Western Hills Christian Church: “You are family here!”

Hebrews 4:12

Does God’s word ever cause you discomfort? When you read the Bible does what you read make you uneasy? Do you find when you listen to sermons, that the Scripture seems aimed directly at you? You are experiencing the reality that the word of God is alive and can read your thoughts and judge your intentions.

When God’s word speaks to you, it is always for a purpose. God knows your heart and knows what you need to do to bring your life into conformity to Christ. If you have a problem with sinful talk, the word that comes to you will address the tongue. If you are struggling to forgive, God’s word will confront you with His standard for forgiveness. If pride has a stronghold in your life, God’s word will speak to you about humility. Whatever sin needs addressing, you will find you are confronted by God’s word on the matter.

One way you can escape the discomfort of conviction is to avoid hearing God speak to you. You may neglect reading your Bible and stay away from places where it is taught. You may avoid those whom you know will uphold the truths of Scripture. The best response, however, is to pray as the psalmist did: "Search me, O God, and know my heart" (Psalm 139:23). Regularly allow the word of God to wash over you and find any sin or impurity (Ephesians 5:26). Always make the connection between your life and what God is saying to you through His word. Make a habit of taking every word from God seriously, knowing that it is able to judge your heart and mind.

Henry and Richard Blackaby
Experiencing God Day-by-Day

Ephesians 4:29
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Text: Nehemiah 4:11-23

I.  Renewal by the opposition. (Nehemiah 4:8,11-12)

A concerted effort
A convincing effort

1. We will all be vulnerable to Satan’s attacks at some point in our life (Nehemiah 4:12)
   See: 2nd Timothy 4:16-17
2. We must be careful not to live close to the enemy

II.  Reason for the opposition (Nehemiah 4:7)

III.  Reaction to the opposition ()

1. Evaluation
2. Courage
3. Focus

IV.  Resist the opposition (Nehemiah 4:16)

Principle: Never leave the work for the battle.
Notice the balance in Nehemiah 4 between the building and the battle?

Conclusion:

How can we resist the opposition?

1. By being armored for warfare (Ephesians 6:10-18)
   
2. By rallying together (Nehemiah 4:20)

Our God will fight for us.

NIV Study Bible Book Introductions: Nehemiah

Sermon (partial audio) can be downloaded to your PC from here by RIGHT clicking with mouse and selecting “Save Target As” for the Internet Explorer browser or “Save Link As” for Firefox browsers.  

Text: Mark 13:32-37

Fact 1: We can be certain of Christ’s return
Testimony concerning His return:
New Testament writer.  See: Hebrews 9:27-28, John 14:1-3, Testimony of the Angels: Acts 1:9-11

Fact 2: We can be certain that only God knows when Christ will return.
READ: Mark 13:32

Why doesn’t God want us to know?

1. The uncertainty of the time of His return tests our faithfulness.
   See: 1st Corinthians 16:13-14
   2.  Every generation of Christians has known the joy and hope of the expectation of Christ’s return.

Fact3: We can be certain that we should be prepared for His coming.

1. Keep working (Mark 13:34) See: Ephesians 2:10
2. Keep watch(Mark 13:35-37)

Conclusion
There is no inside information about the return of Jesus.
What we do know?

1. We can be certain Jesus will return.
2. No one knows when that will be except God.
3. We can be prepared when He does come.

Are you ready for His return?