05/17/26 Sermon: "Revival that Lasts" (Nehemiah Series, Part 4)

05/17/26 Sermon: "Revival that Lasts" (Nehemiah Series, Part 4)

"Revival That Lasts" (If You Build It, He Will Come - Nehemiah Series, Part 4) Nehemiah, 8:1-3, 5-6 Revive Us Again What comes to mind when you think of the word revival? Does it take you back to your childhood when churches would hold services every night of the week in an attempt to recapture the love of Christ again?  There's absolutely nothing wrong with a church attempting to grow closer to God through a week of services to seek His face but real, lasting revival begins in an individual's heart, then spreads to his or her family and then spreads to the church, then the community and then quite possibly the nation.  Taken from the root word revive, it quite literally means to bring back to life, to become active, to flourish again. Our nation and our world are in a state of decay. The more that God is removed from a society, the more that society descends into depravity, filth, moral decay and chaos. We are living in a time where everyone does what is right in their own eyes. Absolute truth is becoming unacceptable and intolerable, especially the Word of God. The Truth of Scripture has even become intolerable in many churches. The Truth of God's Word has been exchanged for a lie. Many churches are lukewarm at best, many more are dead altogether.  But Christian, all is not lost. This Sunday we will finish our 4-week sermon series in Nehemiah with Nehemiah Part 4: Revival That Lasts. God used Nehemiah to bring about revival in Jerusalem. The Lord began by placing a burden in Nehemiah’s heart for the Jewish people and for the city of Jerusalem. Then Nehemiah, as cupbearer to the king, moved forward in faith by asking King Artaxerxes of Persia to not only let him travel to Jerusalem but to fund the rebuilding of the wall.    Then Nehemiah inspired and rallied the Jewish people to accomplish the impossible, to rebuild 2 ½ miles of completely destroyed and burned walls and gates surrounding the city of Jerusalem and with God’s help, they did it in just 52 days! In this final sermon, we will learn how God used both Nehemiah and Ezra to not only bring about revival for the Lord, but revival that would last. Ezra read the forgotten Word of God to the Jewish people and they responded with confession of sin and a returning to God.  Beloved, our God is a God of mercy, his heart is always longing for forgiveness, restoration and revival.  I believe we witnessed the beginning of a revival in this country 3 years ago, February 8th, 2023 on the campus of Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky. No famous theologians, no big-name worship leaders or musicians...just a group of students who were hungry for an encounter with God. They humbly confessed their sins and shortcomings and simply poured out their hearts to Jesus. That revival spread to many other college campuses around the country and it’s still burning today. Christian, do you long for revival? God is always ready!  If you'll completely and humbly confess your sins and surrender your life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, then you are positioned for revival to break out in your own heart, and in the hearts of your family members and then who knows, perhaps then in your church, your community, the nation and the world. All things are indeed possible with our great God! Revive us again Lord, I pray!  I love y'all... Your brother in Christ Jesus our Lord doug   2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

05/10/26 Sermon: "Built Together, Battling Together" (Nehemiah, pt. 3)

Built Together, Battling Together   This Sunday I will continue Part 3 of a sermon series on Nehemiah. Nehemiah is a timely message for our church at Misty Creek and a timely message for our world. The Lord is always ready to do a new thing in the world but to see God’s hand move first requires a step of faith and obedience. In my life, the movement from the Lord only happens after the step of obedience, I have example after example of this happening. It’s always the case in Scripture as well. The Lord wants to know that we will put the full weight of our trust and hope in him. When we do this, we are positioned to see God do great and mighty things. This is exactly what Nehemiah did. He was living a comfortable life in Susa as cupbearer to King Artaxerxes. Living in Persia, Nehemiah was far from his home and his people in Jerusalem but God put a burden on his heart for his people.    That’s what God does so often, He breaks our heart for what breaks his. And so, Nehemiah trusted God and did what he was asked to do. He pushed through his fear and approached the king to ask for permission to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall around the city. And furthermore, He courageously asked the king to fund the project with timber and supplies. And beloved, here’s the beautiful thing, when God asks you to do something you’re never in it alone, he goes before you and paves the way for victory. And that is exactly what he did for Nehemiah.    This Sunday, we will learn how Nehemiah rallied the Jews to do the impossible, to begin rebuilding 2 ½ miles of broken down and burned wall around the city of Jerusalem. We’ll watch how he united the Jews and taught them to build together while battling their enemies together. Christian, the lesson for all of us through Nehemiah is a message of unity. This is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus. Just before Jesus Christ went to the cross, he prayed one of the most powerful prayers in human history.    John 17:20-21 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,  that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.    Beloved, in this prayer in chapter 17, Jesus first asks the Father to glorify him so that he could glorify his Father. Then he prays for his disciples. Then he prays for you and for me, the future believers!  He prays for us to be united, to literally be one just as he and the Father are one! Simply amazing and altogether beautiful. This is the ultimate message that Nehemiah teaches us. There is only so much that we can accomplish by ourselves but when we are united by the love of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, there is absolutely nothing we can’t do! And the added bonus is this: the world will see our unified witness and praise our God in heaven.    Lord, help us to live our lives with humility, surrendered to your will and your purpose for us as your children. Help us to love you with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. And today and every single day, to your great name be great glory! I pray all these things in the mighty and matchless name of Yeshua, Jesus! Yes, Lord let it be so, Amen!   I love y’all doug

05/03/26 Sermon: "Chasing Lions"

Chasing Lions 1 Chronicles 11:22 Special Guest: Reverend David Shivers

04/26/26 Sermon: "Moving Forward in Faith" (Nehemiah Series, Part 2)

I'm super excited to continue this sermon series through the book of Nehemiah. Here are the highlights for this Sunday. If You Build It, He Will Come Nehemiah Part 2: Moving Forward in Faith Nehemiah 2:1-20 A Study in Vision, Courage and Faithful Action The Big Idea When God calls you to rebuild, you may have to take a step of faith you've been avoiding, and you will face opposition, but the Lord is the One who gives deliverance and victory. Nehemiah's story is not just ancient history. It is a mirror for anyone who senses God stirring them toward something that feels impossible.   Main points to remember and apply 1. Prayer is not a substitute for action — it is the preparation for it. Nehemiah prayed, then moved. 2. God exposes what is broken not to shame you, but to heal you. Honest assessment is an act of mercy. 3. Opposition after a step of obedience is often confirmation, not condemnation. Keep building. 4. You are God's handiwork, created for good works already prepared for you — but those works require movement. 5. The step of faith you've been avoiding may be the very doorway into your next season with God. I hope to see you this Sunday! I love y'all! doug

04/19/26 Sermon: "Burden Before Breakthrough"

If You Build It, He Will Come, Nehemiah Part 1: Burden Before Breakthrough   Nehemiah 1:1-11   Every great work of God begins not with a blueprint, but with a broken heart. Before a single stone was laid in Jerusalem, there was a burden. Obedience to God invites His presence and activity. When we say yes to what He is stirring in us, He shows up in ways we could never manufacture on our own. • The burden comes before the breakthrough • God does not give you a burden without a plan • The broken heart is the beginning of something extraordinary  Nehemiah's first response was not a plan, it was prayer. His prayer gives us a three-part model for responding to the burdens God places on us: 1. CONFESSION (vs. 6-7) — He said 'we,' not 'they.' He owned the brokenness as his own. Corporate humility creates space for God to move. 2. COVENANT REMINDER (vs. 8-9) — He prayed Scripture back to God. He stood on God's promises and said, 'Lord, You said this. I am holding You to it.' When walls look broken, go back to what God has said. 3. BOLD PETITION (vs. 10-11) — He asked specifically for favor before the king. Not vague. Not passive. He knew what he needed and he asked. The prayer moves from humility to hope, from 'we have sinned' to 'give me success today.' Beloved, God does not give you a burden without a plan. The burden is not the end of the story, it is the beginning of the breakthrough. We have a promise from God Almighty. If we build our lives on Jesus, the Cornerstone of our faith, He will come and lead us and guide us and shepherd us. Jesus said that He is the Vine and we are the branches. If we abide in Him, He promises to abide in us. I pray that you will join us this Sunday as we study the life of Nehemiah. Christian, his story is our story too. Jesus wants to use you and I to build his glorious kingdom one life at a time. I love y’all doug