After being silent for at least nine months, Zechariah speaks a prophecy concerning his son, John. In it, he describes how God has provided salvation for his people and, in His mercy, has revealed His peace that follows the forgiveness of their sins.

Luke 1:67-80 || Zechariah's Prophecy of Peace

Following the revelation that she would bear a son who would be the Son of God, Mary visits her relative Elizabeth. The response of Elizabeth and her baby to Mary’s arrival reaffirms the fulfillment of what Gabriel revealed to Mary. Mary’s Song of Praise puts the emphasis where it belongs. Not on Mary, but on her Lord and Savior.

Luke 1:46-56 || Mary's Song of Joy

Life is filled with ‘how can this be moments?’. Those moments where you’re shocked by the events unfolding around you and you’re left asking ‘how can this be?’ In the opening verses of Luke’s gospel, Luke records 2 of these moments. Both Zechariah and Mary are visited by the angel Gabriel and receive incredible news that leaves them asking ‘how can this be?’ At first glance, their responses seem similar. But upon more careful consideration we see one is rooted in doubt which produces unbelief, while the other is rooted in trust, which produces obedience.

Luke 1:1-38 || The Promise of Hope

In a remarkably ordinary passage, Ezra leads a second group from Babylon back to Jerusalem. The good hand of the Lord was on them every step of the way. In this ordinary chapter, we are reminded that God works in ordinary ways to accomplish his extraordinary purposes of advancing His kingdom. As Christians, we therefore want to strive to be faithful in the ordinary moments of life, knowing that God uses those moments for His glory.

Ezra 8 || The Good Hand of Our God

Ezra 7 || Ezra the Reformer

The exiles get an unexpected letter from king Darius. Through God’s providence and prophets, the temple is finished. We observe that God’s grace often comes to His people in an unexpected way. As God works in unexpected ways, He increases His people’s joy in Him.

Ezra 6 || ‘The Lord Had Made Them Joyful’

As the rebuilding of the house of God begins anew, the leaders are confronted with the question, “Who gave you a decree to build this house and to finish this structure?” The response to that question led to the completion of the task at hand. This story reminds Christians today that we have been given a task and the authority has been given by Jesus Christ Himself.

Ezra 5 || Who Gave You the Authority?

For 16 years the temple sat unfinished. The exiles had grown comfortable in their disobedience. God sent them the prophets Haggai and Zechariah to call them to repentance. By looking at the message of repentance preached by the prophets we will see that God still calls us to repent by returning to Him empowered by the Holy Spirit, comforted that God will return to us through Jesus Christ.

Ezra 5:1-2, Haggai, and Zechariah || 'Return to Me'

In chapter 4, the returning Israelites face persistent, determined opposition. When, as Christians, we encounter opposition or discouragement, we should be neither surprised nor anxious; rather, we should see it as a chance to trust God’s provision, encourage the body, and seek a deeper relationship with Him.

Ezra 4 || Encountering Opposition

As the exiles break ground on rebuilding the temple, they begin by rebuilding the alter. In so doing, the exiles tells us worship is most important. God’s mission is advanced through the white-hot, self-sacrificing, God-exalting, unified praise of His people.

Ezra 3 || Gathered for Worship

Ezra 2 is one of those chapters that we normally skip. Genealogies, however, are a feature in the Bible. As God re-gathers His people, we are reminded that there are no nameless people before God. More importantly, in Christ, God gives His children a new name, by which they display His glory.

Ezra 2 || The Exiles Return

As promised, after seventy years in exile, the Lord stirs up the spirit of Cyrus, king of Persia. Cyrus issues a decree and puts it in writing, making provision for the exiles to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Lord's temple. Ezra 1 reminds us that the Lord is always working behind the scenes for the good of His people and the display of His glory.

Ezra 1 || The Lord’s Work

We conclude our Sing A New Song series in Psalm 148, a psalm exploding with praise! It commands and invites everyone and everything in all creation to praise the Lord. Psalm 148 teaches us that worshipping the Lord fulfills our moral duty as humans, satisfies our deepest light as individuals, and it is made acceptable through Jesus Christ, the deliverer for God’s people.

Psalm 148 || You Were Made to Worship

Psalm 119 has much to teach about the words of God. It is a Psalm celebrating the word and work of God through His instructions in the life of the author. In Sunday’s message we will seek to discover how the psalmist can lead us to truth, knowledge and delight through God’s laws.

Psalm 119 || Delight Comes from Learning the Truth

Psalm 137 begins with remembering the past glory of Zion and the terrible sorrow of its destruction. Yet, these exiles refuse to capitulate to tormenting demands of their captors. Instead they remember their joy found in true worship of God and His ultimate conquest over His enemies. Believers today are reminded that they are in exile, waiting for the return of Jesus, and continue to set their joy on God in true worship.

Psalm 137 || Your Highest Joy

Psalm 98 is about rejoicing in the Lord. Like the other enthronement Psalms, it calls on all of creation, both heaven and nature, to sing praises to God, our Creator, King, Savior, and Judge.

Psalm 98 || Make a Joyful Noise to the Lord

Psalm 91 is one of the most hopeful Psalms in the entire Psalter. For the one who abides in the shadow of the Almighty, God promises to protect and to provide for him. Satan used verses 11-12 when he tempted Jesus. By resisting the temptation, Jesus proved that he was in fact the Man spoken of in Psalm 91 as he trampled the head of the Serpent, securing victory for God's people.

Psalm 91 || In the Shadow of the Almighty

Psalm 73 tells the story of a man who falls into sin and is rescued by God. It shows us how important it is to guard our hearts from envy, and it reveals God’s goodness to His people. God is faithful despite the apparent prosperity of the wicked, and He is faithful even when we are surrounded by sin and despair.

Psalm 73 || To the Sanctuary

One commentator writes that there is, "no sadder prayer in the Psalter." It is unique in this respect. Many of us know someone, or will personally experience sorrow beyond words. Psalm 88 reminds us the deep sorrow is real and painful. Yet, we are also reminded that there is a deeper joy for those in Christ; sorrow does not have the last word.

Psalm 88 || Deep Sorrow; Deeper Joy

Psalm 41 ends book one in the Psalter. In this Psalm David recalls the blessed man who is sustained by the Lord while he is weak and in need of help, trusting that God’s promises would not fail and that he would see healing. This all ends in the unceasing praise of the Lord Almighty.

Midlands Church

Midlands Church

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