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2 Chronicles

Wise Counsel for Troubled Times

Charting a course through the stormy, uncertain seas of our lives can be difficult. It’s impossible without a reliable compass, an accurate set of maps, and some sturdy examples of faith and courage.

In this series, Chuck Swindoll introduces you to many of these courageous and stronghearted individuals. With each message, Chuck invites you to look closely into their lives and discover how to carefully apply to your life what they learned about overcoming challenges. As you fasten yourself to the mainstay of God’s Word, you, too, will stay upright through whatever storms come your way.


Navigating the storms of life is impossible without a reliable compass and examples of those who have successfully sailed through similar seas. In this 13-part series, Pastor Chuck Swindoll draws from the lives of courageous biblical figures to provide “wise counsel” for modern challenges. By studying their victories and struggles, we discover practical principles for sustaining enthusiasm, overcoming failure, and maintaining integrity, ensuring we stay upright no matter how troubled the times become.

1. Sustaining Enthusiasm (Joshua 1:1–9)

  • Overview: Explores how Joshua maintained his drive and focus after the death of Moses. It addresses the danger of complacency and the need for courage rooted in the Word of God.
  • Key Fact: Enthusiasm is sustained not by a lack of fear, but by a consistent immersion in God’s promises and commands.
  • Scripture: Joshua 1:8 – “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth… then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.”

2. Overcoming Failure (Jonah 1–3)

  • Overview: Uses the story of Jonah to show that failure is not final. God is the God of the second chance, capable of redeeming our most stubborn rebellions.
  • Key Fact: God’s “severe mercy” is often used to bring us back to our knees and back to our original calling.
  • Scripture: Jonah 3:1 – “Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, ‘Arise, go to Nineveh…'”

3. Never Quitting (Selected Scriptures)

  • Overview: A call to perseverance. This message examines what it takes to stay the course when the pressure to give up becomes overwhelming.
  • Key Fact: Persistence is a spiritual discipline; it is the refusal to allow circumstances to dictate the direction of your faith.
  • Scripture: Galatians 6:9 – “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.”

4. Thinking Biblically (Romans 12:1–2)

  • Overview: Addresses the battle for the mind. To survive troubled times, we must reject the “mold” of the world and be transformed by the renewal of our thinking.
  • Key Fact: Biblical thinking is the prerequisite for discerning God’s “good and acceptable and perfect” will.
  • Scripture: Romans 12:2 – “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

5. Demonstrating Wisdom (Proverbs 3)

  • Overview: Practical insights from Solomon on the value of wisdom. It highlights the peace and protection that come from trusting God’s understanding over our own.
  • Key Fact: Wisdom is not just intellectual knowledge; it is “skill in living” that begins with a total reliance on the Lord.
  • Scripture: Proverbs 3:5 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.”

6. Taking Responsibility (Selected Scriptures)

  • Overview: Challenges the “blame-game” culture. This message emphasizes the character and growth that come when we own our choices and their consequences.
  • Key Fact: Maturity begins when we stop making excuses and start taking responsibility for our spiritual and relational health.
  • Scripture: Galatians 6:5 – “For each one will bear his own load.”

7. Standing Alone (Daniel 1, 3, 6)

  • Overview: Uses the life of Daniel and his friends to illustrate the courage needed to maintain biblical convictions in a pagan culture.
  • Key Fact: Standing alone is possible only when we have already “determined in our hearts” whom we will serve before the crisis arrives.
  • Scripture: Daniel 1:8 – “But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food.”

8. Respecting Authority (Romans 13; 1 Peter 2)

  • Overview: Explores the difficult biblical command to respect and submit to authority, even when those in power are flawed or difficult.
  • Key Fact: Respecting authority is ultimately an act of trust in God’s sovereign control over human systems.
  • Scripture: Romans 13:1 – “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God.”

9. Cultivating Humility (1 Peter 5:5–7)

  • Overview: Peter’s advice on the “clothing” of humility. This message shows how humility is the key to receiving God’s grace and being lifted up in His timing.
  • Key Fact: Humility is the antidote to anxiety; we “cast our care” on Him precisely because we recognize His “mighty hand.”
  • Scripture: 1 Peter 5:5 – “And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

10. Studying Hard (Ezra 7:10)

  • Overview: Based on the life of Ezra, this message emphasizes the importance of being a “student of the Word” who practices what they learn.
  • Key Fact: Ezra’s success was built on a threefold commitment: to study the Law, to practice it, and to teach it.
  • Scripture: Ezra 7:10 – “For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it, and to teach His statutes.”

11. Modeling Integrity (Job 1; 31)

  • Overview: Using the life of Job, Chuck explores the definition of integrity—being the same person in the dark that you are in the light.
  • Key Fact: Integrity is not perfection; it is a consistent heart-orientation toward God that remains steady even under immense suffering.
  • Scripture: Job 2:3 – “He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause.”

12. Extending Grace (Selected Scriptures)

  • Overview: A call to be “grace-givers” in a judgmental world. This message explores how to treat others with the same unmerited favor we have received from Christ.
  • Key Fact: Grace is the lubricant of human relationships; it allows us to love those who are different or who have failed us.
  • Scripture: Colossians 4:6 – “Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt.”

13. Encouraging Others (Acts 4:36–37; 9:26–27)

  • Overview: The series concludes with the life of Barnabas, the “Son of Encouragement.” It highlights the power of coming alongside others to champion their growth.
  • Key Fact: Encouragement is a “life-giving” ministry that can turn a rejected Saul into a powerful Apostle Paul.
  • Scripture: Hebrews 10:24 – “And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.”

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Growing Up in God’s Family

God’s Word describes the body of believers as “brothers and sisters” and “co-heirs” with Jesus, and when Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He began by saying, “Our Father.” Why?

We’re a family in Christ. And like any family, God’s family is filled with people in all stages of spiritual development: newborn believers, those still adolescent in their walk, and the spiritually mature.

Join Chuck Swindoll as he takes an in-depth look at the stages of growth that characterize the Christian walk.


The Bible frequently uses family language to describe the church—we are brothers, sisters, and co-heirs with Christ, under the care of “Our Father.” Like any healthy family, God’s family is composed of individuals at different stages of development. In this 16-part series, Chuck Swindoll examines the spiritual parallels to physical growth, identifying the characteristics of newborn believers, spiritual adolescents, and mature disciples. By understanding these “ages and stages,” we can better navigate our own growth and support others as we all strive toward the ultimate goal of Christlike maturity.

Analysis of a Crop Failure

Sermon Summary Jesus, the master teacher, often used parables to illustrate deep spiritual truths. This opening message analyzes the Parable of the Sower, which Chuck calls an “analysis of a crop failure.” We learn that spiritual growth depends heavily on the condition of the heart—the “soil” in which the Word is planted. By identifying the obstacles to growth, such as the hardness of the path or the thorns of worldly worry, we can prepare ourselves to become fruitful soil for God’s Kingdom.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The Master Teacher: Exploring Jesus’ use of imagery to explain spiritual receptivity.
  • The Role of the Heart: Understanding why some “crops” fail while others thrive.

Primary Scripture Reference

  • Mark 4:1–20

Birth and Infancy: Survival Basics

Sermon Summary Every spiritual journey begins with a new birth. This message focuses on the “survival basics” for newborn believers. Just as physical infants require constant care and pure milk, spiritual infants need the foundational truths of God’s Word to survive and begin to grow. Chuck discusses the vulnerability of this stage and the necessity of a nurturing community to protect and feed those who are new to the faith.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The New Birth: The essential starting point for entering God’s family.
  • Spiritual Nourishment: Why foundational doctrine is “milk” for the infant soul.

Look . . . I’m Walking!

Sermon Summary There is a thrilling moment in every believer’s life when they take their first stable steps in the faith. This message explores the transition from infancy to early childhood. We learn that “walking” in the Spirit involves a new level of coordination between hearing the Word and applying it. Chuck encourages those who are beginning to find their spiritual footing, emphasizing the importance of consistency and dependence on the Father’s hand.

Key Facts & Themes

  • Active Application: Moving from passive hearing to active walking in truth.
  • Spiritual Coordination: Learning to balance grace and obedience in daily life.

Adolescents in Adult Bodies

Sermon Summary One of the most challenging stages in God’s family is spiritual adolescence. This message addresses the phenomenon of “adolescents in adult bodies”—believers who have been in the church for years but still exhibit the volatility and self-centeredness of a teenager. Chuck discusses the symptoms of spiritual immaturity and the necessity of pushing through this awkward stage to reach a stable, selfless maturity.

Key Facts & Themes

  • Symptoms of Immaturity: Identifying the “childish things” that hinder spiritual progress.
  • The Stagnation Trap: Why some believers remain stuck in a state of perpetual adolescence.

When Peter Pan Comes to Church

Sermon Summary “Peter Pan” is the boy who never wanted to grow up, and sadly, his spirit is often found in the church. This message explores the resistance many feel toward becoming spiritually mature. Chuck warns against the desire to remain in a state of “carefree” irresponsibility. We learn that true maturity involves taking on the burdens of others and accepting the responsibilities that come with being a seasoned member of God’s family.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The Fear of Responsibility: Why we often prefer the ease of infancy over the weight of maturity.
  • The Call to Grow Up: Understanding that spiritual maturity is a mandate, not an option.

Growing-Up Goals for Diligent Disciples

Sermon Summary The series concludes by outlining the “growing-up goals” for every diligent disciple. Chuck summarizes the hallmarks of a mature believer: a stable walk, a selfless heart, and a deep, intimate relationship with the Father. We are encouraged to keep pressing forward, realizing that growth is a lifelong process that requires diligence, grace, and a constant reliance on the Holy Spirit.

Key Facts & Themes

  • Hallmarks of Maturity: Identifying the visible traits of a seasoned saint.
  • Diligent Discipleship: The intentional effort required to reach spiritual goals.

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How Great Is Our God!

Everything—where we pin our hopes, how we raise our children, what we do in times of joy or sorrow, everything we aspire to, think, and believe—boils down to how we answer one question: Who is God?

In this series, Chuck Swindoll reminds us of the holiness and majesty of God the Father, the humility and self-sacrificing love of the Son, and the ministry and counsel only the Holy Spirit can provide. These messages provide an anchor of biblical hope in God for believers in times of both tumult and peace.


Every aspect of our lives—how we face trials, how we celebrate joys, and how we view our purpose—is determined by how we answer one central question: Who is God? In this 12-part theological survey, Pastor Chuck Swindoll explores the majestic attributes of the Trinity. From the holiness and glory of God the Father to the sacrificial love of the Son and the active ministry of the Holy Spirit, these messages provide a firm biblical anchor. This series is designed to reacquaint believers with the magnitude of the God they serve, offering hope and stability in an ever-changing world.

1. The Glory of God (Isaiah 42:5–8; 2 Chronicles 26)

  • Overview: Addresses the independent and unchanging nature of God’s glory. Chuck explains that God’s glory exists regardless of human awareness, serving as the ultimate standard for the universe.
  • Key Fact: God is inherently glorious; our role is not to “give” Him glory, but to recognize and reflect it.
  • Scripture: Isaiah 42:8 – “I am the Lord, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another.”

2. The Holiness of God

  • Overview: Explores the “otherness” and absolute purity of God. Understanding God’s holiness is the necessary foundation for understanding our need for grace and the magnitude of the Gospel.
  • Key Fact: God’s holiness means He is entirely set apart from sin and is the source of all moral perfection.

3. The Love of God

  • Overview: Focuses on the “steadfast love” (Chesed) of God. This message reassures believers that God’s love is not based on our performance, but on His eternal character and commitment to His children.
  • Key Fact: God’s love is an active, pursuing force that remains constant even when we are unfaithful.

4. The Grace of God

  • Overview: Defines grace as God’s unmerited favor. Chuck explores how grace provides what we cannot earn and removes the debt we cannot pay, serving as the “fuel” for the Christian life.
  • Key Fact: Grace is the ultimate expression of God’s kindness toward those who deserve His judgment.

5. The Servant Who Came

  • Overview: Shifts the focus to the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. Chuck highlights the humility of the Son, who set aside His divine prerogatives to take on the form of a bond-servant for our sake.
  • Key Fact: True greatness is found in service, as modeled by the King who came not to be served, but to serve.

6. The Cup That He Drank

  • Overview: A deep look at Gethsemane and the “cup” of God’s wrath that Jesus voluntarily accepted. It highlights the intense emotional and spiritual cost of our redemption.
  • Key Fact: Jesus’ submission to the Father’s will in the garden ensured our rescue from the judgment we deserved.

7. The Lamb That Was Slaughtered

  • Overview: Explores the substitutionary atonement. Jesus is the final and perfect Lamb whose sacrifice once and for all satisfies the requirements of God’s justice.
  • Key Fact: Our peace with God is secured through the blood of the Lamb, which covers and cleanses every sin.

8. The Cross We Proclaim

  • Overview: Focuses on the central message of the Christian faith. Chuck argues that the cross is not just a historical event, but a present power that defines our identity and our message to the world.
  • Key Fact: The cross is the ultimate intersection of God’s perfect justice and His perfect love.

9. Getting Reacquainted with the Spirit of Power

  • Overview: Introduces the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Chuck encourages believers to move past confusion or neglect of the Spirit and to recognize Him as the source of supernatural power for daily living.
  • Key Fact: The Holy Spirit is a Person to be known and relied upon, not merely a force to be used.

10. What Does Being ”Filled with the Spirit” Mean?

  • Overview: Provides a practical, biblical definition of the “Spirit-filled” life. Chuck clarifies that being filled is about control—yielding our will to the Spirit’s direction.
  • Key Fact: To be filled with the Spirit is to be so dominated by His influence that our character reflects the fruit of the Spirit.
  • Scripture: Ephesians 5:18 – “And do not get drunk with wine… but be filled with the Spirit.”

11. Those Unidentified Inner Promptings

  • Overview: Discusses the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Chuck offers wisdom for discerning those “nudges” and promptings of the Spirit in our decision-making and interactions.
  • Key Fact: Learning to listen to the Spirit’s promptings is a key discipline of spiritual maturity and obedience.

12. The Spirit’s Most Significant Mission

  • Overview: The series concludes by highlighting the Spirit’s primary goal: to glorify Jesus Christ. The Spirit works in us to make the presence and character of Jesus visible to the world.
  • Key Fact: The most “Spirit-filled” person is the one whose life most clearly points others toward Jesus.

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God’s Masterwork, Volume Two

In this practical series, covering the books of Joshua through Esther, Chuck Swindoll will provide a close-up look at the heights and depths of living in this world. From the heights of Joshua’s entrance into the land of promise to the depths of exile from the land, this series will trace the threads of faithfulness through the often faithless existence of God’s chosen people.


In this second volume of the God’s Masterwork survey, Pastor Chuck Swindoll explores the “Historical Books” of the Old Testament (Joshua through Esther). This era chronicles Israel’s journey from the triumphant conquest of the Promised Land to the tragic depths of exile and the hopeful return of a remnant. Through these historical accounts, we discover that while God’s people are often faithless, God Himself remains unfailingly faithful to His covenant.

1. Joshua: Triumph After Tragedy

  • Overview: Charts the transition from wilderness wandering to the conquest of Canaan. It highlights the importance of courage rooted in the Word of God.
  • Key Fact: Joshua’s leadership was successful because it was built on a foundation of meditation and obedience to the Law.
  • Scripture: Joshua 1:8 – “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth… then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.”

2. Judges: Recycled Misery

  • Overview: A sobering look at Israel’s downward spiral of disobedience, discipline, and deliverance. It illustrates the chaos that ensues when people reject God’s authority.
  • Key Fact: The book follows a repetitive four-part cycle: Sin, Suffering, Supplication, and Salvation.
  • Scripture: Judges 21:25 – “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”

3. Ruth: Interlude of Love

  • Overview: A beautiful narrative of loyalty and redemption set during the dark days of the Judges. It highlights God’s grace toward those outside the covenant of Israel.
  • Key Fact: Ruth, a Moabitess, becomes an ancestor of King David and Jesus Christ, proving that God’s grace knows no national boundaries.
  • Scripture: Ruth 1:16 – “Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.”

4. 1 Samuel: Nation in Transition

  • Overview: Records the transition from the period of Judges to the United Kingdom, focusing on the lives of Samuel, Saul, and the rise of David.
  • Key Fact: This book marks the beginning of the monarchy in Israel—a move prompted by the people’s desire to be “like the other nations.”
  • Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:7 – “For God sees not as man sees… but the Lord looks at the heart.”

5. 2 Samuel: Ecstasy and Agony of a King

  • Overview: Focuses exclusively on the reign of David, showcasing both his spiritual triumphs and his devastating personal failures.
  • Key Fact: While David was a “man after God’s own heart,” the second half of the book reveals the severe domestic consequences of his sin with Bathsheba.
  • Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:7 – Nathan’s direct confrontation: “You are the man!”

6. 1 Kings: Solomon and a Civil War

  • Overview: Details the peak of Israel’s glory under Solomon and the subsequent division of the kingdom into Israel (North) and Judah (South).
  • Key Fact: Solomon’s divided heart eventually led to a divided nation.
  • Scripture: 1 Kings 11:4 – “His heart was not wholly devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been.”

7. 2 Kings: From Compromise to Captivity

  • Overview: Traces the decline of both kingdoms as they ignored the prophets’ warnings, ending in the Assyrian and Babylonian exiles.
  • Key Fact: Despite the spiritual darkness, God raised up prophets like Elijah and Elisha to demonstrate His power and call the people to repentance.
  • Scripture: 2 Kings 17:13 – “Yet the Lord warned Israel and Judah through all His prophets… saying, ‘Turn from your evil ways.'”

8. 1 and 2 Chronicles: Reassurance for a Remnant

  • Overview: Written after the exile, these books retell the history of Judah to encourage the returning remnant of their spiritual heritage and God’s ongoing plan.
  • Key Fact: Chronicles focuses primarily on the southern kingdom of Judah and the Davidic line, emphasizing the importance of the Temple and worship.
  • Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14 – “If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray… I will heal their land.”

9. Ezra: True Man of the Word

  • Overview: Chronicles the return of the Jews from Babylon and the rebuilding of the Temple under the leadership of a priest dedicated to the Scriptures.
  • Key Fact: Ezra’s primary contribution was not just a building, but a spiritual reformation based on the study of the Law.
  • Scripture: Ezra 7:10 – “For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it, and to teach His statutes.”

10. Nehemiah: Softhearted Hard Hat

  • Overview: The story of the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls and the restoration of its people’s security and identity.
  • Key Fact: Nehemiah models the perfect balance between fervent prayer and practical, hard-working leadership.
  • Scripture: Nehemiah 4:9 – “But we prayed to our God, and because of them we set a guard against them day and night.”

11. Esther: The Beauty and the Best

  • Overview: A dramatic account of God’s silent but sovereign protection of His people during the exile through a young Jewish queen.
  • Key Fact: God’s name is never mentioned in the book of Esther, yet His “fingerprints” are on every page of the narrative.
  • Scripture: Esther 4:14 – “And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?”

Common Questions: God’s Masterwork, Volume Two

1. Why did God allow Israel to be taken into captivity in 2 Kings? As Pastor Chuck explains in “From Compromise to Captivity,” God is patient but also holy. After centuries of ignoring prophetic warnings and practicing idolatry, the exile was a form of divine discipline designed to purge the nation of its unfaithfulness.

2. What is the significance of the “cycle” in the book of Judges? The cycle illustrates human nature: we tend to forget God when things are going well. The “Recycled Misery” shows that without a spiritual anchor, society quickly decays into moral relativism, where everyone does what is right in their own eyes.

3. How does the book of Ruth fit into the larger story of the Bible? Ruth provides a “ray of light” during the dark era of the Judges. It demonstrates that God’s plan of redemption (the family line of the Messiah) continues even in small, seemingly insignificant acts of loyalty and kindness.

4. What can we learn from the difference between 1 & 2 Kings and 1 & 2 Chronicles? Kings was written to explain why the exile happened (judgment), while Chronicles was written to remind the survivors who they were (heritage). Kings is more “prophetic” and critical, while Chronicles is more “priestly” and encouraging.

5. Is God still in control even when He seems silent, like in the book of Esther? Absolutely. The series emphasizes that Esther is a masterpiece of divine providence. Even when God isn’t performing “parting of the sea” miracles, He is working behind the scenes through the “accidental” decisions of kings and the courage of ordinary people to fulfill His purposes.

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Can One Person Make a Difference?

The apostle Paul. Martin Luther. Corrie Ten Boom. Winston Churchill. Each name is instantly recognizable, because each person demonstrated courage in the face of opposition, overcoming evil with good and changing lives.

Can we make a difference?

You don’t need a famous name to make a difference. Through the power of God, anyone can impact neighborhoods, workplaces, and even the world. In this inspiring series by Chuck Swindoll, you’ll hear true stories of brave Christians in church history, learn the fundamental role of the church, and be equipped with the courage and discernment that life in Christ promises.

Can we make a difference? Yes we can.


In this 10-part series, Pastor Chuck Swindoll explores the profound impact that a single individual can have on the world when they are empowered by God. By weaving together stories from church history—most notably the Protestant Reformation—with biblical mandates for the local church, this series challenges every believer to step out of the shadows and embrace their role in God’s unfolding plan.

1. The Truth That Set Us Free (Romans 1:16–17; 4:5)

  • Overview: Sets the theological foundation by revisiting the “spiritual birthright” of the Reformation. It explores how rediscovering the truth of justification by faith alone changed the course of history.
  • Key Fact: The date October 31, 1517, is cited as a turning point more significant than many national holidays, marking the beginning of a return to biblical authority.
  • Scripture: Romans 1:16 – “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.”

2. A Monk, a Door, a War, a Hymn (Psalm 46)

  • Overview: A biographical look at Martin Luther’s stand against the religious establishment of his day. It illustrates how one person’s conviction can ignite a global movement.
  • Key Fact: Luther’s hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” was born out of his meditation on Psalm 46 during a time of intense personal and political crisis.
  • Scripture: Psalm 46:1–2 – “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

3. Being a Church that Makes a Difference (Acts 2:41–47)

  • Overview: Analyzes the DNA of the early church to determine what makes a community of faith truly impactful in a pagan culture.
  • Key Fact: The early church was characterized by four pillars: apostolic teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer.
  • Scripture: Acts 2:42 – “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

4. Ministry: Movement or Monument? (2 Kings 18:1–8)

  • Overview: A warning against “institutionalization.” This message uses King Hezekiah’s reforms to show that true ministry must remain a living movement rather than a static monument to the past.
  • Key Fact: Hezekiah broke in pieces the bronze serpent Moses had made because the people had turned a tool of God into an object of worship (Nehushtan).
  • Scripture: 2 Kings 18:5 – “He trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel; so that after him there was none like him among all the kings of Judah.”

5. Thinking Right about the Church (Matthew 16:13–18)

  • Overview: Corrects common misconceptions about the nature and purpose of the church, focusing on Christ’s declaration of its invincibility.
  • Key Fact: The “rock” upon which Christ builds His church is the confession that He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
  • Scripture: Matthew 16:18 – “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”

6. Flexing with a Future in Flux (1 Chronicles 12:32)

  • Overview: Discusses the importance of cultural relevance and discernment, highlighting the “sons of Issachar” who understood their times.
  • Key Fact: Impactful people are those who remain biblically grounded but are “flexible” enough to apply eternal truths to a changing world.
  • Scripture: 1 Chronicles 12:32 – Describing men “who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do.”

7. How to Help Our Nation Survive (Selected Scriptures)

  • Overview: Addresses the believer’s role in civil society, emphasizing that the health of a nation is often tied to the spiritual vitality of its individuals.
  • Key Fact: Salt and light are the two metaphors Jesus used to describe the influence Christians should have on a decaying and dark world.
  • Scripture: Proverbs 14:34 – “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.”

8. A Passion That Stays Balanced (Philippians 4:1–9)

  • Overview: Warns against the “zeal without knowledge” that can lead to burnout or legalism, advocating for a balanced Christian life.
  • Key Fact: Stability in ministry comes from a mind stayed on things that are true, honorable, right, pure, and lovely.
  • Scripture: Philippians 4:8 – The checklist for a balanced mind: “Whatever is true… honorable… right… pure… lovely… dwell on these things.”

9. Can One Person Make a Difference? (Nehemiah 1:1–11)

  • Overview: The titular message of the series, focusing on Nehemiah’s broken heart for Jerusalem and his subsequent action.
  • Key Fact: Nehemiah’s impact began not with a plan or a budget, but with a season of fasting and prayer over the ruins of his heritage.
  • Scripture: Nehemiah 1:4 – “When I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.”

10. This Is No Time for Wimps! (Joshua 1:1–9)

  • Overview: A concluding charge to live with courage and strength, following the example of Joshua as he prepared to lead Israel into the Promised Land.
  • Key Fact: Courage is not the absence of fear, but the presence of God; Joshua was commanded three times in one passage to “be strong and courageous.”
  • Scripture: Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

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