Oct 4, 2020
Renewal – Life Lessons From Nehemiah
Community – Neh. 2:17-3:2
By Louie Marsh, 5-4-2008
Intro: 4 slides
Nehemiah built community by
1) Helping them see their situation CLEARLY.
Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned… Nehemiah 2:17a (ESV)
2) Motivating them by being OPEN & VULNERABLE.
And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. Nehemiah 2:18a (ESV)
…Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.” Nehemiah 2:17b (ESV)
3) Community was born in two actions:
And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work. Nehemiah 2:18 (ESV)
4) Community showed because EVERYONE WORKED!
Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set its doors. They consecrated it as far as the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Tower of Hananel. And next to him the men of Jericho built. And next to them Zaccur the son of Imri built. Nehemiah 3:1-2 (ESV)
Above the Horse Gate the priests repaired, each one opposite his own house. Nehemiah 3:28 (ESV)
5) Why all this fuss about community?
Because of the TRINITY
“Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. Isaiah 45:22 (ESV)
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory… Ephesians 1:17 (ESV)
I and the Father are one.” The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?” The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.” John 10:30-33 (ESV)
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But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit…You have not lied to men but to God.” Acts 5:3-4 (ESV)