 27 She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying: 29 “Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all.”

 Decrease in Church attendance  A Family that is straying  A world that is growing in corruption  Churches of Christ declining in America = WE ARE FAILING/OUR FAULT

 Daniel and his friends  Ezekiel  A rebellious house (Ezek. 2:5, 6, 8; 3:9, 24, 26, 27)  Jeremiah  For 23 years the same message is preached and falls on deaf ears (Jer. 25:1-7) - Did they Fail?

 Speak the word  Offer the opportunity  Be watchmen  Ezekiel 3:16-21  Ezekiel 2:1-7  Fulfill our purpose  Jer. 1:5  Jer. 20:8-9

 Politically  Ex. Manasseh ▪ “Worshipped all the hosts of heaven” and “Built altars in the house of God” (2 Chron. 33:3-4) ▪ Passed children “through the fire” (2 Chron. 33:6) ▪ “Shed innocent blood until Jerusalem was filled from one end to the other” (2 Kings 21:26)  Ahab ▪ Jezebel killing off the prophets (1 Kings 18:4, 13; 19:1-30)

 Numerically  Family not all faithful ▪ Remember Lot???  Only family in town that is faithful ▪ Noah: only family on the earth that is faithful  Rejection  Jer. 25:1-7  Heb. 12:4

 Elijah  “I alone am left” (1 Kings 19:14-18)  12 Spies  If God is on our side we are never outmanned or outmatched

 God still reigns  Psalm 47  God is still king of king and Lord of Lords (1 Tim. 6:15- 16)  The gospel still holds the power of God to salvation  Rom. 1:16-17  The Bible still holds all the answers  Jesus will still save the lost when they come to him!!!  2 Peter 3:9- “God is not slack or slow concerning his promises”

 Causes for Discouragement:  Persecution ▪ Paul approaching death as he writes (2 Tim. 4:6-8)  False Teachers ▪ Hymanaeus and Alexander (2 Tim. 2:17-18)  Men departing from the faith ▪ “some will not endure sound doctrine” (2 Tim. 4:2-4)  A Sinful World ▪ “in the last days difficult times will come...” (2 Tim. 3:1- 8)

 Encouragement offered:  God gave a spirit of power (2 Tim. 1:7-10) ▪ We need not fear ▪ We can be strong (2 Tim. 2:1)  A prize of eternal glory (2 Tim. 2:10-13) ▪ A crown of righteousness is laid up (2 Tim. 4:8)  The firm foundation of God stands (2 Tim. 2:19) ▪ “the Lord knows those who are his” ▪ God doesn’t lose sight of the faithful. ▪ The church is an “everlasting kingdom.”  The scriptures equip us with everything we need (2 Tim. 3:14-17)

 What will our focus be???  Discouragement that comes from Satan?  Encouragement that comes from God?