What was so inconceivable to think, was soon embraced in the Galatian church– that acceptance by God was no longer all about Jesus but needed something added to. What happened to them and why? Could it also happen to us?

 Nehemiah leaves Jerusalem for a while, and while the cat’s away the mice will play.  When he returns, he discovers four giant problems that he quickly addresses in his final reforms. 

Nothing reveals the nature, character, and glory of God quite like the resurrection of Jesus Christ because it puts the infinite power of God on display for the world to see. 

This is our first message in our Easter series about the glory of God.  Looking at Matthew 21, Pastor Phil explains how Palm Sunday foreshadowed the true glory of Jesus Christ.

 We must give ourselves to God!  The theme of Nehemiah all the way from 11:1 to 12:26 is that we offer ourselves for God’s mission in response to God’s mercy. Starting in Neh 12:27, we witness the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem at which the people give their praise and their gifts to God. 

The walls of Jerusalem are complete.  Now it was time to repopulate the city.  Many of the Jews willingly offered to move into Jerusalem.  Nehemiah 11 offers a picture of the people of God responding to the mercy of God by offering their lives for the mission of God.

Nehemiah 8 ends with the people of God savoring spiritual revival with a special day of fasting and prayer and dedication to God. Chapters 9 and 10 are all about preserving this renewal among the people of God and fanning the flames of revival.

Now that the city walls had been rebuilt, it was time for Israel to rebuild their relationship with God.  Ezra came to read and teach the Scriptures and a spiritual revival began!

Nehemiah didn’t listen to the lies of his enemies Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem. He was smarter than that!  Yet, Satan used four strategies in attacking him; strategies that he still uses against us today. 

 Personal integrity in the life of a leader is indispensable. If we are going to lead well in our respective spheres of influence, we need to lead with integrity, and Nehemiah provides a good example for us.