3-30-25 Setlist: Battle Belongs Defender God Problems God Did! Sermon Notes: Key Passage: The enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were rebuilding a Temple to the Lord, the God of Israel. So they approached Zerubbabel and the other leaders and said, "Let us build with you, for we worship your God just as you do. We have sacrificed to him ever since King Esarhaddon of Assyria brought us here.” But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the other leaders of Israel replied, "You may have no part in this work, for we have nothing in common. We alone will build the Temple for the Lord, the God of Israel, just as King Cyrus of Persia commanded us." Then the local residents tried to discourage and frighten the people of Judah to keep them from their work. They bribed agents to work against them and to frustrate their aims. This went on during the entire reign of King Cyrus of Persia and lasted until King Darius of Persia took the throne. Years later when Xerxes began his reign, the enemies of Judah wrote him a letter of accusation against the people of Judah and Jerusalem. Ezra 4:1-7 1. Infiltrate Key Verse: So they approached Zerubbabel and the other leaders and said, "Let us build with you, for we worship your God just as you do. Ezra 4:2 Key Passage: Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, and he went to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them. Luke 22:3-4 Key Passage: Remove the dross from silver, and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith. Remove the wicked from the king's court, and his reign will be made secure by justice. Proverbs 25:4-5 2. Discourage Key Verse: Then the local residents tried to discourage… the people. Ezra 4:4 Key Verse: Faithful messengers are as refreshing as snow in the heat of summer. They revive the spirit of their employer. Proverbs 25:13 3. Frighten Key Verse: Then the local residents tried to… frighten the people of Judah to keep them from their work. Ezra 4:4 Key Passage: The Lord is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life — of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident. Psalms 27:1-3 (NIV) 4. Recruit opposition Key Verse: They bribed agents to work against them… Ezra 4:5 5. Frustrate Key Verse: They bribed agents to work against them and to frustrate their aims. (frustrate their plans NIV) Ezra 4:5 6. Make accusations Key Verse: Years later when Xerxes began his reign, the enemies of Judah wrote him a letter of accusation against the people of Judah and Jerusalem. Ezra 4:6 Key Passage: Let not those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause; let not those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye. They do not speak peaceably, but devise false accusations against those who live quietly in the land. They gape at me and say, "Aha! Aha! With our own eyes we have seen it." Psalms 35:19-21 (NIV) Key Passage: So the Jewish leaders continued their work, and they were greatly encouraged by the preaching of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo. The Temple was finally finished, as had been commanded by the God of Israel and decreed by Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes, the kings of Persia. The Temple was completed on March 12, during the sixth year of King Darius's reign. Ezra 6:14-15 Discussion Questions 1. What do you feel like God is saying to you through this message? 2. What spoke to you during this message? Why? How can you apply it to your life?