Ezra-Nehemiah Series part 2: It Has Begun – Outline
God wants disciples to settle and come together “as one man,” despite any fears.
Ezra 3:1-6
- Despite their fear of people around them, God’s people worshipped according to his word.
- Feast of Tabernacles: They lived in booths for a week long. Remembered how God has taken them from the desert and into the promised land. Take time to remember where God has taken you from. And where he can take you.
Point 1) A new day has begun.
- Does a new day need to begin for you?
Families Benefit from Disciples Who Get Ready, Get Settled, and then Build!
Ezra-Nehemiah Series part 1: The Freedom and Responsibility to Rebuild – Outline
Ezra 1:1-8 As we open Ezra, God’s people have been in exile in Babylon for 70 years because they were unfaithful to God & their sin had grave consequences. Put yourself in the situation: what was it like when the Babylonians came into Jerusalem destroying the city and taking all the people captive? What would it be like if a foreign enemy did this in Chicago? Now what would it be like to be freed 70 years later? When God says he’s gonna do something, he’s gonna do it! But amazingly enough, not all the Israelites were ready to return. Did God intend that only some hearts would be moved?
What can become real for you today about the cross? We need to deal with forgiveness on a daily basis. If you don’t forgive, you will be anxious. Let go of the hurt. Don’t dwell on the injustice against you. Are you at peace with your close relationships? People can hurt you, yet as disciples, we need to learn to forgive. Does God have to bring you to your knees to get you to forgive?
Where Is Your Faith? The Four Stages of Faith – Outline
The nation recently celebrated Martin Luther King Jr’s Birthday and we can all remember the line from his famous speach: “I have a dream.” Do you have a dream today? In his speach, Martin Luther also said that if you don’t have anything worth dying for in your life, than you don’t really have anything worth living for. Too many people out there today do not have a dream… but here at the Chicago International Christian Church we have many dreams.