection: Who in your life seems unlikely to be used by God? How can you pray for them today, trusting in God's ability to work through anyone?


Day 2: Spiritual Renewal Requires Courage
The Israelites' return to Jerusalem was not just a physical journey but a spiritual one, requiring them to leave behind the familiar and embrace the unknown. This teaches us that spiritual renewal often involves stepping out in faith, even when it feels risky. The Israelites had to overcome their attachment to the life they had built in Babylon and face the challenges of rebuilding a ruined city. This act of courage is a testament to the power of faith and the willingness to trust in God's plan, even when the path is uncertain. [26:41]

Joshua 1:9 (ESV): "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith? What practical steps can you take today to move in that direction?


Day 3: The Ebb and Flow of Spiritual Life
Just as the tide rises and falls, so does the level of spiritual life among God's people. Recognizing this pattern helps us understand that periods of spiritual dryness are not permanent and that God can bring about revival and renewal. The story of the Israelites' return to Jerusalem is a powerful reminder that God is always at work, even in times of spiritual decline. It encourages us to remain hopeful and open to the possibility of renewal, trusting that God can breathe new life into our spiritual journey. [17:20]

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 (ESV): "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced spiritual dryness. How did God bring renewal into your life, and how can you remain open to His work in your current season?


Day 4: The Importance of Gathering for Worship
The return to Jerusalem was significant because it was about re-establishing a place where God's presence could be known among His people. This underscores the importance of gathering as a community of believers to exalt God's name and experience His presence. In a world where individualism is often prioritized, the story of the Israelites reminds us of the power and necessity of communal worship. It is in gathering together that we can encourage one another, grow in faith, and experience the fullness of God's presence. [33:54]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: How can you prioritize gathering with other believers this week? What steps can you take to foster a deeper sense of community in your church or small group?


Day 5: A Call to Spiritual Awakening
In times of mediocrity and spiritual lethargy, we are called to seek a fresh outpouring of God's Spirit, to renew our love for Him and for one another, and to embrace a new sense of purpose and calling. The story of the Israelites' return to Jerusalem serves as a powerful reminder that God desires to awaken our hearts and draw us closer to Him. It challenges us to examine our spiritual lives and seek a deeper relationship with God, allowing His Spirit to transform us and guide us into a new season of growth and purpose. [19:24]

Ephesians 5:14-16 (ESV): "For anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, 'Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.' Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel spiritually asleep? How can you invite God's Spirit to awaken and renew your heart today?

Quotes

God can stir the hearts of those who don't know him as well as those who do. That's the greatest encouragement to pray for those who don't yet know him. God can stir the hearts of those who don't yet know him as well as the hearts of those who do. [00:08:27]

The book of Ezra is also the story of a new passion after a long period of discouragement. Look at verse five: then rose up the heads of the father's houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, everyone whose Spirit God had stirred to go up to rebuild the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem. [00:12:15]

Think about the tide of the ocean. The tide comes in and the tide goes out, and in the same way, there are times when the level of spiritual life among God's people rises, and there are times when the level of spiritual life among God's people goes into decline. [00:13:28]

Here are people who are going through a long period of discouragement, and they're crying out to God for more from his hand. We need to be restored. We need to be revived. We need a new infusion of joy. We've lost our joy somehow, and we need to find it again. [00:14:49]

For many good people, even within the church, life has lost its meaning. There is no sparkle in the eye, no spring in the step, and as the religious community flounders in mediocrity, the world plunges deeper into sin. I wonder if that resonates with you. [00:18:24]

Friends, we need a new spiritual awakening. We need a fresh outpouring of faith and hope and love and joy, a renewed love for God, a renewed love for each other, a fresh infusion of energy, a renewed sense of purpose and of calling. [00:19:24]

God stirred the hearts of his people in the book of Ezra, and what God did for them then, he is able to do for us today. So this book of Ezra, this wonderful book that we're going to spend these weeks in together, what is it? Well, it's the story of a new beginning after a long period of disruption. [00:20:00]

Think about what actually happened here. God's people had got used to being in exile, but when Cyrus came to the throne, suddenly everything changed. And I want you to try and picture this extraordinary moment in the lives of these people. [00:21:34]

These people had stability in Babylon, and most of them had never known anything else. Babylon was safe. Returning to Jerusalem, that felt risky. Now you can imagine the conversations: why would I want to return? What difference will it make if I do? [00:24:18]

The purpose of God in the Old Testament was that there would be a place on Earth where God's people would gather, where God's name would be exalted, and where God's presence would be made known. And the purpose of God in the New Testament is that there will be places in every community, north, south, east, and west. [00:33:54]

It matters because God's purpose is that there should be gatherings of believers who will declare his praise and that God's presence will be known among them as they gather for worship. So here's my prayer now for today and for this series as we go forward. [00:35:25]

Do you feel a stirring in your heart today? Do you wish that you had greater faith, greater hope, greater love, greater joy? Do you find that you have a desire for more of Christ, more of his love, more of his peace, more of his strength in your life? [00:36:01]

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Transcript
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