Building God A Kingdom

Text: Ezra 2:1-70

Thesis: God will use people will many differences who express a willingness to work for Him to build Him a kingdom

I. Leaders Came To Work

-verse 2

II. Laymen Came To Work

-verses 3-35

III. Lord's Ministers Came To Work

-verses 36-58

a. Called Because of Lineage - verses 36-40...priests and Levites were born into position

b. Called Because of Labor - verses 41-42...singers, praisers and ushers were called to position because of their gifts

c. Called Because of Love - verses 43-58...Nethinims (dedicated temple servants) and children of Solomon servants were called because of grace

IV. Leftovers Came To Work

-verses 59-70...collection of characters who couldn't prove their lineage, but had a desire to work for the Master

On yesterday I was filling extremely stressed and a little down about this project and other ministry issues. Just when I was at a real low point, I was driving to our Baptist Ministers Conference and stopped at a red light behind a white delivery truck, that had printed on the back door words that lifted me up from what I was dealing with. On the door of this truck was written John 3:16, and as Pastor H.B. Charles said in a sermon on John 3:16, it has enough Gospel in their to save the whole world, and to lift up a bowed down head.

So to any of you in the world of blog have been feeling down and depressed about ministry and the church, just take one moment and remember that God loves you! Hey!!!! Just writing that is making me shout!!! God loves you!!!! He loves you enough that he gave you the very best that he had!!! Thank God for Jesus Christ!!!