ONE THING: Practice the priority of being daily in God’s presence.

Ezra 3:4-5

More than plan, participate 

More than intend to, instigate 

More than pass by, dive in.

CONTEXT: Prayer to God: May I see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, follow thee more nearly.

What does the fact that there are so many Feasts and Offerings tell us about God?

He is glorious, really, really wants save our soul and be in relationship with us.

What is something good that can come from daily being in God’s presence?

To remember, rejoice and receive God’s will.

Based on this message what can you do to become more like Jesus?

Gospel- Centered =

WORSHIP Get in the presence of God. Each day make sure you make your way to Him privately and communally.

COMMUNITY Celebrate God’s presence. Set the example that God is approachable by loving like Christ and living like Jesus.

SERVICE Keep daily offering your faithful best to God. Move your faithfulness from sidelines of special occasions to discipleship of all occasions.

MULTIPLICATION Live in obvious obedience to God. Direct the focus of your day squarely on God.

ONE THING Faithful each day in every way.

   That is the goal, closeness to God demonstrated by Christlikeness and guided by the Holy Spirit.

Ezra 3:1-3

CONTEXT A faithful heart that loves God can live free from uncertainty.

   If you seek God’s delight from morning to night. 

Would you rather read an owner’s manual on how to setup your phone or just start using it and figure it out along the way?

Why does it make sense to leave the problems and pleasures of our homes to gather for worship?

   He is worthy, He created us, saves our souls from death, sustains us and provides for us. 

Why are public displays of faith in God so important?

   So others will have the opportunity to know how great is our God.

How can we have certainty in an uncertain world?

   By being in glad submission to God, through Jesus being saved by grace through faith and faithfully being comforted and guided by the Holy Spirit.

Based on this message what can you do to become more like Jesus?

Gospel- Centered = 

WORSHIP Daily make the trip from home to God's throne. Consider the morning and night time as right times to approach God.

COMMUNITY Help others find a church to call home. As you live each day help others find their way to worship God.

SERVICE Reveal how God has helped you through the struggles. Talk about the hard fought victories of God in your life.

MULTIPLICATION Move through fearfulness by being faithful to God. Invite others to join in the journey from uncertainty to glad submission to God.

ONE THING You live where you live to serve God and others. 

   In the name of Jesus for God’s glory and to make disciples. 

Ezra 2:1, 68-70

CONTEXT Your generous, serving, hospitality sets the stage for people to be set free by God. 

   It gets their attention and points them in the right direction. 

Why does God set the captives free?

   So they can be with Him and His glory can be revealed. 

How is ability tied to faithfulness?

   Through obedience to what the Holy Spirit directs. 

Why does God have His children live in all different places?

   So all those in different places can hear the same save their souls gospel. 

Based on this message what can you do to become more like Jesus?

Gospel- Centered = 

WORSHIP Know your role should never end. As a worshipper of God you should always be in word, thought and deed. 

COMMUNITY It’s free to be set free. As a former captive you know the only way is through Jesus. 

SERVICE Faithfully focus your ability. God and others should reap the benefit of your faith and deeds. 

MULTIPLICATION Get together to serve together. Help others to see how they can use their abilities to serve God.

ONE THING What man meant for evil God turned for good.

Ezra 1:7-11

CONTEXT The reality is God can change reality.

What can we learn from Ezra 1:7 about whether or not something is good?

   The good purpose is only possible when it fulfills God’s will.

What can we learn from the truth that God can use anyone to accomplish His will?

   No matter who or what is going on, God’s will is done.

When we have given or used something for God what should be a result?

   We or others are closer to God.

Based on this message what can you do to become more like Jesus?

Gospel- Centered = 

WORSHIP Pursue God’s passions. Ask God to reveal to you why you are doing what you are doing.

COMMUNITY Bring the truth of God into the moment. No matter what is going on the best response is always a Biblical one. 

SERVICE Share to show God cares. Share generously in the name of Jesus for the glory of God by the power of the Holy Spirit.

MULTIPLICATION Free when it’s not about me. Remind others that hurts can be healed, habits can be broken and hang-ups put up forever when we give it all to God.

ONE THING God provides what the faithful need as they seek to fulfill His will. 

Ezra 1:5-6

CONTEXT Faithfulness is your outward expression of love for God and neighbor. 

Who can bring out the best in people?

   God the Father of Jesus, working in and through believers. 

Why does God want to remind us that what we need sometimes is not what we have?

   To help us remember that we should turn to the God who provides. 

Based on this message what can you do to become more like Jesus?

Gospel- Centered = 

Worship: Kneel in prayer, rise to care. Spend time in prayer to prepare to care about what God cares about.

Community: Better together for God’s glory. Fulfill God’s will with other Christians. 

Service: See your stuff as God’s stuff. Help other Christians help other people follow Jesus Christ.

Multiplication: Step up and out in faith. Take steps of faith knowing God is and will provide.

ONE THING Use treasures so God gets the praise and credit.  

Ezra 1:3-4

CONTEXT To build relationships for God to be with, in and among all people. 

Because of who God is He deserves for people to know how they can have a relationship with Him.  

What is the greatest treasure you can have?

  Salvation in Jesus Christ which makes the way for you to have a relationship with God through the Holy Spirit. 

Such a kingdom of God deed fueled mindset

Be assisted by the men of that place = together for God’s will, glory, make disciples   RELY ON GOD

Treasures for God’s good measures = offering freely given to facilitate relationships with God in relatable places. 

How should we use our treasures?

   In ways that will bring God glory and make disciples.  

Based on this message what can you do to become more like Jesus?

Gospel- Centered = 

Worship: Don’t leave home without Him. Turn you daily devotional time with God into faithfully following The God.

Community: Pave the way to God each day. Use your best so others will know God’s good will. 

Service: Freely you have received, freely give. Give so others may know God more deeply. 

Multiplication: Unbury the treasure. Give others the chance to use their treasures for God.

ONE THING: We are to make a way for people to find their way to God.

Ezra 1:1-2

CONTEXT: We are to build up in such a way that it facilitates God dwelling in others. 

How do we know when God is stirring our spirit?

   The discernment and deployment is biblically correct.

What is a purpose for building anything God tells us too?

   To help facilitate worship and intimacy with God. 

Based on this message what can you do to become more like Jesus?

Gospel- Centered = 

Worship: When stirred up, listen up. Ask God to help you understand what He is asking you to do.

Community: Say it, Do it for God. Make sure your actions draw people closer to God.

Service: Share, Give, Get to it. God has given you all you have to use in a God honoring way.

Multiplication: Focus your faithfulness. Ask God where He wants you to help people find Him.

ONE THING: One day God will restore forevermore.

  Until then we get strength and hope for today in all life’s hardships.

1 Peter 5:10-11

CONTEXT: We are called to cope with suffering through hope in Christ.

   We must remember God’s provision is on the way.

Who does the restoring, confirming, strengthening and establishing? Why?

   God, for His eternal glory in Christ and demonstrated by you.

Why is it important to remember that all power resides with God?

   Because it reminds us who to turn to and trust when the waters of life get rough.

Based on this message what can you do to become more like Jesus?

Gospel- Centered = 

Worship: Remember this too shall pass. Ask God to strengthen your faith with the discernment of the seasonalness of suffering.

Community: Cope through hope in Christ. Look to the eternal for today’s strength.

Service: Hand out God’s hope. Remind others that no matter what He can handle it.

Multiplication: Talk about God’s power. Share the stories of God at work.

ONE THING: Jesus has the power to keep you from being devoured. 

   A firm faith, an alert mind and the perseverance of family of God are all because of Jesus. 

1 Peter 5:8-9

CONTEXT: Each day so many things want to keep you from God’s way. 

To dull your mind and lull your soul to destruction. 

How can we prepare for when things that want to harm us come near?

   Study the Bible to be faithful and hopeful in Christ. 

Why does knowing that other Christians suffer and prevail around the world a good thing?

   It encourages and shows us that in Christ we can too. 

Based on this message what can you do to become more like Jesus?

Gospel- Centered = 

Worship: Wake up the mind. Ask God to show you in the Bible where your faith is still groggy.

Community: Don’t get eaten. Keep an eye out for what is trying to take your soul out. 

Service: Don’t let others play with deadly lions. Lead them away from the destroying way to Jesus Christ’s life everlasting.

Multiplication: Faithful first during the worst. Let others see that Jesus Christ is the one for me. 

ONE THING: Cast it all to the One mighty enough to take care of it all.

1 Peter 5:6-7

CONTEXT: God cares so much to carry the stuff that messes you up.

To what should we turn to when we need uplifted?

   The mighty perfectly timed hand of God.

Why does God want you to cast your anxieties on Him?

   Because He loves to take care of you in ways that draw you closer to Him.  

Based on this message what can you do to become more like Jesus?

Gospel- Centered = 

Worship: Cast all your anxieties on God. He alone provides the best care for you. 

Community: Let God do the lifting up. Trust in word, thought and deed that God will provide all you need.

Service: Help others cast all their anxieties on God. Tell others how the mighty hand of God has helped you.

Multiplication: Celebrate when God liberates. When God provides don’t let it slide, tell someone.