Sermons on Ezra 1:1-3:7:

Plan Your Work; Work Your Plan

Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Aug 1, 2005

four Points on getting a job done

Plan Your Work; Work Your Plan Ezra Ch. 1 Building a Bridge from Manhattan to Brooklyn John Roebling was the engineer with the idea of bridging the river and tying Manhattan Island with Brooklyn. It was a fabulous idea, but all the bridge-building experts and structural engineers said it ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 1:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

United We Serve

Contributed by Arlen Payne on Nov 24, 2002

In order for the work of God there much be unity in the church as demonstrated when Ezra and people of Israel rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem.

United We Serve Ezra 3:1-13 Reading: Ephesians 4:1-7 Intro: Ezra 1:1-4 The People of God had spent many years in captivity because of their sin. God had promised to bring them back to the promised land. King Cyrus, under the direction of the Lord offered send people back to Jerusalem to ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 3:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

What Are You Waiting For? Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Jan 13, 2008

God had faithfully restored everything required for the remnant to start building the temple. Now the only thing left for them to do was to start building. But they were satisfied, so they delayed.

1. The first setback is satisfaction with religious activities 2. The second setback is satisfaction with raw materials 3. The third setback is satisfaction with royal grants Let me tell you a story about a 33-year old California man named Larry Walters. Several years ago, Larry had an idea. ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 3:6-7

Denomination: Baptist

Hall Of Fame # 8 - The Levites Series

Contributed by Jonathan Campbell on Jan 14, 2008

Levites are mentioned throughout scripture. This sermon suggests some adjectives that could be used to describe them.

INTRODUCTION Famous Levites in scripture - Aaron (Exodus 4:14) & Barnabas (Acts 4:36). They were descendants of the tribe of Levi and were assistants to the priests. Four words spring to mind in connection with Levites: 1. PRACTICAL Their work was practical rather than spiritual. OT Levites = NT ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 2:40, Ezra 2:1

Hall Of Fame # 9 - The Singers Series

Contributed by Jonathan Campbell on Jan 28, 2008

This message focuses on singing and is based upon Ezra’s reference to the 128 singers who returned from exile.

Certain words spring to mind when we examine what the Bible has to say about singing: 1. SCRIPTURAL 1 Chronicles 15:16 "And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of musick, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 2:41

Work It! Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Feb 12, 2008

What can the remnant teach us about how to be a working church? They can teach us three traits of a working church.

1. A working church is mobilized (3:8a—emphasis on “ALL they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem”) 2. A working church is organized (3:8b—emphasis on “APPOINTED” and “SET FORWARD THE WORK) 3. A working church is unified (3:9—emphasis on “TOGETHER”) Well, the delay is over. Last ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 3:8-9, Ezra 3:4

Denomination: Baptist

Hall Of Fame # 10 - The Porters Series

Contributed by Jonathan Campbell on Feb 14, 2008

Porters are mentioned in both Testaments. Let’s take a closer look.

TEXT "The children of the porters" - Ezra 2:42 INTRODUCTION When we talk of porters today, we think of those who work in hospitals. Such people are responsible for moving patients, for taking meals to patients and other important tasks. In Bible times, however, a porter had a much simpler job: 1. ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 2:42

Hall Of Fame # 11 - The Nethinims Series

Contributed by Jonathan Campbell on Feb 14, 2008

"Nethinims" is a strange word. It is not a word we are familiar with today. But it is part of God’s inspired word so it deserves our attention.

INTRODUCTION Who were the Nethinims? They were servants of the Levites. Their work was humble but important. There are some great truths to be learned from the Nethinims. They were: 1. LIBERATED Ezra 7:24 "Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 2:43-54

The Reformation

Contributed by Jonathan Campbell on Oct 31, 2007

Parallels between the Jewish ’reformation’ of Ezra’s day and the Protestant Reformation which began in the 1300’s, culminating in the life of Martin Luther.

The ’reformation’ of the Jewish people in Ezra’s day reminds us of the glorious Protestant Reformation. There are four interesting parallels worthy of our attention: 1. TWO REGENTS Cyrus and Henry VIII. When William Tyndale was burnt at the stake he offered up a prayer that the Lord would open ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 1:1-11

Who God Uses Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Nov 3, 2007

Do we have to be obedient to God for His will to be accomplished? Far from it. God doesn’t depend on us for anything. Even though we can never expedite or stifle God’s plans, our level of obedience will determine our reward.

1. God uses kings to keep His Word (1-4) 2. God uses His people to keep His Word (5) 3. God uses other people to keep His Word (6) EZRA 1:1a There are so many questions in life, aren’t there? For at least 3000 years, philosophers have worked on trying to answer only two questions—what is real ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 1:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Hall Of Fame Series

Contributed by Jonathan Campbell on Nov 5, 2007

Just a long list of names? There’s more to Ezra 2 than meets the eye.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS Ezra 2 gives us a list. Lists are a part of life. Waiting lists, electoral registers, petitions, books of condolence, visitors books, shopping lists, etc. Some lists aren’t very important, others are very important. The list in Ezra 2 is very important. There are hidden ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 2:1-39

Restoring Resources Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Nov 10, 2007

God created material things for us to use to glorify Him. The problem is, we have placed His stuff in the wrong account. We have taken God’s stuff out of His glory account and transferred it to our materialism account. And when it’s in our account, it’

1. The first account transfer is from one house to another. 2. The second account transfer is from one hand to another. 3. The third account transfer is from one land to another. EZRA 1:7-11 In 1985, the year that I graduated High School, do you know what the #2 song on the Billboard charts was? ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 1:7-11, Ezra 1:7-18

Denomination: Baptist

Restoring A Remnant Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Nov 17, 2007

God is all powerful but He chooses to accomplish His work through people. While God’s desire is for all to respond to Him, the fact is that only a remnant will. But in that remnant, God provides the kinds of people it takes to accomplish His work.

1. The leaders (2:2a) 2. The laymen (2:2b-35) 3. The Lord’s ministers (2:36-58) 4. The leftovers (2:59-67) EZRA 2:1 It’s difficult to find anything more difficult to read through than a list of names. But that’s where we find ourselves in our text tonight. How do you act when you get a new ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 2:1-67, Ezra 2:1

Denomination: Baptist

Hall Of Fame # 2 Series

Contributed by Jonathan Campbell on Nov 19, 2007

A look at 3 of the leaders mentioned - Zerubbabel, Nehemiah and Mordecai.

INTRODUCTION Leaders are important in every area of life. Winston Churchill was one of the great leaders of the 20th Century. David Ben Gurion was another. Leaders are particularly important in the work of God. We are going to look at 3 leaders mentioned in Ezra 2:2 - 1. A GOVERNOR - ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 2:2

Hall Of Fame # 3 Series

Contributed by Jonathan Campbell on Nov 19, 2007

A look at the ordinary people mentioned in Ezra’s list.

INTRODUCTION On the 5th anniversary of 9/11 all 2749 names of the victims were read out. No-one would dare to say that this was a waste of time. Our attitude should be the same when we come to a much shorter list of names found in Ezra 2. This register is so important that the Holy Ghost inspired ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 2:3-35