Rock Family Church of Morgantown WV
Greater Glory
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    Theme: Gods presence trumps man’s absence

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    Wisdom: always look for a Bible example to help you understand where you are.
    What God did for others, He will do for you!
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    · Gods not done, best is yet to come
    · Look inside, not outside
    · Ezra’s (or 2nd) temple is a Bible example of going back to smaller but better
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    God’s Glory must be Experienced to be Appreciated

    We need to understand GLORY of the former to understand the ANGUISH of the latter.
    Many times, we do not appreciate what we have until it is gone. But even then, God’s plan B can be greater than plan A.
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    Background: Fist Temple is Built – with Conditions of loyalty

    Despite a famous movie quote: Just because you build it, doesn’t mean God will come.

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    (2 CHRONICLES 1–5)
    Wisdom to lead – When Solomon requests wisdom, God grants it, along with riches and honor.
    Supplies to Build – He acquires builders and materials for the Temple and then builds it. Temple is Filled – The Ark is brought into the completed Temple, and the presence of the Lord fills the Temple.[1]
    I. Solomon’sGreat Wisdom from God(1:1–17)
    A. The background (1:1–5): Solomon summons Israel’s leaders to Gibeon, where the Tabernacle is located.
    B. The burnt offerings (1:6): Solomon sacrifices 1,000 burnt offerings on the bronze altar.
    C. The blessing (1:7–17)
    1. The announcement (1:7): In a dream God promises to give Solomon anything he desires.
    2. The answer (1:8–10): Solomon asks for wisdom so that he might properly lead and govern Israel.
    3. The approval (1:11–12): God is pleased with Solomon’s request and grants it, along with riches and honor.
    4. The acquisition (1:13–17): Just as God promised, Solomon acquires great prestige and wealth (see also 8:1–10, 17–18; 9:10–11, 13–28).
    II. Solomon’sGreat Work for God (2:1–5:14): Solomon builds the Temple and brings the Ark into it.
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    A. Arranging for the work (2:1–18)
    1. The resources (2:1–2, 17–18): Solomon enlists a workforce of 70,000 common laborers, 80,000 stonecutters, and 3,600 foremen.
    2. The request (2:3–10): Solomon asks King Hiram of Tyre to provide the materials necessary to build the Temple.
    a. What he needs (2:3, 7–10): Solomon asks King Hiram for a master craftsman, a dyeing expert, and a skilled engraver. Solomon also wants cedar, cypress, and almug logs from Lebanon. Solomon offers payment of grain, wine, and olive oil.
    b. Why he needs it (2:4–6): The Temple will serve as a worship center, allowing Israel to honor the Lord by burning incense and sacrificing animals.
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    B. Assembling the Temple (3:1–4:22)
    1. The facts (3:1–2): The Temple is built on Mount Moriah, where Araunah’s threshing floor is. Solomon begins construction in the spring of the fourth year of his reign.
    2. The furnishings (3:3–4:22)
    a. Foundation and foyer (3:3–4)
    b. Main room (3:5–7)
    c. Most Holy Place (3:8–13)
    d. Curtain (3:14)
    e. Two pillars (3:15–17)
    f. Bronze altar (4:1)
    g. Bronze Sea (4:2–5, 10)
    h. Ten basins (4:6)
    i. Ten lampstands (4:7)
    j. Ten tables and 100 gold basins (4:8)
    k. Courtyard for the priests (4:9)
    l. Articles made of bronze (4:11–18)
    m. Articles made of gold (4:19–22)
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    C. Acquiring the Ark (5:1–14)
    1. The accessories (5:1): After the Temple is completed, Solomon brings in the gifts dedicated by his father, David, and stores them in the Temple treasuries.
    2. The Ark (5:2–14): Finally, the Ark of God is brought into the Temple.
    a. The carriers (5:2–10): The Levites and priests carry the Ark into the Most Holy Place.
    b. The celebration (5:11–13): The Levites play music and sing praises to the Lord.
    c. The cloud (5:13–14): The presence of the Lord fills the Temple.
    SECTION OUTLINE TWO (2 CHRONICLES 6–7)
    Solomon addresses the assembled people. Then he stands on a specially built platform and prays to the Lord. Fire comes down from heaven and burns up the offerings. The Israelites celebrate the Festival of Shelters for seven days. The Lord responds to Solomon’s prayer.
    I. The Dedication by Solomon (6:1–7:10): Solomon addresses the people who have assembled to see the Ark placed in the Temple.
    A. Solomon’s sermon (6:1–11): Solomon mentions three points, all relating to the Temple.
    1. Where the Temple is built (6:1–6): The Lord had told David that the Temple would be constructed in Jerusalem.
    2. Who was selected to build it (6:7–10): David wanted to construct the Temple, but the Lord had chosen Solomon to do it.
    3. Why the Temple was built (6:11): The Temple was built to honor the Lord and house the Ark of God.
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    B. Solomon’s supplication (6:12–42)
    1. His position (6:12): Solomon spreads out his hands toward heaven.
    2. His platform (6:13): Solomon is on a bronze platform 7 1/2 feet square and 4 1/2 feet high.
    3. His praise (6:14–15): Solomon worships the Lord, Israel’s unique and faithful God.
    4. His petitions (6:16–39)
    a. He prays for himself (6:16–21): Solomon calls on the Lord to hear his prayers in the Temple.
    b. He prays for his subjects concerning (6:22–39):
    (1) The innocent (6:22–23)
    (2) Defeat due to sin (6:24–25)
    (3) Famine due to sin (6:26–31)
    (4) Foreigners (6:32–33)
    (5) Israel’s battles (6:34–35)
    (6) Israel’s captivity (6:36–39)
    5. His plea (6:40–42): Solomon asks the Lord to dwell in the Temple, where the Ark resides, to clothe the priests with salvation, to cause the people to rejoice in his goodness, and to be faithful to the king.
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    C. Solomon’s sign (7:1–3): When Solomon finishes praying, fire comes down from heaven and burns up the sacrifices, and the Lord’s glory fills the Temple.
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    D. Solomon’s sacrifices (7:4–10): Solomon and his people offer 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep; then they celebrate the Festival of Shelters for seven days.
    II. The Revelation to Solomon (7:11–22): The Lord appears to Solomon, reassuring him that his prayer has been heard. He tells Solomon that he will punish his people for sin but also that he will forgive them if they repent and turn to him.
    A. Sin plus repentance equals restoration(7:11–18).
    B. Sin minus repentance equals rejection(7:19–22).[2]
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    God warned Solomon about the First Temple- 2 Chronicles 7
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    2 Chronicles 7:11–16 NLT
    11 So Solomon finished the Temple of the Lord, as well as the royal palace. He completed everything he had planned to do in the construction of the Temple and the palace. 12 Then one night the Lord appeared to Solomon and said, “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this Temple as the place for making sacrifices. 13 At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you. 14 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 15 My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place. 16 For I have chosen this Temple and set it apart to be holy—a place where my name will be honored forever. I will always watch over it, for it is dear to my heart.
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    · Israel sinned; people exiled
    · Israel rebelled, even during captivity, made things worse –
    · Wall broken down, Temple destroyed
    II. Jehoiakim, Judah’s Eighteenth Ruler (36:5–8)
    A. The evil of his reign (36:5): Jehoiakim does what is evil in the Lord’s sight.
    B. The events of his reign (36:6–8): Jerusalem is captured by Nebuchadnezzar, the Temple is plundered, and Jehoiakim is led away in chains.
    III. Jehoiachin, Judah’s Nineteenth Ruler (36:9–10): Jehoiakim’s son Jehoiachin succeeds him as king of Judah.
    A. His reign (36:9): Jehoiachin reigns for three months and ten days.
    B. His removal (36:10): Nebuchadnezzar summons him to Babylon, and many of the Temple treasures are taken as well. Zedekiah is appointed the next king.
    IV. Zedekiah, Judah’s Twentieth Ruler (36:11–23)
    A. The disobedience (36:11–14): Zedekiah rebels against the Lord and against Nebuchadnezzar. The priests and the people practice idolatry.
    B. The destruction (36:15–20): Because the people refuse to heed the prophets and repent, the Lord allows the king of Babylon to attack Jerusalem. The walls are broken down, the Temple is destroyed, and many people are killed or taken into exile.[3]
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    Part 2 – Return, Rebuild

    Return – with renewed Hope

    · to a Mess
    · Daniel continued serving - Cyrus fourth king
    · 70 years of captivity according to Jeremiah – then return
    · Cyrus permitted Jews to RETURN and REBUILD
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    C. The decree (36:21–23): After 70 years, King Cyrus of Persia decrees that the Lord’s people may return and rebuild their Temple.[4]

    Rebuild – God’s Glory provides Man’s Strength

    · Walls, temple
    · Nehemiah rebuilt the city walls
    · Ezra rebuilt the Temple

    The Glory inspires your Journey – God is FOR you and WITH you

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    Haggai 2:1–9 NLT
    1 Then on October 17 of that same year, the Lord sent another message through the prophet Haggai. 2 “Say this to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of God’s people there in the land: 3 ‘Does anyone remember this house—this Temple—in its former splendor? How, in comparison, does it look to you now? It must seem like nothing at all! 4 But now the Lord says: Be strong, Zerubbabel. Be strong, Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people still left in the land. And now get to work, for I am with you, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 5 My Spirit remains among you, just as I promised when you came out of Egypt. So do not be afraid.’ 6 “For this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: In just a little while I will again shake the heavens and the earth, the oceans and the dry land. 7 I will shake all the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will be brought to this Temple. I will fill this place with glory, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 9 The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. And in this place I will bring peace. I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!”

    God’s Future is Stronger than Man’s Past

    Zerubbabel had big problems, but a Bigger Promise
    Many problems, but a Promise
    · Limited Manpower - Fewer in number
    · No foreign help – David had the brightest and most skilled
    · Volunteers vs craftsmen
    · Reuse Supplies - Recycle vs new - David not here to order the new, this biggest and best, David’s money was all spent - no cedars from Lebanon, rock quarries
    · Limited time – Ezra had months, Solomon had years
    · Smaller in size – fraction of what it was

    God Doesn’t NEED More, God IS More

    Ezra’s Temple was smaller in “story” but greater in glory!
    Which would you choose?

    God’s Glory Brings Generous Givers

    II. The Donations(1:6–11; 2:68–70)
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    A. Gifts from neighbors (1:6): Many people, probably Jews choosing to stay in Babylon, give the returning Jews gold, silver, and supplies for the journey.
    B. Gifts from King Cyrus (1:7–11): King Cyrus donates the valuable items that Nebuchadnezzar took from the Temple.
    C. Gifts from family leaders (2:68–70): When the Jews arrive in Jerusalem, some family leaders already living there donate gold, silver, and robes for the Temple and the priests.
    III. The Dedicated(1:5; 2:1–67): Nearly 50,000 devoted pilgrims return, including priests, Levites, descendants of Solomon’s officials, and other Israelites. They bring along 736 horses, 245 mules, 435 camels, and 6,720 donkeys.
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    Celebrate God’s Future Glory – Today

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    RECONSTRUCTION – like Issac re dug Abraham’s well, and like Elijah rebuilt the altar on Mt. Carmel
    IV. The Determination(3:1–9): Upon their return the Jews soon accomplish three of their goals:
    A. The altar is rebuilt (3:1–3): Daily sacrifices are immediately resumed.
    B. The FESTIVAL OF SHELTERSis observed (3:4–6).
    C. The Temple construction is begun(3:7–9): In the second year after the Jews return, they begin rebuilding the Temple, with the Levites in charge.
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    Celebrate God’s PRESENCE more than man’s absence

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    TEMPLE DEDICATED
    V. The Dedication(3:10–13): When the Temple foundation is complete, there is a great celebration.
    A. The singing (3:10–11): The priests and Levites blow trumpets, clash cymbals, and sing praises to the Lord.
    B. The sorrow (3:12–13): Some older Jews remember Solomon’s glorious Temple and weep over how much this one pales in comparison to it.[5]
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    People worship what they know – on the level they are
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    Like the generation after Joshua, the people of Israel never saw God’s miracles on a daily basis.
    They had no point of reference, only stories of memories.
    Ezra’s generation thought the temple looked great – to them. If they only knew!
    Every generation must be evangelized!

    Reopen – your heart – God’s plan B can excel Plan A

    · Newbies shouted- it’s done!
    · Relative perspective - all They saw, all they know - 70 years,
    · like generation after Joshua never saw the manna fall, cloud by day, fire by night, on a daily basis, or the Jericho walls fall, or the Jordan River separate and cross on dry land.
    · Every generation must be evangelized.
    · Old timers cried- remembered - cloud of glory, later calls, slain in spirit

    Refocus – on God

    · Got eyes off man- on to God
    · God is not limited to a building - earth is footstool
    · Man looks at the outside, God looks at the heart
    · Man elected Saul; God selected David
    · Size will not save – but God can, whether by many or few
    · I would rather be few with God, than many without God

    Celebrate – the Blood – God’s Ultimate Glory

    Passover
    After the Temple was completed, God’s people celebrated the Passover
    Ezra 6:16–18 (NLT)
    Joy IN the house – FOR the house
    16 The Temple of God was then dedicated with great joy by the people of Israel, the priests, the Levites, and the rest of the people who had returned from exile.
    17 During the dedication ceremony for the Temple of God, 100 young bulls, 200 rams, and 400 male lambs were sacrificed. And 12 male goats were presented as a sin offering for the twelve tribes of Israel.
    18 Then the priests and Levites were divided into their various divisions to serve at the Temple of God in Jerusalem, as prescribed in the Book of Moses.
    Communion
    · is a type of Jesus
    · God loves us as much as Daniel and Ezra
    · What God did for them, He will do for us
    · better covenant - We have a new and better covenant than Ezra had
    · Based on better promises - Better sacrifice – Better blood
    · Better priesthood – Ezra died but Jesus is alive!

    Revival – God’s Not Done! The Best is Yet to Come

    · The end times “Latter days” glory will be greater than the former
    · don’t weep for the past but rejoice in the future!
    · the young will see the new and improved
    · Amy - saved best for last
    · Temple expanded in phase – Ezra rebuilt, but Herod expanded
    · Jesus entered Ezra’s Temple – used Cyrus and Ceasar to pay for it – they were still working on it when Jesus entered it during His lifetime.
    · Daniel saw the first temple of the Old Testament glory, and even lived to see 2nd temple rebuild for Messiah’s arrival,
    · prophesied the 3rd temple of the Lord’s return of our day
    · 3rd temple – is in OUR day
    · Prophetic- the end time church will see the RETURN of the Lord!
    · Let the Blessed Hope energize you to realize your calling to share the Gospel that the King is Coming – SOON!
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    Life Lesson: God can promote, despite a temporary setback
    Personal application – job loss, God has a better job

    God’s Glory IS the Story

    The glory is God’s presence

    God’s habitation is worth more than the global population

    The past has been preparation for today!
    · The NT church will have a greater glory than the Old Testament
    · The End time church will have a greater glory than the Early Church!
    · The Best is yet to come!
    · You best days are ahead
    · Celebrate your future with continual communion with Christ as you fulfill your destiny!

      • 2 Chronicles 7:11–16NLT

      • Haggai 2:1–9NLT

Rock Family Church of Morgantown WV
web@rockfamily.org
304-292-1128
https://rfcwva.faithlifesites.com
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