Hindered Temple Building

Wed Service 11/28/2012

Ezra 4:1-8

Ephesians 2

1 Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the Lord God of Israel; 2 Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither. 3 But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the Lord God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us. 4 Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building, 5 And hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia. 6 And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they unto him an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem. 7 And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue. 8 Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort: (Ezra 4: 1-8)

HOW IS CONSTRUCTION GOING ON YOUR NEW HOUSE?

The temple God is building in me has been hindered by how I respond. God could put a hedge around me to protect me, but doesn't. I must go through trials to become who God wants me to become. I must Praise God for the temple He is building in me, and us all.

Chapter 5 - Building the temple stopped and renewed. How does God do it? Accept Encouragers.

Ephesians 2: 20 Cornerstone. thinking Christ is our cornerstone brings temple building together not us.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.

2:9 ...not of works...

2.10 .. For we are his workmanship

God is building the temple in us, not us. We are his workmanship don't discourage ourselves in our failings. Our faith should be strengthened in His Workmanship.

Eph 2:20? all the building fitly framed toge

KN