Five Words Rather than Ten Thousand

1. Tell Me Why First John One 2. Why? I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. 3. A Sign Instruction Warning 4. Why? I am writing to you because your sins have been forgiven you… 5. Remember What Jesus did Your acceptance 6. Why? I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. 7. Reminder Jesus as eternal Real Jesus 8. Why? I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. 9. Encouraged Revelation 21:7 He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. 10. Why? I have written to you, children, because you know the Father. 1 John 2:13 11. Relationship Abba Father God loves you Love each other 12. Boom!  Encouraged  Corrected  Directed  Exhorted 13. Great opening What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life 14...

Celebrate! Nehemiah Nehemiah 7 and 8

1. Celebrate! Nehemiah 7:1–5; 66–73 Nehemiah 8:1–18 2. Premature celebration Leon Lett in the Super Bowl 3. Almost done Now when the wall was rebuilt and I had set up the doors, and the gatekeepers and the singers and the Levites were appointed, then I put Hanani my brother, and Hananiah the commander of the fortress, in charge of Jerusalem, for he was a faithful man and feared God more than many. 4. Almost done (continued) Then I said to them, “Do not let the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot, and while they are standing guard, let them shut and bolt the doors. Also appoint guards from the inhabitants of Jerusalem, each at his post, and each in front of his own house.” 5. Don’t confuse being done with being finished! Wall full height Gates and bars set Who’s in charge? What do they do? 6. Other problems Now the city was large and spacious, but the people in it were few and the houses were not built. 7. Work is not finished  Solutions ...

Full speed ahead Nehemiah 6

Full Speed Ahead Nehemiah 6 Nehemiah 6 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, Full Speed Ahead You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Nehemiah 6 Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come, let us meet together at Chephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they were planning to harm me. Full Speed Ahead Discernment Spirit of discernment Nehemiah 6 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. ...

You Have the Right 1 You Have the Right Nehemiah 5:1–19 In the middle of unity 2 In the middle of unity Now there was a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish brothers.  Problems happen  Handling them is important Don’t be surprised 3 Don’t be surprised [Jesus said] It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through whom they come! Food shortage 4 Food shortage We, our sons and our daughters are many; therefore let us get grain that we may eat and live. We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards and our houses that we might get grain because of the famine. Bad problem-Bad solution-but not game over 5 Bad problem-Bad solution-but not game over  Leadership failure  Poor communication  The short-term solution lead to a long-term problem What do we do? 6 What do we do? Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; ...

Long Range Sermon Planning To help relieve the stress in your life you need to plan. I try to plan as much as possible. I plan the calendar of events a year in advance, each quarter the plans are reviewed and updated, monthly plans are updated, weekly goals are set, and I make a daily plan. I believe in planning everything. Arguably one of the easiest things to plan are your sermons for a year. Here is how I do it, please join me. Weather you plan a year in advance or two days in advance the first step is the same: Pray! God can move your heart to what He wants His flock to be fed for the entire year not just the next sermon or series. The Proverbs tell us, The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9 Step 1: Look at the entire year. Mark the special days such as Christmas and Easter or any others that your congregation observes or celebrates. Write down the dates on a piece of paper, this is the beginning of your sermon calendar worksheet. No ide...

Contingency Plans Nehemiah 4

90 Day Challenge Acts of Service August Service begins with family and friends 1. Make a favorite meal 2. Do one of their chores or Helping Hand for a Friend 3. What can I do for you? Ask about project/chore 4. Write a note September Serve thy neighbor 5. Pick up debris in road, yard or alley 6. Bake something for them 7. Buy the person behind you a cup of coffee/soda 8. Tip server 20% and write them a thank you note on back of invite card October Serve Your Church 9. Volunteer Short term in office or ministry 10. Spend a Wednesday night with RR Mpact or Teens 11. Call someone who has missed 12. Invite 2 church families to your house 13. Lather Rinse Repeat