Sermons on Ezra 1:1-7:15:

The Road To Revival Series

Contributed by Jonathan Campbell on Oct 3, 2007

The road from Babylon to Jerusalem reminds us of another road - the road to revival.

1. THE INDIVIDUAL "Cyrus king of Persia". Throughout the history of the Church God has used individuals to bring about revivals e.g. Martin Luther in the Reformation, Florrie Evans in the Welsh revival, W P Nicholson in 1920s Ulster and Duncan Campbell in the highlands and islands of ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 1:1-11

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

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

What's All The Racket? Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Feb 12, 2008

Did you know that there are times that the church should be noisy? Not from idle talking and milling around during worship—but a church should be noisy just like the remnant was. A church should be noisy when it’s working.

1. Initial celebration (3:10-11) 2. Individual hesitation (3:12) 3. Ideal harmonization (3:13) One time there was an old farmer who wasn’t much into modern conveniences. As a matter of fact, he didn’t have much contact with the outside world at all. He thought that everything he needed was right ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 3:10-13

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

Christ Our Altar Series

Contributed by Jonathan Campbell on Feb 20, 2008

Sermon about the brazen altar. According to Hebrews 13:10 Christ is our altar.

TEXT "Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God". INTRODUCTION There is much ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 3:2

Almost Right Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Feb 27, 2008

The question isn’t whether we’re going to encounter opposition. The question is, how are we going to handle it when it comes. The remnant did exactly what they were supposed to do—almost. They stood strong in the face of opposition but they didn’t quit

1. How did the opposition respond to the remnant? a. With distrust (1) b. With deception (2) 2. How did the remnant respond to the opposition? a. With discernment (3a) b. With determination (3b) c. With direction (3c) It would be nice if everything in life was easy, wouldn’t it? It would be nice ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 4:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Swimming Upstream Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Feb 27, 2008

Do you ever feel like everything is opposing you? That is what the remnant was experiencing. The first step to facing our opposition the right way is to "know our enemy."

In our walk as Christians and in our work as a church… 1. We must stand against the persistence of our opposition (4:4-7) 2. We must stand against the pervasiveness of our opposition (4:8-10) 3. We must stand against the persuasiveness of our opposition (4:11-16) 4. We must stand against the ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 4:4-24

Denomination: Baptist

Obedience Works! Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Mar 3, 2008

In one sense, the remnant was just like us--they had free access to the Word of God. God had just spoken His Word to them through Haggai and Zechariah. God’s Word was available--what were they going to do with it? What are we going to do with it?

1. Obedience was immediate 2. Obedience was inspired 3. Obedience was inclusive 4. Obedience was investigated Imagine if you will, not having access to a Bible. Throughout history, that’s the way it’s been for most people. In the early church, the Bible consisted of the Greek translation of ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 5:1-4, Ezra 5:7-17, Ezra 5:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Word Blessings Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Mar 17, 2008

God blesses His Word. The remnant heard God’s will clearly revealed in His Word and they didn’t ignore it or put it aside. They no longer stalled and delayed. This time, when they heard God’s Word, they obeyed His will. And when that happens, God blesses.

1. God blessed the remnant with firm audacity (5:5) 2. God blessed the remnant with a fair assessment (5:6-6:5) 3. God blessed the remnant with a fervent advocate (6:6-13) 4. God blessed the remnant with full accomplishment (6:14-15) Back in the book of Exodus, when God was describing the priestly ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 5:1-17

Denomination: Baptist