1. FINISHING THE COURSE “A Life to Live”

2. II Tim. 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race (course), I have kept the faith”. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race (course), I have kept the faith”.

3. “Facing the Inevitable”! “Growing Older!” (first week) “Growing Older!” (first week) “Growing Older Together!” “Growing Older Together!” New discovery: Age irrelevant New discovery: Age irrelevant Psa. 139:16 (saw us unformed) Psa. 139:16 (saw us unformed) Eph. 1:4 (chose us in Him before the foundation world) Eph. 1:4 (chose us in Him before the foundation world) We are eternal We are eternal

4. Perfect plan for us: (Eph. 4:11-16) Process!! (Eph. 4:11-16) Process!! Changed into His likeness Changed into His likeness Perfect man (mature) Perfect man (mature) Complete, of full age Complete, of full age Growing up of mental/moral character Growing up of mental/moral character

5. Metamorphosis: A change of physical form, structure or substance, especially by supernatural means! A change of physical form, structure or substance, especially by supernatural means! A striking alteration in appearance and character! A striking alteration in appearance and character!

6. Exciting News!!! (Jn. 21:18) “Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old(er), you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish”

7. LESSONS FROM NEH.! Picture of Church coming out of bondage of Babylon ( the world) with purpose before them. Picture of Church coming out of bondage of Babylon ( the world) with purpose before them. A progressive picture full of lessons for living life. A progressive picture full of lessons for living life.

8. 70 yrs. Captivity!! Persia overthrows Babylon Persia overthrows Babylon King Cyrus issues decree King Cyrus issues decree “You are free to go” “You are free to go” Go back & restore Jerusalem Go back & restore Jerusalem Exciting (No small price!) Exciting (No small price!)

9. Return of the Exiles! Three different waves: (2%) Three different waves: (2%) Zerubbabel: 50,000 (538 BC) Zerubbabel: 50,000 (538 BC) Altars/feasts before temple Altars/feasts before temple Ezra: 2000 (81 yrs. later) Ezra: 2000 (81 yrs. later) Worship/Word (spiritual) Worship/Word (spiritual) Neh: (13 yrs. later) (444 BC) Neh: (13 yrs. later) (444 BC) Political/spiritual cent. (94 yrs) Political/spiritual cent. (94 yrs)

10. Neh. 4:1 Resistance: Enemy heard!! Resistance: Enemy heard!! First weapon…mocking First weapon…mocking Mocking turns to harassment Mocking turns to harassment Questions turn to declarations Questions turn to declarations Prayer is activated Prayer is activated “So we built” (half-way mark!) “So we built” (half-way mark!)

11. The scene changes (7) From wall (1) to walls (7) From wall (1) to walls (7) Rebuilding to restoration Rebuilding to restoration Gaps being closed! Gaps being closed! Enemy “very angry” Enemy “very angry” Alliance (conspired together) Alliance (conspired together) Attack & create confusion! Attack & create confusion!

12. 24/7 Watch! (9) Confusion breeds hopelessness Confusion breeds hopelessness Discouragement sets in Discouragement sets in Lose perspective Lose perspective Strength is failing Strength is failing Overwhelmed with rubbish Overwhelmed with rubbish Aligned with the enemy Aligned with the enemy Changes our confession! Changes our confession!

13. Neh..”that’s enough”! Positions men (openings) Positions men (openings) Sets families in order Sets families in order 3 part admonition: 3 part admonition: Don’t be afraid (nothing) Don’t be afraid (nothing) Remember the Lord (Great) Remember the Lord (Great) Fight for your families (houses) Fight for your families (houses)

14. Kingdom results: Counsel to nothing (15) Counsel to nothing (15) “So it was, from that time on..” “So it was, from that time on..” Built strategically (listen/rally) Built strategically (listen/rally) Kingdom perspective Kingdom perspective Kingdom synergy! (God with us!) Kingdom synergy! (God with us!) Finished 52 days (6:15) Finished 52 days (6:15)