1. Ezra For Ezra had prepared his heart to 1.Seek the law of the Lord 2.To do it 3. And to teach in Israel statutes and judgments. O’Neal church of Christ, 6-30-13 O’Neal church of Christ, 6-30-13

2. “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth will make you free” Jn.8:32

3. Ezra had prepared his Heart…How can we prepare our Hearts?

4. “Thy word is truth” Jn. 17:17 1 Pet. 1:22-25 - “obeying the truth”

5. “They received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved” 2 Thes. 2:10 Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” I John 5:3 “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.”

6. “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.” Ezra 7:10 “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” John 7:17 Acts 17:11 “searched the scriptures daily”

7. Are you willing

8. #1 To know the law of God What is the law of God today?

9. “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, ….

10. To seek the Law of the Lord! Do what? To seek… To seek what? The Law What law? To seek the law of the Lord…..

11. Psalms 19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in Mine heart, that I might not sin against thee..… Psalm 119:104-105 Through thy precepts I get understanding, therefore I hate every false way. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

12. Not only to seek the law of the Lord… To do it!To do it! To practice it, shew it in your own life, apply it to yourself… How many of us fall short here… To do…Be ye doers of the word. James 1:22 2 Tim. 4:7-8 I Cor. 15:58 Rev. 2:10; Rev. 14:13 I John 2:15-17

13. To teach in Israel God’s statutes and judgments.. Our children must be taught… Who will teach them? Ezra was committed to teaching Israel. What was Ezra going to teach Israel? The statutes and judgments of God. What were the statutes and judgments of God…? TRUTH!

14. II Peter 2:1 “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, ….” Galatians 1:23 - “But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” 1 John 4:1 “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God:”

15. John 8:32 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 17:3 “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.”

16. Rev. 22:18-19 “if any man add” “take away” Deut.4:2 “Ye shall not add unto” “neither diminish” Truth is for all ages

17. Sufficient = enough, adequate, competent In all area’s 2 Tim. 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: v. 17 “That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.” asv

18. The one and only way of salvation Matt. 7:13-27 Gal. 1:6-10 “another gospel” “which is not another” “once for all delivered” - Jude 3

19.  It is the “word of God” - Jn. 17:17  We can learn it - John 8:32  We must obey it to be saved - 1 Pet. 1:22  Walk in the truth - III John 3-4