First Baptist Church of Titusville FL June Granath

Introduction: All have received criticism. The question is, "How do we handle criticism that is destructive?"
Beware the Seven Last Words of the Church: "We've never done it that way before."
I. Opposition Comes (vs. 1)
Anchored to the Rock, Christ Jesus, but geared to the times best is yet to be!
II. Opposition Builds (vs. 2-3)
The critics failed in their understanding. It was not Nehemiah's wall. It was God's wall.
III. Perfect Posture (vs. 4-5)
There is no time when we are stronger than when we are on our knees before God.
IV. Work Continues (vs. 6-9)
It takes special people with special faith and a special relationship with God to keep picking up one stone after another and keep placing them on the wall-making it better with each one.

I. Introduction
"We are called to be God's people."
II. Spiritual Preparation (vs. 11-13)
"Nehemiah needed some alone time with God and so do we."
III. Contagious Motivation (vs. 17-18)
"There is no substitute for personal testimony."
IV. Discouraging Opposition (vs. 19-20)
"The Kingdom of God moves forward in spite of opposition."

Introduction: If the Lord has authority over kings and rulers of the earth, think what He can do to whoever or whatever seems to have control over you.
I. Nehemiah has a problem (1:3)
II. What did he do? Prayer of:
Adoration (1:5)
Supplication (1:6)
Confession (1:6-7)
Intercession (1:8-9)
Consecration (1:11)
III. The result of his prayer (1:10b)
IV. God makes the change (2:1-8)
"Lord, work Your will through me and my words."
Close: Let God do it
Praying and waiting go together
Faith and action go together
Prepare for opposition

When a black hole comes into our lives, there is a force more powerful and more amazing just beyond it.
I. Jesus has a gentle touch.
II. Jesus has power over death.
III. Jesus is the First and Last.
IV. Jesus holds the keys to death and Hades.

Jesus is making an extended forecast, but not about the weather-it is the future. It is an extended forecast because while some things did happen, others are yet to occur. We can rest assured this forecast is accurate.
Mark 13 is a parallel passage with Matthew 24 and Luke 21.
I. The temple will be destroyed. (vs. 2)
II. There will be disturbing trends. (vs. 6-8)
A. Spiritual confusion
B. Military conflicts
C. Natural calamities
III. There will be persecution (vs. 9-13)
A. 4th century
B. 16th century
C. 20th - 21st centuries
IV. What is to be our reaction?
A. Bear witness to Christ
B. Carry the gospel to everyone
C. Stand firm in challenging times

Introduction: Before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that the hour had come that He would depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. John 13:1 KJV
I. Through Pilate (vs. 11-14)
II. Through Barabbas (vs. 15-26)
III. Through the People (vs. 22-23)
IV. Through the Soldiers (vs. 27-32)