Having the Having the Right RelationshipRight RelationshipWhat are the characteristics of a Saving Relationship with Jesus Christ?

Ezra the ScribeEzra the ScribeEzra 7:6,10(6) This Ezra went up from Babylon; and

he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him.

(10) 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’s CharacteristicsEzra’s Characteristics

DiligenceDedicationPreparation

Ezra’s Ezra’s AccomplishmentsAccomplishmentsEzra effected a religious reformation

among the Palestine Jews. His first step was to enforce separation upon all who had married foreign wives. (Ezra 10:1).

He is credited with the following:◦The instruction of the great synagogue;◦The settling the canon of Scripture, and

restoring, correcting and editing the whole sacred volume;

◦The authorship of the books of Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and, some add, Esther

◦The establishment of synagogues.

Peter the DisciplePeter the DiscipleOne of the closest disciples of

JesusFrequently witnessed His powerQuick to speakPhysically Near, Spiritually

DistantFocused on self

Peter the UnconvertedPeter the Unconverted

Luke 22:31-32(31) And the Lord said, Simon,

Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

(32) But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Peter the SlothfulPeter the SlothfulMatthew 26:36-39(36) Then cometh Jesus with them unto a

place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.

(37) And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.

(38) Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

(39) And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

Peter the Slothful Peter the Slothful (cont.)(cont.)

Matthew 26:40-44(40) And he cometh unto the disciples, and

findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

(41) Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

(42) He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

(43) And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.

(44) And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

Peter the RepentantPeter the Repentant

Matthew 26:75(75) And Peter remembered the

word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

Peter the ConvertedPeter the ConvertedActs 2:14,38-41(14) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his

voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:

(38) Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

(39) For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

(40) And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

(41) Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Mary & MarthaMary & MarthaLuke 10:38-42(38) Now it came to pass, as they went, that he

entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

(39) And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.

(40) But Martha was encumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

(41) And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

(42) But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Martha: Busy *for* Martha: Busy *for* JesusJesusLuke 10:38,40(38) …a certain woman named

Martha received him into her house.

(40) But Martha was encumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

Mary: Busy *with* Mary: Busy *with* JesusJesusLuke 10:39,42(39) …Mary, which also sat at

Jesus' feet, and heard his word.

(42) But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Spending Time With Spending Time With JesusJesusNot Just Present, but AttentiveGetting To Know JesusMaking Sure He Knows Us

We Must Know Him…We Must Know Him…

Matthew 7:22-23(22) Many will say to me in that

day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

(23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

A Saving RelationshipA Saving RelationshipIs a Loving relationshipIs a Quality relationshipIs a Diligent relationship Is one where we seek to do God’s

will

Start the RelationshipStart the Relationship

Ezra 7:10(10) For Ezra had prepared his

heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it…