How to Get Back Up (9 of 19)
Series: Ezra
Mike Stone
Ezra 5-6
Part of the series:
EZRA - Praising the God Who Rebuilds and Restores
You may be tired of hearing it by now but I need to continually stress this point. At first glance, Ezra appears to be a book about rebuilding Jerusalem and the temple. But it's more about God rebuilding a people for the ultimate glory of Jesus.
As we embark on our own building project, I want to use the book of Ezra to keep us focused on this truth. The work of God is never about building a building. It's about building a people for the glory of the Lord Jesus.
In our own congregation, we have a new building project about to begin 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.
Years ago, a home medical alert company had a very popular commercial. This company made devices that senior adults would wear around the house and if they had an accident they could call for medical help.
In 1989, the LifeCall Medical Company hired a stunt person to stage a fall in the bathroom. Actress Edith Fore played the part of Mrs. Fletcher and called out, ''I've fallen and I can't get up.'' That commercial became the brunt of many jokes and parodies through the years.
But the truth is, if an elderly person has fallen and cannot get up by themselves, that's no laughing matter. And it's no laughing matter when an individual Christian or entire church has fallen down on the job and can't get back up.
Such is the case in this section of Ezra. In chapter 1, God stirred the heart of Cyrus to order the repatriation of Judah and the rebuilding of the Jerusalem temple. In chapter 2, Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and others led the return to Jerusalem and an offering was received for the building fund.
In chapter 3, an altar was built, sacrifices were made, and the foundation of the temple was laid. And my, what a worshi ...
Series: Ezra
Mike Stone
Ezra 5-6
Part of the series:
EZRA - Praising the God Who Rebuilds and Restores
You may be tired of hearing it by now but I need to continually stress this point. At first glance, Ezra appears to be a book about rebuilding Jerusalem and the temple. But it's more about God rebuilding a people for the ultimate glory of Jesus.
As we embark on our own building project, I want to use the book of Ezra to keep us focused on this truth. The work of God is never about building a building. It's about building a people for the glory of the Lord Jesus.
In our own congregation, we have a new building project about to begin 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.
Years ago, a home medical alert company had a very popular commercial. This company made devices that senior adults would wear around the house and if they had an accident they could call for medical help.
In 1989, the LifeCall Medical Company hired a stunt person to stage a fall in the bathroom. Actress Edith Fore played the part of Mrs. Fletcher and called out, ''I've fallen and I can't get up.'' That commercial became the brunt of many jokes and parodies through the years.
But the truth is, if an elderly person has fallen and cannot get up by themselves, that's no laughing matter. And it's no laughing matter when an individual Christian or entire church has fallen down on the job and can't get back up.
Such is the case in this section of Ezra. In chapter 1, God stirred the heart of Cyrus to order the repatriation of Judah and the rebuilding of the Jerusalem temple. In chapter 2, Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and others led the return to Jerusalem and an offering was received for the building fund.
In chapter 3, an altar was built, sacrifices were made, and the foundation of the temple was laid. And my, what a worshi ...
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