Sermons on Exiles:

The Danger Of Selective Hearing Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Jan 15, 2019

In the days of Malachi the post exile situation of Judah is that the people were not really listening to God or caring about His Word. God is the God of grace but God is not the God of cheap grace – so He responds to those who take Him for granted.

Jexit: Judah Comes Home Not Cheap Grace Malachi 1:6-2:9 Our church community is making our way through a series of sermons under the generic name of Jexit. We are focussing on the people of Judah who have exited Babylon and come back to Judah. As we come towards the end of the series … which we ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lasting Comfort

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Dec 10, 2017

We all want comfort. And God offers it to us as he did to the exiled Israelites. We can take comfort that our sin has been paid in full, that God's word outlasts our problems, and that God is coming again. Forgiven, forever, for sure!

Isaiah 40:1-11 Lasting Comfort Handel’s “Messiah” begins the first phrase of today’s passage: “‘Comfort ye, comfort ye my people,’ saith your God.” The theme of “comfort” sounds good, doesn’t it? Especially when you just can’t quite get comfortable. Bones ache, thoughts ruminate, neighbors ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Nehemiah's Prayers Series

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Nov 13, 2017

Nehemiah's contemporary, Ezra, had taken some of the exiles back to their homeland and rebuilt the temple. But the walls had been broken down and the gates had been burned. This is where Nehemiah comes in. Let's see how prayer factors into this endeavor.

NEHEMIAH’S PRAYERS In 586 b.c. Jerusalem was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. He captured the Jews and exiled them to Babylon. Nehemiah’s time is 141 years later in 445 b.c., when the Persians ruled the land. Nehemiah's contemporary, Ezra, had taken some of the exiles back to their homeland and ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1-11, Nehemiah 2:1-9, Nehemiah 4:1-9, Nehemiah 6:15-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Tired Of God? (Isaiah 43:22-28; 44:1-5) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jun 13, 2024

God's exiled people are tired of Him. God pushes back, and asks how exactly that's possible, and says He's the one who is tired by their burdens. Nevertheless, a better future awaits them.

One of the most common questions that any human being can ask another, is this: "How are you doing?" And in my circles, there are a few really common answers to this: "I'm fine. I'm alright. I'm really busy." There's also one more: "I'm ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:22-28, Isaiah 44:1-5, Acts 2:17, Galatians 6:16

Priority To God's Work

Contributed by Jm Raja Lawrence on Sep 22, 2025

After seventy years of exile, God's people returned to Jerusalem with grand plans. Yet sixteen years later, their own comfort overshadowed God's house, teaching us costly lessons about misplaced priorities.

PRIORITY TO GOD'S WORK Primary Text: Haggai 2:10-14; Haggai Chapters 1 and 2 INTRODUCTION: When God's House Lies in Ruins Picture this: You return home after 70 years away. Everything lies in ruins. This was reality for 45,000 Jews who returned from Babylonian captivity in 536 B.C. ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 2:10-14, Ezra 2:64-65, Ezra 3:11-13, Ezra 4:1-5, Haggai 1:4, Haggai 1:2, Haggai 1:1-11, Hebrews 3:15, 2 Corinthians 6:2, Proverbs 27:1, 1 Kings 7:3, Matthew 6:33, Haggai 1:5-7, Haggai 1:8, Haggai 1:5-11, Haggai 1:6, Haggai 1:9-11, Amos 3:6, Haggai 1:9, Ecclesiastes 5:10, Luke 12:15, Haggai 1:5, Haggai 1:7, Haggai 2:15, Haggai 2:18, Matthew 6:21, Colossians 3:2, Ephesians 5:16, Matthew 6:24, Lamentations 3:40, Revelation 2:5, Haggai 1:13, Haggai 2:10-19, Haggai 2:10-12, 1 Corinthians 5:6, 1 Corinthians 15:33, Matthew 26:41, Haggai 2:13, Haggai 2:14, Titus 3:5, Psalm 24:3-4, 1 Samuel 15:22, Hosea 6:6, Haggai 2:15-19, Haggai 2:19, 1 Corinthians 3:10, Matthew 16:26, John 4:24, Revelation 2:4, Isaiah 58:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don’t Despise The Small Things. Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Jan 1, 2019

We might feel small, just as the post exiles built a small temple. But when we are in the hands of God He chooses to use us as we are. Don’t be disheartened by how you think things are. Don’t despise the day of small things.

Jexit: Judah Come Home Don’t Despise the Small Things. A sermon on Zechariah 4:1-14 We continue our series on Jexit – focussing on the history and situation of the Judahites when they returned from Bablyon. The key Bible books which we will consider are Ezra, Nehamiah and Esther. We will also ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 4:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

"The Lord Wants Hearts That Say, ‘i'm Going!'”

Contributed by Daniel Schroeder on Dec 29, 2001

Why do we do share the good news of Jesus? Using the post-exilic prophet Zechariah, God is going to teach us about evangelism. He’s going to teach us the “why” of evangelism. Why do we do it?

“The Lord Wants Hearts That Say, ‘I’m going’” They’re going: I. Seeking their Lord (20-21) II. Standing on his foundation of peace (22) Dear Fellow Servants in Jesus’ Service, I have an outstanding offer for you today. This is for anyone who is interested. We’ve got a member in our ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 8:20-22

Denomination: Lutheran

Are You Plugged In To Celebrate God's Goodness? Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Mar 31, 2003

When God’s people returned to Jerusalem after nearly a century of exile, they found their city in ruins. The Temple of God–where they believed God lived–was destroyed. This is a story about how God’s people plugged in to His supernatural power.

Are You Plugged in to Celebrate God’s Goodness? Ezra 3:10-13 by Dr. David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION I have a light here, but it’s not doing what it was created to do. It’s not shining. The reason it isn’t fulfilling its purpose for existence is because it isn’t plugged in to a source of power. I’ve ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 3:10-13

Denomination: Baptist

Words Of Comfort For Shattered Hearts Series

Contributed by Darryl Klassen on Jan 29, 2008

After Judah had been told of future disaster and exile, Isaiah now tells them of the LORD’s comfort. When faced with trials of life how do we find the strength to go on? Listen to what Isaiah had to say...

WORDS OF COMFORT FOR SHATTERED HEARTS “Comfort my people.” What brings you comfort? We speak of food as “comfort food”; food that reminds you of the growing up years when Mom filled the house with the fragrance of baking. For others comfort food is roast beef with potatoes smothered in gravy. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-31

Denomination: Mennonite

Bring Out A Blind And Deaf People! (Isaiah 43:8-15) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on May 17, 2024

God's (exilic) people are currently blind and deaf, which makes it hard for them to be good servants. God encourages them to change that-- to "acknowledge" and "trust" Him, and understand that God is He Who Remains.

My daughter is wrapping up a in interesting class right now on how to be an effective teacher for students with special needs. There are students who are disruptive. There are kids who struggle to focus, and learn. There are also kids who have disabilities, of one type or another. With these ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:8-15, Isaiah 42:16

Take Your Burden To The Lord: A Lesson In Prayer

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Mar 6, 2021

The Old Testament stateman Nehemiah heard of the difficulties that his fellow Jews were having in rebuilding Jerusalem and the Temple after the time of exile in Babylon. His plans and burdens were brought before the LORD and were answered. So, what's our excuse?

The Old Testament story of Nehemiah presents his account of life and service in the royal court of the Persian Emperor Artaxerxes around 445-444 B.C., and how, upon hearing of the plight of his fellow Jews as they were in the process of rebuilding Jerusalem along with a new Temple for the ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1-11, Isaiah 6:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Prophesied Kingdom 1 - Divided We Fall Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Oct 22, 2007

God’s people Israel failed to keep God’s covenant, to obey him. As a result they were sent into exile for a short time to bring them to repentance, and then God brought them back again because he wasn’t finished with them yet.

How many of you are old enough to remember the music of the 50s and 60s. Do you remember how popular music changed from Doris Day and Perry Como to Elvis, Col Joye, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones? But at the same time did you notice that although the music changed, the themes were fairly ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 5:1-17

Denomination: Anglican

Come On Down Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 30, 2008

The times, like those of post-Exilic Jerusalem, require us to wait. Will it be passive, impassive, or active waiting? Active waiting means seeing that what God has done He will do again. God will enlist us and shape us to work for His purposes.

“We wait. We are bored. No, don’t protest, we are bored to death, there’s no denying it. … A diversion comes along and what do we do? We let it go to waste . . . .In an instant all will vanish and we’ll be alone once more, in the midst of nothingness!” So speaks one of the characters in Samuel ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

When Dry Bones Can Live Again

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Mar 1, 2021

Symbolically, this vision is about the resurrection of Israel as a nation. The dry and disconnected bones represent how God’s people had been defeated, divided and scattered in exile. Only God can reconnect their bones, unite them and bring them back together as a country!

WHEN DRY BONES CAN LIVE AGAIN Text: Ezekiel 37:1 - 14 Ezekiel 37:1-14  The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones.  (2)  And he led me around among them, and behold, there were ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Denomination: United Methodist

Ezra: Finding Help From The Hand Of God

Contributed by Randy Bataanon on Oct 14, 2017

All events around Ezra are not favorable. He is an exile in a pagan nation. But if there is one factor that works in his advantage, it is the hand of God. Let us examine how the very meaning of his name will works wonders for him. Ezra means help from God

EZRA: FINDING HELP FROM THE HAND OF GOD Ezra 7:6-10 NASB In every aspect, all events around Ezra are not favorable. He is an exile in a pagan nation. But if there is one factor that works in his advantage, it is the hand of God. Let us examine how the very meaning of his name will works wonders ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 7:6-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational