Sermons on Ezras Dedication:

Where To Start? Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on May 31, 2008

Sometimes the toughest thing about a project is knowing where to start.

Have you ever had a project that was so big, you just didn’t know where to start? My garage is like that. It was a mess before we moved in and it’s only gotten worse. It absolutely drives me nuts. Several years ago, when we lived in Mississippi, I had a beautiful tool shed. I had pegboard on ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 8:33-36

Denomination: Baptist

Counting Change Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on May 31, 2008

Newton’s First Law of Motion states: Everything continues in a state of rest unless it is compelled to change by forces impressed upon it. Do the forces of sin around you compel you to change?

Turn with me to Ezra 9. EZRA 9:3-5 After putting it off for a long time, a man finally went to the doctor. After the examination and all of the tests and blood work, the doctor just shook his head. He told the man, “You are in terrible shape. In order to pull out of this, you’re going to have ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 9:3-5

Denomination: Baptist

Broken Prayer Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on May 31, 2008

What does the prayer of corporate confession look like?

Three theologians were having a deep theological discussion while they were walking down the street one day. They were talking about prayer. More specifically, they were talking about the most effective positions of prayer. The discussion got pretty intense so they actually stopped there on the ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 9:6-15

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

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

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

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

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

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

Follow The Leader Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Sep 2, 2008

Four ways to know that God’s people are ready to accomplish the work He has for them.

It’s been a few weeks since we’ve been in Ezra, so I think it’s important that we spend a few minutes remembering where we are. That’s always an important thing to remember in your own personal Bible study. It’s very easy to get so wrapped up in a particular passage or verse that you forget the ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 10:1-5

Denomination: Baptist