The Source of Christ's Ministry Power - Nathan Rages

This message explores one question: "Who was the source of the divine power displayed throughout Christ’s earthly ministry?"  

Although we might assume that His power came from the God the Father or by Christ drawing upon His own divine nature, the Bible actually teaches that Christ ministered *as a man* by the power of the *Holy Spirit*.  

These passages teach this truth: Isaiah 11:1-2, Isaiah 42:1, Isaiah 61:1, Luke 4:16-21, Luke 3:21-22, John 1:32-33, John 3:34, Luke 4:1, Luke 4:14, Matthew 12:22-32, Acts 10:38, and Philippians 2:6-8.

Here are three reasons why this teaching is important:

1. It shows that our theology must be derived from Scripture alone.

2. It affects how we think about Christ.

3. It affects how we think about ourselves.

Are You Motivated by a Love Relationship with Jesus? - Nathan Rages

A personal relationship of loving trust in the Lord Jesus lies at the heart of Christian experience.  This sermon explores both the positive and negative sides of this reality.

Bible examples of those doing unusually difficult, extreme things because of the motivation of love:   

1. David's Mighty Men (2Sam. 23:13-17).

2. Mary's lavish outpouring (Mark 14:3-9).

3. Paul's whole ministry (2Cor 5:14).

Problems often caused by a defective trust in or love for Christ:

1. Unsuccessfully trying to get saved.

2. Lack of assurance. 

3. Intellectual unbelief.

4. Critical spirit.

5. Bitterness about trials.

6. Boredom in devotional activities.

Nehemiah's Big Ministry Lessons for our Church - Nathan Rages

In this capstone message for our 12-part preaching series through the first six chapters of Nehemiah, we summarize the six biggest lessons and how to apply them to our church -- particularly as we embrace future ministry opportunities:

1. Burdened leadership.

2. Personal sacrifice.

3. Unified workers.

4. Relentless opposition.

5. Constant prayer.

6. Ultimate joy.

Celebrating God's Accomplishments - Nathan Rages

In Neh. 6:15-16 and 12:27-43 we have the joyous conclusion to the Jerusalem wall-building project.  Those events can be summarized with these four concepts:

1. The SPEED of project completion.  (6:15)

2. The HUMILIATION of the enemies.  (6:16)

3. The PURITY of the worshippers.  (12:30)

4. The REJOICING in the Lord.  (12:27-43)

7 Ways to Destroy a Good Leader - Nathan Rages

In Nehemiah 6:1-14, the enemies of God turn their attention completely on Nehemiah himself, attempting to destroy this good leader using the following seven tactics -- tactics which the Devil still uses against believers today:

1. Isolation (v2)

2. Distraction (v3)

3. Repetition (of temptations) (v4)

4. Slander (v5-8)

5. Fear (v9,13,14)

6. Bad advice (v10-14)

7. Irreverence (v10,13)

Restoring Unity Among Believers - Nathan Rages

Nehemiah chapter 5 describes the greatest threat to the Jerusalem wall-building project: disunity among the Jewish people.  Through Nehemiah's wise leadership, God quickly and amazingly restored their unity.

1. The *problem* of disunity.

  

2. Nehemiah’s *response* to the disunity:

(a) His emotion

(b) His courage

(c) His persuasion

(d) His repentance

(e) His integrity

 

Devote Yourselves to Prayer - Jon Beary

Col 4:2 "Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving"