Are you living in exile? Israel was taken into exile by Babylon because they were disobeying God and worshipping idols in the land. Babylon swept through like a flood and destroyed the city, the walls, and the temple and forced the people of Israel to live in exile in Babylon.

After 70 years of exile God raised up the Medes and the Persians to conquer the Babylonians and King Cyrus made a decree that the people of Israel could return from exile and rebuild in the promised land. Zerubbabel led the first wave back home to rebuild the temple. Ezra led the second wave and they re-established the Law of Moses. Nehemiah led the third wave that returned to rebuild the walls.

Ezra-Nehemiah is about returning, rebuilding and renewal. Another word you might use is revival. Every Israelite that returned home from exile was counted on the rolls and took part in the work of ministry they were called to. It took every member of the people of Israel to do the work of ministry and rebuild, just as it takes every member of the church to do the work of ministry today which is the Great Commission.

If you are living in exile, today is the day to return home by repenting of your sin and turning to Jesus for salvation and joining a local church which is called the household of God where you can be part of God's family and use your gifts for the work of ministry God has called you to. God calls his church to do the Great Commission, which is how Jesus is rebuilding the temple even now.

We hope you will join us for worship on Sunday mornings!