Reaction:
Re-Group - "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." (Neh 4:13)
REMEMBER - “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." (Neh. 4:14)
RESIST - "Fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses." (Neh. 4:14)
"I am doing a great work, and I won't come down." (Neh. 6:3)
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Week 2 - Nehemiah: "God's Vision"
Nehemiah 2
He said, “Then I prayed to the God of Heaven.”
Reaction:
PLANNING THRU PRAYER
PLANNING THRU CONSULTING
Remember, Nehemiah had a strong relationship with the king of Persia - he was the trusted, respected cupbearer. And so when Nehemiah needed help, the king of Persia was the right man to provide wisdom and counsel.
“If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my fathers are buried so that I can rebuild it."
He said, “Then I prayed to the God of Heaven.”
Reaction:
PLANNING THRU PRAYER
PLANNING THRU CONSULTING
Remember, Nehemiah had a strong relationship with the king of Persia - he was the trusted, respected cupbearer. And so when Nehemiah needed help, the king of Persia was the right man to provide wisdom and counsel.
“If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my fathers are buried so that I can rebuild it."
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Week 1 - Nehemiah: Heart Broken
“Dear friends, The Lord is not slow in keeping His promises, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
“Does our heart break for our city?”
Does my heart break for where I live?
Reaction: Prayer - "God help me feel it."
“Does our heart break for our city?”
Does my heart break for where I live?
Reaction: Prayer - "God help me feel it."
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Week 5 - Leave Boldly
What allowed Paul to face his death with anticipation was his understanding of what happened when he died. I think it’s because we rarely talk about death that many of us have accepted some false teachings about what happens when we die. As a result, it’s kept us from anticipating death.
· False Teachings about Death
o Universalism
It’s basically the idea that when everyone dies, everyone goes to heaven. There are different variations of this. Some people would say, “Well, you have to believe in God. It doesn’t matter what God you believe in as long as your belief is sincere. But when you die, every person…every good person…goes to heaven, and you’re relationship with Jesus really isn’t a determining factor. Everyone goes to heaven.” This belief becomes very popular at funerals and at visitations, because we just want to say something that makes everyone feel better.
But the Bible says that “There is one name under heaven given to men by which we can be saved.” Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
o Annihilationism
Another false teaching is annihilationism. It’s this idea, the teaching, that says when you die you just don’t exist. The candle is blown out and you are simply no more. More popular than this belief is this philosophy where people just live as if this life is all they really have. But Daniel 12:2 makes it clear that there is life after death. Daniel says (paraphrased), “Some will go on to everlasting life, and some to everlasting contempt.”
o Reincarnation
Another false teaching is reincarnation. It says when you die you come back. Then you die and you come back, and you die and you come back. And what you come back as depends upon your moral behavior, or the karma, of your previous life. But the Bible teaches us in Hebrews that we are appointed once to die and then we face judgment.
o Purgatory
Another false teaching is purgatory. Some believe that when a believer dies you do not go to heaven or you do not go to hell, but you go to a place called purgatory. In purgatory you suffer as a way to pay God back for the sins you committed here on earth. Besides the fact that this is not taught anywhere in Scripture, it is also insulting to the death of Jesus. It says the death of Jesus isn’t sufficient to save you of your sins. Instead, when you die you go to a place of suffering where you pay for some of the things that you’ve done wrong. Jesus makes it clear in Luke 16 that when a person dies their destination is determined and it cannot be changed.
o Soul sleep
Another false teaching…or some would even say this is a matter of interpretation…but it is called soul sleep. The idea is that when a Christ-Follower dies they basically go into a soul coma while they wait for Jesus to return, and upon the return of Christ then they wake up and then they go to be with Jesus in heaven.
Reminder:
Jesus said to the thief on the cross, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” Paul said, “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”
· False Teachings about Death
o Universalism
It’s basically the idea that when everyone dies, everyone goes to heaven. There are different variations of this. Some people would say, “Well, you have to believe in God. It doesn’t matter what God you believe in as long as your belief is sincere. But when you die, every person…every good person…goes to heaven, and you’re relationship with Jesus really isn’t a determining factor. Everyone goes to heaven.” This belief becomes very popular at funerals and at visitations, because we just want to say something that makes everyone feel better.
But the Bible says that “There is one name under heaven given to men by which we can be saved.” Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
o Annihilationism
Another false teaching is annihilationism. It’s this idea, the teaching, that says when you die you just don’t exist. The candle is blown out and you are simply no more. More popular than this belief is this philosophy where people just live as if this life is all they really have. But Daniel 12:2 makes it clear that there is life after death. Daniel says (paraphrased), “Some will go on to everlasting life, and some to everlasting contempt.”
o Reincarnation
Another false teaching is reincarnation. It says when you die you come back. Then you die and you come back, and you die and you come back. And what you come back as depends upon your moral behavior, or the karma, of your previous life. But the Bible teaches us in Hebrews that we are appointed once to die and then we face judgment.
o Purgatory
Another false teaching is purgatory. Some believe that when a believer dies you do not go to heaven or you do not go to hell, but you go to a place called purgatory. In purgatory you suffer as a way to pay God back for the sins you committed here on earth. Besides the fact that this is not taught anywhere in Scripture, it is also insulting to the death of Jesus. It says the death of Jesus isn’t sufficient to save you of your sins. Instead, when you die you go to a place of suffering where you pay for some of the things that you’ve done wrong. Jesus makes it clear in Luke 16 that when a person dies their destination is determined and it cannot be changed.
o Soul sleep
Another false teaching…or some would even say this is a matter of interpretation…but it is called soul sleep. The idea is that when a Christ-Follower dies they basically go into a soul coma while they wait for Jesus to return, and upon the return of Christ then they wake up and then they go to be with Jesus in heaven.
Reminder:
Jesus said to the thief on the cross, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” Paul said, “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”
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