Preaching the Word - Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther: Restoring the Church
Book Description:
Packed with exciting Biblical history, the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther display God’s faithfulness through trials, the promise of restoration, and the beauty of revival.
This commentary provides deep insights to help pastors and teachers draw connections between Ezra and Nehemiah, both of whom display godly leadership and the power of prayer. Then readers will follow Esther to learn how God’s providence reigns, even in a pagan world, and see how each of these Old Testament books points to the promise of our Savior Jesus Christ.
Pastor and experienced Bible expositor Wallace P. Benn expertly discusses Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther verse by verse, and provides insightful observations, illustrations, and applications.
Part of the Preaching the Word series.
Table of Contents
Ezra
Chronology and Timelines
Sermon Outlines
Chapter 1: Our God reigns!—See God!
Chapter 2: The Church Family Matters—See the Church!
Chapter 3: First Things First! Returning to Worship
Chapters 4, 5, and 6: Facing the Battle!
Chapter 6:13–22: The Temple was Finished & Dedicated
Chapters 8: Life as a Believer Has Its Challenges, and Can Be Difficult and Dangerous!
Chapters 9: The Danger of Dilution!
Chapters 10: Drastic because Holiness Matters
Nehemiah
Sermon Outlines
Chapter 1: A Good Heart for God and His work
Chapter 2:1–10: Making the Most of the Opportunity!
Chapter 2:11–20: Sharing the Vision & Getting the Work Started
Chapters 3:1–32: The Family of God at Work
Chapters 4, 5, 6, and 7:1–4: Getting the Work Completed
Chapter 7:5–73a: The Importance of Continuity
Chapters 7:73b–8:18: Revival!
Chapter 9:1–37: Recounting the Goodness of God
Chapters 9:38–10:39: Renewing the Covenant
Chapters 11:1–36: Recreating Community
Chapter 12: 1–47: A Joyful Celebration & A New Beginning
Chapter 13:1–31: Broken Promises
Epilogue: And There’s More!...
Appendix 1: Leadership Lessons from Nehemiah
Esther
Sermon Outlines
Chapters 1 and 2: The Selection of Esther as Queen
Chapters 3 and 4: The Plot to destroy the Jews
Chapters 5, 6, and 7: Reversal of ‘fortune’ begins
Chapters 8 and 9: Deliverance for the Jews
Epilogue
Author:
Wallace P. Benn is a well-known Bible teacher and preacher in the British Isles and Ireland. He is the founder of Bible by the Beach, a Bible-teaching convention in Eastbourne, England, and a trustee of Irish Church Missions, an evangelical church-planting agency in Ireland. Wallace and his wife, Lindsay, have two grown children and three grandchildren. They are members of St. Botolph’s Church in Kettering, England.
Series Editor:
R. Kent Hughes (DMin, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is senior pastor emeritus of College Church in Wheaton, Illinois, and former professor of practical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Hughes is also a founder of the Charles Simeon Trust, which conducts expository preaching conferences throughout North America and worldwide. He serves as the series editor for the Preaching the Word commentary series and is the author or coauthor of many books. He and his wife, Barbara, live in Spokane, Washington, and have four children and an ever-increasing number of grandchildren.
Endorsements:
“This series resonates with the priorities of the pulpit. No academic aloofness here, but down-to-earth, preacher-to-preacher meat for God’s people.”
--Bryan Chapell, Pastor Emeritus, Grace Presbyterian Church, Peoria, Illinois
“The single best resource for faithful Biblical exposition available today. A great boon for genuine reformation!”
--Timothy George, Distinguished Professor of Divinity, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University; General Editor, Reformation Commentary on Scripture
“There is a long history of informed, edifying Biblical expositions that have been mightily used of God to shape and strengthen the Church. These volumes admirably fit this tradition.”
--D. A. Carson, Theologian at Large, The Gospel Coalition
“Throughout the Christian centuries, working pastors have been proving themselves to be the best of all Bible expositors. Kent Hughes stands in this great tradition, and his exciting expositions uphold it worthily.”
--J. I. Packer, Late Board of Governors’ Professor of Theology, Regent College
“The Preaching the Word series is a fine set of commentaries for any pastor. It has a great balance between intellect and heart, covering both interpretation and application. You can’t go wrong with this set. It will improve your preaching.”
--Rick Warren, Pastor, Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, California
“It is a pleasure to commend this series of homiletical commentaries. They fill an enormous vacuum that exists between the practical needs of the pastor/teacher and the critical exegetical depth of most commentaries.”
--Walter C. Kaiser Jr., President Emeritus and Colman M. Mockler Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Old Testament, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
Additional Information:
Cover: Hardcover
Number of Pages: 220
Publisher: Crossway
Publication Date: 2021