The Resurrection

It has been well-said that unless there is a death, there can be no resurrection.

This applies first and foremost in the life of Jesus Christ. We have recently studied the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the meaning of both of those events is of paramount importance to each one of us – as well as to all the people who have ever lived on the face of the earth.

But this also applies in ministry. One of the first things that must take place in a life in ministry is a death. (The death to the flesh of the minister.) Sometimes this may take years. But before a life of ministry can arise, the death of the flesh must take place. There must be death to pride and ambition. Death to striving and seeking. Death to emotional response which obscures truth. Death to attraction to the world. When this death to self has occurred, the Lord Himself brings about a resurrection, and in that resurrection there lives a newness in ministry in which God alone is glorified. God will not share His glory with any man.

In the Book of Ezra we are bearing witness to another resurrection of sorts. The nation of Judah has all but been destroyed for its insolence before God. Jerusalem has been completely destroyed as a city of flesh, ground under for its falling away in idolatry and fleshly practices and abominations. In order for Jerusalem to be raised again, a death had to take place.

For 70 years, the people learned a hard lesson in exile. But now, in the spring season, there is a new life stirring again in the ashes of destruction. God is working. God is arranging. God is doing everything He said He would do. He is resurrecting His people from a tattered remnant.

Ezra 1:1 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, 2 Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the Lord God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. 3 Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem. 4 And whoever is left in any place where he dwells, let the men of his place help him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, besides the freewill offerings for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.

Just as God raised His own Son, He can raise a people - and He will raise you. The Lord is in the business of resurrection. There is nothing too hard for the Lord.
- Pastor Bill