Responding to Opposition

Patrice McCormac

Nehemiah 4

As Nehemiah rallied the people to rebuild the walls surrounding Jerusalem, he encountered fierce opposition from local rulers. Though the people were afraid, Nehemiah brought God into the situation. He prayed by himself and with others. Then he got back to work. He did not focus on the problems but on the work before them, trusting God was with them.

Who Built the Wall?

Patrice McCormac

Nehemiah 3

Nehemiah, who led the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, took pains to list the names of ordinary people who worked side by side each other to repair the ruined walls in a record 52 days. This illustrates three spiritual principles. One, God often works through ordinary people doing ordinary tasks, two, they are dependent upon each other, and three, together they can accomplish something extraordinary.

Four Keys to Spiritual Progress

Gary DeLashmutt

Romans 5:3

While receiving Christ is an end to works-righteousness and alienation from God, it is the beginning of growth toward spiritual maturity. Four keys to spiritual maturity are allowing suffering to play a role, rejecting all forms of perfectionism, keep moving forward, and observing and imitating more mature Christians.

Spiritual Risiliency

Chris Risley

Romans 5:3

Scripture describes the Christian life as a race and a battle. In order to finish well, we must acquire spiritual toughness and resiliency. This workshop will include practical steps on developing your spiritual fortitude as well as discovering the connection between standing firm (toughness) and humility.

Global Persecution

Clive Calver

Ruth Calver

Romans 5:3

Dr. Calver and his wife Ruth have visited with many Christians who regularly face intense persecution for their faith, and instead of being defeated by it, find these Christians are more passionate about sharing their faith and their churches often flourish. Conversely Dr. Calver says a long-term absence of persecution often demonstrates that a church has sold out. While God never promises a lack of suffering, He does promise His presence in the midst of it, and uses the pain to make us into what we should be, closer to Him and more useful to Him.\r\n

Friendship at the Finish Line

Chris Hearty

2 Timothy 4:6-18

Paul writes to Timothy about those who have deserted him, but then moves on to praise God's faithfulness to him. He requests his friends to come to him and bring some of his belongings, and reflects on his walk with God. \r\n

Famous Last Words

Scott Risley

2 Timothy 4:9-22

As Paul faces his last days on earth, his thoughts are on his friends, both loyal and disloyal, his reading material (Old Testament and his letters), and finally, his cloak to keep him warm in his cold prison cell. In the end, the Word of God and his relationships are what mattered most to Paul. When you face the end of your life, you can have certainty that you will face Jesus as your friend.

Living for an Audience of One

Scott Risley

2 Timothy 4:1-8

Paul calls Timothy to be like the king's herald who is charged with accurately speaking the king's words, not altering the words in any way, even if it is very unpopular. Timothy actually does have the words of the King, and the King has something to say about Jesus is the only way to heaven, about moral right and wrong, about the final judgment, and about sacrificial love and commitment to God.

Guarding Against Deception

Chris Hearty

2 Timothy 3:5-14

Paul warns against false teachers and deceivers that prey on vulnerable members of the community. Paul then calls on the believers to know the Lord's teachings, and to endure through persecution.