Dover Assembly of God
1.10.2021 | Nehemiah - Week 5
Locations & Times
Dover Assembly of God
4790 Carlisle Rd, Dover, PA 17315, USA
Sunday 10:30 AM
Welcome!
Welcome to Dover Assembly of God! We're glad that you've joined us this morning. If you're on Facebook, we encourage you to take a moment to check in at Dover Assembly.
http://facebook.com/doverassemblyWeekly Bulletin
January 10, 2021
Welcome to Dover Assembly!
We are so glad you have chosen to attend Dover Assembly this morning. It is not by accident that you are here. We believe that God has allowed you to be here so that you might receive all that He has for you. We pray you are blessed as you allow the Lord to work in your life.
THIS WEEK
Sunday
9:00 am ~ Coffee & Donut Hour
9:30 am ~ Sunday School
10:30 am ~ Worship Service
10:30 am ~ R.O.C.K. Children’s Ministry
~ BGMC / MISSIONS SERVICE
1:00 pm ~ Spanish Service
Wednesday
6:30 pm ~ FAMILY NIGHT
Saturday
6:30 pm ~ Spanish Service
UPCOMING EVENTS
Annual Business Meeting
As we prepare for our annual church business meeting NEXT Sunday, Jan. 17, we ask that you pray for the election of our new deacon board members. The following have been nominated and have accepted the nomination to run for our 2 open positions.
~ Paul Jones
~ Bill Myers
~ Phil Stough
BODY NEWS
Membership
If you would like to become a voting member of Dover Assembly, we will be having a new member’s class after the first of the year. Please complete the new member’s form found at the Information Center, place it in Pastor Jeff’s door and we will contact you when the class date has been set.
Water Baptism
If you would like to be water baptized, please complete the form found at the Information Center, place it in Pastor Jeff’s door and we will contact you with the date and time of the class and the baptism date.
Snow Cancellations
Should we have the need to cancel any of our services due to inclement weather, we will put that information on our Facebook page, our website, and the local TV stations [WGAL-CH 8, CBS 21, ABC 27, FOX 43, CW 15] If you would like to sign up for a TEXT on your cell phone that will indicate the status of our services, please fill out the blue & white card with your name and cell phone number. Please be sure to place them in the offering plates as you leave and we will add you to our list.
COVID-19 Information
In this time of COVID, we wanted to keep everyone updated on what has been outlined by the CDC in response to the COVID virus for those who test positive.
FROM THE CDC: Once an individual has tested positive for Covid, the return-to-work criteria are as follows:
(we are using this same guideline for return-to-church activities as it is the right thing to do)
~ Must be fever-free 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medications)
~ Respiratory and other symptoms have improved
~ It has been at least ten (10) days from the onset of symptoms.
Please let's all do our part; if sick, stay home; if fevered, stay home and contact your healthcare provider for his/her advice.
We will get through this together!
Ladies Bible Study
Anna is wondering if there are any women interested in doing a Zoom Bible Study? Sign up at the Women’s table in the upper foyer if you are interested. Anna will be in touch if there is enough interest.
Prayer Slips of Paper
Inside the printed bulletin you will find a small tablet piece of paper, so be sure to pick up a printed copy today. Hold on to this as Pastor will explain it’s use during the sermon!
Welcome to Dover Assembly!
We are so glad you have chosen to attend Dover Assembly this morning. It is not by accident that you are here. We believe that God has allowed you to be here so that you might receive all that He has for you. We pray you are blessed as you allow the Lord to work in your life.
THIS WEEK
Sunday
9:00 am ~ Coffee & Donut Hour
9:30 am ~ Sunday School
10:30 am ~ Worship Service
10:30 am ~ R.O.C.K. Children’s Ministry
~ BGMC / MISSIONS SERVICE
1:00 pm ~ Spanish Service
Wednesday
6:30 pm ~ FAMILY NIGHT
Saturday
6:30 pm ~ Spanish Service
UPCOMING EVENTS
Annual Business Meeting
As we prepare for our annual church business meeting NEXT Sunday, Jan. 17, we ask that you pray for the election of our new deacon board members. The following have been nominated and have accepted the nomination to run for our 2 open positions.
~ Paul Jones
~ Bill Myers
~ Phil Stough
BODY NEWS
Membership
If you would like to become a voting member of Dover Assembly, we will be having a new member’s class after the first of the year. Please complete the new member’s form found at the Information Center, place it in Pastor Jeff’s door and we will contact you when the class date has been set.
Water Baptism
If you would like to be water baptized, please complete the form found at the Information Center, place it in Pastor Jeff’s door and we will contact you with the date and time of the class and the baptism date.
Snow Cancellations
Should we have the need to cancel any of our services due to inclement weather, we will put that information on our Facebook page, our website, and the local TV stations [WGAL-CH 8, CBS 21, ABC 27, FOX 43, CW 15] If you would like to sign up for a TEXT on your cell phone that will indicate the status of our services, please fill out the blue & white card with your name and cell phone number. Please be sure to place them in the offering plates as you leave and we will add you to our list.
COVID-19 Information
In this time of COVID, we wanted to keep everyone updated on what has been outlined by the CDC in response to the COVID virus for those who test positive.
FROM THE CDC: Once an individual has tested positive for Covid, the return-to-work criteria are as follows:
(we are using this same guideline for return-to-church activities as it is the right thing to do)
~ Must be fever-free 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medications)
~ Respiratory and other symptoms have improved
~ It has been at least ten (10) days from the onset of symptoms.
Please let's all do our part; if sick, stay home; if fevered, stay home and contact your healthcare provider for his/her advice.
We will get through this together!
Ladies Bible Study
Anna is wondering if there are any women interested in doing a Zoom Bible Study? Sign up at the Women’s table in the upper foyer if you are interested. Anna will be in touch if there is enough interest.
Prayer Slips of Paper
Inside the printed bulletin you will find a small tablet piece of paper, so be sure to pick up a printed copy today. Hold on to this as Pastor will explain it’s use during the sermon!
Download our app!
Download the Dover Assembly app to stay connected all week! Keep up to date with the latest news and events, watch our latest videos, and more all within our app! We're back on Google Play for Android users! Also available on the iOS App Store.
https://doverassembly.com/appOnline Giving
Thank you for your faithfulness! You can now give to Dover Assembly online at your convenience. Click the link to learn more!
https://doverassembly.com/giveYouVersion Check-In
Enjoying following along with Pastor Jeff's sermon notes here in the Bible app? Take a moment to check-in and let us know. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!
https://doverassembly.com/notes/check-in
Week 5 - January 10, 2021 - Pastor Jeff Bender
Last week we looked at the beginning of Nehemiah chapter 3.
When Nehemiah started to rebuild the walls and gates, he looks around and sees their condition was one of shambles. The walls and gates were totally destroyed and to look at rebuilding them seemed to be an impossible task.
Nehemiah realized the difficulty of rebuilding (he didn’t look at this thru rose colored glasses) but he also knew that if God were with him and the people joined in, that seemingly impossible task COULD be accomplished.
I equated the shambles of the walls and gates to the shambles of 2020. Looking at the condition of the country and more specifically, the church, it also appears to be in shambles.
Nationwide, churches have permanently closed, closed for a period of time, limited their services, went strictly on line or held in them in the parking lot.
It seems that it might be impossible to get back to normal, but like Nehemiah, if God is with us and we all join in, we can regroup and rebuild better than before.
Nehemiah enlisted most of the folks living there and chapter 3 tells of all the people and groups that helped in rebuilding.
And he sets out to get the job done.
When Nehemiah started to rebuild the walls and gates, he looks around and sees their condition was one of shambles. The walls and gates were totally destroyed and to look at rebuilding them seemed to be an impossible task.
Nehemiah realized the difficulty of rebuilding (he didn’t look at this thru rose colored glasses) but he also knew that if God were with him and the people joined in, that seemingly impossible task COULD be accomplished.
I equated the shambles of the walls and gates to the shambles of 2020. Looking at the condition of the country and more specifically, the church, it also appears to be in shambles.
Nationwide, churches have permanently closed, closed for a period of time, limited their services, went strictly on line or held in them in the parking lot.
It seems that it might be impossible to get back to normal, but like Nehemiah, if God is with us and we all join in, we can regroup and rebuild better than before.
Nehemiah enlisted most of the folks living there and chapter 3 tells of all the people and groups that helped in rebuilding.
And he sets out to get the job done.
We started last week with the gates surrounding the city. We mentioned how each gate has a specific use at that time and how each gate represents a Christian’s walk with God today.
Briefly recapping . . .
The sheep gate was the first gate he tackled. That is where the offerings were brought into town to be sacrificed. This is the salvation experience. Before we have any other experience with God, we first need to know Christ and be saved.
Next was the fish gate- Now that we know Christ our desire to show others what Jesus means to us. To bring more people into the faith.
The old gate-where we essentially kicked off our 21 in ’21. Using the basics of prayer and fasting to get where God wants us to go.
When you entered the old gate, it brought you directly into what was called, The New Quarter or the New area of expansion.
If we want to see God do new things, we need to go back to the basics.
NEXT, the valley gate-using times of hardship to build our faith and experience God’s promises in times of trouble.
Lastly, we hit on the Dung Gate. You get saved, you get excited to tell others, you hit some bumps in the road, then during those bumps, God reveals the things that you have in your life that need to go.
Briefly recapping . . .
The sheep gate was the first gate he tackled. That is where the offerings were brought into town to be sacrificed. This is the salvation experience. Before we have any other experience with God, we first need to know Christ and be saved.
Next was the fish gate- Now that we know Christ our desire to show others what Jesus means to us. To bring more people into the faith.
The old gate-where we essentially kicked off our 21 in ’21. Using the basics of prayer and fasting to get where God wants us to go.
When you entered the old gate, it brought you directly into what was called, The New Quarter or the New area of expansion.
If we want to see God do new things, we need to go back to the basics.
NEXT, the valley gate-using times of hardship to build our faith and experience God’s promises in times of trouble.
Lastly, we hit on the Dung Gate. You get saved, you get excited to tell others, you hit some bumps in the road, then during those bumps, God reveals the things that you have in your life that need to go.
Now we pick it up at the:
FOUNTAIN GATE
FOUNTAIN GATE
This was near the pool of Siloam, where they drew water for the temple.
This represents being filled with the Holy Spirit.
When we go thru the valley, and God rids us of things that we know shouldn’t be there, the Holy Spirit begins to flow in our lives.
This represents being filled with the Holy Spirit.
When we go thru the valley, and God rids us of things that we know shouldn’t be there, the Holy Spirit begins to flow in our lives.
Notice it says flow from WITHIN you. It is not a product of things going on in your life, it will be joy IN you, regardless of your situation.
THE WATER GATE
Once we pass the Fountain Gate and are filled with the Holy Spirit, God will give us a hunger for the word of God.
We cannot exist on the Holy Spirit alone. We need to be grounded so the Holy Spirit can direct us thru our knowledge of the Word.
All Spirit, you blow up, all word and you dry up, spirit and word combined, you grow up!
It also doesn’t say that this particular gate was repaired.
If this gate stands for God’s word, God’s word doesn’t need to be repaired or made better.
Ezra, read from the book of the law in front of the Water Gate.
We cannot exist on the Holy Spirit alone. We need to be grounded so the Holy Spirit can direct us thru our knowledge of the Word.
All Spirit, you blow up, all word and you dry up, spirit and word combined, you grow up!
It also doesn’t say that this particular gate was repaired.
If this gate stands for God’s word, God’s word doesn’t need to be repaired or made better.
Ezra, read from the book of the law in front of the Water Gate.
Remember each gate is a significant time in a Christian’s life and we need to experience each one.
How are we doing with the Water Gate?
How are we doing with the Water Gate?
THE HORSE GATE
This was the gate that overlooked the Kidron Valley, which was the place of battle for Israel.
Horses left thru this gate for war.
This can stand for three different but similar things.
First meaning, the Bible tells us that we are in a spiritual war.
Horses left thru this gate for war.
This can stand for three different but similar things.
First meaning, the Bible tells us that we are in a spiritual war.
There is a spiritual battle going on around us and includes us in the battle. We have to be prepared for that battle. This brings us back to prayer and fasting.
Not only are we asking God to do things, we need to pray that we are built up in the faith and ready for battle
Are we grounded in God’s word? Are we willing to have God fight our battles for us? Are we seeking the power of God thru our time of prayer?
Do we try to handle them ourselves, or do we pray and fast and seek God’s help in this battle?
Not only are we asking God to do things, we need to pray that we are built up in the faith and ready for battle
Are we grounded in God’s word? Are we willing to have God fight our battles for us? Are we seeking the power of God thru our time of prayer?
Do we try to handle them ourselves, or do we pray and fast and seek God’s help in this battle?
Second meaning - to stand for the defense of the Gospel.
Are we able to defend what we believe, not only to ourselves but to others?
As Christians, we should be able to do that.
Last meaning - it stands for the Day of the Lord and the end time judgment in Revelation.
Are we able to defend what we believe, not only to ourselves but to others?
As Christians, we should be able to do that.
Last meaning - it stands for the Day of the Lord and the end time judgment in Revelation.
THE EAST GATE
This gate has only one meaning and in fact it was never used except by God.
It faced the Mount of Olives and stands for the return of Christ.
We are waiting for the return of Christ. And when he does, this is where he will return to.
We are waiting for the return of Christ. And when he does, this is where he will return to.
This is not the rapture, but the return of Christ after the tribulation.
We have to live in expectation that Christ will return today. And that means that we have to be ready for the rapture.
We have to live in expectation that Christ will return today. And that means that we have to be ready for the rapture.
If we believe that Christ is coming back, then we need to keep our lives in check.
THE INSPECTION GATE
The Judgment Gate. It represents the judgment seat of Christ.
There are 2 judgments:
The Judgment Seat of Christ-for believers
The Great White Throne Judgment-for unbelievers.
Every believer will stand before Christ and his life and works will be inspected and rewarded or not as the case may be.
The Judgment Seat of Christ-for believers
The Great White Throne Judgment-for unbelievers.
Every believer will stand before Christ and his life and works will be inspected and rewarded or not as the case may be.
Our lives will be inspected for what they have done.
Nothing can or will be hidden.
Nothing can or will be hidden.
A couple of things to note about all of this.
If you read the whole chapter you will see two things:
1) It was a task that involved many people. –God’s work always involves many people. It is never a one man job. It takes each one of us to accomplish God’s vision.
2) God takes the time to mention all the names of those who helped.-He could have just said “many people”, but he didn’t. He took the time to list them all. God takes note of who is doing what for His glory.
He is a recorder of names.
If you read the whole chapter you will see two things:
1) It was a task that involved many people. –God’s work always involves many people. It is never a one man job. It takes each one of us to accomplish God’s vision.
2) God takes the time to mention all the names of those who helped.-He could have just said “many people”, but he didn’t. He took the time to list them all. God takes note of who is doing what for His glory.
He is a recorder of names.
God is keeping track of His children and He will reward them at the appropriate time.
God keeps records. Nothing we do for the Lord is in vain. We may not be rewarded of acknowledged here, but rest assured, all that we do to honor Him, will be rewarded.
Our vision (God’s vision) is to rebuild what the enemy wrecked last year.
And it will take all hands on deck to do it. And we started this process with our 21 in ’21 prayer and fasting initiative.
John Wesley said that “God does nothing except by prayer.”
There are a lot of unknowns and things we can’t do anything about, but we have a God who can over rule anything.
But the question is, “How badly do we want it?” Do we really want revival? Do you know what that looks like at first?
The thing is, God wants it, but he needs us to do our part.
Who believes that God can?
And it will take all hands on deck to do it. And we started this process with our 21 in ’21 prayer and fasting initiative.
John Wesley said that “God does nothing except by prayer.”
There are a lot of unknowns and things we can’t do anything about, but we have a God who can over rule anything.
But the question is, “How badly do we want it?” Do we really want revival? Do you know what that looks like at first?
The thing is, God wants it, but he needs us to do our part.
Who believes that God can?
Thank you for joining us!
If you haven't already, be sure to check out our website and follow us on social media @doverassembly! Have a great week!
http://doverassembly.comWatch online
Miss part of the sermon or want to share it with others? Catch the replay on Vimeo, YouTube or Facebook!
http://vimeo.com/doverassembly