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Let's Get Serious
Contributed by Steve Ownby on Jan 15, 2002 (message contributor)
Summary: This message is to encourage others to get busy about the Father’s business in the New Year.
“LET’S GET SERIOUS”
Neh 1:5-11 Ezra 3:1-5
I. God’s Work Must Be Done (Nehemiah chapters 1-7)
*The need must be known. (1:1-3).
Mat 9:37
*We must respond spiritually to needs in God’s work and must pray (1:4-11).
Isa 6:8
*You will encounter opposition both inside the church and outside (2:10)(4:10-12)
Eph 6:12 John 10:10
*We must inform and challenge others to work (2:17-20).
2 Tim 4:1-2
*Kingdom work is hard work and requires a good plan
and unity (3:1-32).
Luke 9:62 Gal 6:9
*We must pray in the face of ridicule and insult4:1-9).
2 Pet 3:3-4
*The work gets done by hard work and committed workers (4:16-23).
1 Tim 6:12
*Sometimes we must be sacrificially generous to meet a pressing need (5:14-19).
Eccl 11:1 Gal 6:7
*With God’s help and cooperation success will come. (6:15-16).
1 Cor 15:57 Rev 12:11
II. God’s work must include rebuilding/reestablishing the altars. (Ezra 3:1-5)
*We must seek and restore our personal altars.
Mat 7:7-8
*They found the altar and set it upon it’s bases. This means support and stability!
1 Cor 3:11
* We must make an offering, sacrificial or thanksgiving, unto the Lord
Rom 12:1 Phil 4:6-7
*When we restore our altar and give it stability (Jesus Christ) we will leave renewed in our
Spirit: Eph 4:22-24 Mind: Rom 12:2
Heart: Psa 51:10-12
III. God’s Way Must Include Revival and Change (Nehemiah chapters 8-13).
*When success comes there will be a desire to hear God’s Word (8:1-3).
Mat 5:6 1 Pet 2:2-3
*Revival & change come when the Bible is read and then interpreted (8:4-8).
2 Tim 2:15 Heb 4:12
*Revival brings a joyous celebration (8:9-12).
Psa 119:16
*Revival shows us a special way of expressing joyous worship (8:13-18).
Psa 105:43 Psa 85:6
*Revival & change brings confession & repentance 9:1-37
Psa 32:5
*Revival & change brings commitment (9:38).
Psa 5:7
*Change is not only spiritual but practical expressions of commitment (10:28-39).
Prov 3:9-10 Heb 10:25
*Revival & change brings sanctification (13:1-9).
1 Cor 6:11 2 Cor 6:16-18