To be posted...

-Today, in this room, we have many situations, many feelings and emotions and much truth.
- I pray that God will give you faith enough to hear His message for you today.
CHRISTMAS STORY
LUKE 2:1-20
1 At that time a decree was issued by Augustus Caesar: a census was to be taken of the whole world. 2(This was the first census, before the one when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3So everyone set off to be registered, each to their own town. 4Joseph too, who belonged to the house and family of David, went from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judaea, David’s city, 5to be registered with his fiancée Mary, who was pregnant.
6So that’s where they were when the time came for her to give birth; 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.

• Think about this… who is the only person in the whole world that absolutely knows that Mary was a virgin… Mary.
• Sounds like a great story… but come on…
• Mary was a teenager… was she questioning there was another way to become pregnant? Drinking the water… just time together… ha… even the power sin probably messed with Mary.
• But she knew! She knew Jesus was special.
• Mark 3:20-21 - Jesus entered a house, and the crowd gathered again so that they were not even able to eat. 21 When his family heard this, they set out to restrain him, because they said, “He’s out of his mind.”[1]

She wrapped him up and put him to rest in a feeding-trough, because there was no room for them in the normal living quarters.
8There were shepherds in that region, out in the open, keeping a night watch around their flock. 9An angel of the Lord stood in front of them. The glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
10‘Don’t be afraid,’ the angel said to them.

• Fear: is projecting into the future something negative that has not occurred yet.
• Fear (the idea of fear) is a real thing.
• Fear is a feeling/emotion.
• Feelings and emotions aren’t always true.
• Think about past fears:
• Cold War – Nuclear Bombs – Bomb Shelters
• UFO’s & Aliens
• NASA’s Space Station crashing to earth
• Killer bees – Murder Hornets
• Y2K – Computers
• 911 – TSA Changes – More paperwork - Time
• Think about McDonald’s commercials in the past few years… Where is Ronald? Clowns – The great clown purge
• Drone Armies
• Phobias - A phobia is an irrational fear of something that’s unlikely to cause harm. The word itself comes from the Greek word phobos, which means fear or horror.
• Some phobias…
• Alektorophobia, fear of chickens
• Onomatophobia, fear of names
• Pogonophobia, fear of beards
• Nephophobia, fear of clouds
• Cryophobia, fear of ice or cold
• Octophobia, fear of the figure 8
• Ephebiphobia, fear of teenagers
• Panaphobia? Fear of pandemics
  
  
• There was no fear in creation
• Fear immediately occurred in Genesis 3
• It was never intended here on earth
• Bible verses about fear:
• Isaiah 41:10 – Do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be afraid, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you; I will help you;
I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.[2]+

• Matthew 14:25-27 -  Jesus came toward them walking on the sea very early in the morning. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and they cried out in fear.
• Immediately Jesus spoke to them. “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”[3]
• Mark 5:36 – When Jesus overheard what was said, he told the synagogue leader, “Don’t be afraid. Only believe.”[4]
• Luke 12:6-7 - Aren’t five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. 7 Indeed, the hairs of your head are all counted. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. [5]
• John 14:27-29 - “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful. 28 You have heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens so that when it does happen you may believe.[6]
• Romans 8:37-39 – No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.[7]
• Fear is not going away
• How do you deal with fear?
• If fear is not going away, how do you deal with it?
• This is the real Christmas gift.

‘Look: I’ve got good news for you, news which will make everybody very happy. 11Today a saviour has been born for you—the Messiah, the Lord!—in David’s town. 12This will be the sign for you: you’ll find the baby wrapped up, and lying in a feeding-trough.’
13Suddenly, with the angel, there was a crowd of the heavenly armies. They were praising God, saying,
14‘Glory to God in the highest,
and peace upon earth among those in his favour.’
15So when the angels had gone away again into heaven, the shepherds said to each other, ‘Well then; let’s go to Bethlehem and see what it’s all about, all this that the Lord has told us.’
16So they hurried off, and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the feeding-trough. 17When they saw it, they told them what had been said to them about this child. 18And all the people who heard it were amazed at the things the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured all these things and mused over them in her heart.
20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told to them.[8]

• 17When they saw it, they told them what had been said to them about this child.
• Think about the transition of emotions at this point.
• The angel said “do not fear” – yah… right
• The whole journey there was full of fear and doubt.
• But that moment… the shepherds laid on eyes on baby Jesus, the Savior of the World… all fear was gone.
• Their emotions immediately changed from fear to complete joy.
• How do you deal with fear… if it is not going away?
• Fear is met head on in the head.
• Set your feelings to the side and trust what you know.
• Let your knowledge impact your feelings.
• Don’t let your feelings impact your knowledge.
• Knowing > Feelings
• Think about it this week… I am not asking you to dismiss your feelings… because you can’t.
• But think about it this week when you catch yourself saying, “I feel like…”
• Can you actually say, “I know…”

 
Believe

• We teach our kids from an early age to believe in a man that can fly through the sky with 8 tiny reindeer and packages enough for all the kids in the world.
• Then this man makes it to every home all over the world in one night, shimming down chimneys and eating cookies and milk at every stop.

 

• What if we teach them to believe in a man who came to save the whole world but he was born outside in a feeding trough.
• This same man walked on water, healed the sick, turned water into wine and raised people from the dead.
• This same man became a sacrifice for all of our sins so that we might have an abundant life in world of chaos.
• The same man who died and rose again so the Spirit could come here and reside within our mortal bodies.

 
 Residence

• On Facebook, I share about this building… how it has basically been given to us for the last 12.5 years.
• God provided a place for us to gather… free of charge.
• That night in Bethlehem, God provided a feeding trough for the Savior of the World to be born… His very own Son… assuming it was free of charge.
• Today, God has provided a place for His Spirit to dwell. It didn’t cost you a dime… but it cost Him His only Son.
• You my friend, have become the dwelling place for the Spirit of God here on earth.
• There is no greater gift this Christmas.

 

• Today we celebrate Christmas and Easter as we do every day.

 
Lord’s Supper
Jesus said something like this, “When you gather… remember what I did for you.”

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Mk 3:20–21). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Is 41:10). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Mt 14:24–27). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Mk 5:36). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Lk 12:5–7). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Jn 14:27–29). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Ro 8:37–39). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[8] Goldingay, J., & Wright, T. (2018). The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation (Lk 2:1–20). London: SPCK.

• We left off last week with Paul sending his 1st letter to the Church at Thessalonica… signed, sealed & delivered in 51 AD.
• Paul is in Corinth and we pick back up at Acts 18:1-3 (review from 05/31)

Acts 18
1 After this, he left Athens and went to Corinth,

• Corinth was approximately fifty miles from Athens and almost due west. (Show map)
• Corinth, with its 200,000 people, would not be the easiest city in which to start a church, and yet that’s where Paul went after leaving Athens.
• Corinth’s reputation for wickedness was known all over the Roman Empire. (Rom. 1:18–32 was written in Corinth!)
• Thanks to its location, the city was a center for both trade and travel. Money and vice, along with strange philosophies and new religions, came to Corinth and found a home there.
• Corinth was one of the two most important cities Paul visited. The other was Ephesus.

2 where he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul came to them, 3 and since they were of the same occupation, tentmakers by trade, he stayed with them and worked.

• Jewish rabbis did not accept money from their students but earned their way by practicing a trade.
• Priscilla and Aquila are Jews who have been expelled from Rome by Emperor Claudius.
• They, like Paul, are tentmakers. Because the Isthmian games are being held in Corinth at this time, there is a great need for temporary shelter. Thus the three tentmakers get plenty of business.
• Every pastor and missionary thanks God for people like Aquila and Priscilla, people with hands, hearts, and homes dedicated to the work of the Lord.
• Paul lived and worked with Aquila and Priscilla, but on the Sabbath days witnessed boldly in the synagogue.

4 He reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath and tried to persuade both Jews and Greeks.

• After all, that was why he had come to Corinth. When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia (Acts 17:14–15; 18:5), they brought financial aid (2 Cor. 11:9), and this enabled Paul to devote his full time to the preaching of the Gospel.[1]

5 When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself to preaching the word and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Messiah. 6 When they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his clothes and told them, “Your blood is on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

• “Blaspheme” - to speak against someone in such a way as to harm or injure his or her reputation (occurring in relation to persons as well as to divine beings)[2]
• Ezekiel 3:18-19 - 18 If I say to the wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ but you do not warn him—you don’t speak out to warn him about his wicked way in order to save his life—that wicked person will die for his iniquity. Yet I will hold you responsible for his blood. 19 But if you warn a wicked person and he does not turn from his wickedness or his wicked way, he will die for his iniquity, but you will have rescued yourself.[3]
• Whenever God is blessing a ministry, you can expect increased opposition as well as increased opportunities.[4]

7 So he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God, whose house was next door to the synagogue.

• A Roman citizen named Gaius Titius Justus is brought to Christ as well.
• Gaius is a well-to-do God-fearer with a large home that is located next door to the synagogue.
• The home holds about 50-60 people. Gaius opens up his home for Paul to minister in and for the believers to gather.
• Next door to the synagogue is indication they he had not completely given up on the Jews.

8 Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, along with his whole household. Many of the Corinthians, when they heard, believed and were baptized.

• Crispus (the synagogue ruler) and his household are also converted and baptized along with some others. (Paul only baptizes Crispus, Gaius, and the household of Stephanas. They, along with Priscilla and Aquila, baptize the other converts.)
• As is his custom when he plants a church, Paul grounds the Corinthians on nothing but Christ and His cross.
• He declares to them that they are called into the fellowship of God’s Son, and he brings them into that very experience.
• He also tells them stories of the perseverance of other churches, including the church in Thessalonica.
• The Body of Jesus Christ is now present in Corinth, expressing God’s nature in the city.
• While a number of the believers are of high standing, most are uneducated and poor. (This is true for all the churches that Paul plants.)

9 The Lord said to Paul in a night vision, “Don’t be afraid, but keep on speaking and don’t be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to hurt you, because I have many people in this city.”

• It is just like our Lord to speak to us when we need Him the most.
• His tender “Fear not!” can calm the storm in our hearts regardless of the circumstances around us.
• This is the way He assured Abraham (Gen. 15:1), Isaac (Gen. 26:24), and Jacob (Gen. 46:3), as well as Jehoshaphat (2 Chron. 20:15–17), Daniel (Dan. 10:12, 19), Mary (Luke 1:30), and Peter (Luke 5:10).
• The next time you feel alone and defeated, meditate on Hebrews 13:5 and Isaiah 41:10 and 43:1–7, and claim by faith the presence of the Lord. He is with you![5]
• Isaiah 43:1-7 - 1 Now this is what the Lord says--

the one who created you, Jacob,
and the one who formed you, Israel--
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name; you are mine.

• When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you
and the rivers will not overwhelm you,
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be scorched
and the flame will not burn you.

• For I am the Lord your God,

the Holy One of Israel, and your Savior.
I have given Egypt as a ransom for you,
Cush and Seba in your place.

• Because you are precious in my sight

and honored, and I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you
and nations instead of your life.

• Do not fear, for I am with you;

I will bring your descendants from the east,
and gather you from the west.

• I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’

and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back!’
Bring my sons from far away,
and my daughters from the ends of the earth--

• everyone who bears my name

and is created for my glory.
I have formed them; indeed, I have made them.”[6]
11 He stayed there a year and a half, teaching the word of God among them. [7]

• As a token of thanksgiving to God for His promise of protection, Paul lets his hair grow long as part of a voluntary Nazarite vow.
• Spring 52
• While Paul is laboring in Corinth, he gets word that the Thessalonican believers misunderstood what he wrote about the Lord’s second coming in his first letter.
• The church mistakenly believes that the Day of the Lord’s wrath is at hand.
• As a result, many are disturbed in spirit.
• Some quit their jobs in anticipation of the Lord’s coming and are living off the other believers who work for a living.
• Having too much time on their hands, these individuals are acting as “busybodies” in the lives of others.
• It travels back to Paul via their Neighborhood Facebook group.

 
PAUL WRITES 2 THESSALONIANS
Year: A.D. 52
From: Corinth
To: The church in Thessalonica (which is about 10 months old)
Provocation: Paul comforts the church in its affliction and assures the believers that God will bring vengeance on those who do the afflicting.

• He corrects their misunderstanding about the Day of the Lord and Christ’s return, and clarifies what he taught concerning it when he was first with them.
• He ends the letter by correcting those brothers who have quit their jobs and instructs the church to not associate with them as long as they are living undisciplined lives.
• Paul ends by encouraging the whole church to not become weary in well-doing.
• 2 Thessalonians is the Cliff Notes of 1 Thessalonians:
• 4 themes: 1) Paul’s integrity 2) Persecution 3) Proper moral conduct 4) Coming of the Lord

 
2 THESSALONIANS
GREETING
1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy:

• Paul says who the letter is from first to show authority.
• If it was to royalty/king then their name would most likely be mentioned first.

To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

• “Our” is inclusive of Paul’s audience saying they believe in the same God.

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

• Grace first, peace second
• Peace – “Shalom”

 
THANKSGIVING
3 We ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, since your faith is flourishing and the love each one of you has for one another is increasing. 4 Therefore, we ourselves boast about you among God’s churches—about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and afflictions that you are enduring.

• That was the commendation.

5 It is clear evidence of God’s righteous judgment that you will be counted worthy of God’s kingdom, for which you also are suffering, 6 since it is just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you 7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted, along with us. This will take place at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels, 8 when he takes vengeance with flaming fire on those who don’t know God and on those who don’t obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will pay the penalty of eternal destruction from the Lord’s presence and from his glorious strength 10 on that day when he comes to be glorified by his saints and to be marveled at by all those who have believed, because our testimony among you was believed.

• That was the comfort… even though it covers judgment

11 In view of this, we always pray for you that our God will make you worthy of his calling, and by his power fulfill your every desire to do good and your work produced by faith, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified by you, and you by him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.[8]

• That was the challenge… keep walking in the Spirit.
• Paul expresses his pastoral role to the Church.
• “Brothers and sisters”
• Encouraging them in their faith.
• Discipling them in their faith. Explaining things.
• We pray for you.
• Paul exhorts the Church
• Your faith is flourishing and you are encouraging one another.
• To do good works that are produced by faith.
• Paul mentions this as an encouragement but also a desire for them to continue.
• Affirming their positive strengths.
• Paul foreshadows his letter

V 5-10 – deal with the judgment of God

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 475). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[2] Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 433). New York: United Bible Societies.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Eze 3:18–19). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 475). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[5] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 476). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Is 43:1–7). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Ac 18:1–11). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[8] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (2 Th). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

Luke 12
BEWARE OF RELIGIOUS HYPOCRISY
1 Meanwhile, a crowd of many thousands came together, so that they were trampling on one another. He began to say to his disciples first,

• He was teaching the disciples first… and actually in front of the multitude.

“Be on your guard against the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

• Hypocrite – one who is concerned about cleaning up the outside but doesn’t have a heart change.
• Power of sin wants to accuse me of being a hypocrite.
• People don’t come to church because they believe we are hypocrites.
• Leaven – It is the change agent in a dough product that causes it transform and rise while it is in a state of rest.
• Leaven is a neutral term until it is attached to a result.
• Good leaven or bad leaven.
• Like leaven, hypocrisy begins very small but grows quickly and quietly.
• As it grows, it infects the whole person.
• Hypocrisy does to the ego what leaven does to bread dough: it puffs it up
• Soon pride takes over and the person’s character deteriorates rapidly.[1]

2 There is nothing covered that won’t be uncovered, nothing hidden that won’t be made known. 3 Therefore, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in an ear in private rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.

• Whatever your sin is in the dark… it will eventually come out into the light.
• Hollywood, politics, churches and businesses are proof of this.
• #CTPA – Countdown to Public Apology
• Baker Mayfield – Heisman Trophy Candidate – antics on the sideline.
• In the same way… The Twelve might be tempted to cover or compromise the truth so that neither the crowds nor the Pharisees would be offended[2]
• Jesus said, “Let your light shine!”

 
FEAR GOD
4 “I say to you, my friends, don’t fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more. 5 But I will show you the one to fear: Fear him who has authority to throw people into hell after death. Yes, I say to you, this is the one to fear!

• If this is the only two verses to draw conclusion who God is… then this is bust!
• But Jesus is saying, “Don’t fear the Pharisees.”
• They are not the ones to be afraid of.
• The fear of God is the fear that conquers all other fears of man.
• The person who fears God… fears nothing else.

6 Aren’t five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. 7 Indeed, the hairs of your head are all counted. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

• These two verses are completely opposite concerning God.
• You do your thing and God is going to take care of you.
• The men were all thanking me for their meals this week… and they were good meals.
• I thanked those who helped financially.
• The real thanks is to the Father.
• He provided all the resources to His workers this week.

 
ACKNOWLEDGING CHRIST
8 “And I say to you, anyone who acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God, 9 but whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God. 10 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

• Applies to the generation of Jews who were under the leadership of the Pharisees and lawyers.
• The rejected Jesus as the Messiah and died in 70 AD

11 Whenever they bring you before synagogues and rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how you should defend yourselves or what you should say. 12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what must be said.”

• Adrian prayed one of the most beautiful prayers for our meal on Friday night.

 
THE PARABLE OF THE RICH FOOL
13 Someone from the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”
14 “Friend,” he said to him, “who appointed me a judge or arbitrator over you?”

• Inheritance can split families.
• Was Jesus denying Himself to be a judge?
• Was Jesus asking under whose authority was He made judge?
• Exodus 2:11-15 - 11 Years later, after Moses had grown up, he went out to his own people and observed their forced labor. He saw an Egyptian striking a Hebrew, one of his people. 12 Looking all around and seeing no one, he struck the Egyptian dead and hid him in the sand. 13 The next day he went out and saw two Hebrews fighting. He asked the one in the wrong, “Why are you attacking your neighbor?”
• “Who made you a commander and judge over us?” the man replied. “Are you planning to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?”

Then Moses became afraid and thought, “What I did is certainly known.” 15 When Pharaoh heard about this, he tried to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and went to live in the land of Midian, and sat down by a well.[3]

• Moses was rejected as leader of the Jewish people the 1st time he came.
• Moses came a second time and led the Jewish people out of captivity.
• Jesus was foreshadowing based upon stories they as a Jewish people treasured.
• The Jews wanted Jesus to serve them rather than save them.

15 He then told them, “Watch out and be on guard against all greed, because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.”

• Pharisees based their faith upon the amount of possessions they owned.
• A judge appointed by man is concerned about earthly possessions.
• A judge appointed by God is concerned about the heart.

16 Then he told them a parable: “A rich man’s land was very productive. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What should I do, since I don’t have anywhere to store my crops? 18 I will do this,’ he said. ‘I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones and store all my grain and my goods there. 19 Then I’ll say to myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.”’
20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose will they be?’
21 “That’s how it is with the one who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

• You can work harder… but just know what your end purpose is for.
• You can store up your treasure here on earth or store up your treasure in heaven.
• People who are satisfied only with the things that money can buy are in great danger of losing the things that money cannot buy.[4]
• This team that went with me to Houston finished and stood back and looked at what they had accomplished.
• I don’t believe a single one of them thought, “Look what I/we did.”
• They all looked and probably honestly said, “Wow, look at this. Look what God did this week for this family. Thanks for using us.”
• And by us… we mean the whole group… even those who stayed behind to pray and financially support the hands and feet.

 
THE CURE FOR ANXIETY
22 Then he said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, don’t worry about your life, what you will eat; or about the body, what you will wear.

• Similar to Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 5-7

23 For life is more than food and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: They don’t sow or reap; they don’t have a storeroom or a barn; yet God feeds them. Aren’t you worth much more than the birds? 25 Can any of you add one moment to his life-span by worrying? 26 If then you’re not able to do even a little thing, why worry about the rest?
27 “Consider how the wildflowers grow: They don’t labor or spin thread. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these. 28 If that’s how God clothes the grass, which is in the field today and is thrown into the furnace tomorrow, how much more will he do for you—you of little faith? 29 Don’t strive for what you should eat and what you should drink, and don’t be anxious. 30 For the Gentile world eagerly seeks all these things, and your Father knows that you need them.
31 “But seek his kingdom, and these things will be provided for you. 32 Don’t be afraid, little flock, because your Father delights to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor.

• This was totally opposite of what the Pharisees taught.

Make money-bags for yourselves that won’t grow old, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

• Cure for Anxiety?
• Quit worrying about “stuff”.
• Is it stuff that is causing your anxiety?
• Stuff is stuff… worrying about stuff is just another ploy to steal your joy.
• Some have made bad decisions about stuff and worry is a constant struggle.
• Learn to trust God with what you have been given.

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 219). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 219). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ex 2:11–15). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 220). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Ezra – Nehemiah Timeline
         - 465–425 BC - Artaxerxes Reign
         - 464–446 BC – Construction in Jerusalem stopped (Ezra 4)
         - 444 BC – Artaxerxes sends Nehemiah to Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2)

“At the time, I was the king’s cupbearer.”

Nehemiah 2
         - Have you ever been overwhelmed with fear?

         - Court etiquette required those in the king’s presence to have a cheerful countenance;
         - thus, sadness on his part could lead to his dismissal.
         - Alternatively, Nehemiah may have feared for his life.
         - If Artaxerxes suspected foul play, Nehemiah could be imprisoned or executed.
         - It is also possible that the king might be unwilling to grant his request.
         - Nehemiah waited months, and the crucial moment had finally arrived.

         - Ancestral tombs were universally respected throughout the ancient Near East, especially among the nobility and royalty.

         - Nehemiah returns to Susa after 12 years in Jerusalem, suggesting he requested a 12-year leave of absence (5:14; 13:6)

         - The Persian province “across the river,” referring to the area from the Euphrates to Egypt, which included Syria-Palestine.

         - Ezra (7:6, 9, 28; 8:18, 22, 31)
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         - 444BC now
         - Time enough to gather supplies

         - Nehemiah’s governorship effectively took away any authority the governors had over the region of Judah.
         - Their hands were tied.
         - Israelites were permitted to regroup, fortify & build strength.

         - Ezra’s caravan also rested for three days following its journey to Jerusalem (Ezra 8:32)

         - A donkey is more probable since it is quieter than a horse.

         - Temple mount – 144,000 Square Ft. 20 football fields.
         - Probably located near the southwest corner of the city, opening into the Hinnom Valley (Gehenna).
         - Probably destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC.
         - This the place in the city where they came to the wall and dumped their… dead bodies… and it constantly smelled.
         - Jesus and others often referred to this place in comparison with eternal punishment of the wicked.

         - Pool of Siloam… south of temple.
         - Same pool that Jesus told the blind man to wash the mud out of his eyes.

         - Kidron Valley – East side… where Jesus traveled with his disciples from the Passover to the Garden at Gethsemane.

         - Each individual is likely the governor of his respective region.
         - Together, they represent the nations surrounding Jerusalem and the territory of Judah on all three sides—Samaria to the north, Ammon to the east, and Arabia to the south (the Mediterranean Sea borders Judah to the west).

         - Nehemiah is claiming that the opponents of the Jews have no civic, legal, or cultic rights in the Jerusalem community.[1]

Nehemiah not only had the backing of the King…
But he had the confidence that God had favor on him.
It is “knowing”… that carries you through fear.

[1] Barry, J. D., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Ne 2). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.