SUMMER QUARTER SUNDAY SCHOOL 2013

THEME: “COME LET US WORSHIP THE LORD…”

Unit One: A Prophet’s View of Worship

Unit Two: A Priest’s View of Worship

Unit Three: A Plenipotentiary’s View of Worship

“COME LET US WORSHIP THE LORD…

IN THE SPIRIT OF RESTORATION”

Sunday School Lesson No. V – June 30, 2013

Presented by Rev. Frank A. Davis, III, Pastor-Teacher

Lesson Text: Ezra 3:1-7

Required Reading: Ezra 1:1 – 3:7

Motto Text: Ezra 3:4, “They kept also the feast of tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the custom, as the duty of every day required.”

Reliable Resources: Logos Bible Software; Union Gospel Press Expositor and Illuminator; Precepts for Living (UMI); Worship by A. P. Gibbs; The Outline Bible, H. L. Wilmington; Word Search 10 Electronic Library, MacArthur Study Bible Notes; Wesley’s Commentary

INTRODUCTION

Our studies in worship now shift from the prophet’s view to the view of the priest. Isaiah the prophet challenged Israel to repent or suffer the loss of worship as they knew it, because God would send them into captivity under the Babylonians. Their land, families and sacred places would be invaded and destroyed. This had also been the cry of Jeremiah in 25:10-11 (read).

In 2005 here in the city of New Orleans, LA, tens of thousands of residents were disbursed across America because of Hurricane Katrina. I personally saw the mayhem that sent many to their deaths, as well as the deaths of dreams, hopes and opportunities. The mandatory evacuations sent families to every part of the country, and some have yet to return to the city of their birth, or be reunited with their loved ones. As a pastor, I dreaded the dispersing of our church fellowships. Some churches died or drifted and others tried to recycle what was left of their fellowships.

After months of separation, I remember when our local church, with the help of believers from the east coast, reopened our first phase of restoration on December 25, 2005 and our main facility on the first Sunday in August, 2006. Like the previously captive Jews of Judah, it was like a dream (Ps. 126:1) to us and the prospect of worshipping in our former church sanctuary left us feeling extremely blessed and glad (Ps. 126:3).

So Ezra writes of the spirit of restoration among the returning Jews from Babylon. Of the abundant numbers of Jews who resided in Babylon, only a small fraction determined to return to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple of God there. At the decree of Cyrus the king who Jehovah had identified many years before his birth, a small detail of about 50,000 Jews determined to go back, rebuild the Temple and worship!

My two Anticipated Power Points for this week are:

·  The Restoration of the Act of Worship. Ezra 3:1-6a

·  The Restoration of the Place of Worship. Ezra 3:6b-7

LESSON OUTLINE

I. The Restoration of the Act of Worship. Ezra 3:1-6a

“When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.” Psalm 126:1. Seventy years away from home and finally to return and have an opportunity to renew the worship of Jehovah at home, and above all, to renew worship in the seventh month. Quoting the Union Gospel Press Expositor and Illuminator: “Ezra 3:1, the Jews gathered in Jerusalem. The seventh month on their religious calendar was Tishri, corresponding to our September-October. It was the first month of the civil calendar; thus, the first day celebrated the new year, with the blowing of trumpets and a holy convocation (Lev. 23:24-25). The Day of Atonement followed on the tenth day (vss. 26-32), and the Feast of Tabernacles was observed from the fifteenth to the twenty-second day (vss. 33-36). The seventh month was thus filled with spiritual significance and was an appropriate time for the Jews to reestablish their worship. The construction of the altar of sacrifice coincided with those commemorations that gave meaning to their offerings.”

Our focus this quarter is on worship…“The outpouring of a soul at the presence of God.” Gibbs. “The bowing down before God in adoring contemplation of Himself.” Torrey. Israel was now exceedingly glad as they returned, though small in number, to “the Worship Zone”.

Wiersbe adds to this section, “The altar was the center of the Jewish worship, for without their sacrifices they could not approach God or expect His blessing. The exiles feared their powerful neighbors; but they knew God would protect them if they obeyed Him.” As the prophet Elijah in I Kings18, “Jeshua and Zerubbabel led the people to establish the sacrifices and also to keep the feasts.” The restoring of a sacrificial worship at the rebuilt altar led to the return of all the feasts of Jehovah and rebuilding of the Temple.

II. The Restoration of the Place of Worship. Ezra 3:6b-7

The sixth verse ends by telling us that worship was in full swing even without the elaborate building of the Temple. When we reflect on Israel’s history, worship was introduced and maintained in the simplest ways and means. Why? “Because man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” At this point in the grateful hearts of the returning remnant, there was a need to demonstrate hearts and actions that were sincere and excited about the privilege of restoring not only the act of worship, but also a great place of worship. God did not need to prove who He is, but Israel needed it to show how humbly and grateful they were for getting another chance to fully honor the Lord. As we close the acts of appreciation begin! The people gave! They prepared! And they received permission to build!

Closing:

Beloved, to whom much is given, much truly is required and the Jews were giving their all to rebuild! May the Lord bless us to do the same! WORSHIP THE LORD!!!

Bibleway Missionary Baptist Church, New Orleans, LA & Little Bethel Baptist Church, Amite, LA

Mailing Address: Post Office Box 19768, New Orleans, LA 70179 - Phone: (504) 486-7876

Website: www.thestudyhour.com (See and hear lesson taught via Video)

Radio Broadcasts: WLNO AM 1060, Saturday 8:30 a.m.; Sunday 5:30 a.m.

WHNO TV-Channel 20, Sunday, 6:30 a.m.

LOOKING AHEAD: July 7, 2013 Ezra 3:8-13

Pastor Davis invites you to attend the Sunday School class that he teaches at Bibleway on Wednesdays at noon.