Repentance Leading to Reform Ezra 9

Ezra ends on a disturbing note of unfinished business. While the good hand of the Lord guided the Israelites back to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple, Ezra sees the repeated pattern of acquiescing to the culture. Once again, leaders of the people were adopting the patterns of prevailing culture, rejecting biblical mandates. Ezra 9 reminds us of the need for personal and corporate repentance in the face of our bent to be molded by our world.

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The Activity of Trust Ezra 8: 15-36

Today, having finally met Ezra in chapter 7 and hearing King Artexerxes’ letter granting passage and provisions for the trip, we now get to see Ezra in action as he leads many to return to Jerusalem. Ezra 7 ends with “I (Ezra) took courage, for the hand of the Lord my God was on me…” and we’ll see this morning how knowing the comfort of God’s hand upon us leads to activity.  It’s really the activity of trusting, the activity of resting in God, but the result is worship.  Ezra is preparing the people, the priests, and the provisions for temple worship. 

Read Online: Ezra 8: 15-36

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A Heart for God's Word Ezra 7:1-10

   Today we finally meet Ezra, three quarters of the way through the story, seventy years later. Ezra 7 introduces us to the priest, whose role as a scribe sets the tone for Judaism and, later Christianity, for the leader who is committed to studying, obeying and teaching God’s Word.  

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Read Online: Ezra 7:1-10
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Ezra 6:16-22 Captivated by Joy

In this message, in Ezra 5-6 the Temple is now complete, despite objections by other peoples in the land. Following its dedication, Passover is finally celebrated in the completed Temple. In Ezra 6:19-22 Israel once again looks back to the great event in their history, the Exodus from Egypt. As their ancestors in the past, they replay the passing over by the angel of death, as they eat the sacrificial lamb. What was a somber event, gives way to joy and celebration for God’s gracious freedom.





Read Online: Ezra 6:16-22

Deceptive Appearences - Ezra 4

As often happens in life, what begins with good intentions and great expectations gets bogged down in the messiness of life. God’s people begin biblical worship anew in Jerusalem with joy and weeping, but as progress is made, opposition comes. In Ezra 4, inhabitants in the land offer their help to build and worship with Israel, but are met with a quick rebuff by Zerubbabel. Appearances of aid are deceptive, as the offer to help quickly morphs into fierce opposition that lasts fifty years. We too, live in a world where we must discern between inclusion and opposition. 

Read Online: Ezra 4

Ezra 3 Worship Priorities

   Today, we discuss how God’s people make their trek from Babylonia to Jerusalem in 538BC, returning home from generations of captivity, they express an important priority in their life by their actions. Soon after arriving, they set the altar in its place and began the worship as God had prescribed through Moses. Ezra 3 sets before us the importance of priorities in life, not just in how worship is prescribed, but our perspective in worship as well.



Read Online: Ezra 3:1-13

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Ezra 1 - When God Brings Us Home

We begin a journey out of Captivity back into the Promised Land wherein we have the privilege to worship our God who keeps His promise. We are launching an eight week study of Ezra, the story of the small remnant of Judah who returned to Jerusalem in 538 BC to reestablish the Temple. While centuries and culture may separate us, we are joined with our ancestors in the faith with the high calling to worship our redeeming God in the midst of a confusing world.



Read Online: Ezra 1

Psalm 2 "The song of the Anointed"

In this message – This morning we are taking a week to look at Psalm 2. This Psalm is one of the most frequently quoted in the NT and shows the picture of the rule and reign of the Messiah who was to come from the family of King David. We will see how God’s Anointed King will be ultimately fulfilled in Jesus.  He will rule over all nations and in the end will be the one before whom all others will bow and in whom we can take our refuge!

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Zephaniah 3:14-20

Today in Worship – This morning we look at Zephaniah 3:14-20.  Judgment is not something that we love talking about because we don’t like being judged.  Judgment brings all of our faults before us and often creates in us a sense of shame.  How can one even stand under the judgement of God?  Zephaniah describes the Christian’s approach to the Day of the Lord as one not to be marked by shame but rejoicing, not fear but confidence, and ultimately to be hidden in Christ.

Read Online: Zephaniah 3:14-20

The Cross of Christmas Galatians 4:4-7

Today we celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.  Our text is Galatians 4:4-7, which ushers us into a story, a true story, of the history of God’s redemptive plans culminating with the birth of Christ, but not stopping there.  Christmas is Christ’s first step to the cross.   We can’t separate them from each other.  At the heart of the Gospel is an adoption.  One pays the cost that the adopted could never pay, but in so doing the adopted is welcomed into a new family with full rights as heirs.  This is the family of God and our identity is radically shaped through Christ’s birth, born of a woman, born under the law, and his purpose, to redeem those under the law, that we might have adoption as sons. 

Read Online: Galatians 4:4-7

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Longing For Light - 1 John 1:5-10

This morning our service, and especially the preached word, will be centered on what it means to embrace Christ as the Light who broke into our darkness. This is a central theme of the Advent season. In our passage in 1 John 1:5-10 we will be learning more what it means to have fellowship with a God who is light and in turn to live in the light as those united to Christ and cleansed by His blood!

Read Online: 1 John 1:5-10

"Longing For Joy" Habakkuk 3:17-19

Today in Worship – This morning we remain in the season of Advent.  Advent calls the church and her people into a season of waiting with the purpose of developing within us an acute recognition of God’s purposes and work in this world, specifically sending His Son, Jesus Christ into the world, the Incarnate Word made flesh.  But we also look forward to what is to come, the return of Christ, the renewal of all things.  This morning we focus on Joy, as we look at Habakkuk 3:17-19.  Joy is not simply an emotion, but an inner, settled, confident rest in God that doesn’t allow circumstances to rob or increase my experience of it.  Joy is praising God in all of life, regardless of circumstance, regardless of situation, regardless. 

Read Online: Hab.3:17-19

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