Sermon: The Mission of God
Bible Passage: Ezra 7:1-10; Luke 19:10; Matthew 28:19-20

I. The status of Judah when Ezra decided to go from Persia to Jerusalem (about 458 BC)

1. Judah was struggling to recover from the Babylonian invasion happened between 595-86 BC
2. The Temple was rebuilt (Ezra 6:13-18), but Jerusalem remained unprotected without the city-wall
3. Judah was surrounded by enemies/ (Ezra 4)
4. Jews continued to experience low spiritual morale (Hag 1–2; Zech 1–4)
5. Judah looked an unattractive place for people to invest their time, resources, and talents

II. A profile of Ezra

1. A descendent of Zadok and Aaron (7:1-5)
2. A scholar (7:6)
3. A man of high influence (7:11-12)
4. Ezra had everything to become politically, religiously, and economically successful in Persia—a place of prospects
5. But he chose to serve God in Judah—a place of no prospect
6. Favor from the emperor (7:6, 11-28)
7. People for his leadership team (7:7; 8:15-20)
8. Protection and provisions (8:31-32)

III. Result of Ezra’s mission

1. Spiritual revival based on the Word of God (9:3-4)
2. True repentance and ethnic purification (10:1, Neh 9:1-4)

IV. Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10)

V. Jesus sent His disciples (Apostles, you, and I) to be on His mission (Matt 28:19-20)

Take Away
Be on the mission with God with your time, talent, and resources