Truth is a vital part of life. There is no substitute for it. Truth is not always convenient. It will not always make life easier. Often truth comes to us as an awakening or a shaking in life. Many will hear the truth, but because it is different from what they want to hear, they will ignore the parts they do not like. The truth is the truth and ignoring the parts we do not like will not change that. The bible has much to say about the truth. The bible tells us that we should speak the truth, that we should walk in the truth. If we have an ailment in our body we go see the doctor. That doctor will give us the truth, but we do not like that. Not liking the Doctor’s advice doesn’t change the fact that eating blue bell ice cream and not exercising is not good for our body. We have to embrace the truth. Spiritually we have to embrace the truth that the bible conveys.

What is it that gives man the idea that he can choose to believe his own truth rather than the real truth? How can someone get to the place that they do not believe the truth? What would allow someone to get the point that they cannot even hear the truth when they hear it? The cause of all of that is that many do not receive a love of the truth. Not that they did not know it or have heard of it, but that they simply did not love the truth. Our relationship with God is more than just knowledge of His word and His truth, but it is dependant on LOVING that truth. The bible says that, at the end, many will be lost. Not because they had not heard the truth, but that they had not loved the truth. Many who are backsliders can quote scripture, but they are just as lost as if they had never heard it because they do not love it. They key to being saved is the truth. Is there room in your life for the truth?

Truth is a vital part of life. There is no substitute for it. Truth is not always convenient. It will not always make life easier. Often truth comes to us as an awakening or a shaking in life. Many will hear the truth, but because it is different from what they want to hear, they will ignore the parts they do not like. The truth is the truth and ignoring the parts we do not like will not change that. The bible has much to say about the truth. The bible tells us that we should speak the truth, that we should walk in the truth. If we have an ailment in our body we go see the doctor. That doctor will give us the truth, but we do not like that. Not liking the Doctor’s advice doesn’t change the fact that eating blue bell ice cream and not exercising is not good for our body. We have to embrace the truth. Spiritually we have to embrace the truth that the bible conveys.

What is it that gives man the idea that he can choose to believe his own truth rather than the real truth? How can someone get to the place that they do not believe the truth? What would allow someone to get the point that they cannot even hear the truth when they hear it? The cause of all of that is that many do not receive a love of the truth. Not that they did not know it or have heard of it, but that they simply did not love the truth. Our relationship with God is more than just knowledge of His word and His truth, but it is dependant on LOVING that truth. The bible says that, at the end, many will be lost. Not because they had not heard the truth, but that they had not loved the truth. Many who are backsliders can quote scripture, but they are just as lost as if they had never heard it because they do not love it. They key to being saved is the truth. Is there room in your life for the truth?

If we had walked through Jerusalem on the day that Nehemiah wrote our text, we would have seen a pitiful sight. It broke Nehemiah’s heart and moved something deep within him. He could not speak, and could only mourn the loss. There was not much there to inspire hope. There were scars and soot left from the burning and destruction. The first thing they did was to walk around and assess what all was wrong. They also talked with one another about the situation. None of this bothered the enemy until they began to DO something about the situation. The devil doesn’t care what we live around or in as long as we keep living around it. Mourn the condition all that we want, but he doesn’t care until we decide to do something about it. A decision can change everything in life. If we are willing to challenge our situation, we are on our way to changing it. Sanballat asks several times “Will they…” He questions their intent. He questioned their qualifications, he questioned their resolve. He didn’t ask can they? There is no limit to what we can do, Sanballat was more worried if they would. Are we willing to do what it takes to change our situation because we are tired of living like we are living? If we can get past the thinking and talking about it, and move to the doing it, we can change our life. It doesn’t matter how impossible it may appear, there is nothing that is beyond hope when we decide to rise up and do something about it. The question this morning is will you? Not can you. Not Should you, but will You? Too many people are trapped because they believe the enemies lies that it is too bad, too far gone. The truth is that we do not have to live trapped. The devil hates people who decide to change. He hates hope, faith and courage. He worked to undermine everything that we do to recover from a fall. He cannot stop what happens when we decide to move from I can, to i will. How did the Jews take broken, burned stones and repair it? They decided to do it, and they did. When we decide to respond to God and accept His love, His grace, and His mercy, there is nothing that the Devil can do to stop it. Will you?

If we had walked through Jerusalem on the day that Nehemiah wrote our text, we would have seen a pitiful sight. It broke Nehemiah’s heart and moved something deep within him. He could not speak, and could only mourn the loss. There was not much there to inspire hope. There were scars and soot left from the burning and destruction. The first thing they did was to walk around and assess what all was wrong. They also talked with one another about the situation. None of this bothered the enemy until they began to DO something about the situation. The devil doesn’t care what we live around or in as long as we keep living around it. Mourn the condition all that we want, but he doesn’t care until we decide to do something about it. A decision can change everything in life. If we are willing to challenge our situation, we are on our way to changing it. Sanballat asks several times “Will they…” He questions their intent. He questioned their qualifications, he questioned their resolve. He didn’t ask can they? There is no limit to what we can do, Sanballat was more worried if they would. Are we willing to do what it takes to change our situation because we are tired of living like we are living? If we can get past the thinking and talking about it, and move to the doing it, we can change our life. It doesn’t matter how impossible it may appear, there is nothing that is beyond hope when we decide to rise up and do something about it. The question this morning is will you? Not can you. Not Should you, but will You? Too many people are trapped because they believe the enemies lies that it is too bad, too far gone. The truth is that we do not have to live trapped. The devil hates people who decide to change. He hates hope, faith and courage. He worked to undermine everything that we do to recover from a fall. He cannot stop what happens when we decide to move from I can, to i will. How did the Jews take broken, burned stones and repair it? They decided to do it, and they did. When we decide to respond to God and accept His love, His grace, and His mercy, there is nothing that the Devil can do to stop it. Will you?

Bro. Long appeals to the elders for direction for his generation.

Bro. Long appeals to the elders for direction for his generation.

It is a sad reality that many in the world do not know much about Jesus, His power, or the gospel. In such an indifferent environment, it is easy to think that revival is not possible. But our times are no more indifferent and hostile toward the gospel than the environment in which the first century church was birthed and trived. Before the gospel message can turn our world upside down, it has to turn us upside down.

When the church is filled, fresh and favored, you cannot stop revival. They were filled with the Holy Ghost, there was a renewing and then they were favored. These three things make an unstoppable combination for revival.

When the church is at its best, it is passionate ,when it is intentional and when it values the things that matter to God. (15 minus) about the message and will of God. Something has to be revived in us that gets us excited about living for God.

When the church is at its best, it is intentional about its efforts.

The church is at its best when it values the things that matter to God. What matters to God? His Kingdom matters. When His lordship is more important than our leadership. The first century church was not worried about who was up front, who was preaching or who was in charge. They were concerned with spreading the word of God. Peter preached the message on the Day of Pentecost. James became the pastor of the church in Jerusalem. And Paul came after and eclipsed both of them. But nowhere is it written in the bible that there was any arguing or contention for power. The church is at its best when it realizes that the kingdom of God is more important than our agenda, our programs or our position. The first century church valued doctrine. They devoted themselves to their teaching. What did they teach? The answer is in Acts 2:38. They preached repentance, not diversion. The world tells us that all we have to do is believe. Acts 2:38 is very clear, Repent and be Baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and receive the Holy Ghost.

It is a sad reality that many in the world do not know much about Jesus, His power, or the gospel. In such an indifferent environment, it is easy to think that revival is not possible. But our times are no more indifferent and hostile toward the gospel than the environment in which the first century church was birthed and trived. Before the gospel message can turn our world upside down, it has to turn us upside down.

When the church is filled, fresh and favored, you cannot stop revival. They were filled with the Holy Ghost, there was a renewing and then they were favored. These three things make an unstoppable combination for revival.

When the church is at its best, it is passionate ,when it is intentional and when it values the things that matter to God. (15 minus) about the message and will of God. Something has to be revived in us that gets us excited about living for God.

When the church is at its best, it is intentional about its efforts.

The church is at its best when it values the things that matter to God. What matters to God? His Kingdom matters. When His lordship is more important than our leadership. The first century church was not worried about who was up front, who was preaching or who was in charge. They were concerned with spreading the word of God. Peter preached the message on the Day of Pentecost. James became the pastor of the church in Jerusalem. And Paul came after and eclipsed both of them. But nowhere is it written in the bible that there was any arguing or contention for power. The church is at its best when it realizes that the kingdom of God is more important than our agenda, our programs or our position. The first century church valued doctrine. They devoted themselves to their teaching. What did they teach? The answer is in Acts 2:38. They preached repentance, not diversion. The world tells us that all we have to do is believe. Acts 2:38 is very clear, Repent and be Baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and receive the Holy Ghost.

Jesus was on the border between Samaria and Jerusalem. It is speculated that he took this route to ensure safety at a time when there was much animosity between the two countries. The law of leprosy at the time was harsh. Having leprosy meant forced quarantine from their people. According to Jewish law, one could not come closer than 50 yards to someone with leprosy. Jesus ignored all of that. The bible tells us that there were 10 men who had leprosy. At least one of them was a Samaritan in this group. Their disease broke down the social and religious customs of the time that Jews and Samaritans did not have any relations. Their need overroad all of this and they called out to Jesus for help. Jesus told them to go and show themselves to the priest. As they went, they were healed. The healing was not immediate, but as they obeyed Jesus’ command the healing occurred. It is not enough to just hear the word, but we must act and obey that word to receive any benefit. As they went, the horrible effects and symptoms of the disease left them. The bible says one man stopped and realized that he was healed. Something inside him made him turn back toward Jesus. When he came back, Jesus was surprised and saddened. Ten received a blessing, but only one was grateful. Like us, they were quick to complain about our suffering, but how slow we are are to recognize and appreciate the blessings we receive. This Symaritan could not enjoy the gift until he had thanked the giver. We think when we have been obedient that we have done all that is required. But more important than obedience, is gratitude. Many people have been healed, but they still have a sick spirit. This man, by going back, opened his life to a full healing. The others were better, but Jesus tells this man, that he was made whole. He was not just cleansed of his problem, but Jesus protected him from things in the future. Perhaps the reason we are not enjoying the fullness of the blessings in our life is that we are not thanking God for the things He has already done. Gratitude is what decides how much more God can do in our life. The nine could be declared healed by the priest, but only one was declared whole by the King of Kings. The nine went in obedience, but the one went beyond obedience and stepped into gratitude. What is God holding in reserve for us when we go beyond obedience? What would happen; what would be made available in our life, if we would simply go back?

Jesus was on the border between Samaria and Jerusalem. It is speculated that he took this route to ensure safety at a time when there was much animosity between the two countries. The law of leprosy at the time was harsh. Having leprosy meant forced quarantine from their people. According to Jewish law, one could not come closer than 50 yards to someone with leprosy. Jesus ignored all of that. The bible tells us that there were 10 men who had leprosy. At least one of them was a Samaritan in this group. Their disease broke down the social and religious customs of the time that Jews and Samaritans did not have any relations. Their need overroad all of this and they called out to Jesus for help. Jesus told them to go and show themselves to the priest. As they went, they were healed. The healing was not immediate, but as they obeyed Jesus’ command the healing occurred. It is not enough to just hear the word, but we must act and obey that word to receive any benefit. As they went, the horrible effects and symptoms of the disease left them. The bible says one man stopped and realized that he was healed. Something inside him made him turn back toward Jesus. When he came back, Jesus was surprised and saddened. Ten received a blessing, but only one was grateful. Like us, they were quick to complain about our suffering, but how slow we are are to recognize and appreciate the blessings we receive. This Symaritan could not enjoy the gift until he had thanked the giver. We think when we have been obedient that we have done all that is required. But more important than obedience, is gratitude. Many people have been healed, but they still have a sick spirit. This man, by going back, opened his life to a full healing. The others were better, but Jesus tells this man, that he was made whole. He was not just cleansed of his problem, but Jesus protected him from things in the future. Perhaps the reason we are not enjoying the fullness of the blessings in our life is that we are not thanking God for the things He has already done. Gratitude is what decides how much more God can do in our life. The nine could be declared healed by the priest, but only one was declared whole by the King of Kings. The nine went in obedience, but the one went beyond obedience and stepped into gratitude. What is God holding in reserve for us when we go beyond obedience? What would happen; what would be made available in our life, if we would simply go back?