Nehemiah 5: Walking Together in the Fear of Our God

Main Idea  - As a community of believers, we should be generous and compassionate toward one another out of reverence for our God.

• The Cries of the People (Neh. 5:1-5)

• The context of the oppression: Suffering and poverty

• The nature of the oppression: Driven by self-interest

• The irony of the oppression: From internal rather than external threats

Key Words (v. 1): outcry (seāqa), the people (7x), brothers (7x)

*cf. outcry (za'aq, v. 6; cf. 9:9)

Application: We as followers of Jesus must commit to one another as a covenant family, continuing to treat each other with kindness and generosity instead of heartless self-interest or cold indifference.

• Nehemiah's Confrontation of the Oppressors (vv. 6-13)

• The process of the confrontation: Considerately, courageously, communally
• The purpose of the confrontation: correxction and credibility

Key Concept: "walk in the fear of our God" (v. 9)

• The product of the confrontation: Silence, repentance, worship, obedience

Application: We must be willing to deal with the sin and wrongs in our midst, being ready to repent and forgive, so we can become a people who worship our good King and obey his word in the presence of a watching and unbelieving world.

• Nehemiah's Care for the People (vv. 14-19)

*Nehemiah was enabled to care compassionately for his covenant family by knowing  God to be…

• his ultimate authority: Not himself, peers, or status quo
• his ultimate source of approval and provision: Not status or influence, wealth or rights

Key Concept: "because of my fear of God" (v. 15)

*cf. Ex. 20:20; 2 Sam 23:3; 2 Chron. 19:9; Job 15:4; 22:4

Application: We at Brainerd North Georgia must cling to God as our ultimate authority, and greatest source of security so that we can pour ourselves out in generosity and compassion for one another.

Prayer: "Lord, make me one who loves you, fears you, obeys you, and serves you with my whole heart. Keep me from separating my affection for you from profound fear and reverence of who you are." (D.A. Carson)

Title: A Call to Commitment and Dependence Text: Nehemiah 3–4 Main Idea: Believers must commit to God's work and depend on Him completely to advance the gospel in the face of opposition. Outline

1. Believers must commit to do the work together (Chapter 3)
2.  Believers must depend upon God to advance the work (Chapter 4) 
   1. The Opposition was External 
   2. The Struggle was Internal
   3. The Solution is Dependence

Sermon Title: God Responds to Nehemiah Main Idea: God responds to His followers by providing for them to participate in His Kingdom.  Outline(1) God Responds to His Followers (1–5) … (2) … By Providing for Them … (6–17)(3) … To Participate in His Kingdom (18–20) 

This week Paul and Kevin are joined by Micah Frink as they discuss Sunday's sermon on Nehemiah 1:1–11. Specifically, the guys talk about the spiritual disciplines of prayer and fasting and resources on those subjects. 

Sermon Title: Nehemiah's Prayer Main Idea: Our Love for God and His kingdom compels us to seek spiritual renewal for the advancement of the gospel and His glory.OUTLINE Nehemiah was . . . (1) A man deeply affected by the spiritual state of the people of God (4)  (2) A man who sought the face of God (5–11a)(3) A man under the sovereign hand of God (11b)

This week Paul and Kevin discuss some helpful commentaries, sermons, and resources for the Book of Nehemiah. Along with a concise description of the teacher Ezra.  Commentaries  Ezra and Nehemiah by Derek Kidner (Tyndall Old Testament Commentary) Ezra and Nehemiah by James Hamilton (Christ Center Exposition)  Ezra and Nehemiah by Derek Thomas (Reformed Expository Commentary) * FORGOT TO MENTION * Ezra and Nehemiah by Mervin Breneman (New American Commentary) Nehemiah by Warren Wiersbe (BE Series Commentary)  Nehemiah by James M. Boice (An Expositional Commentary) Sermons / Preachers Nehemiah by David Helm  Nehemiah by Alistair Begg

Helpful Resources 

The Bible Project

Sermon Title: The Book of Nehemiah Text: Nehemiah Main Idea: God, in his goodness and faithfulness, rescues His people and furthers His purposes. 

OUTLINE

1. The Place: Jerusalem
2. The People: Uncommitted
3. The Person: Nehemiah

For more information about Brainerd Baptist or Brainerd North Georgia just vist: BrainerdBaptist.org or BrainerdNorthGA.org

As preachers, we realize that there's only so much that can be said during a sermon, and there's so much more we would love to say within the sermon, but we recognize that there are time constraints. 

That said, join Paul Laso and Kevin Baggett as they further discuss Sunday's Sermons. 

This week Paul and Kevin ask the question: "Why are we preaching the Book of Nehemiah?"

Is there a Building campaign coming? Are we raising money for a new project? Listen in, and you'll find out!  For information about Brainerd Baptist or Brainerd North Geogia visit: Brainerdbaptist.org or Brainerdnorthga.org 

Sermon Title: Living in Light of The End Text: 2 Peter 3:11-18Main Idea: Believer, live faithfully in light of Christ's return.  Outline:In Light of Christ's Return, Pursue Christlikeness (3:11-14)  In Light of Christ's Return, Share the Gospel Urgently and Passionately  (3:15–16) In light of Christ Return, Stand Firm in Your Faith  (3:17–18)