Calvary Church with Skip Heitzig Audio Podcast

“The whole you needs worship—and the part of you that will live forever needs it most,” wrote Robert McIntyre. Nehemiah chapter 12 describes the worship of God’s people who had gathered to dedicate the newly rebuilt walls of Jerusalem. This week and next week we will eavesdrop on their worship service and discover how we should worship when we assemble together.I. Their Worship Was Biblical (v. 24)II. Their Worship Was Vocal (vv. 27-30, 43)III. Their Worship Was Musical (vv. 27b, 35-36, 41)IV. Their Worship Was Joyful (vv. 27, 43)Talk with God: Ask the Lord to reveal anything in your heart that’s holding you back from authentic worship and a deeper relationship with Him.Talk with others: Share your favorite worship album or playlist with your Connect Group or a believing friend or family member this week.Talk with kids: How is Jesus better than the judges in the story?

Ezra 3–4 reminds us that whenever God is rebuilding, His people will experience both great joy and fierce opposition. The exiles restored worship and laid the temple’s foundation, celebrating God’s faithfulness, but opposition rose quickly. Together, these chapters show us that true faith rejoices in God’s work, perseveres through resistance, and trusts that His purposes cannot be stopped.

Jerusalem was not the most popular place to live. Most people preferred to live elsewhere—in outlying towns and villages. It was more expensive to be in the city, and safety was a big concern. In this section there are some vital but often-forgotten principles about God’s city, God’s people, and God’s work. Let’s glean some of these important lessons from the city planners.I. All Places Are Significant; This Place Is Sacred (v. 1)II. Projects Are Important; People Are More Important (vv. 3-36)III. Ability Is Good; Availability Is Better (v. 2)IV. Work Is Practical; Worship Is Vital (vv. 22-24)Talk with God: Ask the Lord to provide opportunities for you to pour into His people this week.Talk with others: Ask a mentor or trusted believer if they’ve noticed anything in your life that might hinder the Lord’s desire to work through you.Talk with kids: How has Jesus defeated our enemies: sin and death?

In Ezra 1, we see God’s faithfulness on display as He orchestrated the Israelites' return to Jerusalem by stirring the heart of King Cyrus. What looked like the end of God’s promises in Babylonian captivity was actually just a pause—because His Word never fails. God moved kings and common people to fulfill His plan, reminding us of His sovereignty and faithfulness.

When your values are clear, making decisions becomes easy. After generations of failure, God’s people finally realized what was most important in life, so they made a list of things they were committed to changing. Their heartfelt prayer in chapter nine led to heartfelt priorities in chapter ten. Let’s explore how they committed to change in these four areas of life.I. Scriptural Authority (vv. 28-29)II. Relational Purity (v. 30)III. Spiritual Regularity (v. 31)IV. Financial Responsibility (vv. 32-39)Talk with God: Spend time in prayer as you consider each of these areas in your own life and ask the Lord to reveal areas you need to re-prioritize.Talk with others: Ask your mentor or a trusted fellow believer to provide accountability as you refresh your priorities.Talk with kids: How does Jesus save us from the punishment our sin deserves?

Paul closed his letter to the church in Philippi with a call to live joyfully, think rightly, and trust fully in God’s provision. True peace comes when we rejoice in the Lord, pray instead of worry, and fix our minds on what’s good. Contentment isn’t about circumstances—it’s about Christ being enough in every situation and trusting God to supply all our needs. 

The purpose of prayer is not to inform God of our needs but to invite Him to rule our lives. After a national revival broke out in Jerusalem during a Bible study, the people gathered again for prayer. Let’s notice a few key elements that make for an effective experience of communicating with God.I. They Looked Up: Adoration (vv. 5-6)II. They Looked Back: Reflection (vv. 7-35)III. They Looked Within: Confession (v. 37)IV. They Looked Around: Petition (vv. 32-37)V. They Looked Ahead: Submission (v. 38)

In Philippians 3, Paul reminded believers that real joy isn't found in religious performance, but in knowing Jesus personally. He warned against those who put their confidence in the flesh. True righteousness doesn't come from what we do for God, but from what God has done for us through Jesus.

The nation of Israel was back in its homeland once again after the Babylonian captivity. The walls of the city of Jerusalem had been repaired and rebuilt. But something was missing. The spiritual hunger of the nation now demanded a clear word from the Lord. As they gathered together, we see five clear signs of how this nation was transformed, experiencing a real revival.I. Realization: They Knew They Needed More (vv. 1-2)II. Reading: They Heard the Word of God (vv. 3-8)III. Remorse: They Mourned Over Their Failure (vv. 9-10)IV. Rejoicing: They Felt the Joy of the Lord (vv. 11-12)V. Results: They Obeyed God’s Commands (vv. 13-18)Talk with God: Take an honest look at your daily walk this week and ask the Lord to refresh your heart and revive your passion for His Word.Talk with others: Ask a believing friend or mentor to encourage you to spend time in the Word each day and keep you accountable.Talk with kids: Why did God tell Joshua to be strong and courageous?

The Christian life isn't about starting strong—it's about staying faithful to the end. In 2 Timothy 4:7, Paul reflected on his life with confident clarity: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Finishing well means staying in the fight, running with endurance, and holding tightly to our faith no matter the cost. It’s not perfection that matters, but perseverance. In this message, Pastor Nelson Walker encourages us to live with eternity in mind, so we can one day say, “I finished well.”