WHAT IF

Ezra 9:8-9 “But now, for a brief moment, the Lord our God has been gracious in leaving us a remnant and giving us a firm place in his sanctuary, and so our God gives light to our eyes and a little relief in our bondage. Though we are slaves, our God has not forsaken us in our bondage. He has shown us kindness in the sight of the kings of Persia: He has granted us new life to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins, and he has given us a wall of protection in Judah and Jerusalem.

FOUR “WHAT IF’S” TO CONSIDER

WHAT IF #1: What if I mess it up?

Ezra 9:9 Though we are slaves, our God has not forsaken us in our bondage. He has shown us kindness in the sight of the kings of Persia: He has granted us new life to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins, and he has given us a wall of protection in Judah and Jerusalem.

Your value is not determined by your situation.

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

God’s presence is not affected by your predicament.

2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Your moment is not to be determined by what any one other than God says or thinks about you.

1 Timothy 1:15-16 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.

The God of your moment has not forsaken you in the mess of your moment.

WHAT IF #2: What if I don’t have what it takes?

Ezra 1:1-2 1 In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing: “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah.’”

Jeremiah 29:10-11 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Ezra 4:21 Now issue an order to these men to stop work, so that this city will not be rebuilt until I so order.

Ezra 4:24 Thus the work on the house of God in Jerusalem came to a standstill until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

Ezra 5:2 Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Joshua son of Jozadak set to work to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them, supporting them.

Ezra 6:6-8 Now then, Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai and you other officials of that province, stay away from there. Do not interfere with the work on this temple of God. Let the governor of the Jews and the Jewish elders rebuild this house of God on its site. Moreover, I hereby decree what you are to do for these elders of the Jews in the construction of this house of God: Their expenses are to be fully paid out of the royal treasury, from the revenues of Trans-Euphrates, so that the work will not stop.

What you see as a set-back God may see as a set-up*.*

“We did our best. God did the rest.”

The God of your moment knows how to meet the needs of your moment.

WHAT IF #3: What if it’s too late?

Haggai 2:8-9 ‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the Lord Almighty. ‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the Lord Almighty.”

You cannot rewind and relive the moments of your past.

God can revive you to rebuild, repair, and restore what was lost.

Isaiah 58:12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

What appears ruined today may be restored tomorrow.

What looks ruined to one generation may be rebuilt by the next.

Where you see ruins, have faith to believe for restoration.

The God of your moment is greater than the loss of your past*.*

WHAT IF #4: What if I’m scared?

Ezra 5:2 Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Joshua son of Jozadak set to work to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them, supporting them.

Even if you are scared, seize your moment, anyway.

Ezra 5:5 But the eye of their God was watching over the elders of the Jews, and they were not stopped until a report could go to Darius and his written reply be received.

God is working out something divine even in the midst of something dangerous.

John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

The God of your moment is with you in this moment.

(WHAT IF was originally preached as The God of Your Moment, May 6, 2018)

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