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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

Christ's Peaceable Kingdom - Nathan Rages

Christ's Peaceable Kingdom:

1. Prophesied through Isaiah (Isaiah 9:6-7).

2. Announced by angels (Luke 2:8-14).

3. Divided the world (Luke 12:51-53).

4. Accomplished through the Cross (Colossians 1:19-20).

5. Experienced in our souls (John 14:27,16:33).

6. Displayed in His Church (Ephesians 2:14-17).

7. Consummated at His return (1Corinthians 15:23-26).

What a Friend We Have in Jesus! - Nathan Rages

“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you." (John 15:13-15) Outline: 1. Two proofs of Christ's friendship love to us: (1) Laying down His life for us and (2) Telling us all that He's heard from the Father. 2. One test of our friendship with Christ: Obeying His commands. 3. Application to: The lonely believer. The suffering believer. The backslidden believer. The death-fearing believer. The non-believer.