LifePoints

August 24, 2008 AM John 14 1-17 Introduction: We have been having fun with the political theme as we have approached FAITH this semester. You see, politics is a lot like getting into Heaven. It’s who you know that gets you in. Jesus had a conversation with His Disciples once about who they knew This is what we are looking at today. 1. Jesus said He is the Way. People all over are looking for purpose. 2. Jesus said He is the Truth. People all over are looking for truth that they can build their lives on. People want a foundation that is solid—not changing or shifting. 3. Jesus said He is the Life—full and abundant life and the only way to Eternal life. Two questions: · Do you know Jesus? Do you really know him...Do you have a personal relationship with Him? · Who do you know that doesn’t know Jesus? Who do you know that doesn’t have a personal relationship with Him? 1. Who do you know? “Philip said “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us. Jesus answered “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time?” John 14:8-9a Do you know Jesus? Circle one…. Yes No 2. How well do you know Jesus? · The more you know Jesus, the more you will talk about Him. · The more you know Jesus the more you unashamedly tell others about Him. · ROMANS 1:14-17 3. How do you make the Father known? Write down what you do to make the Father known to those around you on an hour to hour basis. Sometimes we can let on that we know someone when really we do not; or we have met them—just never grew in our relationship…. Two of the saddest things to happen to someone: 1. Attend a funeral of a friend and not know if they were a Christian. 2. Someone attend your funeral and not know if you were a Christian First Baptist Church Owasso 13307 East 96th Street North Owasso, OK 74055 www.fbcowasso.org 918-272-2294

Nehemiah 9 Dr. Roger Ferguson, Sr. Pastor August 10, 2008 THEME: Psychologists tell us it takes a minimum of six weeks doing something different. Therefore most of us never change, even when we know the change brings improvement. God will move you to healthy change and give you the strength to do it. To not change is sin. In Nehemiah God rebuilt the people as the people repaired the walls. Ask God to help you change in the ways that honor Him and help us. For change to last understand that………. 1. Your past may explain you but it doesn’t excuse you. (Nehemiah 9:1-2) 2. You must nourish your soul with Bible Study and prayer. (Nehemiah 9: 3) 3. Do what honors God and trust the consequences to Him. (Nehemiah 9:5-38) Think it over: Put action to the Bible message by thinking through the following: 1. How has God used both the painful and the helpful things from the past to shape you into His image? 2. Write one benefit of prayer and Bible study to you. ________________________________________________ 3. In what area is God telling you to do what is right and trust the consequences to Him? 4. Have you asked Christ to save you? Are you following Him in believer’s baptism? First Baptist Church Owasso 13307 East 96th Street North Owasso, OK 74055 www.fbcowasso.org 918-272-2294

July 20 2008 Nehemiah 6:1-14 Dr. Roger Ferguson, Sr. Pastor THEME: Satan appears as your best friend and disguises himself as an “angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14) who will do you a favor. His horrific destruction follows if you are deceived. On the other hand God promises His presence and provision to those who honor Him. Will you be distracted or a “fully devoted follower of Christ”? I. Satan’s ________________ of distractions: 1. Ungodly compromise which promises you’ll benefit. (Nehemiah 6:1-4) “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” I Corinthians 10:12 2. Criticism slanted to discourage. (Nehemiah 6:5-9) 3. Induced fear that God will fail you if you follow Him. (Nehemiah 6:10-14) II. Destroy Satan’s arsenal with full devotion to Christ: 1. Keep doing what honors God. (Nehemiah 6:5) 2. Ignore critics and stay on task. (Nehemiah 6:8-9) 3. Replace fear with faithful action and watch God show up! (Nehemiah 6:15) Live in the light of God’s love! II Corinthians 10:5 tells us to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. With that in mind what will you do with what you have heard today? 1. Which of Satan’s arsenals are you most vulnerable to? 2. What will you do differently starting today? 3. Today, why don’t you ask Christ to forgive your sin and lead your life? First Baptist Church Owasso 13307 East 96th Street North Owasso, OK 74055 www.fbcowasso.org 918-272-2294

July 13, 2008 Nehemiah 5:14-19 Dr. Roger Ferguson, Sr. Pastor THEME: There are two types of people in every age. One is the shallow, razzle-dazzle, “all about me” type. The other type of person does everything with excellence and for the glory of God. The first type flourishes then fizzles. The second type honors God, helps others and is contagious to follow. The second changes families, businesses and culture for God’s glory. What are you believing God for today? How do your actions demonstrate faith in Him? I. The strength of humility is shown by doing more than is expected. (Nehemiah 5:14-18) Time + Consistency = Influence II. The strength of humility grows from a genuine fear of God. (Nehemiah 5:15b, 19) “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding. To Him belongs eternal praise.” Psalm 111:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” Proverbs 1:7 Act in God’s Truth: 1. What did you learn today to help live in the strength of humility? 2. What will you do differently this week to practice what you’ve learned? 3. Have you trusted Christ as your Savior and followed Him in baptism? First Baptist Church Owasso 13307 East 96th Street North Owasso, OK 74055 www.fbcowasso.org 918-272-2294

Nehemiah 4:14-23 20 Jun 08 First Baptist Church Owasso 13307 East 96th Street North Owasso, OK 74055 www.fbcowasso.org 918-272-2294

June 15, 2008 Guest Speaker Harry Layden 1 Chronicles 11:15-19 First Baptist Church Owasso 13307 East 96th Street North Owasso, OK 74055 www.fbcowasso.org 918-272-2294

May 25, 2008 Nehemiah 2:9-20 Dr. Roger Ferguson, Sr. Pastor THEME: God called Nehemiah to a great work of restoring vision and hope to God’s people. The result was the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt. Where is God calling you to rebuild hope? Today we’ll learn how to handle critics and restore hope. I. Allow God to do work in you before He does a work through you. (Nehemiah 2:11) “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.” Genesis 6:8 (NIV) II. Do a thorough inspection before you give direction. (Nehemiah 2:12-16) 1. Expose critics and learn from them. (Nehemiah 2:10,19-20) III. Lay out the plan and involve the people to build for the glory of God. (Nehemiah 2:17-20) 1. Identify with the need as you describe asolution to the problem. (Nehemiah 2:17,18) 2. Keep the focus on God and get to work. Make it practical: 1. Have you signed up for the Leadership Summit? 189 people have. Do it today and help yourself to fulfill His purpose through you. 2. What one thing do you need to work on from today’s message? 3. Have you asked Christ to save you and are you following Him? First Baptist Church Owasso 13307 East 96th Street North Owasso, OK 74055 www.fbcowasso.org 918-272-2294

May 18, 2008 Nehemiah 2:1-8 Dr. Roger Ferguson, Sr. Pastor THEME: Leadership is influence. God changes the world through people who are fully devoted to Him. In business, family and church God is rebuilding society through people who have vision from God. Are you one of them? I. The power of a rebuilder is prayer. (Nehemiah 1:11; 2:5) 1. A rebuilder knows God changes hearts. (Nehemiah 1:11) “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases.” Proverbs 21:1 2. Rebuilders pray for an opportunity rather than a miracle. (Nehemiah 2:1-5) II. The plan of a Rebuilder: (Nehemiah 2:6-8) 1. Rebuilders are faithful in the present, prepare for the future and they don’t stay stuck in the past. “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.” II Chronicles 16:9a 2. God’s favor rests upon a fully devoted heart. (Nehemiah 2:5,8) Make it practical: God will use you to rebuild and make a difference and you will be available to Him. Consider the following: 1. What opportunity are you praying for today? God puts it in your heart before He shows the way it will be done. 2. Go to www.fbcowasso.org and register for the Summit before May 20th to get the best rates. 3. Have you trusted Christ to forgive your sin and lead your life? First Baptist Church Owasso 13307 East 96th Street North Owasso, OK 74055 www.fbcowasso.org 918-272-2294