God renews Israel’s efforts in seeing the Temple rebuilt. Through the ministries of Haggai and Zechariah, the work continued another 5 years to completion of that promised work. And the additional work of opposition that went to Persia was answered with deadly threat from Darius the Mede that ended opposition entirely.

1. God’s Word is where we discover His plans and purposes for our lives.

2. God’s Promises are the only thing worth counting on in this life.

3. What God starts, He finishes.

Paul introduces himself to the church of the Colossians with a clarification of the most fundamental truths of Christianity. Jesus is God, the Trinity is how He has revealed Himself, and our salvation is based on what He has done for us. Period.

1. If Jesus acts like God, talks like God, and walks like God, He's probably God.

2. Faith in the finished work of Jesus on the cross is the only way we are saved.

3. God has not distanced Himself from our pain, but voluntarily became a part of it.

Jesus makes a series of promises to those who practice evangelism. The promises aren’t of being liked by everyone and to never encounter trouble, but the promise that serving and honoring Him will be remembered and rewarded.

1. Don’t Be Afraid of what you don’t know or may face.

2. Don’t Be Frazzled by the opposition to the Gospel.

3. Don’t Forget who you’re serving and pleasing in Evangelism.

John continues to explain God’s love and the calling of the Christian life through His historical demonstration of it.

1. God’s love by nature is to seek the ultimate well being of others, even His enemies.

2. God’s love isn’t performed for Him, but accomplished through Him.

3. God laid His own life down as the payment for our ransom. You can’t out-sin that high a price.

Ezra records the successful opposition to the work of God through a disinformation campaign by the Samaritans. From this negative example, we can learn from the tactics the enemy will use to oppose the work of God that we can prepare to experience in our own lives.

1. A demon’s specialty is to look like an angel.

2. It’s harder to expose a lie than it is to tell the truth.

3. It’s better to let God defend you as you serve Him than it is to stop serving God to defend yourself.

John makes biblical Christ-like love the central theme of the Christian life. It is not only the foundation of our belief regarding God's dealings with us, but the one unique trait that should set aside every believer from a world that doesn't know or understand this love.

1. God was good to us because of who He is, not what we are, were, or could be.

2. People don't care about how much you know until they know how much you care.

3. Always ask how you can be a conduit of God's love in whatever circumstance you're in.

The people of Israel make their first act of reentering the Promised Land by making the Lord their first priority. They were concerned for their safety, but chose to make the clearing of the Temple ruins and the reconstruction of the Altar a priority. God took care of the rest.

1. Take care of things between you and God and God will take care of things between you and everything else.

2. Giving should be a “get to” not a “got to.

3. Your attitude in life determines your altitude.

Paul concludes his second letter to Thessalonica with reminders of the things he's already written and spoken to them. This included what they could count on from God as well as what should be expected of them as Christians living in the midst of an anti-Christian world.

1. The answer to persecution is the same as the motivation for Godly living. The example and power of Jesus.

2. It's always better to trust God to keep His Promises than expect Him to do what we'd like Him to.

3. Restoration is the default purpose and goal of any correction and discipline.

Ezra takes a roll call of the heads of the families who accompanied them back to the Promised Land from Babylon.

1. There is nothing more honorable before God than a Godly example to your family.

2. Israel defies all laws of cultural anthropology by retaining their identity despite not having a homeland.

3. God cares more about why you’re giving than how much you’re giving.

John explains the fundamental truth of spiritual warfare. You either belong to God or you will settle for false doctrine. Our fallen natures want an Antichrist. Only people who know Jesus Christ will value Him over the counterfeits this world is all too eager to offer.

1. Spiritual warfare is resolved entirely by your relationship with God.

2. There is a difference between being nice and doing what is right.

3. The greatest compliment you can ever receive is the hatred of evil people.