Preparing to Build: Ezra-Nehemiah Series Review
Below you’ll find a series introduction as well as a week by week review of our Preparing to Build sermon series. Please use this resource to reflect on the good work that the Lord has already done in and through this series and also to continue to build upon that good work moving forward.
To begin, here are a couple of overarching questions to consider as you review and continue to reflect upon this sermon series:
- How have you been challenged through this series?
- How have you been encouraged through this series?
- What has God put on your heart or called you to through this series?
- What next steps might God have for you following this series?
Here is a brief summary of the pages that follow:
- The Series Introduction
- The Sermon Series Review by Date, Text & Sermon Theme
*Note that audio recordings of each sermon can be accessed by clicking on the blue sermon title
Series Introduction:
Preparing to Build: A Look at Ezra Nehemiah
Unusual Times: God’s people had been away from their routine and away from their place of worship for a long time–70 years! We can honestly imagine how they may have felt, because our routines have been different and we have been away from worshipping together in our sanctuary since March and it feels like such a long time. We are grateful that our worship isn’t limited to a place, but we all long to regather. We have questions about how things will go and what we might expect in the coming months. We believe God is inviting us to learn from the stories recorded in Ezra and Nehemiah to prepare us as a church for the days ahead.
God’s Ways: We have to admit, it seemed a bit odd to us to begin to preach a series about building and growing the church in this season of shelter in place. However, the more we have studied and prayed, the more excited we are to engage this study as a church family. There are lessons about returning to an area, about the importance of God’s presence and worship, about God and His faithfulness, about cooperating and working together toward common goals, and about how to resist opposition and press on despite difficulties. There are lessons about our need for godly leaders, for discipleship and pursuing holiness. And we will be reminded of the gift of salvation, how to pray when we meet opposition, and the great joy of significant mission accomplishment that results when everyone does their part and God brings the victory!
Careful Attention: We preached from Haggai earlier this year, a prophet who shows up in Ezra. Haggai repeatedly urged God’s people to give careful consideration to their ways as they heeded God’s call to get busy and work! We are excited to dig into the books of Ezra and Nehemiah with you this summer. We believe God is calling us at Gold Avenue Church to give careful consideration to how we build so that as we move forward in unity, the gospel of Jesus Christ will transform our hearts, our neighborhood and the world.
Preparing for Revival: Yes, with the covid virus, it seems daunting to think about trying to advance God’s kingdom. Yet, the exiles must have felt similarly as they considered going back to rebuild the temple and walls of Jerusalem. We believe God will again revive his people and add to our number as He has done in the past.
Will you commit to listen faithfully to and apply prayerfully these summer messages as Gold Avenue Church finds herself Preparing to Build?
Series Review:
Ezra-Nehemiah & Psalms Sermon Series
A series of 16 prophetic messages that God has and continues to use to build upon the foundation of Christ and a group of leaders who embody the kingdom of God. As we seek to grow as those who embody the kingdom of God and grow up into Christ, the themes of this sermon series are helpful. This series focused on Part 1-Restoring the Temple, Part 2-Restoring the Wall, and throughout, the Restoration of God’s People.
*Click on the sermon title to access audio recording of each sermon
PART ONE Restoring the Temple
Main Idea: God saves his people and has kingdom purpose and provision for the work we are called to.
Guiding Question: Is God moving on your heart to help build His Kingdom?
Main idea: God records in his book those who He saves, and they celebrate God’s love and presence by worshipping unashamedly before the world.
Guiding Question: Are we overflowing with praise and thanksgiving?
Main Idea: The kingdom of God often faces prolonged and intimidating
opposition, but God continues to encourage and assure of His presence.
Guiding Question: Do we expect God to watch over us as we attempt to build?
Main Idea: God’s people call out to him in trouble and he strengthens them for perseverance.
Guiding Question: Do we expect God to deliver us?
Main Idea: When God initiates a work, He will see it to completion. When building is challenging-watch and see the deliverance of the Lord!
Guiding Question: Do we believe that our opponents could become our supporters?
Main Idea: God raises up leaders who know and love his Word, to disciple others.
Guiding Question: Do we devote ourselves to God’s Word and teach others His ways?
Main Idea: Revival starts with Repentance and Returning to God’s Ways. A leader who embodies repentance provides a model for others to follow.
Guiding Question: Does awareness of my own or others unfaithfulness to God lead me/us to deep repentance?
PART TWO Restoring the Wall
Main Idea: God calls and engages the hearts of leaders toward his kingdom purposes on earth, leading them step by step (giving his heart, humility, favor, and courage).
Guiding Question: Does the state of the church in the world currently break our hearts as it did Nehemiah? Will we fervently engage the Lord in prayer on behalf of His people?
Main Idea: God works through the courageous vision of a leader to ignite fresh hope and vision within the hearts of the people, and they all begin to build!
Guiding Question: If the walls represent salvation, where in our community are the broken walls and places ripe for the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ?
Main Idea: God will help His people resist the enemy and complete the work, as they pray and trust God to fight the battles!
Guiding Question: Are we working together on the walls with all of our heart?
Main Idea: As conflict occurs within the people of God, God gifts leaders with wisdom, courage, and generosity to model and call for obedience to the ways of God.
Guiding Question: Are there ways that I am sinning and contributing to conflict by relying on worldly ways and wanting personal power and gain, or am I kingdom minded?
Main Idea: God helps his people to discern the enemies’ attacks, to resist them firmly, and to carry on boldly, and with integrity, in the work he’s called them to.
Guiding Question: Are we seeking God for strength and carefully applying discernment principles?
Main Idea: God’s people cry out to him in trouble and he vindicates them.
Guiding Question: Are we praying together for God’s deliverance?
Main Idea: Clear teaching of God’s Word brings repentance, rededication, and renewed joy.
Guiding Question: Are we committed to not neglect the House of our God and the work of advancing God’s Kingdom here on earth?
Main Idea: Completing a work of God in the way God prescribes–restoring his shalom/kingdom order–brings great joy!
Guiding Question: Are we anticipating Christ’s joy at His return?
Main Idea: Prone to wander, we need to be continually called to faithfulness.
Guiding Question: Are there any parts of our lives where there has been compromise and defilement? How is God calling us to purify His house and get our lives in order?
Main Idea: God’s plans are good and he is our refuge and strength even when the world is shaking and we are eagerly awaiting the return of Christ.
Guiding Question: Are we taking refuge in the Lord in this season?
Extra Resource: Check out the intro video to the series and the reading plans that went along with it here: Sermon Resources
