Bro Milligan bringing the word on our sunday evening service June 2nd 2013.

Where has normal gone? Most things that we have considered normal have been changed, redefined or unraveled. The world spends a lot of energy and time to convince us that what we are experiencing now is the new normal. Normal as we have known it will never be seen again. The world and the media push an agenda that is contrary to the normal that most of us grew up with. Attendance at church is on a steady decline. It can be argued that America is no longer a Christian nation. It is increasingly difficult for a person to live by Godly principles in our wicked world. Jesus was not ignorant of 2013 when He walked the earth. He knew what we would face and He understands the world in which we live. Our text tells us that we would live in times of tribulation. Our text contains some of the most reassuring and uplifting words that Jesus ever spoke: “Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Nothing that we face today, none of the reports that we read, and none of the happenings in the world have caught the Lord off guard. Jesus declares that he has a remedy for these pressing times.

Where has normal gone? Most things that we have considered normal have been changed, redefined or unraveled. The world spends a lot of energy and time to convince us that what we are experiencing now is the new normal. Normal as we have known it will never be seen again. The world and the media push an agenda that is contrary to the normal that most of us grew up with. Attendance at church is on a steady decline. It can be argued that America is no longer a Christian nation. It is increasingly difficult for a person to live by Godly principles in our wicked world. Jesus was not ignorant of 2013 when He walked the earth. He knew what we would face and He understands the world in which we live. Our text tells us that we would live in times of tribulation. Our text contains some of the most reassuring and uplifting words that Jesus ever spoke: “Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Nothing that we face today, none of the reports that we read, and none of the happenings in the world have caught the Lord off guard. Jesus declares that he has a remedy for these pressing times.

Our church is in the midst of revival. When this happens, it is no surprise that the enemy will redouble his effort to stop that and bring it to a halt. Bro. Hughes compares this effort of and the experience of Nehemiah. He was part of the greatest revival that ever came to Jerusalem. Not only does revival anger the devil, but it will also make carnal people uncomfortable. Nehemiah faced great opposition. They criticized him, they murmured against him, but Nehemiah never ceased in his work to rebuild the walls. When we are doing a good work, there will always be people who will come against us and try to sabotage the good work. In the face of all the distractions, Nehemiah had tremendous focus on his vision. He never lost sight of what God had called him to do. Bro. Hughes asks: What was the key to Nehemiah’s perseverance? How did he face the opposition and continue building? How did he deal with all that was thrown at him, and yet continue building the wall? The answer to these questions is in verse three. In his own words, Nehemiah says: “I am doing a great work.” How he viewed the work he was doing framed the way that he approached it. His vision was that he was doing a GREAT work. If he had been just doing a work he might not have been so dedicated. The attitude he had about his work determined the way he went about doing it. The reason we have mediocrity in our lives, church and families is because of our attitude about hour lives, church and families. The quality of our effort is determined by our attitude about what we are doing. We need the attitude that our family, our life, our church is great and worth our best effort. Whats the use: It is a great work; that is the answer.

Our church is in the midst of revival. When this happens, it is no surprise that the enemy will redouble his effort to stop that and bring it to a halt. Bro. Hughes compares this effort of and the experience of Nehemiah. He was part of the greatest revival that ever came to Jerusalem. Not only does revival anger the devil, but it will also make carnal people uncomfortable. Nehemiah faced great opposition. They criticized him, they murmured against him, but Nehemiah never ceased in his work to rebuild the walls. When we are doing a good work, there will always be people who will come against us and try to sabotage the good work. In the face of all the distractions, Nehemiah had tremendous focus on his vision. He never lost sight of what God had called him to do. Bro. Hughes asks: What was the key to Nehemiah’s perseverance? How did he face the opposition and continue building? How did he deal with all that was thrown at him, and yet continue building the wall? The answer to these questions is in verse three. In his own words, Nehemiah says: “I am doing a great work.” How he viewed the work he was doing framed the way that he approached it. His vision was that he was doing a GREAT work. If he had been just doing a work he might not have been so dedicated. The attitude he had about his work determined the way he went about doing it. The reason we have mediocrity in our lives, church and families is because of our attitude about hour lives, church and families. The quality of our effort is determined by our attitude about what we are doing. We need the attitude that our family, our life, our church is great and worth our best effort. Whats the use: It is a great work; that is the answer.

Peter was the most outspoken of the 12. Peter was originally named Simon, but when he met Jesus called him Peter meaning rock. Peter was married and was a follower of John the Baptist. He was a sinful man. Peter was the first disciple called. He was a fisherman. Fishermen at that time were rough and crude. Peter often put his foot in his mouth. When Jesus called them, they turned and walked away from their former life. Peter was present at the wedding when Jesus performed his first miracle. Peter walked on the water to meet Jesus. Peter had a strong love for Jesus. Peter would have given his life for Jesus. When they came to arrest Jesus, Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of one of the guards. Peter also denied Jesus three times. Bro. Hilton asks: “Why did Peter deny Jesus?” Given all we know about Peter’s life, why would he do this? The usual reasons given for this are fear, a character flaw or something similar. Earlier in the evening, Peter was ready to take on a mob to project Jesus, but now he denies him and we are supposed to believe that it is out of fear for his personal safety? Bro. Hilton offers another reason.

Peter was the most outspoken of the 12. Peter was originally named Simon, but when he met Jesus called him Peter meaning rock. Peter was married and was a follower of John the Baptist. He was a sinful man. Peter was the first disciple called. He was a fisherman. Fishermen at that time were rough and crude. Peter often put his foot in his mouth. When Jesus called them, they turned and walked away from their former life. Peter was present at the wedding when Jesus performed his first miracle. Peter walked on the water to meet Jesus. Peter had a strong love for Jesus. Peter would have given his life for Jesus. When they came to arrest Jesus, Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of one of the guards. Peter also denied Jesus three times. Bro. Hilton asks: “Why did Peter deny Jesus?” Given all we know about Peter’s life, why would he do this? The usual reasons given for this are fear, a character flaw or something similar. Earlier in the evening, Peter was ready to take on a mob to project Jesus, but now he denies him and we are supposed to believe that it is out of fear for his personal safety? Bro. Hilton offers another reason.

This world needs mothers that will let their lives reflects Godly principles. Our text explains that we are all epistles. A mother’s life that is an example of Godly living is a better testimony than any other. A woman’s desire for her family is powerful and has a great deal in determining the lives of her children. The vision that a woman casts over her home is more so important in determining the relationship her family has with God. A legacy is what you leave behind. The best legacy that a mother can leave behind is her translation of the bible into her life.

This world needs mothers that will let their lives reflects Godly principles. Our text explains that we are all epistles. A mother’s life that is an example of Godly living is a better testimony than any other. A woman’s desire for her family is powerful and has a great deal in determining the lives of her children. The vision that a woman casts over her home is more so important in determining the relationship her family has with God. A legacy is what you leave behind. The best legacy that a mother can leave behind is her translation of the bible into her life.

How heavy does something have to be before it is too heavy? The weight does not matter, but the longer you hold something the heavier it becomes. Many people are holding onto things that are causing them to be weary. It might be something small, but even a small thing can weigh on a man over time. It is important that we know how to lay our burdens down. Our text tonight is not a feel good passage. He is not saying “cheer up, it will be okay.” They are not words of sympathy. They are words of an invitation. Many have equated this verse to salvation, but in fact it is a verse of survival. It is an invitation to a new quality of life. The only place to find this new quality of life is in His presence. The promise that Jesus made is that if we will come to Him, He WILL give rest. The word used in the original Greek is not rest, as we know it, it is the word that we have come to know as rejuvenate. If we can get into His presence He will and provide an answer for the tired.