Sermons on Ezra 8:21-21:23:

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

Groundbreaking Ceremony

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Nov 14, 2007

Groundbreaking Ceremony for a new building

November 11, 2007 Song – Esther Welcome and Opening Remarks – Rick Stacy Welcome to all our guests, friends, and families of MCC Introduction of special guests, Midwest Construction Representatives, and Bankers Building Team Leader and remarks Midwest Representative and remarks Brief Challenge – ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 3:10-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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 # 4 - Hezekiah Series

Contributed by Jonathan Campbell on Nov 29, 2007

An overview of the life of King Hezekiah.

INTRODUCTION In the middle of Ezra’s ’hall of fame’ there is reference to one of Judah’s godly kings - Hezekiah. His descendants were among those who returned from exile in Babylon. How proud those 98 Jews must have been of their illustrious forefather. In this sermon we focus on the highlights of ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 2:16

Restoring Responsibility Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Dec 1, 2007

Many people think all that’s involved in being a Christian is walking an aisle or praying a prayer. That might be how God called you to salvation, but that’s not the end of it. Responsibilities come with being a Christian.

1. The responsible example of giving 2. The responsible location of giving 3. The responsible attitude of giving 4. The responsible abundance of giving 5. The responsible priority of giving EZRA 2:68-70 In his book, The Quest For Character, Chuck Swindoll tells about a terrible thing that ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 2:68-70

Denomination: Baptist

A New Year's Example For The Church Of The Living God

Contributed by Ray Searan on May 2, 2005

As we approach another New Year in a few days, many of us will continue a tradition that we have followed for hundreds of years. I am referring to the practice of making New Year’s resolutions. I am not going to tell you that whether or not you make New Y

A New Year’s Example for the Church of Jesus Christ Text: Ezra 7:10 (KJV) 10For 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 7:10 (Amplified Bible) 10For Ezra had prepared and set his heart to seek the Law of the Lord ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 7:10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

How To Stop The Church From Charging Series

Contributed by Larry Brincefield on Jun 18, 2005

How do you stop a rhino from charging? Take away his credit card!! :) But seriously, there are those who would stop the church from charging forward. How will the church combat these enemies?

Introduction 1. Last Sunday Night, I told the (lame) joke about how to stop a charging rhino (you take away his credit card)… • In spite of how lame that joke was, I did get a few laughs… • During that service, we learned some of the challenges that face our missionaries… • Disease, danger, wild ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 4:1-24

Denomination: Nazarene

The Hand Of God Was Upon Him

Contributed by Lee Henry on Jul 30, 2006

The story of Ezra is presented as an encouragement for us to study God’s word, practice God’s will and teach God’s law.

THE HAND OF GOD WAS UPON HIM Ezra Introduction: Ezra was a contemporary of Nehemiah. In about 457 B.C. Ezra led a group of Jews from captivity back to Jerusalem. The purpose of his journey was to restore the worship of God in the temple. Ezra was a scribe (scholar). He was one of the first ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 7:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Stop The Clock

Contributed by Sylvester Fergusson on Aug 13, 2006

There are times in our lives when there is a drastic change and we begin numbering the years from that time. So often we would hear, Oh it is five years since mother died, or two years since we were married. These are time stopping moments. In our lives t

STOP THE CLOCK….. AND START IT OVER AGAIN When Time Starts Again Scripture Reading Ezra 3: 10-13 It has been five years since It has been two years since… It has been ten years since… It has been six years since… It has been fifty years since… Perhaps you have heard these phrases echoed in your ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 3:10-13

Denomination: Adventist