A Costly Interruption: The Sermon On the Mount, pt. 2 - Blessed
Go back to the Bible
1. Go back to the Bible
Ezra 7:1-10 (10)
“For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance for the
Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.“
3. Why do we have this global leadership forum
for the NEW GENERATION?
– UBF 2nd Gen Missionaries in Europe = approx. 250
– 1st Gen Missionaries & native shepherds feed 2 sheep
--> 700 hope carriers
– time for UBF New Generation to co-operate for God’s ministry
4. FORUM?
– meeting of New Generation leaders
– learn 50 years of the spiritual legacy of UBF
– renew our spiritual identity and vision
– share our insight
6. Part 1.
Ezra, a new generation Bible teacher
Ezra
– 2nd Generation
– excellent Bibel scholar with spiritual insight
– self-supporting Bible Teacher
7. Ezra 7:7,8
“Some of the Israelites, including priests, levites, singers,
gatekeepers and temple sevants, also came up to Jerusalem in the
seventh year of King Artaxerxes. Ezra arrived in Jerusalem in the fifth
month of the seventh year of the King.“
11. Ezra 7:10
“For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the
Law of the LORD; and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.“
12. Part 2.
Ezra’s decision: Go back to the Bible
First,
Ezra decided to devote himself to study the Law of the Lord
– studied the word of God more intensively and deeply
– had a broken shepherd heart for his people
– for a great spiritual awakening in Israel
13. Part 2.
Ezra’s decision: Go back to the Bible
• the 1st Reformation by Martin Luther
– translating the bible & meditating on the
book of Romans
– restoration of the true image of the
church before God (1517)
14. Part 2.
Ezra’s decision: Go back to the Bible
• Philip Jacob Spener (1635-1705)
– “Collegium Pietis”, Pietism Movement
• August Hermann Francke (1663-1727)
– “Fellowship of Bible lovers“ (University of Leipzig & Halle)
• Ludwig Zinzendorf (1700-1760)
– “Mustard seed fellowship” , Moravian Mission, “Holy Club“
15. Part 2.
Ezra’s decision: Go back to the Bible
• the 2nd spiritual Reformation through the Pietists
– boom of house church ministries
– promotion of personal spiritual development
16. Part 2.
Ezra’s decision: Go back to the Bible
• the 3rd Reformation through Laymen Movement
– drastical boom of the number of Christian laymen
– student evangelization movements & organizations
(IFES (England), Navigators, CCC (USA), UBF (Korea))
– restoration of the true image of the church before the world
– promotion of a spiritual revival of lay Christians
17. Part 2.
Ezra’s decision: Go back to the Bible
• “Bible lovers’ club - Sakyunghoe” (1907)
– intensive Bibel study 3 times a day for a week
– great revival within 100 years
18. Part 2.
Ezra’s decision: Go back to the Bible
• UBF
– raising Bible teachers & sending them out to the world mission field
– vision of “Bible Korea & world mission“
– world campus evangelical ministry
– 3000 bible teaching missionaries to nearly 100 countries
21. Mark 7:24
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them
into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.“
James 2:17
“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action,
is dead.“
22. Part 2.
Ezra’s decision: Go back to the Bible
Third,
Ezra decided to teach the Word of God to his people
– taught the word of God from daybreak till noon
– read the Bible first and interpreted it
24. Part 2.
Ezra’s decision: Go back to the Bible
God’ s word
– only solution for the spiritual restoration
– only weapon to challenge the postmodern and sinful generation
– power of God to change a whole generation into a new creation
25. Bible Teachers
as
Global Leaders
• clear identity as Bible teachers
• vision of being used as global leaders
