Nehemiah Series - Answering the Call; Building the Wall - Sermon 3

Nehemiah was guiding the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem to restore it, to keep it secure, and to reestablish its identity – what it represented – GOD and His people.  We also are called to represent God and be identified as His people.  We are called to be characterized by the love, 3]integrity, and courage of Christ as individuals, as couples, as families, as a church, & in our communities & culture. 

Are you Prepared to Serve?

Are you Prepared to Rebuild?

Will you answer the call to build the Wall?

Nehemiah Series - Preparing to Rebuild - Sermon 2

Are you Prepared to Serve?  Are you Prepared to Rebuild?  Are you ready to answer God’s call to build up what is torn down in your life, in your home, in your relationships, in our church, in our community? 

Nehemiah Series - Prepared to Serve - Sermon 1

 

I have been feeling it on my heart for several months that it was time to do a new series – a time where we spend several weeks concentrating on a particular section of Scripture.  But when you look at doing something like that, there are so many different paths to go down, where do you begin.  So I just kept my heart open and have been thinking about it and praying about it for a long time.  Then, several weeks ago, I heard a message by Ravi Zacharias titled, “Living a Life Used by God” that was really good.  I really appreciated his words and that got me to thinking about and pondering on this man called Nehemiah.  A few weeks ago, we started studying about Nehemiah in our Godly Men Bible Study using notes from © 2014 – Verse By Verse Ministry International (www.versebyverseministry.org) and today we are going to begin focusing on this section of Scripture to pull out some lessons from this fascinating story using information I have also derived from there.

D O U B T

On this Sunday of Saint Thomas, Pastor Rick deals with the specter of Doubt.

"Doubt.  What does the word conjure up for you?  It is a word that is not generally associated with pleasantness, happiness, or peace.  Instead, it is associated with discomfort, uncertainty, and fear.  Doubt is in the uplifted eyebrow, the wrinkling of the forehead, or in the wide eyes and open mouth.  Doubt is that feeling you feel when you take your driver’s test…can you make it?  Doubt is that feeling you feel when you stand at the edge of a jump into water below.  Doubt is the feeling of uncertainty when you quit your job without another in sight.  Doubt is that inner response when you hear something unlikely or unbelievable. Doubt usually isn’t any fun."

I recommend to you a book that will help you clarify your understanding of doubt further after today’s message.  The book is available for free online here: http://www.garyhabermas.com/books/dealing_with_doubt/dealing_with_doubt.htm.  The book is titled, “Dealing with Doubt,” by Gary Habermas.  Dr. Habermas is a well-known apologist specializing in matters to do with the resurrection and Christian faith.  

Easter Sunday - 2017

 

Easter Sunday at Water of Life Fellowship is always special.  It is impossible to capture in a recording or even in pictures. You will have to be sure to join us sometime! Maybe next year?  Plan to join us if you can! Here is a snippet from the day:

    Isn’t it spectacular to realize the rejoicing of their hearts that day?  You have heard echoes of that same rejoicing still ringing in our hearts over two thousand years later!  It is the song of the redeemed!  “The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up (Matthew 4:16).”  Jesus is the light of the world and He shattered the darkness of sin, death, and despair that wonderful Easter morning so long ago.  He shattered it forever!  “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life (John 8:12).”
    Jesus came, “Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace (Luke 1:78-79).”
    “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men (John 1:3-4).”
    “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6).”
    “…ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: (1 Peter 2:9).”
    Is your heart bound in darkness today?  You can be set free by His light! Is your life captive to despair?  You can discover His Joy!  Is death fearsome to you?  You need no longer fear.  He has conquered death too!  This is why we no longer sit in darkness but rejoice in the light!  “…if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7).”  This is the Gospel – the Good News – of the Cross and the Resurrection: that we can leave the darkness and walk in the light with Him.  Today, we celebrate His Light and Life!  He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!