After the exiles finished laying the foundation of the temple, they experienced opposition from the people around them. The opposition was private and informal, taking the form of discouragement, fear, and obstruction.

Today, the opposition becomes...

After laying the foundation, the exiles continue the work of rebuilding the temple. However, they encounter opposition from the people around them who don't want them to obey God's commands.

Jesus promised us that we would be persecuted...

After about 70 years in exile with no opportunities to worship, the people are eager to reestablish corporate worship back in the Promised Land. We'll highlight several important observations:

They reinstitute worship even before they begin work...

This chapter is basically a big list of everyone who returned from Babylon to Jerusalem when King Cyrus gave them his permission to return home and rebuild the temple.

As you read the chapter, you realize that there's nothing extraordinary about...

This week we began our new series, "Renewed Worship: The Book of Ezra." We will cover all of Ezra 1 in a message called, "God is in Control!"

This book begins where 2 Chronicles leaves off. The year is 538BC, and King Cyrus of...

This week we have a topical vision message for us as we get ready to kick off another school year. We'll be covering Colossians 1:15-29.

We learned that to make mature disciples of all nations, we must proclaim Christ in the power of God.

This Sunday we wrapped up our summer series in 1-3 John with the third inspired letter of John. The message will cover all of 3 John and is called, "Fellow Workers for the Truth."

We see a contrast between two church leaders – one who...

Foundations are really important - if you don't have a solid foundation, everything you build on top of it will crumble. Jesus taught us to build on a firm foundation in his life and ministry, but many people are building their lives on shifting...

Editors Note: This is a re-recording of the sermon from 7/29/18

Seven different times in the passage, John will use the word "know." He wants his readers to know what is true, so they will believe what is true.

But even more than that...