Are We Building His Kingdom

Nehemiah 7:1-6; 66-73.

Points:

1. The framework was set in place.
2. The Jewish people were sought out.
3. Israel was back in business.

God is building His kingdom.

1. God has set a framework.
2. God is seeking out His own.
3. God is building up His Kingdom.

Application: Are we in the kingdom business or not? 

1. Are we guarding what has already been built?
2. Is the kingdom growing?
3. Are worthy offerings being given?
4. Is the church doing its part?
5. Are we on a false summit?

A Biblical Worldview Helps

Nehemiah 6

 Three Truths Concerning Thwarting Godly Efforts. 

1. Desperation can cause stupidity.
2. Fear can intensify imagination.
3. Resolve can lead to treachery.

 The Earthly Results of Mission Accomplishment.  

1. The enemy trembles. 
2. God is noticed. 
3. People are going to talk. 
4. People will still choose evil. 
5. The enemy will not give up. 

 Application: To do our part in covenant renewal:

1. We master our feelings.
2. We pray for and stand against our enemies.
3. We expect the lost to respond like they are lost. 
4. We stick to the plan. 

Getting the Family Right

Nehemiah 5

 The Context of the “Great Outcry”

1. The local farms were understaffed. 
2. Jewish creditors were taking advantage of the situation. 
3. Hostile neighbors were likely imposing sanctions against the Jews. 
4. Some Jews were leveraging their children.
5. The already disadvantaged were further being taken advantage of by the fellow Jews. 

 The Characters in the “Great Outcry” 

1. Those who simply needed food for their families. 
2. Those who needed food and mortgaged their property to be able to buy it.  
3. Those not making enough money to pay their taxes, who were risking property loss. 

 The Counter to the “Great Outcry”

1. Nehemiah first spoke to the leaders in the community.
2. Then Nehemiah gave a strong warning.

 Contrast to the cause of the “Great Outcry”

1. Nehemiah did not take a portion of the people's taxes. 
2. Nehemiah acquired no land during this time. 
3. Nehemiah’s servants worked just like everyone else.
4. Nehemiah wanted to be seen as generous and honoring to God. 

 Applications:

1. The global church has a mission.
2. The global church should respond to the “Great Outcry.”
3. Leaders should be held accountable.
4. Leaders should set an example.
5. Leaders should be concerned with what God thinks of them.

Back to Work

Nehemiah 4:16-23, ESV

 3 phrases that jump out 

1. “From that day on” (v 16) 
2. “My servants” (vs 16) 
3. “Spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail” (vs 16)

The Building Group

1. The actual constructors were building the walls. 
2. The supervisors stood behind the constructors.
3. The burden bearers were bringing materials to the constructors.

 One more instruction from Nehemiah.

1. Everybody was to sleep inside the city.
2. Two reasons 
   • “Guard us by night” – There is safety in numbers.
   • “Labor by day” - There were probably demoralized people tempted to be deserters. 

 What can we learn from it and apply to our lives?

1. Be focused on the will of the Lord. 
   1. Get your mind right.
   2. Ask God what His will is.
   3. Then be patient enough to wait for an answer.
2. Be prepared to defend our faith.
   1. First, we must know what to believe.
   2. Then, we can stand up for faith. 
3. Be ready for multiple attacks.
   1. Put on the whole armor of God.
   2. Belt of truth – Your understanding of reality
   3. Breastplate of righteousness – Your moral standing with God
   4. Shoes ready to take the gospel – Your sense of purpose
   5. Shield of faith – Your beliefs about God
   6. Helmet of salvation – The assurance of your destiny
   7. Sword of the Spirit – The only offensive weapon. You gotta know it.
4. Be willing to do whatever it takes to remain close to God. 
   1. We worship the Lord only. We love His people deeply, and we grow His kingdom.
   2. We fight against our sin and the temptations of the opposers. 

Opposition to Covenant Renewal

Nehemiah 3 and 4

 Some of the People:

1. The High Priest took the lead. (v 1)
2. The Tekoites repaired two sections (Vs. 5, 27)
3. The Tekoite nobles would not help. (vs. 5)
4. Men from the opposition’s jurisdiction helped. (v. 7)
5. The two rulers of Jerusalem helped. (V. 9, 12)
6. Priests outside of Jerusalem helped. (22)

 10 points in this passage.

1. The opposition came with anger.
2. The opposition turned to taunting.
3. The opposition was met with prayer.
4. The opposition eventually turned to violence.
5. The opposition was met with prayer and physical action. 
6. The work started to decrease. 
7. The threats of the opposition were demoralizing.
8. Society began to beg them to stop building.
9. The opposition needed to be faced.
10. The workers needed encouragement. 

 In the context of covenant renewal:

1. There will be opposition.
2. That opposition will be first from anger and then from violence.
3. We will need to pray and take action.
4. We will want to stop.
5. We will need to fight for covenant renewal. 

Responding to God’s Direction

Nehemiah 2

 Certainly, we can see that:

1. God’s timing is always best.
2. God will use the ungodly to bring about His purposes.
3. God will give us courage if we pray.
4. God’s protection and provision are with those who do His will.  
5. Godly plans will face a lot of opposition.
6. God sometimes has us work covertly.
7. A testimony can be very influential. 
8. We should be dogmatic about what God says.

What do we learn in this context?

1. God works toward His plan. 
2. God works in His time.
3. God wants us to pray, testify, and stand our ground.

Introduction to Nehemiah

Nehemiah 1

 Bible Covenants:

1. The Covenant of Redemption - Eph 4:3-6, ESV.
2. The Adamic Covenant – Gen. 2 and 3
3. The Noahic Covenant  – Genesis 9:8-13, ESV.
4. The Abrahamic Covenant – Gen 12:1-3, ESV. 
5. The Mosaic Covenant – Deut. 11:26-28, 31-32, ESV. 
6. The Davidic Covenant – 2 Sam. 7:10-16, ESV. 
7. The New Covenant – Jeremiah 31:31-32; Luke 22:19-20, ESV. 
8.  

Covenantal living is always preceded by:

1. God getting our attention. (1-4)
2. Prayerful repentance. (5-7)
3. Returning to the last covenant. (8-10)
4. Total dependence placed on God. (11)

Wisdom at a Cost

Eccl. 7

1.  Trade-off #1 – Wise people will mourn more. 
2. Trade-off #2 – Wrong decisions will drive wise people crazy.
3. Trade-off #3 – Wise people will have to yield to wisdom.

 About the work of God:

1. God is sovereign.
2. God's ways are paradoxical.
3. God allows man to have free will.
4. God will preserve those who love Him.

 Returning to the theme of wisdom, Solomon says:

1. Wisdom will help you, but you will never be perfect.
2. Sometimes it's wise not to know something.
3. Some wisdom will not be gained.
4. Some wisdom should not be gained.

 Conclusion #4 - God made humanity morally right, but every human has sinned. 

More Observations 

Eccl 4 and 5

Four more observations 

1. Oppression is a certainty. (4:1-3)
2. Both work and laziness can ruin us. (4:4-6)
3. Relationships are beneficial. (4:7-12)
4. Positions of authority are temporary. (4:13-16)

 Three more areas vanity can show up.

1. Routine worship (5:1-7)
2. Disconnected position (5:8-9)
3. Unused wealth (5:10-20)

 Application:

1. Let's chase things that actually benefit our relationships.
2. Let's fulfill our kingdom responsibilities responsibly.
3. Let's manage relationships more than possessions or position.
4. Let's engage our brains in worship.
5. Let's use our gains intentionally.

Stick to the Plan

Eccl 3.

 The blessings of living for God

1. God gives us purpose. (10)
2. What God gives us to do is perfect when done at the right time. (11a)
3. God knows what will last. (11b)

 Four Perceptions

1. There is nothing better than finding joy in good works. (12)
2. God wants us to enjoy life. (13)
3. Everything God purposes will come about. (14)
4. God will ensure this. (15)

 Two Realities

1. Some godly acts have been replaced with wickedness. (16)
2. God will judge everyone for how well they lived according to His plan. (17)

 In his depression:

1. Solomon did not recognize humanity's unique nature. (18-20)
2. Solomon could not see the destiny of man. (21)
3. Solomon focused only on his earthly life. (22)

 Application

1. Trust God's plan.
2. Try not to focus only on this side of eternity.
3. Live out God's plan as if eternity depends on you.