• The Easter lesson in the Connect360 unit “Kingdom Assignment: The Relentless Pursuit of Obedience” focuses on 1 Corinthians 15:1-20.

If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is irresponsible. Paul’s message was always the same whether he spoke to Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, in Jerusalem or Athens. He reminded the Corinthians he preached the good news to them. They received it and were standing on it.

This is the hope on which they were saved. Yet some among them began saying there is no resurrection of the dead. Paul responded, if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised. “And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain” (15:14). Those who proclaim such things are actually false prophets.

If Christ has not been raised, then our faith is impossible. Paul stated if Christ has not been raised from the dead our faith is in vain (15:14). “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins” (15:17).

As the time of Jesus’ crucifixion was approaching, when he was with the disciples in Caesarea Philippi, he asked, “‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is? And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God’” (Matthew 16:13–16). And Jesus blessed him, acknowledged his answer was given to him by Jesus’ Father, renamed him Peter, and promised to him the keys to the kingdom.

If Christ has not been raised, then God is inaccessible. Without Jesus’ atoning death on the cross and his resurrection, there is no freedom from sin’s terrible grip. “So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men” (Romans 5:18).

If Christ has not been raised, then death is irreversible. “But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20). This is the turning point of history. All that happened before, looked forward to it; and all that has transpired since reflects back on it.

This is God’s plan. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

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• Lesson 6 in the Connect360 unit “Kingdom Assignment: The Relentless Pursuit of Obedience” focuses on Nehemiah 5:6-13.

Too often, the oppressed who gain power become the oppressors. In chapter 5 of Nehemiah, the troubles of the people are not brought on by foreign enemies but by their own rulers and nobles.

Famine and overpopulation brought widespread hunger. In addition, they were forced to pay high taxes on their fields and vineyards. These conditions caused them to mortgage their property, and they even were forced to sell their children into slavery.

Greedy officials oppressing the poor is not unique to one period of time or one culture. Millions of families are displaced and scattered throughout the world today because of famine, war and ideology—especially religious beliefs. The gap between the rich and the poor is ubiquitous. Even churches too often favor the wealthy and powerful rather than the impoverished.

However, many churches do support assistance to the needy and some political leaders are advocates for the neglected. While some wealthy people create personal empires for self-indulgence, others produce meaningful jobs and foundations providing food, health care, scholarships and shelter.

Nehemiah was furious when he heard the outcry of the people. God did not allow Nehemiah to hold the position of governor for his own recognition and fulfillment but to be an advocate on behalf of the people he governed. He stood inthe tradition of prophets who called out against injustice.

The prophet Amos cried out, “Thus says the Lord, ‘For three transgressions of Judah and for four I will not revoke its punishment, because they rejected the law of the Lord and have not kept his statutes; their lies also have led them astray,those after which their fathers walked’” (Amos 2:4).

God was especially angry at the shepherds (religious leaders) who fed themselves while not feeding the flock. “‘As I live,’ declares the Lord God, ‘surely because my flock has become a prey, my flock has even become food for all the beasts of the field for lack of a shepherd, and my shepherds did not search for my flock, but rather the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed my flock’” (Ezekiel 34:8).

Jesus rebuked the religious leaders, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others” (Matthew 23:23).

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• Lesson 5 in the Connect360 unit “Kingdom Assignment: The Relentless Pursuit of Obedience” focuses on Nehemiah 4:1-8.

Nehemiah consistently prayed. Each time he was confronted by a problem, he first took the situation to God. Yet, he also knew the work had to be done by the people.

Soon some of the Jews began to express discouragement. Their strength was failing. They were distracted by the rubble. They heard the threats of the enemy. They said, “We ourselves are unable to rebuild the wall.”

The midway point is often the most difficult time. The excitement of the vision has faded, and attention becomes focused on the rubbish, the undoable task still lying ahead. Nehemiah faced what may have been his greatest challenge: discouragement from within. Outside opposition is expected, but when God’s people begin to complain and rebel, their discouragement is contagious.

Those living in areas near the enemies came to Nehemiah with fear and complaints 10 times (Nehemiah 4:12).Sanballat’s plan of causing a disturbance among the people appeared to be working. Courageous leadership was neededurgently, and Nehemiah didn’t disappoint. His faith did not waver, and he responded with a plan. “We will fortify the lowplaces and have families with their swords, spears and bows.”

When Nehemiah saw their fear, he “rose and spoke to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, ‘Do not be afraidof them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wivesand your houses’” (4:14).

The plans of the enemy were frustrated. Half of the people carried out the work and the others held the spears, shields,bows and breastplates. Nehemiah continued to lead by example. “So neither I, my brothers, my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us removed our clothes, each took his weapon even to the water” (4:23).

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• Lesson 4 in the Connect360 unit “Kingdom Assignment: The Relentless Pursuit of Obedience” focuses on Nehemiah 3:1-5.

When the people of Judah said, “Let us arise and build,” Nehemiah was ready to present a plan. His goal was simple—rebuild the gates and the wall. He had permission from the king, provisions from Asaph, the keeper of the king’s garden, and accurate research of the problem.

He divided the work among 40-plus groups. Some of the gates such as the Valley Gate, Refuse Gate and Fountain Gate were more damaged than others and required more workers. Nehemiah’s plan moved in fullcircle counterclockwise beginning and ending with the Sheep Gate (3:1, 32).

The first person mentioned was the high priest with his brothers the priests. No one was exempt from thework: including the high priest (3:1), goldsmiths (3:8, 31), perfumers (3:8), officials (3:9–21), priests (3:22–23) and merchants (3:31–32). They also built sections near where they lived. This is obviously a strategic plan. Of course, they desired the walls to be most secure near their own houses.

The rebuilding of the wall required more than rhetoric of a charismatic leader and enthusiasm of the crowd. Ateam effort was needed with everyone, regardless of class, privilege or title, taking his or her place among theruins of the city, faithfully completing the task assigned to them until the job was completed.

The work of rebuilding the walls required the whole community rather than a few select leaders. Likewise, God’s plan for the church is not accomplished by a few individuals cheered on by others as theytry to fulfill the Great Commission. Each of us is given unique spiritual gifts, life experiences, personalities,talents and opportunities for the benefit of the Body of Christ.

Our individuality is set aside as we stand shoulder to shoulder with others seeking to fulfill a commontask, as the people of Jerusalem did in rebuilding the walls. Yet, at other times, our tasks and calling may beunique, contributing to the whole proper working of the church.

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• Lesson 3 in the Connect360 unit “Kingdom Assignment: The Relentless Pursuit of Obedience” focuses on Nehemiah 2:11-20.

Upon arriving in Jerusalem, much investigation was still needed before Nehemiah confronted the people. Without disclosing his plan, Nehemiah took a few men with him and went at night to inspect the walls. He passed through the city, gate by gate, some places piled with such rubble that he had to get off his horse and walk.

The situation was just as his Hanani described it. Ne­hemiah saw for himself the appalling condition of Jerusalem.

The inhabitants of the city obviously had grown complacent living in those shameful conditions. Their hearts had become hardened to the fact that Jerusalem was a disgrace not only to themselves, but also a testimony against the glory of God. The city needed a bold strategic leader who would arouse them out of complacency and show them the way.

Nehemiah called together the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, and the rest and said: “You see the bad situation we are in, that Jerusalem is desolate and its gates burned by fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that we will no lon­ger be a reproach” (2:17).

Actually Nehemiah was not part of the problem. He was living in Susa and not even aware of the condi­tions of the city until he was told by his brother. He was justified in blaming the people for their failure to respond.

Yet, like any good leader, he used the plural pronouns, “we” and “us,” instead of “you.” Throughout the book of Nehemiah, he led by identifica­tion and example as one who was the first to step up, to make the commitment and do the work. A task this daunting required the cooperation of all the people.

Nehemiah told how God had been favorable to him and also how he had the support of the king. The peopleresponded, “let us arise and build,” and they put their hands to the good work.

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• Lesson 2 in the Connect360 unit “Kingdom Assignment: The Relentless Pursuit of Obedience” focuses on Nehemiah 1:4-11.

The book of Nehemiah opens and ends with prayer. One of the consistent characteristics of Nehemiah’s life was a dependence upon prayer. Throughout Nehemiah, we find examples of the lead­er praying.

When Nehemiah learned about the condition of Jerusalem af­ter his brother’s report, he was deeply burdened. For months, he fasted and prayed, and when he sought wisdom for approaching the king, he prayed to the God of heaven (1:4). Nehemiah prayed seeking approval from God and not man (5:19).

When his enemies threatened him, Nehemiah asked God to give him strength (6:9). Sanballat and Tobiah were persistent critics of Nehemiah and rather than capitulating to their threats, Nehemiah asked God to remember him (6:14). He let God fight his battles, yet he never flinched when God called him to stand up against opposition.

The people followed Nehemiah’s prayerful example and assembled to­gether with prayer and fasting. After reading from God’s word, they confessed their sins and repented; then God brought revival (chapter 9). God’s word to Solomon (2 Chronicles 7:14), was also true for the Hebrew captives and remains right for us today: “And my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

The report from Hanani caused Nehemiah deep sorrow for the remnant in Jerusalem. He could have easily convinced him­self that even though he was concerned, there was nothing he might do. He may have rationalized that this was someone else’s problem and even asked God to raise up another to intercede for them.

Yet, Nehemiah was a man of action. Perhaps he was tempt­ed to burst into the presence of the king and demand relief for his people. However, Nehemiah also was a man of prayer. He took his burden before the Lord with humility, prayer and fasting. He waited for months for the Lord to answer while continuing with persistence to intercede, allowing God to prepare his own heart as he also prepared the heart of the king. In the fulness of God’s time, Nehemiah responded to the questioning of the king about his apparent sadness.

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• Lesson 1 in the Connect360 unit “Kingdom Assignment: The Relentless Pursuit of Obedience” focuses on Nehemiah 1:1-3, 11.

In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, 70 years after the prophecy of Jeremiah, the king sent out a decree throughout the land allowing Hebrews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the house of the Lord. In 536 BC, Zerubbabel led a group of 42,360, consisting of priests, Levites and others almost 800 miles back to Jerusalem for this task. However, the work was sus­pended because of opposition from enemies surrounding Jerusa­lem.

Decades afterward, in 457 BC, Ezra the priest led a remnant back to Jerusalem to restore the vessels of the Temple and call for a reconciliation with God. Thirteen years later, Nehemiah led a third group to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls.

Jerusalem was still desolate. The walls and the gates of the city remained as they were when the armies of Babylon’s King Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the city and led captives away to Babylon.

When the Hebrew people first entered the Promise Land, God instructed his people to pronounce blessings and curses on Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal. God promised to bless them when they obeyed and punish them when they didn’t.

The Hebrew people turned away from God, and the Lord did as he had promised. Israel was destroyed in 722, Judah was taken captive, and the Temple and walls of Jerusalem burned down in 586 BC. However, God prom­ised after 70 years they would be restored. God kept his word and used Cyrus, Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah to fulfill his promise.

Nehemiah was an unlikely choice to lead a movement rebuild­ing the walls of Jerusalem. He was living in the Persian capital, Susa, and cupbearer for King Artaxerxes. With a prestigious place of influence serving the king, why would he jeopardize the se­curity of his position for a risky and dangerous task? Nehemiah obeyed because he never forgot about Jerusalem nor the prom­ises of the God of Israel.

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• Lesson 13 in the Connect360 unit “The reMARKable Journey Continues: The Gospel of Urgency” focuses on Mark 7:1-23.

Jesus brought the issue of what makes one acceptable to God to the forefront. This was not a positive lesson from Jesus. He seemed a bit miffed at having to address the issue of hand washing. He was being criticized by some Pharisees and scribes for not teaching his disciples to follow religious tradition, specifically not washing their hands before supper.

The Pharisees were viewed as the gatekeepers of religious tradition of the day. They were self-appointed, goody-two-shoes when it came to Jewish practices and the law. They prided themselves on being the only ones in Israel to practice what they preached. They were especially good at pointing out when others failed to follow the rules. And in this text, they point out Jesus’ inability to teach his disciples according to the law, or at least their interpretation of the law.

It’s important to understand what “clean and unclean” meant in first-century Judaism. It isn’t a hygiene discussion. The issue of cleanness addressed in this Scripture is about morality, righteousness and the presence of sin. We shouldn’t feel bad not knowing this point, the author of the Gospel must explain what all the fuss is about to his own readers in verses 2–6.

The Gospel of Mark is likely, Peter’s story, written by John Mark to new believers in Rome around AD 60. These Christians did not come from a Jewish background as many of the traditions, like represented here in this text, had to be explained. So why then is this story important if it’s about a Jewish tradition that Jesus seemed to be against? How do we as the New Testament church deal with Old Testament law? Is it negated through Jesus? Or did Jesus, somehow, fulfill the law as he proclaimed in the Sermon on the Mount? (Matthew 5:17–20).

Tension between religious practices was a common problem in the first-century church as it included Jewish and Gentile Christians. Jewish believers brought their traditions. And pagan worshipers certainly brought other traditions and rituals. We read about this tension in the New Testament letters written to Rome, Corinth, Ephesus and others. What about us? Do we have any traditions or rituals in the 21st century church? What about in the American church? What about as a Baptist church or another denomination?

For instance, what about the tradition of removing one’s hat to pray. Does God ignore our prayer if we wear a baseball cap? (It may depend on the team.) Does wearing a cap during a time of worship make one unclean or less holy? For some, it might seem so. But what about cultures that require wearing a hat or a head-covering as a sign of reverence to pray?

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• Lesson 12 in the Connect360 unit “The reMARKable Journey Continues: The Gospel of Urgency” focuses on Mark 6:45-53.

As the disciples struggled to see and believe, shortly before dawn, a dark figure appeared amidst the tumultuous waves. That sleepless night they fought against the wind and waves. Heavy eyelids and aching backs must have convinced them they were hallucinating. They were out in the middle of the lake by this time. No one could have been out there alone, without a boat.

Jesus saw his disciples in their struggle and went out to them. It seems odd that Scripture tells us, “He was about to pass by them.” Why would Jesus have passed by them if he saw them struggling? Was he going out further to show them the way to shore? Was he going to calm the wind and waves ahead of them to end their struggle? Was he going to show them who he truly was, as if walking on water wasn’t enough?

Scripture doesn’t tell us why Jesus was going to pass by them. Only that in their struggle, Jesus saw his disciples. But they didn’t see him. They believed they saw a ghost. The appearance of Jesus that early morning on the lake, terrified his followers. They didn’t recognize their Teacher.

Fear can cause us to doubt certain things in our lives. Fear can be a powerfully destructive wave that causes us to struggle, even with our own faith. Seeing does not always lead us to believing. For these men, their lack of faith, their disbelief, prevented them from seeing Jesus for who he is. What they saw instead, terrified them.

When we truly see Jesus for who he is, not for what we have made him out to be, it can be terrifying. When we see Jesus for who he is, not according to the little box that we put him in to keep our faith safe, but when we see Jesus for who he truly is, it can scare us. Because to truly see Jesus comes with a cost.

Seeing Jesus for who he truly is, calls us to respond, and this is a struggle. Responding to who Jesus is has a cost. The cost of following Jesus could be to give up certain friends or even family. The cost of following Jesus could be our lifestyle, status or job. The cost of following Jesus could be to give up our preferences or traditions. The cost of discipleship could be to give up our home to be a missionary in a different country or city. For many, proclaiming Jesus as Lord will cost their very life.

The cost of seeing Jesus as the one who has power and authority over the wind and the waves, as the Messiah, the Son of God, has a tremendous cost. If we see him, will we proclaim him as Lord of our lives? Or will we go on struggling with our faith, against the rising waves of fear and doubt?

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• Lesson 11 in the Connect360 unit “The reMARKable Journey Continues: The Gospel of Urgency” focuses on Mark 6:30-44.

Jesus knew the importance of rest and time spent with the Father, but as the crowd grew, the Lord saw the need of people yearning to know more about the things of God. Jesus had compassion on them, for “they were like sheep without a shepherd.”

As important as it was to help the apostles rest, Jesus was overcome with compassion for the crowd. And in that remote place, Jesus taught them all the things of God. Jesus hosted a banquet, not in a regal dining hall but on a grassy hillside beside the Sea of Galilee. Yet to host a banquet, resources are required. Jesus invited his disciples to join in this ministry of compassion.

Notice in verse 35, that the one-time “apostles” are now simply referred to as “his disciples,” who grumbled about the impossible circumstances of ministering to the needs of others. Here in the remote wilderness, Jesus tested them.

Just a few days earlier, they had witnessed God do impossible things through their ministry. They had healed the sick and cast out demons. They were not worried about what they would eat or where they would sleep. They relied completely upon God’s provision. For Jesus had sent them out with the instructions, “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts” (6:8).

How quickly one can move from a ministry leader to a grumbling follower. We all get tired. Everyone who serves and minsters to the needs of others gets tired. Thankfully, Jesus is there to disciple us. He is there to teach us how to have compassion and how to serve with compassion, not depending on our own abilities but on the Father’s provision.

The disciples rightly saw a need and compassionately wanted to care for the need, but they couldn’t see a way to do it. Their own meager resources and abilities weren’t enough. “Send the people away so that they can…buy themselves something to eat” (6:36). The disciples wanted Jesus to send them to find their own provisions. Jesus not only has the compassion to care for others, but he also trusts in God’s provision to meet the need. And the Lord invites his disciples to join him in this opportunity.

Often, God creates a need in our life or in our circle of influence to demonstrate that he can meet that need. But we must rely on God and his provision. For where God guides, God provides. He provides abundantly.

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• Lesson 10 in the Connect360 unit “The reMARKable Journey Continues: The Gospel of Urgency” focuses on Mark 6:14-29.

When you do the work of the Father, the world takes notice. Sometimes you will encounter people, even loved ones, who will reject you. Other times you will travel with very little, the Father’s providence will provide, and you will be received by total strangers. Still, other times, people will be intrigued by your word, seem to understand that it is of divine origin, and then attempt to silence you.

The reality is that God’s word is sharp, and it cuts. Even when the message is understood, people can be so caught up in their worldliness that they will do whatever is necessary to maintain the “status quo.”

Herod began to hear a new name: Jesus. This Jesus was preaching a message that was familiar, and Jesus also was performing miracles. This new commotion brought a new realization into the life of “King” Herod: a guilty conscience is a cruel companion.

Reading through the verses tells us that Herod struggled to align the message with the man. While people were wondering if this Jesus was a prophet from long ago, or even the great prophet Elijah, Herod was convinced God had somehow raised John the Baptizer from the dead— the same John whom Herod had beheaded.

A man reaps what he sows (Galatians 6:7). John spent his life urgently sowing the message given to him by the Father. He did this, not seeking to die for the Lord, but to live his life in service to the Lord. He understood his message was one of urgency, because he was preparing the way for the Messiah. This is the same life we should strive to live, a life living for God spreading his message with urgency. Why urgency? Because we do not know the hour when Jesus will return, but we know the message that we must spread.

When you make the decision to serve the true King and spread his message, the kings of this world may raise their hands against you. John stood for the truth of his faith, and, as a result, he ended up dying for his faith. We must echo the words of John the Baptizer: “He [Jesus] must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30).

This is a message repeated throughout the Word of God. Luke 7:28 tells us we are not to think highly of ourselves, but to care more about the kingdom of God. When our mindset is right, there is no desire for any glory. When we reach that point of selfless service to our Lord, then, by Jesus’ own words: “yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he” (John the Baptist).

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• Lesson 9 in the Connect360 unit “The reMARKable Journey Continues: The Gospel of Urgency” focuses on Mark 6:7-13.

We live in a culture that always is moving to the bigger and better. Advertisements are designed to drive us to always desire something better than we have, which in turn means we should work more, make more and spend more. That is not what Jesus teaches.

Jesus told the disciples to enter a town, and the first place that welcomed them was where they were to stay until they left the town. This is a lesson on contentment. Learning to be happy where you are placed and being content with what God has granted you is not an easy lesson for everyone to learn. This lesson becomes easier when we have our minds focused on what is important.

The mission was the focus, not comforts. When an inviting door was extended, there was also a blessing extended. The disciple was blessed with a welcoming home, and the homeowner was blessed with a desired guest. We would be wise to remember we can steal someone’s blessing if we reject an invitation because something does not live up to a set standard.

This time spent with the families also provided an opportunity for the family to see authenticity. An act can be kept up while someone is well rested, but with exhaustion comes truth. Masks come off, guards come down, and the real connection can occur.

People today long for authentic connection that only comes from doing life with the people we serve. When we are willing to be around the people we are serving, it allows them to see into our lives, and that we have nothing to hide. For new believers, it is an opportunity to experience Jesus through the life of a believer, which in turn allows them to have someone they can imitate as you imitate Jesus.

Jesus’ approach to ministry was simple. Go tell the Good News, pack light, and shake off the dust after experiencing failures. We need to remember we do not need to complicate what we are called to do by focusing on the things that do not matter. Keep the main thing the main thing: people need to hear about Jesus. Don’t let the little things like supplies and finances be a distraction. God will provide all that is needed.

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