First Baptist Church of Titusville FL

Introduction: All have received criticism. The question is, "How do we handle criticism that is destructive?" Beware the Seven Last Words of the Church: "We've never done it that way before." I. Opposition Comes (vs. 1) Anchored to the Rock, Christ Jesus, but geared to the times best is yet to be! II. Opposition Builds (vs. 2-3) The critics failed in their understanding. It was not Nehemiah's wall. It was God's wall. III. Perfect Posture (vs. 4-5) There is no time when we are stronger than when we are on our knees before God. IV. Work Continues (vs. 6-9) It takes special people with special faith and a special relationship with God to keep picking up one stone after another and keep placing them on the wall-making it better with each one.

I. Introduction "We are called to be God's people." II. Spiritual Preparation (vs. 11-13) "Nehemiah needed some alone time with God and so do we." III. Contagious Motivation (vs. 17-18) "There is no substitute for personal testimony." IV. Discouraging Opposition (vs. 19-20) "The Kingdom of God moves forward in spite of opposition."

Introduction: If the Lord has authority over kings and rulers of the earth, think what He can do to whoever or whatever seems to have control over you. I. Nehemiah has a problem (1:3) II. What did he do? Prayer of: Adoration (1:5) Supplication (1:6) Confession (1:6-7) Intercession (1:8-9) Consecration (1:11) III. The result of his prayer (1:10b) IV. God makes the change (2:1-8) "Lord, work Your will through me and my words." Close: Let God do it Praying and waiting go together Faith and action go together Prepare for opposition

When a black hole comes into our lives, there is a force more powerful and more amazing just beyond it. I. Jesus has a gentle touch. II. Jesus has power over death. III. Jesus is the First and Last. IV. Jesus holds the keys to death and Hades.

Jesus is making an extended forecast, but not about the weather-it is the future. It is an extended forecast because while some things did happen, others are yet to occur. We can rest assured this forecast is accurate. Mark 13 is a parallel passage with Matthew 24 and Luke 21. I. The temple will be destroyed. (vs. 2) II. There will be disturbing trends. (vs. 6-8) A. Spiritual confusion B. Military conflicts C. Natural calamities III. There will be persecution (vs. 9-13) A. 4th century B. 16th century C. 20th - 21st centuries IV. What is to be our reaction? A. Bear witness to Christ B. Carry the gospel to everyone C. Stand firm in challenging times

Introduction: Before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that the hour had come that He would depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. John 13:1 KJV I. Through Pilate (vs. 11-14) II. Through Barabbas (vs. 15-26) III. Through the People (vs. 22-23) IV. Through the Soldiers (vs. 27-32)

I. Predicted by the Prophets (v. 31) II. Promised Suffering and Death (v. 32) III. Produced the Resurrection (v. 33) IV. Pattern for Us (v. 34)

What Was the Cross… I. …For the Jews? See John 1:11 II. …For the Greeks? See Acts 17:21 III. …For the Apostle Paul? See Romans 7:14-25 IV. …For Us? We have the same problem as did the Jews, the Greeks and the Apostle Paul. It is sin.

Introduction: In Luke 15, we have three stories of lost things: a sheep, a coin, and a son. Another common theme is the celebration over what was lost being found again. Some people miss the celebration. I. Characteristics of the In-Country Prodigal A. An angry spirit of grumbling B. An inflated sense of goodness C. A faulty understanding of grace II. God's Message to In-Country Prodigals A. "I treasure your relationship more than your work." Luke 10:38-42 B. "You have access to all of my resources." Romans 8:17 C. "Don't miss out on my celebration." Conclusion: How does the story end? Will we renew our place in the Kingdom, or be on the outside looking in?

Due to technical difficulties, the first 5 minutes have been omitted.

I. I've wandered far away from God A. To a restless-nation B. To a reckless-nation (Hebrews 11:25) C. To ruin-ation (Galatians 6:7) II. Now I'm coming home A. Realize what you are (Psalm 51:17) B. Repent of who you are C. Return from where you are (Joel 2:13)

We Worship... I. A God who regrets when you rebel. II. A God who runs when you return. III. A God who restores when you repent. To parents or grandparents of prodigals: A. God understands your pain. B. Don't rush into the pigpen to rescue them. C. Let them know the door is open. D. Receive them when they come home.

Introduction: Some words are difficult to understand. We will examine a word Jesus did not appear to understand. I. Three Life-Changing Lessons A. The Compassion Lesson: Jesus Cares B. The Faith Lesson: Jesus Does the Impossible C. The Abundance Lesson: Jesus Turns Poverty into Plenty II. What to Do With Your "Only" A. Look to Heaven for Help B. Give Thanks for What You Have C. Cherish the Value of Brokenness D. Serve Others Before Yourself Conclusion: Will you give God "only" what you have?

I. Crowd vs Purpose II. Integrity vs Popularity III. Success vs Service

A. Accept responsibility for my life. Galatians 6:5 B. Believe I can change. Philippians 4:13 C. Clarify what I really want. D. Don't wait to begin. Ecclesiastes 11:4

I. Revisit where you have been and what you have come through II. Take stock of where you are and where you want to be III. Focus on getting toward your goal

1. Look for Him in the Everyday Occasions in Life 2. Be Open to Extraordinary Occurrences that Come 3. Expect to See God Moving in Your Life

I. God wants to draw near to us. II. God does not exist just to give us things. III. God revealed Himself through the ages. IV. God dwells in us through Jesus. V. We do not have to search for God. He came to us Himself.

First Baptist Church of Titusville FL

I. God's Gift to Us A. God Himself B. A real and personal gift C. A great (mighty beyond measure) gift D. A powerful gift E. An everlasting gift F. A holy gift Summary: Do you see what God's gift can bring to your life? II. Mary's (and Our) Response to the Gift A. Voluntary Servanthood (ownership) B. Submissive Obedience (action) It is a progression: ownership into action. CHRIST WAS LOVE