TURNING POINT EKKLESIA
Ephesians 6:12
“…we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
Matthew 3:1, 3 NKJV
“In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.’
Matthew 14:3-4 NKJV
“..Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. Because John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”
Matthew 14:10-13 NKJV
“So (Herod) he sent and had John beheaded in prison. And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus. When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities.”
Revelation 6:9 NKJV
When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.
Acts 7:54-60 NKJV
When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”
Revelation 5:6 NKJV
“And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain…”
Charlie Kirk in Heaven (A.I.)
“First I want you to know, I’m fine. Not because my body is fine, but because my soul is secure in Christ.
Death is not the end, it’s a promotion.
Don’t waste one second morning me.
I knew the risks of standing up in this cultural moment and I would do it all over again.
Second, do not let this violence divide us further. The enemy wants chaos fear and retaliation. Don’t give it to them. Instead, double down on truth. Double down on courage. Double down on your faith.”
Acts 8:1-2 NKJV
“Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.”
Acts 8:3 NKJV
“As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.”
Acts 8:4 NKJV
“Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.”
Acts 1:8 NKJV
“…you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Psalm 81:10-13 NKJV
“I am the Lord your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. “But My people would not heed My voice, And Israel would have none of Me. So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart, To walk in their own counsels. “Oh, that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways!”
Matthew 28:18-19 NKJV
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. GO therefore….”
Matthew 28:19 NKJV
“…and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”
“They killed Charlie because he preached a message of patriotism and faith in God‘s merciful love. They should all know this, you thought my husband‘s mission was powerful before, you have no idea what you have unleashed across this entire country and this world. You have no idea the fire that you have ignited within this wife. The cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry”
- Erika Kirk
Acts 8:5-8 NKJV
“Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city.”
THE BLOOD OF THE MARTYRS
Revelation 6:9-11 NKJV
When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.
Psalm 79:5-10 NKJV
“How long, Lord? Will You be angry forever? Will Your jealousy burn like fire? Pour out Your wrath on the nations that do not know You, And on the kingdoms that do not call on Your name. For they have devoured Jacob, And laid waste his dwelling place. Oh, do not remember former iniquities against us! Let Your tender mercies come speedily to meet us, For we have been brought very low. Help us, O God of our salvation, For the glory of Your name; And deliver us, and provide atonement for our sins, For Your name’s sake! Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Let there be known among the nations in our sight The avenging of the blood of Your servants which has been shed.”
Psalm 2:1-6 NKJV
“Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure: “Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion.”
Matthew 24:6-13 NKJV
“….you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.”
I John 4:17-19 NKJV
“Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.”
I Thessalonians 4:13-18 NKJV
“…I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”
PRAYER & FASTING part 6: “The Purpose of Power”
Luke 4:14-15 NKJV
“Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region. And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.”
Luke 4:1 NKJV
Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness
FILLED with Spirit
EMPTIED of your will
TEMPTED by Satan & TESTED by God
FAITHFUL to the Word of God
POWER to glorify God
Psalm 35:13 NKJV
“…I humbled myself with fasting”
James 4:10
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
The Prayer of Apostle Paul
Ephesians 1:19-20
“(I pray) that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.”
Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
Luke 4:16-19 NKJV
“So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”
THE PURPOSE OF POWER
1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR
2. TO HEAL THE BROKENHEARTED
3. TO PROCLAIM FREEDOM FOR THE CAPTIVES
4. TO RELEASE THE PRISONERS FROM DARKNESS
5. TO PROCLAIM THE ACCEPTABLE YEAR OF THE LORD
Luke 7:18-23 NKJV
“…the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things. And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” When the men had come to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?’ ” And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight. Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”
Ephesians 4:7-16 NKJV
“But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.” (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”
HAVE YOU BEEN:
FILLED with Spirit
EMPTIED of your will
TEMPTED & TESTED
FAITHFUL to the Word of God
POWER to glorify God
🔥The power of God is to equip us to advance the kingdom by preaching the acceptable year of the Lord to those who are in prison🔥
Isaiah 58:6-12,14 NKJV
“Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ “If you take away the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday. The Lord will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. Those from among you Shall build the old waste places; You shall raise up the foundations of many generations; And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.
The mouth of the Lord has spoken”
Isaiah 61:1-3 NKJV
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
HOW FAITH GROWS
“…it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him.”
Luke 18:8b NKJV
“…when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
Luke 17:19 NKJV
And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”
-FAITH is a confidence grounded in reality
-FAITH contrary to popular belief is not a blind leap into the dark
-FAITH is not believing in something that there’s no evidence but believing the evidence before you
-FAITH is not a feeling, though it does have emotional components to it
-FAITH is an action. It is something that you do.
- FAITH is not belief without proof but trust without reservations
-FAITH IS PROGRESSIVE
Hebrews 11:1 NLT
“Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.”
Romans 10:17 NKJV
“…faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
MATTHEW 17:14-21 MARK 9:14-29
Matthew 17:14-16 NKJV
And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.”
Mark 9:17-18 NKJV
Then one of the crowd answered and said, “Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not.”
Luke 9:38 NKJV
“…Teacher, I implore You, look on my son, for he is my only child.”
PIC
Matthew 17:17 NKJV
Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.”
Mark 9:20-24 NKJV
Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth. So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”
Matthew 17:18 NKJV
And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour.
Mark 9:25-27 NKJV
When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it: “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.
Matthew 17:19 NKJV
Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?”
Matthew 17:20 NKJV
So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”
Matthew 17:21 NKJV
“However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
PRAYER & FASTING
Prayer attaches us to the heart of God
Fasting detaches us from the flesh of man
James 5:13-16 NKJV
“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
Romans 10:10-13 NKJV
“…with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Nehemiah 9 – But God…
Nehemiah 8:17–18 (ESV)
17 And all the assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and lived in the booths, for from the days of Jeshua the son of Nun to that day the people of Israel had not done so. And there was very great rejoicing. 18 And day by day, from the first day to the last day, he read from the Book of the Law of God. They kept the feast seven days, and on the eighth day there was a solemn assembly, according to the rule.
Feast of Tabernacles – 8 day festival beginning on the 15th of the month
Nehemiah 9:1-3 (ESV)
1 Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the people of Israel were assembled with fasting and in sackcloth, and with earth on their heads. 2 And the Israelites separated themselves from all foreigners and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. 3 And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day; for another quarter of it they made confession and worshiped the Lord their God.
Nehemiah 9:36-37
36 Behold, we are slaves this day; in the land that you gave to our fathers to enjoy its fruit and its good gifts, behold, we are slaves. 37 And its rich yield goes to the kings whom you have set over us because of our sins. They rule over our bodies and over our livestock as they please, and we are in great distress.
24th day –
Repentance, mourning over sin – but “the joy of the Lord is your strength” – Tabernacles is time to rejoice, but now there is a time to mourn and weep.
Sackcloth and ashes – purpose? Often made of coarse black goat hair (wear black as sign of mourning)
GOT QUESTIONS -”Very simply, sackcloth and ashes were used as an outward sign of one’s inward condition. Such a symbol made one’s change of heart visible and demonstrated the sincerity of one’s grief and/or repentance. It was not the act of putting on sackcloth and ashes itself that moved God to intervene, but the humility that such an action demonstrated (see 1 Samuel 16:7). God’s forgiveness in response to genuine repentance is celebrated by David’s words: “You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy” (Psalm 30:11).[1]
Sackcloth – uncomfortable reminder to oneself and outward expression to the world.
SACKCLOTH is the opposite of numbing or escaping
Must enter into the mourning to process it – so yes, enter, don’t run from it.
Matthew 5:3–4 (NLT)
3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
4 God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Poor in spirit – not just poor –
Mourning – mourning over their sin.
Nehemiah 9:2 (ESV)
2 And the Israelites separated themselves from all foreigners and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.
Separate from all foreigners – read the law and realized they had broken God’s law about intermarrying, embracing the customs and gods of the lands
Confessed – THEIR SINS
INIQUITIES OF THEIR FATHERS
Multiple people confess sins of their fathers –
Nehemiah 1, Daniel 9, others
Context is “our fathers disobeyed and we followed…”
Is this them breaking a generational curse?
Exodus 20:5–6 (CSB)
5 Do not bow in worship to them, and do not serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, bringing the consequences of the fathers’ iniquity on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me, 6 but showing faithful love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commands.
Monkey see, monkey do. Chip off the old block -
Generational curse – if grandparents were masons or in the occult, you need to repent of that and some of your hangups may be because of blood oaths or curses they brought on themselves – THAT IS THE BELIEF
Ezekiel 18:1–2 (ESV)
1 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’?
Ezekiel 18:1–2 (NLT)
1 Then another message came to me from the Lord: 2 “Why do you quote this proverb concerning the land of Israel: ‘The parents have eaten sour grapes, but their children’s mouths pucker at the taste’?
Ezekiel 18:3–4 (ESV)
3 As I live, declares the Lord God, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. 4 Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins shall die.
STOP IT!!!
Ezekiel 18:20 (ESV)
20 The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.
John 9:1–2 (ESV)
1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
John 9:3 (ESV)
3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.
Galatians 3:10–13 (ESV)
10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” 11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” 12 But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—
YES – prior to coming to Jesus we were all under the curse of the Law, but in Jesus we have been set from - set free from the curse of the Law!
Generational Curse theology then is really an attack on the GOSPEL!
It is saying you are not really free in Jesus until you say this special prayer or renounce the sins of your ancestors.
The GOSPEL says YOU ARE FREE!
Practically… you can still be influenced by your family of origin.
Alcoholism – if you grow up with it, you see it and unless you fight against it you may embrace it as the escape for your problems.
It only affects you in as so far as you AGREE with it – make covenant with it.
Whether your great grandmother was a witch is irrelevant. HAVE YOU MADE COVENANT WITH THE OCCULT?
Exodus 20:5–6 (CSB)
5 Do not bow in worship to them, and do not serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, bringing the consequences of the fathers’ iniquity on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me, 6 but showing faithful love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commands.
Nehemiah 9:3-5 (ESV)
3 And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day; for another quarter of it they made confession and worshiped the Lord their God. 4 On the stairs of the Levites stood Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani; and they cried with a loud voice to the Lord their God. 5 Then the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, “Stand up and bless the Lord your God from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.
Public repentance, national revival often accompanied by worship!
Longest prayer in the Bible recounting 1000+ years of Bible history
Nehemiah 9:6-8 (ESV)
6 “You are the Lord, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you. 7 You are the Lord, the God who chose Abram and brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans and gave him the name Abraham. 8 You found his heart faithful before you, and made with him the covenant to give to his offspring the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Jebusite, and the Girgashite. And you have kept your promise, for you are righteous.
BEGIN RECOUNTING THE PROMISES AND BLESSINGS OF GOD – HIS FAITHFULNESS.
Recite, rehearse, remember God’s promises
Do you have a promises or answered prayer book?
Ebenezer stone – 1 Samuel 7:12 – stone of help
Write the miracle/answered prayer, and date
Nehemiah 9:9-11 (ESV)
9 “And you saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt and heard their cry at the Red Sea, 10 and performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh and all his servants and all the people of his land, for you knew that they acted arrogantly against our fathers. And you made a name for yourself, as it is to this day. 11 And you divided the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on dry land, and you cast their pursuers into the depths, as a stone into mighty waters.
Rehearsing God’s miracles
God saw their affliction, God performed signs and wonders, made a name for yourself.
V> 11 – verse is the basis of the chorus for the song, “No Longer Slaves”
You split the sea so I could walk right through it; my fears were drown in perfect love.”
Song writers – spend time soaking up the word and let it be your inspiration
Nehemiah 9:10b
And you made a name for yourself, as it is to this day.
Nehemiah 9:12-15 (ESV)
12 By a pillar of cloud you led them in the day, and by a pillar of fire in the night to light for them the way in which they should go. 13 You came down on Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven and gave them right rules and true laws, good statutes and commandments, 14 and you made known to them your holy Sabbath and commanded them commandments and statutes and a law by Moses your servant. 15 You gave them bread from heaven for their hunger and brought water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and you told them to go in to possess the land that you had sworn to give them.
SO MUCH – God’s faithfulness, providing for their every need (and even some wants).
Manna
Water from the rock
The Law, commandments, sabbath
Told to go in possess the land
Nehemiah 9:16-17 (ESV)
16 “But they and our fathers acted presumptuously and stiffened their neck and did not obey your commandments. 17 They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders that you performed among them, but they stiffened their neck and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them.
Stiffened their neck – they had seen the miracles, but they didn’t trust
Remember the 12 spies – and 10 gave bad report – giants, can’t overcome,
Only 2 good report (Joshua and Caleb) –
Stiff necked – I’m not going to look where you want me to look
I’m not going to humble myself before You
Nehemiah 9:17b
But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them.
RECOUNTING THE CHARACTER OF THE LORD!
Nehemiah 9:18-21 (ESV)
18 Even when they had made for themselves a golden calf and said, ‘This is your God who brought you up out of Egypt,’ and had committed great blasphemies, 19 you in your great mercies did not forsake them in the wilderness. The pillar of cloud to lead them in the way did not depart from them by day, nor the pillar of fire by night to light for them the way by which they should go. 20 You gave your good Spirit to instruct them and did not withhold your manna from their mouth and gave them water for their thirst. 21 Forty years you sustained them in the wilderness, and they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell.
2nd time mentioning the cloud by day, pillar of fire by night and manna and water –
God still provides, even when we walk in disobedience,
Even when we are unfaithful, GOD REMAINS FAITHFUL,
The Goodness of God!
Nehemiah 9:22-25 (ESV)
22 “And you gave them kingdoms and peoples and allotted to them every corner. So they took possession of the land of Sihon king of Heshbon and the land of Og king of Bashan. 23 You multiplied their children as the stars of heaven, and you brought them into the land that you had told their fathers to enter and possess. 24 So the descendants went in and possessed the land, and you subdued before them the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, and gave them into their hand, with their kings and the peoples of the land, that they might do with them as they would. 25 And they captured fortified cities and a rich land, and took possession of houses full of all good things, cisterns already hewn, vineyards, olive orchards and fruit trees in abundance. So they ate and were filled and became fat and delighted themselves in your great goodness.
God’s goodness again – blessed in so many ways
Nehemiah 9:26- (ESV)
26 “Nevertheless, they were disobedient and rebelled against you and cast your law behind their back and killed your prophets, who had warned them in order to turn them back to you, and they committed great blasphemies. 27 Therefore you gave them into the hand of their enemies, who made them suffer. And in the time of their suffering they cried out to you and you heard them from heaven, and according to your great mercies you gave them saviors who saved them from the hand of their enemies.
Time of judges – constant back and forth
Killed the prophets who were sent to warn them!
Nehemiah 9:28- (ESV)
28 But after they had rest they did evil again before you, and you abandoned them to the hand of their enemies, so that they had dominion over them. Yet when they turned and cried to you, you heard from heaven, and many times you delivered them according to your mercies. 29 And you warned them in order to turn them back to your law. Yet they acted presumptuously and did not obey your commandments, but sinned against your rules, which if a person does them, he shall live by them, and they turned a stubborn shoulder and stiffened their neck and would not obey. 30 Many years you bore with them and warned them by your Spirit through your prophets. Yet they would not give ear. Therefore you gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands. 31 Nevertheless, in your great mercies you did not make an end of them or forsake them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.
God still gracious – but He disciplines His kids –
Sent into captivity
Stubborn shoulder and stiffened neck –
Are we listening and dependent on the Lord?
Nehemiah 9:32-33 (ESV)
32 “Now, therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love, let not all the hardship seem little to you that has come upon us, upon our kings, our princes, our priests, our prophets, our fathers, and all your people, since the time of the kings of Assyria until this day. 33 Yet you have been righteous in all that has come upon us, for you have dealt faithfully and we have acted wickedly.
Recognize what we have done, our fathers, etc. – YOU HAVE BEEN RIGHTEOUS
One of the signs of NOT TRULY Repenting – is blaming others
Here they say:
Nehemiah 9:33 (ESV)
Yet you have been righteous in all that has come upon us, for you have dealt faithfully and we have acted wickedly.
Nehemiah 9:34-37 (ESV)
34 Our kings, our princes, our priests, and our fathers have not kept your law or paid attention to your commandments and your warnings that you gave them. 35 Even in their own kingdom, and amid your great goodness that you gave them, and in the large and rich land that you set before them, they did not serve you or turn from their wicked works. 36 Behold, we are slaves this day; in the land that you gave to our fathers to enjoy its fruit and its good gifts, behold, we are slaves. 37 And its rich yield goes to the kings whom you have set over us because of our sins. They rule over our bodies and over our livestock as they please, and we are in great distress.
We are ONCE AGAIN – slaves – to the kings of this land, in bondage, through our own fault – in the land that you had given us.
Nehemiah 9:38 (ESV)
38 “Because of all this we make a firm covenant in writing; on the sealed document are the names of our princes, our Levites, and our priests.
Next chapter goes on to outline their commitment and covenant with God.
EVER FELT LIKE YOU’VE SINNED AGAIN AND WONDERING IF GOD WILL FORGIVE… AGAIN?! HE WILL AND DOES IN JESUS!
What is God calling you to repent of?
Are there things in your past that you have not repented of?
Divorce
Abuse
Abortion
Drugs/alcohol
Gossip/slander
Are you showing repentance, showcasing repentance or ignoring repentance?
Do you need to rehearse and remember God’s faithfulness? Do you need to tell it to your kids?
Do you need to repent of marrying the world?
People struggle with repentance because they either don’t think they can change, don’t think it’s that big of a deal, or are unwilling to make complete sacrifice. Remember the four soils: only three bore fruit that last
“The self-sufficient do not pray. The self satisfied will not pray. The self righteous cannot pray.” - Leonard Ravenhill
Our failure is met by God‘s forgiveness and God‘s faithfulness
Romans 7:14–8:1 (NLT)
14 So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. 15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. 16 But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. 17 So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
18 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. 20 But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
21 I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God’s law with all my heart. 23 But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.
1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.
[1] Got Questions Ministries, Got Questions? Bible Questions Answered (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2002–2013).
THE REBUILT LIFE: “The Joy of The Lord”
Zephaniah 3:17 NLT
For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.
1 Thessalonians 5:16 NLT
“Always be joyful.”
Jeremiah 29:10-11
This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
James 1:2-3
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
Nehemiah 8:9-10 NKJV
And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.” For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
John 16:20-22 NKJV
“Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.”
Psalm 51:12 KJV
“Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; And uphold me with thy free spirit.”
1 Peter 1:8 NLT
“You love Him even though you have never seen Him. Though you do not see Him now, you trust Him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16 AMP
“Rejoice always and delight in your faith;”
Nehemiah 8:13-18
Now on the second day the heads of the fathers’ houses of all the people, with the priests and Levites, were gathered to Ezra the scribe, in order to understand the words of the Law. And they found written in the Law, which the Lord had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths during the feast of the seventh month, and that they should announce and proclaim in all their cities and in Jerusalem, saying, “Go out to the mountain, and bring olive branches, branches of oil trees, myrtle branches, palm branches, and branches of leafy trees, to make booths, as it is written.” Then the people went out and brought them and made themselves booths, each one on the roof of his house, or in their courtyards or the courts of the house of God, and in the open square of the Water Gate and in the open square of the Gate of Ephraim. So the whole assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and sat under the booths; for since the days of Joshua the son of Nun until that day the children of Israel had not done so. And there was very great Joy.
Also day by day, from the first day until the last day, he read from the Book of the Law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day there was a sacred assembly, according to the prescribed manner.”
THE JOY OF THE LORD
- UNDERSTANDING OF THE LAW
- THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES (children of God should dwell…)
- GO OUT TO THE MOUNTAIN
- THE EIGHTH DAY THERE WAS A SACRED ASSEMBLY
- VERY GREAT JOY
II Kings 22:3, 8-11 NKJV
“Now it came to pass, in the eighteenth year of King Josiah, that the king sent Shaphan the scribe, the son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, to the house of the Lord…”
…Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the Lord.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. So Shaphan the scribe went to the king, bringing the king word, saying, “Your servants have gathered the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of those who do the work, who oversee the house of the Lord.” Then Shaphan the scribe showed the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it before the king. Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, that he tore his clothes.”
Acts 8:8 NKJV
“And there was great joy in that city.”
1 John 1:1-4 NLT
“We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life. This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was revealed to us. We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.”
John 1:14, 16-17
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
Matthew 5:17 NKJV
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.”
Luke 9:28-36 NKJV (Matthew 17:1-8)
Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered (and shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.)
His robe became white and glistening. And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him. Then it happened, as they were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!”
(And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.)
Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
THE REBUILT LIFE: “The Power of One GOD”
Deuteronomy 6:1-5 NKJV
Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the Lord your God has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess, that you may fear the Lord your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. Therefore hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe it, that it may be well with you, and that you may multiply greatly as the Lord God of your fathers has promised you—‘a land flowing with milk and honey.’ “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
THE GREAT SHEMA
Deuteronomy 6:4 NKJV
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!”
II Corinthians 6:16-18 NKJV
“…what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” Therefore “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”
Nehemiah 8:1-6 NKJV
“Now all the people gathered together as one man in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded Israel. So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month. Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. So Ezra the scribe stood on a platform of wood which they had made for the purpose; and beside him, at his right hand, stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Urijah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah; and at his left hand Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. Then all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.”
Nehemiah 8:7-12 NKJV
“…and the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law; and the people stood in their place. So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading. And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.” For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.” And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them.”
THE POWER OF ONE GOD
1. ALL THE PEOPLE GATHERED AS ONE MAN
2. ALL THE PEOPLE WERE SURROUNDED BY THE FINISHED WORK
2 Corinthians 5:21
“God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”
3. ALL THE PEOPLE STOOD IN FRONT OF THE WATER GATE
4. EZRA SPOKE FROM A STAGE
Psalm 138:2
“I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name For Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have exalted Your word above all Your name.”
5. ALL THE PEOPLE STOOD & LISTENED TO THE WORD
Psalm 119:162 NKJV
“I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure.”
Job 23:12
“I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.”
6. ALL THE PEOPLE UNDERSTOOD
7. ALL THE PEOPLE RESPONDED
-Wept
-Amen Amen (So be it!)
-Lifted up their hands
-Bowed their faces to the ground
Exodus 32:1-4, 27-28 NKJV
“Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, “Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” And Aaron said to them, “Break off the golden earrings which are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.” So all the people broke off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them to Aaron. And he received the gold from their hand, and he fashioned it with an engraving tool, and made a molded calf. Then they said, “This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!” And he said to them, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘Let every man put his sword on his side, and go in and out from entrance to entrance throughout the camp, and let every man kill his brother, every man his companion, and every man his neighbor.’ ” So the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And about three thousand men of the people fell that day.”
Acts 2:1-2, 41 NKJV
“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.”
“…and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.”
8. ALL THE PEOPLE REJOICED
(7th month)
TISHRI
(new beginning)
Leviticus 23:23-44
1st day Feast of trumpets (Rosh Hashanah)
10th day - Day of Atonement
(Yom Kippur)
15th Feast of Tabernacle
(Sukkot)
Ephesians 4:4-6 NKJV
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”
John 17:11, 22-23
“…Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as much as You have loved Me.”
THE REBUILT LIFE: “Standing in The Finished Work”
1 Corinthians 16:13
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”
Ephesians 6:13
“… take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day…”
Nehemiah 7:1-2 NKJV
Then it was, when the wall was built and I had hung the doors, when the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed, that I gave the charge of Jerusalem to my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the leader of the citadel, for he was a faithful man and feared God more than many.”
Nehemiah 7:3 NKJV
And I said to them, “Do not let the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot; and while they stand guard, let them shut and bar the doors; and appoint guards from among the inhabitants of Jerusalem, one at his watch station and another in front of his own house.”
STANDING FIRM IN THE FINISHED WORK
1. LEADERSHIP (1-3)
2. CITIZENSHIP (4-72)
3. WORSHIP (73)
2 Corinthians 11:12-15 NLT
“But I will continue doing what I have always done. This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours. These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.”
Acts 20:28-31
“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.”
Acts 17:11
“Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”
STANDING FIRM IN THE FINISHED WORK
1. LEADERSHIP (1-3)
2. CITIZENSHIP (4-72)
Nehemiah 7:4-6 NKJV
“Now the city was large and spacious, but the people in it were few, and the houses were not rebuilt. Then my God put it into my heart to gather the nobles, the rulers, and the people, that they might be registered by genealogy. And I found a register of the genealogy of those who had come up in the first return, and found written in it: These are the people of the province who came back from the captivity, of those who had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and who returned to Jerusalem and Judah, everyone to his city.”
BEWARE OF:
FAKE CITIZENSHIP
DUAL CITIZENSHIP
ENTITLED CITIZENSHIP
Nehemiah 7:61 NKJV
“And these were the ones who came up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer, but they could not identify their father’s house nor their lineage, whether they were of Israel:”
John 10:7-9 NKJV
“Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”
Galatians 3:26-28 NKJV
“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:20 NKJV
“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ
I Corinthians 12:12, 27 NKJV
“For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.”
Ephesians 4:16 NLT
“He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.”
STANDING FIRM IN THE FINISHED WORK
1. LEADERSHIP (1-3)
2. CITIZENSHIP (4-72)
3. WORSHIP (73)
Nehemiah 7:73 NKJV
“So the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, some of the people, the Nethinim, and all Israel dwelt in their cities. When the seventh month came, the children of Israel were in their cities.”
Nehemiah 12:27, 30-31, 43 NKJV
“Now at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought out the Levites in all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings and singing, with cymbals and stringed instruments and harps. Then the priests and Levites purified themselves, and purified the people, the gates, and the wall. So I brought the leaders of Judah up on the wall, and appointed two large thanksgiving choirs. One went to the right hand on the wall toward the Refuse Gate. Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and the children also rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard afar off.”
Romans 12:1
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
John 19:30 NKJV
He said, “It is finished!”
John 19:28, 30 NKJV
“…Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished…”
“He said, “It is finished!”
Hebrews 10:5 NKJV
“Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me.”
II Corinthians 5:21 NKJV
“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
Hebrews 10:23 NKJV
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”
Hebrews 10:19-23 NKJV
“Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”
I John 1:9 NKJV
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
THE REBUILT LIFE: “Overcoming The Fear of man”
II Timothy 1:7 NKJV
“…God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of POWER and of LOVE and of a SOUND MIND.”
Proverbs 29:25-26 NKJV
“The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe. Many seek the ruler’s favor, But justice for man comes from the Lord.”
Nehemiah 6:1 NKJV
“Now it happened when Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies
“You have enemies? Good. That means you stood up for something in your life.”
Winston Churchill
Nehemiah 6:1 NKJV
heard that I had rebuilt the wall, and that there were no breaks left in it (though at that time I had not hung the doors in the gates), that Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come, let us meet together among the villages in the plain of Ono.” But they thought to do me harm.”
“Mental confusion, contradiction of feeling, indecisiveness, panic; these are our weapons”
Adolf Hitler
Nehemiah 6:3 NKJV
“So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?”
Proverbs 9:10 NKJV
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Galatians 1:10
“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
Nehemiah 6:4 NKJV
“But they sent me this message four times, and I answered them in the same manner.”
Nehemiah 6:5-7 NKJV
“Then Sanballat sent his servant to me as before, the fifth time, with an open letter in his hand. In it was written: It is reported among the nations, and Geshem says, that you and the Jews plan to rebel; therefore, according to these rumors, you are rebuilding the wall, that you may be their king. And you have also appointed prophets to proclaim concerning you at Jerusalem, saying, “There is a king in Judah!” Now these matters will be reported to the king. So come, therefore, and let us consult together.”
“A lie can get around the world before truth can get its shoes on” - Charles Spurgeon
“I would rather play with lightning or live electrical wires rather than speak a reckless word against any servant of Christ, or idly repeat the slanderous darts which thousands of Christians are hurling on each other, to the hurt of their own souls and bodies”
A.B. Simpson (Founder of the Christian & Missionary Alliance)
Nehemiah 6:8 NKJV
Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say are being done, but you invent them in your own heart.”
Nehemiah 6:9 NKJV
“For they all were trying to make us afraid, saying, ‘Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will not be done.’ Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.”
Nehemiah 2:4 NKJV
Then the king said to me, “What do you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven.
Psalm 18:1-6
“I love you, Lord; You are my strength. You Oh Lord are my rock, my fortress, and my Savior; You my God, are my rock in whom I find protection. You are my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. I called upon You, my Lord, who is worthy of praise, and You saved me from all my enemies. The ropes of death entangled me; floods of destruction swept over me. The grave wrapped its ropes around me; death laid a trap in my path. But in my distress I cried out to You Oh Lord; yes, I prayed to my God for help. You heard me from Your sanctuary; my cry to You reached Your ears.”
Nehemiah 6:10 NKJV
Afterward I came to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was a secret informer; and he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you; indeed, at night they will come to kill you.”
Nehemiah 6:11-13 NKJV
And I said, “Should such a man as I flee? And who is there such as I who would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in!” Then I perceived that God had not sent him at all, but that he pronounced this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. For this reason he was hired, that I should be afraid and act that way and sin, so that they might have cause for an evil report, that they might reproach me.”
Nehemiah 6:14 NKJV
“My God, remember Tobiah and Sanballat, according to these their works, and the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who would have made me afraid.”
Nehemiah 6:15-16 NKJV
“So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of Elul, in fifty-two days. And it happened, when all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations around us saw these things, that they were very disheartened in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was done by our God.”
Nehemiah 6:17-19 NKJV
“Also in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came to them. For many in Judah were pledged to him, because he was the son-in-law of Shechaniah the son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah. Also they reported his good deeds before me, and reported my words to him. Tobiah sent letters to frighten me.”
Matthew 10:34-39 NKJV
Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
Mark 5:36 NKJV
As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.”
John 20:19 NKJV
“Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
Joshua 1:5-6, 9 NKJV
“No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage…”
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Romans 8:35-39
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
No Fear of God
Why do we do the things that we do? What motivates us?
You all came dressed to church? - no one came naked
Naked dress becoming a popular statement at red carpet events
Naked dresses, a fashion trend that utilizes sheer fabrics and revealing cut-outs to create an illusion of nudity, have been prominently featured at various events lately, especially on red carpets
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Here are some key examples of where naked dresses have been used recently:
Red Carpet Events:
Naked dresses were arguably the biggest red carpet trend of 2024, appearing at major events like the Academy Awards and the Met Gala.
This trend continued into 2025, with celebrities like Elle Fanning, Kim Kardashian, Doja Cat, Charlize Theron, Emily Ratajkowski, and Bianca Censori sporting the look at high-profile events.
Specific Examples:
2025 Grammy Awards: Bianca Censori wore a completely transparent mesh mini dress. Chrissy Teigen also embraced the trend in a Christian Siriano gown with a mesh corset.
2025 Met Gala: Celebrities like Halle Berry, Sabrina Carpenter, and Lisa donned sheer or barely-there ensembles.
2025 Vanity Fair Oscars Party: Julia Fox wore a sheer dress with strategically placed hair, while Olivia Wilde and Keke Palmer also opted for revealing looks. Zoë Kravitz made a notable appearance in a sheer gown.
2024 Met Gala: Emily Ratajkowski, Kim Kardashian, Brie Larson, and others wore varying degrees of sheer or revealing dresses.
Hebrews 4:13 (ESV)
13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Fear being exposed?
Review
Series on the Rebuilt Life – a look at Nehemiah
Nehemiah 5:1–5 (NLT)
1 About this time some of the men and their wives raised a cry of protest against their fellow Jews. 2 They were saying, “We have such large families. We need more food to survive.”
3 Others said, “We have mortgaged our fields, vineyards, and homes to get food during the famine.”
4 And others said, “We have had to borrow money on our fields and vineyards to pay our taxes. 5 We belong to the same family as those who are wealthy, and our children are just like theirs. Yet we must sell our children into slavery just to get enough money to live. We have already sold some of our daughters, and we are helpless to do anything about it, for our fields and vineyards are already mortgaged to others.”
Explain – The poor were getting poorer, the rich were taking advantage of their need – “Just business.” “I need to pay for my new boat”
People had been enslaved to others
HISTORY OF ISRAEL SLAVERY – Egypt, Babylon, now enslaving one another
Nehemiah 5:6-9
6 When I heard their complaints, I was very angry. 7 After thinking it over, I spoke out against these nobles and officials. I told them, “You are hurting your own relatives by charging interest when they borrow money!” Then I called a public meeting to deal with the problem.
8 At the meeting I said to them, “We are doing all we can to redeem our Jewish relatives who have had to sell themselves to pagan foreigners, but you are selling them back into slavery again. How often must we redeem them?” And they had nothing to say in their defense.
Couldn’t say anything – WE OFTEN SAY, “It’s just business… a guy’s got to earn a living.” – excuses we have for doing what we know is wrong.
Nehemiah 5:9
9 Then I pressed further, “What you are doing is not right! Should you not walk in the fear of our God in order to avoid being mocked by enemy nations?
NOT RIGHT! - the law forbid charging interest.
Leviticus 25:35–38 (ESV)
35 “If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and a sojourner, and he shall live with you. 36 Take no interest from him or profit, but fear your God, that your brother may live beside you. 37 You shall not lend him your money at interest, nor give him your food for profit. 38 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to give you the land of Canaan, and to be your God.
Told to take care of “your brother.” – not permitted to charge interest
CAN charge interest to others
JEWISH TROPES – about Jews hungry for money
Some argue – “well many of the world’s richest people are Jewish.”
Trope – of Money Hungry Jews, Money grabbing Jews.
July 2025, 5 of the 10 richest people in the world are Jewish (Larry Ellison, Oracle; Mark Zuckerburg Facebook; Larry Page and Sergey Brin Google; Steve Balmer Microsoft)
Are they rich because they are Jewish? (conspiracies would have you believe it)
NO – 8 of the top 10 richest people are all about technology
If you make $100,000/year – you are in the top 5% of the world income!
The Poorest 20% of Americans Are Richer on Average Than Most Nations of Europe
Christian tend to be susceptible to conspiracy theories because we don’t trust the mainstream media – but then who do we trust?
Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram all based on algorithms to give you what THEY think you are looking for. Looking for conspiracy? They will give you more evidence of it.
SATANIC ATTACK ON THE JEWS:
How?
De-legitimize and marginalize
Bring in suspicion
RESISTING GOSSIP – cast doubt on the integrity of others
“Jews are good with money”
“Jews control the media and the banks”
Satan loves to take a kernel of truth and make a huge lie.
Approximately 20% of American Jews live at or below poverty level
(about 17% of black Americans live in poverty, about same for Hispanics,
9-10% of Asians live in poverty
11% of Americans live at poverty level
Approximately 22% of Nobel Prize Winners are Jewish – why?
Biblically, The Jews are God’s Chosen People
Deut 7:6–8
Isa 43:10–11
Exod 19:5–6
Jer 31:35–37
Rom 11:1–2
Ps 135:4
Amos 3:2
Isa 41:8–9
Deut 14:2
Zech 2:8
Jer 31:3–4
Exod 6:7
Isa 44:1–2
Deut 4:37
Psalm 135:4 (CSB)
4 For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself,
Israel as his treasured possession.
Jeremiah 31:35–37 (NLT)
35 It is the Lord who provides the sun to light the day
and the moon and stars to light the night,
and who stirs the sea into roaring waves.
His name is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies,
and this is what he says:
36 “I am as likely to reject my people Israel
as I am to abolish the laws of nature!”
37 This is what the Lord says:
“Just as the heavens cannot be measured
and the foundations of the earth cannot be explored,
so I will not consider casting them away
for the evil they have done.
I, the Lord, have spoken!
SUMMARIZE
Romans 11:1–2a, 5b–6 (CSB)
1 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? Absolutely not! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew… there is also at the present time a remnant chosen by grace. 6 Now if by grace, then it is not by works; otherwise grace ceases to be grace.
Romans 11:11–12 (CSB)
11 I ask, then, have they stumbled so as to fall? Absolutely not! On the contrary, by their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel jealous. 12 Now if their transgression brings riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fullness bring!
Romans 11:25–29 (CSB)
25 I don’t want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you will not be conceited: A partial hardening has come upon Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written,
The Deliverer will come from Zion;
he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
27 And this will be my covenant with them
when I take away their sins.
28 Regarding the gospel, they are enemies for your advantage, but regarding election, they are loved because of the patriarchs, 29 since God’s gracious gifts and calling are irrevocable.
Sinful Nature of mankind to pursue money –
1 Timothy 6:9–10 (ESV)
9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
The tendency is to ridicule the wealthy as only focused on money (usually because we are envious of what they have).
James 4:1–4 (ESV)
1 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
Are you trying to be a friend of the world? – you are then an enemy of God.
Nehemiah 5:8-9
8 At the meeting I said to them, “We are doing all we can to redeem our Jewish relatives who have had to sell themselves to pagan foreigners, but you are selling them back into slavery again. How often must we redeem them?” And they had nothing to say in their defense.
9 Then I pressed further, “What you are doing is not right! Should you not walk in the fear of our God in order to avoid being mocked by enemy nations?
When we take advantage of a brother or sister, we act like we don’t fear God. We don’t think God sees all
Proverbs 5:21–23 (NLT)
21 For the Lord sees clearly what a man does,
examining every path he takes.
22 An evil man is held captive by his own sins;
they are ropes that catch and hold him.
23 He will die for lack of self-control;
he will be lost because of his great foolishness.
Are you honorable in your business? Do you take advantage of others when you have opportunity?
Do you live your life like God’s not watching or looking?
What if you left church today and you literally had Jesus walk alongside you everywhere you went for the next week? Would your behavior be different? Would you talk differently? Would you scroll on your phone differently? Would you spend your time differently?
Nehemiah 5:10
10 I myself, as well as my brothers and my workers, have been lending the people money and grain, but now let us stop this business of charging interest. 11 You must restore their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and homes to them this very day. And repay the interest you charged when you lent them money, grain, new wine, and olive oil.”
NEHEMIAH’S RESPONSE – give the $ back! Restore their fields, vineyards, olive groves, repay the interest
Nehemiah 5:12-13
12 They replied, “We will give back everything and demand nothing more from the people. We will do as you say.” Then I called the priests and made the nobles and officials swear to do what they had promised.
13 I shook out the folds of my robe and said, “If you fail to keep your promise, may God shake you like this from your homes and from your property!”
The whole assembly responded, “Amen,” and they praised the Lord. And the people did as they had promised.
They respond – we will do it!
Conviction
Accountability – if you don’t do it, may God shake you from your home!
Not enough to become hearers of the Word; we must become doers of the Word.
“hear” in the original language is also connected with obedience. Not enough to hear, we must take action.
Nehemiah 5:14-15
14 For the entire twelve years that I was governor of Judah—from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of the reign of King Artaxerxes—neither I nor my officials drew on our official food allowance. 15 The former governors, in contrast, had laid heavy burdens on the people, demanding a daily ration of food and wine, besides forty pieces of silver. Even their assistants took advantage of the people. But because I feared God, I did not act that way.
Nehemiah – didn’t take his allotted food allowance (he had the right, but the people were suffering, he didn’t need the money)
WHY? “because I feared God” –
Proverbs 9:10 (ESV)
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
Fear = respect, reverence, concern for what God thinks over what “man” thinks
Nehemiah 5:16
16 I also devoted myself to working on the wall and refused to acquire any land. And I required all my servants to spend time working on the wall.
Leaders lead by example – Nehemiah worked on the wall – could have just been a supervisor, but he was a super leader.
“Refused to acquire any land” – could have gotten rich.
He was there on a mission and the mission was not to build wealth, but to build a wall!
Nehemiah 5:17-18
17 I asked for nothing, even though I regularly fed 150 Jewish officials at my table, besides all the visitors from other lands! 18 The provisions I paid for each day included one ox, six choice sheep or goats, and a large number of poultry. And every ten days we needed a large supply of all kinds of wine. Yet I refused to claim the governor’s food allowance because the people already carried a heavy burden.
Nehemiah 5:19
19 Remember, O my God, all that I have done for these people, and bless me for it.
Hebrews 4:13 (ESV)
13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
The Sword and the Shovel
We live on a battleground, not a playground.
Last week – Pastor Dave explained how warfare was actually a gift from the Lord to teach us to draw near to him, to resist the Devil, learn dependence on God.
Nehemiah has rallied the people of Jerusalem to rebuild the walls. The enemy (an unholy trinity of Sanballat, Tobiah and Gershon) non-Jewish governors and leaders in the area have come against Nehemiah and tried to stop the building.
Nehemiah 4:10 (ESV)
10 In Judah it was said, “The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall.”
Task overwhelming, we can’t do it, Our strength is failing
Nehemiah 4:11-12
11 And our enemies said, “They will not know or see till we come among them and kill them and stop the work.” 12 At that time the Jews who lived near them came from all directions and said to us ten times, “You must return to us.”
Terror – Won’t see them coming – anyone could die
fear is the weapon of the enemy –
Antidote – is perfect love – casts out fear
Judah is scared – and so 10x they said “you must return to us.”
HOW DOES NEHEMIAH RESPOND TO THE TERROR?
Nehemiah 4:13
13 So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed the people by their clans, with their swords, their spears, and their bows.
WARFARE! Battle ready, stationed in the open places
APPLICATION – Where are the open places in your spiritual walls? Where are you letting your guard down? (movies? Doom scrolling? Social Media? Covetous thoughts? Vengeful thoughts? Why are you letting it down? )
Nehemiah 4:14
And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”
Nehemiah (great leaders) – remind the people of the vision – why are they building? Who are they building it for?
Fight for your family! For your homes!
Why do you go to church?
Learn something? Feel good? ‘cause you are supposed to?
NO because if you don’t you’ll die! (must stay connected to the Body of Christ)
Pride makes me think I can do things on my own;
Nehemiah 4:15-16
15 When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work. 16 From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail.
Return to work – but half speed, but in battle
Half are laboring; half are protecting (battling)
The labor – unskilled, but helpful
The battle – unskilled but called
THE WALL ITSELF A DEFENSE AGAINST THE ENEMY!
Nehemiah 4:16-18
16…And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, 17 who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. 18 And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built.
Leaders stood behind – idea we don’t stand alone – leaders stand behind, intercede and pray
Everyone had a weapon – v. 17
Nehemiah 4:17-18
“…Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built.”
Charles Spurgeon
The Sword and the Trowel
A Record OF Combat with Sin & Labor for The Lord
Edited by C. H. Spurgeon
BEGAN in 1865
Are you equipped with a sword and a shovel/trowel?
- Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17)
Proverbs 30:5 (ESV)
5 Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Meditating on the Word
Memorizing the Word
Minding the Word (Rom 12:2 renewing the mind, living it out)
Jesus Temptation in the wilderness – fought the devil with the Word of God – every answer was from the Word.
ARE YOU EQUIPPED IN THE WORD? How sharp is your sword?
REVEAL BIBLE INSTITUTE – start again in the fall – Systematic Theology – a replacement of the Sword Training class
WEDNESDAY NIGHTS – Through the Bible
2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV)
15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
Lay Counselor Training course – learning how to apply the Word of God and offer Biblical counsel to help people change. (application, not everyone is ready for it).
VISION OF REVEAL FELLOWSHIP:
raising up an army of light to displace darkness and rescue saints who are spiritually stuck by calling them back to a first love flame with the Savior.
Hospital – Family – Army
De-churched, un-churched. Find healing
Become part of a family, community, support network
Raised up and equipping the saints for the work of the ministry to become an Army of Light displacing darkness!
Are you equipped with a sword and a trowel/shovel?
- Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17)
- Shovel/Trowel – building the wall, building up the people of God, building God’s kingdom, building God’s house
Ephesians 4:29 (ESV)
29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Are you building God’s house or your house?
Mission 4-14 – so close!
We need to come together to finish the project.
Inside – basically done!
Outside – landscaping needed to get the CO (certificate of occupancy)
$ needed ($190,000 to complete the landscaping and the paving 2nd lift)
FINISH THE WALL!
The main thing left is shovel and money.
Nehemiah 4:18-20
18 And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me. 19 And I said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another. 20 In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.”
Nehemiah sets up a communication plan in case of attack – “The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me!” – LOVE IT.
1 Thessalonians 4:16–18 (CSB)
16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
In Nehemiah’s day the trumpeter gave clear vision of the mission and where the need is today.
TODAY – the hope of the trumpet is a reminder - Heaven is our home, We are coming to the end.
Headlines – “SEEM” to be lining up with prophecy.
NOT YET – instead these are the Braxton Hicks – false labor pains prior to the real thing.
IRAN – threat neutralized.
Ezekiel 38:8-11 (dwell securely in the land)
SKIP
Ezekiel 38:8 (NKJV)
8 After many days you will be visited. In the latter years you will come into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely.
Ezekiel 38:10–11 (NKJV)
10 ‘Thus says the Lord God: “On that day it shall come to pass that thoughts will arise in your mind, and you will make an evil plan: 11 You will say, ‘I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will go to a peaceful people, who dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates’—
1 Thessalonians 5:3 (NKJV)
3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.
ISRAEL and Trump trying to draw other Middle East nations into the 2020 Abraham Accord. Some believe this may be setting up the future peace treaty Daniel 9:27 (make covenant with many for one week – 7 year period)
“make” – confirm, make strong, enforce
Ultimate deal of the century will be the building of the 3rd temple on the temple mount
Nehemiah 4:21-22
21 So we labored at the work, and half of them held the spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out. 22 I also said to the people at that time, “Let every man and his servant pass the night within Jerusalem, that they may be a guard for us by night and may labor by day.”
Worked from morning until night – held the spears
Are you holding the spear? Are you holding others up in prayer?
Guard night and day – can’t let up.
Nehemiah 4:23 (CSB)
23 And I, my brothers, my servants, and the men of the guard with me never took off our clothes. Each carried his weapon, even when washing.
No time for pajamas, no time for a bath, no time for anything unnecessary
APPLICATION
What are you building? Your own kingdom? Or The Lord’s Kingdom?
Are you trying to build a monument to yourself? Guys – easy to get caught up trying to “prove ourselves” or build something to show for ourselves, but is that really going to matter 100 years from now?
Do you know the name of your Great, Great, Great Grandfather? (for me that would go back to someone born in the early 1800’s) ???
Building a wall to protect Jerusalem was a spiritual activity
Building God’s house – Mission 4-14 building – is spiritual activity
In our application, it is the Sword and the Shovel
Yesterday a team of about 20 planted 18 trees and 70 shrubs and bushes
Need to do an even bigger planting project – many more bushes and shrubs on the front berm on Lake Worth Road 400 feet of trees and shrubs
An opportunity for the sword and the shovel!
Saturday, July 12
Jerusalem walls during Nehemiah’s day – probably similar to the walls today (2.5 miles in circumference and 8 feet thick, 16 -50 feet tall (today they average 40 feet tall, but built by Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16th century)
Population during Nehemiah’s day may have been between 2500-4000
THE REBUILT LIFE: The Gift of Warfare
OPPOSITION & RESISTANCE
James 4:7 NKJV
“…submit to God.
Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
Judges 3:1-2
“Now these are the nations which the Lord left, that He might test Israel by them, that is, all who had not known any of the wars in Canaan (this was only so that the generations of the children of Israel might be taught to know war…”
II Timothy 1:7 NKJV
“…God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
Nehemiah 4:1 NKJV
“But it so happened, when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, that he was furious and very indignant, and mocked the Jews.”
Ephesians 6:12 AMP
“…we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age.”
Sanballat: thorn in secret
II Corinthians 12:7 NKJV
“And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.”
Acts 2:13 NKJV
Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”
II Corinthians 12:8-10 NKJV
“Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Nehemiah 2:18-20 NKJV
“…I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me. So they said, “Let us rise up and build.” Then they set their hands to this good work. But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they laughed at us and despised us, and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Will you rebel against the king?” So I answered them, and said to them, “The God of heaven Himself will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no heritage or right or memorial in Jerusalem.”
Nehemiah 4:2 NKJV
And he spoke before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they fortify themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Will they revive the stones from the heaps of rubbish—stones that are burned?”
Nehemiah 4:3 NKJV
Now Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Whatever they build, if even a fox goes up on it, he will break down their stone wall.”
Nehemiah 4:4 NKJV
“Hear, O our God, for we are despised; turn their reproach on their own heads, and give them as plunder to a land of captivity!”
Nehemiah 4:5 NKJV
“Do not cover their iniquity, and do not let their sin be blotted out from before You; for they have provoked You to anger before the builders.”
Nehemiah 4:6 NKJV
“So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.”
Nehemiah 4:7-8 NKJV
“Now it happened, when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the walls of Jerusalem were being restored and the gaps were beginning to be closed, that they became very angry, and all of them conspired together to come and attack Jerusalem and create confusion.”
Nehemiah 4:9 NKJV
“Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God, and because of them we set a watch against them day and night.”
Nehemiah 4:10-12 NKJV
Then Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is failing, and there is so much rubbish that we are not able to build the wall.” And our adversaries said, “They will neither know nor see anything, till we come into their midst and kill them and cause the work to cease.” So it was, when the Jews who dwelt near them came, that they told us ten times, “From whatever place you turn, they will be upon us.”
Nehemiah 4:13 NKJV
“Therefore I positioned men behind the lower parts of the wall, at the openings; and I set the people according to their families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows.”
Nehemiah 4:14 NKJV
And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”
1. DON’T BE AFRAID
2. REMEMBER THE LORD
RE-MEMBER….
3. FIGHT FOR YOUR FAMILY
I John 4:18 NKJV
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”
Nehemiah 4:15 NKJV
“And it happened, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had brought their plot to nothing, that all of us returned to the wall, everyone to his work.”
Nehemiah 4:16-18 NKJV
“So it was, from that time on, that half of my servants worked at construction, while the other half held the spears, the shields, the bows, and wore armor; and the leaders were behind all the house of Judah. Those who built on the wall, and those who carried burdens, loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction, and with the other held a weapon. Every one of the builders had his sword girded at his side as he built. And the one who sounded the trumpet was beside me.”
II Timothy 1:7 NKJV
“…God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
James 4:7 NKJV
“…submit to God.
Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
Nehemiah 4:19-23 NKJV
“Then I said to the nobles, the rulers, and the rest of the people, “The work is great and extensive, and we are separated far from one another on the wall. Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.” So we labored in the work, and half of the men held the spears from daybreak until the stars appeared. At the same time I also said to the people, “Let each man and his servant stay at night in Jerusalem, that they may be our guard by night and a working party by day.” So neither I, my brethren, my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me took off our clothes, except that everyone took them off for washing.”
ADOPTED BY GOD
Ephesians 1:3-5 NKJV
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,”
PICS
John 1:12-13 NKJV
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
THE CRISIS OF ADOPTION
THE MYSTERY OF ADOPTION
THE REVELATION OF ADOPTION
Psalm 27:10 NKJV
“When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the Lord will take care of me.”
Psalm 27:10 AMP
Although my father and my mother have abandoned me, Yet the Lord will take me up & adopt me as His child
THE MYSTERY OF ADOPTION
I Timothy 3:16 NKJV
“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.”
Romans 8:15-17 NKJV
“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”
THE REVELATION OF ADOPTION (great faith)
Philippians 3:7-11 NKJV
“But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”
THE REVELATION OF ADOPTION
Matthew 15:21 NKJV
“Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
Matthew 15:22 NKJV
And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David!
Matthew 15:23 NKJV
But He answered her not a word.
And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.”
What if I stumble
What if I fall?
What if I lose my step
And I make fools of us all?
Will the love continue
When my walk becomes a crawl?
What if I stumble
And what if I fall?
Michael Tait
Matthew 15:24 NKJV
But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
Matthew 15:25 NKJV
Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!”
Matthew 15:26 NKJV
But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”
Matthew 15:27 NKJV
And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”
Matthew 15:28 NKJV
Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
THE FAITH OF THE ADOPTED
Matthew 5:3 NKJV
Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:4 NKJV
Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.
Matthew 5:5 NKJV
Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.
Matthew 5:6 NKJV
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.
Psalm 139:1-5, 13-18 NKJV
“O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand…”
Galatians 4:6-7 NKJV
“…because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”
GOSSIP: RESISTING THE IRRESISTIBLE
Proverbs 26:22 (ESV)
22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
SAME AS ABOVE?
Proverbs 26:22 (NLT)
22 Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart.
WORLD is FULL OF GOSSIP!
Facebook, Instagram, Tik-Tok – much of what is shared is gossip.
Magazines and YouTube channels devoted to it.
Reality TV
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”
NOT TRUE!
Our words have the power to build up or tear down
Proverbs 18:21 (ESV)
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
Gossip Definition
Gossip is the sin of bearing bad news behind someone’s back out of a bad heart –
Resisting Gossip by Matthew C. Mitchell
2 Corinthians 12:20 (ESV)
20 For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.
Gossip – psithuristes (whisperer/gossip)
Slander - katalalia (καταλαλία, 2636), “evil speaking,” 1 Pet. 2:1
Slander vs. gossip – slander is not true, gossip may or may not be true.
Not necessarily a false report, but a negative report
Slander – the same, but false (but we often don’t think it is false when said or shared)
FIRST EXAMPLE IN THE BIBLE: GARDEN
Genesis 3:1–6 (ESV)
1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.
Devil means “accuser”/slanderer
Satan means “adversary”
Moses and Korah – gossip – 250 elders!
Korah was a cousin of Moses
Numbers 16:1–3 (ESV)
1 Now Korah… and Dathan and Abiram… took men. 2 And they rose up before Moses, with a number of the people of Israel, 250 chiefs of the congregation, chosen from the assembly, well-known men. 3 They assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! For all in the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?”
Korah – cousin of Moses, talks to 250 other leaders and persuades them that Moses is taking too much on himself. Making himself the leader - “all in the congregation are holy”
Numbers 16:4-10
4 When Moses heard it, he fell on his face, 5 and he said to Korah and all his company, “In the morning the Lord will show who is his, and who is holy, and will bring him near to him. The one whom he chooses he will bring near to him. 6 Do this: take censers, Korah and all his company; 7 put fire in them and put incense on them before the Lord tomorrow, and the man whom the Lord chooses shall be the holy one. You have gone too far, sons of Levi!” 8 And Moses said to Korah, “Hear now, you sons of Levi: 9 is it too small a thing for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself, to do service in the tabernacle of the Lord and to stand before the congregation to minister to them, 10 and that he has brought you near him, and all your brothers the sons of Levi with you? And would you seek the priesthood also?
Reveal some of the Korah’s heart – wanted to be a priest, had a job to carry the vessels of God
Proximity to things of God sometimes causes us to treat Him as common instead of HOLY!
Numbers 16:11-14
11 Therefore it is against the Lord that you and all your company have gathered together. What is Aaron that you grumble against him?” 12 And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and they said, “We will not come up. 13 Is it a small thing that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, that you must also make yourself a prince over us? 14 Moreover, you have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, nor given us inheritance of fields and vineyards. Will you put out the eyes of these men? We will not come up.”
Moses wants to talk with them, but they won’t come up.
Moses you make yourself a prince over us?
Put the eyes out? – cover over – “We see the truth”
Previous wounds from having been slaves in Egypt
Twisting the narrative against Moses (not Mo’s intent)
SKIP – next day they gather, each having a censer to offer fire to the Lord.
Numbers 16:28-35
28 And Moses said, “Hereby you shall know that the Lord has sent me to do all these works, and that it has not been of my own accord. 29 If these men die as all men die, or if they are visited by the fate of all mankind, then the Lord has not sent me. 30 But if the Lord creates something new, and the ground opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into Sheol, then you shall know that these men have despised the Lord.” 31 And as soon as he had finished speaking all these words, the ground under them split apart. 32 And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the people who belonged to Korah and all their goods. 33 So they and all that belonged to them went down alive into Sheol, and the earth closed over them, and they perished from the midst of the assembly. 34 And all Israel who were around them fled at their cry, for they said, “Lest the earth swallow us up!” 35 And fire came out from the Lord and consumed the 250 men offering the incense.
Judgment!
But the people STILL gossip and grumble against Moses!
Numbers 16:41-50
41 But on the next day all the congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and against Aaron, saying, “You have killed the people of the Lord.” 42 And when the congregation had assembled against Moses and against Aaron, they turned toward the tent of meeting. And behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord appeared. 43 And Moses and Aaron came to the front of the tent of meeting, 44 and the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 45 “Get away from the midst of this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.” And they fell on their faces. 46 And Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer, and put fire on it from off the altar and lay incense on it and carry it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, for wrath has gone out from the Lord; the plague has begun.” 47 So Aaron took it as Moses said and ran into the midst of the assembly. And behold, the plague had already begun among the people. And he put on the incense and made atonement for the people. 48 And he stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was stopped. 49 Now those who died in the plague were 14,700, besides those who died in the affair of Korah. 50 And Aaron returned to Moses at the entrance of the tent of meeting, when the plague was stopped.
Next chapter – God demonstrates His choice of Aaron – with the rod the budded
Numbers 17:1-5
1 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the people of Israel, and get from them staffs, one for each fathers’ house, from all their chiefs according to their fathers’ houses, twelve staffs. Write each man’s name on his staff, 3 and write Aaron’s name on the staff of Levi. For there shall be one staff for the head of each fathers’ house. 4 Then you shall deposit them in the tent of meeting before the testimony, where I meet with you. 5 And the staff of the man whom I choose shall sprout. Thus I will make to cease from me the grumblings of the people of Israel, which they grumble against you.”
Proverbs 26:22 (ESV)
22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
WHY DO WE LIKE GOSSIP? (DAINTY MORSELS)
Tastes good – we like to be in the know
Lust for power - Gives us a sense of power (knowledge is power)
I know something that you don’t (or that others don’t)
Feeds our self-righteousness (I’m better than that)
Venting/Grumbling/Revenge – sanctified jealousy, something “is not right, not fair”
“I’m just sharing my pain with you; doing life with you.”
“I’ve already tried to talk to them, but they won’t listen
Proverbs 18:17 (CSB)
17 The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
STORY – I misjudged because I heard the first person (May have had previous experience with the other person, believe the worst instead of the best)
We like to judge
James 4:11–12 (NLT)
11 Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. 12 God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?
AMUSEMENT - Gossip – the cure for boredom (or Gossip as amusement)
2 Thessalonians 3:10–11 (ESV)
10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.
2 Thessalonians 3:11 (NLT)
11 Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business.
“Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people.”
― Socrates (Eleanor Roosevelt)
Amy Carmichael policy – “never about; always to”
Talk to people, not about people
LISTENING IS WRONG!
Proverbs 17:4 (NLT)
4 Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip; liars pay close attention to slander.
Proverbs 17:4 (CSB)
4 A wicked person listens to malicious talk; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.
THE REMEDY:
Proverbs 20:19 (CSB)
19 The one who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid someone with a big mouth.
1. Avoid the Gossiper
1 Corinthians 13:4–8a (ESV)
4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends.
2. Believe the best in others
Love believes the best – choose to suspend judgment, give the judgment of charity (I don’t know)
Proverbs 17:9 (ESV)
9 Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.
3. Love covers, not exposes
1 Peter 4:8 (ESV)
8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
Ephesians 4:29–32 (ESV)
29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
4. Build others up
1 Peter 3:9–12 (ESV)
9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10 For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; 11 let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Be a thermostat not a thermometer
Church – needs to have open lines of communication
People often leave a church and leave their bags (or try to leave them with others)
5. GO! Lovingly confront privately
REVEAL FAMILY COVENANT –
Matthew 18:15–17 (NLT)
15 “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. 16 But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. 17 If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.
APPLICATION
Do I have unresolved offenses against others? Forgive and Go.
Why do I listen to gossip? What’s in me?
Have I shared negative talk about others? Repent and ask forgiveness
What is slowing your faith race down?
Introduction to reading the book of Hebrews
An apologetic against rejecting Messiah Jesus for Judaism.
Big Idea: Don’t give up! – Endurance - Perseverance
A challenge to people who should have already become spiritual mentors to others who are stuck.
[Heb 5:12 NASB95] 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
[Heb 12:1-3 NASB95] 1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race (fight, inward conflict of soul) that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Where are we going?
1. The Race of faith in the gospel and its obstacles.
2. The Example of Jesus in running the race of faith.
3. Application and Call to Run the Race of faith
What is the “race” - agōn - The ancient pentathlon, part of the Ancient Olympic Games, consisted of five events: long jump, javelin throwing, discus throwing, a foot race (sprint), and wrestling.
[1Ti 6:12 NASB95] 12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
[2Ti 4:7 NASB95] 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;
[1Co 9:25-27 NASB95] 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then [do it] to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
[Heb 12:1-3 NASB95] 1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race (fight, inward conflict of soul) that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
I. The Race of faith in Christ and its Obstacles:
A. "Lay aside every weight": Identify and remove the things that hinder our progress in running the race of faith
[1Co 6:12 NASB95] 12 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. [1Co 10:23 NASB95] 23 All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.
In Hebrews 12:1, the "weight" refers to anything that hinders our spiritual journey and prevents us from running with endurance. It's not something “unlawful” or immoral, but some “indifferent thing” any impediment that keeps us from focusing on Jesus and following Him. (Romans 14,15)
B. "The sin that so easily entangles": Recognize the specific sins that are most likely to trip us up on our journey.
[Rom 13:12-14 NASB95] 12 The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh in regard to [its] lusts.
[Heb 12:1-3 NASB95] 1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race (fight, inward conflict of soul) that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
II. The Example of Jesus in running the race of faith:
A. "Fix our eyes on Jesus": Focusing on Jesus is crucial for perseverance. His suffering and triumph provide inspiration.
a. Author – archēgos – Prince – Leader – Hero – Champion
i. The hero who gives his life to save his people
ii. The hero who will defeat the enemy and establish his kingdom
b. Perfector - teleiōtēs - It refers to someone who brings something to completion or perfection.
c. This phrase emphasizes Jesus's role in both initiating and completing our faith journey. HE is the one who initiates faith in us, and HE brings it to maturity and perfection.
d. In HIS human nature, Jesus was the perfect example of living by faith, trust, and confidence in the heavenly Father.
[Heb 5:7-9 NASB95] 7 In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. 8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. 9 And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation,
e. Fixing our eyes –“to consistently and deliberately focus on Jesus Christ as the ultimate source of hope, strength, and meaning in our lives, rather than relying on temporary things or earthly concerns. This involves actively seeking to know and understand Jesus through the scriptures, prayer, and fellowship, allowing Him to guide our thoughts, actions, and decisions.” (Tim Keller) If we abide in HIM we will bear HIS fruit in our lives (John 15:5)
B. Consider Jesus' suffering: His endurance of the cross, scorning its shame, and HIS subsequent glory demonstrates the rewards of faith and perseverance.
C. Why Jesus suffered: He endured suffering for the joy set before Him, and He did so to achieve ultimate salvation for all the believers HE loved. Pleasing the Father was HIS joy! We are HIS joy!
[Heb 12:1-3 NASB95] 1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race (fight, inward conflict of soul) that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
IV. Application and Call to Run the Race of faith:
- Beware of growing weary or losing heart.
We can endure our trials by focusing on Him and remembering His suffering for us was motivated by HIS LOVE.
The better we see HIM the more we love HIM, and then we follow HIM.
LORD, let me see YOU more clearly, that I might love YOU more dearly and then follow YOU more nearly, day by day.
[1John 3:1-3 AMP] 1 See what an incredible quality of love the Father has shown to us, that we would [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are! For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, we are [even here and] now children of God, and it is not yet made clear what we will be [after His coming]. We know that when He comes and is revealed, we will [as His children] be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is [in all His glory]. 3 And everyone who has this hope [confidently placed] in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure (holy, undefiled, guiltless).
How can I fix my eyes on Jesus?
1. Focus on Jesus as the eternal WORD creating the world (John 1:1-3)
2. Focus on Jesus as HE appears in the History of the Hebrew Bible
3. Focus on Jesus as the fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies
4. Focus on Jesus as the “Word become flesh” in the gospels
5. Focus on Jesus as the great teacher
6. Focus on Jesus as the great miracle worker
7. Focus on Jesus as risen from the dead and now at God’s right hand
8. Focus on the High Priest Jesus who is ready to hear your prayers
9. Focus on Jesus as the exalted focus of heaven’s worship
10. Focus on Jesus as seen in the works of the Holy Spirit
11. Focus on Jesus as testified by 2000 years of people encountering HIM
12. Focus on Jesus as the one who will return and manifest HIS Kingdom
13. Focus on Jesus as HE has revealed himself in other Christians to you
14. Focus on Jesus as YOU have experienced HIM prayer
[Rom 10:17 NASB95] 17 So faith [comes] from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
Beware of growing weary and losing heart.
[Gal 6:9 NASB95] 9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.
Ask the Holy Spirit – What is slowing me down in my life of faith?
What keeps me from being a healthy spiritual mentor to others?
Don’t be ignorant of the strategy of the devil
I. What are the plans, purposes, ideas, and strategy by which the devil plans to defeat Christians and the Church community?
[2Co 2:11 NASB95] 11 so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes (thoughts, and purposes).
II. The devil has two strategies by which he hopes to defeat the individual Christian and Church Community.
[Gal 5:6] 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision (legalism) nor uncircumcision (lawlessness) means anything, but faith (in the gospel) working through love.
III. Legalism
[Luk 12:1 NASB95] 1 Under these circumstances, after so many thousands of people had gathered together that they were stepping on one another, He began saying to His disciples first [of all,] "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
All obedience to God that is done to gain heaven, or reward is motivated by selfishness instead of love for God or desiring to see HIM glorified. It is at heart selfish and therefore a sin.
[1Co 13:3 NASB95] 3 And if I give all my possessions to feed [the poor,] and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.
Two types of legalists
A. Happy and proud
B. Hopeless and full of fear
IV. Lawlessness
[Rom 6:15 NASB95] 15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be!
[Gal 6:7-8 NASB95] 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
A. Happy with a false hope
B. Vanity of vanity all is vanity
V. The gospel centered life
[Titus 2:11-14 NASB95] 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, 14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
[Titus 3:4-7 NASB95] 4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and [His] love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to [the] hope of eternal life.
Only the Christian and the Church that sees that God has bankrupted heaven in wild love to forgive us, adopt us, possess us, fill us, know us, and overflow HIS life out of us can do good deeds without pride, self-righteousness, or selfish motives. Only salvation by grace alone leads to faith working through love.
[Eph 2:8-10 NASB95] 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
Homework – Preach the gospel to yourself every day this week at a very specific time for at least five minutes every day.
“To preach the gospel to yourself, then, means that you continually face up to your own sinfulness and then flee to Jesus through faith in His shed blood and righteous life. It means that you appropriate, again by faith, the fact that Jesus fully satisfied the law of God, that He is your propitiation, and that God’s holy wrath is no longer directed toward you.
To preach the gospel to yourself means that you take at face value the precious words of Romans 4:7-8: “Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.”
(Jerry Bridges The Disciplines of Grace)
PIERCED BY GOD
Isaiah 53:5
“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.”
Pierced "Chalal” - To puncture and bore through, to be slain
Job 13:15
“Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him…”
Zechariah 12:10
“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.”
Luke 1:28-31
The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.”
Luke 1:38
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
Luke 2:25-35
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.
Job 1:20-22
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
Genesis 2:21-22
“…the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.”
Isaiah 53:5
“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.”
John 19:32-37
The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,” and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.”
1 John 5:5-8
“Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.”
Luke 1:46-49
And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.”
John 2:5
His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”
Luke 9:23
Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”
John 14:1-3 AMP
“Do not let your heart be troubled or afraid. Believe confidently in God and trust in Him, have faith, hold on to it, rely on it, keep going and believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and I will take you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also.”
Matthew 28:18-20
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
THE UPPER ROOM
Acts 2:1-2 NKJV
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.”
Acts 9:36-37 NKJV
“At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.”
Acts 9:39-43 NKJV
“Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord. So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner.”
Acts 1:13-14 NKJV
“And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.”
Luke 22:7-9 NKJV
Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed. And He sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.” So they said to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare?”
Luke 22:10-12 NKJV
And He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house which he enters. Then you shall say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?” ’ Then he will show you a large, furnished upper room; there make ready.””
John 13:2-5 NKJV
“And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.”
John 13:14-16
“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master…”
Galatians 6:1-2
“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
THE SPIRITUAL
1. SEE & RESTORE
2. SELF EXAMINE
3. BEAR ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS
THE LAW OF CHRIST FULFILLED
THE SEVEN SAYINGS CHART
Acts 1:4 NKJV
“And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father…”
7. FATHER INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT
(Trust in The Sovereign Hands of my Heavenly Father)
Luke 23:46
And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last.
Sovereign hands are the only hands that can take what is wrong and make it right
I Peter 5:5-7
“….be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
HOW TO CARRY YOUR CROSS
Luke 9:23 NKJV
Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”
Luke 23:26
“As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.”
1 Corinthians 1:18
“The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.”
Psalm 22:6
“…I am a worm, and no man; A reproach of men, and despised by the people.”
Tola’ath
Galatians 3:13
“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”)
Philippians 3:10 GNT
“All I want is to know Christ and to experience the power of his resurrection, to share in his sufferings and become like him in his death,”
John 12:24 NKJV
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.”
THE 7 SAYINGS OF THE CROSS
SEVEN IN SCRIPTURE - GENESIS-REVELATION
7 day (Sabbath)
7 Year (Sabbath-Shmita)
7 Feasts of The Lord
7 Branches in The golden lamp
7 years to build Solomon's Temple
7 I AM' (Jesus)
7 x 70 forgiveness
7s "The Book of Revelation"(39x)
THE 7 SAYINGS OF THE CROSS
1. FATHER FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO
Luke 23:33-34
When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.”
FORGIVE AS YOU HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN
Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”
SEVENTY TIMES SEVEN
Daniel 9:24-27
7x70=490years
7x7= 49years of Rebuilding Jerusalem
7x62=434years of waiting for Messiah
1x7=7 years of Tribulation
49
434
7
=490
Psalm 22:16-22 NKJV
“For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet; I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. They divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots. But You, O Lord, do not be far from Me; O My Strength, hasten to help Me! Deliver Me from the sword, My precious life from the power of the dog. Save Me from the lion’s mouth And from the horns of the wild oxen! You have answered Me. I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will praise You.”
Ephesians 4:30-32 NKJV
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
2. I TELL YOU THE TRUTH, TODAY YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE
Luke 23:39-43
“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
LOVE MERCY
Micah 6:8
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?”
Romans 12:1
“…I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
3. WOMAN BEHOLD YOUR SON; BEHOLD YOUR MOTHER
John 19:25-27
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.
Psalm 69:7-9 NKJV
“Because for Your sake I have borne reproach; Shame has covered my face. I have become a stranger to my brothers, And an alien to my mother’s children; Because zeal for Your house has eaten me up, And the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me.”
LOVE ONE ANOTHER
John 1:12-13 NKJV
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
4. MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?
Matthew 27:45-46
Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
CRY OUT TO GOD
Psalm 22:1-3
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest. Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises.”
Matthew 28:20
“…be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
5. “I AM THIRSTY”
John 19:28-29
“…Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth.”
HOPE IN THE PROMISES OF GOD
Matthew 5:6
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”
Psalm 22:15-19
“My strength is dried up like a potsherd, And My tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death. For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet; I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. They divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots. But You, O Lord, do not be far from Me; O My Strength, hasten to help Me!”
Psalm 42:1-3
“As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my food day and night, While they continually say to me, “Where is your God?”
Psalm 42:7
“Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; All Your waves and billows have gone over me.”
Psalm 42:10-11
“…My enemies reproach me, While they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.”
6. IT IS FINISHED
John 19:30
So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!”
REST IN THE GOSPEL OF GRACE
Matthew 5:17-18
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.”
HOW GREAT THOU ART
And when I think that God, His Son not sparing
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing
He bled and died to take away my sin
IT IS WELL
My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought—
My sin, not in part, but the whole,
Is nailed to His Cross, and I bear it no more;
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
7. “FATHER INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT”
Luke 23:46
And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last.
TRUST IN THE SOVEREIGN HAND OF GOD
John 10:28-29 NKJV
“And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 NKJV
“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
Isaiah 41:13 NKJV
“I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’”
Psalm 139:8-10 NKJV
“If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me.”
🔥THE 7 SAYINGS OF THE CROSS🔥
1. FATHER FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO
(Forgive as you have been forgiven)
2. I TELL YOU THE TRUTH, TODAY YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE
(Love Mercy)
3. WOMAN BEHOLD YOUR SON; BEHOLD YOUR MOTHER
(Love One Another)
4. MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?
(Cry Out to God alone)
5. I AM THIRSTY
(Hope in the promises of God)
6. IT IS FINISHED
(Rest in Gospel of Grace)
7. FATHER INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT
(Trust in The Sovereign Hand of God)
THE REBUILT LIFE: “God’s Blueprint” pt2
STRIKE THE ORIGINAL MATCH
Chuck Swindoll
Marriage is like a construction project.
-It always cost more than you plan
-It always takes longer than you plan
-It is always a lot messier than you plan
1. Consult the Architect
2. The Project: Let’s Consider the Cost
3. Let’s Repair the Foundation
4. In Defense of Monogamy
5. Bricks That Build a Marriage
Philippians 1:3-6
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
THE REBUILT LIFE: Under Construction
1. THE SHEEP GATE v1
2. THE FISH GATE v3
3. THE OLD GATE v6
4. THE VALLEY GATE v13
5. THE DUNG GATE v14
6. THE FOUNTAIN GATE v15
7. THE WATER GATE v26
8. THE HORSE GATE v28
9. THE EAST GATE v29
10. THE JUDGMENT GATE v31
map of the gates of Jerusalem
7. THE WATER GATE v26
Nehemiah 8:1-4 NKJV
“Now all the people gathered together as one man in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded Israel. So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month. Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. So Ezra the scribe stood on a platform of wood which they had made for the purpose…”
Nehemiah 8:5-6 NKJV
“..And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. Then all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.”
Ephesians 5:26-27 NKJV
“…sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.”
Matthew 24:32-35 NIV
“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”
8. THE HORSE GATE v28
Nehemiah 3:28 NKJV
“Beyond the Horse Gate the priests made repairs, each in front of his own house.”
Psalms 33:16-21 NKJV
“No king is saved by the multitude of an army; A mighty man is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a vain hope for safety; Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength. Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy, To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His holy name.”
Psalms 20:7 NKJV
“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.”
Revelation 19:11 NKJV
“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True..”
9. THE EAST GATE v29
Nehemiah 3:29 NKJV
“After them Zadok the son of Immer made repairs in front of his own house. After him Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the East Gate, made repairs.”
Ezekiel 43:1-2 NKJV
“Afterward he brought me to the gate, the gate that faces toward the east. And behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east. His voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth shone with His glory.”
Ezekiel 44:1-2 NKJV
“Then He brought me back to the outer gate of the sanctuary which faces toward the east, but it was shut. And the Lord said to me, “This gate shall be shut; it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter by it, because the Lord God of Israel has entered by it; therefore it shall be shut.”
Zechariah 14:1-4 NKJV
“Behold, the day of the Lord is coming, And your spoil will be divided in your midst. For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; The city shall be taken, The houses rifled, And the women ravished. Half of the city shall go into captivity, But the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then the Lord will go forth And fight against those nations, As He fights in the day of battle. And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, From east to west, Making a very large valley; Half of the mountain shall move toward the north And half of it toward the south.”
Zechariah 14:8-9
“On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half of it east to the Dead Sea and half of it west to the Mediterranean Sea, in summer and in winter. The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.”
10. THE JUDGMENT GATE v31
Nehemiah 3:31 NKJV
“After him Malchijah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs as far as the house of the Nethinim and of the merchants, in front of the Miphkad Gate, and as far as the upper room at the corner.”
Miphkad: Judgment
Joel 3:2 NKJV
“I will also gather all nations, And bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; And I will enter into judgment with them there…”
II Timothy 4:1 NKJV
“I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:”
II Corinthians 5:10-11 NKJV
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.”
Matthew 25:31-40 NKJV
When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.
All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’”
Matthew 25:41-46 NKJV
“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.””
11. THE SHEEP GATE v32
Nehemiah 3:32 NKJV
“And between the upper room at the corner, as far as the Sheep Gate, the goldsmiths and the merchants made repairs.”
John 10
I AM THE GATE….
Revelation 22:12-13, 20-21 NKJV
And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
THE REBUILT LIFE: Under Construction
1. THE SHEEP GATE v1
2. THE FISH GATE v3
3. THE OLD GATE v6
4. THE VALLEY GATE v13
5. THE DUNG GATE v14
6. THE FOUNTAIN GATE v15
7. THE WATER GATE v26
8. THE HORSE GATE v28
9. THE EAST GATE v29
10. THE JUDGEMENT GATE v31
11. THE SHEEP GATE v32