Finished and Unfinished, Part 1
Renew
June 7, 2020
Rev. Gabe Sylvia
Ezra 6:13-22 shows God reestablishing his covenant with his people, prompting a response of obedience, thanksgiving, worship, sacrificial dedication, and participation in covenant signs like baptism and the Lord's Supper.
Summary
The passage in Ezra 6:13-22 marks God's revival of the Mosaic covenant as he sovereignly works through authorities and his Word to restore the temple and his people; their appropriate response is to receive his initiative and answer with wholehearted obedience, praise, sacrificial dedication (the offerings at the temple), and ongoing worship. The sermon applies this to believers today—our covenant life is rooted in God's initiative and must be expressed in thanksgiving, repentance of thanklessness, participation in covenant rites (baptism and the Lord's Supper), and reliance on the Spirit so the reality of the covenant rests deeply on our souls.
Key Points
- Context: Ezra 6:13-22 divides Ezra and shows God reinitiating the covenant with his people
- Key truth: God initiates covenant; our role is to receive and respond with praise and obedience
- Divine action: God orders political authorities and engages his people through his Word to accomplish covenant purposes
- Human response: obedience, thanksgiving, worship, sacrificial dedication (hundreds of animals offered at the dedication)
- Covenant signs: baptism and the Lord's Supper as fitting responses and means of joining covenant people
- Warning/application: resisting God (ingratitude, stubbornness) undermines covenant life; repentance and thankfulness are required
- Prayer emphasis: ask the Spirit to make the covenant with Christ rest heavily on our souls for God's glory
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