Determination of a Devoted Church

Text: Ezra 5:1-17

Thesis: God's people must commit themselves to the completion of the work of God despite the challenges produced by their enemies

I. A Devoted Church Works Together


- if any church is going to successfully complete the work of the Lord it must be done by people who are willing to work together

a. Priests must be willing to work (v. 1) - Haggai and Zechariah prophesied to the Jews

b. People must be willing to work (v. 2) - Zerubbabel and Jeshua began to work on the building

II. A Devoted Church Withstands Turbulence


-after 15 years of inactivity between chapters 4 & 5, the Jews began working on the temple once again
-while they were inactive there was no opposition, but as soon as the work began again, opposition arose

-verses 3-4 Tattenai asks them who gave them permission to work on the temple and what are the names of them that are working


a. church that keeps working will endure trouble from their enemies
b. church with confidence in the watchful eye of the Lord will endure trouble

III. A Devoted Church Wants to Triumph

-verses 6-10 Tattenai writes a letter of rebuke to King Darius complaining about the work
-the Jews responded in verses 11-15 to their letter with their own letter with explaining that they are under orders by God through King Cyrus
-verse 16 they realize that they cannot celebrate until they complete the temple