Service Times
Worship Service
Sun. 9:30am – 10:30am
Sunday School
Sun. 10:45am – 11:20am
Prayer Meeting & Bible Study
Wed. 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Crusaders Club (Seasonal)
Thurs. 3:00pm – 5:30pm
Crusaders Teens (Seasonal)
Thurs. 6:00pm – 8:00pm
|
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 48:39 — 44.5MB) Subscribe: Neh. 2:17, 18
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can also download our service at Baptist-Christian at iTunes. Last week we defined hope as trust, confidence, safety, direction over the long haul, and stretching the mind in a straight direction toward a specific goal. In part, working out our salvation” is designed to build, or, if necessary, rekindle hope in us to encourage us to continue our forward progress in spiritual growth. It is not particularly easy to grow, but the hard work pays big dividends! Only you can determine whether or not you are going to allow God to develop hope, or anything else, in you. Until the Rapture, there will always be those who oppose progress for no other reason than it is progress or change. Since God knows who those people are and how to handle them, those who want to grow spiritually through rekindled hope can do so without fear! So once you have come to the place you are ready to allow God to move you forward, how do you develop this great hope?
- DEVELOP A CHARACTER OF PRAYER! A careful study will reveal that most every part of an effective, powerful Christian life begins with prayer. Any work that is to be successful for the Lord must begin in prayer. The most effective people in a local church are those true prayer warriors who spend time on their knees every day! A character of prayer is deeper than just an attitude of prayer. A person who has a character defined by prayer is one so in love with their Adoptive Heavenly Father that even the thought of sin breaks their heart. That person’s life is lived completely in prayer before God. Those are powerful Christians.
- DEVELOP AN ATTITUDE OF CHANGE! Ouch!! Change? Are you kidding? Where there is no change in a Christian’s life, there is no hope. Read 1 Sam. 10:6; 2 Chron. 7:14; Jer. 7:1-8; 18:11; Matt. 18:3; Rom. 12:1, 2; 1 Cor. 15:51, then try to justify living your Christian life without change! Resistance and/or resentment to change is another of Satan’s most effective weapons against spiritual growth, revival, and progress within the Body of Christ. We must be absolutely sure our change is TRANSforming, not CONforming! If you are not open to change as a Christian, you are doomed to a stagnant life of hopelessness!
- DEVELOP AN ATTITUDE OF SERVANT LEADERSHIP! Read Matt. 20:25-28 and Mark 10:42-45. Nehemiah hadn’t read Matt. or Mark but he understood the principle of these passages. He knew he could never ask his people to do something he was not willing to do for or with them. He understood that barking out commands telling the people what to do while he sat around acting superior was not the way to build hope (or a wall). Nehemiah is an outstanding example of servant leadership. Jesus is the best example! Those leaders who show their people how to live a Christ-like life through a character of prayer and an attitude of change are the real leaders in God’s Family! How willing are you to allow God to lead you through the rubble in your spiritual life so you can prayerfully plan with God, letting Him show you how to remove the rubble through change from what you were to what He has planned for you to be?
If we can help you with your spiritual questions call us at (574) 643-9419.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 50:57 — 46.6MB) Subscribe: Psalm 16
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can also download our service at Baptist-Christian at iTunes. Why is it that 20% of the people do 80% of the work? That’s almost universally true. Sadly, it’s very true in many NT local churches. There are many excuses, but few reasons for such lack of participation. One true reason for so many “watchers” is a severe lack of hope (in The Lord). Take away a person’s hope and they will go through life defeated! Satan knows that full well! Hope is hard to understand and get hold of, but it is one of God’s greatest gifts to His people for bringing out energy, strength, vision, and confidence. Before Nehemiah begins the work of rebuilding the wall, he must begin the work of rebuilding the hope of the builders. Do you believe in your heart you can be used of God to accomplish something great for Him? Can God “salvage” you, or do you believe you are doomed to failure and mediocrity (at best) for the Great God Who saved you? If the answer to either question is “no, I’m done,” you are missing out on one of God’s most powerful demonstrations to you that His omnipotence works on your behalf. Let’s study
- HOPE DEFINED! The first definition of hope is trust or confidence. See Psalm 16. Where is the very essence, heart, root of your trust and confidence right now? Is it in God alone, or in you? Do you trust God implicitly or has some past event caused you to mistrust Him? Second hope means to trust in for safety or protection. See Prov. 3:5, 6. Who is directing your paths today? Want to know how to find the true answer? Do your daily activities coincide with whatever you are studying in your daily quiet time, or are you following your own way? Third, hope means to wait long, be patient expecting or earnestly desiring even in the presence of delay or disappointment. Read Job 6:11; Psalm 31:23, 24; 33:18, 19. Have long delays in your expectations of hopes and dreams demoralized you into believing God has forsaken you, or at least dealt a cruel blow to your life? You must determine how long you are willing to wait and trust God to open those doors of blessings unlimited to you. A fourth definition for hope is to stretch out the mind in a straight direction toward an object of hope or expectation. Read Prov. 19:18; 26:12: 29:20. Are you willing to wait “over the long haul” for God to work in you? The question is “do you really want God to make you what HE wants you to be,” or have you bought into the lie, “it can’t happen to me?”
- HOPE DEVELOPED! The first character quality of hope is a character of prayer. Nehemiah was a man of prayer and God gave him a huge vision and hope that he would see God work. The second need to develop hope is to develop a heart for change. Read Rom. 12:2. God wants to transform us into Christ’s image. Transform means we must be willing to change in order to see what God can do. If we are not open to change, we are not open to God’s work in our lives. If we won’t let God work in our lives, we will never experience His mighty power on our behalf, therefore, we will never learn to trust or expect anything from Him.
If we can help you with your spiritual questions, call us at (574) 643-9419.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 53:37 — 49.1MB) Subscribe: Nehemiah 2:17-10
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can also download our service at Baptist-Christian at iTunes. The journey to true spiritual revival is neither easy nor quick! Both the journey and true spiritual revival demand a life consecrated to God. We think because we are saved, eternally, sin is “collateral damage” that God expects and accepts. Nehemiah forces us to open our eyes to that heresy and remember that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses watching us all the time. In our trek from a dream to our goal we must travel in reality.
- REALITY MUST BE TRUTH! Both reality and truth are the foundation for faith and zeal for God. The reality and truth for Nehemiah was that Jerusalem was ruined and was a reproach to the people. There is the first lesson! We must get to the point where the rubble and ruin in our spiritual lives is a reproach to us! Furthermore, Jerusalem was the city God built. Israel’s enemies were asking, “Where’s your Mighty God now? Your Protector seems to have gone away, abandoning you?” The people of God lived in squalor and ruin. Now, to foreign nations God was just like their gods, only not as strong! Not a pretty picture of Elohim’s care was it? That was their reality! Nehemiah understood that the truth and reality was – God owned the land; He cleared it, He cleaned it, He built all that was Israel’s. His sovereign hand directed them into the land and established Jerusalem as the center of worship. The other part of truth and reality is that after all that God had done for Israel, they thought so much of it, they destroyed it in their rebellion and sin. Their blessing made them arrogant. The one undeniable truth that became reality to them was – “God is not mocked.” Fast forward 4,000 years. Are we so much different now? Notice also
- REBUILDING REKINDLED HOPE! God came to Nehemiah privately with the “dream” of rebuilding the wall. Only after much prayer and thought did Nehemiah begin to share the idea. When God comes to us inviting us to move forward in our spiritual life, He comes privately to us so we can prepare to work! At just the right time, God prompts us to share with other Godly individuals who will pray for wisdom and guidance with and for us. Why? Because God knows spiritual rebuilding demands help from spiritual Christians. We are going to need help alone the way, and only spiritual Christians can provide the right help. True spiritual rebuilding happens only when there is harmony between God’s purpose and our desire. We learn that it’s all about Him, not us! True spiritual rebuilding happens only in the hearts of spiritual people driven by spiritual motives, accomplished through spiritual strength. Romans 8 explains why! Finally, spiritual rebuilding is deaf to mocking and ridicule (verse 19). In this 21st Century Christians cannot be satisfied because they have cleared a little, comfortable place to live while the Body of Christ lives in ruins and rubble. The whole Body will become clean only when each individual part gets on its knees and begs God to help them see the reality and truth of their own spiritual self. Now is the time for rebuilding!
If we can help you with your spiritual questions call us at (574) 634-9419.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:23 — 51.6MB) Subscribe: Nehemiah 2:11-20
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can also download our service at Baptist-Christian at iTunes. Everyone has had a dream of doing something big at one time or another. Unfortunately dreams fail to become reality for a variety of reasons. Nehemiah’s dream was, by any standard, extremely gigantic! It would have been easy for someone to steal it from him. He could have talked himself out of it just because it was so huge! Have you ever had your dream stolen; or worse yet, talked yourself out of a dream? If you could have it back, would you take it, or have you been convinced to “settle for less” than God has planned for you? Let’s see why Nehemiah’s dream became reality.
- GOD GAVE NEHEMIAH THE DREAM! (v. 12) The only starting point for success at any level is God! It is wrong to think the only possible “dream choices” from God must be pastor or missionary. Eph. 2:20 tells us God has prepared good works for us – and since God has prepared them – they are good! God was able to bless Nehemiah with such a big dream because Nehemiah understood two non-negotiable principles: 1= a person’s allegiance must always be to God. Read Lev. 20:7; 2 Sam. 22:21-25; Eccl. 12:13; Eph. 1:4 as examples. 2= a person’s daily life must show their allegiance is to God. The entire book of 1 John (and others) teaches that. Nehemiah met both requirements.
- NEHEMIAH TOOK APPROPRIATE ACTION! (V. 11) Most Christians lose all possibility of seeing their dreams become reality because they: 1= never go to Jerusalem. Laziness and apathy are two of Satan’s most effective tools. Christians can dream all day about what they want/could do for the Lord, but until they actually get up and DO something, those great things won’t happen in their lives. Maybe it’s time you went to Jerusalem! Do you need to get up and DO whatever you know God is calling you to do?
- NEHEMIAH MADE AN INVESTIGATION! (V. 12-15) One of the first truths about Nehemiah’s investigation is that it was personal! He wasn’t going to let rumors/gossip or false info lead him astray! He personally examined the condition of the walls. The point? You, not someone else, should dig into Scripture personally so God can show you personally what and how He is going to work in and through you to develop you into His workmanship. The second truth about Nehemiah’s investigation reveals it was secret. Not that Nehemiah thought he was doing something wrong, but he understood there were “dream-stealers” who would instantly begin to oppose him. He wasn’t going to have any of that! Third, Nehemiah’s investigation was thorough! He established a plan based on what his investigation revealed. Most Christians never give God the opportunity to show them how He plans to lead them to their dream. How about you? Do you trust God enough to let Him lead you to accomplish those good works He has planned in advance for you to do?
If we can help you with this or any other spiritual matter, call us at (574) 643-9419.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 47:38 — 43.6MB) Subscribe: Nehemiah 2
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can also download our service at Baptist-Christian at iTunes. We have studied a pattern and process for prayer. Now we are going to see what made that pattern and process work. As we study Scripture we can learn prayer is one of the most powerful “weapons” in our Christian arsenal. If we truly understood the power of prayer, we would spend our entire lives letting the power of God flow through us. There are many reasons why prayer works, and many reasons why it doesn’t! One really good reason why prayer worked for Nehemiah was that he was a man of prayer, meaning, his daily life functioned around prayer, not the other way around. Notice:
- NEHEMIAH’S PATIENCE! God allowed Nehemiah to carry his burden around for several months before the king noticed he was sad. (The reason God does that is a whole other sermon!) It is important to see the king recognized Nehemiah’s burden as a sadness of heart. Such sadness is hard to hide because it is inward malady with outward manifestations. It’s so hard to hide sadness of heart! In our current “give me patience, now” society we want God to solve all our problems while we are telling Him about them. God doesn’t work that way! James 1 tells us why. How long are you willing to wait on God to work through you?
- NEHEMIAH’S PRUDENCE! In this text Nehemiah is standing before the most powerful man on earth. To stand in the presence of the king was the highest honor that could be given any person. Nehemiah knew to be sad in the presence of the king was an insult to the king. What’s more Nehemiah is going to ask this king to let him return to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. This same king had stopped that work earlier. Now Nehemiah was going to ask him to reverse his decision! WATCH how God led Nehemiah in his daily life to handle this delicate situation! When the king noticed Nehemiah’s sadness, Nehemiah told the king his heart was sad because Nehemiah’s father’s tomb was in ruins. That would have touched even an ungodly king’s heart because in that culture the place of one’s ancestors burial was of great importance. Here’s the point! Nehemiah said, “It’s not about me; my sadness is about my father’s place.” Are your prayers always about you, or do they focus on your (Heavenly) father?
- NEHEMIAH’S PREPAREDNESS! It is significant to notice that Nehemiah’s patience and prudence paid off. In verses 6-8b we see Nehemiah expected God to act in his behalf! Nehemiah understood God was in sovereign control of everything, including the king’s heart! Nehemiah went to his king fully prepared in every way so the king would have every opportunity to answer in Nehemiah’s favor. Is that how you go to God – fully prepared in every way?
- NEHEMIAH’S PRAISE! It is important to see that Nehemiah gave God all the credit for the answer to his prayer. Because Nehemiah was willing to be patient, God made him prudent. Nehemiah allowed God to prepare him to stand before the king; then Nehemiah gave God all the praise for what God had accomplished through Nehemiah. Get it?
If we can help you with this or any other spiritual matter, call us at (574) 643-9419.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 48:19 — 44.2MB) Subscribe: Nehemiah 1:11 and John 15:1-8
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can also download our service at Baptist-Christian on iTunes. As we study the prayer life of Nehemiah we can see that he spent more time adoring God than he did asking God! We have also learned that Nehemiah lived a life of brokenness before God confessing his sin, rather than pretending he had no sin. Nehemiah so feared God that he didn’t fear men, or what they thought of his devotion to his Heavenly Father. How about you? Do you fear God that much? Consider:
- NEHEMIAH’S POSITION IN PRAYER. One reason many people don’t receive answers to their prayers is because they pray from the wrong position. While it is true we are a royal priesthood, joint-heirs with Christ, and the adopted children of God, none of those titles gives us the right to tell God what to do and how to do it! We can humbly voice our concerns to God, then ask Him for His help and guidance. There are at least two reasons Nehemiah was so power in prayer. FIRST, he recognized himself as a servant of God. Today we might say Nehemiah had gotten over himself and learned the real life application of Romans 12:1-3, even though he hadn’t read it! Also read Prov. 25:27 and 27:2. The point being we often forget our position (in Christ) isn’t for self exaltation or “I am Your child, You owe me (like so many children feel towards their parents today)!” Our position in Christ ought to drive us to our knees in grateful humility and servitude because of what God has already done just in saving us. SECOND, Nehemiah was a servant to the people! Because Nehemiah’s own heart beat from the perspective of a servant, he saw the true heart of God’s people around him and was also their servant! When we allow God to fill our heart with Himself, He then fills it with compassion for others. When you surrender your heart to God, He always turns it to Him first, then to others so He can minister to them through you! Notice also
- NEHEMIAH’S PASSION IN PRAYER. He demonstrates two views of passion. FIRST, a desire to serve! Desire is a function that starts in the heart then goes to the will. A desire to serve God comes only from a heart that has already chosen to submit to God without condition. Such a desire ignores all intent of self glorification, and focuses only on giving all glory and credit to God. SECOND, Nehemiah had a delight in serving. Read Ps. 1:1, 2; 37:4; and Isa. 26:7, 8. One of the most wonderful things about a heart that desires to serve God – is that God feeds that desire with constantly increasing desire to serve at a higher level. With such a desire to serve comes an unending supply of energy to do whatever God asks. So how full of desire is your heart to serve God – all day, every day? Are you excited to get up and gather with your local church family to meet God in individual and corporate worship? Do you get excited about reading, studying, and memorizing Scripture? Do you look forward to prayer time with The Lord, just so you can watch Him reveal His will to you? He is waiting for you to ask Him for “whatever you will” so He can pour out blessings in good measure, packed down, running over into your lap. But you must ask God in the proper way with a proper heart.
If we can help you with this or any other spiritual concern, call us at (574) 643-9419.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:15 — 49.7MB) Subscribe: Nehemiah 1:8-10, 2 Cor. 3:1-6, and 2 Chron. 20
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can also download our service at Baptist-Christian at iTunes. We have studied that prayer must include adoration, brokenness, and confession of sin. It’s not hard to adore God, but it’s hard for us to be broken and admit that we are sinners. The reason is that we have not given God unchallenged sovereignty in those areas of our lives. In 1:8-10, Nehemiah summarizes the terms of covenant relationship with God in the words “return and obey.” In essence Nehemiah is telling us we need to depend on God. Paul tells us in the 2 Corinthians passage our confidence comes from God. That confidence is a result of trusting or depending on God over the long haul. In 2 Chronicles 20 Jehoshaphat teaches us some key elements of depending on God. Notice
- A RESOLVE TO ASK GOD FOR GUIDANCE! God doesn’t use the word “depend,” but He does use synonyms like “trust, rely, and lean upon!” Those aren’t bad words to say, they are just hard words to live – because they all imply someone else is in charge. Notice that when Jehoshaphat learned he and Judah were in danger he resolved to inquire of the Lord.” 19:3 tells us he had set his heart on seeking the Lord. The first characteristic of dependence on God is “a heart devoted to seeking the Lord.” In order to ask God for guidance through danger or crisis, you must first be asking Him to guide you through your daily life. When adversity strikes we tend to panic. During a “panic attack” in order to seek the Lord’s face in crisis, you must be so accustomed to seeking Him in calm that asking for guidance is normal! The second characteristic of dependence on God is being dedicated to leadership. It may sound strange, but “J” alerted all the people and called them to fast (and pray.) Every Christian husband and wife, father and mother have leadership responsibilities to one another and their children. Notice also that “J” revealed
- A RESOLVE TO FOLLOW GOD WHEN HE GUIDED! Our follow through, or lack of it, reveals the true character of our heart towards dependence on God. Notice that after prayer Jahaziel offered six characteristics of an attitude of dependence on God. 1st= don’t be afraid/discouraged at size of the obstacle. Satan is very effective in using those tools to stop us from depending on God. 2nd= let God do the fighting. 3rd= prepare as God directs (v. 16, 17). The people had to dress for war and go to the battlefield; or they had to do what God knew they could do! 4th= worship! Many people stop worshipping in crisis because they think God’s mad at them. They also think they have to “clean up” before they can come to Him. That’s sin working! 5th= don’t lose faith that God will fight for you. 6th give God praise and adoration for His holiness – on the way to battle!!! Now, consider all these things and it is easy to see why a person must be in the habit of walking with God on a daily basis. These are “advanced steps” in the Christian’s walk, but all are possible. Why not put them to the test and see how long it takes you to carry home your blessings.
If we can help you with this or any other spiritual matter or question call us at (574) 643-9419.
|
|
