Ezra
Rebuilding the House of the Lord
The Spiritual Practice of Studying Scripture
November 13, 2022 • Dave Ripper • Ezra 7
While living in exile, God’s people didn’t have their land, their temple, or their homes, but they did have Scripture. One of the unexpected ways God’s people grew spiritually during this time of terrible disruption, was by grounding and rooting their lives in God’s Word like never before. They become people of the book. As we seek to rebuild our broken lives and world, perhaps God is calling us to anchor our lives once again in his powerful Word. This week, following the example of Ezra, discover how God is inviting us to engage in the spiritual practice of studying Scripture.
Fighting Through Our Spiritual Battles
November 6, 2022 • Ezra 4, Ezra 5, Ezra 6
Saying ‘yes’ to Jesus rarely makes life easier. Oftentimes, it means we will face uphill challenges, alluring temptations, and fierce opposition to what God is calling us to do. As we continue our series on Ezra this Sunday, we’ll discover this was exactly what God’s people faced as they sought to rebuild the house of the Lord. In part four of this series, we’ll learn how to fight through the spiritual battles we encounter, and how we can finish the work God has given us to do. We encourage you to read Ezra 4-6 in preparation, and we hope to see you Sunday.
Restoring Worship
October 30, 2022 • Dave Ripper • Ezra 3
How do you connect with God in worship? What draws you closer to him? This week, as we continue our series on the Old Testament book of Ezra, we’ll learn how God’s people rebuilt their lives and community around the authentic worship of God. Discover why worship strengthens our souls, heightens our joy, and extends our witness to the watching world.
Living Generously in the Face of Uncertainty
October 23, 2022 • Dave Ripper • Ezra 2
The Old Testament book of Ezra tells the story of God’s people rebuilding their broken world. The work of rebuilding begins by recognizing and responding to the stirring of the Lord. What has the Lord been stirring in your life? Are you open to hearing him? This week Pastor Dave Ripper continues our series on Ezra by exploring why God stirs his people to live generously—even in the face of uncertainty.
Exiles, God's Faithfulness, and Stirred hearts
October 16, 2022 • Jake Scott • Ezra 1
Ezra 1 is the beginning of a parallel journeys. One journey is embarked upon by returnees making their way back to Jerusalem. The other journey is made by many of the same people making their way back to God. Along the way God will show Himself faithful and a promise keeper. In response, He will stir people's hearts to a calling to rebuild the House of the Lord.