Ezra

For Ezra had prepared his heart to 1.Seek the law of the Lord2.To do it3. And to teach in Israel statutes and judgments. O’Neal church of Christ, 6-30-13

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth will make you free” Jn.8:32

•Ezra had prepared his

•Heart…How can we prepare our

•Hearts?

RecognizeFor what it is

“Thy word is truth” Jn. 17:171 Pet. 1:22-25 - “obeying the truth”

TruthKnowledge

Love“They received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved” 2 Thes. 2:10

Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”

I John 5:3 “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.”

Seek & Study“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 7:10

“If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” John 7:17

Acts 17:11 “searched the scriptures daily”

Are you willing

#1 To know the lawof God

• What is the law of God today?

“For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, ….

To seek the Law of theLord!

• Do what? To seek…• To seek what?• The Law• What law?• To seek the law of the Lord…..

• Psalms 19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul

• Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in• Mine heart, that I might not sin against thee..

…• Psalm 119:104-105 Through thy precepts I

get understanding, therefore I hate every false way. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

Not only to seek the law of the Lord…

• To do it! To practice it, shew it in your own life, apply it to yourself…

• How many of us fall short here…• To do…Be ye doers of the word.• James 1:22• 2 Tim. 4:7-8 • I Cor. 15:58• Rev. 2:10; Rev. 14:13• I John 2:15-17

To teach in Israel God’s statutes and judgments..

• Our children must be taught…• Who will teach them?• Ezra was committed to teaching• Israel. • What was Ezra going to teach Israel?• The statutes and judgments of God.• What were the statutes and

judgments of God…? TRUTH!

DistinguishFrom Error

II Peter 2:1 “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, ….”

Galatians 1:23 - “But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.”

1 John 4:1 “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God:”

LearnJohn 8:32 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

John 17:3 “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.”

Do not AddOr take Away

Rev. 22:18-19 “if any man add” “take away”

Deut.4:2 “Ye shall not add unto” “neither diminish”

Truth is for all ages

Trust in It’s

SufficiencySufficient = enough, adequate, competent

In all area’s

2 Tim. 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: v. 17 “That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.” asv

Exclusive the onlyWay of salvation

The one and only way of salvationMatt. 7:13-27

Gal. 1:6-10 “another gospel” “which is not another”

“once for all delivered” - Jude 3

It is the “word of God” - Jn. 17:17 We can learn it - John 8:32 We must obey it to be saved - 1 Pet. 1:22 Walk in the truth - III John 3-4