September 12, 2008
Posted by: info <info@...>
E-pistle
Dr. Dan Hite, President FreeWay Foundation September 12, 2008
What Would It Take To Make Me Quit?
(Nehemiah 6:1-19)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the irony seen in the names of Nehemiah's enemies (v. 1)
1. Sanballat = "God has healed," . . . but not Judah's illness!
2. Geshem = "Rain from God," . . . but no heavenly refreshing for Judah!
3. Tobiah = "God is good," . . . but His providential care isn't for Judah!
4. Shemaiah = "God hears," . . . but He doesn't hear Judah's prayers!
II. Meditation: on the tactics of these enemies
1. To side-track the leader (Let's have a meeting!), vv. 1-4.
2. To force the leader to fold up in the face of lies and rumors, vv. 5-9.
3. To use a false prophet to panic the leader into self-preservation, vv. 10-14.
4. To form a conspiracy of enemies and traitorous "friends" (Tobias and Judah's
nobles) to influence and/or to frighten Nehemiah into quitting, vv. 17-19.
III. Revelation: on Nehemiah's responses to these evil schemes
1. He declined to meet with them (in a focus group) because he was too busy
"doing a great work," v. 3.
2. He denied their false accusations and exposed their true motivation . . . to
create fear, vv. 8-9.
3. He refused to listen to a false prophet, but rather stood on his own integrity
saying, "Shall such a man as I flee?" (v. 11), clearly implying, "I shall not!"
(See Matthew 7:21-22; 24:11-12, 24)
4. He kept at the project, finishing the work on the wall in only 52 days; his enemies
were disheartened because "they perceived that this work was done by our God,"
vv. 15-16.
IV. Applications: as a Christian leader, I need to . . .
1. Guard against getting side-tracked; keep a proper focus on the top priorities . . .
majoring on majors, not on minors.
2. Stand firm and steadfast in the face of vicious slander, calmly exposing the enemy's
tactics and motivations.
3. Not try to "save" my life or my ministry . . . they are the Lord's property, Matthew 16:25.
4. Courageously remain faithful to the Lord's call, refusing to give up because in God's
eyes, "It's always too soon to quit!"
Baptisms and Laying On of Hands
(Hebrews 6:1-20)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on verses 1-2
1. There are six "first principles" . . . "elementary teachings" . . .
"foundational doctrines" . . . mentioned in these verses, 5:12; 6:1.
2. Four of these basic teachings usually are emphasized by churches today:
(1) Repentance (2) Faith (3) Resurrection (4) Judgment
3. Two of these basic doctrines often are overlooked today:
(1) Baptism (2) Laying on of hands
4. Believers must comprehend these six principles before they can hope to be
able to understand the deeper things of God.
II. Meditation: on the doctrine of baptisms
1. The baptism into Christ (new birth) –
I Corinthians 12:13; Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27.
2. The baptism in water –
Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:3-4; Acts 8:36-38.
3. The baptism in (being filled with) the Holy Spirit -
Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 1:5; 11:16; Ephesians 5:18.
4. The baptism of fulfilling God's destiny, including suffering persecution -
Matthew 20:22-23; 5:10-12; Luke 12:50; I Peter 4:12-19; II Timothy 3:12.
III. Meditation: on the doctrine of laying on of hands
1. To bestow blessings (in Jesus' name) upon someone –
Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16.
2. To heal (by God's power) those who are sick –
Matthew 6:5; Mark 16:18; Luke 4:40; 13:13; Acts 28:8.
3. To be a conduit for God to fill someone with the Holy Spirit –
Acts 8:17-19; 9:17; 19:6.
4. To ordain someone whom God has called for Christian service –
Acts 6:6; 13:3; I Timothy 5:22.
5. To impart (through God's grace) spiritual gifts to another believer –
Romans 1:11-12; I Timothy 4:14; 1:18; II Timothy 1:6.
IV. Revelation and Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Be well grounded in the basic teachings of the Christian faith: repentance,
faith, baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection, and judgment.
2. Experience all four kinds of "baptisms" in my life: new birth, baptism in water,
baptism with the Holy Spirit, and being totally immersed in fulfilling God's
mission, purpose, and destiny for me . . . even though it means suffering and
persecution.
3. Understand and practice the "hands-on" ministries taught in the New Testament
and exercised in the early church.
4. Continue growing spiritually toward maturity . . . "let us go on to perfection," v. 1.
A Wooden Bowl
(Continued)
Copied from the Black River Times
The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears
started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew
what must be done. That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and
gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate
every meal with the family. And for some reason neither husband or wife seemed
to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.
On a positive note, I've learned that, no matter what happens, how bad it
seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you
can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles four things: a rainy day,
the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.
I've learned that, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll
miss them when they're gone from your life. I've learned that making a "living"
is not the same thing as making a life!" I've learned that life sometimes gives you
a second chance.
I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both
hands. You need to be able to throw something back. I've learned that if you pursue
happiness, it will elude you. But if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs
of others, your work, and doing the best you can, happiness will find you.
I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually
make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.
I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love that
human touch - - holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.
I've learned that I still have a lot to learn!!
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