Introduction

• Acts 17:1-9
• Matthew 10:34-38
• Luke 12:51-52
• I Corinthians 1:22-24 – We preach Christ crucified.

Christ and His teaching was controversial to:

• The Jewish rulers (John 9:16)
• The Jewish people (John 7:40-40; 10:19-21, 30-33)
• His family (John 7:2-5)
• His disciples (John 6:59-67)

The controversial gospel of Christ

• God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1)
• God made two genders: male and female (Genesis 1:27)
• Marriage is between man and woman (Matthew 19:4)
• Homosexuality is perverse and sinful (Romans 1:26-27)
• Your body belongs to God (I Corinthians 6:19-20)
• Baptism is essential to salvation (Acts 22:16)
• Repentance precedes baptism (Acts 2:38; 17:30)
• One, true church (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 4:4; 1:22-23)
• No authority for instruments in worship (Ephesians 5:19)
• One scriptural cause for divorce (Matthew 5:32; 19:9)
• II Corinthians 10:4-5
• Jesus and His teachings have always been controversial.
• Jude 1:3
• II Timothy 2:24-26

Turning the world upside down preaching …

• The truth that sets men free from sin was taught. (John 8:32)
• The message was preached with humility, love, plainness, and boldness.
• Many rejected the gospel; some souls were saved.
• Will continue to be controversial and divisive.

Introduction

• Nehemiah 6:15-16

What could you do in 52 days?

• Sunday, April 16 to Tuesday, June 6.
• Read through the entire New Testament!
  • I Timothy 4:13; Psalms 1:2; Matthew 4:4; 5:6
  • You will make time to do whatever you delight to do!
• End bad habit, begin good habit! (Ephesians 4:20-24)
  • Euphemisms; impatience; wasting time on TV, video games, social media, cell phone use, etc.
  • Pray, visit sick, family Bible study, hospitable, etc.
• Make at least on spiritual contact!
  • Matthew 9:35-38
• Strive for perfect attendance
  • Hebrews 10:24-25; Matthew 6:33
• Every member increase their giving
  • II Corinthians 8:1-5; 9:6-7
• Evangelistic effort by the local church
  • I Thessalonians 1:8

Conclusion

• Nehemiah 2:17-18 – Let us get to work!

Rebuilding the wall: Nehemiah

• Nehemiah 6:15-16

Fifty-two days

• Nehemiah 1:1-2:10
• The condition of the people of Jerusalem
  • In great distress and reproach (Nehemiah 1:3)
• The condition of the walls of Jerusalem
  • Broken down and gates burned with fire (Nehemiah 1:3; 2:13)
• Their enemies mocked and plotted against them.
  • Nehemiah 2:10, 19; 4:1-3, 7-8
• The remnant held strong, godly leadership.
  • Ezra (Ezra 7:10; Nehemiah 8:1-8); Nehemiah (Nehemiah 2:11-20)
• The people had a mind to work.
  • Nehemiah 4:6
• The people joined together in a united effort.
  • Nehemiah 3
• Continued to work and were prepared to fight.
  • Nehemiah 4:9-23 – They refused to quit working! This was the work of the Lord.
  • Nehemiah 6:15-16

Conclusion

• What could you do in 52 days?

Introduction

• I Thessalonians 5:11
• Be an encourager, not a discourager!
• Numbers 13:25-33 – Ten of the twelve spies brought back a discouraging report.
• Numbers 14:1-4
• Deuteronomy 1:21, 28 – “our brethren have discouraged our hearts”

The effects of discouragement

• It is demoralizing.
• It often has a leavening effect.
• It creates a negative atmosphere.
  • Ezra 4:4-5

Barnabas, son of encouragement

• Acts 4:32-37 – Our first introduction to Barnabas.
• Be a Barnabas!

What does a “Barnabas” do?

• He or she gives comfort and encouragement to others (Acts 4:36; cf. Galatians 6:2).
  • I Thessalonians 5:14
• He or she stands up and speaks on behalf of others (Acts 9:26-27).
• He or she encourages fellow Christians “that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord” (Acts 11:23; cf. I Corinthians 15:58).
• He or she gives others a “second chance” to serve the Lord (Acts 15:37-39).

Be a “Barnabas” to others!

• Let us encourage our older members.
  • Those who are faithful in coming but often in pain; widows and widowers; our shut-in.
• Let us encourage those who are married to non-Christians or divorced, but faithful.
• Let us encourage those who battle chronic illnesses and diseases.
• Let us encourage our Bible class teachers.
• Let us encourage our children and young people to put God first in their lives.
• Let us encourage elders, deacons, preachers (and their spouses) as they serve.
• Let us encourage younger men to be preparing themselves to be elders/deacons.
• Let us encourage those we know who are presently struggling with discouragement.

Conclusion

• We all need an encourager!
  • I Thessalonians 5:11
• You need an encourager!
  • Who’s your Barnabas?
• Every Christian should see encouraging others as an essential part of their discipleship.
  • Encouraging is a spiritual art that can be learned, mostly through practice.
• Let me encourage you:
  • To obey the gospel of Christ, in order to receive salvation (Romans 1:16; Mark 16:15-16).
  • To grow in your faith and remain faithful in serving the Lord (II Peter 1:5; Acts 11:23).

Preaching in Jerusalem (Mark 11:1-12:44)

• Mark 11:1-11 – Fulfilled prophecy of Zechariah 9:9.
• Mark 11:27-33 – Authority of Jesus challenged. All authority is from one of two sources: man or God.
• Mark 12:-1-12 – Parable of the tenants.
• Mark 12:13-17 – Paying taxes to Caesar
• Mark 12:18-27 – “Sadducees,” no marriage in resurrection
• Mark 12:28-34 – Greatest commandment – love God and neighbor
• Mark 12:35-37 – Whose Son is the Christ?
• Mark 12:38-40 – Beware of the scribes and their hypocrisy
• Mark 12:41-44 – Widows offering – “gave more than all”
• Mark 13:1-2 – Temple would be thrown down, not one stone left on another. Josephus said there were some stones of the temple that were 8’ x 10’ x 70’!

Destruction of Jerusalem and the temple

Four different comings of Jesus in scripture:

• Physical, coming to earth – John 16:28
• Spiritual, come into hearts, mark abode with us – John 14:23
• Coming thru/via agent representative (Egypt, Assyria, Rome, etc.)
  • Isaiah 19:1 - Agents God used to afflict Egypt was Egypt from within, Israel, and Assyria
  • Mark 13:26 – The agent Jesus used in the destruction of Judaism, Jerusalem and the temple, was the Roman army.
• Second coming of Jesus