Nearing the end of the Old Testament in the chronological Bible series, this message tells the story of Esther and the Jews who remained in Persia under King Xerxes, set against the broader account of the return from exile and God's continued offer of protection to his people.
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The chronological Bible series turns to the return from exile, focusing on Ezra 1, where God stirs King Cyrus of Persia to send the exiles back to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, with reflection on the surprising fact that not all the Israelites chose to return.
Listen & readThe chronological Bible series enters the Babylonian exile, recounting Daniel and his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refusing the king's food, and turning to Jeremiah 29 where God promises through Jeremiah to restore Israel after seventy years.
Listen & readThe chronological Bible series reaches the fall of the kingdoms, as Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar conquers Judah, and the message returns to the Sinai covenant of Exodus 19 to explain that Israel's exile came from breaking the "if you obey my voice" conditions of that covenant.
Listen & readA guest speaker continues the chronological Bible series with the story of King Hezekiah in 2 Kings 18-19, as Judah faces the Assyrian king Sennacherib's invasion and Hezekiah brings the enemy's threatening letter before God in prayer.
Listen & readAround the halfway point of the chronological Bible series, this message on God's messengers focuses on the prophets Elijah and Elisha, recalling Elijah being taken up in a whirlwind and turning to Elisha warning Israel's king of Syria's attacks in the divided kingdom.
Listen & readThe chronological Bible series covers the division of the kingdom after Solomon, recounting from 1 Kings how Jeroboam leads the ten northern tribes away from Rehoboam, who keeps Judah and Benjamin, and how Jeroboam sets up rival worship in his new kingdom.
Listen & readThe chronological Bible series reaches King Solomon, focusing on 1 Kings 8 and his building of the temple to house the Ark of the Covenant, reflecting on Israel's golden age and on church as something believers are rather than a place they go.
Listen & readThis Christmas Eve message reflects on Luke's nativity account, noting how the story of Jesus is rooted in real history with its mention of Caesar Augustus, Quirinius, and taxes, and connects Bethlehem as the town of David to the chronological series' arrival at Samuel anointing David in 1 Samuel.
Listen & readThe chronological Bible series reaches 1 Samuel, telling of Hannah's prayer, the boy Samuel's calling, the corruption of Eli and his sons Hophni and Phinehas, and Israel's demand for a king in 1 Samuel 8, which God says is a rejection of his own kingship.
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