Holiness. B. It adds up to a shocking new way of life: These are Lean Times.. b. The LORD put it into the mind of King Cyrus to issue a proclamation throughout his entire kingdom and [to put it] in writing: This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: "The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and has appointed me to build Him a house at Jerusalem in Judah. NEHEMIAH 4-6 REBUILDING THE WALLS Outline adapted from a sermon By Adrian Rogers July 5, 2015 So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. It's time to rebuild. Lean times hurt. We can outline the process of rebuilding trust in four steps: (1) admit and repent, (2) define and exhibit trustworthy actions, (3) recognize and encourage trustworthy actions, and (4) trust in God. Disobey Me and youll be carried off into Nehemiah 2:11-20, Denomination: God is calling the church to rebuild after the Corona Virus pandemic lock-downs. At the end of all this rebuilding they experience revival of true religion. The story is told of a company who felt like it was time for a shake-up, so they hired a new CEO. This sermon was preached when I was asked to take over the youth ministry of the church which was in shambles. read more, Scripture: This is the 4th sermon in the series "Rebuilding". The writers of the Bible blame that destruction on ungodly leadership. Most definitely. Introduction: A. Politically they were looking for A series of sermon preached during the rebuilding of the churchs youth ministry. read more, Scripture: The enemies mocked them (4:2-3). We don't know exactly how big the walls of the city were at that time. 3. God is going to be the ultimate judge. Then Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, and Joshua, the son of Jozadak, arose and began to rebuild the house of God which is in Jerusalem; and with them were the prophets of God helping them. They ignored the opposition The year is 445 BC, the 20th year of his reign. The Bible has told us that God can provide for all our needs. You will find that some of the challenges you face are like what Gods people face in building the second temple. 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. They returned from captivity in a trip that would take today, about four hours by air, even counting for a security check at the airport. There are times when we have to start over and when we do, we need to get started right. REBUILDING SUCCESSFULLY In fact, says the Bible, lean times might be the very best times, ever, in which you can take major steps forward in your faith. Your flesh will oppose you. Nehemiah 1:1-4, Nehemiah 2:17-19. Does your heart break over the racial tensions in our nation? Series: Rebuilding [#5] And what about basic courage? The Lord uses Nehemiah to show us some walls that need to be rebuilt for revival to take place. One knew the law, and the other one knew people. He saw the terrible condition it was in. read more, Scripture: Haggai 1:1-8. This strengthened the people for the work. The Babylonians came and conquered Nehemiah 3:1-32. It may be your marital relationship. Disobey Me and youll be carried off into captivity. Thats what happened. He was not just aware that read more. Title: A Year of Rebuilding He's Where the Joy Is by Tara-Leigh Cobble, Black Church Leadership & Family Conference. 1. Copyright 2003-2023 | Outreach, Inc., All rights reserved. Frankly, todays a great day to deal with that problem. They were the men who decided to thrive in very difficult circumstances, and lead the reconstruction of Jerusalem, of the Temple, and of Gods people. Will we take money away from our gifts to the Lord so we can keep putting the same amount of gasoline in our vehicles? Nehemiah 4:1-23 One was just 15 miles from Jerusalem, and the other was far to the north, at the very top of Israels boundary. I appreciated John Stonestreets insight: It can be difficult to To rebuild successfully As exciting as rebuilding is, there is a reality that comes with that. With that understanding, we need to start rebuilding. The Lord is in this rebuilding. And the rebuild began when he sent his Son. Maybe a loved one is struggling. Your community. The Lord uses the same language even later in Jeremiah: It shall come to pass that as I have watched over them to pluck up and break down, to overthrow, destroy, and bring harm, so I will watch over them to build and to plant, declares the Lord (Jeremiah 31:28). The words next, after and but in this chapter indicate that at least 34 groups worked on the wall. It read, "Main Entrance.". Part of that freedom, literally, is the freedom to choose to obey God, right now, and soon thrive in the midst of difficult circumstances. Transition: The Jews under Nehemiahs leadership rebuilt their faith in God while they rebuilt the city wall. It has felt at times like every new day has brought its own dark wave of reasons to be discouraged or to despair. read more. The Bible says having your sin forgiven by God is priority No. Patient: Give me the bad news first. Your busy life will oppose you. But the commission to Jeremiah doesnt end with destruction. read more. 3) As your pastor, I cannot rebuild you spiritually. Heres where this gets important. One of the reasons America is in Lean Times, frankly, is that the news media keeps telling us how bad things are. Doctor: We amputated the wrong leg. Or, if I could put it this way, they were leaning on God. (Jude 1:20-21) But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (1 Timothy 6:11-12) But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. The Lord uses Nehemiah to show us some walls that need to be rebuilt for revival to take place. Before we get started on the challenge, let us take a moment and admit this. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. There wasnt a single king in the north that was godly, they say. Rebuilding the Altar (Ezra 3:1-6) When Noah's family come out of the ark, the first thing he does is to build an altar to the Lord and make a sacrifice (Genesis 8:20). 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. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. Did you fall back into an old pattern of sin this year? You are the church, and Lifeway is here to serve you with biblical resources for everything life brings your way. Zerubbabel led the first effort, recorded in Chapter 3, and Ezra led the second sacrifice, recorded in Ezra 8. Introduction: The Book of Ezra Copyright 2003-2023 | Outreach, Inc., All rights reserved. Disobey Me and youll be carried off into captivity. Thats what happened. read more, Denomination: Life can deal you things that you never thought was possible. And were all in it for the same reasonto fuel the churchs mission of making disciples. And frankly, when one part of our economy spikes, everything follows. Nehemiahs background 2) Nehemiah gave the oppression to the Lord (4:4-5). Nehemiah 1:1-4, Nehemiah 2:17-19. 2001. Featuring Jen Wilkin, Jennifer Rothschild, Kristi McLelland, and more! We're sorry, an error occurred. He wants you to remain broken down. Is there a wall that is broken down and lying in decay? This is the 4th sermon in the series "Rebuilding". What about the environment? It also takes much prayer and dependence on the Lord. We have all met people whose defenses have . The Romans followed, and the land flowed with blood. Since the heart of these lean times comes from not having as much money as we used to, what about the money? The outline I borrowed but the sermon is mine. Determine to get the victory. Tonight we are going to examine four steps in their rebuilding that can help us build up our spiritual lives. Again he says, I will set my eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land. You will find that some of the challenges you face are like what Gods people face in building the second temple. They saw animals being killed, right in front of their eyes, and they saw the blood collected. 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 Nehemiah's rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem can teach us much about the steps to personal revival. read more, Scripture: Baptist. 2. Lean times? For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. It takes work. Text: Nehemiah Chapter 1 This is the 1st sermon in the series "Rebuilding". read more, Scripture: God is in control. It motivated them to action. Your Bible study. Restoring the Wall (Nehemiah 2:9-7:73). And what of the Roman emperor who once decreed that there must be a census? 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. For most Americans, it creates lean times.. Nehemiah shows us how to rebuild successfully. It takes determination. Nehemiah is the account of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah 3:1-32 The Greeks conquered their world, including Israel, and their swords dripped with blood. (2 Peter 3:3) Sanballat and Tobiah ridiculed the work of God. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. Instead of overthrowing our rebellion and tossing us into hell, he tossed his own Son to the wolves of evil where he was crucified (Acts 2:23). No one knows when Jesus is coming back; but He gave us instructions. The blood of those sacrificed animals was the symbolic moment when God was forgiving the sins of His people. And evidence of that claim could be centered in two new places of worship, complete with their golden calves. Gods people had lived in Israel for centuries before. Admit this for a shake-up, so they hired a new CEO how bad things.... 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