Brick By Brick
Faith Foundations from Ezra & Haggai
Confession, Repentance, & Forgiveness
March 3, 2024 • Pastor Brent Warkentin • Ezra 7—10
The right response to sin is always repentance. This week Pastor Brent looks at the closing chapters of Ezra where the Israelites confessed their sins to God and found freedom in forgiveness. We should also be disciplined in following good teachers and regularly practicing confession and repentance.
Paneled Houses
February 25, 2024 • Pastor Brent Warkentin • Haggai 1
As the Israelites continued to rebuild the temple after exile, they soon began to drift from God's mission and focus more on their own comfort. In this message, Pastor Brent outlines the "Paneled Houses Principle" of giving generously to God's work FIRST before focusing on our own agendas or lifestyle. Do you need to realign your priorities?
Persevering Through Adversity
February 18, 2024 • Pastor Brent Warkentin • Ezra 3—6
This week Pastor Brent provides a template for overcoming life's setbacks and challenges, based on the story of the Hebrew people from Ezra 3-6. Brent outlines four suggestions: prayer, focusing on what you can control, seeking help, and cultivating grit. With faith, we have what it takes to endure significant hardship, just like Ezra, Haggai, and the Hebrew people.
Prioritizing Worship Through Adversity
February 11, 2024 • Pastor Brent Warkentin
After 70 years in exile, King Cyrus allowed the Israelites to return home to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. Like Cyrus, we should lead with kindness, acting on God's nudges to move. And against all odds and through all adversity, we're called to worship.
The Incredible Patience of God
February 4, 2024 • Pastor Brent Warkentin
As we dive into a new teaching series through the books of Ezra and Haggai, Pastor Brent begins with a big picture overview of the story of the Old Testament. Through thousands of years of history, God remained remarkably patient and kind--and that's still who He is today.