1. FACING THE ENEVITABLE (Part II) “Growing Older Together”

2. Seasons of life! More to remember (wiser) More to remember (wiser) Opportunity to grow Opportunity to grow Increase freedom/respons Increase freedom/respons Critical decisions (His plan) Critical decisions (His plan) Divine providence! Divine providence!

3. What is “age”? The amount of time during which a thing has existed! Question? The amount of time during which a thing has existed! Question? (Psa. 139:16) “Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.” (Psa. 139:16) “Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.” (Eph. 1:4) “He choose us in Him before the foundation of world” (Eph. 1:4) “He choose us in Him before the foundation of world” Irrelevant!! (eternal beings!) Irrelevant!! (eternal beings!)

4. Growing Pains!! Natural and Spiritual (tension) Natural and Spiritual (tension) His plan for the Church (heart) His plan for the Church (heart) (Eph. 4:13) “Perfect man” (teleios) (Eph. 4:13) “Perfect man” (teleios) Complete/mature/of full age Complete/mature/of full age Growth of mental and moral character Growth of mental and moral character

5. His will for us!! (Heb. 6:1-3) “Onto perfection” (Heb. 6:1-3) “Onto perfection” Repentance from dead works Repentance from dead works Faith toward God Faith toward God Doctrine of baptisms Doctrine of baptisms Laying on of hands Laying on of hands Resurrection of the dead Resurrection of the dead Eternal judgment Eternal judgment

6. Making Disciples! Authentic men (Erik) Authentic men (Erik) Ladies retreat (Cory) Ladies retreat (Cory) Children’s ministry (Sophia/Rick) Children’s ministry (Sophia/Rick) Environment conducive for growth! Environment conducive for growth! Today..subject is… Today..subject is… “Growing Older Together” “Growing Older Together”

7. What does that look like? (Jn. 21) Peter/Jesus… 3 times!! (Jn. 21) Peter/Jesus… 3 times!! (18) “Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old(er), you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish” (18) “Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old(er), you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish”

8. LESSONS FROM NEH.! Picture of Church coming out of bondage of Babylon ( the world) Picture of Church coming out of bondage of Babylon ( the world) A progressive picture A progressive picture First want to see if you recognize these two pictures First want to see if you recognize these two pictures

11. 70 yrs. Captivity!! Persia overthrows Babylon Persia overthrows Babylon King Cyrus issues decree King Cyrus issues decree “You are free to go” “You are free to go” Go back & restore Jerusalem Go back & restore Jerusalem Exciting (one problem)!! Exciting (one problem)!! 900 miles..cost involved (camel/walk/donkey) 900 miles..cost involved (camel/walk/donkey)

12. Return of the Exiles! Three different waves: (2%) Three different waves: (2%) Zerubbabel: 50,000 (538 BC) Zerubbabel: 50,000 (538 BC) Altars/feasts before temple Altars/feasts before temple Ezra: 2000 (81 yrs. later) Ezra: 2000 (81 yrs. later) Worship/Word (spiritual) Worship/Word (spiritual) Neh: (13 yrs. later) (444 BC) Neh: (13 yrs. later) (444 BC) Political/spiritual cent. (94 yrs) Political/spiritual cent. (94 yrs)

13. Resistance!! Every wave experienced it Every wave experienced it Zerubbabel (2 yrs into it) Zerubbabel (2 yrs into it) Laid foundation temple (resist) Laid foundation temple (resist) Work stopped for 14 years Work stopped for 14 years Ezra resistance to restoration of worship and word Ezra resistance to restoration of worship and word Spiritual side Spiritual side

14. Pick up in Neh. 4 Enemy hears about the rebuilding (people talking) Enemy hears about the rebuilding (people talking) First weapon…mocking First weapon…mocking Mocking turns to harrassment Mocking turns to harrassment Questions turn to declarations Questions turn to declarations Prayer is activated Prayer is activated “So we built” (mind to work!) “So we built” (mind to work!)