EZRA’S  DECISION  -  GO  BACK  TO  THE  BIBLE!

Ezra               7 : 1-10

Key Verse     7 : 10

“For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.”

I wish all of you a happy and victorious new year 2010!

I praise and thank God for allowing us to celebrate the 2010 New Year’s European National Directors’ Conference here in Galilee, Israel. Many mission coworkers from USA and Korea came to this New Year’s director’s conference to support European and Israel Campus Mission. I am very thankful to all of you and especially to Shep. J and M for their hard working spirit and hospitality to make this possible – for us to have graceful Bible study and fellowship together here at the Galilee See, where our savior Jesus served his messianic ministry. May God bless this director’s conference and pour out his holy spirit upon his servant Dr. John Jun and to all messengers to deliver powerful messages for the 2010 UBF European Campus Mission.

Last year, 2009, was a historical year of the 40th anniversary of UBF European Campus Mission. God had abundantly blessed the 2009 Eringerfeld International European Summer Bible Conference in every way. Through this we could see God’s hope that Europe will be changed into a missionary sending continent once again. All European missionaries, native shepherds and the new generation co-worked together to prepare this historical conference wholeheartedly and to give thanks to God for his wonderful work in Europe in the last 40 years.

Now the New Year 2010 has come. In the last 10 years, our God led our ministry in his good sovereignty and absolute love, in the times of trials of division and throughout the healing process, so that we might build a firm vessel of prayer again and actively support the work of God in the CIS, the Middle East and Africa with 5 loaves and 2 fish faith according to Mark 6:37a. Let us forget what is behind and press on toward the goal again to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus. Let us challenge the pioneering of 1,700 European campuses through one-to-one Bible study and the disciple making ministry again, holding on to our prayer topic to double the ministry. May God bless our European directors to be empowered by the power of the gospel through this conference and to serve God’s ministry in Europe with a sense of obligation continuously.

In the beginning of every year, many people make new decisions, but hardly live up to them for more than two months. It is not easy to make a decision; but living up to a decision is even more difficult. In today’s passage, we learn about a great person who made a life’s decision in the history of Israel and lived up to it. He is the excellent Bible teacher, Ezra, who led the Israelites back to the Bible and rescued them from a spiritual crisis and downfall. In today’s passage, we will learn how the spiritual revival in Europe can begin and moreover, how we can influentially serve the doubling ministry in this year. May God bless each one of you to make a holy life’s decision like Ezra and be used as an excellent Bible teacher for this generation, who can bring about the spiritual awakening in Europe.

Part I. Ezra, an excellent Bible teacher

Chapter 7 verses 1 through 5 records the genealogical tree of Ezra. Ezra was 5^th generation of Zadok, an excellent and god-pleasing priest in the time of David, and 16^th generation of Aaron. Ezra was a 2^nd generation Priest, who was not born in Israel, but in Babylon and he grew up there. Most of the first and 1.5 generation Israelites who were born in Israel and carried away to Babylon in their young age had a strong identity and sense of history as God’s Chosen People and longed to return to their homeland. However, the 2^nd generation who grew up in Babylon did not have cultural and language barriers and mostly lived with the tendency to assimilate into the Babylonian culture and civilization. As Ezra had well adapted to the Babylonian society and laid his life’s foundation there, it would have been easier and much better for him to settle down in Babylon and look after his own future security and success. However, Ezra did not follow the pattern of the time.

According to chapter 7 verse 6, Ezra was a Bible teacher ‘well versed’ in the Law of Moses. ‘Well versed’ has a definition of somewhat ‘proficient’ or ‘well-informed on’. It means that he was an excellent Bible scholar with spiritual insight, who was able to teach his people the Law of Moses in every situation. Here, we can learn that Ezra’s parents must have raised him spiritually based on the Bible and encouraged him to live with the spiritual identity as God’s Chosen People. Moreover, Ezra himself struggled to hold on to the word of God in order to live with the identity as a Chosen People, while his fellow Jews made various compromises with the gentile culture and pursued worldly success. Finally, he became an excellent Bible teacher with extensive knowledge in the Law of Moses. He was a self-supporting, influential Bible teacher who employed his broad spiritual knowledge for the well-being of his society. He exerted a great influence, although he was a foreigner. According to verse 6b, he was a highly positioned leader, who was well acquainted with the superpower king and the king granted him everything he requested. With such a social standing, he could have achieved his dreams and enjoyed a successful and comfortable life in Babylon as a renowned professor in Babylonian culture and civilization or as a manager with a high salary.

However, what did Ezra do? Let us read chapter 7 verses 7 and 8 together, “Some of the Israelites, including priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers and temple servants, also came up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes. Ezra arrived in Jerusalem in the fifth month of the seventh year of the king.” Ezra decided not to remain in Babylon, but to return to Jerusalem. He made a life’s decision. He led the 2^nd return of the Jews from the Babylonian Exile in 458 BC. God blessed Ezra’s decision and used him to lead his people back to the Bible and to restore their spiritual identity as God’s Chosen People. Through this one person, Ezra, the fire of spiritual awakening for his people was ignited, which has been repeatedly reignited in each generation since the Babylonian Exile to this very day. May God bless each one of you, especially our precious native shepherds and 2^nd generation missionaries, to grow as excellent Bible teachers like Ezra for the spiritual awakening in Europe.

Part II. Ezra’s decision: Go back to the Bible.

Let us read verse 10 together, “For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.” Here, we learn which life’s decision Ezra made.

First, Ezra decided to devote himself to the study the Law of the Lord.

As we have learned in verse 6, Ezra already was an excellent Bible teacher, well versed in the Law of Moses. There was no one better in the knowledge of the Law than Ezra. But Ezra did not become self-satisfied or proud. Ezra wanted to study the word of God more intensively and deeply. He was a blessed man, as the Psalmist says, “His delight was in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditated day and night.” (Ps 1:2) He knew that his people needed nothing more than an excellent Bible teacher, who studies the word of God deeply and teaches it correctly. In fact, the temple had been rebuilt in Jerusalem and burnt sacrifices were being offered to God. Outwardly, it seemed that Israel had been restored and there was nothing more for Ezra to do. However, this was not the case. Although outwardly they had an impressive temple and offered burnt sacrifices to God, their spiritual life was fully spoiled. In Ezra chapters 9 and 10, we can see many signs of their spiritual downfall. They began to intermarry with gentile women and as a result, idols and godless culture penetrated into the households, which led them to a total spiritual chaos.

What was the problem with these people of God? Why were they repeating their old sins again, even after rebuilding the temple by God’s wonderful grace? Ezra concluded that it was because they lacked the word of God in their life. Even though they had a temple, formal offering ceremonies and also priests, they lacked Bible teachers who can lead them to spiritual insight in the hope of God, to live as a Royal Priesthood and a Chosen People. They gradually became more complacent and finally totally corrupted. Ezra saw this spiritual reality and made a life’s decision to devote himself to Bible study. With a broken shepherd’s heart, Ezra studied the Bible. God blessed his deep Bible study and brought about a great spiritual awakening in Israel.

When we look at the Christian history, the main characters who led the spiritual revival movements always were the ones who decided to devote themselves to deep Bible study like Ezra. Through translating the Bible and meditating on the Book of Romans, Martin Luther realized the problems of the Catholic Church in the medieval age and challenged the reformation. In the end of the 17^th century, Rene Descartes’ rationalism and John Locke’s empiricism led the whole of Europe into a serious spiritual turmoil, so that many Christians lost their personal faith. In this time, Philip Jacob Spener (1635 – 1705) founded a small Bible study group called Collegium Pietis and began the Pietism Movement. One of his followers, August Hermann Franke (1663 – 1727) created a small Bible study group called “fellowship of Bible lovers” at the University of Leipzig and the University of Halle and studied the Bible from Genesis to Revelations. One of Franke’s followers, Ludwig von Zinzendorf (1700 – 1760) started a small Bible study group “Mustard seed fellowship” with his 5 friends. Later on, he initiated the Moravian Mission, which was a great influence in the world mission history. John Wesley was influenced by the Moravians and initiated the Methodist Movement, which began with a small Bible study group called “Holy Club.” When his country was in a national crisis, Pastor Grundtvig of Denmark founded folk high school in order to awaken his nation. 60% of this high school’s curriculum contained Bible study.

The spiritual revival in Korea also began in 1907 through intensive Bible study fellowship, “Bible lovers’ club – Sakyunghoe”. Whenever the “Sakyunghoe” met together, they studied the Bible three times a day for a week very intensively. Through such a deep Bible study, the Korean Church could greatly revive within 100 years – a very short time compared to the overall Christian history. Our UBF movement could also become influential because the late Dr. Samuel Lee and Mother Sarah Barry had decided to study the Bible intensively with the college students. The initial name of UBF was “National Student Bible Research Association.”

David was the greatest and most ideal leader in Israel’s history. How could he become such a great leader? Was it because he was a good soldier, who won many victories? Or was it because he was smart and a talented musician and poet, who impressed many people? No. The reason was his burning love toward the word of God. He had a great joy and longing to meditate on the word of God. David testifies in Psalms 19:7-10, “The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.” He also confesses in Psalms 12:6, “And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.” David loved the word of God more than gold or silver and it was sweeter to him than honey from the honeycomb. God’s wisdom was always with him, because he always meditated on the word of God and enjoyed it.

Likewise, all those who led a spiritual revival are those who loved the word of God and decided to study it deeply. God called us to be Bible teachers and spiritual leaders in this generation. God gave us this exclusive and precious mission to teach the Bible to campus intellectuals. In order to serve campus students and to bring about the spiritual awakening in Europe, we need to sharpen our sword of the word of God and swing the sling of God’s word diligently. May God bless each one of you to devote your heart to the intensive Bible study, so that you can penetrate to divide one’s soul, spirit and marrow like a double-edged sword. When we devote our whole heart to the Bible study like Ezra, then God will surely hear not only our prayer to double our gospel ministry but also lead us to a great spiritual revival in Europe.
Second, Ezra decided to obey the Law of the Lord.

Ezra did not just study the Bible theoretically to increase his Bible knowledge. No! He decided to obey the word of God and put it into practice. Usually, those who are in a leading position tend to teach others but hardly themselves. They point out and rebuke others’ sins, but do not repent of their own sins. I confess that it is easier said than done. In this sense, this message is for me than anyone else. The problem is that the life of such people does not have spiritual authority. However, Ezra had an awesome fear before the word of God and decided to obey the word of God. God says in Deuteronomy 28:2, “All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God.” In this New Year 2010, let us struggle to subordinate ourselves to the word of God and receive great spiritual authority. We can make many spiritual friends in Jesus, not with a theory, but through our practical life of faith. Jesus says in Mark 7:24, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” James writes in James 2:17, “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” Let us struggle to obey at least one word of God in this year, so that the word of God may gain power in our lives. May God help all of us to have spiritual authority by obeying one word of God and to live as fruitful Bible teachers and even as reformers for the spiritual reawakening of Europe.

Third, Ezra decided to teach the Word of God to the Israelites.

Ezra focused on Bible study and obedience toward the word of God. But he did not remain in his personal spiritual struggle. Moreover, he decided to teach the word of God to the Israelites. He realized that it was the only way to save his people from the sinful and corrupted idol-worshipping life. Ezra’s Bible teaching is well described in Nehemiah 8. According to Nehemiah 8:3, Ezra taught the word of God from daybreak till noon. During the Passover, he taught the people from the early morning till noon everyday for a week. He read the Bible first and interpreted it so that the people could understand. Then, what happened? According to Nehemiah 8:9, the people all heard the word and wept. Why did they weep? They wept, probably because the word of God spoke to them very personally and they were moved and shocked. They wept also because of their repeated sins even though they knew God’s patient love. They wept with a repentant heart, realizing the hope of God for them through Bible study. As Ezra decided to teach the word of God and taught the people God’s word intensively for 8 hours a day for a week, God’s word melted their hardened hearts and granted them spiritual insight over their sins and God’s faithfulness.

This is the power of God’s word. When we invite students to Bible study, many people reject us at first. They often say, “Bible study alone won’t help much.” But as we served them persistently through 1:1 Bible study, God worked mightily through his word in the lives of our sheep and our children. We have experienced this life-changing power every year, especially at the 2009 European Summer Bible Conference in Eringerfeld. More than 200 young students came onto the stage, every one with a clear decision of faith for world mission. Many sheep cause great pain to their shepherds for a long time because they live bound to their sinful habits.  But we have to know that, since the word of God works in their hearts day by day, they gradually grow every day to be great spiritual leaders like Sh. Peter, Sh. Joachim, Sh. Ian and Sh. Paul. Only in the word of God there is true hope and spiritual awakening for the people in Europe and for young students in this postmodern generation.

That is why Jesus gave all his strength to teach the word of God whenever he had a chance. In Acts 19, we see how difficult it was for Paul to serve the evangelical ministry in Ephesus. It was especially difficult because of those who were obstinate and publicly maligned the word of God. However, he did not give up, but chose some hopeful disciples and studied the Bible everyday in the lecture hall of Tyrannus (Acts 19:9). With tears and humbleness, he did not stop to teach them the Bible night and day for 3 years (Acts 20:31). God’s work through the word of God was truly great: People who practiced sorcery repented and burnt their sorcery scrolls, which valued fifty thousand drachmas. Acts 19:20 summarizes the work of God in Ephesus as follows, “In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.” The word of God is the only solution for the spiritual awakening and restoration of young European students. It is the only weapon to challenge the postmodern and sinful generation in Europe, and to save them from the power of sin. 2 Timothy 3:15-17 says, “and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Nothing in this world can wholly heal a sin-sick person. Human movements, such as the ‘Moral Re-armament Movement,’ ‘Anti-Nuclear Movement’ or ‘Global climate movement’ have their limitations. However, the word of God is the breath of God which has power to change and renew people. Only God’s word can change a person, a society, a country, a continent and a whole generation into a new creation. Apostle Paul writes in Romans 1:16, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” Let us courageously preach and teach the gospel this year, out of a clear conviction like Paul! We will surely see the gospel ministry being doubled and the spiritual awakening in Europe.

In chapters 7 and 8, we see that God prepared the whole environment for Ezra, as he made a life’s decision: to go back to the Bible. God moved the heart of the super power king Artaxerxes and let him prepare all things for Ezra. Here we learn that when we make a decision to please God, he helps us in every way, even through the kings of the world.

May God bless our European Directors to make life`s decision like Ezra so that Europe may go back to the Bible and devote herself to the Bible study and obey the word of God. May God bless all messages, especially main message of Dr. John Jun and Msn. Moses Yoon, so that we may go back to Paul´s gospel faith and challenge the spiritual revival of Europe with the power of gospel again in this year. Let us read verse 10, “For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.”