Ezra Foreword

Sermon on Ezra 1:1,2

"THE WORD OF THE LORD SHALL STAND." I. IN THE FIRST YEAR OF CYRUS, KING OF PERSIA. A. Cyrus began his sole rule over Persia in the year 536. B.C. 1. The first year of his reign was then 70 years after the first time that Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem in 606 B.C. and took away captives, among whom was Daniel and his three friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, more commonly...

Sermon on Ezra 4:1-6

Intro: Lesson purpose -- to discover Satan's methods of approach in hindering the building of the temple of God. Christ is building His Church and Satan still seeks to hinder. I. AN UNHOLY UNION "LET US BUILD WITH YOU." A. Who were these offering their help? 1. Samaritans who had intermingled with other races. a. They worshipped many gods and Jehovah also. b. Mongrel people w...

Sermon on Ezra 6:14,15

"TURNING THE TABLES." Intro. The work of rebuilding the temple had been halted because of a decree from king Artaxerxes who had responded to a letter of warning from the leaders of the surrounding area. They came with the decree of the king and forced them to stop the building. Several years have gone by and Artaxerxes is now dead and Darius has been reigning for two years when the...

Sermon on Ezra 7:6, 9, 10, 28

"THE GOOD HAND OF THE LORD" I. THE NEED FOR THE HAND OF GOD ON OUR LIVES. A. Favor with God brings favor with man. (vs. 6). 1. Life moves on two planes, vertical and horizontal. a. The verticle is the axis upon which our lives revolve, thus more important. b. If the center of my life is out of kilter the circumference is bound to be erratic. c. So many today think their greate...

Sermon on Ezra 7:10

"THE PREPARATION OF THE HEART." I. PREPARING YOUR HEART FOR THE LORD IS AN OFT USED PHRASE IN THE BIBLE. A. Samuel called upon the people of Israel in 1 Samuel 7:3, saying, "If you will return to the LORD with all your heart, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve Him only: and He will deliver you out of the ha...

Sermon on Ezra 8:18

"THE GOOD HAND OF OUR GOD ON US" Intro: This seems to be the theme of this book. God is constantly working in the lives of His people for good. We can't always see this. These were the good days of restoration. I. GOD HAD PROMISED THIS DAY. A. Through Jeremiah. 1. He prophesied of their being carried away captive to Babylon. 2. The period of their captivity 70 years. 3. That H...

Sermon on Ezra 8:21-23

"PUT ON THE SPOT FOR GOD" Intro: First contingency to return from Babylon began the rebuilding of the Temple. Work bogged down and finally stopped. 78 years after first Ezra given permission to take 2nd 1500 adult males and approx. $5,000,000 in silver and gold for temple. I. THE PERILS OF THE JOURNEY. A. Trip was long & hard. 1. Nearly 1200 miles. 2. A 4 month trek. 3. No s...

Sermon on Ezra 8:21-23

"BRAGGING ON GOD" Intro: 78 years after first contingency of Jewish captives returned from Babylon to start rebuilding the temple. Ezra is given permission by Artaxerxes King of Persia, to return to Jerusalem. About 1500 adult males volunteered to return with him and he was given approx. $5,000,000 for the temple. I. THE PERILS OF THE WAY. A. The trip was long & hard. 1. Nearly...

Sermon on Ezra 8:22

"THE GOOD HAND OF OUR GOD" I. "THE HAND OF OUR GOD IS UPON ALL THEM FOR GOOD WHO SEEK HIM." A. Seeking God is the only requirement. 1. Surprising how few people really seek God. 2. Seek security, pleasure, happiness. 3. Jesus said "seek and ye shall find." B. Jere. "In the day you seek Me with all of your heart in that day will I be found of you." C. Just who or what are you ...

Sermon on Ezra 9:3

"God's Man." Intro. Ezekiel was a prophet to the Jews who were in exile in Babylon. The Lord said in EZE 22:29, that the reason they went into captivity was: "The people of the land had used oppression, they committed robbery, and took advantage of the poor and needy: they oppressed the stranger wrongfully. The Lord said: And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the h...