Ezra’s return to Jerusalem was astonishing. It was disappointing, discouraging, and depressing. Yet in spite of the negative emotions this rightly produced, he ultimately responded through fellowship with God’s people, patience, and prayer.

1. Emotions are good servants, but poor masters.

2. Prayer aligns our will with God’s, not the other way around.

3. None of us should want what we deserve before a Holy God.

The Sin Leading Unto Death is a controversial topic in Christian circles. The reason isn't because we don't know what it is. There are simply too few willing to deal with the reality that God reserves the right to take His children out if they cross over certain lines. The key to avoiding that line is to consider the bad examples of it in other people as reason to take it seriously in our own lives.

1. The line between seeking prayer for someone and gossip is actually praying for them.

2. A historical example of the Sin leading to death is Ananias and Saphira.

3. The people we support in life can be warnings about our own issues as well.

Ezra’s return to Jerusalem was a major step of faith for him and everyone involved. They not only had to trust God to see them safely across the Fertile Crescent, but to be the kind of people who could be trusted with those resources. God saw both done through the same means He can also see that work accomplished in our lives as well.

1. The Christian life is one lived for an audience of one.

2. Fasting is about making God a greater source of enjoyment than what you’re exchanging for that time.

3. A life lived through Jesus will look like Him.

John states that we should have a level of confidence in our relationship with God that is reflected in the way we talk to Him. We can communicate anything the same way we can speak to our friends. And it is from that relationship in place the Holy Spirit Himself is able to lead our hearts to align them with His.

1. We have the same level of access to God in prayer that we have with a friend.

2. God’s Will for our lives is stated plainly in scripture.

3. The Holy Spirit enables us to pray according to God’s Will.

Ezra is returned to Israel with the resources and legal authority to beautify the Temple and officially establish the nation legally. It was decades in the making, but the timing was always perfect. Ezra himself served as the kind of people we want to become as we wait for His work to continue.

1. God can develop your integrity through your faithfulness with small things.

2. A Godly reputation is the best kind of testimony.

3. God will handle the timing of His answers. We simply need to focus on our ability to handle those answers when they come.

Jesus plus is always Jesus minus. Paul continues to reinforce this in a world where alternatives and counterfeits to Jesus were as common as they continue to be today. The only appropriate response is a true understanding of who Jesus is.

1. Jesus' Resurrection is the answer to the problem of human mortality.

2. Ignorance is not a Christian virtue.

3. A good thing becomes a bad thing when it's used to replace or invalidate the best possible thing.

The Apostle John makes the case for evangelism as one centered on and motivated by the person of Jesus Christ. If we have anything better to share with people, we should share it. Until then, stick with Him.

1. Every meaningful conversation about Jesus should focus on Jesus.

2. God wants us to know for certain that He loves us and we belong to Him.

3. You aren't responsible for how people respond to the Gospel. Only how graciously you present it.

Paul concludes his letter to Thessalonica by reminding them that lazy people and freeloaders shouldn't expect to see what God intends for the Christian life. Instead, follow his work ethic of serving like Christ served.

1. The Church isn't for lazy people or freeloaders.

2. If you aren't seeing action, get in the game.

3. Prayer should be a priority for every believer.

John makes his case for the assurance we have in the promises of God based on who Jesus truly is. A false version can't save anyone, but the real deal has given us every reason to trust His promise to save us.

1. A fake god can't save you.

2. There are things we don't understand about creation. The Creator is allowed to be at least that complicated.

3. God's promises are trustworthy because He's proven His character.