Dover Assembly of God
1.17.2021 | Nehemiah - Week 6
Locations & Times
Dover Assembly of God
4790 Carlisle Rd, Dover, PA 17315, USA
Sunday 10:30 AM
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January 17, 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
1:00 pm ~ Spanish Service
Wednesday ~ PRAYER & FAST DAY
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 TODAY FOLLOWING THE MORNING SERVICE, we ask that you pray for the election of our new deacon board members. Due to the recent home-going of our brother, Bill Myers, and the fact that we have 2 spots for 2 candidates, we will have a ratification instead of a vote. The following have been nominated and have accepted the nomination to run for our 2 open positions.
~ Paul Jones
~ Phil Stough
BODY NEWS
In Sympathy
Please keep Shirley, Harry and Bonnie and their families in prayer over the home-going of Bill Myers. Bill went to be with Jesus on Saturday, January 9. As you know, due to Covid restrictions, the service was for family only. Shirley has asked in lieu of flowers or gifts, that any donations be made to Dover Assembly of God in Bill’s memory. The family is very grateful for the outpouring of love and sympathy shown them during this difficult time
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
Due to lack of interest for a Zoom Bible study, we will postpone our study at this time. We will plan on having a 6-8 week Bible Study in April or May of this year. Stay tuned…
Join us for 21 in ’21!
21 Wednesdays of Fasting and Prayer
Wed., Jan. 6 ~ Wed., May 26, 2021
We will fast Breakfast and Lunch and take time to pray for:
~ Salvation for our families, friends and community
~ Health for our families and church body
~ The Lord’s direction for our property
We believe God answers prayer!
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
1:00 pm ~ Spanish Service
Wednesday ~ PRAYER & FAST DAY
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 TODAY FOLLOWING THE MORNING SERVICE, we ask that you pray for the election of our new deacon board members. Due to the recent home-going of our brother, Bill Myers, and the fact that we have 2 spots for 2 candidates, we will have a ratification instead of a vote. The following have been nominated and have accepted the nomination to run for our 2 open positions.
~ Paul Jones
~ Phil Stough
BODY NEWS
In Sympathy
Please keep Shirley, Harry and Bonnie and their families in prayer over the home-going of Bill Myers. Bill went to be with Jesus on Saturday, January 9. As you know, due to Covid restrictions, the service was for family only. Shirley has asked in lieu of flowers or gifts, that any donations be made to Dover Assembly of God in Bill’s memory. The family is very grateful for the outpouring of love and sympathy shown them during this difficult time
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
Due to lack of interest for a Zoom Bible study, we will postpone our study at this time. We will plan on having a 6-8 week Bible Study in April or May of this year. Stay tuned…
Join us for 21 in ’21!
21 Wednesdays of Fasting and Prayer
Wed., Jan. 6 ~ Wed., May 26, 2021
We will fast Breakfast and Lunch and take time to pray for:
~ Salvation for our families, friends and community
~ Health for our families and church body
~ The Lord’s direction for our property
We believe God answers prayer!
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Week 6 - January 17, 2021 - Pastor Jeff Bender
As we mentioned in the last 3 chapters, Nehemiah had a burden to rebuild the walls and gate surrounding his home town of Jerusalem.
Even though he never actually lived there, it was the home of his ancestors.
He felt a burden from God to go back and start the process.
In the beginning, we see God’s favor on all his efforts. The king agrees to let him go, supply him with safe passage and give him the materials he needs to finish the job.
He arrives, gets the people excited to do this great thing for God, starts the long process and then we come to chapter 4.
Even though he never actually lived there, it was the home of his ancestors.
He felt a burden from God to go back and start the process.
In the beginning, we see God’s favor on all his efforts. The king agrees to let him go, supply him with safe passage and give him the materials he needs to finish the job.
He arrives, gets the people excited to do this great thing for God, starts the long process and then we come to chapter 4.
You can be sure that whenever you as an individual or we as a church start pressing into God and stepping out in faith to accomplish what God has called us to, not only might it be a difficult job, we will definitely face opposition from the enemy.
Notice that opposition didn’t occur until they started working. Sanballat didn’t really care until people started working for God. When the people were still living in squalor, with no protection, still weak and dependent, he left them alone.
But this change would now affect his position, wealth and influence. When the people set about to honor God and bring glory to Him, then the enemy rises up.
Notice that opposition didn’t occur until they started working. Sanballat didn’t really care until people started working for God. When the people were still living in squalor, with no protection, still weak and dependent, he left them alone.
But this change would now affect his position, wealth and influence. When the people set about to honor God and bring glory to Him, then the enemy rises up.
Warren Wiersbe says: “Opposition is not only an evidence that God is blessing, but it is also an opportunity for us to grow.”
Whenever we start something for God, we need to expect opposition from the enemy.
Opposition as Wiersbe says, give us a chance to grow.
Opposition can bring out the best in people, if we let it.
What happens when someone says to you, “you’ll never be able to do that”? How do we react? Most double down on the task to prove them wrong.
As we are attempting to rebuild from 2020, you can take it to the bank that we are going to face opposition.
Whenever we start something for God, we need to expect opposition from the enemy.
Opposition as Wiersbe says, give us a chance to grow.
Opposition can bring out the best in people, if we let it.
What happens when someone says to you, “you’ll never be able to do that”? How do we react? Most double down on the task to prove them wrong.
As we are attempting to rebuild from 2020, you can take it to the bank that we are going to face opposition.
At first, he starts with ridicule.
Ridicule is always a first attack from the enemy.
David faced it with the giant.
Jesus faced it too.
Ridicule is always a first attack from the enemy.
David faced it with the giant.
Jesus faced it too.
Some Old Testament heroes also faced it.
If we read some social media posts and other articles that are being written today, we are beginning to face more of that than I can remember.
Christians have always been objects of ridicule, long before the advent of the internet, but now it just seems to be ramping up and more visible.
We need to start getting a thick skin and realize that no matter what we attempt and how noble it might sound, it will almost always get ridiculed by those who oppose us.
Know that our work for the Lord does not go unnoticed.
When we look at the world around us now, this verse helps to keep my calm and full of faith.
Christians have always been objects of ridicule, long before the advent of the internet, but now it just seems to be ramping up and more visible.
We need to start getting a thick skin and realize that no matter what we attempt and how noble it might sound, it will almost always get ridiculed by those who oppose us.
Know that our work for the Lord does not go unnoticed.
When we look at the world around us now, this verse helps to keep my calm and full of faith.
It may appear that we are not making any ground for God, but if we continue to work, and ignore the ridicule, God will prevail.
What was the response of those being ridiculed?
What was the response of those being ridiculed?
They prayed. And let God handle it.
It would be easy to stop the work and go face off with those doing the ridiculing, but that in itself would do what they wanted-stop the rebuilding.
Whenever we face opposition, our first weapon is prayer.
God is the one who called us to rebuild after 2020, rather than fight against the world; we continue to fast and pray and keep working.
God will do the protecting and allow us to succeed. If we keep fasting, praying and working.
It would be easy to stop the work and go face off with those doing the ridiculing, but that in itself would do what they wanted-stop the rebuilding.
Whenever we face opposition, our first weapon is prayer.
God is the one who called us to rebuild after 2020, rather than fight against the world; we continue to fast and pray and keep working.
God will do the protecting and allow us to succeed. If we keep fasting, praying and working.
What is the best way to defeat the ridicule and the enemy?
Keep doing what God called you to do. Keep living righteously, keep praying, keep studying, keep wanting to grow and mature, keep being involved in ministry.
Keep rebuilding what the enemy took from us last year.
But if you think that’s the end of the battle, that the enemy is just going to throw up his hands and say “oh well”, you are mistaken.
Keep doing what God called you to do. Keep living righteously, keep praying, keep studying, keep wanting to grow and mature, keep being involved in ministry.
Keep rebuilding what the enemy took from us last year.
But if you think that’s the end of the battle, that the enemy is just going to throw up his hands and say “oh well”, you are mistaken.
The reason that God is so high on believers working together as one is because the world has no problem banding together against believers.
“The enemy of my enemy is my friend”
People in the world who normally don’t get along with each other will come together against what God is doing.
What was Nehemiah’s response to this threat?
“The enemy of my enemy is my friend”
People in the world who normally don’t get along with each other will come together against what God is doing.
What was Nehemiah’s response to this threat?
He first prayed and then responding accordingly. Nehemiah was not blind to the opposition, nor did he ignore it.
The problem was real and he had to react accordingly. He did not stop working, but he took the necessary precautions.
When the virus hit, we closed down for a couple of months out of precaution. We cleaned and sanitized the church.
But now we have to continue what God has called us to do. Some precautions are still in place, but we are meeting together because that is what God’s word tells us to do.
We use seatbelts and have car insurance. We take precautions, but we don’t stop driving.
The problem was real and he had to react accordingly. He did not stop working, but he took the necessary precautions.
When the virus hit, we closed down for a couple of months out of precaution. We cleaned and sanitized the church.
But now we have to continue what God has called us to do. Some precautions are still in place, but we are meeting together because that is what God’s word tells us to do.
We use seatbelts and have car insurance. We take precautions, but we don’t stop driving.
Sometimes it seems that the task at hand is too big to finish. That we see no end in sight. It’s just impossible.
If we constantly listen to those who are ridiculing us, we will begin to believe what they say.
And we will become discouraged.
If we take our eyes off of the Lord and look only at the job God calls us to, it is easy to get discouraged.
Because all of what God calls us to is impossible in the natural.
Remember what was said about them:
If we constantly listen to those who are ridiculing us, we will begin to believe what they say.
And we will become discouraged.
If we take our eyes off of the Lord and look only at the job God calls us to, it is easy to get discouraged.
Because all of what God calls us to is impossible in the natural.
Remember what was said about them:
They attacked their ability (feeble), they attacked the scope of the work (heaps of burned rubble).
And without God behind them, they were right.
Discouragement is I think, the biggest weapon the enemy uses.
More preachers quit because of discouragement than any other reason.
People quit doing ministry, they quit marriages, they quit jobs because they are discouraged about something.
If the devil can get us discouraged with what is happening around us, if we see no progress, if we see no changes, if the wall seems too much to accomplish, then he has already won the battle.
Not only does the enemy bring discouragement into the picture, he then ups the ante and threatens their lives.
What does he do? He introduces fear.
And without God behind them, they were right.
Discouragement is I think, the biggest weapon the enemy uses.
More preachers quit because of discouragement than any other reason.
People quit doing ministry, they quit marriages, they quit jobs because they are discouraged about something.
If the devil can get us discouraged with what is happening around us, if we see no progress, if we see no changes, if the wall seems too much to accomplish, then he has already won the battle.
Not only does the enemy bring discouragement into the picture, he then ups the ante and threatens their lives.
What does he do? He introduces fear.
And doesn’t this sound like what is happening today.
Was the threat to kill the workers real? Yes!
Was it a real possibility? Even the Jews were giving into the fear.
Was the threat to kill the workers real? Yes!
Was it a real possibility? Even the Jews were giving into the fear.
“Ten times” is an idiom meaning many times. How many times do we have to hear a lie before we begin to believe it?
A quote attributed to the Nazi’s during WW2: “A lie told once remains a lie, but told 1000 times becomes the truth.”
What lies is the enemy filling our minds with?
It’s one thing to have the enemy introduce fear, but when fear comes into God’s people, then faith leaves.
A quote attributed to the Nazi’s during WW2: “A lie told once remains a lie, but told 1000 times becomes the truth.”
What lies is the enemy filling our minds with?
It’s one thing to have the enemy introduce fear, but when fear comes into God’s people, then faith leaves.
Even the world acknowledges the effects of fear.
Thoreau said: “Nothing is so much to be feared as fear.”
FDR changed that up a bit “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
Fear will paralyze us. It is also contagious. Fearful people discourage others and help the enemy to win.
The Jews themselves had become fearful and was spreading that fear among their brothers.
The threat was real, but fear was causing them to withdraw.
What was Nehemiah’s response to the spreading fear?
Thoreau said: “Nothing is so much to be feared as fear.”
FDR changed that up a bit “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
Fear will paralyze us. It is also contagious. Fearful people discourage others and help the enemy to win.
The Jews themselves had become fearful and was spreading that fear among their brothers.
The threat was real, but fear was causing them to withdraw.
What was Nehemiah’s response to the spreading fear?
He first went on defense.
Instead of giving into the threat, we went to meet it head on.
He wasn’t going to attack the people, but if they attacked them, they were ready.
What was he doing? He was stationing people at the most visible points on the wall. Putting them in places that the enemy would see. And the enemy would know that they were prepared to fight if necessary.
He armed entire families and had them build near their own houses. When a family comes together opposing a common enemy, what happens?
They are there to encourage each other and are able to protect each other.
God is greater than your fear. If your fear of ridicule, of people or the enemy is keeping you from what God is calling you to, then we need to do what Nehemiah says.
Instead of giving into the threat, we went to meet it head on.
He wasn’t going to attack the people, but if they attacked them, they were ready.
What was he doing? He was stationing people at the most visible points on the wall. Putting them in places that the enemy would see. And the enemy would know that they were prepared to fight if necessary.
He armed entire families and had them build near their own houses. When a family comes together opposing a common enemy, what happens?
They are there to encourage each other and are able to protect each other.
God is greater than your fear. If your fear of ridicule, of people or the enemy is keeping you from what God is calling you to, then we need to do what Nehemiah says.
Nehemiah rightly assessed the situation, acknowledged the reality of it, but reminded them to not be fearful, but to trust in what God had called them to do.
If they continued, and worked and were prepared to fight the enemy, “The Lord who is great and awesome” will bring the victory.
If fear is overwhelming you, we need to remind ourselves of the greatness of God. If we walk by sight and not by faith, we will always fail. But if we look at situations thru the eyes of faith, and knowing the greatness of God, we will succeed.
If they continued, and worked and were prepared to fight the enemy, “The Lord who is great and awesome” will bring the victory.
If fear is overwhelming you, we need to remind ourselves of the greatness of God. If we walk by sight and not by faith, we will always fail. But if we look at situations thru the eyes of faith, and knowing the greatness of God, we will succeed.
Those building the wall didn’t only pray about it and do nothing.
They prayed and acted upon their trust in God. And they didn’t do it in secret. They made sure everyone knew they were prepared for battle.
Once people see us working out our faith in a tangible way that everyone sees, and not cowering in fear of what may happen, God will frustrate the plans of the enemy and He gets the glory.
But as we know, our fight never ends on this side of heaven.
There will always be opposition and because of that we need to always be ready.
Once people see us working out our faith in a tangible way that everyone sees, and not cowering in fear of what may happen, God will frustrate the plans of the enemy and He gets the glory.
But as we know, our fight never ends on this side of heaven.
There will always be opposition and because of that we need to always be ready.
We can’t always stop the work of God for every little skirmish or rumor.
If we spiritualize this, we have half of the people doing physical labor, while the other half were praying on their behalf.
Not everyone is called to physically do something, but everyone is called to pray.
All of what you see happening on Sundays, only succeeds because people are doing the ministry and everyone is hopefully praying for it.
The ones carrying material are carrying swords and the ones building are also carrying swords.
It’s not enough to build, but we need to make sure the enemy doesn’t take from us what we build.
It’s one thing to start something, another to finish it.
If we spiritualize this, we have half of the people doing physical labor, while the other half were praying on their behalf.
Not everyone is called to physically do something, but everyone is called to pray.
All of what you see happening on Sundays, only succeeds because people are doing the ministry and everyone is hopefully praying for it.
The ones carrying material are carrying swords and the ones building are also carrying swords.
It’s not enough to build, but we need to make sure the enemy doesn’t take from us what we build.
It’s one thing to start something, another to finish it.
To finish God’s work will always require prayer, battle and work.
The wall was so large that you were not able to see your neighbor working on it and it might appear that you were alone doing all the work.
But Nehemiah wanted everyone to know that they were not alone.
Whenever someone needed help, the trumpet sounded and everyone rushed to their aid.
Whenever you feel alone in your walk with God, realize that you aren’t alone.
You may not see anyone near or with you, but first we know that God is with us.
And second, if you feel alone, sound the trumpet. In other words let others know you need help.
And I guarantee others will come to your side.
But Nehemiah wanted everyone to know that they were not alone.
Whenever someone needed help, the trumpet sounded and everyone rushed to their aid.
Whenever you feel alone in your walk with God, realize that you aren’t alone.
You may not see anyone near or with you, but first we know that God is with us.
And second, if you feel alone, sound the trumpet. In other words let others know you need help.
And I guarantee others will come to your side.
The enemy does some of his best work at night, when we are alone in our beds. Or after a long successful day.
We need to always be on guard for the wiles of the enemy. Prepared to fend off any and all attacks.
We need to always be on guard for the wiles of the enemy. Prepared to fend off any and all attacks.
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