1. A Successful “Building” Program
Learning from the book of Ezra

2. 1. It takes the move of God in the hearts of the people, and an obedient response to that stirring Ezra 1:5

3. 2. It takes commitment, sacrifice and financial support.
Ezra 2:68-69

4. 3. It takes unity.
Ezra 3:1

5. 4. It takes overcoming fear of opposition and misunderstanding.
Ezra 3:3

6. 5. It involves obedience, praise and worship, and repentance and cleansing. Ezra 3:4-6

7. 6. It takes money and people willing to work.
Ezra 3:7

8. 7. It involves organization and supervision.
Ezra 3:9

9. 8. It starts with a good foundation.
Ezra 3:10

10. 9. The entire effort must be surrounded with praise and thanksgiving.
Ezra 3:10-11

11. 10. We must not give in to the influences of the world or to the discouragements that some throw at us, even from political forces Ezra 4:1-5

12. 11. We must remember that God’s eye is on us as we build and He will help us be successful.
Ezra 5:5

13. 12. For all of the ‘successes’ we experience, the praise must go to God, not us.
Ezra 7:27

14. 13. We must always be on guard against the secular influences that would try to get us off target.
Ezra 9:5-15

15. “I will build my church…”
Mt. 16:18

16. “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. ”
“Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.” Ps 127:1