Sunday, January 30, 2022

Seizing a New Ministry Opportunity - Nathan Rages


In Nehemiah's conversation with the King Artaxerxes in Neh. 2:1-8, he entered a major new sphere of service to God's people by doing these seven things: 
1. Excelling in his current position. 
2. Patiently waiting for God to open the door.
3. Admitting his fear of taking personal risk.
4. Submitting to God-ordained authority. 
5. Eagerly volunteering himself.
6. Developing definite plans. 
7. Seeing God work through him.


Sunday, January 23, 2022

Praying Powerfully by Praying Biblically - Nathan Rages


Nehemiah's powerful prayer (Neh. 1:5-11), which God wonderfully answered throughout the rest of the book, is recorded for us to learn from and imitate in our own prayer lives.  The prayer was:
1. God-centered.
2. Repentant.
3. Promise-pleading.
4. History-remembering.
5. Persistent.
6. Practical.


Sunday, January 16, 2022

A Heart Burdened for God's Cause - Nathan Rages


In Nehemiah 1:1-4 we see the burdened heart of this godly man and we consider these 5 aspects of his burden, making application to ourselves: 1. His burden was concerned with God’s glory. 2. His burden caused deep mourning. 3. His burden persisted despite his personal comforts. 4. His burden led to concentrated prayer and fasting. 5. His burden focused and guided his future work.

Sunday, January 9, 2022

Why We Baptize - Nathan Rages


Four reasons why we practice water baptism:
1. It’s commanded by the Lord Jesus.
2. It’s practiced in the New Testament.
3. It’s a public commitment to follow Christ for a lifetime.
4. It’s a symbol of our spiritual salvation.

Sunday, January 2, 2022

Reasons for Optimism this New Year - Nathan Rages


1. God does not change (Mal. 3:6, Jam. 1:17, Heb. 13:8, Ps. 100:5).  
2. God provides all needed resources (2Pet. 1:3, Eph. 1:3). 
3. God has a good plan for your life (Rom. 8:28, 5:3-5, Eph. 2:10).
4. God’s grace covers your failings (Jam. 3:2, Rom. 8:1, 1Jn. 1:9).
5. The Enemy is defeatable (Rev. 12:11, 2Cor. 10:3-4, Matt. 16:18).
6. Growth is always possible (2Cor. 3:18, Phil. 3:12-14, Ps. 92:14).