My “Up and Down” Week in Review – December 16th to 22nd, 2024

As always, I want to thank you for taking the time to read these updates! I deeply appreciate your friendship, fellowship, and prayers for me and my family and my ministry! I am thankful that the LORD has blessed me through another week in which I have enjoyed good health and the opportunities to serve HIM and HIS people.

Like many if not most weeks, this past week had some really great “ups” and one really sad “down.”

On the upside, I enjoyed my sermon and Bible Study preparation and my opportunities to spend time cleaning and realigning pews in our sanctuary as the ceiling repair and repainting was being done. Thankfully, that part of our renovation is complete, and it looks really great!

Another “up” was that on Tuesday after catching up on church work (and after a bit of flurries) I drove down to Lake Shelbyville (again!) and hiked the 2.66-mile General Dacy Trail. I really enjoy both the drive and the time in the woods!

Midweek Prayer Meeting and Bible Study was a blessing. I really enjoy these times together as we fellowship, pray, and study together! These are a spiritually mature and knowledgeable people and our discussions through the Books of the Bible are a truly happy experience for me!

The biggest “ups” of my week were related to family! My Grandson Austin and his wife Jadan were in for their Christmas leave and I was able to be with them twice including their “Christmas” with us! It is always a joy to be with my daughter Becky and her husband Tim and their son Aric! Thankfully Austin and Jadan are safely back home in North Carolina.

I also get to spend some time with my son Dan most mornings and on this past Friday like almost every Friday my son Tim called me on his way home from work in Wisconsin.

The “down” for the week was driving to Peotone, Illinois to conduct the funeral of my dear friend, fellow airman, and former church member Paul Madoni. He and his late wife Mary’s families have always been and are a blessing to me. Paul and Mary loved the LORD and their Pastor.

Paul’s multiple year battle with MS is now over and he is with the LORD he loved and served and the wife he loved more than life!

Sunday was pure joy in our Sunday School class and our Christmas worship service! I dearly appreciate our beloved and faithful members who attend, support, and serve JESUS through our Church!

Someone once told me, “there is no such thing as a bad short sermon” and this was likely the shortest sermon I have preached in a long time! (I will not make this a habit)

Let me take this opportunity to wish you and your family a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Thank you for your prayers and encouragement in my life!

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Christmas Sunday 2024 “The Best Thing JESUS Ever Did!

SERMON: “THE GREATEST THING JESUS EVER DID!

John 1:1-3; 14

(1) “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2) He was in the beginning with God. (3) All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

(14) “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

INTRODUCTION:

1. All through the Old Testament, we are promised over and over again that God, HIMSELF, will come to earth and do many wonderful things!

2. In the New Testament Epistles, the Apostles explain to us what the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ mean to the world!

3. In the Book of Revelation, we are shown all of the wonderful things that Jesus Christ is going to do in the future!

4. All through the Four Gospels, we are given a description of Jesus Christ and the many wonderful things that HE did:

5. HE saved and discipled hundreds of people!

6. In addition to 20 mass healings recorded in the Four Gospels, Jesus healed 31 specific individuals!

7. The writers of the Four Gospels reveal to us that in addition to the many who were raised from the dead at the time of HIS resurrection, Jesus Christ raised three people from the dead

*The daughter of the Widow in the Village of Nain! Luke 7:13-15

*The son of Jarius!  Mark 5:42; Luke 8:55

*Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary!  John 11:23-40

8. The writers of the Four Gospels also tell us that Jesus cast demons out of at least 24 different people!

9. Jesus fed 5,000 hungry people on one occasion and 4,000 more a few days later!

10. Jesus Christ allowed HIMSELF to be arrested, beaten, nailed to a Cross, speared through the heart, wrapped in rags, and thrown in a grave in order to pay for our sins!

11. Three days later, Jesus Christ willed HIMSELF back to life and rose from the dead!

12. Forty days later, Jesus ascended to HIS Father in Heaven from the Mt of Olives!

QUESTION: Of all of these wonderful things Jesus Christ did, what is THE BEST THING HE EVER DID?

EXPOSITION:

THE GREATEST THING JESUS CHRIST EVER DID WAS TO COME TO THIS EARTH AS A HUMAN BABY IN ORDER TO DO EVERYTHING ELSE THAT HE DID!

Matthew 1:18-25

(18) “Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. (19) And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. (20) But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. (21) She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (22) All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: (23) “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel”(which means, God with us).

(24) When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, (25) but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.”

Because HE is God Who came to live and die on earth, Jesus Christ was conceived by a virgin!

(1:18-20) “Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.

And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”

Because HE came to earth to save sinners, HE was named “Jesus” which means, JEHOVAH is Salvation!

(1:21) “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Jesus Christ is the prophesied Messiah of Israel!

(1:22-23) “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).”

The Son of God, the Second Person of the HOLY TRINITY, came to this earth as a human being. HE lived a sinless life, perfectly obeyed the Law of God, died on the cross to pay for our sins, and three days later HE rose from the dead!

(1:24-25) When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.”

APPLICATION:

THE GREATEST THING JESUS CHRIST EVER DID WAS COME TO THIS EARTH TO SAVE SINNERS; AND HE IS STILL WILLING TO SAVE ANYONE WHO WILL REPENT OF YOUR SINS AND BELIEVE IN HIM AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD!

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My “Very Unusual” Week in Review!

MY “VERY UNUSUAL WEEK” IN REVIEW

DECEMBER 9th to 15th, 2024

As always, I want to thank you for taking the time to read these updates! I deeply appreciate your friendship, fellowship, and prayers for me and my family and my ministry!

I am thankful that the LORD has blessed me through another week in which I have enjoyed good health and the opportunities to serve HIM and HIS people.

It was a joy – as always – to work through sermon study and Bible lesson preparation for the week and always have opportunities to pray for the LORD’s people I have the privilege of serving.

Off and on bad weather caused me to end up stuck at home or inside helping with cleaning during the renovation of our Church sanctuary during the week. I am thankful that the LORD is providing this work on HIS House!

A great blessing of the week was the safe arrival home of my Grandson Austin and his wife Jadan for an early Christmas celebration. Austin is in the Air Force, and they are living and serving in North Carolina.

Due to cold, damp, and windy weather midweek we canceled our Prayer Meeting and Bible Study.

On Saturday I had another opportunity to work for a few hours cleaning and setting up the sanctuary seating for our Worship Service!

Sunday School and Worship were a blessing on Sunday! We are having issues with using worship music videos but in spite of that our beloved Summiteers continue to love the LORD and one another and attend and support the LORD’s Kingdom work through our Local Church!

If you are interested, you can find the outlines for my Sunday sermons on my Blog at www.lannyfaulkner.com

Thank you again for your interest in and caring for me and my family and my life and ministry!

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Christmas in Chronological Order

Eternity Past – The Covenant of Redemption

1st Peter 1:18-21

(18) “knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, (19) but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. (20) He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the 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.”

Revelation 13:8 (KJV)

“And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”

6 BC – John the Baptist is Born!

Luke 1:57-66

(57) Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. (58) And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. (59) And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, (60) but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.”

(61) And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.” (62) And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. (63) And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered. (64) And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. (65) And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea,

(66) and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.”

5 BC – Jesus the Christ is Born!

Matthew 1:18-25

(18) “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged in marriage to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.              (19) Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and was unwilling to disgrace her publicly, he resolved to divorce her quietly.

(20) But after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. (21) She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”

(22) All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: (23) “Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him “Immanuel” (which means, “God with us”). (24) When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and embraced Mary as his wife. (25) But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a Son. And he gave Him the name Jesus.”

5 BC – The Visit of the Shepherds!

Luke 2:8-15

(8) “And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

(9) And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. (10) And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. (11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (12) And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

(13) And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, (14) “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (15) When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

5 BC – Jesus is dedicated at the Temple!

Luke 2:21-24

(21) And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. (22) And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (23) (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) (24) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”

4 BC – Visit of the Magi!

Matthew 2:1-12

(1) “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, (2) asking, “Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”

(3) When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. (4) And when he had assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. (5) “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

(6) ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of My people Israel.’”

(7) Then Herod called the Magi secretly and learned from them the exact time the star had appeared. (8) And sending them to Bethlehem, he said: “Go and search carefully for the Child, and when you find Him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship Him.”  (9) After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stood over the place where the Child was. (10) When they saw the star, they rejoiced with great delight. (11) On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. (12) And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew to their country by another route.”

4 BC – Escape to Egypt

Matthew 2:13-15

(13) “Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” (14) And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt (15) and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

4 BC – Slaughter of the Innocent Children

Matthew 2:16-18

(16) “Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.     (17) Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:    (18) “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”

3 BC – Return from Egypt

Matthew 2:19-23

(19) “But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, (20) saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” (21) And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.

(22) But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. (23) And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled: “He shall be called a Nazarene.”

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MY “TOO MUCH TO EAT” WEEK IN REVIEW

MY WAY TOO MUCH TO EAT WEEK IN REVIEW  – NOVEMBER 26th to December 1st, 2024

As always, I want to thank you for taking the time to read these updates! I deeply appreciate your friendship, fellowship, and prayers for me and my family and my ministry!

I enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving “Week Off” and ended up having three Thanksgiving Meals! I had the joy of taking my son Daniel and his family out for dinner on Monday and I had been meeting with a former member of FBC Atwood and her family, so I was invited to have a meal with them last Tuesday. Then, my Daughter’s in-laws invited me to have Thanksgiving Dinner with them and my Daughter and her family on Thanksgiving Day!

In spite of the off and on bad weather, I was able to get one hike in!

I was also able to get my sermon ready for last Sunday and some additional study time.

Sunday was a blessing as always! Our Sunday School was great and I enjoyed preaching the first of my three part sermon series on the subject “What we DON’T KNOW and what we DO KNOW about Christmas!”

Due to crummy weather I have been stuck inside most of the week and it looks like that may be the case for the next few weeks.

I am thankful for the privilege of serving the LORD at Summit Fellowship and for your friendship and your interest in my life and family and ministry!

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What WE DO and DO NOT KNOW about Christmas!

“WHAT WE KNOW AND DON’T KNOW ABOUT CHRISTMAS!”

We Don’t Know WHEN it took place!

Luke 2:1-3 (1) “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. (2) This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. (3) And all went to be registered, each to his own town.”

Caesar Augustus was born on September 23 BC and became Emperor of Rome in 26 BC and reigned as the Emperor of Rome from to until his death on August 19th, 14 AD.

Publius Sulpicius Quirinius was born in 51 BC and died in 21 AD. He was the Roman appointed Governor of Syria on two occasions including the time of Jesus’ birth.

Therefore, we know that Jesus was born between 23 BC and 14 AD. The most likely date for Jesus’ birth was 5 BC to 1 BC.

We simply do not know the month of day of Jesus’ birth.

Christians celebrate Jesus’ birth on December 25th because…

  • Roman historian Sextus Julius Africanus had dated the creation of the earth on March 25th, so he believed that Jesus was conceived on that date. Adding nine months, he concluded that Jesus was born on December 25th.
  • Around 300AD, the Roman Empire began to celebrate the Winter Solstice which occurred on December 25th of the year they adopted the Solstice holiday.
  • In 336AD, after Emperor Constantine made Christianity the “official religion” of the Roman Empire in 313 AD, they adopted December 25th as the official date of Jesus’ birth.

We Do Know the “Who” “What” “Where” and “Why” It Took Place!

WHO?

Luke 2:10-11 “And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

Matthew 1:20-23 “But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel”(which means, God with us).”

WHAT?

Matthew 1:21 “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Luke 2:11 “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

WHERE?

Micah 5:2 “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.”

Matthew 2:1-6 “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'”

WHY?

“In spite of the fact that we have all sinned against HIM, GOD loves us and sent HIS SON JESUS to pay for our sins on the cross. When we turn away from our sins and believe in HIM as our SAVIOR AND LORD, GOD forgives our sins, changes our life, and will take us to Heaven when we die.”

  • We have all sinned against GOD! Romans 3:23
  • In spite of that, HE loves us! John3:16
  • HE sent HIS SON JESUS to pay for our sins on the cross!         John 3:16
  • When we turn away from our sins… Luke 13:3, 5
  • And believe in JESUS AS OUR SAVIOR AND LORD…               Romans 10:9-10
  • GOD forgives our sins! Jeremiah 31:34
  • GOD changes our life! 2nd Corinthians 5:17
  • GOD will take us to Heaven when we die! John 14:1-3
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MY “REMODEL” WEEK IN REVIEW – 11/19 to 11/25 2024

MY REMODEL THE CHURCH WEEK IN REVIEW                                  NOVEMBER 18th to 25th, 2024

As always, I want to thank you for taking the time to read these updates! I deeply appreciate your friendship, fellowship, and prayers for me and my family and my ministry!

This was the week that our remodel team came down from Indiana and many of us at Summit Fellowship have been very, very busy!

I made sure to have my normal “Church work” done to devote my full time to the project. And full-time it was! The ten men arrived on Monday and worked until about 930pm on Thursday evening. Nearly everything was done as planned and we are very grateful to them for all of the labor they invested!

The lighting in the sanctuary was removed and new LED canister lighting was installed. Covers were made and installed for the hot water pipes located in three of our westside classrooms. Two of our restrooms were remodeled to make them handicapped accessible. (Some additional work needs to be done to complete the restrooms but most of the work was completed.)

We have lots more to get done and we hope to have all – or nearly all – of the work done by Easter!

I was able to get one hike in on Saturday at Lake Shelbyville.

The LORD’s Day was a blessing as we completed our Sunday School study of The Book of Acts. The worship service was a joy as I brought a message from Psalm 100 on the subject “The What and Why of Thanksgiving.”

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The “What?” and “Why?” of Thanksgiving!

Sunday, November 24th, 2024

PSALM 100 – “The “WHAT” and “WHY” of Thanksgiving!”

INTRODUCTION:

1. In 1621, one year after arriving in North America, the Pilgrims shared a “Thanksgiving” meal with the Wampanoag (Wom–pa–nog) Indians to celebrate their bountiful harvest.

2. For many years, individual Colonies (and later individual States) celebrated a Day of Thanksgiving.

3. In 1789, President George Washington gave the first Proclamation of Thanksgiving by our National Government.

4. In 1827, Newspaper Editor and Poet Sarah Josepha Hale (Author of “Mary Had A Little Lamb”) began a campaign for a National Holiday of Thanksgiving.

5. On October 3, 1863, three months after the key Union Victories at Gettysburg, PA, and Vicksburg, MS, President Abraham Lincoln dedicated the 4th Thursday of November each year as a National Day of Thanksgiving.

6. Christians have always recognized that unthankfulness is a Grievous Sin!

Cf. Romans 1:18-23
18 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.
19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.
20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
21For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools,
23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.”

  • They refused to honor God
  • They refused to be thankful to God
  • These two behaviors led them to become idolaters
  • God responded by darkening their hearts

EXPOSITION:

(Verses 1-4) What Should We Do? (6 Things)

Rejoice!                                                      

 1 “Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!

Serve HIM!

2 Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!”

Recognize WHO HE is, and who we are!                                

3 “Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture                                              

Come to Church with Thankfulness and Praise!                       

4 “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise!”

Personally and Publicly Thank HIM!                            

“Give thanks to him…”

Honor HIM! “bless his name!”

(Verse 5) Why Should We Be Doing This?

Because the LORD is good!   5 For the LORD is good…”

Cf. Psalm 119:68a “You are good and do good…”

Cf. Romans 8:28
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Because HIS Love Endures Forever! “his steadfast love endures forever…”

Because HE is Faithful! “and his faithfulness to all generations.” Amen!

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Nehemiah 5

Nehemiah Chapter 5 – “Teamwork Makes the Dream Work!”

INTRODUCTION:

1. The title of this sermon may be the oldest cliché’ on earth!

2. But it is still true – including in the LORD’s work!

3. I thought about naming this sermon “BIG and Stupid Sin #2”

4. Specifically, using interest rates and the desperation of the people to take over their wealth and property was a violation of Exodus 22:25-27; Leviticus 25:35-37; and Deuteronomy 23:19-20 !!!

5. Nehemiah here is an example of this truth, “godly leaders lead by leading!”

EXPOSITION:

(5:1-5) Sin #2 – Financial manipulation!

(1) It is right to point out the sins of GOD’s people!

(1) “Now there arose a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish brothers.”

(2) Accusations of sin among GOD’s people must be brought by multiple witnesses!

(2) “For there were those who said, “With our sons and our daughters, we are many. So let us get grain, that we may eat and keep alive.” (3) There were also those who said, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our houses to get grain because of the famine.” (4) And there were those who said, “We have borrowed money for the king’s tax on our fields and our vineyards.

* This was the standard in the Old Testament:

Cf. Deuteronomy 19:15 “A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established.”

*This is still the standard in the New Testament:

Cf. Matthew 18:15-16

(15) “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.      (16) But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.”

(5:5) Since we are at out best “merely humans at best” it should not surprise us that even GOD’s people are capable of terrible sins!

(5) “Now our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our children are as their children. Yet we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but it is not in our power to help it, for other men have our fields and our vineyards.”

(5:6 – 9) One of the responsibilities of leaders is to call out sin in the life of the people they lead!

(6) “I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words. (7) I took counsel with myself, and I brought charges against the nobles and the officials. I said to them, “You are exacting interest, each from his brother.” And I held a great assembly against them (8) and said to them, “We, as far as we are able, have bought back our Jewish brothers who have been sold to the nations, but you even sell your brothers that they may be sold to us!” They were silent and could not find a word to say. (9) So I said, “The thing that you are doing is not good. Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God to prevent the taunts of the nations our enemies?”

(5:10 – 11) The right response to admonition and correction is repentance!

(10) “Moreover, I and my brothers and my servants are lending them money and grain. Let us abandon this exacting of interest. (11) Return to them this very day their fields, their vineyards, their olive orchards, and their houses, and the percentage of money, grain, wine, and oil that you have been exacting from them.”

(5:12 – 13) People who promise to repent need to be reminded of the consequences of breaking that promise!

(12) Then they said, “We will restore these and require nothing from them. We will do as you say.” And I called the priests and made them swear to do as they had promised.

(13) I also shook out the fold of my garment and said, “So may God shake out every man from his house and from his labor who does not keep this promise. So may he be shaken out and emptied.” And all the assembly said “Amen” and praised the Lord. And the people did as they had promised.”

(5:14 – 18) The price of leadership is sacrifice!  

(14) “Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes the king, twelve years, neither I nor my brothers ate the food allowance of the governor. (15) The former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people and took from them for their daily ration forty shekels of silver. Even their servants lorded it over the people. But I did not do so, because of the fear of God.” (16) I also persevered in the work on this wall, and we acquired no land, and all my servants were gathered there for the work.”

(17) Moreover, there were at my table 150 men, Jews and officials, besides those who came to us from the nations that were around us. (18) Now what was prepared at my expense for each day was one ox and six choice sheep and birds, and every ten days all kinds of wine in abundance. Yet for all this I did not demand the food allowance of the governor, because the service was too heavy on this people.”

(5:19) It is not wrong to seek GOD’s blessings for sacrificial service!

(19) “Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people.”

Cf. Matthew 6:2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.”

Cf. Matthew 6:5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.”

Cf. Matthew 6:16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.”

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My Week in Review – 10/28 to 11/03/24

MY WEEK IN REVIEW – ANOTHER “WEEK OFF” IS IN THE BOOKS!     October 28th to November 3rd, 2024

As always, I want to thank you for taking the time to read these updates! I deeply appreciate your friendship, fellowship, and prayers for me and my family and my ministry!

WOW! It does get dark early on Central Standard Time! As I am writing, it is just after 6pm and it seems like bedtime!

This past week (being the last week of the month) was my week off and – as usual – I had some great plans that did not get done. There is always something, or somethings, that come up that change my “best laid plans.”

On Monday, I got my notes and PowerPoint presentation sent off to our Worship Leader and did two weeks of PowerPoints for the weeks ahead. I currently have all of my sermons done and ready for November and I am thinking about a three-part series of Christmas sermons. “Christmas? Yup. Christmas.

Tick tock.

On Tuesday, I had the joy of spending time with some of the very best Christians I know who are members of a Church where I previously had the joy of serving as Pastor.

Tuesday was my oldest son’s birthday, so I was able to text with him a bit, which is always a joyful time for me!

Wednesday was my daughter and son-in-law’s anniversary, so I was also able to text with them as well! While Tim and Roxy were here last week, I was able to take both couples and my son Dan out for dinner to celebrate these happy occasions!

Wednesday brought another happy opportunity to lead our weekly Prayer Time and Bible Study at Summit Fellowship! This is one of my favorite times each week and we actually got into Romans 14.

On Friday, I had my annual furnace “clean and check” done (just in case Gary Bryant is right, and winter is really coming) and then I ran a few errands for my daughter-in-law so I was able to help out a bit and get some driving time as well!

Saturday began with a sad duty as I attended a memorial service at our Church for a former member of our Church who passed away recently. It was a privilege to be in the service and to meet many of their family members. Our Chairman of Deacons who has known this family all of his life conducted the service.

If you are reading this on Monday morning, he is conducting another funeral service for a member of his family in Mt Zion this morning. I know he will appreciate your prayers for them and for him.

I was able to get a few chores done on Saturday afternoon as well as preparing my video sermon for the week.

Sunday was another occasion for a great Sunday School Class as we continued through Acts! I enjoyed the Worship Service, and I was able to preach through Nehemiah Chapter 4. I hope our people are enjoying these sermons half as much as I am!

Sunday afternoon was a typical day with brunch, watching some videos, a movie, and getting this update done. I really, really, really appreciate your interest in my life and family and ministry!

Thank you for taking time for this! Soli Deo Gloria!

Enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKp_gog-f1o

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