You better recognize!

We've been in a series called "Rebuild the Ruins" taking a closer look at Israel in the book of Ezra attempt to navigate the difficulties of rebuilding their temple and resuming the proper worship of God. On Sunday i preached a message titled " I'm authorized" and I broke down three things that I believe Israel recognized in their rebuilding efforts that can help us tremendously in our own lives.

#1.) Israel recognized the voice of GOD

The Israelites returned from around 70 years of Babylonian bondage to a homeland that had been ravaged and destroyed. Among the rubble, lay the temple of God! the very place where worship and service to Yahweh took place. Rebuilding the temple was of the upmost importance and should've been their highest priority but due to pressure and intimidation from their enemies the project was on a stand still. That is, until the prophets of GOD primarily Haggai and Zechariah spoke to Israel IN THE NAME OF GOD and encouraged the people to start again constructing the temple. True Prophets of God in the bible were Men who carried the voice of almighty God evidenced by their words coming to pass. Israel took heed of these men and obeyed their voice because they knew ultimately that they were but mouthpieces for THE VOICE of YAHWEH. Let us know when God is speaking today! let us not listen to false words from false prophets any longer! to do that, we have to be familiar with his voice, which today is heard profoundly in the written word of God

#2.) Israel recognized who had ultimate authority!

After listening to the voice of God through the prophets of God, Israel began working to the dismay of their neighbors. Their enemies sent over men with an important question......" who gave you permission (authority) to begin building again? This is so powerful! technically the Israelites were under the power of Persia and the governing authorities of the Trans Euphrates, but in all reality the Jews understood who had the ultimate say in their lives, God almighty! I hear the forces of darkness question us children of light when they see us taking ground in the devil's "kingdom" and preaching the gospel to every creature. They all scream the question " who gave you permission to do this" and with a bold Cry i hear the REDEEMED of God shout bout " THE KING OF KINGS AND THE LORD OF LORDS DID"

Israel became emboldened to obey God even at the threat of conflict with their enemies because they understood where their authority came from, let us be bold in the same way and for the same reason!

#3.) Israel recognized they couldn't be stopped

Again what emboldened Israel was the fact that they knew God/ the highest authority in the universe gave them power to work, but the other reason they were filled with an unstoppable passion and vigor to construct their temple is because they knew the " EYE OF GOD WAS ON THEM"(Ezra 5:5) I believe to have your eye on something means to have your affection directed towards something, your focus aimed at something. Israel was on fire at this point because they knew this truth " if God is for us WHO can be against us. I want to encourage you today to keep going strong no matter the opposition! keep rebuilding even when the enemy questions what you're doing because you know that God in heaven has set his affection on you to prosper you and not destroy you! REST in this truth today amen!