A SERMON FROM NEHEMIAH 6:1-19 The plot to assassinate is met with refusal to cooperate (1-4) Slander is denied and prayer is prescribed (5-9) The scheme to disgrace is met with refutation and prayer (10-14) Completion, recognition, and intimidation (15-19) GOSPEL CONNECTION “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18:2) “But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD, I say, “You are my God.” (Psalm 31:14) APPLICATION How will you apply Nehemiah's persistence and faith in your life when facing challenges? MEMORY VERSE “When all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations surrounding us saw it, they lost their confidence; for they recognized that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.” (Nehemiah 6:16)

A SERMON FROM ROMANS 3:21-26 The Gospel believed The Gospel achieved The Gospel received GOSPEL CONNECTION “When we talk about the gospel, we are talking about the very real, dynamic power of God to create, redeem, and save. The power of the gospel is the power that enabled Jesus to overcome temptation, preach with authority, cast out demons, heal the sick, raise the dead, and rise from the dead Himself. The gospel is the power of God made available to us through the Son of God, who gave His life for us. The gospel is the power of God for salvation for our entire lives. Belief in the gospel is not a one-time decision or a conviction that we need salvation only for our past lives and future afterlives. Belief in the gospel is an ongoing expression of our ongoing need for Jesus.” (Gospel Fluency, Jeff Vanderstelt, pages 66-67) APPLICATION When could you meet with another person to share the Good News of God’s redemptive plan? MEMORY VERSE “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” (Romans 3:23-24)

A SERMON FROM NEHEMIAH 5:14-19 The 3 advantages of making a differenceA. PositionB. PowerC. Privilege The 3 temptations of a difference makerA. We will be tempted to misuse our positionB. We will be tempted to abuse our powerC. We will be tempted to profit from our privileges How to keep our integrityA. Deepen my understanding of who I amB. Develop a love for peopleC. Discipline myself with an eternal perspective GOSPEL CONNECTION “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:3-11 MEMORY VERSE “Shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.” 1 Peter 5:2-3

A SERMON FROM NEHEMIAH 5:1-13 The cause of conflicts The cure for conflictA. ReactionB. ReflectionC. RevealD. ResponsibilityE. Remember GOSPEL CONNECTION “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 “I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 “Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. 32 “And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.(Acts 20:28-32) APPLICATION Have you chosen a day of the week to fast during lunch as Pastor Carl encouragingly challenged us to do? What day? Did you fast last week? How did it impact your spiritual life? MEMORY VERSE “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” (Romans 12:18)

A SERMON FROM NEHEMIAH 4:1-23 Here comes trouble Pause to regroup Make a difference GOSPEL CONNECTION Jesus has defeated sin, death, and adversity once for all. Yes, we will likely encounter obstacles and people who seek to distract, deter, and destroy us in following our Savior, living our faith daily, and building God’s kingdom. However, our resolve and strength comes from knowing who our Savior is and what He has done. “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.” (John 14:1) “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) APPLICATION What action do you need to take this week to trust God and move forward in facing an area of adversity in your life? MEMORY VERSE “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

A SERMON FROM NEHEMIAH 3:1-32 Tactical Everyone has a place According to your gift and personality Mismatched Significance GOSPEL CONNECTION “Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people.” (Matthew 4:23) But He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose.” (Luke 4:43) “And He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.” (1 Peter 2:24) APPLICATION How can you use your skills, spiritual gifts, and abilities to build the kingdom of God through the ministry of Jesus’ church this week? MEMORY VERSE “The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.” (Proverbs 21:5)

A SERMON FROM NEHEMIAH 2:1-20 Promises and providence Omnipotence and obedience Confidence and contention GOSPEL CONNECTION “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14-16) APPLICATION What is a specific need in another person’s life that you will confidently pray about this week? MEMORY VERSE Then the king said to me, “What would you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. (Nehemiah 2:4)

A SERMON FROM NEHEMIAH 1:1-11 Ask the right questions Feel the right emotions Have the right reaction Take the right action GOSPEL CONNECTION Repentance is understanding the gravity of our sin and having the desire, given by the Holy Spirit’s work in our life, to not continue sinning. “I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. 10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.” (2 Corinthians 7:9-10) APPLICATION What news have you recently received that you need to respond to with prayer? MEMORY VERSE “When I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.” (Nehemiah 1:4)

A SERMON FROM LUKE 15:11-32 You can only be found if you first know you are lost   GOSPEL CONNECTION “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),” (Ephesians 2:4-5) APPLICATION To what “undeserving” person can you extend God’s love and forgiveness this week? MEMORY VERSE “In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10)

A SERMON FROM LUKE 10:25-37 GOSPEL CONNECTION “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:4-9) APPLICATION What will you do this week to help meet someone else’s physical needs? Emotional needs? Spiritual needs? MEMORY VERSE “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”(John 13:34-35)

A SERMON FROM LUKE 24:36-49 The reality of the resurrection A new mission GOSPEL CONNECTION “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,…“14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain…17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 14, 17) APPLICATION What will you commit to doing this week to be a witness for Jesus, telling others what he has done in your life? MEMORY VERSE Now He said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” (Luke 24:44)

A SERMON FROM LUKE 24:13-35 Warning Wisdom Wonder GOSPEL CONNECTION He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. 4 Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging weare healed. 6 All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.” (Isaiah 53:3-6) APPLICATION What can and will you do this week to make yourself more available and aware of the Lord’s leading in your life? MEMORY VERSE Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.” 1 John 3:2

A SERMON FROM LUKE 22:14-38 Passover Propitiation Providence GOSPEL CONNECTION The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29 “If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. 20 For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you 21 who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.” (1 Peter 1:17–21, see also Hebrews 8:7-13) APPLICATION How will you prepare for Communion next time so that you will appreciate more the provision Jesus made for you? MEMORY VERSE And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” (Luke 22:19)

A SERMON FROM LUKE 19:1-10 The Man The Meeting The Miracle The Mission   GOSPEL CONNECTION Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. 36 “But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe. 37 “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. 38 “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 “This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. 40 “For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:35-40) APPLICATION What will you do this week that reveals salvation has come to your house? MEMORY VERSE “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)

A SERMON FROM LUKE 14:1-24 The laws of man obstruct the love of God (1-6) Promotion of self is the antithesis of a heart of humility (7-11) Spiritual growth comes from authentic giving, not calculated bargaining (12-14) Actions reveal priorities; they always have, always will (15-24) GOSPEL CONNECTION Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in thelikeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1-5) APPLICATION What will you do this week to lessen the importance of position, title, or other status symbols in your life? MEMORY VERSE “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)  

A SERMON FROM PROVERBS 1:1-7 Big Idea: Living in the way of wisdom in everyday life. The Wise The Simple The Fool "Wisdom is the practical side of moral goodness” - J.I. Packer GOSPEL CONNECTION Jesus is the power of God and the wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24) Jesus is wisdom, righteousness, and sanctification for us (1 Cor. 1:30) In Jesus are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3) “…but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” (1 Cor. 1:23-24) APPLICATION Which one of the following do you need to do this week to gain wisdom? Accept Jesus as the Savior for your sins; Follow Jesus by searching the Scriptures for truth of gaining insight and growth in wisdom (James 1:5); Grow in Jesus by committing to walk in the footsteps of Jesus (1 John 2:3-6) and the way of wisdom (Prov. 4:13-14) When will you begin? MEMORY VERSE “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7)

A SERMON FROM LUKE 11:37-54 Woe #1 Superficial religion Woe #2 Love of glory Woe #3 Defiling influence Woe #4 Powerless message Woe #5 Rejection of truth Woe #6 Confusing the message GOSPEL CONNECTION “how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Hebrews 9:14) APPLICATION What will you do this week to be a light for Jesus Christ, bringing hope and truth of the Gospel to your family, friends, and/or neighbors? MEMORY VERSE “You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.” (Deuteronomy 4:2)

A SERMON FROM LUKE 10:38-42 Order Disorder Reorder GOSPEL CONNECTION “But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:4-7) APPLICATION What steps will you take this week to intentionally sit at the feet of Jesus, spending more time with Him, reading the Bible, and praying? MEMORY VERSE “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” (Colossians 3:17)

A SERMON FROM MARK 7:31-37 Jesus wants to enter our lives We are to enter other people’s lives Jesus enters our lives and deals with our sin, so that we can enter others' lives and feel their sorrow Application: How, as an act of faith, can we make this real in our lives?             • Pull away with Jesus alone             • Seek to become self-aware.             • Show the empathy that Christ gives you to others, especially others who are                 different than you GOSPEL CONNECTION “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:17-21) APPLICATION What is one area of your life that you can commit to the Lord and trust Him to work through this week? Whom could you tell this week about the goodness of God in your life? MEMORY VERSE “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

A SERMON FROM LUKE 9:10-17 In over my head A needy crowd (vss. 10-12) An impossible task (vss. 13-14) Jesus steps in! (vss. 14-16) A miracle occurs (vs. 16) The kingdom grew (vs. 17) So… GOSPEL CONNECTION We are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Our life is then to be lived in obedience to God, His Word, and the life of His Son, our Savior, Jesus. The work we do is to honor and glorify God. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10). “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13 APPLICATION To whom is God asking you to talk about the kingdom of God and share the miracle of regeneration in your life? Will you this week? MEMORY VERSE “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)