Advent - JoyDivine Truth, Knowledge, Power

Advent - PeaceJesus Christ is fully God and fully human, to be the perfect sacrifice - payment for the penalty of sin. In His humanity, he experienced many things we experience.

Advent - HopeCommunionShepherds hearing, responding to, witnessing the miracle, then telling the Good News

Compromise in the final chapter of Nehemiah

Religious Life v4-9

Financial dealings v10-14

Use of time v15-22

Relationships v23-29

How do we compromise today?

References:Ezra and Nehemiah by Derek KidnerWord Biblical Commentary Ezra-Nehemiah by H. G. M. WilliamsonThe New International Commentary on the Old Testament by The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah by F. Charles FenshamNehemiah: Man in Charge by Donal K. CampbellVictorious Christian Service Studies on the Book of Nehemiah by Alan RedpathWiersbes Expository Outline on the Old Testament by Warren W. WiersbeVisioneering by Andy StanleyBelievers Bible Commentary by William MacDonald

After a thrilling encounter with God, which causes the Jewish people to break into celebration, the people now come face to face with their own depravity.This prayer in Nehemiah is not that long, but its a great model for us to study so that we can learn to put first things first.

References:Ezra and Nehemiah by Derek KidnerWord Biblical Commentary Ezra-Nehemiah by H. G. M. WilliamsonThe New International Commentary on the Old Testament by The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah by F. Charles FenshamNehemiah: Man in Charge by Donal K. CampbellVictorious Christian Service Studies on the Book of Nehemiah by Alan RedpathWiersbes Expository Outline on the Old Testament by Warren W. WiersbeVisioneering by Andy StanleyBelievers Bible Commentary by William MacDonald

Spiritual Renewal begins with a challenge to our mind, an effect on our emotions, then changing our will.

Read the WORDRespond to the WORDImplement the WORD

References:Ezra and Nehemiah by Derek KidnerWord Biblical Commentary Ezra-Nehemiah by H. G. M. WilliamsonThe New International Commentary on the Old Testament by The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah by F. Charles FenshamNehemiah: Man in Charge by Donal K. CampbellVictorious Christian Service Studies on the Book of Nehemiah by Alan RedpathWiersbes Expository Outline on the Old Testament by Warren W. WiersbeVisioneering by Andy StanleyBelievers Bible Commentary by William MacDonald

#15 - Don't get distracted#16 - Divine potential#17 - End of a God-ordained vision is God#18 - Maintaining a vision, adhere to core beliefs and behaviors#19 - Visions requires constant attention#20 - Bold leaders to maintain a visionReferences:

Ezra and Nehemiah by Derek Kidner

Word Biblical Commentary Ezra-Nehemiah by H. G. M. Williamson

The New International Commentary on the Old Testament by The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah by F. Charles Fensham

Nehemiah: Man in Charge by Donal K. Campbell

Victorious Christian Service Studies on the Book of Nehemiah by Alan Redpath

Wiersbes Expository Outline on the Old Testament by Warren W. Wiersbe

Visioneering by Andy Stanley

Believers Bible Commentary by William MacDonald

09 - Do not expect others to take greater risks or make greater sacrifices than you have10 - Respond to criticism with prayer, remembrance, and if necessary, a revision of the plan11 - Do not confuse your plans with Gods vision12 - Visions are refined they do not change. Plans are revised they rarely stay the same13 - Visions thrive in an environment of unity; they die in an environment of division14 - Abandon the vision before you abandon your moral authority

References:Ezra and Nehemiah by Derek KidnerWord Biblical Commentary Ezra-Nehemiah by H. G. M. WilliamsonThe New International Commentary on the Old Testament by The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah by F. Charles FenshamNehemiah: Man in Charge by Donal K. CampbellVictorious Christian Service Studies on the Book of Nehemiah by Alan RedpathWiersbes Expository Outline on the Old Testament by Warren W. WiersbeVisioneering by Andy StanleyBelievers Bible Commentary by William MacDonald

Eight building blocks for building vision

References

Ezra and Nehemiah by Derek Kidner

Word Biblical Commentary Ezra-Nehemiah by H. G. M. Williamson

The New International Commentary on the Old Testament by The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah by F. Charles Fensham

Nehemiah: Man in Charge by Donal K. Campbell

Victorious Christian Service Studies on the Book of Nehemiah by Alan Redpath

Wiersbes Expository Outline on the Old Testament by Warren W. Wiersbe

Visioneering by Andy Stanley

Believers Bible Commentary by William MacDonald

Vision begins as a concernVision does not require immediate action

References

Ezra and Nehemiah by Derek Kidner

Word Biblical Commentary Ezra-Nehemiah by H. G. M. Williamson

The New International Commentary on the Old Testament by The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah by F. Charles Fensham

Nehemiah: Man in Charge by Donal K. Campbell

Victorious Christian Service Studies on the Book of Nehemiah by Alan Redpath

Wiersbes Expository Outline on the Old Testament by Warren W. Wiersbe

Visioneering by Andy Stanley

Believers Bible Commentary by William MacDonald