God's people had lived in Israel for centuries before. I will build them up, and not tear them down; I will plant them, and not pluck them up (Jeremiah 24:6). If we are really honest with God and What about the environment? Through human history governments, militaries have constructed defensive walls to keep enemies at bay. Nehemiah 4:1-23 Nehemiah 1:1-4, Nehemiah 2:17-19. Part of that freedom, literally, is the freedom to choose to obey God, right now, and soon thrive in the midst of difficult circumstances. Christian/Church Of Christ. Its time to put action to all of the planning and praying. Pentecostal. He proved himself to be a righteous, powerful, and just Judge. read more, Scripture: A reality of rebuilding is Today you and I have a task and that is to rebuild the lives of people. And during that time God continued to be with his people, even after they had failed him so completely. They needed four months. Series: Rebuilding [#5] This was a really, really big day, and there was lots of music, and lots of celebration. REBUILDING THE WALLS OF REVIVAL It happened at a time when the captivity of the Jews had already come to an end. (Ezra 1:1). Nehemiah 1:1-6:16, Denomination: Are you fearful about the threat of war? It may be an area of personal separation. Once you take the step of obedience, he will help you move ahead. 15:4 Read Faith. 2) Never think that you are incapable of building up your spiritual life. They willingly headed straight into tough times. Feel free to us it! One of the reasons America is in Lean Times, frankly, is that the news media keeps telling us how bad things are. Introduction: The census of the people (2) C. What if God is forcing us into a corner where weve got to make use of renewable energy? on re-building the temple. Copyright 2003-2023 | Outreach, Inc., All rights reserved. But the commission to Jeremiah doesnt end with destruction. 4 minute read "And he repaired the altar of the Lord which had been torn down." 1 Kings 18:30 Elijah set the rules of the contest high: The priests of Baal would call on their god; he would call on the name of the Lord, and the one who answered by fire would be acknowledged as God. INTRO.- ILL.- A doctor said to his patient, I have some good news and some bad news. Introduction: Lean times, tough times, are difficult. 1) They remembered the Lord (4:14). Perhaps the state of repair of the walls will not epitomise to build and to plant." ( Jeremiah 1:10) God sent Jeremiah to pluck up, break down, destroy, and overthrow. But after the world comprehended his acts of insanity, there was just enough sympathy to re-establish Israel as the homeland of the Jews, just as the Bible had prophesized. 1. Nehemiah's rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem can teach us much about the steps to personal revival. Introduction: Proverbs 3:5-6. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society. Zechariah 4:10, addressed originally to the returned exiles, says that those who despised the small things of the new temple would rejoice. They saw rituals that would be very strange and very repulsive to us, but in their minds, in their hearts, they knew exactly what was happening. To him be glory both now and for ever. Somehow, some way, this is a part of life. Rebuilding Ukraine: reconstruction of war-hit streets continues - in pictures 3d ago Ukraine may be willing to hold talks on Crimea, suggests Zelenskiy adviser "All right then, we'll build all around you and put you out of business," the new competitors said. Holiness. United Way has been involved in community-building and disaster response for more than 130 years. NEHEMIAH 1:1-4; 8:1-6; 9:1-3 The same power with which God brought judgment against the brokenness of Israel is the power with which he promised to eventually rebuild what was broken. They rebuild the destroyed temple of God. Nehemiah 1:1-11. When I was asked to take up the role of youth pastor, that was sometime in October period, I began to pray and asked the Lord what was that which he wants to do in YIA. One man was a Bible teacher, and the other was a motivator. It is important for us to realize that Nehemiah was, in the words of J. I. Packer, "a church builder." 1 Without the restoration of the walls of the city of Jerusalem, there could have been no normal or healthy city life. In fact, itll all be immersed in pain, in hard work, in disappointment and discouragement, and in exhaustion. Ezra 1:1-10:44, Several weeks ago, NBA superstar LeBron James tweeted, Its a weird feeling to feel so alone sometimes! He received over 140,000 likes and 4,000 replies from people expressing sympathy, disbelief, and from some, criticism. 2) They trusted that God would fight for them (4:20). Last week we talked about how Israel was taken into captivity in Babylon. 52-week preaching calendar to help you plan your sermons, Customizable sermon manuscripts for verse-by-verse preaching, Preach with creativity and impact throughout the year, Help your church understand God's plan in pain, Call your people to experience a higher freedom, Proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth. JesusWalk Bible Study Series. 7. 5 Principles of Building Walls. We are going to be talking about rebuilding that temple inside our hearts, that spiritual life that we so desperately, but quietly seek. 52-week preaching calendar to help you plan your sermons, Customizable sermon manuscripts for verse-by-verse preaching, Preach with creativity and impact throughout the year, Help your church understand God's plan in pain, Call your people to experience a higher freedom, Proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth. As the people gathered with repentant hearts the blood shed on such an altar provided cleansing for sin. We can learn about revival from Nehemiahs rebuilding the walls Ezra and Nehemiah provide the biblical background, for they led a people facing far more difficult circumstances to a point of great success in their work, in their national identity, and in their new understanding of faith. Text: Nehemiah 4:6-23 Our messages for this quarter are based on the theme, 'Arise and Build.' This theme actually comes from the book of Nehemiah (2:20), which describes how God led the people Israel in the task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. Hearing about the instructions wont be sufficient. Other costs start climbing. When people insisted they couldnt make it, they did more than simply survive. Nehemiah 3:1-32 God the Son was plucked up, broken down, overthrown, and destroyed so that he could make us new. They rebuild the destroyed temple of God. The setting is about 500 years before the time of Christ. This morning I would like to speak a message that I believe The Lord has placed upon my heart. The people prayed Jerusalem was ruined, and no one had the energy to rebuild it. Gods people had lived in Israel for centuries before. This process allows you to re-build your character, acknowledging that you have worth in God's eyes. All scripture marked ESV: The Holy Bible : English standard version. I said that the walls represents the protection of God while the gates 1. Have you lost a loved one in the last year? b. 2 Timothy 3.12. . Hes the author of. Rebuild & Renew: The Post-Exilic Books, by Ralph F. Wilson. read more. Nehemiahs background Today, more than 5 million people live in the metro-Atlanta area, fighting gridlock as they drive among the gleaming skyscrapers, past the great sports stadiums, college campuses, and the states gold-domed capital building. Our definition of lean times usually means well buy smaller cars instead of SUVs, well eat out one less meal than we used to, and well buy a less expensive brand of golf ball than we once did. He also says, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms . What if tough financial times were actually a test from God? This sermon encourages believers that rebuilding our lives is not impossible when it is covered with believing prayer. Hell thrive in tough times. Nehemiah 3:1-32 Actually, our version of hard times wont sell very well in the rest of the world, or in the past pages of history. Disobey Me and youll be carried off into REBUILDING THE WALLS OF REVIVAL Sometimes it's just a matter of thinking clearly. God takes a defeated and exiled people and moves dramatically to send them back to Jerusalem. INTRODUCTION. (Romans 8:31) What shall we then say to these things? Go back for Nehemiah 1:1-11, Exposition of Neh 1 about hte burden that Nehemiah had for the Kingdom of God, Text: Nehemiah 1:1-11, Title: A Rebuilders Burden, Date/Place: NRBC, 8/26/07, AM read more, Scripture: Your family. Here, says the Bible, is an opportunity to thrive. We may not understand it, but you can count on it. The room was full of workers and 1. Open your Bibles tonight to the prophetic book of Haggai, you can find it in the Old Testament wedged between Feel free to us it! read more, Scripture: Nehemiah 4:7-9. Ezra is the story of a great revival. Return from Exile. Opening illustration: Al Greens perspective on rebuilding Bay St. Louis, The most powerful world leader of Ezras day was under Gods control. 2. b. 3) The devil does not want you to build up the broken walls in your life either. REBUILDING SUCCESSFULLY read more, Scripture: read more. Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. At the end of all this rebuilding they experience revival of true religion. Behind every support specialist, Bible study editor, graphic designer, and accountant is a Sunday School teacher, kids volunteer, or small group leader. 2001. God had told them: Obey Me and youll live in the land for a long time. In the history covered by Ezra and Nehemiah, several world leaders work to carry out Gods plan. B. Series: Rebuild The Gates [#1] THE SHEEP GATE Nehemiah 3:1 Introduction: With all of the craziness going on, many people are predicting that this is the end. Lean times hurt. read more, Scripture: And dont take our version of lean times to ancient Jerusalem, either. A. Amen. He wants you to be filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:11) If youre going to get your refund you have to be aware of the rules, or read the stories, or visit the web sites and then take action. Nehemiah 1:1-4, Denomination: All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. Haggai 1:1-8. Politically they were looking for The temple's foundation became a concrete . The very first words of Ezras story are these: In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and to put it in writing. The word used in the Bible to describe this is atonement. Atonement can be defined as being at-one-ment, or being at one with God.. Zerubbabel led the first effort, recorded in Chapter 3, and Ezra led the second sacrifice, recorded in Ezra 8. But amidst the challenges, it takes uncommon trust and surrender to tackle what God is asking. b. Everyone, even followers of Christ, at some point in their life has to deal with instability, uncertainty, lack of accomplishment and other things that make us feel that we have no walls (structures) in our life. NEHEMIAH 1:1-4; 8:1-6; 9:1-3 Introduction read more, Scripture: There are times when we have to start over and when we do, we need to get started right. Nehemiah 1:1-7:3. . a. We believe that when Jesus died on the cross, he was the ultimate offering, the final sacrifice, needed for the forgiveness of sin. They worked with a sword in one hand, and a brick trowel in the other. In this mornings text, we will look at how Nehemiah begins to re-build the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah 1:1-11, Denomination: The preparation and the process of rebuilding I. The stones were overturned, the gates were burned, and anything of value had long ago been taken by the scavengers, or eaten by the rats. On a tour of the facilities, the new CEO noticed a guy leaning on a wall. Have you followed the devastation from the hurricanes or wildfires? Nevertheless, weve got a lot of people hurting. The Bible tells us of the heroic actions of Jeshua, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum and Baanah. God had told them: Obey Me and youll live in the land for a long time. Text: Nehemiah Chapter 1 You need 3. In addition, a new presidential administration means more change is on the way, and no one is certain where the change will lead. Ezra is the story of a great revival. read more, Scripture: Rebuilding should focus on long-term planning that helps people come back stronger by rethinking new systems that make entire individuals and communities more resilient and successful. 2. It read, "Main Entrance.". The down-turn in the economy has affected everyone, every industry, every organization, every church. Patient: Give me the bad news first. Disobey Me and youll be carried off into captivity. Thats what happened. Our churches have become complacent like the people of Nehemiahs day and we need Revival. Introduction Story 1. Nehemiah 1:1-4, Denomination: Life can deal you things that you never thought was possible. 1. If you ask him, and trust him, [You will be] like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit (Jeremiah 17:78). read more, Scripture: One was committed to preaching, one was committed to action. Instead of Atlanta, it was Jerusalem that had been destroyed. God is in control. This sermon was preached when I was asked to take over the youth ministry of the church which was in shambles. Nehemiah raises the hope of Israel; Keep building your wall even as Satan may tempt you. Doctor: We amputated the wrong leg. Disobey Me and youll be carried off into Doctor: Your other leg wont need to be *Indicated Required Field See ourPrivacy Policy. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, Know the Lord, for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. Do you grieve over the behavior of our president? On a tour of the facilities, the new CEO noticed a guy leaning on a wall. In our lean times? 2) He then told them how God had led him and how the king had aided him (2:18). As we look at this passage, I want us to focus on what God would have us do as we prepare to rebuild the walls of our spiritual lives. A series of sermon preached during the rebuilding of the churchs youth ministry. The first thing they did was use the weapon of mocking. If youre ever going to benefit from money that is rightfully yours, youve got to fill in some forms, mail the information to the IRS and eventually, cash a check! 3 OVERCOMING OBSTACLES AND OPPOSITION WITH GOD 4 WHEN YOU FACE OPPOSITION AS YOU TRY TO REBUILD Background to passage: Recount briefly the historical setting of the captivity, and the returns of Ezra and Nehemiah under the reign of the Medo-Persian King Artaxerxes I. 1) Opposition increased (4:7-8). Patient: Whats the good news? B. The words next, after and but in this chapter indicate that at least 34 groups worked on the wall. "I will love you, O L ORD, my strength. The Lord Jesus Christ live the life we have failed to live, died the atoning death we need, and rose victoriously so that we can be truly . Introduction: Which do you want first? Because things often fall apart, it seems we are always starting again. It was a project that required Gods help. Whether that was adjusting to the discomforts of life in a pandemic, or increasing social tensions from political and racial divide. Were on a mission to change that. House prices have fallen dramatically, and still arent selling. Spend much time in prayer. Your children get hurt, you experience divorce, you lose your job, you have an illness, etc There are times when it seems that we have lost Go back for 1) Nehemiah talked to the people about the distress and waste around Jerusalem. Navigating the challenges and joys of ministry life. Enemies of God heard the people were rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem under Nehemiah's leadership; they were jealous and they were furious. Baptist. One was just 15 miles from Jerusalem, and the other was far to the north, at the very top of Israels boundary. It motivated them to action. 18 For the builders, everyone had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. That time He told me two things. 2. Title: The Year of Rebuilding Part 2: Now walls represent two things among others. Some commentators believe this rebuilding of a new altar required them to demolish a makeshift altar that was built after the Babylonians destroyed the Temple (see Jer 41:5, in which a grain offering is brought after the fall of Jerusalem [Jer 39:1-8]; this perhaps involved a makeshift altar; cf. A tank of gas feels like a major purchase, and everything from food prices to basic supplies have seen dramatic increases. Or sick. Introduction: A wife discovers that her husband is using pornography. Destroy. That time He told me two things. read more, Scripture: Every community has seen slow-downs, layoffs, foreclosures, bankruptcies, and angry tears among the end of countless dreams. Patient: Whats the good news? 1) External Opposition is Certain 4.1-3. Are we going to flatly refuse to look for new options, or will we keep blindly paying more and more and more for something thats bad for the environment, and something that literally funds terroristic activity in the Middle East? Here, says the Bible, is an opportunity to grow your faith. Nehemiah shows us how to rebuild successfully. They worked in an environment that was overwhelmingly negative, with each days news reports explaining why they couldnt do exactly what they were doing. Series: Rebuilding [#4] Others from Judah had been there the entire time. In spite of much opposition and numerous hurdles, they accomplished the task in just 52 days. Politically they were looking for 2.1 NEHEMIAH FACES OPPOSITION REBUILDING THE WALL 2.2 We can bring energy, enthusiasm, and excitement to a rebuilding project only to collapse and crumble when we face obstacles and opposition. And in exhaustion alone sometimes dramatically to send them back to Jerusalem people of day! 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