HEAVEN:
THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL John 14:1-6 November 29, 2020 Pastor Patrick Allen |
INTRODUCTION: Pitching on Tuesday WHAT IS HEAVEN? The Bible tells us three things about heaven:
2. Heaven is a REAL place. John 14:1 (NASB) "Do not let your heart be troubled; [you] believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. Matthew 6:20 (NIV) But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 3. Heaven was designed for US. Matthew 25:34 (NIV) Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” Ephesians 1:5 (NLT) His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave Him great pleasure. WHERE IS HEAVEN? Psalm 53:2 (NLT) God looks down from heaven on the entire human race; He looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God. John 14:5 (NASB) Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?" 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. Romans 3:21 (NLT) But now God has shown us a way to be made right with Him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. WHAT IS HEAVEN LIKE? Job 11:7 (CEV) Can you understand the mysteries surrounding God All-Powerful? 8 They are higher than the heavens and deeper than the grave. So what can you do when you know so little, 9 and these mysteries outreach the earth and the ocean? Here are some things you WON’T find:
1 Corinthians 15:49 (TLB) Just as each of us now has a body like Adam's [that means we have a human body], so we shall someday have a body like Christ's. 2. There will be no SADNESS in heaven. Revelation 21:4 (NIV) He [God] will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Psalm 56:8 (NASB) You have taken account of my wanderings. Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book? 3. There is no SUFFERING. Revelation 7:16 (NIV) Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. 4. There is no SIN. Jude 1:24 (NLT) And now, all glory to God, who is able to keep you from stumbling, and who will bring you into His glorious presence innocent of sin and with great joy. 1 John 3:1 (NIV) How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see him as He is. 3 Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. 5. There is no DEATH. Revelation 21:4 “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Here is a list of the things you WILL find in heaven.
Hebrews 12:22 (NIV) But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant… 2. We will receive REWARDS. 2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. Matthew 16:27 (NIV) For the Son of Man is going to come in His Father's glory with His angels, and then He will reward each person according to what he has done. Romans 14:12 (NIV) So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Ephesians 6:8 (NLT) Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free. 3. We will have RESPONSIBILITIES in heaven. 2 Timothy 2:12 (NLT) If we endure hardship, we will reign with Him. Luke 16:10 (NIV) “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12 And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own?” 4. We will have REST (refreshment, renewal) in heaven. Hebrews 4:9 (NIV) There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience. 5. We will have REJOICING in heaven. Matthew 25:21 (NASB) “His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’” HOW DO I GET TO HEAVEN? Matthew 7:13 (NIV) “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Romans 1:17 (NIV) For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith." Here’s how you put your trust in Christ: Romans 10:9 (NLT) For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. 11 As the Scriptures tell us, "Anyone who believes in him will not be disappointed." A – I admit that I’m a sinner and need a savior. B – I believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for me – to pay the penalty for my sins. C – I confess that I want Jesus to call the shots in my life. D – I depend on God’s promise. John 3:16 (NASB) “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” HOW DO I LIVE IF I’M GOING TO HEAVEN?
Hebrews 11:15 (TEV) They did not keep thinking about the country they had left; if they had, they would have had the chance to return. 16 Instead, it was a better country they longed for, the heavenly country. And so God is not ashamed for them to call him their God, because He has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 12:1 (NIV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 2. Don’t be DISCOURAGED by trouble. 2 Corinthians 4:1 (NLT) And so, since God in His mercy has given us this wonderful ministry, we never give up. … 17 For our present troubles are quite small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! 18 So we don't look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever. 3. FOCUS my energy on what will last. Matthew 6:20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. Philippians 3:14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. GAINING INSIGHT: What Did I Learn Today?
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Nehemiah
11:1-36 October 25, 2020 Pastor Patrick Allen |
TWO DANGERS IN TRANSITION
Matthew 20:25 (NIV) “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave - 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” 2. A NEGLIGENCE in recognizing others who really deserve much of the credit. Romans 13:7 (NASB) Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. 8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. IDENTIFYING THE UNSUNG HEROES. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND.
Nehemiah 7:1 (ESV) Now when the wall had been built and I had set up the doors, and the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed… 2. They were responsible for the SECURITY of the city. Nehemiah 7:2 I gave my brother Hanani and Hananiah the governor of the castle charge over Jerusalem, for he was a more faithful and God-fearing man than many. 3. They were responsible to set a daily SCHEDULE. Nehemiah 7:3 (ESV) And I said to them, “Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot. And while they are still standing guard, let them shut and bar the doors. Appoint guards from among the inhabitants of Jerusalem, some at their guard posts and some in front of their own homes.” The Critical Problem - Nehemiah 7:4 (ESV) The city was wide and large, but the people within it were few, and no houses had been rebuilt. Nehemiah 11:1 (NASB) Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem, but the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while nine-tenths remained in the other cities. DEEDS OF THE WILLING UNKNOWNS.
2. There were those who willingly WORKED in the temple. 11:10-14 Nehemiah 11:10 (NASB) From the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin, 11 Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the leader of the house of God, 12 and their kinsmen who performed the work of the temple, 822; and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah, 13 and his kinsmen, heads of fathers' households, 242; and Amashsai the son of Azarel, the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer, 14 and their brothers, valiant warriors, 128. And their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of Haggedolim. 3. There were those who willingly worked OUTSIDE the place of worship. 11:15-16 Nehemiah 11:15 (NASB) Now from the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni; 16 and Shabbethai and Jozabad, from the leaders of the Levites, who were in charge of the outside work of the house of God… 4. There were those who supported the ministry through PRAYER. 11:17 Nehemiah 11:17 (NASB) … and Mattaniah the son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, who was the leader in beginning the thanksgiving at prayer, and Bakbukiah, the second among his brethren; and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun. John 15:4 (NIV) “Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing. 5. There were those who served the Lord by PROMPTING worship. 11:22-23 Nehemiah 11:22 (NASB) Now the overseer of the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Mica, from the sons of Asaph, who were the singers for the service of the house of God. 23 For there was a commandment from the king concerning them and a firm regulation for the song leaders day by day. TIMELESS TRUTHS TO APPLY.
We must not confuse famous with NECESSARY. 1 Corinthians 12:14 (NIV) Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. Our SHAPE determines just what necessary part we play in our body. Spiritual Gifts Heart – passion … what do we like to do? Ability – what do we find easy to do? Personality – Alone vs. groups; Introvert vs. Extrovert. Do you like to work with people, things or information? Experiences – What have you done before, especially the painful experiences. How do I make this a reality? Step 1 – You need to BELONG. Step 2 - You need to MATURE. You need to commit to the personal habits that help you grow (Prayer, Bible Study, Giving, Small Groups). You need to commit to be accountable to others for your progress. Step 3 – You need to discover your ministry SHAPE. (Spiritual Gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, Experiences). 2. Every labor done in love is REMEMBERED by God. It is never forgotten. Hebrews 6:10 (NIV) “God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.” 3. Our final rewards will be determined on the basis of personal FAITHFULNESS, not public applause. 1 Corinthians 4:1 (NIV) “So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” Galatians 6:9 (NIV) “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” |
KEEPING THE
COMMITMENTS YOU MAKE Nehemiah 9:38-10:39 October 18, 2020 Pastor Patrick Allen |
The Bottom Life in Making Commitments:
Our commitments – whether they are kept or not – SHAPE who and what we are! Nehemiah 9:38 (NASB) "Now because of all this we are making an agreement in writing; and on the sealed document are the names of our leaders, our Levites and our priests." Areas that together form a foundation for a church facing the challenge of transition:
WHAT IS A BIBLICAL COMMITMENT? We make all kinds of commitments in our lives, but a biblical commitment has three main elements. When we understand each of these elements, we have a better grasp on how to fulfill the commitments we make. FIRST ELEMENT - Our MIND. Matthew 22:37 (NKJV) “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” SECOND ELEMENT - Our HEART. In the process of making and keeping commitments, the heart embraces what the mind understands. Proverbs 3:5 (NKJV) “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” THIRD ELEMENT - Our WILL. The will acts on what the mind understands and the heart embraces. It gives action to our thoughts and feelings. James 4:17 (NASB) says, “Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.” THE PROCESS OF COMMITMENT. THE GENERAL COMMITMENT. 9:38-10:29 Nehemiah 10:1 (NASB) Now on the sealed document were the names of: Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hacaliah, and Zedekiah, 2 Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah, 3 Pashhur, Amariah, Malchijah, 4 Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch, 5 Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah, 6 Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch, 7 Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin, 8 Maaziah, Bilgai, Shemaiah. These were the priests. 9 And the Levites: Jeshua the son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel; 10 also their brothers Shebaniah, Hodiah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan, 11 Mica, Rehob, Hashabiah, 12 Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah, 13 Hodiah, Bani, Beninu. 14 The leaders of the people: Parosh, Pahath-moab, Elam, Zattu, Bani, 15 Bunni, Azgad, Bebai, 16 Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin, 17 Ater, Hezekiah, Azzur, 18 Hodiah, Hashum, Bezai, 19 Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai, 20 Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir, 21 Meshezabel, Zadok, Jaddua, 22 Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah, 23 Hoshea, Hananiah, Hasshub, 24 Hallohesh, Pilha, Shobek, 25 Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah, 26 Ahiah, Hanan, Anan, 27 Malluch, Harim, Baanah. Ecclesiastes 5:1 (NIV) Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. 2 Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. 3 A dream comes when there are many cares, and many words mark the speech of a fool. 4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. 5 It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. The “general theme” behind this written document is seen beginning in Nehemiah 10:28 (NASB) Now the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple servants and all those who had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the law of God, their wives, their sons and their daughters, all those who had knowledge and understanding, 29 are joining with their kinsmen, their nobles, and are taking on themselves a curse and an oath to walk in God's law, which was given through Moses, God's servant, and to keep and to observe all the commandments of GOD our Lord, and His ordinances and His statutes… THE SPECIFIC EXPRESSIONS. 10:30-39 Nehemiah 10:30 (NASB) … and that we will not give our daughters to the peoples of the land or take their daughters for our sons. 1. Commitments in the HOME. 10:30 1 Corinthians 9:22 (NASB) "To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some." James 4:4 (NIV) "You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." 2. Commitments in SOCIETY. 10:31 Nehemiah 10:31 (NASB) As for the peoples of the land who bring wares or any grain on the sabbath day to sell, we will not buy from them on the sabbath or a holy day; and we will forego the crops the seventh year and the exaction of every debt. Romans 2:17 (NASB) But if you bear the name "Jew" and rely upon the Law and boast in God, 18 and know His will and approve the things that are essential, being instructed out of the Law, 19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth, 21 you, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that one shall not steal, do you steal? 22 You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God? 24 For "THE NAME OF GOD IS BLASPHEMED AMONG THE GENTILES BECAUSE OF YOU," just as it is written. 3. Commitments in the SPIRITUAL LIFE. 10:32-39 Nehemiah 10:32 (NASB) We also placed ourselves under obligation to contribute yearly one third of a shekel for the service of the house of our God: 33 for the showbread, for the continual grain offering, for the continual burnt offering, the sabbaths, the new moon, for the appointed times, for the holy things and for the sin offerings to make atonement for Israel, and all the work of the house of our God. 34 Likewise we cast lots for the supply of wood among the priests, the Levites and the people so that they might bring it to the house of our God, according to our fathers' households, at fixed times annually, to burn on the altar of the LORD our God, as it is written in the law; 35 and that they might bring the first fruits of our ground and the first fruits of all the fruit of every tree to the house of the LORD annually, 36 and bring to the house of our God the firstborn of our sons and of our cattle, and the firstborn of our herds and our flocks as it is written in the law, for the priests who are ministering in the house of our God. 37 We will also bring the first of our dough, our contributions, the fruit of every tree, the new wine and the oil to the priests at the chambers of the house of our God, and the tithe of our ground to the Levites, for the Levites are they who receive the tithes in all the rural towns. 38 The priest, the son of Aaron, shall be with the Levites when the Levites receive tithes, and the Levites shall bring up the tenth of the tithes to the house of our God, to the chambers of the storehouse. 39 For the sons of Israel and the sons of Levi shall bring the contribution of the grain, the new wine and the oil to the chambers; there are the utensils of the sanctuary, the priests who are ministering, the gatekeepers and the singers. Thus we will not neglect the house of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:19 (NIV) “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? 20 You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” Matthew 11:28 (MSG) "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. 29 Walk with Me and work with Me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. 30 Keep company with Me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." KEY PRINCIPLES IN MAKING COMMITMENTS.
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FACING THE PAST WITHOUT FLINCHING
Nehemiah 9:1-38 October 11, 2020 Pastor Patrick Allen |
HANDLING OUR PAST
In general, people deal with the past in one of four ways:
This patter for inner rebuilding…
THE PREPARATION. 9:1-5a Nehemiah 9:1 (NASB) Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the sons of Israel assembled with fasting, in sackcloth and with dirt upon them.
Psalm 139:23 (ESV) Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
Nehemiah 9:2b (NASB) … and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. 3 While they stood in their place, they read from the book of the law of the LORD their God for a fourth of the day; and for another fourth they confessed and worshiped the LORD their God.
THE PROCESS. 9:5b-38 Nehemiah 9:4 (NASB) Now on the Levites' platform stood Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani and Chenani, and they cried with a loud voice to the LORD their God. 5 Then the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah and Pethahiah, said, "Arise, bless the LORD your God forever and ever! O may Your glorious name be blessed and exalted above all blessing and praise! 6 You alone are the LORD. You have made the heavens, the heaven of heavens with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to all of them and the heavenly host bows down before You. STEP 1 - LOOKING UP: Adoration and Praise. 9:4-6
STEP 2 - LOOKING BACK: Reflections & Thanksgiving. 9:7-31 Nehemiah 9:7 (NASB) "You are the LORD God, Who chose Abram and brought him out from Ur of the Chaldees, and gave him the name Abraham. 8 You found his heart faithful before You, and made a covenant with him to give him the land of the Canaanite, of the Hittite and the Amorite, of the Perizzite, the Jebusite and the Girgashite - to give it to his descendants. And You have fulfilled Your promise, for You are righteous. 9 You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heard their cry by the Red Sea. 10 Then You performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, against all his servants and all the people of his land; for You knew that they acted arrogantly toward them, and made a name for Yourself as it is this day. 11 You divided the sea before them, so they passed through the midst of the sea on dry ground; and their pursuers You hurled into the depths, like a stone into raging waters. 12 And with a pillar of cloud You led them by day, and with a pillar of fire by night to light for them the way in which they were to go. 13 Then You came down on Mount Sinai, and spoke with them from heaven; You gave them just ordinances and true laws, good statutes and commandments. 14 So You made known to them Your holy sabbath, and laid down for them commandments, statutes and law, through Your servant Moses. 15 You provided bread from heaven for them for their hunger, You brought forth water from a rock for them for their thirst, and You told them to enter in order to possess the land which You swore to give them. 16 But they, our fathers, acted arrogantly; they became stubborn and would not listen to Your commandments. 17 They refused to listen, and did not remember Your wondrous deeds which You had performed among them; so they became stubborn and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But You are a God of forgiveness, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness; and You did not forsake them. 18 Even when they made for themselves a calf of molten metal and said, 'This is your God Who brought you up from Egypt,' and committed great blasphemies, 19 You, in Your great compassion, did not forsake them in the wilderness; the pillar of cloud did not leave them by day, to guide them on their way, nor the pillar of fire by night, to light for them the way in which they were to go. 20 You gave Your good Spirit to instruct them, Your manna You did not withhold from their mouth, and You gave them water for their thirst. 21 Indeed, forty years You provided for them in the wilderness and they were not in want; their clothes did not wear out, nor did their feet swell. 22 You also gave them kingdoms and peoples, and allotted them to them as a boundary. They took possession of the land of Sihon the king of Heshbon and the land of Og the king of Bashan. 23 You made their sons numerous as the stars of heaven, and You brought them into the land which You had told their fathers to enter and possess. 24 So their sons entered and possessed the land. And You subdued before them the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, and You gave them into their hand, with their kings and the peoples of the land, to do with them as they desired. 25 They captured fortified cities and a fertile land. They took possession of houses full of every good thing, hewn cisterns, vineyards, olive groves, fruit trees in abundance. So they ate, were filled and grew fat, and reveled in Your great goodness. 26 But they became disobedient and rebelled against You, and cast Your law behind their backs and killed Your prophets who had admonished them so that they might return to You, and they committed great blasphemies. 27 Therefore You delivered them into the hand of their oppressors who oppressed them, but when they cried to You in the time of their distress, You heard from heaven, and according to Your great compassion You gave them deliverers who delivered them from the hand of their oppressors. 28 But as soon as they had rest, they did evil again before You; therefore You abandoned them to the hand of their enemies, so that they ruled over them. When they cried again to You, You heard from heaven, and many times You rescued them according to Your compassion, 29 and admonished them in order to turn them back to Your law. Yet they acted arrogantly and did not listen to Your commandments but sinned against Your ordinances, by which if a man observes them he shall live. And they turned a stubborn shoulder and stiffened their neck, and would not listen. 30 However, You bore with them for many years, and admonished them by Your Spirit through Your prophets, yet they would not give ear. Therefore You gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands. 31 Nevertheless, in Your great compassion You did not make an end of them or forsake them, for You are a gracious and compassionate God. Did you notice the three blots that mar this reminiscing (vv. 16-18, 26)?
Nehemiah 9:32 (NASB) "Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who keeps covenant and lovingkindness, do not let all the hardship seem insignificant before You, which has come upon us, our kings, our princes, our priests, our prophets, our fathers and on all Your people, from the days of the kings of Assyria to this day. 33 However, You are just in all that has come upon us; for You have dealt faithfully, but we have acted wickedly. 34 For our kings, our leaders, our priests and our fathers have not kept Your law or paid attention to Your commandments and Your admonitions with which You have admonished them. 35 But they, in their own kingdom, with Your great goodness which You gave them, with the broad and rich land which You set before them, did not serve You or turn from their evil deeds. 36 Behold, we are slaves today, and as to the land which You gave to our fathers to eat of its fruit and its bounty, behold, we are slaves in it. 37 Its abundant produce is for the kings whom You have set over us because of our sins; they also rule over our bodies and over our cattle as they please, so we are in great distress. STEP 3 - LOOKING AROUND: Petition & Confession. 9:32-37 Psalm 103:13 (NLT) “The LORD is like a father to His children, tender and compassionate to those who fear Him. 14 For He understands how weak we are; He knows we are only dust.” 2 Corinthians 1:3 (NIV) “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, 4 so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” What does God want us to do with it? 1 John 1:9 (NASB) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (from every sin). STEP 4 - LOOKING FORWARD: Direction & Commitment. 9:38 Nehemiah 9:38 (NASB) "Now because of all this we are making an agreement in writing; and on the sealed document are the names of our leaders, our Levites and our priests." Ephesians 3:10 (NLT) God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display His wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. |
GAINING INSIGHT FROM YOUR CHALLENGES
Nehemiah 8:13-18 October 4, 2020 Pastor Patrick Allen |
SOME NECESSARY BACKGROUND.
Think of the book of Nehemiah as being divided into two main sections. In the first six chapters, there is a RECONSTRUCTION of the wall. In the last seven chapters, there is a RE-INSTRUCTION of the people who built the wall. Nehemiah 8:8 (NASB) They read from the book, from the law of God, translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading. But mark this point carefully: They received INPUT, but not INSIGHT. Nehemiah 8:13 (NASB) Then on the second day the heads of fathers' households of all the people, the priests and the Levites were gathered to Ezra the scribe that they might gain insight into the words of the law. Mark 6:51 (NASB) “Then He [Jesus] got into the boat with them [the disciples], and the wind stopped; and they were utterly astonished, 52 for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened.” THE PURSUIT OF INSIGHT. 8:13-15 Nehemiah 8:13 (NASB) Then on the second day the heads of fathers' households of all the people, the priests and the Levites were gathered to Ezra the scribe that they might gain insight into the words of the law.
2. The pursuit of insight takes the right PEOPLE. 8:13 Ezra 7:10 (NASB) “For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel.” 3. The pursuit of insight takes the right ATTITUDE. 8:13 Hebrews 12:14 (NASB) Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled… 4. The pursuit of insight takes the right SOURCE. 8:14 Nehemiah 8:14 (NASB) They found written in the law how the LORD had commanded through Moses that the sons of Israel should live in booths during the feast of the seventh month. Nehemiah 8:14 (NASB) They found written in the law how the LORD had commanded through Moses that the sons of Israel should live in booths during the feast of the seventh month. 15 So they proclaimed and circulated a proclamation in all their cities and in Jerusalem, saying, "Go out to the hills, and bring olive branches and wild olive branches, myrtle branches, palm branches and branches of other leafy trees, to make booths, as it is written." 5. The pursuit of insight takes the right RESPONSE. 8:14-15 Luke 6:46 (NIV) “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 As for everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” THE RESULT OF GAINING INSIGHT. 8:16-18 Nehemiah 8:16 (NASB) So the people went out and brought them and made booths for themselves, each on his roof, and in their courts and in the courts of the house of God, and in the square at the Water Gate and in the square at the Gate of Ephraim. 17 The entire assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and lived in them.
We are at this moment as close to God as we really choose to be. True, there are times when we would like to know a deeper intimacy, but when it comes to the point, we are not prepared to pay the price involved.” - J. Oswald Sanders, Enjoying Intimacy with God John 14:15 (NASB) “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. … 21 He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him. … 23 If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him. 24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me.” Nehemiah 8:17 (NASB) The entire assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and lived in them. The sons of Israel had indeed not done so from the days of Joshua the son of Nun to that day. 2. A continued willingness to CHANGE. 8:17a-b Nehemiah 8:17c (NASB) And there was great rejoicing. 18 He read from the book of the law of God daily, from the first day to the last day. And they celebrated the feast seven days, and on the eighth day there was a solemn assembly according to the ordinance. 3. A discovery of JOY. 8:17c-18 Get the Principle: Joy comes from OBEDIENCE WHERE DO I BEGIN? Nehemiah 8:18 (NASB) He read from the book of the law of God daily, from the first day to the last day. And they celebrated the feast seven days, and on the eighth day there was a solemn assembly according to the ordinance.
Ezra 7:10 (NASB) “For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel.” 2. Spend time with others in WORSHIP and celebration.Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” For Next Sunday: Read Nehemiah 9:1-38 Opening Up
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WHAT'S NEXT?
Becoming a Healthy Church Nehemiah 7:1-3/8:1-12 September 27, 2020 Pastor Dave Bruno |
Nehemiah 7:1-3
After the wall was finished and I had set up the doors in the gates, the gatekeepers, singers, and Levites were appointed. 2 I gave the responsibility of governing Jerusalem to my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah, the commander of the fortress, for he was a faithful man who feared God more than most. 3 I said to them, “Do not leave the gates open during the hottest part of the day. And even while the gatekeepers are on duty, have them shut and bar the doors. Appoint the residents of Jerusalem to act as guards, everyone on a regular watch. Some will serve at sentry posts and some in front of their own homes.”
-Leaders who had integrity -Leaders who feared God Proverbs 29:25 “fearing people is a dangerous trap” -Leaders who stayed alert -Leaders who valued people Nehemiah 8:1-5 1 all the people assembled with a unified purpose at the square just inside the Water Gate. They asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had given for Israel to obey. 2 So on October 8 Ezra the priest brought the Book of the Law before the assembly, which included the men and women and all the children old enough to understand. 3 He faced the square just inside the Water Gate from early morning until noon and read aloud to everyone who could understand. All the people listened closely to the Book of the Law. 4 Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform that had been made for the occasion. To his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah. To his left stood Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam. 5 Ezra stood on the platform in full view of all the people. When they saw him open the book, they all rose to their feet. 2. THEY VALUED the Word of God Romans 15:4 – “Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.” WE BELIEVE IN THE SCRIPTURES OF THE OLD AND NEW TESTIMENTS AS VERBALLY INSPIRED BY GOD, INERRANT IN THE ORIGINAL WRITINGS AND THAT THEY ARE SUPREME AND FINAL AUTHORITY IN FAITH AND LIFE. Nehemiah 8:6 6 Then Ezra praised the Lord, the great God, and all the people chanted, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. 3. THEY HAD expressive worship Nehemiah 8:7 …the Levites then instructed the people in the Law while everyone remained in their places. 8 They read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage. 4. THEY HAD A DESIRE TO learn and understand the Word Nehemiah 8:9-12 9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, “Don’t mourn or weep on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the Lord your God.” For the people had all been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. 10 And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” 11 And the Levites, too, quieted the people, telling them, “Hush! Don’t weep! For this is a sacred day.” 12 So the people went away to eat and drink at a festive meal, to share gifts of food, and to celebrate with great joy because they had heard God’s words and understood them. 5. THEY HAD A passionate response TO WHAT THEY HAD LEARNED INTEGRITY STAY ALERT VALUE PEOPLE STUDY GOD’S WORD BE EXPRESSIVE IN WORSHIP HAVE THE JOY OF THE LORD |
OVERCOMING
INTIMIDATION Nehemiah 6:10-19 September 20, 2020 Pastor Patrick Allen |
WHEN DID THIS INTIMIDATION START? 6:1
Nehemiah 6:1 (NASB) Now when it was reported to Sanballat, Tobiah, to Geshem the Arab and to the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall, and that no breach remained in it, although at that time I had not set up the doors in the gates… WHAT IS THE NATURE OF THE INTIMIDATION? 6:2-19
A Timeless Principle: You defeat distractions by emphasizing your PRIORITIES.
Notice four characteristics of a rumor found in this letter:
Nehemiah shows us four good moves to make when we are slandered:
Nehemiah 6:11 (NASB) But I said, "Should a man like me flee? And could one such as I go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in."
Nehemiah 6:12 (NASB) Then I perceived that surely God had not sent him, but he uttered his prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. Nehemiah 6:13 (NASB) He was hired for this reason, that I might become frightened and act accordingly and sin, so that they might have an evil report in order that they could reproach me. Nehemiah 6:14 (NASB) Remember, O my God, Tobiah and Sanballat according to these works of theirs, and also Noadiah the prophetess and the rest of the prophets who were trying to frighten me. 15 So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. 16 When all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations surrounding us saw it, they lost their confidence; for they recognized that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God. HOW DO I PRESS AHEAD IN SPITE OF INTIMIDATION?
A Timeless Principle: Great lives are produced by a COMMITMENT to a great cause. Matthew 22:37 (NASB) And He said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' 38 "This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 "The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.'” Matthew 28:18 (NASB) And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
James 1:5 (ESV) If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. False Evidence Appearing Real 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV) “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” 1. I need continual PRAYER. Luke 18:1 (NIV) "Jesus told His disciples that they should always pray and not give up." 2. I need a courageous PERSISTENCE. The Bible tells us that there are only three things we should flee from: “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.” 1 Corinthians 6:18 (NIV) “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.” 1 Corinthians 10:14 (NASB) “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:10-12 (NIV) Galatians 6:9 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." |
HOW TO HANDLE A PROMOTION
Nehemiah 5:14-19 September 13, 2020 Pastor Patrick Allen |
PROMOTION: An Axiom to Remember.
“Adversity is sometimes hard upon a man; but for one man who can stand prosperity, there are a hundred that will stand adversity!” - Thomas Carlyle, a Scottish essayist and historian Why is prosperity a bigger “trap” than adversity? Prosperity often gives us an increase in three areas: POSITION: Become more. Climb the corporate ladder.
Psalm 75:5 (NLT) “Don’t lift your fists in defiance at the heavens or speak with rebellious arrogance. 6 For no one on earth - from east or west, or even from the wilderness - can raise another person up. 7 It is God alone who judges; He decides who will rise and who will fall.” A Timeless Principle: The promotion and continuation of every child of God is because of the Lord’s GOODNESS and grace 1 Corinthians 10:12 (NIV) "So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!" PROMOTION: An Example to Follow. Nehemiah 5:14 (NASB) Moreover, from the day that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah… 1. THE REACTION TO THE PROMOTION. 5:14a There seems to be reluctance on the part of many Christians to step into leadership roles, both in the church and in the community. There may be a number of reasons for this:
Proverbs 29:2 (NASB) “When the righteous increase (lit. move forward) the people rejoice, but when a wicked man rules, people groan.” 2. THE RESPONSE IN THE POSITION. 5:14b-18 Nehemiah 5:14 (NASB) Moreover, from the day that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes, for twelve years, neither I nor my kinsmen have eaten the governor's food allowance.
Nehemiah 5:15 (NASB) But the former governors who were before me laid burdens on the people and took from them bread and wine besides forty shekels of silver; even their servants domineered the people. But I did not do so because of the fear of God. 16 I also applied myself to the work on this wall; we did not buy any land, and all my servants were gathered there for the work.
Nehemiah 5:18b (NASB) Yet for all this I did not demand the governor's food allowance, because the servitude was heavy on this people.
PROMOTION: Our Relationship with the Lord.
Hebrews 13:17 (NLT) “Obey your spiritual leaders and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they know they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this joyfully and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.” 2.I DEVELOP a love for people. A Timeless Principle: Image-managers focus on what they can GET. Leaders focus on what they can GIVE. Psalm 78:72 (NIV) "David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skill he led them." 1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NIV) “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.” 3.I DISCIPLINE myself for eternal rewards. Nehemiah 5:19 (NASB) Remember me, O my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people. Nehemiah 5:16 (NASB) I also applied myself to the work on this wall; we did not buy any land, and all my servants were gathered there for the work. A Timeless Principle: Image-managers focus on their RIGHTS. Leaders focus on their RESPONSIBILITIES. PROMOTION: What Do I Do Now? Hebrews 6:10 (NIV) "God will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them." Romans 8:28 (NASB) And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son… I want you to do three things in prayer right now: First, I want you to thank God for the privileges, perks, and pleasures that He has given you in the past. Those promotions that have brought a new level of abundance to you. Second, I want you to acknowledge that God will use both the adversity and the prosperity in your life to make you more like Jesus Christ. Put yourself in His hands, trust Him to finish this work. Third, if things are not rosy right now, admit that to God. But with it, reiterate again to God, your trust in Him and your thankfulness that He is working in all things! |
Resolving Conflict
Nehemiah 5:1-18 Sunday, September 6, 2020 Pastor Patrick Allen |
Mark 3:25 (NASB) “If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand."
THE HISTORICAL SITUATION. 5:1-5 Nehemiah 5:1 (NASB) Now there was a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish brothers. THE COMPLAINTS OF THE PEOPLE. Nehemiah 5:1 (NASB) Now there was a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish brothers. 2 For there were those who said, "We, our sons and our daughters are many; therefore let us get grain that we may eat and live." 1. There was a shortage of FOOD. vv. 1-2 Nehemiah 5:3 (NASB) There were others who said, "We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards and our houses that we might get grain because of the famine." 2. They had to over-MORTGAGE their homes. v. 3 Nehemiah 5:4 (NASB) Also there were those who said, "We have borrowed money for the king's tax on our fields and our vineyards. 3. They were having to borrow money to pay TAXES. v. 4 Nehemiah 5:5 (NASB) "Now our flesh is like the flesh of our brothers, our children like their children. Yet behold, we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters are forced into bondage already, and we are helpless because our fields and vineyards belong to others." 4. They were having to sell themselves into SLAVERY. v. 5 But these hard times … were not the root problem. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. Exodus 22:25 (NIV) “If you lend money to one of My people among you who is needy, do not be like a moneylender; charge him no interest.” (cf. Deut. 23:19-20; Lev. 25:35-37). A Conflict Consideration: The root cause of internal conflict and discord is always a SELFISH spirit. James 4:1 (NIV) "What causes fights and quarrels among you? 2 Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but you don't get it." THE CURE FOR CONFLICT. 5:6-13 Nehemiah 5:6 (NASB) Then I was very angry when I had heard their outcry and these words. STEP 1: Take the conflict SERIOUSLY. 5:6 Ephesians 4:26 (NASB) "Be angry and yet, do not sin." Nehemiah 5:7a (NASB) I consulted with myself… STEP 2: THINK before you speak. 5:7a James 1:19 (NIV) "Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. 20 For man's anger does not bring about the righteous life God desires." A Conflict Consideration: How do I think it through? As the old MasterCard commercial said, “Think about the possibilities!” Write down all the possible reasons and causes. Nehemiah 5:7 (NASB) I consulted with myself and contended with the nobles and the rulers and said to them, "You are exacting usury, each from his brother!" STEP 3: PRIVATELY confront the offending party. 5:7b Matthew 18:15 (ESV) “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.” Lessons along the Way:
A Conflict Consideration: Effective leaders must have the COURAGE to confront. Titus 3:10 (NIV) "Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. 11 You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self‑condemned." Nehemiah 5:7c (NASB) Therefore, I held a great assembly against them. 8 I said to them, "We according to our ability have redeemed our Jewish brothers who were sold to the nations; now would you even sell your brothers that they may be sold to us?" Then they were silent and could not find a word to say. 9 Again I said, "The thing which you are doing is not good; should you not walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the nations, our enemies? STEP 4: PUBLICLY deal with public divisions 5:7c-13 Nehemiah levels three accusations at these leaders in verses 7-9.
What Did Nehemiah Have Them Do? Nehemiah 5:10 (NASB) "And likewise I, my brothers and my servants are lending them money and grain. Please, let us leave off this usury.
Nehemiah 5:11 (NASB) "Please, give back to them this very day their fields, their vineyards, their olive groves and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money and of the grain, the new wine and the oil that you are exacting from them."
Nehemiah 5:12 (NASB) Then they said, "We will give it back and will require nothing from them; we will do exactly as you say." So I called the priests and took an oath from them that they would do according to this promise.
Nehemiah 5:13 (NASB) I also shook out the front of my garment and said, "Thus may God shake out every man from his house and from his possessions who does not fulfill this promise; even thus may he be shaken out and emptied." And all the assembly said, "Amen!" And they praised the LORD. Then the people did according to this promise.
Nehemiah 5:14 (NASB) Moreover, from the day that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes, for twelve years, neither I nor my kinsmen have eaten the governor's food allowance. 15 But the former governors who were before me laid burdens on the people and took from them bread and wine besides forty shekels of silver; even their servants domineered the people. But I did not do so because of the fear of God. 16 I also applied myself to the work on this wall; we did not buy any land, and all my servants were gathered there for the work. 17 Moreover, there were at my table one hundred and fifty Jews and officials, besides those who came to us from the nations that were around us. 18 Now that which was prepared for each day was one ox and six choice sheep, also birds were prepared for me; and once in ten days all sorts of wine were furnished in abundance. Yet for all this I did not demand the governor's food allowance, because the servitude was heavy on this people. STEP 5: SET an example of unselfishness. 5:14-18 1 Corinthians 11:1 (ESV) Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. A Conflict Consideration: You can only ask others to do what you are ALREADY doing! OUR RESPONSIBILITY Ephesians 4:3 (NIV) "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." "By this shall all men know that you're My disciples, that you love one another." John 13:35 |
DEALING WITH
DISCOURAGEMENT: ITS CAUSES AND CURES Nehemiah 4:1-23 Sunday, August 30, 2020 Pastor Patrick Allen |
THE TACTICS OF DISCOURAGMENT. 4:1-8
Nehemiah 4:1 (NASB) Now it came about that when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became furious and very angry and mocked the Jews. 2 He spoke in the presence of his brothers and the wealthy men of Samaria and said, "What are these feeble Jews doing? Are they going to restore it for themselves? Can they offer sacrifices? Can they finish in a day? Can they revive the stones from the dusty rubble even the burned ones?" 3 Now Tobiah the Ammonite was near him and he said, "Even what they are building - if a fox should jump on it, he would break their stone wall down!" TACTIC #1: RIDICULE. 4:1-3 Why is constant ridicule so effective?
Nehemiah 4:6 (NASB) So we built the wall and the whole wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. 7 Now when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repair of the walls of Jerusalem went on, and that the breaches began to be closed, they were very angry. 8 All of them conspired together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause a disturbance in it. TACTIC #2: RESISTANCE. 4:6-8 Nehemiah 4:11 (NASB) Our enemies said, "They will not know or see until we come among them, kill them and put a stop to the work." 12 When the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times, "They will come up against us from every place where you may turn," TACTIC #3: RUMOR. 4:11-12 Two characteristics of rumors (v. 12): 1. They are always spread by those CLOSEST to the enemy. "Those Jews who lived near them." 2. They are EXAGGERATED when repeated. "Then they told us ten times over." THE EFFECTS OF DISCOURAGEMENT. 4:9-12 Nehemiah 4:9 (NASB) But we prayed to our God, and because of them we set up a guard against them day and night. 10 Thus in Judah it was said, "The strength of the burden bearers is failing, yet there is much rubbish; and we ourselves are unable to rebuild the wall." 11 Our enemies said, "They will not know or see until we come among them, kill them and put a stop to the work." 12 When the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times, "They will come up against us from every place where you may turn," EFFECT #1: Loss of STRENGTH. EFFECT #2: Loss of VISION. EFFECT #3: Loss of CONFIDENCE. EFFECT #4: Loss of SECURITY. DEALING WITH DISCOURAGEMENT. 4:13-23 Nehemiah 4:13 (NASB) … then I stationed men in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, the exposed places, and I stationed the people in families with their swords, spears and bows. 1. INDENTIFY YOUR VULNERABLE AREAS. 4:13 Colossians 3:12 (NASB) So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on [wear continually] a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Nehemiah 4:13 (NASB) … then I stationed men in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, the exposed places, and I stationed the people in families with their swords, spears and bows. 2. UNIFY YOUR EFFORTS TOWARD A COMMON GOAL. 4:13 Nehemiah 4:14 (NASB) When I saw their fear, I rose and spoke to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people: "Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your houses." 3. DIRECT ATTENTION TO THE LORD. 4:14 Nehemiah 4:4 (NASB) Hear, O our God, how we are despised! Return their reproach on their own heads and give them up for plunder in a land of captivity. 5 Do not forgive their iniquity and let not their sin be blotted out before You, for they have demoralized the builders. Proverbs 26:4 (NIV) "Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself." What do you talk about to the Lord? First, we can begin by calling to mind the things the Lord has said. We put into our minds the promises of God. Isaiah 26:3 (ESV) You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed [fixed] on You, because he trusts in You. Philippians 4:6 (NIV) “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:31 (NLT) “If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since God did not spare even His own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t God, who gave us Christ, also give us everything else? … 39 Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Second, we can remember the Lord by calling to mind who He is and what He has done. Nehemiah 4:15 (NASB) When our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had frustrated their plan, then all of us returned to the wall, each one to his work. 16 From that day on, half of my servants carried on the work while half of them held the spears, the shields, the bows and the breastplates; and the captains were behind the whole house of Judah. 17 Those who were rebuilding the wall and those who carried burdens took their load with one hand doing the work and the other holding a weapon. 18 As for the builders, each wore his sword girded at his side as he built, while the trumpeter stood near me. 4. MAINTAIN A BALANCE IN OUR THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS. 4:15-18 Nehemiah 4:19 (NASB) I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, "The work is great and extensive, and we are separated on the wall far from one another. 20 At whatever place you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us." 5. DETERMINE A RALLYING POINT. 4:19-20 Nehemiah 4:21 (NASB) So we carried on the work with half of them holding spears from dawn until the stars appeared. 22 At that time I also said to the people, "Let each man with his servant spend the night within Jerusalem so that they may be a guard for us by night and a laborer by day." 6. DEVELOP A MINISTRY OF SERVICE TO OTHERS. 4:21-22 Nehemiah 4:23 (NASB) So neither I, my brothers, my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us removed our clothes, each took his weapon even to the water. 7. REFUSE TO QUIT. 4:23 |
ORGANIZING FOR
MAXIMUM MINISTRY Nehemiah 4:1-32 Pastor Patrick Allen August 23, 2020 |
REVIEW: Facing our Challenges
PRINCIPLES FOR MAXIMUM MINISTRY PRINCIPLE #1: Keep it SIMPLE. Organizational Observation: The STRONGEST organizations are the simplest. PRINCIPLE #2: Work with those who WANT to work. Nehemiah 3:5 (NASB) Moreover, next to him the Tekoites made repairs, but their nobles did not support the work of their masters. Organizational Observation: Love everybody, but then MOVE with the movers. PRINCIPLE #3: Learn to DELEGATE well. Tasks to Do in Delegation:
Organizational Observation: If it’s everybody’s responsibility, then it’s nobody’s responsibility. Someone has to assume SPECIFIC responsibility. PRINCIPLE #4: Allow for OWNERSHIP. Organizational Observation: Allow people to develop and work in their OWN areas! PRINCIPLE #5: ENCOURAGE teamwork. "Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, thinking together is unity, working together is success." Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NLT) Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Organizational Observation: To be organized you need to provide a supportive climate of TRUST and TEAMWORK. PRINCIPLE #6: SUPERVISE the work. Organizational Observation: Establish clear lines of AUTHORITY and RESPONSIBILITY. They not only have clear job descriptions, but they have clear lines of authority. Organizational Observation: People do what you INSPECT, more than what you expect! PRINCIPLE #7: Give recognition and APPRECIATION.
Nehemiah 3:12 (NASB) Next to him Shallum the son of Hallohesh, the official of half the district of Jerusalem, made repairs, he and his daughters. Organizational Observation: Good organizations RECOGNIZE and REWARD effort. Romans 14:12 (NIV) "So that each one of us will give an account of himself to God." 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NASB) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. Romans 12:4 (NLT) Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. 6 In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. ASK YOURSELF… "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." 1 Timothy 3:16 (NKJV) |
MAKING A VISION VIABLE
Nehemiah 2:11-20 Pastor Patrick Allen August 16, 2020 |
NEHEMIAH’S JOURNAL: A Review
In facing new challenges and opportunities, … you begin with PRAYER, … then you PLAN. But, the next step is to PRESENT it to people who will cooperate with you. MAKING A VISION VIABLE Nehemiah 2:11 (NASB) So I came to Jerusalem and was there three days.
What was Nehemiah doing during those three days?
Never make a major decision when you're TIRED. Fatigue clouds your perspective.
Ecclesiastes 3:7 (NCV), "There is a time to tear and a time to mend. There is a time to be silent and a time to speak." Ecclesiastes 8:6 (NASB) For there is a proper time and procedure for every delight, though a man's trouble is heavy upon him. Nehemiah 2:12 (NASB) And I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. I did not tell anyone what my God was putting into my mind to do for Jerusalem and there was no animal with me except the animal on which I was riding. 13 So I went out at night by the Valley Gate in the direction of the Dragon's Well and on to the Refuse Gate, inspecting the walls of Jerusalem which were broken down and its gates which were consumed by fire. 14 Then I passed on to the Fountain Gate and the King's Pool, but there was no place for my mount to pass. 15 So I went up at night by the ravine and inspected the wall. Then I entered the Valley Gate again and returned.
Nehemiah 2:16 (NASB) The officials did not know where I had gone or what I had done; nor had I as yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials or the rest who did the work. So, how do we protect God’s vision from a premature death?
Proverbs 18:13 (NLT) Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish. Proverbs 14:15 (NLT) Only simpletons believe everything they’re told! The prudent carefully consider their steps. Nehemiah 2:17 (NASB) Then I said to them, "You see the bad situation we are in, that Jerusalem is desolate and its gates burned by fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that we will no longer be a reproach."
The best ideas are not mine or yours - they're OURS. Nehemiah 2:17 (NASB) Then I said to them, "You see the bad situation we are in, that Jerusalem is desolate and its gates burned by fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that we will no longer be a reproach."
How did Nehemiah do it?
Nehemiah 2:17 (NASB) Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that we will no longer be a reproach."
In making God’s vision viable, you’ve got to see both the REAL and the IDEAL. See what is and what can be. Nehemiah 2:18 (NASB) I told them how the hand of my God had been favorable to me and also about the king's words which he had spoken to me. Then they said, "Let us arise and build." So they put their hands to the good work.
How you can tell if this vision has been caught.
Nehemiah 2:19 (NASB) But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard it, they mocked us and despised us and said, "What is this thing you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?" 20 So I answered them and said to them, "The God of heaven will give us success; therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no portion, right or memorial in Jerusalem."
The opposition's first strategy is RIDICULE. The second thing they try is INTIMIDATION. Nehemiah refused to argue. Instead he points out the SOURCE of his idea, burden and vision. Nehemiah exposes the MOTIVES of the opposition. 1 John 3:13 (NIV) "Don't be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you." They will question your MOTIVES, your INTENTIONS, and even your CHARACTER. 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV) “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. 16 But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” |
PREPARING FOR THE ROAD AHEAD
NEHEMIAH 2:1-10 PASTOR PATRICK ALLEN AUGUST 9, 2020 |
NEHEMIAH’S STEPS IN PREPARATION
Nehemiah 2:1 (NASB) And it came about in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes… STEP 1: He prayed about it CONTINUALLY. 2:1a Why does God delay in answering our prayers?
Proverbs 13:16 (NLT) Wise people think before they act; fools don’t - and even brag about their foolishness. Three Key Questions for Our Church:
Nehemiah 2:1b (NASB) … that wine was before him, and I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence. 2 So the king said to me, "Why is your face sad though you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of heart." Then I was very much afraid. 3 I said to the king, "Let the king live forever. Why should my face not be sad when the city, the place of my fathers' tombs, lies desolate and its gates have been consumed by fire?" 4 Then the king said to me, "What would you request?" So I prayed to the God of heaven. STEP 2: He seized the opportunity to PRESENT his burden. 2:1b-4 Nehemiah 2:3 (NASB) I said to the king, "Let the king live forever. … 5 I said to the king, "If it please the king, and if your servant has found favor before you … 7 And I said to the king, "If it please the king…” STEP 3: He was polite and RESPECTFUL. 2:3a, 5a, 7a Nehemiah 2:5 (NASB) I said to the king, "If it please the king, and if your servant has found favor before you, send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' tombs, that I may rebuild it." STEP 4: He had a GENERAL goal. 2:5 Pastor Pat’s General Goal: Strengthen Hydesville Church during this time of pastoral transition for greater effectiveness. Two Questions: 1. What do we want to be? 2. What do we want to do? Two Common Errors:
STEP 5: HE HAD SPECIFIC STRATEGY. 2:6-8 1. He ESTABLISHED a “road map.” 2. He ANTICIPATED what was needed to successfully compete the project. 3. He ASKED for help. Proverbs 21:1 (NIV) "The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord and He directs it like a water course wherever He pleases." Nehemiah 2:9 (NASB) Then I came to the governors of the provinces beyond the River and gave them the king's letters. Now the king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen. 10 When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about it, it was very displeasing to them that someone had come to seek the welfare of the sons of Israel. STEP 6: He ANTICIPATED obstacles. 2:9-10 Proverbs 22:3 (NLT) A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. Proverbs 27:12 (TLB) "A sensible man watches for problems ahead and prepares to meet them." CHALLENGES: The Common Factor. Nehemiah 2:8b “And the king granted them to me because the good hand of my God was on me.” Proverbs 16:1 (TLB) "We can make our plans, but the final outcome is in God's hands." Three Key Questions for Prayer:
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THE CHALLENGE PRESENTED. 1:1-3
Nehemiah 1:1 (NASB) The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in Susa the capitol, 2 that Hanani, one of my brothers, and some men from Judah came; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped and had survived the captivity, and about Jerusalem. 3 They said to me, "The remnant there in the province who survived the captivity are in great distress and reproach, and the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates are burned with fire." So, what is our challenge at HCC? Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” NEHEMIAH’S RESPONSE 1:4-11 Nehemiah 1:4 (NASB) When I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. RESPONSE #1 – Nehemiah was PERSONALLY concerned with the need – He allowed it to affect him. Nehemiah 1:5 (NASB) I said, "I beseech You, O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who preserves the covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments… RESPONSE #2 – Nehemiah went to God FIRST – He presented his need in prayer.
He REMINDED God of His promises.Nehemiah 1:8 (NASB) "Remember the word which You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, 'If you are unfaithful I will scatter you among the peoples; 9 but if you return to Me and keep My commandments and do them, though those of you who have been scattered were in the most remote part of the heavens, I will gather them from there and will bring them to the place where I have chosen to cause My name to dwell.' 10 They are Your servants and Your people whom You redeemed by Your great power and by Your strong hand. Matthew 16:18 (NASB) “… I will build My church…”
Hebrews 10:19 (NIV) Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. RESPONSE #3 – Nehemiah made himself AVAILABLE to meet the need. LET’S BEGIN: Starting with Prayer … 1. PRAYER MAKES ME WAIT. 2. PRAYER CLEARS MY VISION. 3. PRAYER QUIETS MY HEART. 4. PRAYER ACTIVATES MY FAITH. |
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GOD’S AMAZING GRACE
“The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger and great in lovingkindness.” Psalm 145:8 John 8:1-11 “The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger and great in lovingkindness.” Psalm 145:8 You can’t understand the Christian life at all unless you understand grace. Dick Halverson, who was Chaplain of the United States Senate once defined grace this way: “There is nothing you can do to make God love you more and nothing you can do to make god love you less.” FIVE ASPECTS OF SAVING GRACE G—GRACE IS GOD’S GIFT TO ME. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:23, 24 Grace is the fundamental difference between Christianity and every other religion. Jesus Christ already did it. He paid for your salvation on the cross and now it’s a free gift to you. R—RECEIVE GOD’S GRACE BY FAITH God’s gift is received by faith. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so than no one may boast.” Ephesians 2: 8, 9 “For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace.” Romans 4:16a II Samuel 9:1-13—Young Disabled Boy named Mephisbosheth. A—AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE “So that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.” Romans 4:16b “For whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13 C—GOD’S AMAZING GRACE COMES THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. “For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.” John 1:17 Because Jesus paid the price of admission. “But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.” Romans 5:15 “I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.” Galatians 2:21 E—GOD’S GRACE IS EXTENDED THROUGHOUT ETERNITY. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 “Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; how blessed are all those who long for Him.” Isaiah 30:18 |
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LUKE 15 THE PRODIGAL SON/ THE SCANDALOUS FATHER
Perry Noble says it best: “We should make it hard for people to get to hell from our zip code.” Scribes – while the Pharisees were the protector of the reputation of Israel’s God, the Scribes were the protector of the reputation of Israel’s law. Tax- gatherers - the Living Bible paraphrases these next terms – dishonest tax collectors and other notorious sinners. Sinners- the people of the street whom the Pharisees looked upon with contempt because they did not know the Law – John 7: 33, 45-49. One author put it this way, “The younger and infamous prodigal son, embodies the utter madness, the blinding insanity that seeps into our souls and shrouds our minds when greed becomes our god, when we decide that there’s only one line worth embracing as a life mantra: Give me! Everything goes south for that young kid hell-bent on a good time. Steely-eyed, he demands his family inheritance.” The Sound of Silence from the Older Brother Q. What steps are you taking to prevent a ‘parting?’ Q. How are you living out James 5: 19, 20? ‘My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth, and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death, and cover a multitude of sins.’ Where is the ministry of reconciliation in your life? ‘Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.’ II Corinthians 5: 17-19 ‘A recent survey uncovered a scandal. Nine out of ten people who have walked away from churches were never asked why the left. It’s an indictment that so many leavers said that no one seemed to notice they’d gone. That’s careless.’ Leslie Francis Vs. 11-13 -- The Far and Distant Country -- Godly Fathers Give Their Children Permission to Fail There are seven phrases that describe the younger son’s life after he left home:
Four Definitions of Sin
Sin is breaking a relationship. Vs. 14-19 -- The Return Home Godly Fathers Always Hope and Pray for the Return of their Children “He began to be in need’ vs. 14 – One of the first evidence of insanity is loss of memory. Q. Why doesn’t the Son go home? Kezazeh Ceremony- Henry Drummond said it so well: ‘How many prodigals are kept out of the Kingdom of God by the unlovely characters of those who profess to be inside.’ Godly Fathers Protect Their Children from Unnecessary Shame and Ridicule Rob Parsons put it memorably: “We need to pray that the returning prodigals will meet the Father before they bump into the elder brother. ***The Crucial question why does this younger son return? What makes this young man come to his senses? A. Dale Bruener writes, ‘The younger son is brought to his senses because of the memory of the Father.’ He thinks about what his father is really like, how he would react, what he would say and he makes a decision to come home. The younger son rehearses a speech way before he takes off for home. Three parts to his speech:
Vs. 20-24 -- The Scandalous Father –A Stunning Welcome– Godly Fathers Shower Their Children with Love and Grace When the Old Testament prophet sought for words to describe the utter humiliation of God’s people, he used the imagery of bare legs to portray their shame: ‘Remove your veil, strip off the skirt, Uncover the legs, cross the rivers, Your nakedness will be uncovered, Your shame will be exposed. Isaiah 47: 2-3 There was a transfer of shame. The father lets his younger son say the first part of the speech. The father lets his son say the second part of the speech. But notice carefully where the father cuts off his son’s speech. God will not hear our offer to pay the debt! Why? Because His Son (Jesus Christ) has paid the debt for our sins. Rejoicing Father: Nothing is more important to a Godly Father than Loving His Children and Celebrating Their Return to Their Faith in God. Everything the Father does in Jesus parable is culturally unexpected and scandalous. ‘My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth, and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death, and cover a multitude of sins.’ James 5: 19, 20 Bibliography The Wycliffe Bible Commentary The Bible Knowledge Commentary The Exposition Commentary –Warren Wiersbe Luke- Volume Two – Kent Hughes The Gospel of Luke – William Barclay The New International Commentary on the New Testament – Geldenhuys Outline Studies in the Gospel of Luke –Griffith Thomas Mastering the New Testament –Bruce Larson Commentary on Luke –Marshall The Gospel According to Luke – Morgan Word Pictures in the New Testament – Robertson Ryle’s Expository Thoughts on the Gospels—J.C. Ryle The Prodigal God –Timothy Keller What is the Father Like? – W. Phillip Keller The Parables of Jesus – James Montgomery Boice The Parables –Brad Young Good News About Prodigals – Tom Bisset Finding the Lost – Kenneth E. Bailey The Cross and the Prodigal – Kenneth E. Bailey Poet & Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes –Kenneth E. Bailey No Perfect People Allowed – John Burke They Like Jesus but Not the Church –Dan Kimball Creating a Prodigal Friendly Church – Jeff Lucas Will Your Prodigal come Home? Jeff Lucas |
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The Corona Virus and The Church and What It Is Teaching Us
Acts 2:43-47
Matthew 5:14-15
When believers are forced out of the context of “going to church”, when they are forced to stop “going to church,” they just might be compelled to start “being the church.” 95% of Christian conversions are generated through personal relationships that is shared between a believer and someone who is close to them. Acts 10:1; 16:14, 15; 16:31-34
We are living in exile, separated from our place and local of worship, our traditions. This is our “exile moment”. God is still calling us to love Him with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our mind. God is calling us to love our neighbor as ourselves. Loving God and loving our neighbors has always been radical. Don’t look back—Look forward. “Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on [so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14 |
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Psalm 133
UNITY David’s Background Growing Up – neglect, favoritism, strife, discord, envy *I Sam. 16:6-13 – His brothers, father 17:28-30 – His oldest brother – Eliab As A Young Man – Rage of jealousy, wrath, animosity, hatred, attempted murder *I Sam. 18:1-10 – Saul*19:8-10 – Saul – David became a target. 20:31:33 – Saul & Jonathan 23 – Saul *24 – Saul goes on a campaign with 3,000 men to take David’s life. 26 – Saul As A Leader – Hostility, revenge *I Sam. 30:1-6 – David as a military leader II Sam. 2:18-3:6 – David fighting Saul’s left-over resistance – David walked into a divided nation. *3:1 *6:16 – Marital dissension, dealing with false accusations. 10:1-19 – Pressures and stress of maintaining a secure nation. Syrians got talked into a bad alliance. 11, 12 – Falling in sin, the cover-up, the confession, the scars 12:10 – The prophecy that the sword would never depart from his house. As A Father II Sam. 13:1-14 – Dealing with incest, rape, molestation 13:20-30 – Domestic violence, murder 13:28-30 – Ammon and his brothers are killed by Absalom’s servants 14, 15 – Rocky relationship with his son Absalom 14:28 15:1-6 – Absalom’s conspiracy for a corporate take over 16:1-7 – Being harassed by Shimel 18:9-15 – Absalom is chased and murdered. New Testament reveals its share of squabblesDisciples of Christ – Matt. 20:20-27 – Arguing over who is going to sit where in heaven Matt. 16:22 – Disputing with Christ John 21:20-22 – Questioning ministerial assignments Early Church – Acts 5:1-11 – Ananias and Sapphira – Lied about their tithe – Even the H.S. worked today like it did in the early church; their church parking lot would be full of hearts and ready to haul people away. 5:1,2 – First Church Board Meeting – There was lying; there was discord I Corinthians – Arrogance, immaturity Phil. 4:2 – Friction in the kitchen III John 10, 11 – Diotrephes--Power – monger VS. 1 – Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity Q. What keeps us from experiencing unity?
*Not difficult to experience unity for a short duration. But to maintain unity, harmony and peace for a long time requires God’s grace. Interesting word picture - unity of the head and body; when the head and the body are of one mind. Unity beginning at the top – in leadership. *True unity smells good. It permeates the environment around it. Extravagance, abundance and generosity are key attributes of love and unity. The anointing of the high priest was marked by extravagance, abundance, generosity. “The fact that the holy anointing oil of the tabernacle and temple was never made in smaller quantities than 750 ounces of solids compounded with five quarts of oil, and was so profusely employed that when applied to Aaron’s head it flowed down over his beard and breast, to the very skirts of his garments.” Hugh Macmillan The Ministry of Nature. John 17 – Christ’s High Priestly Prayer –
Six blessings of unity – (1) goodness, (2) pleasure, (3) anointing, (4) dew, (5) God’s blessing, (6) eternal life. *Only God can give eternal life Threefold repetition – Coming down – vs. 2a – descending Coming down – vs. 2b – descending Coming down – vs. 3a – descending True Unity is First Vertical –
What True Unity Is Not:
What True Unity Is:
Where is the acceptance of someone who is just learning to be transparent and open up? Counseling – When my husband/wife gets his act together, then this relationship will happen. Question: How long has your life been totally together? Reality – pride, puffed up arrogance feeds discord and dissension. Humility precedes unity and preserves it. Deep Conviction of Your Need For Others.
“The Christian brotherhood is so unique, sacred and lasting, that a lack of unity is a disgrace.” Charles Spurgeon |
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PSALM 139
Experiencing God as Your Loving Creator (Part Two) LIFE LESSON 5: GOD’S WORLD IS DARKENED BY SIN vs. 19-22 Author Max Lucado writes: “A few years back, three questions rocked my world. They came from different people in the span of a month. Question 1: Had you been a German during World War II, would you have taken a stand against Hitler? Question 2: Had you lived in the South during the civil rights conflict, would you have taken a stand against racism? Question 3: When your grandchildren discover you lived during a day in which 1.75 billion people were poor and 1 billion were hungry, how will they judge your response?” The Psalm shifts the attention to the evil in this world and how it destroys the good God desires for so many, so he prayed an intense prayer. It is a prayer that expresses hatred for all that is evil and all that casts a dark shadow over the good God intends. Nehemiah 1: 1-4 Have you really sat down and thought long and hard about the condition our society is in? Have you really sat down and thought about how devastating alcohol, marijuana, speed and all the other drugs are to our society, what it is doing to our young people and even adults? “It is an act of profound faith to entrust one’s most precious hatreds to God, knowing they will be taken seriously.” Prayer is combat. Prayer brings us before God—and there, before God, we find ourselves grappling with “the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6: 12 There are hard-won Gethsemane struggles where we are locked in combat. When we take the Psalms as our guide, we find that people who pray have a lot of enemies, and that they spend a lot of their praying time dealing with them. Eugene Peterson writes: ‘There is hardly a page of the Psalms that isn’t left smoking by a pungent curse:
Hate is our emotional link with the spirituality of evil. Our hate needs to be prayed, not suppressed. Jesus did not emerge from the wilderness to negotiate in sweet reasonableness but to do battle: “I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled!” Luke 12: 49
Hate is often the first sign that we care. This in no way means that prayer legitimizes hate – it uses it. “For the wrath of man shall praise Thee; with a remnant of wrath Thou shalt gird Thyself. Psalm 76: 10 God hates evil. God hates haughty eyes, lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers –Proverbs 6: 16-19 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way, and the perverted mouth, I hate.’ Proverbs 8: 13 “For I hate divorce.” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “and him who covers his garment with wrong,” says the Lord of hosts. “So, take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously.” Malachi 2; 16 David looked at life and said, “There is no room for compromise: I have undivided loyalty to the Lord God of heaven.” David also saw that there is no room for inaction or neutrality. “In Germany the came first for the Communists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time no one was left to speak up.” Martin Niemoller “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven—a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.” Ecclesiastes 3: 1, 8 “Hate evil, you who love the Lord.” Psalm 97: 10 “Hate evil, love good, and establish justice in the gate!” Amos 5: 15 “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.” Romans 12: 9 “Hate, prayed, takes our lives to bedrock where the foundations of justice are being laid.” Eugene Peterson Because God is holy, righteous and pure I denounce and hate___________________. Because God hates evil and wickedness I will_________________________________. Search Me You Must Choose Prayer: Lord, help me not buy the lie the world hands me. Give me the courage to align my life with You, whatever that means, and to choose to believe what you declare about me rather than what I can see in the light of this dark world. Lord, please show me my purpose in Your plan. Help me cooperate with your plan so that it can be fulfilled. Amen! |
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PSALM 139
Experiencing God as Your Loving Creator Intro—What we think about God and what we think about ourselves and what we think about our relationship to God determines everything else that makes up our world—other people, our culture, our relationships with people, God’s Word, the world, sin, faith and obedience. Wrong ideas about God will ultimately lead to wrong ideas about who we are and what we should do which can lead to a wrong path, wrong life and the wrong eternal destiny. RIGHT KNOWLEDGE OF GOD = FULFILLED LIFE Q. Do You Like What You See in the Mirror? Problem –Dissatisfaction seems to be part of human nature. Q. What Does God Say About You? There are three attributes of God that come forth from this psalm:
LIFE LESSON 1: GOD KNOWS YOU vs. 1-6 GOD SEARCHES YOU AND ME GOD UNDERSTANDS YOU AND ME GOD KNOWS YOU INTIMATELY AND EXHASTIVELY—vs. 1, 2, 4, 14 There are no secrets with God. Hebrews 4:13 LIFE LESSON 2: GOD IS PURSUING YOU vs. 7-12 God isn’t going to let you run away. Psalm 139: 7-10 God is in a Different Category Altogether –vs. 11, 12 You Are Desirable to God! The Scriptures are filled with references that show that God values us so much more than we think He does, especially when we are feeling like a nobody.
Remember the First Time Someone Wanted You? LIFE LESSON 3: GOD SAYS YOU’RE AWESOME vs. 13- 16a “When I consider Your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the s tars, which You have ordained; what is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than God, and You crown him with glory and majesty! You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beats of the field. The birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, whatever passes through the paths of the seas. O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!” Psalm 8: 3-8 THE MIRACLE OF HUMAN CONCEPTION AND BIRTH: Eugene Petersen said, “In the presence of birth, we don’t calculate—we marvel!” “For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb!” How Are You Made? LIFE LESSON 4: GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOU vs. 16b-18 God Thinks About You Constantly God Has a Plan for You “For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29: 11 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2: 10 You Are a Vital Part of God’s Plan “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body.” I Corinthians 6: 19, 20 God’s desire is that every person would come to faith in Him. “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of truth. For there is one God and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all the testimony borne at the proper time.” I Timothy 2: 3-6 “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” II Peter 3: 9 God’s desire is that every believer in Christ would mature. “And we proclaim Him (Jesus Christ), admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ.” Colossians 1: 28 “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen!” II Peter 3: 18 There are two potential obstacles that could keep God’s plan from being fulfilled in your life:
Commitment Stop, Listen, Yield |
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PSALM 34
The Goodness of the Lord David faked like he was crazy, mentally deranged—letting saliva drip down his beard to the point that the King really believed he was just another crazy, deranged, mentally unstable person – I Samuel 21: 10-15 Achish bought it and kicked David out of his land. “The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, He who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. In Damascus the ethnarch under Aretas the king was guarding the city of the Damscenes in order to seize me, and I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and so escaped his hands.” II Corinthians 11: 30-33 The first part of this psalm is a song, part two is sermon. The first part is devotional, the second part is doctrinal. David’s Praise – vs. 1-10 What David Resolved—vs. 1-3 “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8: 28 What David Remembered –vs. 4-6 David’s Testimony of Deliverance—vs. 4-7 “Then you will walk in your way securely and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden fear nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes; for the Lord will be your confidence and you will keep your foot from being caught.” Proverbs 3: 23-26 “The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, but the righteous are bold as a lion.” Proverbs 28: 1 Here is the secret to conquering your fears: “They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.” “Look expectantly to the Lord” What David Realized – vs. 7-10 1. God Protects – vs. 7 “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them.” The Prophet Elisha “Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, ‘Alas, my master! What shall we do?’ So he answered, ‘Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ Then Elisha prayed and said, ‘O Lord, I pray, open the servant’s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.’” II Kings 6: 15-17 2. God Provides—vs. 8-10 “O taste and see that the Lord is good, how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!” The psalmist is challenging every person—Try God and see. “And without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” Hebrews 11: 6 “O fear the Lord, you His saints; For to those who fear Him there is no want. The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; but they who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing”—vs. 9, 10 One author put it this way: “The good you enjoy (vs. 12) goes hand in hand with the good you do” (vs. 14). Real satisfying joy is always found in doing the will of God. Lessons for Disciples—vs. 11-22 If you really want to achieve a full life in the Lord then it begins with a spirit that is totally open to listening to the instruction concerning the fear of the Lord. David’s Sermon – vs. 13-20 1. Take Heed to Your Words – vs. 13 “Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.” 2. Take heed to Your Walk—vs. 14 “Depart from evil and do good: seek peace and pursue it.”—vs. 14 3. Take Heed to Your Works-- 34: 15, 16 “The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and His ears are open to their cry. The face of the Lord is against evildoers, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.” Learn from David’s Example--vs. 17-20 “The Lord is near to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Becoming a Christian never means a trouble-free existence. P.C. Craigie writes: “The fear of the Lord is indeed a fountain of life, the key to joy in life and long and happy days. But it is not a guarantee that life will be always easy…It may mend the broken heart, but it does not prevent the heart from being broken; it may restore the spiritually crushed, but it does not crush the forces that may create oppression.” Deliverance is one thing. Exemption from trouble is another. The reality of the Christian life and the reality of the promise of prayer does not mean that God will change every difficult situation in your life. But God will preserve you as long as He has work for you to do. “But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel, ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel your Savior!’” Isaiah 43: 1-3a Bibliography The Bible Knowledge Commentary ---Walvoord and Zuck Wycliffe Bible Commentary Exploring the Psalms –Phillips Volume One – Psalms 1-41 The Treasury of David – C.H. Spurgeon Volume 1 Psalms 1- 57 Psalms 1- 72—Derek Kidner Psalms 1-41—James Montgomery Boice |
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HOPE DISPITE COVID-19
Let me give you at least four reasons David was hopeful and that we too can be hopeful for: I. WE CAN HAVE HOPE OF AN ETERNITY WITH GOD.Psalm 62:1- Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. II. WE CAN HAVE HOPE OF OUR SINS BEING FORGIVEN Psalm 65:3."Though we are overwhelmed by our sins, you forgive them all" III. WE CAN HAVE HOPE OF GOD'S UNCONDITIONAL LOVE Psalm 103:11- "For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth". IV. WE CAN HAVE A HOPE OF A PURPOSE FOR LIVING Psalm 138:8. "The LORD will work out his plans for my life-for your faithful love, 0 Lord, endures forever." Three Things That Have Helped Me Keep Hope During Covid 19 l) TURN TO GOD FOR COMFORT. II Cor 1:3All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 2) TURN YOUR TRUST IN GOD II Cor 1:10 - ...on Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us" 3) TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR THOUGHTS Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind By reading the Psalms, you will see that David had a personal relationship with God. THIS IS THE BASIC FOUNDATION FOR HOPE |
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PSALM 23
Three Parts to Psalm 23
John 10: 14, 27 “I shall not want”. Four Amazing Ways God Cares for You:
He makes me lie down in green pastures: 1. Free from all fear. 2. Free from friction with others of their own kind. 3. Free from the torment of flies and parasites. 4. Free from hunger. He leads me beside quiet waters: Three main water sources for sheep:
He restores my soul: Two Conditions that Allow Sheep to Becomes Cast More Easily:
God restores our souls by showing over and over to us His grace, His mercy, His encouragement, His promises (7,000) Matthew 11: 28-30 He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake: Q. How do you let God guide me on the right path?
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death: First, understand that there are five facts about valleys to remember
What to do when you go through ‘dark valleys’:
Shadows:
‘Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.’ Psalm 34: 19 I fear no evil, for You are with me: Your rod and your staff, they comfort me: Shepherds in David’s times were always armed. Staff- long stick with a crock at the end of it. Rod—club-like piece of wood to seriously hurt any predator. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies: You have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows: Summer time= fly time—warble files, bot flies, nose flies, deer flies, black flies, gnats, mosquitoes. Three Great Qualities about Oil:
My cup overflows: Our cups overflow with three things:
Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever: God’s two footmen are goodness and lovingkindness. Goodness takes care of our steps and lovingkindness takes care of our stumbles. Leaving behind us a trail of peace, goodness, grace, mercy and love. Three Comforting Truths:
II Corinthians 12: 9 ‘But He gives a greater grace. Therefore, it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” James 4: 6
II Corinthians 5: 6-8 John 14: 1-3 Bibliography Psalms—Boice Volumes 1-3 Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament Psalms—Derek Kidner The Bible Knowledge Commentary The Wycliffe Bible Commentary The Expositors Bible Commentary Exposition of the Psalms--Leupold Exploring the Psalms—Phillips The Treasure of David—Volumes1-3—C.H. Spurgeon The Book of Psalms—Arno C. Gaebelein The Me I Want to Be—John Ortberg I Am Always With You—Chip Ingram Answering God—Eugene Peterson Outlive Your Life—Max Lucado |