Overview:
Ezra 7:1–10; Nehemiah 8:1–8, 12
God offers to each of us at least two great moments in life: the moment when we were born and the moment we discover the reason God made us. All experience the first. Many never experience the second; many never find and fulfill God’s unique purpose for their lives.
However, there is help and hope in God’s Word. Tucked away in the pages of an ancient autobiography is a man who discovered his God-ordained purpose after years of searching the Scriptures.
Message Summary:
In this insightful message, Chuck Swindoll addresses a common misconception: that the Old Testament is an outdated relic with little relevance for the modern believer. Drawing from Romans 15:4, Chuck emphasizes that the scriptures written in earlier times were specifically provided for our learning, patience, and comfort. He argues that the Word of God is a living, breathing guide that provides stability in an uncertain world. The sermon centers on the character of Ezra, a "skilled scribe" who serves as the ultimate model for anyone called to handle the truth of God with integrity and depth.
The heart of the message focuses on the "Ezra 7:10 Principle," where Ezra prepared his heart to study the Law of the Lord, to practice it, and to teach its statutes in Israel. Chuck explains that effective ministry—and indeed, an effective Christian life—follows this specific order: first internalizing the truth through rigorous study, then validating it through personal obedience, and finally communicating it to others. Using the later example in Nehemiah 8, Chuck illustrates the importance of reading the Word clearly and "giving the sense" so that people can truly understand and apply what they hear.Message Key Facts:
- The Relevance of the Old Testament: Chuck pushes back against the idea that the Old Testament is "out of date," reminding the audience that it was the only Bible the New Testament authors and the early church had available to them.
- Ezra’s Professionalism: Ezra is described as a "skilled scribe," a term that denotes not just a copyist, but a scholar who had mastered the details of the law through decades of disciplined study.
- The "Two Great Days" of Life: Chuck quotes a profound observation: the two most important days in a person's life are the day they are born and the day they discover why (their calling). For Ezra, that "why" was the preservation and teaching of the Law.
- Nehemiah 8 and the Water Gate: The sermon recounts the scene where Ezra stood on a wooden podium and read the Law from morning until midday. The focus was on clarity and interpretation, ensuring the people didn't just hear the words but understood their meaning.
- The Heart Preparation: Chuck emphasizes that Ezra "prepared his heart." In an age of information, Chuck warns that intellectual head-knowledge is useless without a heart that is intentionally set on obeying and practicing the truth.
Message References:
- Ezra 7:6, 10: The introduction of Ezra as a skilled scribe and the three-fold commitment of his heart to study, practice, and teach the Word.
- Nehemiah 8:1–8: The account of Ezra reading the Law to the people of Jerusalem and the priests providing the interpretation to ensure understanding.
- Romans 15:4: The New Testament affirmation that the Old Testament was written for our instruction and hope.
- 2 Timothy 3:16–17: The reminder that all Scripture—including the Old Testament—is inspired by God and profitable for spiritual growth.
- Psalm 119 (Reference): Cited as the primary source of the psalmist’s love for the law, mirroring Ezra’s own passion.
