WEBVTT 00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:05.839 Before I read the sermon text this morning, I'm going to read the front page of the bulletin. 00:00:06.559 --> 00:00:09.359 I don't know how long it's been since you've read it. 00:00:09.599 --> 00:00:14.720 It's good to read it every once in a while, just to be reminded of this mission that God's called us to. 00:00:16.399 --> 00:00:29.679 Alexandria Presbyterian Church is a welcoming community of believers, rejoicing in the gospel, transformed by its power, and responding with grateful hearts in service to our God and world. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:38.960 We long to taste the glory of God in such an astonishing way that the city of Alexandria will be drawn to the majesty and mercy of our great God. 00:00:39.280 --> 00:00:53.759 It is our desire that our worship will serve as an authentic model to our city of the possibilities for a transformation of individuals, families, and a city encountering the glory and the grace of God. 00:00:55.280 --> 00:00:58.799 May God make us more and more such a church. 00:00:59.119 --> 00:01:10.879 This morning I'm going to read three excerpts from Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther in this sermon series, Serving Our City and Our World in the Name of Christ. 00:01:11.599 --> 00:01:19.519 And I think in each one they illustrate to us what our calling is as followers of Christ. 00:01:19.760 --> 00:01:21.200 Beginning in Ezra. 00:01:22.239 --> 00:01:34.560 And there went up also to Jerusalem in the seventh year of Artaxerxes, the king, some of the people of Israel, and some of the priests and Levites, the singers and gatekeepers, and the temple servants. 00:01:34.799 --> 00:01:39.920 And Ezra came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was the seventh year of the king. 00:01:40.239 --> 00:01:48.000 For on the first day of the first month he began to go up from Babylonia, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem. 00:01:48.239 --> 00:01:50.879 For the good hand of his God was on him. 00:01:51.200 --> 00:02:00.400 For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel. 00:02:01.439 --> 00:02:03.599 Reading from Nehemiah. 00:02:04.079 --> 00:02:07.200 So I went to Jerusalem and was there three days. 00:02:07.680 --> 00:02:15.520 Then I arose in the night and a few men with me, and I told no one what my God had put on my heart to do for Jerusalem. 00:02:15.759 --> 00:02:18.800 There was no animal with me but the one on which I rode. 00:02:19.039 --> 00:02:30.960 I went by night by the valley gate to the dragon spring into the dung gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down, and its gates had been destroyed by fire. 00:02:31.199 --> 00:02:38.159 Then I went on to the fountain gate and to the king's pool, but there was no room for the animal that was under me to pass. 00:02:38.719 --> 00:02:47.360 Then I went up in the night by the valley and inspected the wall, and I turned back and entered by the valley gate, and so returned. 00:02:47.680 --> 00:02:58.159 And the officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, and I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, and the rest who were to do the work. 00:02:58.960 --> 00:03:06.240 Then I said to them, You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. 00:03:06.560 --> 00:03:12.560 Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision. 00:03:13.039 --> 00:03:22.240 And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words of the king had spoken to me, and they said, Let us rise up and build. 00:03:22.560 --> 00:03:28.240 So they strengthened their hands for the good work from Esther. 00:03:29.280 --> 00:03:32.960 And they told Mordecaiah what Esther had said. 00:03:33.199 --> 00:03:41.680 Then Mordecaiah told them to reply to Esther, Do not think to yourself that in the king's palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. 00:03:42.000 --> 00:03:48.000 For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise from the Jews from another place. 00:03:48.319 --> 00:03:56.719 But you and your father's house will perish, and who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this. 00:03:57.439 --> 00:04:11.039 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecaiah, Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. 00:04:11.360 --> 00:04:14.960 I and my young women will also fast as you do. 00:04:15.360 --> 00:04:21.680 Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish. 00:04:22.000 --> 00:04:26.639 Mordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him. 00:04:27.360 --> 00:04:32.160 This is the reading of God's powerful, precious word. 00:04:32.879 --> 00:04:35.279 Let's ask his divine help. 00:04:36.800 --> 00:04:43.680 Father, thank you for the examples that we have read about, the stories we will hear about. 00:04:44.399 --> 00:04:50.240 Lord, we know that you do love cities still today. 00:04:51.199 --> 00:04:57.600 Lord, teach us how to go forth and serve our city in the name of Christ. 00:04:57.839 --> 00:05:01.920 In this season, from this message, we pray in Christ's name. 00:05:02.240 --> 00:05:02.879 Amen. 00:05:08.160 --> 00:05:10.480 Different callings, one mission. 00:05:10.720 --> 00:05:18.639 As we saw last Lord's Day, the whole church, the whole gospel, the whole city. 00:05:18.879 --> 00:05:20.560 This is our calling. 00:05:20.879 --> 00:05:38.000 What I'm going to do this morning is overlay those concepts with looking at these specific examples that we just read from, Ezra and Nehemiah and Esther, and ask God to show us what He would have us to be doing with what we have. 00:05:38.720 --> 00:05:49.040 The whole church, every member, every member, not just ministers, not clergy, not just officers, elders, deacons, church staff. 00:05:49.920 --> 00:05:50.240 You. 00:05:51.920 --> 00:05:52.240 You. 00:05:54.000 --> 00:05:59.839 God calls to be part of his kingdom-building program and exercise. 00:06:00.319 --> 00:06:07.519 Clergy and laity, male and female, younger and older. 00:06:08.160 --> 00:06:12.480 He wants to use all of us in this project. 00:06:13.360 --> 00:06:18.879 This morning I'm going to ask you, would you pray that God would show you where he wants to use you? 00:06:19.519 --> 00:06:24.879 I'm not normally a step kind of preacher, but today I've got some steps. 00:06:26.560 --> 00:06:31.040 Pray, look, and step. 00:06:32.160 --> 00:06:34.959 Would you pray as we go through the sermon series? 00:06:35.199 --> 00:06:43.920 Would you pray and ask God to show you where He's inviting you into the building of His kingdom in our city? 00:06:45.759 --> 00:06:54.720 I find in my life that really it usually is much more effective if I start with prayer and not just looking around. 00:06:55.439 --> 00:06:59.120 I can look around and miss a lot of things. 00:06:59.439 --> 00:07:00.560 How about you? 00:07:01.279 --> 00:07:04.639 I can see sometimes the forest and I don't see the trees. 00:07:06.319 --> 00:07:07.920 Would you pray? 00:07:09.040 --> 00:07:21.360 God, as we go through this sermon series serving our city, and again, last week, if you were here last week, we put up on the slides, this is the gospel hub. 00:07:21.439 --> 00:07:26.800 This is where we come on Sunday morning to be fed God's word, the preaching, the worship of God. 00:07:26.959 --> 00:07:31.839 This is where we get fueled so that God can send us out. 00:07:32.079 --> 00:07:34.639 We gather to be scattered. 00:07:35.680 --> 00:07:38.319 I hope that you're believing that more and more. 00:07:38.480 --> 00:07:43.199 And that the time on Sundays is a time of spiritual renewing and transformation. 00:07:44.720 --> 00:07:46.160 The equipping. 00:07:47.040 --> 00:07:50.000 We come on Sundays to be equipped. 00:07:50.800 --> 00:07:55.759 I am so excited and encouraged as I look around on Sunday nights. 00:07:56.079 --> 00:08:01.360 About 250 people are coming back on Sunday nights to be discipled. 00:08:01.600 --> 00:08:02.800 To be equipped. 00:08:03.040 --> 00:08:06.720 From the youngest to the senior. 00:08:07.120 --> 00:08:09.120 Because we're disciples. 00:08:09.439 --> 00:08:15.920 This Christian faith is not just about making a profession of faith and then getting lost. 00:08:16.079 --> 00:08:19.279 That happens too much today in too many churches. 00:08:19.920 --> 00:08:25.759 People become members and they just never really enter in. 00:08:26.160 --> 00:08:27.680 That's not for you. 00:08:28.160 --> 00:08:29.600 That's not for you. 00:08:30.079 --> 00:08:38.399 God calls us to be followers of Jesus Christ, to be disciples, to be equipped. 00:08:39.440 --> 00:08:40.480 Look around. 00:08:40.720 --> 00:08:43.519 What are the needs in the body of Christ? 00:08:44.639 --> 00:08:50.159 If you don't know, if you're looking for direction, even as you're praying, feel free to ask one of the pastors. 00:08:50.960 --> 00:08:52.320 Ask one of the staff. 00:08:52.480 --> 00:08:55.120 Ask one of the elders, ask one of the deacons. 00:08:55.759 --> 00:08:57.840 And that can be helpful. 00:08:58.480 --> 00:09:02.639 I think of the many times where people have approached me with the question, Pastor, what do you need? 00:09:02.799 --> 00:09:04.799 What does this church need right now? 00:09:05.440 --> 00:09:20.159 I think of an example just two years ago, right about now in the end of the summer, when a family came in and the father, husband looked me in the eye and he said, Pastor, I've been, our church has been, we've been in good churches for many years and we've served in many ways. 00:09:20.399 --> 00:09:23.039 What does APC need now? 00:09:24.159 --> 00:09:26.159 I appreciated the question. 00:09:26.639 --> 00:09:28.240 It's a good question. 00:09:29.679 --> 00:09:36.159 Right now, in particular, we have great needs, growing needs in ministries of mercy. 00:09:38.159 --> 00:09:44.000 I'm going to talk about that a little bit more later, not needs mercy ministry per se, but just the needs in general. 00:09:44.240 --> 00:09:50.960 Right now, we project to have the lowest team of deacons we've had in a long, long time. 00:09:51.600 --> 00:09:52.879 Many years. 00:09:54.159 --> 00:09:58.720 We have mercy ministry needs all around us in this community. 00:09:58.960 --> 00:10:07.840 This place, we're no longer at 2405 Russell Road, kind of tucked away in the residential area. 00:10:08.159 --> 00:10:17.519 We are 1300 West Braddock Road, a great facility, a great visibility. 00:10:18.720 --> 00:10:23.679 The phone calls of people calling in for needs is growing dramatically. 00:10:26.000 --> 00:10:27.200 Thank God for that. 00:10:27.440 --> 00:10:28.799 This is what we want. 00:10:29.120 --> 00:10:34.159 But we need more people entering in to be part of this ministry. 00:10:36.240 --> 00:10:37.440 And then step. 00:10:41.360 --> 00:10:44.080 Look and step. 00:10:44.639 --> 00:10:45.600 Step out. 00:10:46.320 --> 00:10:48.480 Step out of your comfort zone. 00:10:49.360 --> 00:10:51.120 Step out of your comfort zone. 00:10:51.440 --> 00:10:52.879 It's good for you. 00:10:53.679 --> 00:10:55.600 It's good for the body of Christ. 00:10:56.000 --> 00:10:57.360 Take a risk. 00:10:57.679 --> 00:11:00.960 Do something you're not sure you can do, but that's okay. 00:11:01.759 --> 00:11:03.519 You have Christ in you. 00:11:04.720 --> 00:11:06.320 This is where we are. 00:11:07.039 --> 00:11:22.480 This morning we're going to look at this through the lenses of these three Old Testament leaders, Ezra, about the time of 440 B.C., Nehemiah, about 430 B.C., when his ministry was in Jerusalem. 00:11:22.720 --> 00:11:23.919 And then Esther. 00:11:24.320 --> 00:11:31.279 Her ministry was in the capital city of Persia at that time, 460 B.C. 00:11:32.960 --> 00:11:49.279 God used three very different people, perhaps with very different personalities and temperaments, gifts, but he used them in a wonderful way, bringing them together to build the city, the kingdom of God. 00:11:51.200 --> 00:11:53.279 Queen, let's start with Esther. 00:11:54.639 --> 00:12:01.759 Esther, Queen, Esther, Queen for Xerxes, the king at that time. 00:12:02.720 --> 00:12:07.200 And I'm going to ask you to consider, would you read even the next week or two? 00:12:07.679 --> 00:12:11.440 Would you read through the book of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther? 00:12:11.679 --> 00:12:14.320 They're great books, fascinating history. 00:12:14.480 --> 00:12:19.440 And it will just be more helpful, I think, in understanding where we are in the sermon series. 00:12:21.039 --> 00:12:23.120 So I can just tell a few highlights. 00:12:23.440 --> 00:12:30.879 Esther, a woman beautiful on the outside, which got the king's attention, a beautiful woman on the inside. 00:12:31.279 --> 00:12:32.879 How did God use her? 00:12:33.120 --> 00:12:35.279 Well, the king was captured by her beauty. 00:12:35.440 --> 00:12:37.600 The king invited her into his harem. 00:12:40.000 --> 00:12:47.200 And then in the story, there's a wicked, evil man named Haman who hated the Jewish people. 00:12:47.759 --> 00:13:04.159 And Haman was able to coerce, really, kind of dupe the king into a very unjust law to exterminate all the Jewish people on the face of the earth wherever they could be found. 00:13:04.799 --> 00:13:07.120 What does Esther have to do with this? 00:13:07.840 --> 00:13:15.840 Well, her very godly uncle Mordecai sends word to her, look, you need to step up. 00:13:16.720 --> 00:13:20.559 There's a job for you because you have the king's ear. 00:13:21.360 --> 00:13:23.440 And she said, I don't have the king's ear. 00:13:23.519 --> 00:13:25.759 I can only go in when I'm invited. 00:13:26.639 --> 00:13:30.720 You know, her predecessor had been killed. 00:13:35.120 --> 00:13:39.440 Mordecai said, Pray and ask God to show you what you can do. 00:13:39.759 --> 00:13:40.399 And she did. 00:13:40.559 --> 00:13:42.000 She prayed and she fasted. 00:13:42.159 --> 00:13:46.399 And she said to Mordecai, you get all the Jewish people to pray and fast. 00:13:46.799 --> 00:13:50.480 And I'll, by the grace of God, I'll do what I can. 00:13:51.919 --> 00:14:01.200 And so we read Mordecai's words to her, who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this? 00:14:02.159 --> 00:14:05.519 God used her courageous action. 00:14:06.000 --> 00:14:11.919 She prayed and she prayed and she fasted and she got an audience with the king. 00:14:13.279 --> 00:14:18.320 And she was able, God used her to change the heart of the king. 00:14:19.039 --> 00:14:21.200 To write a new law. 00:14:21.519 --> 00:14:28.080 He revoked the edict that he had already given to exterminate all the Jewish people. 00:14:28.879 --> 00:14:34.159 And God used her to bring about a new just law. 00:14:36.559 --> 00:14:36.879 Oh. 00:14:38.799 --> 00:14:43.120 When the righteous flourish, the cities rejoice. 00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:48.000 Change the unjust laws. 00:14:48.960 --> 00:14:52.799 Have you been called to an Esther ministry? 00:14:55.039 --> 00:15:00.399 Oh, I've seen so many Esther ministries as pastor here for all these years. 00:15:00.720 --> 00:15:11.840 Those of you that are working on Capitol Hill, those of you that are in the legislative branch, the executive branch, the judicial branch, even called. 00:15:12.159 --> 00:15:13.759 But not just you. 00:15:15.519 --> 00:15:16.799 So many more. 00:15:18.320 --> 00:15:32.960 If you're in a position where your voice can be heard to bring about justice, to bring about equity, to change the laws of the city, the schools. 00:15:33.440 --> 00:15:35.279 I mean, it doesn't stop. 00:15:35.759 --> 00:15:43.360 Where can your voice be heard so that the city will see righteousness exalted and not evil? 00:15:45.120 --> 00:15:51.519 Ray Bachy, uh inner city Chicago pastor years ago, said this. 00:15:52.879 --> 00:16:03.360 Let Esther's harem represent every unclean political or commercial institution or structure where evil reigns and must be confronted. 00:16:03.679 --> 00:16:09.440 He sends his people into the dens of iniquity to change unjust laws. 00:16:10.320 --> 00:16:11.759 He does, doesn't he? 00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:15.440 To work for fairness, equity. 00:16:15.840 --> 00:16:22.399 How could God call Esther to be the spouse of a polygamist, pagan, Persian king? 00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:26.559 It makes a lot of us evangelicals uncomfortable, doesn't it? 00:16:27.279 --> 00:16:28.879 How could he do that? 00:16:29.519 --> 00:16:30.159 He did. 00:16:31.120 --> 00:16:33.759 And he used her in an amazing way. 00:16:35.519 --> 00:16:40.320 No, has God called you into some kind of Esther ministry? 00:16:40.399 --> 00:16:45.279 Let me say right now, okay, don't get all tied around the axle here. 00:16:45.759 --> 00:16:49.759 What's my specific ministry about the categories I'm going to give you? 00:16:50.240 --> 00:16:53.200 For some of you, the categories might really just kind of strike you. 00:16:53.360 --> 00:16:54.879 Yeah, okay, I see that. 00:16:55.120 --> 00:16:57.840 But this is sometimes the lines are blurred. 00:16:57.919 --> 00:17:01.519 And sometimes God calls us to multiple ministries as well. 00:17:01.679 --> 00:17:02.879 We're going to see. 00:17:04.960 --> 00:17:07.759 We need urban people more than ever. 00:17:07.920 --> 00:17:10.319 We need more Esters now than ever. 00:17:11.519 --> 00:17:17.200 This is not just a little spiritualized bedtime story for your kids, the story of Esther. 00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:23.279 We need people who are willing to get called into the dirty politics. 00:17:25.359 --> 00:17:32.880 Whether it's on Capitol Hill or whether it's in businesses or military, wherever it is. 00:17:33.839 --> 00:17:35.759 God wants to use your voice. 00:17:36.160 --> 00:17:38.240 God wants you to make a difference. 00:17:38.799 --> 00:17:40.400 Business, whatever it might be. 00:17:41.119 --> 00:17:44.400 Let's call that the Esther ministry. 00:17:46.480 --> 00:17:49.200 Let me just say one more word about the Esther ministry. 00:17:50.480 --> 00:17:55.680 When God puts you in places and spheres of influence, don't fall in love with the palace. 00:17:56.160 --> 00:17:58.079 That happens in Washington, D.C. 00:17:58.640 --> 00:18:03.440 Don't get intoxicated with the power, the access. 00:18:05.519 --> 00:18:07.039 Don't let that happen. 00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:17.200 God's calling you into the palaces of this, of your opportunity, not to be seduced by the power. 00:18:17.519 --> 00:18:28.160 He's calling you to make a difference with the power that he gives you, to make the change that's going to be most helpful for the righteous, for the city to rejoice. 00:18:29.759 --> 00:18:30.799 Esther ministry. 00:18:30.880 --> 00:18:32.880 What about Nehemiah ministry? 00:18:33.200 --> 00:18:40.160 Nehemiah, also a Jew, was a thousand miles away from Jerusalem. 00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:45.680 He was in a very heathen part of the world, the Persian Empire. 00:18:46.480 --> 00:18:49.599 He was the cupbearer to the king. 00:18:50.240 --> 00:18:53.440 You might think, well, what was that? 00:18:53.599 --> 00:18:58.240 Well, that was a very influential position because he was guarding the life of the king. 00:18:59.200 --> 00:19:02.720 He was like a bodyguard, Secret Service. 00:19:03.599 --> 00:19:07.440 And he was doing well in his job. 00:19:07.680 --> 00:19:09.039 And he could have stayed. 00:19:09.680 --> 00:19:15.359 He probably had a great, great retirement plan set up for him. 00:19:16.880 --> 00:19:25.039 As long as he kept the king happy and kept the king alive, we read that he had a great relationship with the king. 00:19:25.680 --> 00:19:30.000 He probably, it would have been a very comfortable for him to stay there in that position. 00:19:30.160 --> 00:19:38.240 But as he heard about the needs of his fellow Jews back in Jerusalem, a thousand miles away, God broke his heart. 00:19:39.440 --> 00:19:42.000 He knew that the city was in ruins. 00:19:42.720 --> 00:19:46.000 He thought that maybe he could make a difference and he prayed. 00:19:46.240 --> 00:19:50.960 For four months, he prayed before he did anything. 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:54.240 He prayed, he looked. 00:19:54.480 --> 00:19:55.680 He stepped. 00:19:56.480 --> 00:19:57.759 He went back. 00:19:58.480 --> 00:20:08.240 He went back, as you could call him a city planner, addressing the infrastructure of the city, leading to safer streets. 00:20:08.559 --> 00:20:10.480 And that's a problem, isn't it? 00:20:11.920 --> 00:20:14.400 You know, I've lived here 32 years. 00:20:14.640 --> 00:20:19.359 The streets of DC are getting more and more violent, unsafe. 00:20:19.920 --> 00:20:26.000 You know, I've seen it's waxed and waned a little bit over the years, but they not just DC. 00:20:27.279 --> 00:20:36.079 We need people who are protecting the public, whether that's the military, law enforcement. 00:20:39.359 --> 00:20:48.240 He inspired people, he enrolled people, he empowered many to join him in rebuilding the infrastructure of the city. 00:20:50.240 --> 00:20:51.359 That's important. 00:20:52.240 --> 00:20:55.599 Has God called you to a Nehemiah ministry? 00:20:58.240 --> 00:21:01.200 And look, it's so expansive. 00:21:01.359 --> 00:21:04.720 I'm just saying a few illustrations. 00:21:06.319 --> 00:21:11.839 Sarah, I think that's what you're doing with children, teenagers with special needs. 00:21:12.319 --> 00:21:21.279 Stepping in where a lot of people aren't stepping in, and bringing the love of God into their community, into their life. 00:21:22.880 --> 00:21:26.559 Casa Cherilagua, right down the road. 00:21:26.799 --> 00:21:28.880 We've been involved in that for many years. 00:21:29.119 --> 00:21:36.000 The Lamb Center, Young Life, Young Lives, Sanctity of Life Ministries. 00:21:36.160 --> 00:21:37.839 They're all around us. 00:21:38.319 --> 00:21:41.920 APC is the privilege of partnering with them. 00:21:42.319 --> 00:21:47.039 One Voice Fellowship, a church that we planted several years ago for the nations. 00:21:47.200 --> 00:21:48.720 The list goes on. 00:21:49.599 --> 00:21:51.759 The opportunities are many. 00:21:53.680 --> 00:21:57.440 Again, I ask, has God called you to a Nehemiah ministry? 00:21:58.720 --> 00:22:04.400 And again, I'm going to say, Don't get hung up on categorizing all this. 00:22:05.119 --> 00:22:11.440 These are just maybe useful examples for you to consider what your ministry might be. 00:22:12.319 --> 00:22:14.880 Lastly, with the Ezra ministry. 00:22:15.920 --> 00:22:18.799 Ezra was a priest, clergy. 00:22:19.920 --> 00:22:26.799 The text we read said he set his heart to study the law of the Lord to do it. 00:22:26.960 --> 00:22:28.799 Don't you love that phrase? 00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:34.000 You know, you can teach and not live what you teach. 00:22:35.279 --> 00:22:37.359 He lived what he taught. 00:22:37.839 --> 00:22:44.000 He set his heart to study the law of the Lord to do it and to teach his statutes and rules. 00:22:46.799 --> 00:22:51.839 This is what it says in the seventh chapter of the book of Ezra, which really amazes me. 00:22:52.400 --> 00:22:56.160 Arta Xerxes the king, as far as I can tell, was not a believer. 00:22:56.480 --> 00:22:58.400 Was not a follower of the true God. 00:22:58.640 --> 00:23:01.039 But he heard about him. 00:23:01.279 --> 00:23:03.759 This is the letter he wrote to Ezra. 00:23:04.400 --> 00:23:06.559 You know his credential letters? 00:23:06.880 --> 00:23:12.640 To Ezra the priest, a teacher of the law of the God of heaven. 00:23:12.880 --> 00:23:14.400 Is that remarkable? 00:23:16.240 --> 00:23:25.200 Artaxerxes must have known from Ezra's life that his God was the God? 00:23:25.759 --> 00:23:27.839 This polygamist, king? 00:23:29.119 --> 00:23:30.720 Got his attention. 00:23:31.680 --> 00:23:37.519 So where do we need Ezra ministries in Alexandria, Washington, D.C., P.G. 00:23:37.680 --> 00:23:43.519 County, Montgomery County, Fairfax County, Arlington. 00:23:43.680 --> 00:23:46.640 Where do we need Ezra ministries? 00:23:48.240 --> 00:23:52.960 Not just clergy from the pulpit like I am today. 00:23:53.519 --> 00:23:56.960 Ezra ministry opportunities are all around us. 00:23:57.440 --> 00:23:59.359 Let me give you an example. 00:24:00.960 --> 00:24:09.200 The book of Deuteronomy, chapter 6, I think you're going to see that a lot of you have been called to Ezra ministry. 00:24:10.880 --> 00:24:13.680 Deuteronomy chapter 6, verse 4. 00:24:13.839 --> 00:24:16.799 Hear, O Israel, the Lord your God, our God. 00:24:17.119 --> 00:24:18.400 The Lord is one. 00:24:18.720 --> 00:24:26.400 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might. 00:24:26.799 --> 00:24:30.640 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 00:24:30.880 --> 00:24:36.640 I command you today, shall be what I command you today shall be on your heart. 00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:39.680 You shall teach them diligently to your children. 00:24:39.920 --> 00:24:55.759 And you shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up, you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 00:24:56.000 --> 00:25:00.960 You shall write them on the doorpost of your house and on your gates. 00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:04.319 Have you been called to an Ezra ministry? 00:25:05.359 --> 00:25:07.759 If you're a parent, you sure have been. 00:25:08.400 --> 00:25:18.559 If you're a grandparent, if you're a covenant kids teacher, if you're in the nursery ministry, the list goes on. 00:25:19.680 --> 00:25:28.799 Where is God opening doors for you to bring the word of God clearly to people who need to hear the word of God? 00:25:29.680 --> 00:25:31.759 Don't take it for granted. 00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:34.799 Trust me, it's not happening everywhere. 00:25:35.039 --> 00:25:38.400 It doesn't happen automatically in a church. 00:25:38.880 --> 00:25:53.039 It only happens as we see it, as we pray it in, as we step out in faith and say, God, would you please use this ministry as I teach the Word of God? 00:25:54.079 --> 00:25:56.319 It's not just for evangelists. 00:25:58.240 --> 00:26:06.319 When you tuck your kids in tonight, when you say goodnight to them, you speak words of truth. 00:26:06.559 --> 00:26:08.480 You speak words of grace to them. 00:26:08.799 --> 00:26:10.240 You pray for them. 00:26:11.440 --> 00:26:13.200 This is Ezra ministry. 00:26:16.400 --> 00:26:20.000 So I ask, has God called you to an Ezra ministry? 00:26:20.640 --> 00:26:27.359 The spiritual transformation of people, yes, but also the social transformation of places. 00:26:28.799 --> 00:26:30.880 Remember what we've been saying in this series? 00:26:31.200 --> 00:26:35.599 God not only loves people, but he loves places. 00:26:35.920 --> 00:26:37.519 He loves cities. 00:26:38.160 --> 00:26:44.319 Where do we get this idea in the evangelical world that this is just the city is a place to be avoided at all costs? 00:26:45.440 --> 00:26:46.480 Where did that come in? 00:26:46.799 --> 00:26:48.240 That's not from the Bible. 00:26:48.799 --> 00:26:51.759 That fortress mentality, not from the Bible. 00:26:52.960 --> 00:27:02.240 God, while we're here in the city, use us, use me to be salt and to be light. 00:27:02.799 --> 00:27:04.640 Can you pray that prayer? 00:27:08.480 --> 00:27:13.920 Only all three people working together could get this massive job done. 00:27:14.799 --> 00:27:26.480 A priest, a woman with influence who could work in the justice system, and a city planner. 00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:30.079 God used them all. 00:27:30.240 --> 00:27:31.839 That's how he works. 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:35.920 Clergy, laity, male, female, younger, older. 00:27:38.240 --> 00:27:40.799 If you're in the room, your voice will be heard. 00:27:40.960 --> 00:27:48.400 If you're not in the voice, excuse me, if you're not in the room, if you're not part of the conversation, your voice will not be heard. 00:27:48.559 --> 00:27:54.799 Your voice needs to be heard in your business, your voice needs to be heard in your family, in your home, your neighborhood. 00:27:55.200 --> 00:27:58.559 There's no sphere where it's not needed. 00:28:10.960 --> 00:28:22.000 He will use that, but he wants to build his kingdom through secular institutions, through his people, working with excellence, integrity, and faith. 00:28:23.680 --> 00:28:26.000 He said earlier, for such a time as this. 00:28:27.200 --> 00:28:28.559 For such a time as this. 00:28:28.720 --> 00:28:30.319 This is not 2020. 00:28:30.480 --> 00:28:33.519 We're not at 2405 Russell Road. 00:28:34.079 --> 00:28:37.839 I've had a lot of good conversations this week with staff about this. 00:28:38.400 --> 00:28:41.039 It's 2023, the fall. 00:28:41.200 --> 00:28:44.079 We're at 1300 West Braddock Road. 00:28:44.799 --> 00:28:47.839 Many of you have started coming since we moved here. 00:28:48.799 --> 00:28:51.200 God's going to send many more, I believe. 00:28:51.519 --> 00:28:52.720 Are we ready? 00:28:52.960 --> 00:29:09.519 Are we ready to welcome, to receive, to teach, to disciple, so that many more people will go out to serve their city, their world in the name of Christ. 00:29:13.119 --> 00:29:14.799 Last thing I want to say. 00:29:16.880 --> 00:29:19.279 Jesus was in a palace too, wasn't he? 00:29:19.920 --> 00:29:22.720 Jesus was in the greatest palace of all. 00:29:24.480 --> 00:29:30.720 And Jesus left the greatest palace of all to come to rescue you and me. 00:29:32.319 --> 00:29:34.720 He didn't cling to the power. 00:29:35.200 --> 00:29:37.279 He didn't live for comfort. 00:29:37.599 --> 00:29:41.519 If Jesus was living for comfort, you wouldn't be here today. 00:29:41.839 --> 00:29:42.799 Nor would I. 00:29:43.759 --> 00:29:45.039 You know that. 00:29:47.440 --> 00:29:54.000 Can you be in the palace, but not seduced by the palace? 00:29:54.880 --> 00:29:56.559 Don't live for comfort. 00:29:56.799 --> 00:29:58.799 Don't live for your comfort. 00:29:59.119 --> 00:30:01.359 Don't live for your convenience. 00:30:01.759 --> 00:30:05.039 Jesus has something bigger for you, and he has something bigger for me. 00:30:05.200 --> 00:30:07.200 He has something bigger for this church. 00:30:07.440 --> 00:30:10.240 I'm calling you into it this morning. 00:30:10.559 --> 00:30:11.839 To join me. 00:30:12.720 --> 00:30:17.519 To join the elders, the deacons, the staff. 00:30:18.160 --> 00:30:26.160 This is something that we need to do together, the whole church, the whole city, with the whole gospel. 00:30:27.519 --> 00:30:29.359 This is what we can do. 00:30:30.160 --> 00:30:33.440 Jesus didn't say if I perish, like Esther said. 00:30:33.599 --> 00:30:35.519 Jesus said, when I perish. 00:30:35.839 --> 00:30:40.400 I know I'm going to have to lay down my life to serve you. 00:30:40.880 --> 00:30:42.160 Well, you know what? 00:30:42.559 --> 00:30:44.960 We're going to have to lay down our lives. 00:30:45.279 --> 00:30:49.039 Not to save people, but to serve people. 00:30:49.680 --> 00:30:52.000 It's going to mean some discomfort for us. 00:30:52.160 --> 00:30:55.839 It's going to mean reprioritizing our lives. 00:30:56.319 --> 00:31:00.720 It's going to mean differences in our schedule and our time and our talent. 00:31:01.200 --> 00:31:02.400 That's okay. 00:31:03.200 --> 00:31:04.720 That's good for us. 00:31:05.200 --> 00:31:10.160 But to follow our king, why would we expect anything less? 00:31:12.880 --> 00:31:14.160 Will you join us? 00:31:15.519 --> 00:31:22.720 Will you join us as we serve our city and our world together in the name of Christ? 00:31:23.440 --> 00:31:24.480 Let's pray. 00:31:26.880 --> 00:31:35.759 Heavenly Father, you move cities and people and places like no one else. 00:31:36.640 --> 00:31:50.400 I pray this morning that all of us would pray and ask, would you show us the opportunities for ministry that you're inviting us into? 00:31:51.839 --> 00:31:53.200 Would we pray? 00:31:53.680 --> 00:31:54.640 Would we look? 00:31:55.279 --> 00:31:56.559 Would we step? 00:31:58.240 --> 00:32:03.519 Lord Jesus, you are indwelling us by your Spirit. 00:32:04.559 --> 00:32:10.960 Lord, the the possibilities are staggering of what you could do in us and through us. 00:32:11.680 --> 00:32:14.400 For your glory, in your name. 00:32:15.279 --> 00:32:15.759 Amen.