“Revival or Ruin: Part II”
Ezra 10:1-44
I. GODLY SORROW
II. HOPE FOR FORGIVENESS
III. COVENANT RENEWAL
IV. A SOLEMN SERIOUSNESS
V. THE NEED FOR DUE PROCESS
VI. A VERDICT RENDERED
“The Birth of Deacon Ministry”
Acts 6:1-7
I. CONFLICT WAS THREATENING THE INTERNAL UNITY OF THE CHURCH
A. Conversion doesn’t magically erase all of our prejudices
B. No church is safe from Satan’s attacks.
II. CONFLICT WAS ENDANGERING THE OUTWARD MISSION OF THE CHURCH
III. THE DEACON MINISTRY IS BORN
They were to choose men who were spiritually qualified
They were to choose men who were reputable in the community
They were to choose men who were competent to do the ministry
These men were appointed by the elders and the congregation for the task at hand
IV. THE RESULT: THE CHURCH ORGANIZED FOR EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT MINISTRY
God’s Revealed Word
Psalm 19:7a
I. THE LAW OF THE LORD
II. IT IS PERFECT
III. IT REVIVES THE SOUL
“Revival or Ruin”
Ezra 9:1-15
I. SIN, SHAME, AND SORROW
II. EZRA PRAYS FOR ISRAEL
A. Mediation
B. Confession
C. Reflection on God’s Grace
D. Reciting of the Charges
“The Hand of the Lord: Part II”
Ezra 8:1-35
I. A GLIMMER OF HOPE
II. DEALING WITH MINISTRY HEADACHES
III. TRUSTING GOD ESPECIALLY WHEN IT’S HARD
IV. FAITHFULNESS, DISCIPLINE, AND INTEGRITY
“The Hand of the LORD”
Ezra 7:1-28
I. THE HAND OF THE LORD ON EZRA.
A. Ezra’s Pedigree
B. Ezra’s Passion
C. Ezra’s Position
II. THE HAND OF THE LORD ON KING ARTAXERXES
“The Power of God”
Ezra 5:1-6:22
I. THE POWER OF THE GOD’S WORD
II. A PROHIBITING PROVIDENCE
III. A PROSPEROUS PROVIDENCE
IV. THE RESTORED WORSHIP OF A REDEEMED PEOPLE
“Obedience and Opposition”
Ezra 4:1-24
I. SYNCRETISM OR SEPARATISM
II. GROWING AND UNRELENTING OPPOSITION
“Small Beginnings”
Ezra 3:1-13
I. FAITHFULNESS IN THE MIDST OF FEAR
II. WORSHIP IN THE MIDST OF REJOICING AND WEEPING
“Records and Reasons to Hope”
Ezra 2:1-70
I. GOD KNOWS HIS PEOPLE BY NAME
II. THE SUPREMACY OF WORSHIP
III. THE SUPREMACY OF GOD’S WORD OVER HIS PEOPLE
“Promises, Providence, & Provision”
Ezra 1:1-11
I. GOD KEEPS EVERY PROMISE HE MAKES
II. GOD CAN USE WHOEVER HE WANTS TO ACCOMPLISH HIS WILL
III. GOD WILL PROVIDE EVERYTHING WE NEED TO ACCOMPLISH HIS WILL
“Grace-Enabled, Joy-filled, Generosity”
2 Corinthians 8:1-15; 9:5-8
GTG Principles:
1. We are stewards of all that we have, but we are not owners.
2. Spiritual growth and generosity are inseparable in the life of the believer and the church.
3. Giving reveals our hearts and our priorities.
I. THE GRACE OF GOD AT WORK
1. Giving in light of God’s grace requires giving of oneself, not just giving money
2. Someone can give out of extreme poverty, and others can give out of abundant riches.
3. Jesus can have our money and not have our hearts. But, Jesus cannot have our hearts without also having everything else we have.
II. THE GRACE OF GOD IN JESUS
III. GRACE-ENABLED, JOY-FILLED GENEROSITY
1. Christians are to give voluntarily and willingly.
2. Christians are to give proportionately and fairly according to what you have.
3. Christians are to give reciprocally, cooperatively, and mutually with one another.
4. Christians are to give graciously, generously, and joyfully like Jesus.
“Not Equal Gifts . . . But Equal Sacrifice”
John 6:1-14
1) We are stewards of all that we have, but we are not owners.
2) Spiritual growth and generosity are inseparable in the life of the believer and the church.
3) Giving reveals our hearts and our priorities.
I. A TEST FOR DISCIPLES
II. THE LESSON OF FAITH
III. SEEING AND EXPERIENCING THE PROVISION OF JESUS
“Rich Toward God”
Luke 12:13-21
GTG Principles:
· We are stewards of all that we have, but we are not owners.
· Spiritual growth and generosity are inseparable in the life of the believer and the church.
· Giving reveals our hearts and our priorities.
I. LIFE IS NOT FOUND IN YOUR POSSESSIONS
II. GOD HAS GIVEN YOU ALL THAT YOU HAVE
III. SELF-DECEPTION IS DANGEROUS
IV. LIFE IS SHORT AND UNCERTAIN
“At Calvary”
Luke 23:26-34
I. THE SEIZING OF SIMON
II. SORROWFUL SISTERS
III. UNSUSPECTED SALVATION
“The Road to Calvary”
Luke 10:1-12 - Luke 19:47
Pray for more laborers
This road, this ministry, is dangerous
I will provide everything that you need
I am already at work before you even get there
Expect rejection
Gauge your success rightly
Live fearlessly in light of knowing Me
“Lessons for Disciples: Part 2”
Luke 9:49-62
I. THE NEED FOR OPENNESS AND PARTNERSHIP
II. THE NEED FOR MERCY, GRACE, AND PATIENCE
III. THE NEED TO COUNT THE COST
“Lessons for Disciples Pt. 1”
Luke 9:43b-62
I. THE NEED TO COUNT THE COST
II. THE NEED TO RECKON WITH ONGOING UNBELIEF
III. THE NEED FOR HUMILITYIV. THE NEED FOR OPENNESS AND PARTNERSHIP
V. THE NEED FOR MERCY, GRACE, AND PATIENCE
“Going with Christ: Part III”
Acts 1:1-8
I. THE NATURE OF GOD’S KINGDOM AND OUR MISSION
II. GOD’S KINGDOM AND MISSION ARE SPIRITUAL
III. GOD’S KINGDOM AND MISSION ARE INTERNATIONAL, MULTI-ETHNIC, AND GLOBAL
IV. GOD’S KINGDOM AND MISSION SHOULD MATTER MOST IN OUR LIVES AND DECISIONS
V. GOD’S KINGDOM WILL ENDURE FOREVER, BUT OUR MISSION IS TEMPORARY