Sermons on Ezra 1:7-18:

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

Dedicated To Joy Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Mar 29, 2008

Joy isn’t ginned up with fun entertainment. Joy doesn’t pass with changing seasons or swinging moods. True, unquenchable joy comes only from God. That’s the kind of joy to be dedicated to.

1. Intro (6:16) 2. The first way we can be dedicated to striving for joy is with joyful sacrifice. (6:17) 3. The second way we can be dedicated to striving for joy is with joyful service. (6:18-20) 4. The third way we can be dedicated to striving for joy is with joyful separation. (6:21-22a) 5. The ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 6:16-22

Denomination: Baptist

Building And Battling Series

Contributed by Jonathan Campbell on Apr 4, 2008

Building Christ’s church on earth is not easy work. There will be Satanic opposition.

1. A SUBTLE APPROACH "Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the LORD God of Israel; Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 4:1-24

Mission Accomplished Series

Contributed by Jonathan Campbell on Apr 5, 2008

Despite much opposition the temple was rebuilt. This sermon looks at the reasons for the ultimate success of the Jews building project.

Text - "This house was finished on the third day of the month Adar". Why was the temple project successful? 1. GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY God said the temple would be built and it was. God’s sovereignty was particularly evident in lives of two kings - Cyrus and Darius. a) Cyrus the foreordained king - ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 6:15

Look Who Finally Showed Up Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Apr 8, 2008

Ezra had confidence in God’s providence. When you see God’s providential hand of control it takes away your worries and fears and it gives you joy and peace and assurance. When you see God in control it gives you boldness and confidence to do the things H

1. Our history has been providentially guided by God 2. Our life’s journey is providentially guarded by God 3. Our mission is providentially given by God Sam was a very dedicated pastor. But, like many who follow God’s call into the ministry, there were people who didn’t like Pastor Sam. There ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 7:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

God's Presence

Contributed by Donato Solano on Jan 22, 2008

Submission to God and His powerful presence are two of the keys of success as we journey in life. Our submission can be demonstrated through fasting.

INTRODUCTION 2008 is a journey that no man has charted already. How can we know what are the prospects in life in store for us in this journey? In today’s scripture, Ezra ask Israel to fast to ensure themselves of success and prosperity in their journey back to Jerusalem. They did not just pray ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 8:21-23, Ezra 8:24-36

Denomination: Baptist

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

Le Courage Du Croyant

Contributed by Créteur Fabien on Feb 24, 2008

Courage (vient du cœur). Force de caractère, fermeté que l’on a devant le danger, dans la souffrance ou dans toute situation difficile à affronter. Qui ont donné lieu à des expressions familières, comme prendre son courage à 2 mains. Faire appel à tout

LE COURAGE DU CROYANT, DU LEADER Introduction sur le sujet (10 min) Courage (vient du cœur). Force de caractère, fermeté que l’on a devant le danger, dans la souffrance ou dans toute situation difficile à affronter. Qui ont donné lieu à des expressions familières, comme prendre son courage à 2 ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 10:4

Denomination: Pentecostal