Ezra 1 - Build the House

In this message from Living Faith St. Louis, Pastor Blade opens the book of Ezra by drawing attention to Ezra 1:5 and the phrase “to build the house.” What begins as Israel’s return from exile to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem is used as a framework for understanding the New Testament calling of the Church.This sermon traces the continuity of God’s work across Scripture: while Ezra points to a physical temple, the New Testament reveals a greater spiritual reality—God building a “house” made up of His people. Drawing from passages in Ephesians, 1 Peter, 2 Corinthians, and 1 Corinthians, the message emphasizes that believers are living stones in a spiritual house, founded on Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone.Pastor Blade develops the theme that God is not only a Creator but a Builder, actively forming His Church throughout history. This “building project” is not about a physical structure, but about the formation, maturity, and faithfulness of God’s people in Christ. The sermon also points to the accountability of believers at the Judgment Seat of Christ, where works are tested and evaluated based on what has been built on the foundation of Christ.This message challenges listeners to examine what they are building with their lives—whether temporary pursuits or eternal work aligned with God’s blueprint—and calls the Church to labor faithfully together in what God is constructing through His Spirit.Thanks for listening to the Living Faith St. Louis podcast. This episode is part of our weekly sermon ministry from Pastor Blade Sbisa, with occasional guest speakers and special series. For more information, visit the LFSTL website.