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Paul focuses the Corinthian church from who they are learning about Jesus from back onto what Jesus has actually done for them all.1. The world's rejection of Jesus isn't rational. It is passionate.2. The Christian life should center on appreciating what Jesus has done for them.3. What you do with the cross of Jesus Christ makes all the difference in eternity.

Nehemiah is led by the Lord to record a census of those who were still a part of the work after the time of Ezra upon completion of the wall. In this record, we see the kind of issues God is most interested in.1. God cares about people individually.2. God's Word has been reliably preserved and we can verify this archaeologically.3. The heart we bring to the work of God is just as important as the work itself.

Naomi is a biblical model of motherhood done right. She wasn't perfect. She wasn't a miracle worker. Her kids didn't all turn out great. She simply hung in there and maintained a consistent model of the heart of God. And God used that to bless the entire world in ways she would never know this side of eternity.1. God's correction is seeking our restoration, not our destruction. 2. Suffering proves character. It doesn't always build it.3. God's work leaves us with little to regret if we see it through to the end.

Paul's letter moves from the negative aspects of what doesn't honor the Father into a practical description of what the Father is like according to the example of Jesus.1. The Christian life is based on the example of Jesus.2. Jesus' priorities were centered around showing the world what the Father is like.3. We honor the Father by following Jesus' example of the Father's character.

Paul introduces himself to the church of Corinth with words of commendation and correction. They were a Godly church for a reason. However, every church needs correction. The mark of maturity is based on someone’s capacity to receive and respond to that correction properly.1. A worthwhile testimony is one based on the historical fact of Jesus’ Resurrection.2. Godly things can be used to replace or distract from God Himself.3. No Godly action will benefit you until you recognize God’s Action Alone saved you.

Nehemiah concludes the construction of Jerusalem's Wall. It's not the end of the trouble Nehemiah would deal with from Israel's enemies, but his response to their last attempts to oppose this work of God amounted to nothing because Nehemiah held to his integrity and the Word of God every step of the way. God took care of the rest.1. Isolation in the Christian life is deadly.2. A Word from God will always be verified by the Word of God.3. A life of integrity is a better defense than any answer you give to your critics.

The Apostle John concludes his letter to Gaius with two examples of who you'd want to be like when you grew up as a Christian and who you didn't want to follow the example of. Diotrephes is mentioned historically as a slanderer who isolates himself from fellow believers. Demetrius is mentioned as someone with a good testimony and walks in the truth.1. The Christian life is a growing life. Be careful what direction you're growing and who influences that growth.2. Fear causes people to grow into someone other than Jesus while thinking they are being like Him.3. All dealings between fellow Christians should be done face to face.

Nehemiah begins to address internal issues as Jerusalem’s wall continues to be rebuilt. God’s Law was being disobeyed regarding loans and debts thanks to the policies of Israel’s enemies. They were addressed directly through a willingness to be generous, which Nehemiah himself also modeled.1. Money matters are extremely difficult to navigate.2. The difference between anger and sin is often a willingness to pause and think.3. The Christian life should be lived in order to bless God.

The Apostle John introduces his letter to Gaius by expressing how much joy it brings him to see the people he discipled growing in their relationship with Jesus.1. Love is the foundational attitude of the Christian life.2. There is no greater blessing to a pastor than seeing their flock growing in their relationship with God.3. God's form of love is only possible through Him.

Nehemiah’s work on the wall wasn’t without opposition. The response he had to the opposition were significant because they were all biblically informed and modeled.1. God is better at defending us and avenging us than we will ever be.2. Love is the answer to fear.3. Live the kind of life that makes others want a walk with God like you do.