Get 30 FREE sermons.

SHALL WE GATHER AT THE RIVER? (16 OF 19)

by Mike Stone

Scripture: Ezra 8:1-36


Shall We Gather at the River? (16 of 19)
Series: Ezra
Mike Stone
Ezra 8


Part of the series: EZRA
Praising the God Who Rebuilds and Restores

At first, it appears to be a book about rebuilding Jerusalem and the temple. But it's more about God rebuilding a people.

We are about to embark on a new building project we've called ''NEXT GEN NOW.'' It is a multi-phased building plan that will strategically position us to reach the next generation more fully and effectively than ever before.

This building will be newer and nicer than our current children's space. But that, by itself, is not reason enough to build. This space will be larger and more equipped to help us reach more children and their families with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I want you to SENSE and to SEE that God is at work in our congregation. With that in mind, we turn in our Bibles once again to Ezra 8 and I wish to pose this little question. Shall we gather at the river?

In 1864 a Baptist preacher named Robert Lowry sat down to write a poem. It was, in many ways, the height of the Civil War. That spring and summer, tens of thousands of men and boys gave their lives on the battlefield, including the Battle of Atlanta.

Lowry knew that the only hope for the broken hearts of the survivors of this bloody war was the promise of heaven and the presence of God in eternity.

With his mind fixed on the crystal river of Revelation 22, Lowry asked a powerful and poignant question.

Shall we gather at the river where bright angels' feet have trod
With its crystal tide forever flowing from the throne of God?

Lowry then answered his own question: Yes we'll gather at the river, the beautiful, beautiful river, gather with the saints at the river that flows from the throne of God

Many churches have sung this great song at baptismal services through the years. Before the days when most churches had an indoor baptistery, God's people would indeed gather at the river.

Well in Ezra 8, t ...

There are 12196 characters in the full content. This excerpt only shows a 2000 character sample of the full content.

Price:  $5.99 or 1 credit
Start a Free Trial