February 16, 2025

Finishing What You Start | Sunday Message

42 minutes

After experiencing God’s blessings, the people of Israel still returned to their old ways. Sound familiar? If you’ve found yourself drifting spiritually and falling into the same patterns—a fresh start is close by.

Notes:

Focus verse - Nehemiah 10

#1 Starting strong is good, finishing strong is better.

Samson started well but did not finish that way.

Marriage is like our relationship with God.

The moment you begin to neglect and take your marriage for granted, trouble follows.
The same is true of our Christian life.

The bible says, “Work out your own salvation.”

#2 Stay focused.

When we take our eyes off the Lord, we will get discouraged.

Nehemiah 4:14

Israel did not remember the Lord.

This was not just about the physical state of the walls.
This was about the spiritual state of their lives.

#3 Israel promised to carefully follow all the commands of scripture.

Read Nehemiah 10:28–29

Jesus is the unique and only miracle working Son of God who died and rose again.

#4 Israel chose to obey the word of God.

The surrender to God’s word happened from top down.
Nehemiah 10:28

It’s one thing to believe the word of God, it’s another thing to surrender to it.

#5 Israel separated themselves from ungodly influences.
Nehemiah 10:28–30

To live a godly life, you need to separate yourself from some things and join yourself to others.

The three most important decisions you will make in life are:
What am I going to do with Jesus Christ?
What am I going to do with my life?
Who am I going to marry?

Israel was pulled down by ungodly people.

2 Corinthians 6:14

Separation does not mean isolation.

#6 Israel was invested in God’s kingdom.
Nehemiah 10:32

If we follow God’s principles about giving, we can expect Him to meet our needs.
2 Corinthians 9:8

Nehemiah 13:8

Little compromises lead to bigger problems.

Jesus finished what he started.