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How does a society dedicated to serving the Lord become corrupted? In our own country 60 years ago God was a much bigger part of our society and our culture was shaped by our love for and obedience to God. Things that would shock our society then are hardly a blip now. How did we get to where we are now? In Ezra 9 we see a very similar occurrence, as the social norms and customs of the Jews who returned have strayed from the way God commanded them to live when He spoke to Moses. Ezra has apparently seen more Biblical behavior in Babylon then he does here in Jerusalem. How did this happen in the 60 years since the Temple was completed? There were no rebukes of lifestyle issues spoken by the prophets that we have recorded, so this change would seem to have occurred in the years following the Temple’s completion.
How does a society dedicated to serving the Lord become corrupted? In our own country 60 years ago God was a much bigger part of our society and our culture was shaped by our love for and obedience to God. Things that would shock our society then are hardly a blip now. How did we get to where we are now? In Ezra 9 we see a very similar occurrence, as the social norms and customs of the Jews who returned have strayed from the way God commanded them to live when He spoke to Moses. Ezra has apparently seen more Biblical behavior in Babylon then he does here in Jerusalem. How did this happen in the 60 years since the Temple was completed? There were no rebukes of lifestyle issues spoken by the prophets that we have recorded, so this change would seem to have occurred in the years following the Temple’s completion.
Most of us are aware of how what we say can produce good or bad in our life. Here we see that Ezra spoke good about His God but it created a very interesting dilemma for him.
Most of us are aware of how what we say can produce good or bad in our life. Here we see that Ezra spoke good about His God but it created a very interesting dilemma for him.
What does it take for you to see the hand of the Lord upon you? It is easy to see God’s helping hand when things are going well and mostly as you expect, but what do you see when things are difficult, you are repeatedly hit with the unexpected, or it seems like you are trudging through spiritual mud? Can you still see the hand of God, or does it appear to have left you? We look at what it takes to be able to see the hand of God on your life and call in the difficult times, as we take on Ezra 7.
What does it take for you to see the hand of the Lord upon you? It is easy to see God’s helping hand when things are going well and mostly as you expect, but what do you see when things are difficult, you are repeatedly hit with the unexpected, or it seems like you are trudging through spiritual mud? Can you still see the hand of God, or does it appear to have left you? We look at what it takes to be able to see the hand of God on your life and call in the difficult times, as we take on Ezra 7.
There were two groups of people that opposed Jesus, in the Sadducees and the Pharisees, and we will be looking at how these groups began in this week's midweek service. There was also a third group not mentioned in the Bible as they were not involved in any direct confrontation with Jesus. It is amazing how what was in the past continues in the present.
There were two groups of people that opposed Jesus, in the Sadducees and the Pharisees, and we will be looking at how these groups began in this week's midweek service. There was also a third group not mentioned in the Bible as they were not involved in any direct confrontation with Jesus. It is amazing how what was in the past continues in the present.
What do you expect should happen when a prophet is given a message from the Lord to not only tell you what the will of God is, but that He wants you to do it? Would you expect things to be easier from then on or harder? Smooth sailing or more opposition? We may say we should expect more opposition, but in practice Christians who receive increased opposition feel and speak things like “the word must not have been from God,” “the devil must be real mad at what I’m doing,” or even “people need to line up with what God told me.” How have you responded in the past? How should we respond and what can we learn from these events in the lives of those who resumed building the Temple, after Haggai gives them such great words from God?" In this chapter we can learn a very important lesson in dealing with those who oppose us, and how we can make the situation better. Also, what does it mean that "The eye of their God was on the elders..."? Is the same eye on you and what impact should it have on your life?
What do you expect should happen when a prophet is given a message from the Lord to not only tell you what the will of God is, but that He wants you to do it? Would you expect things to be easier from then on or harder? Smooth sailing or more opposition? We may say we should expect more opposition, but in practice Christians who receive increased opposition feel and speak things like “the word must not have been from God,” “the devil must be real mad at what I’m doing,” or even “people need to line up with what God told me.” How have you responded in the past? How should we respond and what can we learn from these events in the lives of those who resumed building the Temple, after Haggai gives them such great words from God?" In this chapter we can learn a very important lesson in dealing with those who oppose us, and how we can make the situation better. Also, what does it mean that "The eye of their God was on the elders..."? Is the same eye on you and what impact should it have on your life?
What gets God excited? We all get excited about things to come or things that have occurred for different reasons, but what are the reasons that cause God to anticipate the good He sees coming? In Haggai Chapter 2 we get a glimpse of what that is, and if we are endeavoring to be more like Him then we should become excited on the things that make our God anticipate somethings arrival.
What gets God excited? We all get excited about things to come or things that have occurred for different reasons, but what are the reasons that cause God to anticipate the good He sees coming? In Haggai Chapter 2 we get a glimpse of what that is, and if we are endeavoring to be more like Him then we should become excited on the things that make our God anticipate somethings arrival.
How does God look upon us when we become discouraged in doing what God asked of us or perhaps even distracted from it? The exiles who returned to Judea have been discouraged, and may have let that turn into becoming distracted from the task of rebuilding the temple of God. How does God respond? What is God’s view of them at this time? As we begin Ezra 5 we see a prophet who was sent to them. The messages he is given make it into a book we know as Haggai. In this weeks midweek service we take a look at these messages Haggai has for them, beginning with the first two tonight. What we learn from these messages to the people of Judea are intended to help us when we are facing the same thing. Have you been discouraged in your God given purpose? Have you put off doing what God told you to do? Let's look at the messages of Haggai together and see what we can use to help in what we need to overcome.
How does God look upon us when we become discouraged in doing what God asked of us or perhaps even distracted from it? The exiles who returned to Judea have been discouraged, and may have let that turn into becoming distracted from the task of rebuilding the temple of God. How does God respond? What is God’s view of them at this time? As we begin Ezra 5 we see a prophet who was sent to them. The messages he is given make it into a book we know as Haggai. In this weeks midweek service we take a look at these messages Haggai has for them, beginning with the first two tonight. What we learn from these messages to the people of Judea are intended to help us when we are facing the same thing. Have you been discouraged in your God given purpose? Have you put off doing what God told you to do? Let's look at the messages of Haggai together and see what we can use to help in what we need to overcome.
What kind of resistance have you had in life? Resistance in doing what is good and right? Resistance in staying true to your calling and gifts? What about resisting the pull to stray from sound doctrine, as worldly pressure builds or we are pushed to go with the popular doctrine of the day? In Ezra 4 there were three kinds of resistance the returning exiles faced in doing what God had them to do. These same three are still at work today, so we will look at what they did to stay with the work they were called to do.
What kind of resistance have you had in life? Resistance in doing what is good and right? Resistance in staying true to your calling and gifts? What about resisting the pull to stray from sound doctrine, as worldly pressure builds or we are pushed to go with the popular doctrine of the day? In Ezra 4 there were three kinds of resistance the returning exiles faced in doing what God had them to do. These same three are still at work today, so we will look at what they did to stay with the work they were called to do.
Who was the destroyer that killed the firstborn in the first Passover (Exodus 12)? As I have listened to teachers and preachers teach on Israel’s exodus from Egypt and the many things surrounding the sprinkling of the blood on the door posts to protect the home from the destroyer, I am amazed at how many things are read into the story that are just not there. If we want to fully grasp the purpose God has for an event like Passover, we must first understand what the Bible teaches actually occurred. It has been a long time since we looked closely at Exodus 12 and the first Passover. Since the desire is always to answer the questions sent to me as accurately as possible, tonight we will go back to the account in Exodus so we can differentiate truth from fiction.
Who was the destroyer that killed the firstborn in the first Passover (Exodus 12)? As I have listened to teachers and preachers teach on Israel’s exodus from Egypt and the many things surrounding the sprinkling of the blood on the door posts to protect the home from the destroyer, I am amazed at how many things are read into the story that are just not there. If we want to fully grasp the purpose God has for an event like Passover, we must first understand what the Bible teaches actually occurred. It has been a long time since we looked closely at Exodus 12 and the first Passover. Since the desire is always to answer the questions sent to me as accurately as possible, tonight we will go back to the account in Exodus so we can differentiate truth from fiction.
In this service we take on the 3 fall feast of Israel. They are all unfulfilled and we will look into how they will be fulfilled and what they point to.
In this service we take on the 3 fall feast of Israel. They are all unfulfilled and we will look into how they will be fulfilled and what they point to.
What is the significance of the 7 feasts of Israel and what does each speak to prophetically? The 4 spring feasts have been fulfilled, but the 3 fall feasts are not. As the fulfilled feasts give us details on what did occur at the crucifixion, so too the unfulfilled feasts will give us insight on what is yet to come. It has been a long time since we really looked into the feasts of Israel, and as we take on Ezra 3 we see the feasts are reinstated. We will take a close look at these feast, beginning with the 4 fulfilled Spring feasts tonight, and the 3 unfulfilled Fall feasts next week.
What is the significance of the 7 feasts of Israel and what does each speak to prophetically? The 4 spring feasts have been fulfilled, but the 3 fall feasts are not. As the fulfilled feasts give us details on what did occur at the crucifixion, so too the unfulfilled feasts will give us insight on what is yet to come. It has been a long time since we really looked into the feasts of Israel, and as we take on Ezra 3 we see the feasts are reinstated. We will take a close look at these feast, beginning with the 4 fulfilled Spring feasts tonight, and the 3 unfulfilled Fall feasts next week.
Why does the Bible include genealogies? It’s not all that interesting to just read the names of people and not know their stories, so why not just skip over them? In Ezra chapter 2 we have quite a list of the people who made the trip to return to Judah and begin the rebuilding process. Is there something we can learn from this long list of names? I think this is the first time I’ve ever used this text for any teaching before, but I’ve seen some things that can be a real help in our spiritual walk.
Why does the Bible include genealogies? It’s not all that interesting to just read the names of people and not know their stories, so why not just skip over them? In Ezra chapter 2 we have quite a list of the people who made the trip to return to Judah and begin the rebuilding process. Is there something we can learn from this long list of names? I think this is the first time I’ve ever used this text for any teaching before, but I’ve seen some things that can be a real help in our spiritual walk.
Redemption is instantaneous but restoration is a process. In spending time figuring out the theme for this new series that begins in the book of Ezra, Judah is being restored into the land that God had given them. There was a decree that set everything in motion in an instant, but that was only the beginning of the process of restoring them to the land, and the land as well. When we expect instant restoration, we can get discouraged when it is taking some time. What is restoration for the New Testament believer, when is it needed, and how do we come into it? Tonight we take on a few topics from Chapter 1, like how was God able to use a heathen king to accomplish His will? What is meant by “all whose spirits God had moved, arose to go up and build the house of the LORD?” Did God not want all the Jewish people to go home? Why would some people not feel led to leave a land of idolatry to return to their homeland? There is more we will get into tonight and I hope you can join in as we begin the study of Ezra.
Redemption is instantaneous but restoration is a process. In spending time figuring out the theme for this new series that begins in the book of Ezra, Judah is being restored into the land that God had given them. There was a decree that set everything in motion in an instant, but that was only the beginning of the process of restoring them to the land, and the land as well. When we expect instant restoration, we can get discouraged when it is taking some time. What is restoration for the New Testament believer, when is it needed, and how do we come into it? Tonight we take on a few topics from Chapter 1, like how was God able to use a heathen king to accomplish His will? What is meant by “all whose spirits God had moved, arose to go up and build the house of the LORD?” Did God not want all the Jewish people to go home? Why would some people not feel led to leave a land of idolatry to return to their homeland? There is more we will get into tonight and I hope you can join in as we begin the study of Ezra.
Wrapping up the series on Ephesians we look at Paul's request of prayer for "utterance" and "boldness." What does "utterance" mean, and how does what Paul is facing affect his prayer request? We know Paul's request is a very scriptural one, but how many times have we been asked to pray for things we don't see as founded in scripture? What should a Christian do?
Wrapping up the series on Ephesians we look at Paul's request of prayer for "utterance" and "boldness." What does "utterance" mean, and how does what Paul is facing affect his prayer request? We know Paul's request is a very scriptural one, but how many times have we been asked to pray for things we don't see as founded in scripture? What should a Christian do?
How did the armor of God work for the Apostle Paul himself? We have gone through his teaching, now lets see how it was at work in Paul's life and ministry. Last week we looked at how Joshua (an Old Testament saint) walked in the whole armor of God in his calling to lead Israel, so this Wednesday we switch to the New Testament. We look at the life of Paul through the book of Acts to see the armor in use in his life.
How did the armor of God work for the Apostle Paul himself? We have gone through his teaching, now lets see how it was at work in Paul's life and ministry. Last week we looked at how Joshua (an Old Testament saint) walked in the whole armor of God in his calling to lead Israel, so this Wednesday we switch to the New Testament. We look at the life of Paul through the book of Acts to see the armor in use in his life.
