Announcement and Ezra 1: The Faithfulness of God

Listen in as we begin gathering again in-person and start our series through Ezra and Nehemiah.

Sermon Notes/Quotes:

Where are we?
732 BC - Northern Kingdom conquered by Assyria
605 BC - Southern Kingdom conquered by Babylon
539 BC - Cyrus (Persia) conquers Babylon
538 BC - Cyrsus issues Decree (Ezra 1) - First wave
458 BC - Ezra leads second wave
445 BC - Nehemiah Leads third wave

2 Chronicles 36:11-16

“If the fulfillment of God’s promises depended solely on human ability, then hopelessness would be an appropriate response. But, it doesn’t! God has been the faithful one in this story, and it’s his covenant promises that are carrying the day. God is committed to having a covenant people who will love him, love each other, and who will become the vehicle of his divine blessing for all nations.” - Tim Mackie

“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” - James Baldwin

Faithfulness:
Is about who we love (Relational, not just theological)
Is about who we trust (Functional dependance, not just a worldview) - Jon Tyson

“We will not wake up ten years from now and find we have passively taken on the character of God. We must make a study of our God: what he loves, what he hates, how he speaks and acts. We cannot imitate a God whose features and habits we have never learned. We must make a study of him if we want to become like him. We must seek his face.” - Jen Wilkin