Ezra-Nehemiah
Sermon Summary
On Sunday, Pastor Russell Johnson launched a new series through the book of Ezra, beginning with Ezra chapter 1. Pastor Russell opened with an extended illustration about home remodeling projects, noting that "demo is so much fun and the easiest part of the whole process" but that putting things back together takes far longer and requires both resources and outside help. He walked through the sweeping arc of biblical history from creation to the eternal state, showing how Ezra fits into God's redemptive plan following Israel's 70-year exile in Babylon. Pastor Russell emphasized that God keeps His promises, fulfilling Jeremiah's prophecy exactly when He said He would. He highlighted the Hebrew word "stirred" (עוּר), showing how God worked through both the pagan king Cyrus and the hearts of His people to accomplish His purposes. Pastor Russell concluded by defining providence as "God's wise, purposeful governance of creation whereby He accomplishes His redemptive plans through human choice," challenging us to recognize and respond to God's stirring in our own lives.
Discussion Questions
- Pastor Russell opened with stories of home remodeling projects where demolition was easy but rebuilding took much longer. What's a project (home improvement, work, or life) where you started strong but found the rebuilding or finishing far more difficult than you expected?
- Read Ezra 1:1 and Jeremiah 29:10-11 together. Pastor Russell said God "told the people through Isaiah and Jeremiah that after 70 years, the exile would end and the nation could return to the land of Jerusalem." How does seeing God fulfill this specific, timed promise affect how you view His promises to you?
- Read Isaiah 45:13 and Ezra 1:1-4. Pastor Russell pointed out that God used a pagan king to accomplish His divine purposes, explaining this as providence—"God's wise, purposeful governance of creation whereby He accomplishes His redemptive plans through human choice." Where have you seen God work through unexpected people or circumstances in your own life?
- Read Ezra 1:5-6 and Psalm 127:1. Pastor Russell emphasized that the return to Jerusalem was "centered around worship" and that "human effort, even when diligent and sincere, is empty without divine involvement." How might this principle reshape an area of your life where you've been relying primarily on your own effort?
- Read Hebrews 12:2. Pastor Russell drew a connection between the temple vessels—taken as "trophies of defeat" but later restored—and Jesus, who "endured the cross, despising the shame." How do we hold onto hope when we're in a season that feels more like humiliation than honor?
- Read Ezra 1:5. Pastor Russell shared about feeling God stir his heart in a surgery waiting room to pray with a grieving family, admitting he had "felt that stirring before, but did not act on it." Share about a time when you sensed God stirring you to do something—whether you acted on it or not.
- Read Ezra 1:5 again. Pastor Russell concluded by saying, "It is truly amazing that the God of the universe, who has the authority and power to rule, chooses to invite us to participate in that rule." What is one specific way you sense God might be stirring you this week, and what would it look like to respond?
Extra Credit
Look up and read these passages about God's sovereign work through human history:
Isaiah 44:28 - "It is I who says of Cyrus, 'He is My shepherd! And he will perform all My desire.' And he declares of Jerusalem, 'She will be built,' And of the temple, 'Your foundation will be laid.'"
Proverbs 21:1 - "The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes."
Romans 8:28 - "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
Philippians 2:13 - "For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure."
What common threads do you see in these passages about how God works through human choices and circumstances to accomplish His purposes?
Isaiah 44:28 - "It is I who says of Cyrus, 'He is My shepherd! And he will perform all My desire.' And he declares of Jerusalem, 'She will be built,' And of the temple, 'Your foundation will be laid.'"
Proverbs 21:1 - "The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes."
Romans 8:28 - "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
Philippians 2:13 - "For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure."
What common threads do you see in these passages about how God works through human choices and circumstances to accomplish His purposes?
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