Ezra 3-6

MAP

Q:How do we keep building when overwhelming opposition and powerful people threaten to stop us?

A:Stay focused on the work because God is working behind the scenes in what we cannot control.

SW: Keep building. Don’t be discouraged—God is at work beyond what we can see.

PREAMBLE

Ezra-Nehemiah series. Actually one scroll in Hebrew bible. Structural features -> clearly one book.

Few reasons why we are engaging in this ancient text is

It captures a key moment in Israel’s history

(A) Timeline

Israel’s story: Continuous rebellion. Exile.

Ezra-Nehemiah - is all about the return. Red circle

Return: Dramatic things happened

Idol worship essentially removed from the nation. Massive rebuilding problem. Temple and city.

Book carefully records down what happen.

(L) but more than just capturing a key moment in history, there is an overriding purpose that this book was compiled together.

repeated phrase scattered throughout: ARISE AND BUILD

(Jump up. Take up tools. Get stuck in.)

Dream big! Take bold steps! Go Big. Do Big.. with fire in your belly... for the LORD!

wonder we are period of opportunitiy

Online sphere. Recent polls. Growing interest in Christianity. More and more openness. Temperature is rising.

But also consider where we are as a church.

Canada Water site. three years since we launched. Wonderful time. More established.

Locality: Central yet local

Tube. Bus. Drive.

18,000 new people arriving.

For them: Physical building of the walls or the temple.

But for us: The temple is not a physical building… but Jesus.

Jesus is the temple.

And because Jesus is the temple, the church as his body is also the temple.

Call for us to build the church.

Ben said; so much opportunity in this area.

Locality: Central yet local.

CW hub, where easily to travel in. Tube. Bus. Drive.

People: unique blend of old and new.

Old. Long termers. Know the area. Established. Stable.

New. huge amounts of redevelopment. 18,000 new people arriving.

NEW?

Purpose to readers reading after the time

The Return: is inspiring

opportunities. Rebuild. Restore.

Readers of Ezra-Nehemiah are people after the time of Ezra-Nehemiah

notice the red arrow

INTRODUCTION (Relevance Persuasion | Resonate)

CONTEXT (Orientate | Situate)

ARGUMENT (Texture | Unity | Coherence | Development)

MAIN POINT (Summarise | Wordsmith | 5 Syllable | Alliterate)

REINFORCEMENT (Amp | Hearts Burning | STAR)

LAND (Worldview | Us)