KEY DEFINITIONS

Exile is living in the displacement of what was lost and what is not yet, held by a God who has not forgotten where we belong.

Liminal space is the disorienting experience between what was and what's next; where the old normal is gone, but the new one hasn't arrived.

Exile is where we are. Liminal space is what it feels like to be there.

SETTING UP NEHEMIAH

» In 586 BC, Babylon besieged and decimated the city of Jerusalem, taking many Jews captive. Later, Persia overtook the Babylonians. 

» Esther helped preserve. Ezra helped reform. Nehemiah helped rebuild.

» Nehemiah's name means "The Lord Comforts."

The Broken Wall: (Nehemiah 1:1-3) A wall in rubble slowly convinces people that broken is normal.

The Response: (Nehemiah 1:4) Rebuilding begins when we allow ourselves to feel the weight of what is broken.

The Application: What we don't name, we can't surrender. What we don't surrender, God can't rebuild.

The Conclusion: (Nehemiah 1:11) Even in the rubble, we have access to the Most High King.

Rock Exercise: Write down what feels broken and what you want the Lord to rebuild.

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved."

— Acts 4:12

» The man at the temple believed he needed something.

» Peter and John gave him more than he expected.

» The people were amazed by what they saw.

» Maybe what you think you need is not what God will offer.

» God’s gift will more than satisfy anything you think you need.

“Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.”

John 1:29

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.”

Isaiah 53:5-7

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭18‬-‭19‬

He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.

— Luke 9:51

» Jesus doesn't accept neutrality — We cannot stay neutral about who Jesus is; neutrality is actually a rejection.

» Jesus set His face toward Jerusalem — Knowing what awaited Him, Jesus didn't hesitate because He had us in mind.

» Jesus is always at the center of our chaos — He's not too far ahead or behind; He's right where we need Him.

» Jesus wept for those who missed Him — Not because of the crowds, but because people were close to Him yet didn't truly know Him.

Revival begins with humility, prayer, and repentance.

Understanding Revival

» Humility — "God, I can't do this myself!"

» Prayer — "God, I need your help!"

» Repentance — "God, I want your way!"

“You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden.”

— Matthew 5:14

How do we serve our community?

* We meet real needs.

* We prioritize our connection with God.

* We stay focused on the Mission.

After picking up the towel and serving His disciples, Jesus said: I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. (John 13:14 NIV) 

What does it look like to serve in the home? 

» Servant leaders sacrifice 

» Servant leaders don’t keep score. 

» Servant leaders stay when it’s hard. 

» Servant leaders set the example. (Titus 2:3-4 MSG) 

Jesus, the ultimate servant leader – Philippians 2:3-8

To "Love Where We Live," starts in our home and then extends to our community.

What do we notice about the “expert” in the law/lawyer?

1. He’s an “expert”

2. He stands up to test Jesus

3. He asks the wrong question

How does the Good Samaritan Respond in Jesus’ Story?

He saw the person before he saw the need! (The need is temporary, but the person is eternal.)

He chose to help meet the need. (He didn’t "fix the person," he helped the person.)

He chose to go the extra mile.

Modern Equivalent for two Denarii: $135,000 average household income divided by 240 work days = $562.50 X 2 = $1,125

Wrong Question: “Who is my neighbor?”

Right Question: “To Whom can I be a neighbor to?”

“Go and do likewise.”

Loving where we live starts with love in the home. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)

Here are some ways to love our family: 

* Wives: Love with encouragement. “Encouragement in the mouth of a woman is strength in the heart of a man.” 

* Husbands: Love first and love the loudest. 

* Kids: Love with honor. 

* Grandparents: Love with presence, not pressure.

Two practical ways to bring love into the home: 

* Eat around the table.

* Hold hands and pray.

Freedom endures by grace as we stay near Christ–who sustains us, teaches us His unhurried pace, and invites us into His work. 

Unformed Rhythms of Grace 

* Walk with Jesus 

* Work with Jesus 

* Watch how Jesus does it