Messages

Responding to Jesus

Dec 25, 2011

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The Baby at Bethlehem is a seriously important event. The problem is how do we respond to Him? Do we know the truth of Christ simply by rational good will, or is there something else necessary to know who Jesus really is? We examine this question with reference to Joseph in Matthew Ch. 1


Dec 27, 2011 11:01 AM

(re)Turning to God (Ezra 5)

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Obedience is difficult, and not just when we face direct violent opposition. Sometimes it is just easier to stay in disobedience and pretend God hasn't called us to anything better. However, God is merciful and works to call us back to Himself. Join us this week as we look at how God called his people Israel, when they were mired in fear and self-deception, to again follow Him. We look at the faithful preaching of Zeceriah and Haggai, and the effects it had on the people gathered to rebuild the temple.

Dec 20, 2011 1:24 PM

Opposition (Ezra 4)

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Opposition comes to all people who seek to serve God. This has not been a new thing that arose from the time of Jesus, but was also true of the Old Testament people of Israel. As we look at Ezra 4, we can see different types of opposition we can face, and how we can respond, and most importantly, who we can turn to when we respond poorly to opposition. 

Study Questions for Ezra 4:

Observation:

    1. Who wanted to help the returned exiles?
    2. Who wrote the letter to Artaxerxes?
    3. How long did the work on the temple cease?

Interpretation:

    1. What do you think the “adversaries” wanted when they offered to help the exiles? What reason did the former exiles give for their response? Could there have been another reason? 
    2. What different groups oppose the building? What reasons do they give? How successful are they in their opposition?
    3. Why did the Jews stop building the wall in the future example? Why do you think they stopped building the temple in the time of Cyrus/Darius? 

Application:

    1. How can we recognize adversaries? How should we respond to them?
Dec 13, 2011 2:32 PM

Godly Worship (Ezra 3)

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What does the worship of God's people in post-exile Israel help us to understand about God and His purposes for the worship of His chosen people today? Join us for the message of Dec 4, 2011 as we look more deeply into Ezra Chapter 3 to find out.

Study Questions for Ezra 3:

Observation:

    1. Who built the altar?
    2. What were the people of Tyre and Sidon paid?
    3. What words did the sons of Asaph sing?

Interpretation:

    1. Why did the people come to Jerusalem when they did? Why was this important? Why do they build the altar before the temple?
    2. How long before the people start work on the temple? How do they begin their work? Is this an “Israelite only” job? Why do they need Levites to supervise the work?
    3. What were the responses to the foundation being laid? What are the differences? Why do you think they are reacting this way?

Application:

    1. Why is it so important to prioritize worshipping God? How often do we give thanks for the things that God does in our lives? 
    2. What can we learn from the Israelites’ worship in this chapter? How can we apply this?
Dec 13, 2011 2:24 PM
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