HELP ONE MORE PERSON DISCOVER JESUS
Ezra: Under the Good Hand of God
About This Series:
Seven decades have passed since the smell of sacrifices last rose from Solomon’s Temple. Many Jews have already given up hope of ever seeing their beloved homeland again, and perhaps many have even begun to accept that God has abandoned them forever. But outside their walls of despair, they begin to hear a faint rumbling—not unlike the distinct rumbling of clouds before a storm. It is the sound of a nation on the brink of revival. In Ezra: Under the Good Hand of God, Stephen searches the Old Testament archives and spotlights the divinely empowered achievements of Ezra as he leads God's people to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem and reclaim authentic worship.
1 - The Rumblings of Renewal
After seventy years of captivity, God is about to restore His own people to their homeland by turning the heart of a Pagan King. In this message, Stephen reminds us that if God has princes and kingdoms in His hands, He surely has us in His hands as well.
2 - I'd Rather Have Babylon
Spiritual schizophrenia is rampant in the church today. Its basic symptom is stated in this fashion: “I believe in God, but I’ll never risk my academic standing or my sexual intimacy or my money to give my life to Him. I'd rather have Babylon.” In this powerful message, Stephen gives us a road map out of Babylon and back to God. So fasten your seatbelt and enjoy the ride!
3 - Go Get Your Harp
We are prone to wander, aren't we? We struggle with things like faith and obedience, which affects our worship. But there is coming a day when we'll worship God with all our minds and all hearts and all our strength -- with no sin to stand in the way. Are you looking forward to that day?
4 - Worship When Weak!
The city-wide worship service in Ezra chapter 3 gives us a perfect illustration of what Christian fellowship looks like. The Jews had prayed together, suffered together, and now they will finally worship together. Let's learn from their example today.
5 - Opportunity Equals Opposition
Where there is an opportunity to advance the kingdom of God, there will surely be opposition. Jesus promised that when He said that all who desire to live Godly in this world will face persecution. Are you facing opposition today because of your faith? Take heart . . . it's a sign you're doing the right thing.
6 - Neither Snow Nor Rain . . .
Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night, nor persecution, nor trial, nor height, nor depth, nor the opposition of rulers, nor the sin of nations, nor the power of Satan, nor any other thing can keep the Sovereign of the universe from fully completing His supreme design and His perfect plan. How's that for a postal service motto? In this message, Stephen reminds us that when God makes a promise . . . He always delivers!
7 - The Missing Jewel
Looking at the 21st-century American Church, what would you say is missing? What is the one thing we're getting wrong today? Stephen tells us in this message.
8 - The Puzzle Picture
Zerubbabel built the temple of God, but Ezra built the people of God. He led them out of spiritual darkness into the light of spiritual truth. And as we prop this puzzle picture in front of us today, we'll discover how it can help us rebuild our spiritual lives, too.
9 - People of the Word
We could argue about the value of hobbies, movies, sports, and newspapers and never get anywhere! But what about the time these things demand and their influence on us? Is it any wonder that the average Christian knows more about the world than he or she does about the Word? In this message, Stephen challenges us to get back to the Bible!
10 - Under God's Good Hand
If you want to please God, then be good as He is good. Be a good employee, a good boss, a good parent, a good student, a good mechanic, a good doctor. In this message, Stephen challenges us to demonstrate to a lost world that God doesn't just save lives . . . He changes them as well.
11 - True Confessions, Part 1
Have you ever had someone apologize to you, and you knew they weren’t sorry? On the other hand, have you ever had someone apologize to you, and you knew they were sorry? What was the difference between the two confessions? What made one real and the other false? Stephen gives us the answer from Scripture.
12 - True Confessions, Part 2
Have you ever had someone apologize to you, and you knew they weren’t sorry? On the other hand, have you ever had someone apologize to you, and you knew they were sorry? What was the difference between the two confessions? Stephen gives us the answer from Scripture.
Related Resources
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People of the Word (Booklet)We could argue about the value of hobbies, television, movies, sports, and the newspaper, and never get anywhere! But one truth is undeniable: what you consume impacts you. If you want to be impacted by God, be a person of the Word! |