In Nehemiah 9, the teachers of the law retell the History of Israel and there is a recurring pattern - God's faithfulness, human sinfulness and God's mercy.  This cycle of history is repeated throughout Israel's history, throughout World history and throughout individual lives.

After the wall is completed, God moves in Jerusalem.  The people have a revival of hunger for God's Word, joy in the Lord and obedience to the law in the Old Testament.  As they celebrate the Feast of Booths, we celebrate the Feast of the Lord's Supper together.

After already facing serious opposition, Nehemiah comes under attack again in chapter 6.  He stands his ground, refuses to sin and finishes strong, with the help of God.

Nehemiah cares for the poor and needy people in Jerusalem, taking political action and acting generously himself.  His love for the downtrodden comes from a fear of God and reflects God's own deep love and compassion towards the poor.

How should Christians handle opposition?  In Nehemiah 4, the people of Jerusalem demonstrate a dependence on prayer, a focus on God's strength and vigilance which enables them to overcome intense opposition.  The story also foreshadows Christ overcoming the opposition he himself faced.

People around the World, Christian and Non-Christian suffer individualitis, a spiritual disease where you think the World is all about you (credit Andrew Wilson for the sermon title & inspiration).  Nehemiah 3 shows that we are called to work together - great things are acheived by God through a team and we all have a small part of the wall to build.

Nehemiah demonstrates boldness in prayer, in the presence of the King, in leadership and in the face of opposition.  We too are called to faithful boldness.

We start a new sermon series in the Book of Nehemiah, seeking to rebuild our lives, our Church and the nation.

When we share the Gospel, why do some people receive it with joy and fall away, why do some people reject it immediately and others believe and grow for eternity? Jesus explains in his famous Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13.

Jesus, through word and deed, reveals his identity as the Chosen One who bring justice to the nations. he also rebukes the Pharisees and heals miraculously.