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Wed. 6:30pm – 7:30pm
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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 49:32 — 45.4MB) Subscribe: Nehemiah 1:5-11
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. Nehemiah is as much a book of prayer as it is a record of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah shows us what it’s like to get out of our easy chairs and actually get involved in redemption living. As Christians today, we’ve become very good at being complacent! We say we know who God is, but don’t allow His attributes to impact our lives. We often come to Him in prayer with our hearts dressed in shorts, T-shirts, and flip-flops offering Him small talk about mundane issues. Even in crisis issues we toss God our prayers telling Him how to answer them. Nehemiah offers us a great outline for true, heartfelt prayer that will excite God’s heart.
- RECOGNIZING GOD AS GOD! To adore God is to recognize Him for Who He really is! In its simplest form adoration means “worship.” As we have learned in studying the three names of God in this prayer, God is Almighty, Ever-present and All loving! What do those names of God mean to you in your heart? Nehemiah actually begins his prayer with mourning, fasting and weeping over personal and national sin. Then he begins his prayer acknowledging Who God is. Notice in verse 5 Nehemiah recognizes God’s omnipotence. When a person recognizes God’s omnipotence they stop fearing man and start fearing God! So when you go to God to pray, does He know you adore Him as El-Shaddai, YWHW, Elohim?
- RECOGNIZING GOD’S CHARACTER! When we recognize God as God we also have a correct perspective of His character. Read Deut. 32:3, 4; then 2 Sam. 22:31, 32; Matt. 5:48; James 1:17; and 1 John 1:5. Because God is perfect in His character (nature or essence or His heart), He is perfect in everything – infinitely! We are in error when we come to God using names that have no deep meaning to us. One of the most serious problems with many Christians’ prayer life is they don’t come before God seeing Him as Who He is in His infinite perfection. Since God lives in us our character must be the same as His because we are to allow the Holy Spirit to be sovereign in our lives.
- RECOGNIZING GOD’S REDEEMING LOVE! God uses His Word to help us see the extent of His great redeeming love. In Rom. 5:8 then Eph. 2:10 He explains that nothing was too great a price. We need to view our redemption the same way God does so we can see that it completely killed our “self!” God’s redeeming love must reach clear to the deepest chambers of our hearts so we can see to total cleansing effect of the shed blood of Christ. Only when we see it that way, do we submit to the life-changing power of God’s salvation. Adoration is the first step in getting down to business in prayer! We must always remember who we are talking too and come before Him as God.
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: 55:39 — 50.9MB) Subscribe: Psalm 18:7-15
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. This week we are looking at the third name Nehemiah uses in addressing God. Remember, every name God uses reveals something about Him to us. We must also remember God doesn’t just have, or God isn’t just power, love, holiness, mercy and so on; He IS all those things – infinitely! Let’s start with
- THE MEANING OF THE NAME! Herbert Lockyer says, “Among all the divine names none is so sublime and solemn as this one.” This is really a compound name, but is most often translated Jehovah – The Eternal, Ever-loving One. It’s also the name of four letters –JHVH. It is the most sacred and feared of all the names of God. It is said that it was uttered only by the High Priest, then only once a year in the Holy of Holies. H. E. Govan says, “This name, JHVH, in all its significance is God’s memorial name, God’s forget-me-not.” Since entire books have been written on the meaning of this name, you see I’m only introducing the meaning.
- THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE NAME! In Rev. 1:8 God tells us He is the God Who always was, always is, and always will be. James 1:17 teaches He is the God in Whom there is no changing or variableness. In a day when almost everything is changing and volatile it is reassuring to know that God is Rock solid, unmovable, always the same! This name also means God’s covenants are as strong, stable, trustworthy, durable and eternal as He is. This name should take away all uncertainty and anxiety that God’s covenant relationship might not work with you. This name assures you they will!
- OUR RELATIONSHIP TO THIS NAME! Psalm 18:7-15 reveals the great and awesome power that is God! Now read verses 16-19. Those verses reveal how God uses that power in/on your behalf. Stop and think about that! By the way, verse 17 is further explained in Eph. 6:12. The name Jehovah first appears in Gen. 2:4 when God starts talking about Man. It reveals the special relationship God has to Man as the only part of creation that is created in His image and likeness. That means we can reason and choose to fellowship with God. Jehovah is also Righteousness and Love. That means our relationship to Him is grounded on these two (and many more) attributes. Therefore, we must be righteous and loving in our own life toward others if we want God to be such in ours. The NT teaches that whatever we want God to be to us, we must first be to others! All the names of God we’ve studied so far teach us that He is able to make us that way, so He can provide for us all of whatever we need Him to provide. We must live in 2 Cor. 12:9 and get “us” completely out of the way so God can work His mighty power through us. The question is, are you willing to give up whatever it is in your life that is keeping you from receiving all that Jehovah God has for you? You might ponder the question – How will you explain “no I’m not ready” to Jehovah Who is also your Judge?
If we can help you with your spiritual questions call us at (574) 643-9419.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 50:49 — 46.5MB) Subscribe: Daniel 4:34-37
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 learned that “El-Shaddai” is God’s name that means “The Almighty, Sufficient One”. In Nehemiah’s opening prayer he addresses God as El-Shaddai, next he addresses God as God of Heaven. This name appears only twice in the NT and both times are in Revelation. Let’s consider
- THE CONCEPT OF THE NAME! The easiest way to understand this name is “God Who works from His throne in heaven.” Walter Scott says it’s this name that is used by Israel from the first time she is taken captive until God again takes up the cause of the Jew. When Israel and Judah were torn apart because of their sin, the people had a tendency to think “where did God go?” This name/title teaches us that God is always working for us on our behalf, even though we don’t always (want to) see it.
- THE CONTENT OF THE NAME! In verse 5 Nehemiah tell us God of Heaven is a covenant-keeping God. This same name is also used to describe how God is related or “connected” to His people. If you take time to study this name throughout Scripture, you will discover how God’s heart desires to share Himself with His covenant people! God provides protection, success, judgment and justice, Law, fellowship to and for His people; and He also desires His people to worship and sacrifice to Him. To better understand how each of these elements, let’s consider
- THE CONNECTION OF THE NAME! As a Christian, co you consider yourself to be involved in a covenant with God? A covenant is “an arrangement made by one party with full, total, and complete power, which another party may accept or reject , but can’t alter.” Does that sound like your salvation? It should! This name means that God is always working in our behalf, even though sometimes we think He’s on vacation. We often can’t see Him working because we have turned our backs to Him so we can focus on us! We must get over ourselves and get under God! In Neh. 2:1-5, God of Heaven is a God of protection. Everyone could share an experience where God has kept us from hurt/harm being as bad as it could be. God’s protection has covered us all the way from the Throne Room of heave! By the way, if you are toying with some sin God’s talked to you about, you should repent now before the full weight of the consequences comes to you! In Neh. 2:17-20, God of Heaven is a God Who gives success. The truth is – any success a Christian enjoys is a gift from God Who is working behind the scenes from heaven! Ezra 5:11-12 teaches God of Heaven is a God of justice and judgment. We know the “negative” side of judgment and justice; but both also have a positive side. Heb. 11:6 teaches that God rewards those who diligently seek Him. Ezra 6:9-10 reveals God of Heaven is a God to worship and give sacrifice. The greatest “sacrifice” is a broken and contrite heart that worships in spirit and truth! In Ezra 7:21-23 the God of Heaven is also a God of Law! The sheer volume of the Law shows us how sin complicated our lives. And those same verses teach us that God of Heaven also wants to be with His people – hence the Temple!
If we can help you with any spiritual question or concern call us at (574) 643-9419.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 46:35 — 42.7MB) Subscribe: Matt. 1:1-17
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. I came across this sermon idea and it caused me to stop and consider God’s grace and mercy toward all people. Mom’s often display God’s grace, mercy and many other Christlike characteristics that reach out and draw their families to The Savior. Let’s consider
- THE BLOSSOMS! In Gen. 18:1-30 we meet Tamar. She was the incestuous daughter-in-law of Judah; strike one! She was also a Canaanite, hence a Gentile; strike two! Rahab (Josh. 2;1-24) was also a Gentile, a prostitute and member of a doomed race! Ruth was from Moab, also a Gentile! She was the poor widow of an Israelite and was moral and upright. She was also faithful in character and kind in spirit. Most importantly she was a Believer in the God of Israel. What Bible student hasn’t heard of Bathsheba; an adulterous wife of a Gentile. She had an affair with King David and probably knew of his plan to kill her husband, and did nothing to stop it. Let’s end the list positively; Mary was the mother of Jesus. She was a young, pure Israelite who was probably spiritually mature and willing to yield her life, and her reputation into the hand of God.
- THE BLESSINGS! Let’s look just a little deeper into each of these lives and see what God saw! Tamar means “Palm tree.” The long tap root makes it strong and stable. It can live for over two centuries and provides abundant food, oil, wax, sugar, and other useful items. In Scripture often suggests strength and beauty, hence Tamar! Palm branches symbolize victory (Rev.7:9) and are often used with the monogram of Christ to symbolize complete victory in salvation through Christ. Rahab means “wide, broad, and great!” In Josh. 2 she is identified as a prostitute or innkeeper. Despite her lifestyle she chose to help the spies (Heb. 11:31) and in so doing saved her family. In her life and by the choices she made we can see that the saving grace of God reaches to all people no matter what society may think. Christ can change the vilest sinner into a victorious saint! Ruth means “a friend.” A deeper look at her life reveals her true heart. Boaz found in her honor, respect, even praise at her desire to be his wife. Her anxiety is explained when we understand her great heart desire was to see her family “redeemed” and their possessions restored. See the connection to Christ’s desire to see “all men” saved? He finds us just as we are, lost and dead in sin, and lifts us to a place of honor and dignity. The real meaning of Bathsheba’s name is uncertain, but can mean “daughter of an oath.” 2 Sam. 11:2 tells us she was beautiful. Although some might say she was an innocent victim, there are no innocent victims in sin. Her sin cost her her husband and her son. What price are you willing to pay for your folly? Mary’s name means obstinacy and rebellion. What a contrast between her name and her attitude! Luke 1:38 reveals her true heart in service to the Lord. These five women each provide a lesson for all of us in our relationship and walk with Christ. Thank God for moms who display Christ’s character, love, and grace to us all year.
If we can answer your spiritual questions for you, call us at (574) 643-9419.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 47:51 — 43.8MB) Subscribe: Nehemiah 1:5-7
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 the first step in rebuilding our prayer life is to come to the point where we understand that our sin desecrates God’s name and reputation. Then we learned deep, intimate, specific prayer (and fasting) must be part of our normal life. Take away the prayer and you take away the power! Not only did Nehemiah lead the people in renovating the city, he led them in renovating their hearts. True spiritual revival is not about filling pews with new Christians – it’s about filling the hearts of those Christians with God, as God!! We are going to learn about the names of God Nehemiah uses in this prayer because each name helps us learn more about the Great God Who saved us.
- REASONS TO STUDY THE NAMES OF GOD! First, the only way man can know anything of God is if God Himself reveals it to us. Read Deut. 29:29; Job 11:1-9; and 1 Cor. 2:9-16. Second, every name God uses in Scripture reveals something more about Him. Third, we study the names of God to learn more about Him. Did you know God reveals Himself to us using over 2,000 names throughout Scripture? In its simplest form the word “theology” means knowledge of God. It is formed from Theos meaning Deity or Who and What God is; and Logos meaning speech. In order to learn the “speech of God” we must learn it through the names God uses to teach us about Himself.
- THE MEANING OF THE NAME “O LORD.” The first name Nehemiah uses is found in Ex. 20:2-11 and is the name El-Shaddai which means The Almighty, All Sufficient God! It appears in Scripture to reveal God’s great power. El means “The Strong One” and is found in many OT passages, two of which are Num. 23:22; and Isa.9:6, 7. One writer says the most expressive and sacred use of the name appears in Ps. 22 and when Jesus quotes it on the Cross saying “El, El” or “My Strength, My Strength…” Jesus Himself, in His darkest hour and greatest need, calls on His heavenly Father for the strength to see Him through. Think about that for a moment! There is so much more to this beautiful name! Shaddai means “Almighty.” It is used in Gen. 29:22-25. Where Jacob prays for God to bless Joseph many times over saying “from EL of your father, you shall receive help; and from Shaddai their shall be blessings to you.”
- APPLYING THE NAME “O LORD” TO OUR DAILY LIFE! One writer teaches so well, “in Him all fullness dwells, and out of His constant fullness His own received all things!” Remember, when Jesus said, “all power is given to me…?” He was telling us He is El-Shaddai and the Source of all our needed power. This name also means that God’s Almightiness is His power to fulfill every promise He has made to His people! It is also a promise that God is faithful to perform every promise He has made to us! Another pastor has said so clearly, “there is no obstacle to spiritual maturity God cannot remove; there is no spiritual fear God can’t overcome; there is not spiritual temptation God can’t defeat; and there is no spiritual weakness God can’t strengthen!” The name El-Shaddai comes to every Christian with all of everything we could ever need, and it comes in infinite proportions, to see us through every day of our Christian life here on this earth! This is the God to Whom Nehemiah bows in intimate prayer seeking true spiritual revival. Will you bow to Him and allow His mighty power to bring back to life true spiritual dedication to Him?
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: 48:31 — 44.4MB) Subscribe: 1 Corinthians 15:35-49
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. On this, and every, Easter Sunday Christians celebrate God’s proof that Christ’s defeated death! That proof is His visible, bodily resurrection from the dead. To believe otherwise is to deny Scripture (See verses 12-19 of this passage). Once a person believes the truth of the resurrection event, questions often begin to arise concerning our resurrection bodies. Scripture has some very clear teachings concerning
- THE WAITING PERIOD. Read 2 Cor. 5:1-10. It’s passages like this where we must be willing to follow Prov. 2:1-4 and settle down and dig in to understand. In this life God provides every person opportunities to be saved from eternal separation from Him through salvation in Christ. One blessing of our salvation is spending eternity with God in His heaven. This life is part of a waiting period where our physical bodies must suffer the ravages of sin and its effects. The other part of the waiting period is between physical death and physical resurrection of our bodies. Even though our souls go immediately into Christ’s presence at our death, they long to be reunited with our physical body. That reunion happens at the resurrection. In a very broad sense that principle is a summary of 2 Cor. 5:1-10. Now let’s turn to
- BIBLICAL EVIDENCE FOR BODILY RESURRECTION. Scripture provides over- whelming evidence for a bodily resurrection. It’s taught in passages like Gen. 22:2-5; Job. 19:25-27; Ps. 16:8-11; Isa. 26:19 and Dan. 12:2. In the NT Matt. 22:29-32-; John 5:28-29; 11:23-26; 1 Thess. 4:13-17; Rev. 20:4-6 teach there will be a bodily resurrection.
- OUR RESURRECTION BODIES. Once we get this far and accept the truth of Scripture concerning bodily resurrection, the question is often asked, “What will our eternal bodies look like?”
- Scripture teaches they will be the bodies we have now – Matt. 28:9; Luke 24:29-43; John 20:26-27 all teach Jesus had the same body after death as before.
- Scripture also teaches our resurrection bodies are material bodies. The above Scriptures plus Luke 24:5 and 1 Cor. 15:42 verify that our resurrection body is the same one that is sown in death! Also see Phil 3:17-21 and 1John 3:1-3.
- Our resurrection bodies will be immortal! Read 1Cor. 15:50-53. Notice here our physical resurrection body is changed from mortal to immortal, but not from material to immaterial!
- Our resurrection bodies will also be glorious as we saw earlier in Phil 3:21. It would not be unlike God to share with us in heaven His own radiance!
- There are those who believe our resurrection bodies will have supernatural powers. Remember when Jesus suddenly appeared in the upper room after His resurrection (Acts 1)? That was Jesus, not us! Our resurrection bodies will be immortal and eternal so when we eat we will do so, not for nourishment, but for pure pleasure and celebration! What a great thought.
We can rejoice that our eternal life is secure with Christ and our eternity will be spent in glorious resurrection bodies that are immortal, eternal and material temples that will forever celebrate and rejoice in unbroken fellowship with each other and our Savior!
If we can help you with questions about this other any other spiritual matter, call us at (574) 643-9419.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 46:55 — 43.0MB) Subscribe: Nehemiah 1:1-4
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. If we are bluntly honest we have to admit that several parts of our lives area as Nehemiah would say, “in great trouble and distress.” Most often prayer has been reduced to telling God what we want and how to answer them. The lack of true, heart-generated prayer is one reason so many Christians are weak and ineffective in their daily lives. On the other hand those people who seem to “have it all together” are those Christians who have a rich, dynamic prayer life. Nehemiah gives a couple starting points for such a prayer life.
- A WEEPING OF REPENTANCE! Weeping of repentance was unique to OT history. Only in Scripture was weeping out of sheer sorrow for having offended God. Judges 21 and 2Kings 22 are just two examples. Nehemiah wept because he was broken hearted at the truth Israel had sinned before God, and he wept over the fact that Israel was in exile. Their “trouble, affliction, and distress” were all the result of activities against God’s will resulting in either physical or emotional pain. Said another way, guilt is always the result or consequence of sin. Israel had constantly ignored God’s many warnings for them to repent causing Him to follow through with His punishment. The interesting thing is that because God was reproached and disgraced, so were His people. It was their fault God had a bad “rap” among the lost. So the question is: how distressed, disgraced, or troubled are you over your personal sin before God? How distressed are you over your own personal judgment before God? When those things become serious enough to us to break our hearts, then we will weep over them and we will turn to spiritual revival.
- FASTING AND PRAYER! There are many reasons people fast today. There are many more why they don’t! Fasting meant affliction of soul or the inner person deep in their heart! It was always a serious thing. People often fasted (then) as a sign of great sorrow as here in Nehemiah. We have all experienced times of such great sorrow that eating just isn’t desired. People also fasted when making critical decisions or taking an ominous course of action; such as when Esther wanted to reverse the actions of Haman against the Jews. People fasted before stoning a person to death for blaspheme. ALL the people fasted, mourned over the execution of a person. Jezebel called such a fast for Naboth. Finally, people fasted when they learned of their sin. When Elijah condemned Ahab for Naboth’s death, Ahab mourned in sackcloth and ashes. True fasting had to indicate the people were intent on seeking righteousness; it was always the result of God’s prompting; and it was often in intense, specific prayer for a specific reason. So is it appropriate for Christians today? Absolutely! It is necessary ONLY when God prompts you, then it is a private thing (see Matt. 6:16-18.) True spiritual revival starts in individual hearts with a deep desire to pray from your heart to God’s.
If we can help you with this or any other spiritual matter, call us at (574) 643-9419.
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