Chris Babiak - Father's Day

Father's Day Sermon - Chris Babiak

Wise Father’s Build

Examining the Father of the Prodigal Son

We’re going to look at a well-known, traditional passage from a different angle. If you have attended church for a number of years, you have heard this passage preached on, and if you’ve been a Christian a long time, you’ve possibly heard dozens of sermons or read articles or books on the Prodigal Son. Today, we are going to look at the passage and focus on the father more than the sons. May it illuminate our understanding of God’s hope for us and inform our approach to our children and our lives. 

 Movement 1: Father Loses Son (Luke 15:11-19)

Psalm 145:8 - “The Lord is gracious and merciful; Slow to anger and great in lovingkindness.”

2 Peter 3:9 - “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”

Proverbs 3:11-12 - My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord or loathe His reproof, for whom the Lord loves He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.

Proverbs 26:12 - Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. (Prov. 12:15)

Psalm 119:9-12 - How can a young man keep his way pure?

By keeping it according to Your word. With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord; teach me Your statutes. (Josh. 1:8, 1 Timothy 3:16)

Proverbs 3:9-10 - Honor the Lord from your wealth and from the first of all your produce; So your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine. (Colossians 3:23-24, Eccl. 2:24)

Hebrews 13:5-6 - Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?” (Matthew 19:21-24)

Psalm 127:1-2 - Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of painful labors; for He gives to His beloved even in his sleep. (Matthew 6:25-33)

Luke 15:13 - And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living.

Prov. 13:11 - Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles, but the one who gathers by labor increases it.

Eph 5:15-17 - Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Movement 2: Father Receives Lost Son (Luke 15:20-24)

Matthew 6:14-15 - “If you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” (Matthew 18:21-22, I John 1:9)

Ephesians 6:18 - With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints. (1 Thes. 5:17, Philippians 4:6-7)

1 Chronicles 16:8,11 - Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples… Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face continually. 

 Luke 15:22-24 - But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ (1 Thes. 5:16)
Jeremiah 32:41 - “I will rejoice over them to do them good and will faithfully plant them in this land with all My heart and with all My soul.”

Movement 3: Father Loses Son (Luke 15:25-34)

Jeremiah 31:3 - “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness.”

Romans 8:38-39 - For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Luke 15:32 - we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.

Proverbs 1:7-8 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Hear, my son, your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

 

Nehemiah 7 - John Lloyd

 

1 Now when the wall had been built and I had set up the doors, and the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed, 

2 I gave my brother Hanani and Hananiah the governor of the castle charge over Jerusalem, for he was a more faithful and God-fearing man than many. 

3 And I said to them, “Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot. And while they are still standing guard, let them shut and bar the doors. Appoint guards from among the inhabitants of Jerusalem, some at their guard posts and some in front of their own homes.” 

4 The city was wide and large, but the people within it were few, and no houses had been rebuilt.

Lists of Returned Exiles

5 Then my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles and the officials and the people to be enrolled by genealogy. And I found the book of the genealogy of those who came up at the first, and I found written in it:

6 These were the people of the province who came up out of the captivity of those exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried into exile. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his town. 

 7 They came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah.The number of the men of the people of Israel: 8 the sons of Parosh, 2,172. 9 The sons of Shephatiah, 372. 10 The sons of Arah, 652 11 The sons of Pahath-moab, namely the sons of Jeshua and Joab, 2,818. 12 The sons of Elam, 1,254. 13 The sons of Zattu, 845. 14 The sons of Zaccai, 760. 15 The sons of Binnui, 648. 16 The sons of Bebai, 628. 17 The sons of Azgad, 2,322. 18 The sons of Adonikam, 667. 19 The sons of Bigvai, 2,067. 20 The sons of Adin, 655. 21 The sons of Ater, namely of Hezekiah, 98. 22 The sons of Hashum, 328. 23 The sons of Bezai, 324. 24 The sons of Hariph, 112. 25 The sons of Gibeon, 95. 26 The men of Bethlehem and Netophah, 188. 27 The men of Anathoth, 128. 28 The men of Beth-azmaveth, 42. 29 The men of Kiriath-jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, 743. 30 The men of Ramah and Geba, 621. 31 The men of Michmas, 122. 32 The men of Bethel and Ai, 123. 33 The men of the other Nebo, 52. 34 The sons of the other Elam, 1,254. 35 The sons of Harim, 320. 36 The sons of Jericho, 345. 37 The sons of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, 721. 38 The sons of Senaah, 3,930.39 The priests: the sons of Jedaiah, namely the house of Jeshua, 973. 40 The sons of Immer, 1,052. 41 The sons of Pashhur, 1,247. 42 The sons of Harim, 1,017.43 The Levites: the sons of Jeshua, namely of Kadmiel of the sons of Hodevah, 74. 44 The singers: the sons of Asaph, 148. 45 The gatekeepers: the sons of Shallum, the sons of Ater, the sons of Talmon, the sons of Akkub, the sons of Hatita, the sons of Shobai, 138. 46 The temple servants: the sons of Ziha, the sons of Hasupha, the sons of Tabbaoth, 47 the sons of Keros, the sons of Sia, the sons of Padon, 48 the sons of Lebana, the sons of Hagaba, the sons of Shalmai, 49 the sons of Hanan, the sons of Giddel, the sons of Gahar, 50 the sons of Reaiah, the sons of Rezin, the sons of Nekoda, 51 the sons of Gazzam, the sons of Uzza, the sons of Paseah, 52 the sons of Besai, the sons of Meunim, the sons of Nephushesim, 53 the sons of Bakbuk, the sons of Hakupha, the sons of Harhur, 54 the sons of Bazlith, the sons of Mehida, the sons of Harsha, 55the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Temah, 56 the sons of Neziah, the sons of Hatipha.

57 The sons of Solomon’s servants: the sons of Sotai, the sons of Sophereth, the sons of Perida, 58 the sons of Jaala, the sons of Darkon, the sons of Giddel, 59 the sons of Shephatiah, the sons of Hattil, the sons of Pochereth-hazzebaim, the sons of Amon.

60 All the temple servants and the sons of Solomon’s servants were 392.

61 The following were those who came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer, but they could not prove their fathers’ houses nor their descent, whether they belonged to Israel: 62 the sons of Delaiah, the sons of Tobiah, the sons of Nekoda, 642. 63 Also, of the priests: the sons of Hobaiah, the sons of Hakkoz, the sons of Barzillai (who had taken a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name).64 These sought their registration among those enrolled in the genealogies, but it was not found there, so they were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. 65 The governor told them that they were not to partake of the most holy food until a priest with Urim and Thummim should arise.

Totals of People and Gifts

66 The whole assembly together was 42,360, 67 besides their male and female servants, of whom there were 7,337. And they had 245 singers, male and female. 68 Their horses were 736, their mules 245, 69 their camels 435, and their donkeys 6,720.

70 Now some of the heads of fathers’ houses gave to the work. The governor gave to the treasury 1,000 darics of gold, 50 basins, 30 priests’ garments and 500 minas of silver. 71 And some of the heads of fathers’ houses gave into the treasury of the work 20,000 darics of gold and 2,200 minas of silver. 72 And what the rest of the people gave was 20,000 darics of gold, 2,000 minas of silver, and 67 priests’ garments.

73 So the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, some of the people, the temple servants, and all Israel, lived in their towns.

And when the seventh month had come, the people of Israel were in their towns.

  

Nehemiah 6 - John Lloyd

Nehemiah 6 (Esv)

1Now when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it (although up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates), 

2 Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to do me harm. 

3 And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” 

4 And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner. 

5 In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand. 

6 In it was written, “It is reported among the nations, and Geshem also says it, that you and the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall. And according to these reports you wish to become their king. 

7 And you have also set up prophets to proclaim concerning you in Jerusalem, ‘There is a king in Judah.’ And now the king will hear of these reports. So now come and let us take counsel together.” 

8 Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind.” 

9 For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands.

10 Now when I went into the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home, he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple. Let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you. They are coming to kill you by night.” 

11 But I said, “Should such a man as I run away? And what man such as I could go into the temple and live? I will not go in.” 

12 And I understood and saw that God had not sent him, but he had pronounced the prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 

13 For this purpose he was hired, that I should be afraid and act in this way and sin, and so they could give me a bad name in order to taunt me. 

14 Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, according to these things that they did, and also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who wanted to make me afraid.

The Wall Is Finished

15 So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. 

16 And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God. 

17 Moreover, in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah’s letters came to them. 

18 For many in Judah were bound by oath to him, because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of Arah: and his son Jehohanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah as his wife. 

19 Also they spoke of his good deeds in my presence and reported my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to make me afraid.

  

Nehemiah 5 - John Lloyd

Nehemiah 5 (Esv)

Nehemiah 5:1 Now there arose a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish brothers.

Nehemiah 5:2 For there were those who said, “With our sons and our daughters, we are many. So let us get grain, that we may eat and keep alive.” 

Nehemiah 5:3 There were also those who said, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our houses to get grain because of the famine.”

 Nehemiah 5:4 And  there were those who said, “We have borrowed money for the king’s tax on our fields and our vineyards. 

Nehemiah 5:5 Now our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our children are as their children. Yet we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but it is not in our power to help it, for other men have our fields and our vineyards.”

Nehemiah 5:6 I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words.

 Nehemiah 5:7 I took counsel with myself, and I brought charges against the nobles and the officials. I said to them, “You are exacting interest, each from his brother.” And I held a great assembly against them

 Nehemiah 5:8 and said to them, “We, as far as we are able, have bought back our Jewish brothers who have been sold to the nations, but you even sell your brothers that they may be sold to us!” They were silent and could not find a word to say.

 Nehemiah 5:9 So I said, “The thing that you are doing is not good. Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God to prevent the taunts of the nations our enemies?

Nehemiah 5:10 Moreover, I and my brothers and my servants are lending them money and grain. Let us abandon this exacting of interest.

Nehemiah 5:11 Return to them this very day their fields, their vineyards, their olive orchards, and their houses, and the percentage of money, grain, wine, and oil that you have been exacting from them.”

 Nehemiah 5:12 Then they said, “We will restore these and require nothing from them. We will do as you say.” And I called the priests and made them swear to do as they had promised. 

Nehemiah 5:13 I also shook out the fold of my garment and said, “So may God shake out every man from his house and from his labor who does not keep this promise. So may he be shaken out and emptied.” And all the assembly said “Amen” and praised the LORD. And the people did as they had promised.

Nehemiah 5:14 Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes the king, twelve years, neither I nor my brothers ate the food allowance of the governor. 

Nehemiah 5:15 The former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people and took from them for their daily ration forty shekels of silver. Even their servants lorded it over the people. But I did not do so, because of the fear of God. 

Nehemiah 5:16 I also persevered in the work on this wall, and we acquired no land, and all my servants were gathered there for the work. 

Nehemiah 5:17 Moreover, there were at my table 150 men, Jews and officials, besides those who came to us from the nations that were around us. 

Nehemiah 5:18 Now what was prepared at my expense for each day was one ox and six choice sheep and birds, and every ten days all kinds of wine in abundance. Yet for all this I did not demand the food allowance of the governor, because the service was too heavy on this people. 

 Nehemiah 5:19 Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people.

  

Nehemiah 4 - Dan Harper

Nehemiah 4 (ESV)
Nehemiah 4:1 Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews. 
Nehemiah 4:2 And he said in the presence of his brothers and of the army of Samaria, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burned ones at that?” 
Nehemiah 4:3 Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Yes, what they are building—if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!” 
Nehemiah 4:4 Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. 
Nehemiah 4:5 Do not cover their guilt, and let not their sin be blotted out from your sight, for they have provoked you to anger in the presence of the builders. 
Nehemiah 4:6 So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. 
Nehemiah 4:7 But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and that the breaches were beginning to be closed, they were very angry. 
Nehemiah 4:8 And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. 
Nehemiah 4:9 And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night. 
Nehemiah 4:10 In Judah it was said, “The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall.” 
Nehemiah 4:11 And our enemies said, “They will not know or see till we come among them and kill them and stop the work.” 
Nehemiah 4:12 At that time the Jews who lived near them came from all directions and said to us ten times, “You must return to us.” 
Nehemiah 4:13 So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed the people by their clans, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. 
Nehemiah 4:14 And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.” 
Nehemiah 4:15 When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work. 
Nehemiah 4:16 From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, 
Nehemiah 4:17 who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. 
Nehemiah 4:18 And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me. 
Nehemiah 4:19 And I said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another. 
Nehemiah 4:20 In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.” 
Nehemiah 4:21 So we labored at the work, and half of them held the spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out. 
Nehemiah 4:22 I also said to the people at that time, “Let every man and his servant pass the night within Jerusalem, that they may be a guard for us by night and may labor by day.” 
Nehemiah 4:23 So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes; each kept his weapon at his right hand.
 

Nehemiah 3 - John Lloyd

Nehemiah 3 (ESV)
Nehemiah 3:1 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set its doors. They consecrated it as far as the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Tower of Hananel. 
Nehemiah 3:2 And next to him the men of Jericho built. And next to them Zaccur the son of Imri built. 
Nehemiah 3:3 The sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate. They laid its beams and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. 
Nehemiah 3:4 And next to them Meremoth the son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz repaired. And next to them Meshullam the son of Berechiah, son of Meshezabel repaired. And next to them Zadok the son of Baana repaired. 
Nehemiah 3:5 And next to them the Tekoites repaired, but their nobles would not stoop to serve their Lord. 
Nehemiah 3:6 Joiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah repaired the Gate of Yeshanah. They laid its beams and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. 
Nehemiah 3:7 And next to them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon and of Mizpah, the seat of the governor of the province Beyond the River. 
Nehemiah 3:8 Next to them Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, goldsmiths, repaired. Next to him Hananiah, one of the perfumers, repaired, and they restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall. 
Nehemiah 3:9 Next to them Rephaiah the son of Hur, ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, repaired. 
Nehemiah 3:10 Next to them Jedaiah the son of Harumaph repaired opposite his house. And next to him Hattush the son of Hashabneiah repaired. 
Nehemiah 3:11 Malchijah the son of Harim and Hasshub the son of Pahath-moab repaired another section and the Tower of the Ovens. 
Nehemiah 3:12 Next to him Shallum the son of Hallohesh, ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, repaired, he and his daughters. 
Nehemiah 3:13 Hanun and the inhabitants of Zanoah repaired the Valley Gate. They rebuilt it and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars, and repaired a thousand cubits of the wall, as far as the Dung Gate. 
Nehemiah 3:14 Malchijah the son of Rechab, ruler of the district of Beth-haccherem, repaired the Dung Gate. He rebuilt it and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. 
Nehemiah 3:15 And Shallum the son of Col-hozeh, ruler of the district of Mizpah, repaired the Fountain Gate. He rebuilt it and covered it and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. And he built the wall of the Pool of Shelah of the king’s garden, as far as the stairs that go down from the city of David. 
Nehemiah 3:16 After him Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, ruler of half the district of Beth-zur, repaired to a point opposite the tombs of David, as far as the artificial pool, and as far as the house of the mighty men. 
Nehemiah 3:17 After him the Levites repaired: Rehum the son of Bani. Next to him Hashabiah, ruler of half the district of Keilah, repaired for his district. 
Nehemiah 3:18 After him their brothers repaired: Bavvai the son of Henadad, ruler of half the district of Keilah. 
Nehemiah 3:19 Next to him Ezer the son of Jeshua, ruler of Mizpah, repaired another section opposite the ascent to the armory at the buttress. 
Nehemiah 3:20 After him Baruch the son of Zabbai repaired another section from the buttress to the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest. 
Nehemiah 3:21 After him Meremoth the son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz repaired another section from the door of the house of Eliashib to the end of the house of Eliashib. 
Nehemiah 3:22 After him the priests, the men of the surrounding area, repaired. 
Nehemiah 3:23 After them Benjamin and Hasshub repaired opposite their house. After them Azariah the son of Maaseiah, son of Ananiah repaired beside his own house. 
Nehemiah 3:24 After him Binnui the son of Henadad repaired another section, from the house of Azariah to the buttress and to the corner.
Nehemiah 3:25  Palal the son of Uzai repaired opposite the buttress and the tower projecting from the upper house of the king at the court of the guard. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh
Nehemiah 3:26 and the temple servants living on Ophel repaired to a point opposite the Water Gate on the east and the projecting tower. 
Nehemiah 3:27 After him the Tekoites repaired another section opposite the great projecting tower as far as the wall of Ophel. 
Nehemiah 3:28 Above the Horse Gate the priests repaired, each one opposite his own house. 
Nehemiah 3:29 After them Zadok the son of Immer repaired opposite his own house. After him Shemaiah the son of Shecaniah, the keeper of the East Gate, repaired. 
Nehemiah 3:30 After him Hananiah the son of Shelemiah and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph repaired another section. After him Meshullam the son of Berechiah repaired opposite his chamber. 
Nehemiah 3:31 After him Malchijah, one of the goldsmiths, repaired as far as the house of the temple servants and of the merchants, opposite the Muster Gate, and to the upper chamber of the corner. 
Nehemiah 3:32 And between the upper chamber of the corner and the Sheep Gate the goldsmiths and the merchants repaired.
 

Nehemiah 2 - John Lloyd

Nehemiah 2:1–8 (ESV)
Nehemiah 2:1 In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence. 
Nehemiah 2:2 And the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of the heart.” Then I was very much afraid. 
Nehemiah 2:3 I said to the king, “Let the king live forever! Why should not my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ graves, lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” 
Nehemiah 2:4 Then the king said to me, “What are you requesting?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. 
Nehemiah 2:5 And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ graves, that I may rebuild it.” 
Nehemiah 2:6 And the king said to me (the queen sitting beside him), “How long will you be gone, and when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me when I had given him a time. 
Nehemiah 2:7 And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let letters be given me to the governors of the province Beyond the River, that they may let me pass through until I come to Judah, 
Nehemiah 2:8 and a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the fortress of the temple, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall occupy.” And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me.
 

Nehemiah 1 - John Lloyd

Nehemiah 1 (ESV)
Nehemiah 1:1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the citadel, 
Nehemiah 1:2 that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. 
Nehemiah 1:3 And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.” 
Nehemiah 1:4 As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. 
Nehemiah 1:5 And I said, “O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 
Nehemiah 1:6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned. 
Nehemiah 1:7 We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses. 
Nehemiah 1:8 Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, 
Nehemiah 1:9 but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’ 
Nehemiah 1:10 They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. 
Nehemiah 1:11 O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” Now I was cupbearer to the king.
 

1 Corinthians 15:12-17 John Lloyd

1 Corinthians 15:12–17 (ESV)
1 Corinthians 15:12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 
1 Corinthians 15:13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 
1 Corinthians 15:14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 
1 Corinthians 15:15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 
1 Corinthians 15:16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 
1 Corinthians 15:17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.
 

Darkness and Dereliction - Dan Harper

Matthew 27:35–46 (ESV)
Matthew 27:35 And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. 
Matthew 27:36 Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. 
Matthew 27:37 And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” 
Matthew 27:38 Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. 
Matthew 27:39 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads
Matthew 27:40 and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 
Matthew 27:41 So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, 
Matthew 27:42 “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 
Matthew 27:43 He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” 
Matthew 27:44 And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way. 
Matthew 27:45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 
Matthew 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
 

Luke 23:35-43 - John Lloyd

Luke 23:35–43 (ESV)
Luke 23:35 And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” 
Luke 23:36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine
Luke 23:37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 
Luke 23:38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” 
Luke 23:39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 
Luke 23:40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 
Luke 23:41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 
Luke 23:42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 
Luke 23:43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
 

Luke 23:32-38 - John Lloyd

Luke 23:32–38 (ESV)
Luke 23:32 Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 
Luke 23:33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 
Luke 23:34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. 
Luke 23:35 And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” 
Luke 23:36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine
Luke 23:37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 
Luke 23:38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”
 

Philippians 4:14-23 - John Lloyd

Philippians 4:14–23 (ESV)
Philippians 4:14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 
Philippians 4:15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 
Philippians 4:16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 
Philippians 4:17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 
Philippians 4:18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 
Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 
Philippians 4:20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. 
Philippians 4:21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 
Philippians 4:22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household. 
Philippians 4:23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
 

Philippians 4:9-14 - John Lloyd

Philippians 4:9–14 (ESV)
Philippians 4:9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. 
Philippians 4:10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 
Philippians 4:11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 
Philippians 4:12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 
Philippians 4:14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.
 

Philippians 4:5-4:9 - John Lloyd

Philippians 4:5–8 (ESV)
Philippians 4:5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 
Philippians 4:6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
 

Philippians 3:22-4:4 - John Lloyd

Philippians 3:21–4:4 (ESV)
Philippians 3:21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. 
Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. 
Philippians 4:2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 
Philippians 4:3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. 
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
 

Philippians 3:17-21 - Paul Wilson

Philippians 3:17–21 (ESV)
Philippians 3:17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 
Philippians 3:18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 
Philippians 3:19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 
Philippians 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 
Philippians 3:21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.