God's people, rescued from exile and restored to Jerusalem, have fallen back into sin; and the only remedy is confrontation, confession and repentance. We too, as God's people, must be quick to listen to the Word, quick to own sin, quick to glory in grace, and quick to live transformed lives for God’s glory!

As the people of God, redeemed by the blood of Jesus and His once-for-all sacrifice, we are called and commanded to walk by faith in Christ and live gloriously different than the world around us. Therefore, we must be committed to obeying the Law and worshipping the Lord.

When God's Word is read, revealing the faithfulness, righteousness and mercy of God, the people understand their sinfulness and helplessness more clearly, responding in the only appropriate way: a prayerful plea for mercy. We, too, must cling to the righteousness and mercy of God - seen most brilliantly in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

According to Nehemiah, reading and responding to the Word of God is absolutely critical to dwell in the physical city of God; because God's Word forms God's people. But Jesus is the ultimate Word of God. Therefore, our response to Him is what ultimately makes us fit for the eternal city of God.

Nehemiah leads the returned exiles in rebuilding the walls and thus completing the physical city of God. That, however, doesn't come without conflict or conspiracy. Nehemiah points us to Jesus, the ultimate city builder, who endured the cross in order to make sinners fit for the eternal city of God.

Prayer is one of the primary ways God has given us to grow as His people. And yet, it’s often an area we aren’t as faithful as we could be. But prayer is one of the greatest gifts of God to us. We can only do it because of the precious blood of Jesus, shed for us, giving us joyful access to the Father.

Nehemiah leads the people to rebuild the city, which requires wisdom, teamwork, and the ability to labor in the midst of opposition. Nehemiah points forward to Jesus, who is the ultimate city builder, doing everything necessary to transform sinners into saints who are fit for the eternal city of God.

When Nehemiah receives the report that God’s people and God’s city are in trouble, he mourns the news, prays to God, and engages the situation. This pattern of mourning, prayer, and action culminates in the Lord Jesus and is the pattern we must be resolved to emulate in our daily lives!

Having been created in God’s image, we are to render ourselves completely to God. Having been born in sin, we must be recreated in the image of Christ, so that we may spend our lives for his glory.

Christ calls us to be a church on mission. Therefore, gospel proclamation is empowered by God, driven by outreach across cultural boundaries, consolidated by faithful preachers, supported by teamwork, and assisted by the kingdom-mindedness of other churches!