by Paul Apple | Apr 26, 2021 | Bible-OT
BIG IDEA:ACTIVE REPENTANCE EXPRESSES SORROW TO GOD WHILE COMMITING TO CORRECTIVE ACTIONINTRODUCTION:This is a classic passage demonstrating the difference between mere remorse for sin and genuine repentance. Sorrow for sin lies at the heart of any spiritual response...
by Paul Apple | Apr 25, 2021 | Bible-OT
BIG IDEA: EXPOSURE OF FLAGRANT SIN SHOULD LEAD TO HEARTBROKEN REPENTANCEINTRODUCTION:Expression of remorse over conviction of sin is not a popular theme in our day. We tend to take sin lightly and to minimize any emotional reaction of deep distress and anguish and...
by Paul Apple | Apr 23, 2021 | Bible-OT
BIG IDEA: SUCCESSFUL PIONEERING MISSIONS COUPLE EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP WITH DEPENDENCE UPON THE BLESSING OF GOD –SIX STEPS IN LAUNCHING A SUCCESSFUL REBUILDING MISSION FOR GODINTRODUCTION:Here we have additional details regarding the return of the exiles to Jerusalem...
by Paul Apple | Apr 21, 2021 | Bible-OT
BIG IDEA: THE KEY TO SUCCESS IN SERVING GOD IS ALWAYS GOD’S HAND OF BLESSINGINTRODUCTION:There is a lot of talk about the “IT” factor when it comes to leadership in any realm. In sports or in politics or in business, you might describe the characteristics of an...
by Paul Apple | Apr 19, 2021 | Bible-OT
BIG IDEA: GOD FINISHES WHAT HE STARTS –GOD’S PROVIDENTIAL CONTROL OF HISTORY DEMONSTRATED IN PERSIAN SUPPORT FOR THE COMPLETION AND DEDICATION OF THE JEWISH TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM AS WORSHIP IS RENEWEDINTRODUCTION:This first half of the book of Ezra concludes with the...
by Paul Apple | Apr 17, 2021 | Bible-OT
BIG IDEA: RESTARTING MINISTRY IN THE FACE OF DISCOURAGING OPPOSITION REQUIRES MOTIVATION FROM GOD’S WORD AND CONVICTION REGARDING THE SIGNIFICANCE AND LEGITIMACY OF THE MISSIONINTRODUCTION:Discouragement is a powerful tool of Satan. God’s people had returned from...
by Paul Apple | Apr 16, 2021 | Bible-OT
BIG IDEA: GOD’S ENEMIES USE FAMILIAR TACTICS TO OPPOSE GOD’S WORK AND ACHIEVE TEMPORARY VICTORIESINTRODUCTION:When God’s people respond to the call to focus on God’s work, the enemy will quickly rise up in opposition. Fortunately, their tactics can be easily...
by Paul Apple | Apr 14, 2021 | Bible-OT
BIG IDEA: REVIVAL STARTS WITH RE-ESTABLISHING OBEDIENCE TO GOD IN WORSHIPINTRODUCTION:When you are starting from scratch, it is essential to focus on the matters of highest priority. For believers, our relationship to God can only be rekindled by obedience to God in...
by Paul Apple | Apr 12, 2021 | Bible-OT
BIG IDEA: RESTORATION OF THE TEMPLE INITIATED BY THE SOVEREIGN INTERVENTION OF THE DECREE OF CYRUS TO FULFIL COVENANTAL PROMISESINTRODUCTION:What’s so important about bringing captive Israel back to her homeland and rebuilding the temple to reinstitute the sacrificial...
