This document provides a summary of Nehemiah 7. It discusses how Nehemiah took steps to protect Jerusalem after the walls were completed. This included enlisting leadership by appointing assistants like his brother Hanani to help lead, and establishing gatekeepers and guards. He also worked to establish citizenship by having the people registered by genealogy to know who had returned from exile. The document analyzes these passages in Nehemiah and provides additional commentary and context.
This document provides a summary and analysis of Nehemiah 7. It discusses three key steps that Nehemiah took to protect the people and consolidate the work that had been done in rebuilding Jerusalem's walls:
1. Enlisting leadership by appointing assistants like Hanani and Hananiah to share the workload, and establishing gatekeepers and guards to protect the city.
2. Establishing citizenship by having the people registered by genealogy to know who had returned from exile. A long list of families and their home towns is presented.
3. Encouraging worship by having the people support the Levitical singers and gatekeepers in their work. Order and organization were needed to build a stable community in
M2013 s15 the city large and great but the people were few 2-24-13James Bradshaw
The city's walls had been rebuilt but the population was still small, with only around 50,000 people present. Similarly, while the gospel has spread worldwide, true believers make up a small portion of the global population. It is important that Christians continue preaching the gospel message to more people, just as Ezra read from the book of God's law to instruct the people who had returned to Jerusalem.
1) Jesus questions the religious leaders about the source of John the Baptist's authority, but does not answer about the source of his own authority.
2) Jesus has authority and power from God to teach with authority, cast out demons, forgive sins, and will be exalted above all others.
3) All authority in heaven and earth has been given to Jesus by God, so Christians should submit to governing authorities and Jesus' teachings.
To stay on course with our godly goals, we want to be aware of distractions and learn how to handle them. The Book of Nehemiah shows a fellow laborer with God who stayed on track with his goal, not allowing himself to get distracted from his responsibility. As we pursue our godly goals, we can stay on course just as Nehemiah did.
The document presents a Bible presentation discussing world events and how they point to Christ's return. It summarizes major world events from 2001 to 2011, including 9/11, the Afghan and Iraq wars, the 2005 London bombings, and the 2010-2011 Arab Spring. The presentation cites Bible passages predicting signs of distress among nations and warns of a coming "time of trouble." However, it promises that at Christ's return, he will establish an eternal kingdom of peace and righteousness on Earth. It invites the audience to accept Christ's promise of his return and to join his kingdom by overcoming sin.
JUNE , 2015- Sunday Message-STRONG FAITH IN GODCatherine Lirio
The document discusses faith from several biblical passages. It describes faith as being sure of what is hoped for and certain of what is not seen. It provides examples of people in the Bible who demonstrated faith, including Noah building the ark, Abraham obeying God's call to leave his home, Abel offering an acceptable sacrifice to God, Moses leaving Egypt without fear of the king, and the walls of Jericho falling after being marched around. These people were all commended for their faith, yet did not receive what was promised in their lifetimes, as God had planned for faith to be made perfect together with believers.
Finding rest in strange places 2 seth gatchell december 6 2020Pacific Church
The Christmas message clearly spells out the deity of Christ, but this is not just a theological issue with which to ponder. It is meant to jolt us out of our spiritual stupor (sleepiness) to obeying "Jesus Christ our LORD." If obedience in our daily lives is replaced by right theology, then the boat has sailed without us.
This document provides a summary and analysis of Nehemiah 7. It discusses three key steps that Nehemiah took to protect the people and consolidate the work that had been done in rebuilding Jerusalem's walls:
1. Enlisting leadership by appointing assistants like Hanani and Hananiah to share the workload, and establishing gatekeepers and guards to protect the city.
2. Establishing citizenship by having the people registered by genealogy to know who had returned from exile. A long list of families and their home towns is presented.
3. Encouraging worship by having the people support the Levitical singers and gatekeepers in their work. Order and organization were needed to build a stable community in
M2013 s15 the city large and great but the people were few 2-24-13James Bradshaw
The city's walls had been rebuilt but the population was still small, with only around 50,000 people present. Similarly, while the gospel has spread worldwide, true believers make up a small portion of the global population. It is important that Christians continue preaching the gospel message to more people, just as Ezra read from the book of God's law to instruct the people who had returned to Jerusalem.
1) Jesus questions the religious leaders about the source of John the Baptist's authority, but does not answer about the source of his own authority.
2) Jesus has authority and power from God to teach with authority, cast out demons, forgive sins, and will be exalted above all others.
3) All authority in heaven and earth has been given to Jesus by God, so Christians should submit to governing authorities and Jesus' teachings.
To stay on course with our godly goals, we want to be aware of distractions and learn how to handle them. The Book of Nehemiah shows a fellow laborer with God who stayed on track with his goal, not allowing himself to get distracted from his responsibility. As we pursue our godly goals, we can stay on course just as Nehemiah did.
The document presents a Bible presentation discussing world events and how they point to Christ's return. It summarizes major world events from 2001 to 2011, including 9/11, the Afghan and Iraq wars, the 2005 London bombings, and the 2010-2011 Arab Spring. The presentation cites Bible passages predicting signs of distress among nations and warns of a coming "time of trouble." However, it promises that at Christ's return, he will establish an eternal kingdom of peace and righteousness on Earth. It invites the audience to accept Christ's promise of his return and to join his kingdom by overcoming sin.
JUNE , 2015- Sunday Message-STRONG FAITH IN GODCatherine Lirio
The document discusses faith from several biblical passages. It describes faith as being sure of what is hoped for and certain of what is not seen. It provides examples of people in the Bible who demonstrated faith, including Noah building the ark, Abraham obeying God's call to leave his home, Abel offering an acceptable sacrifice to God, Moses leaving Egypt without fear of the king, and the walls of Jericho falling after being marched around. These people were all commended for their faith, yet did not receive what was promised in their lifetimes, as God had planned for faith to be made perfect together with believers.
Finding rest in strange places 2 seth gatchell december 6 2020Pacific Church
The Christmas message clearly spells out the deity of Christ, but this is not just a theological issue with which to ponder. It is meant to jolt us out of our spiritual stupor (sleepiness) to obeying "Jesus Christ our LORD." If obedience in our daily lives is replaced by right theology, then the boat has sailed without us.
This document provides guidance on becoming a leader who can change the world. It discusses three characteristics of such a leader: 1) They clearly define the mission; 2) They carefully make plans; 3) They passionately inspire people. These ideas are illustrated using examples from Nehemiah, who rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem. The document encourages the reader to consider what God is leading them to do and provides motivation to start good works.
January 17, 2016 - Sunday message - Successful 2016 Plans and Goals By God’s ...Catherine Lirio
This document outlines plans and goals for 2016 for a church, including increasing membership, forming habits and establishing new campuses. It lists programs like challenges, worship services and training events. It explains that for the plans to succeed, everyone must unite behind them, be willing to execute them, pray daily for them, avoid negative talk and work with all their heart. The conclusion states that with God's help the plans will be successful.
Discernment is a critical life-skill for all of us. This is especially the case when it comes to evil. We need to discern when someone is laying a trap for us. Nehemiah was astute at recognizing danger and reading the heart intent of the people around him.
Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem riding on a donkey. Crowds waved palm branches and shouted praises, fulfilling a prophecy. While the crowds welcomed Jesus as a political leader, he wept over Jerusalem because they did not recognize him as their spiritual savior. Jesus' death and resurrection validate who he claimed to be - the Son of God who came to save mankind spiritually rather than just politically or nationally.
This document discusses overcoming divisions and promoting unity. It references several Bible passages about how Jesus broke down barriers between people and created one new humanity. The key points made are:
1) Don't let differences become barriers, as Jesus destroyed the dividing wall of hostility.
2) Confront unconscious bias by following Jesus' example of setting aside laws and regulations to create peace.
3) Jesus is the true answer who brings people near to God and establishes peace between all people.
The document encourages looking at others as God does without favoritism, listening to everyone with respect, and loving people as Jesus loved. The overall message is about moving from self-focus to caring for others in order to
The document summarizes key events and lessons from the biblical book of Nehemiah. It describes how Nehemiah led the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls despite facing opposition, and how the people were restored through renewing their covenant with God and celebrating the completion of the walls with great joy. Even in ordinary life, there is meaningful work to do for God. Believers should pray and act with faith that God will help overcome challenges and bring success.
This document discusses the old and new covenants. It reviews God's covenant with Noah after the flood, which included establishing the rainbow as a sign. Covenants in the Bible were agreements between God and man that were sealed with blood sacrifice. The old covenant could not forgive sins and required punishment. However, the document explains that through Jesus we now have a new covenant that redeems us from sins and provides eternal life.
Luke 19, Kingdom within us, Prophecy is important, Rich and famous, Vows of p...Valley Bible Fellowship
Luke Chapter 19, Everybody Should Get Rich And Famous. Vows Of Poverty Are Not Biblical. Wealth Can Be A Temptation And A Snare. Is The Kingdom Of God “within us” ? The King Expects A Return. Jesus Shows Bible Prophecy Is Very Important
Fourfold Restitution, Rebuke, Church Membership, Fourfold Restitution, four times as much
What do you view as truly valuable? What can you gain or accomplish on earth that will last forever? What are the benefits of "remembering your creator" while one is young?
Audio: http://w65stchurchofchrist.org/Sermons/Audio_Sermons/2011_08_14_Eccl_12_Remember_Creator.mp3
This document discusses how to defeat discouragement when facing opposition. It notes that Jesus, Paul, Timothy, and Titus all faced opposition for doing what was right. It then explains that the enemy will try to discourage both from the outside, through ridicule, betrayal, false fear, and deception, and from the inside through doubts. However, one can defeat discouragement by remembering the Lord and fighting for the righteous cause. The document uses Nehemiah's example of rebuilding the wall while facing ridicule and threats as an illustration of overcoming opposition through faith in God and perseverance.
God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. They heard God walking in the garden in the evening. Enoch lived 365 years in close fellowship with God, then God took him to heaven. God told Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars. God spoke to Moses face to face as one speaks to a friend. Jesus called his disciples friends because he had told them everything from his Father. God promises his love for us will last forever and calls us friends.
1) Paul preached boldly in Lystra and Derbe despite being stoned, encouraging believers to remain strong in their faith through trials.
2) Paul and Barnabas returned to cities where they had previously preached to strengthen and encourage the disciples, reminding them that through tribulations they must enter God's kingdom.
3) They reported to the church that God had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles and that the gospel opens people's hearts when they hear and obey it.
1) Jesus heals ten lepers but only one, a Samaritan, returns to thank him.
2) The passage examines how the disciples lacked mercy and calls believers to show compassion and be thankful for God's mercy.
3) It discusses how the Pharisees focused on outward worship over inward mercy and how outcasts like the tax collector were more grateful than the righteous. The passage encourages gratitude in prayer for God's kindness.
The document provides an overview of the book of Revelation and apocalyptic literature. It discusses how Revelation chapter 10 features a mighty angel with a small scroll. The angel's appearance, stance, powerful voice, and mission indicate his significance. John is instructed to eat the scroll, which is sweet but bitter. This reflects the desire for God's judgment but realization of doom for unbelievers. The document encourages that God is in control of history and will accomplish his purposes.
The document discusses the origins of Christmas traditions like decorated trees and carols. It notes that early Christians adopted pagan winter solstice practices, which were later condemned by English Puritans. The modern Christmas tree tradition began in 16th century Germany and spread to America in the 19th century. The document also shares biblical passages about the birth of Jesus from the Gospels of Luke and references to Jesus from Galatians and Colossians about his role in salvation. It emphasizes that Christmas is meaningless without recognizing Jesus' death and resurrection.
This document provides a summary of Nehemiah 8, which describes the Israelites gathering to hear the Book of the Law read aloud by Ezra. It was read for the whole morning, with breaks for explanation so all could understand. The people were convicted by what they heard, crying in repentance. However, they were encouraged to find strength and joy in God rather than sorrow. They celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles as instructed. The leaders sought further explanation from Ezra to properly guide the people in obeying God's word.
This series will explore Jesus' Last 100 days of earthly ministry, starting with the Transfiguration at the End of his Galilean ministry, through His Perean ministry, Jericho Road ministry and culminating in the week of His sufferings in Jerusalem. We will learn from His determination to pursue danger in order to fulfill the will of the Father and explore our calling to pursue God wherever.
Nehemiah heard bad news about the condition of Jerusalem from his brother Hanani. He was saddened and prayed to God, asking Him to intervene. Four months later, when speaking to the king of Persia, Nehemiah requested and received permission to travel to Jerusalem to oversee the rebuilding of its walls. Upon arriving, Nehemiah surveyed the situation himself before creating a careful plan, which he shared with the Jewish leaders. He then encouraged the people to work diligently on reconstructing the walls despite facing opposition, uniting prayer with prudent effort.
Christianity 103: Meet Needs
1. Jesus notices the crowd's needs and feeds over 5,000 people with just 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish.
2. When the disciples say they don't have enough food for the large crowd, Jesus tells them to distribute the small amount of food themselves. Miraculously, there is enough to feed everyone with leftovers.
3. A man asks Jesus to heal his possessed son, but the disciples were unable to. Jesus heals the boy, astonishing the crowd, but reminds the disciples that he will soon be betrayed.
This document provides a summary of the sermon given at First Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi on August 23, 2015. The sermon focuses on Revelation 12:1-17 and discusses the symbolism in the passage of the woman and the dragon. It provides background information on the passage and references commentaries from John MacArthur. The sermon suggests the war in heaven mentioned could be triggered by the rapture of the church, with Michael defending God's people from Satan's attempts to interfere. In less than 3 sentences, the document summarizes the key points of the sermon on Revelation 12:1-17 given at First Baptist Church.
This document discusses leadership principles from the book of Nehemiah. It provides 4 reasons for studying the book: 1) Its place in the biblical canon, 2) How it fulfilled history, 3) Its prophetic importance, and 4) The spiritual lessons it provides. Key points about Nehemiah include his view of God as sovereign and forgiving, and his determination in leading the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls to give the city identity and protect its people. The document stresses principles of availability over ability, repairing problems rather than despairing, and watching and praying.
This document provides guidance on becoming a leader who can change the world. It discusses three characteristics of such a leader: 1) They clearly define the mission; 2) They carefully make plans; 3) They passionately inspire people. These ideas are illustrated using examples from Nehemiah, who rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem. The document encourages the reader to consider what God is leading them to do and provides motivation to start good works.
January 17, 2016 - Sunday message - Successful 2016 Plans and Goals By God’s ...Catherine Lirio
This document outlines plans and goals for 2016 for a church, including increasing membership, forming habits and establishing new campuses. It lists programs like challenges, worship services and training events. It explains that for the plans to succeed, everyone must unite behind them, be willing to execute them, pray daily for them, avoid negative talk and work with all their heart. The conclusion states that with God's help the plans will be successful.
Discernment is a critical life-skill for all of us. This is especially the case when it comes to evil. We need to discern when someone is laying a trap for us. Nehemiah was astute at recognizing danger and reading the heart intent of the people around him.
Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem riding on a donkey. Crowds waved palm branches and shouted praises, fulfilling a prophecy. While the crowds welcomed Jesus as a political leader, he wept over Jerusalem because they did not recognize him as their spiritual savior. Jesus' death and resurrection validate who he claimed to be - the Son of God who came to save mankind spiritually rather than just politically or nationally.
This document discusses overcoming divisions and promoting unity. It references several Bible passages about how Jesus broke down barriers between people and created one new humanity. The key points made are:
1) Don't let differences become barriers, as Jesus destroyed the dividing wall of hostility.
2) Confront unconscious bias by following Jesus' example of setting aside laws and regulations to create peace.
3) Jesus is the true answer who brings people near to God and establishes peace between all people.
The document encourages looking at others as God does without favoritism, listening to everyone with respect, and loving people as Jesus loved. The overall message is about moving from self-focus to caring for others in order to
The document summarizes key events and lessons from the biblical book of Nehemiah. It describes how Nehemiah led the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls despite facing opposition, and how the people were restored through renewing their covenant with God and celebrating the completion of the walls with great joy. Even in ordinary life, there is meaningful work to do for God. Believers should pray and act with faith that God will help overcome challenges and bring success.
This document discusses the old and new covenants. It reviews God's covenant with Noah after the flood, which included establishing the rainbow as a sign. Covenants in the Bible were agreements between God and man that were sealed with blood sacrifice. The old covenant could not forgive sins and required punishment. However, the document explains that through Jesus we now have a new covenant that redeems us from sins and provides eternal life.
Luke 19, Kingdom within us, Prophecy is important, Rich and famous, Vows of p...Valley Bible Fellowship
Luke Chapter 19, Everybody Should Get Rich And Famous. Vows Of Poverty Are Not Biblical. Wealth Can Be A Temptation And A Snare. Is The Kingdom Of God “within us” ? The King Expects A Return. Jesus Shows Bible Prophecy Is Very Important
Fourfold Restitution, Rebuke, Church Membership, Fourfold Restitution, four times as much
What do you view as truly valuable? What can you gain or accomplish on earth that will last forever? What are the benefits of "remembering your creator" while one is young?
Audio: http://w65stchurchofchrist.org/Sermons/Audio_Sermons/2011_08_14_Eccl_12_Remember_Creator.mp3
This document discusses how to defeat discouragement when facing opposition. It notes that Jesus, Paul, Timothy, and Titus all faced opposition for doing what was right. It then explains that the enemy will try to discourage both from the outside, through ridicule, betrayal, false fear, and deception, and from the inside through doubts. However, one can defeat discouragement by remembering the Lord and fighting for the righteous cause. The document uses Nehemiah's example of rebuilding the wall while facing ridicule and threats as an illustration of overcoming opposition through faith in God and perseverance.
God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. They heard God walking in the garden in the evening. Enoch lived 365 years in close fellowship with God, then God took him to heaven. God told Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars. God spoke to Moses face to face as one speaks to a friend. Jesus called his disciples friends because he had told them everything from his Father. God promises his love for us will last forever and calls us friends.
1) Paul preached boldly in Lystra and Derbe despite being stoned, encouraging believers to remain strong in their faith through trials.
2) Paul and Barnabas returned to cities where they had previously preached to strengthen and encourage the disciples, reminding them that through tribulations they must enter God's kingdom.
3) They reported to the church that God had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles and that the gospel opens people's hearts when they hear and obey it.
1) Jesus heals ten lepers but only one, a Samaritan, returns to thank him.
2) The passage examines how the disciples lacked mercy and calls believers to show compassion and be thankful for God's mercy.
3) It discusses how the Pharisees focused on outward worship over inward mercy and how outcasts like the tax collector were more grateful than the righteous. The passage encourages gratitude in prayer for God's kindness.
The document provides an overview of the book of Revelation and apocalyptic literature. It discusses how Revelation chapter 10 features a mighty angel with a small scroll. The angel's appearance, stance, powerful voice, and mission indicate his significance. John is instructed to eat the scroll, which is sweet but bitter. This reflects the desire for God's judgment but realization of doom for unbelievers. The document encourages that God is in control of history and will accomplish his purposes.
The document discusses the origins of Christmas traditions like decorated trees and carols. It notes that early Christians adopted pagan winter solstice practices, which were later condemned by English Puritans. The modern Christmas tree tradition began in 16th century Germany and spread to America in the 19th century. The document also shares biblical passages about the birth of Jesus from the Gospels of Luke and references to Jesus from Galatians and Colossians about his role in salvation. It emphasizes that Christmas is meaningless without recognizing Jesus' death and resurrection.
This document provides a summary of Nehemiah 8, which describes the Israelites gathering to hear the Book of the Law read aloud by Ezra. It was read for the whole morning, with breaks for explanation so all could understand. The people were convicted by what they heard, crying in repentance. However, they were encouraged to find strength and joy in God rather than sorrow. They celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles as instructed. The leaders sought further explanation from Ezra to properly guide the people in obeying God's word.
This series will explore Jesus' Last 100 days of earthly ministry, starting with the Transfiguration at the End of his Galilean ministry, through His Perean ministry, Jericho Road ministry and culminating in the week of His sufferings in Jerusalem. We will learn from His determination to pursue danger in order to fulfill the will of the Father and explore our calling to pursue God wherever.
Nehemiah heard bad news about the condition of Jerusalem from his brother Hanani. He was saddened and prayed to God, asking Him to intervene. Four months later, when speaking to the king of Persia, Nehemiah requested and received permission to travel to Jerusalem to oversee the rebuilding of its walls. Upon arriving, Nehemiah surveyed the situation himself before creating a careful plan, which he shared with the Jewish leaders. He then encouraged the people to work diligently on reconstructing the walls despite facing opposition, uniting prayer with prudent effort.
Christianity 103: Meet Needs
1. Jesus notices the crowd's needs and feeds over 5,000 people with just 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish.
2. When the disciples say they don't have enough food for the large crowd, Jesus tells them to distribute the small amount of food themselves. Miraculously, there is enough to feed everyone with leftovers.
3. A man asks Jesus to heal his possessed son, but the disciples were unable to. Jesus heals the boy, astonishing the crowd, but reminds the disciples that he will soon be betrayed.
This document provides a summary of the sermon given at First Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi on August 23, 2015. The sermon focuses on Revelation 12:1-17 and discusses the symbolism in the passage of the woman and the dragon. It provides background information on the passage and references commentaries from John MacArthur. The sermon suggests the war in heaven mentioned could be triggered by the rapture of the church, with Michael defending God's people from Satan's attempts to interfere. In less than 3 sentences, the document summarizes the key points of the sermon on Revelation 12:1-17 given at First Baptist Church.
This document discusses leadership principles from the book of Nehemiah. It provides 4 reasons for studying the book: 1) Its place in the biblical canon, 2) How it fulfilled history, 3) Its prophetic importance, and 4) The spiritual lessons it provides. Key points about Nehemiah include his view of God as sovereign and forgiving, and his determination in leading the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls to give the city identity and protect its people. The document stresses principles of availability over ability, repairing problems rather than despairing, and watching and praying.
1) The document is a summary of a sermon given at First Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi on March 26, 2017. The sermon discusses how prophecies from Jacob's blessing, Isaiah, and Zechariah foretold Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling messianic prophecies.
2) It notes how Jesus was greeted as a king but was a threat to the corrupt religious system. His kingdom was one of peace, not war.
3) The sermon discusses how Greeks sought to see Jesus at the feast, and he responded that his death would glorify God and allow many to be saved, linking it to prophecies of his death and resurrection.
The document provides an overview and summary of the biblical book of Nahum. It discusses how Nahum prophesied the coming destruction of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, around 650 BC as judgment for their sins and cruelty. Key points include: Nahum delivered a message of impending doom for Nineveh, unlike the earlier prophet Jonah who called Nineveh to repentance; Nahum described the siege and plundering of Nineveh in poetic and vivid detail; and the book teaches that God judges nations who act wickedly and oppress others, though He is also merciful to those who take refuge in Him.
May 27, 2018 - Sunday service message - Habit #6 - SynergizeCatherine Lirio
The document discusses the concept of synergy from the book "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People". It defines synergy as increased effectiveness from working together, where the whole is greater than the sum of parts. It provides Bible verses about unity and working as one. It describes four aspects of synergizing: 1) planning together, 2) cooperating to work as one, 3) solving problems together, and 4) committing to finish the goal together. Examples are given from the book of Nehemiah rebuilding Jerusalem's walls of people synergizing their efforts.
This document provides an overview and summary of a Bible study lesson about the Book of Nahum. It discusses Nahum's prophecy of God's coming judgment against Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, for their wickedness. Some key points made in the document include: Nahum predicted the destruction of Nineveh, which was later fulfilled; God judges wicked nations as well as individuals; great empires like Assyria that depart from God's ways will fall; and the lesson from Nahum is that disobedience to God will be punished severely, while repentance can avert judgment.
1) The people after the flood all spoke one language and settled in the land of Shinar where they decided to build a city and tower reaching to the heavens to make a name for themselves, in defiance of God's command to scatter.
2) God came down and confused their language, scattering them over the earth and ending their rebellion against his command.
3) The tower of Babel shows how human pride and the desire for self-glorification rather than obeying God leads to division and scattering rather than unity.
This document provides an overview and analysis of the Book of Nahum from the Bible. It begins with background on Nahum, noting he prophesied around 614 BC about the coming destruction of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria. The document then analyzes the first 8 verses of Nahum chapter 1, highlighting themes of God's justice and power despite his slowness to anger. It notes God judged Nineveh after sparing it over a century prior through Jonah's warning, showing both God's justice and love. The analysis finds lessons for believers about God's dealings with sinning nations and individuals.
This document is a summary of a sermon given at First Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi on January 25, 2015. The sermon focuses on Nehemiah Chapter 6 and discusses how Nehemiah stayed focused on rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem despite facing many distractions. The sermon encourages identifying one important task or calling from God to focus on for the new year. It provides tips for staying focused such as identifying Satan's goals of distraction, monitoring priorities, and relying on the Holy Spirit. The sermon closes by discussing the plan of salvation through Jesus Christ for anyone seeking it.
Nehemiah was focused on rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, which was the great work God had called him to do. Despite opposition from Sanballat, Tobiah and others who tried to distract him with lies and fear tactics, Nehemiah remained determined, saying "I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down." He completed the work in just 52 days. The document provides tips for staying focused on the one thing God is calling a person to do, such as identifying distractions, walking with the Holy Spirit, and monitoring priorities. It encourages asking God for wisdom and remembering that one's focus could have great impact.
This document provides a summary of Nehemiah 5:1-13. It discusses three key points:
1) There was a "great cry" from the Jewish people who were in debt and unable to pay due to famine and high taxes. Many had to mortgage or sell their property and children to pay debts.
2) Nehemiah called a "great assembly" where he angrily rebuked wealthy Jews who were exploiting the poor by charging interest against Jewish law. He demanded they restore lands and waive debts.
3) As a "great example," Nehemiah practiced what he preached by lending money without interest himself. He ensured the wealthy Jews agreed to his terms to prevent further oppression
Nehemiah found that the Israelites had stopped giving tithes to support the Levites, requiring the Levites to work fields instead of serving in the temple. Nehemiah rebuked the leaders and ensured the tithes were brought to support the Levites. He also found people working and trading on the Sabbath in violation of God's law. Nehemiah enforced the Sabbath by having the city gates shut and posting guards to prevent trade, and later tasked the Levites with guarding the gates to sanctify the Sabbath. Nehemiah prayed that God would remember his good deeds in reforming the people and enforcing God's law.
Nehemiah found that the Israelites had stopped giving tithes to support the Levites, requiring the Levites to work fields instead of serving in the temple. Nehemiah reprimanded officials and ensured the tithes were given again. He also enforced the Sabbath by shutting Jerusalem's gates on Friday evenings and preventing trade on Saturdays, appointing Levites to guard the gates and sanctify the Sabbath. Nehemiah prayed for God to remember his good deeds in reforming the people and enforcing God's law, and to spare him according to God's mercy.
Nehemiah found that the Israelites had stopped giving tithes to support the Levites, requiring the Levites to work fields instead of serving in the temple. Nehemiah rebuked the leaders and ensured the tithes were brought to support the Levites. He also found people working and trading on the Sabbath, profaning the holy day. Nehemiah enforced the closure of the city gates on the Sabbath and stationed guards to prevent trade, and instructed the Levites to guard the gates and ensure proper Sabbath observance going forward. He prayed that God would remember his good works in reforming the people and enforcing God's law, and asking God to protect him.
1. Nehemiah led the Jews in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem after they had fallen into disrepair. The Jews faced opposition from neighboring groups and grew tired from the difficult work.
2. Their fatigue and frustration mirrored symptoms of burnout. However, Nehemiah rallied the people by reminding them of God's strength and calling them to protect their families.
3. The document then discusses treatments for burnout like resting, prioritizing life, remembering God, and resisting discouragement. It offers the hope and salvation found through accepting Jesus as described in Romans.
Nehemiah found that the Levites had not been given their portions of the tithes and were working in fields to support themselves. He reprimanded the officials for neglecting the house of God. He ensured the tithes were brought to the storehouses and appointed treasurers over them. Nehemiah also saw people working and trading on the Sabbath in violation of God's law. He warned the nobles against profaning the Sabbath and had the city gates shut before the Sabbath to prevent trade from taking place.
1) Nehemiah's enemies, Sanballat and Geshem, tried to lure him away from rebuilding the wall by inviting him to a meeting, hoping to harm him. However, Nehemiah refused as he was focused on the important work.
2) When their attempts to distract Nehemiah failed, his enemies resorted to writing him a false letter in an attempt to scare him. But Nehemiah confronted their accusations.
3) Nehemiah remained determined not to give in to fear or flee from his duties. Through God's strength, he persevered and completed rebuilding the wall despite the opposition's efforts to stop the important work.
1) Nehemiah, a Jewish man working for the king of Persia, was sad to hear that Jerusalem was in ruins. He asked and received the king's permission to travel to Jerusalem to rebuild the city walls and gates.
2) Nehemiah inspired the people of Jerusalem to start rebuilding the walls and gates, assigning each family a section. However, some local officials opposed the rebuilding efforts and tried to sabotage the work through insults and threats of violence.
3) Despite obstacles, the people worked hard with Nehemiah's leadership and protection to complete rebuilding the walls and gates, securing the city once more.
This document provides the text of Matthew 8:5-13 from the Bible, which describes Jesus healing the servant of a Roman centurion. It then provides commentary on various aspects of the passage, including details about centurions in the Roman army, the background of Capernaum where the healing took place, and praise for the centurion's great faith in asking Jesus to heal his servant from a distance. The commentary emphasizes that the centurion, as a Roman, unexpectedly demonstrated more faith in Jesus than many Jews did.
Similar to 02 February 1, 2015, Nehemiah 7 Do Your Appointed Part (20)
The document discusses prophecies from Isaiah about God restoring the heavens and earth and creating a new Jerusalem without weeping or crying. It then discusses passages from the New Testament about how believers should live in light of these prophecies, looking forward to Christ's appearing and purifying themselves. The document also provides summaries about the characteristics and features of Christ's future millennial kingdom based on passages from Isaiah, Psalms, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Revelation.
The document discusses the future reign of Christ on earth based on passages from Isaiah, Psalms, Ezekiel, and Revelation. It describes the main features of the future millennial kingdom as an earthly kingdom where Christ will reign for 1000 years after His second coming. Resurrected saints from all ages will reign with Christ on earth and assist in His rule. The kingdom will be a time of peace and prosperity without evil or harm.
This passage from Isaiah 58 discusses God's condemnation of empty worship rituals among his people that are not accompanied by righteous living and care for the oppressed. God explains that true worship requires loosening bonds of wickedness, sharing with the hungry, and clothing the naked. The prophet Isaiah lived during a time of rebuilding after the exile when the temple had been reconstructed but the city walls remained in ruins. God promises blessings of light, guidance, strength, and renewal for those who repent from sin and pursue justice. The sermon references other passages emphasizing that God desires mercy over sacrifice and that true salvation will come through God himself acting as righteous judge and redeemer through the coming Messiah.
This document provides a summary and analysis of Isaiah 58:1-12. It examines God's condemnation of hypocritical worship among his people, who were going through the motions of fasting and prayer but without true repentance or care for the oppressed. God explains that true worship requires acts of justice, mercy, and humility. The document places this passage in historical context during the post-exilic period when the temple had been rebuilt but Jerusalem's walls remained in disrepair. It concludes by connecting Isaiah's prophecy to the ultimate salvation God provides through Jesus Christ.
1) The document discusses Isaiah 53, which prophesies the coming of Jesus as the suffering servant who would bear the sins of humanity.
2) It analyzes various verses from Isaiah 53 that describe Jesus' humble upbringing, rejection, suffering, and death on the cross in fulfillment of these prophecies.
3) The author argues that the chapter paints a clear picture of Jesus and his redemptive work, though some Jewish people did not accept that it referred to him.
This document provides an analysis and commentary on Isaiah 53:1-12. It discusses how this passage prophesies Jesus as the suffering servant who would bear the sins of humanity. Some key points made include: Jewish people historically did not believe Isaiah 53 referred to Jesus as they were expecting a conquering messiah; the passage depicts the servant as having no beauty or majesty and being despised and rejected; it describes how he would bear our sorrows and be wounded for our transgressions so that through his suffering we can be healed. The document analyzes various verses in depth to draw connections between the prophecy and Jesus' life and crucifixion.
The document provides an overview and analysis of Isaiah 49:1-13. It summarizes that:
1) The passage promises comfort for God's people and the coming of a Messiah who will be a servant and bring salvation to all nations.
2) Jesus fulfills the prophecies as the suffering servant who is called and named by God from birth to be a light to the Gentiles.
3) The passage prophesies that the servant will be rejected but later worshipped, establish a new covenant, and guide God's people to salvation.
1) The document provides an overview and analysis of Isaiah 49:1-13 from a Sunday school lesson. It examines how this passage prophesies comfort for God's people through a coming servant Messiah and how Jesus fulfills this prophecy.
2) Key points include how Isaiah 49 promises a Messiah who will bring salvation for Israel and all nations, depicted as a servant who is named and empowered by God.
3) The document analyzes how Jesus fulfills this prophecy by being God's chosen servant who is rejected by men but brings salvation, being made a light to the Gentiles and worshipped by all through his death and resurrection.
This document contains the summary of a sermon given at First Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi. It discusses Isaiah 46:3-13, focusing on God's care for his people and how he alone is worthy of worship unlike idols. It includes quotes from the Bible passage and hymns like "His Eye is on the Sparrow" to illustrate the theme that God watches over and protects believers.
This document provides a summary of a Sunday school class discussion on putting God first in all things and trusting in His care. It includes summaries of Bible passages from Isaiah, Psalms, and Matthew discussing not worshipping idols and trusting that God watches over His people. The hymn "His Eye is on the Sparrow" is analyzed, inspired by verses on God caring for even sparrows. The class discussed how tragedies can humble us and that God saves those who recognize their need.
God instructs Isaiah to comfort God's people with three messages: 1) God is sovereign and in control, even during difficult times. 2) God will fulfill his purposes, such as forgiving Israel and sending a Redeemer. 3) God will sustain his people, though all humanity is transitory except God's eternal word. The prophecy looks forward to Israel's restoration after the coming exile.
The document provides an overview of a Sunday school lesson on Isaiah 40. It discusses the historical context during Isaiah's time, the message of comfort God instructed Isaiah to provide to Judah facing exile, and how this message still applies today. The lesson focuses on how Isaiah conveyed that God is sovereign, will fulfill his purposes, and sustain his people. It also provides biblical references on God's comfort and plan of salvation through Jesus Christ.
The document provides an overview and summary of Isaiah 34-39 from a sermon given at First Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi. It discusses the historical context involving King Hezekiah of Judah rebelling against Assyria, the confrontation with Rabshakeh representing Sennacherib, Hezekiah's prayer to God, and God's response promising to defend Jerusalem for his own sake and for David. Key themes are God hearing and answering prayer, defeating the enemies of his people, and bringing hope and salvation.
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The document provides an overview and analysis of Isaiah 31. It summarizes that the chapter warns Israel and Judah against forming an alliance with Egypt and relying on Egyptian horses and chariots for protection against Assyria. While Egypt can provide military strength, God promises to protect Jerusalem himself. The chapter exhorts the people to repent from idolatry and return to trusting God for their defense. It prophesies that Assyria will fall not by human hands but by the sword of God in response to their threats against Judah.
God will judge the earth and its inhabitants for their sins and breaking God's covenant. This judgement is described in Isaiah 24-27 and referred to as Isaiah's Apocalypse. However, God also has a plan for salvation and will deliver the remnant of people from the ends of the earth who worship him. Ultimately, God will reign eternally in Jerusalem and provide salvation for all people through his son Jesus Christ.
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A Free eBook ~ Valuable LIFE Lessons to Learn ( 5 Sets of Presentations)...OH TEIK BIN
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The Hope of Salvation - Jude 1:24-25 - MessageCole Hartman
Jude gives us hope at the end of a dark letter. In a dark world like today, we need the light of Christ to shine brighter and brighter. Jude shows us where to fix our focus so we can be filled with God's goodness and glory. Join us to explore this incredible passage.
A375 Example Taste the taste of the Lord, the taste of the Lord The taste of...franktsao4
It seems that current missionary work requires spending a lot of money, preparing a lot of materials, and traveling to far away places, so that it feels like missionary work. But what was the result they brought back? It's just a lot of photos of activities, fun eating, drinking and some playing games. And then we have to do the same thing next year, never ending. The church once mentioned that a certain missionary would go to the field where she used to work before the end of his life. It seemed that if she had not gone, no one would be willing to go. The reason why these missionary work is so difficult is that no one obeys God’s words, and the Bible is not the main content during missionary work, because in the eyes of those who do not obey God’s words, the Bible is just words and cannot be connected with life, so Reading out God's words is boring because it doesn't have any life experience, so it cannot be connected with human life. I will give a few examples in the hope that this situation can be changed. A375
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02 February 1, 2015, Nehemiah 7 Do Your Appointed Part
1. Nehemiah 7
Do Your Appointed Part
February 1, 2015
First Baptist Church
Jackson, Mississippi
USA
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February Memory Verse:
Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from
yourselves, it is a gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
What’s the number one thing?
The Glory of God!
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1 Corinthians 10:31 NKJV
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of
God.
2. We have three challenges that the Education Department has placed before us
in 2015:
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1) Memorize the monthly memory verse and know each month we are
hiding God’s Word in our heart.
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January Memory verse:
Romans 10:9
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord”, and believe in your heart
that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
2) Share your faith with one person each month and build a relationship with
them, so they will become a believer in 2015 as God uses you to plant
seeds with that person.
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3. 3) Ask Sunday School class members to share how they have seen God at
work during the week.
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Bible Exposition Commentary (BE Series) – Old Testament –
The Bible Exposition Commentary by Warren Wiersbe
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4. Nehemiah 7:1-7 NKJV
1 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, 2 that I gave the
charge of Jerusalem to my brother Hanani (huh NAY nigh), and Hananiah (han
uh NIGH uh) the leader of the citadel, for he was a faithful man and feared God
more than many.
3 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.”
The Captives Who Returned to Jerusalem
4 Now the city was large and spacious, but the people in it were few, and the
houses were not rebuilt. 5 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:
6 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.
7 Those who came with Zerubbabel …
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Nehemiah 7
The walls were completed, the gates were restored, and the enemy was
chagrined; but Nehemiah's work was not finished by any means.
Now he had to practice the truth Paul emphasized in Ephesians 6:13,
“And having done all, to stand.”
5. Nehemiah had been steadfast in building the walls and in resisting the enemy,
and now he had to be steadfast in consolidating and conserving the gains.
“Look to yourselves,” warned the Apostle John, “that we lose not those things
which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward” (2 John 8).
A city is much more than walls, gates, and houses; a city is people.
In the first half of this book, the people existed for the walls; but now the walls
must exist for the people.
It was time to organize the community so that the citizens could enjoy the
quality of life God wanted them to have.
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God had great things in store for Jerusalem, for one day His Son would walk the
city streets, teach in the temple, and die outside the city walls after His first
coming.
Then, He would enter Jerusalem again at His second coming as ruling King!
This chapter records three important steps that must be taken by any leader in
order to protect the people and the work that has been done.
Three steps in protecting the people and their work
1. Enlisting leadership (Neh. 7:1-3)
2. Establishing citizenship (Neh. 7:4-69)
3. Encouraging worship (Neh. 7:70-73)
1. Enlisting leadership (Neh. 7:1-3)
Napoleon described a leader as "a dealer in hope," and Nehemiah certainly fits
that description.
• Before the work began, he inspired the people by assuring them that God
would prosper their efforts (2:18-20).
6. When the people were afraid, Nehemiah prayed that God would strengthen
them (6:9).
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When the enemy threatened, Nehemiah stood his ground and called their bluff;
and the work was completed in fifty-two days to the glory of God.
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Assistants (Neh 7:2).
One practical way Nehemiah enlisted leadership was by appointing assistants.
Like all good leaders, Nehemiah knew he couldn't do the job alone.
One of his first official acts was to appoint two assistants, his brother Hanani (see
1:2) and Hananiah, who was in charge of the citadel ("palace"; see 2:8).
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7. The citadel was a fortress in the temple area, guarding the north wall of the city,
which was especially vulnerable to attack. Hanani and Hananiah would work
with Rephaiah (3:9) and Shallum (v. 12), rulers of districts in the city.
Why was Nehemiah convinced that these men would be good leaders?
They had two wonderful qualities:
They were faithful to God and they feared God (7:2).
Dr. Bob Jones, Sr., often said, "The greatest ability is dependability."
If we truly fear the Lord, we will be faithful to do the work He has called us to do.
When leaders fear people instead of fearing God, they end up getting trapped
(Prov. 29:25); and that leads to failure.
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Years ago, the German psychiatrist and philosopher Dr. Karl Jaspers said, "The
power of leadership appears to be declining everywhere. More and more of the
men we see coming to the top seem to be merely drifting."
Youth for Christ International leader, Dr. Ted Engstrom, wrote in his book The
Making of A Christian Leader (Zondervan, 1976), "We see the tragedy of weak
men in important places—little men in big jobs" (p. 12).
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8. Not everybody is called to be a Nehemiah, but some of us can be Hananis,
Hananiahs, Rephaiahs, or Shallums, and work with God-given leaders to help
get the job done right.
God is looking for faithful, God-fearing men and women who will have the
courage and conviction to serve Him, come what may, through instant
obedience.
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Another way that Nehemiah enlisted leadership was by establishing
gatekeepers.
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Gatekeepers (Neh. 7:1, 3). (1. Enlisting leadership cont.)
What good are strong new gates if nobody is guarding them and controlling who
enters and leaves the city?
What good are walls if the gates are open to every foe who wants to enter the
city?
• The Great Wall of China was penetrated by the enemy at least four times,
and each time the guards were bribed.
Gates and walls are only as good as the people who guard them.
The gatekeepers ("porters" in v. 1) were given specific instructions as to when to
open and close the gates (v. 3).
To open the gates early in the morning would only invite the enemy to come in
while the city was asleep and unprepared and to close and lock the gates
without the guards on duty might give enemy agents opportunity to slip in
unnoticed.
9. John 10:9 NIV
9 I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved.
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Guards. (1. Enlisting leadership cont.)
Nehemiah also had appointed two kinds of guards ("watches" v. 3): those to
patrol the walls at specific stations and those to keep watch near their own
houses.
Since many of the people had worked on areas of the wall near their homes
(3:10, 23, 28-30), Nehemiah now challenged them to guard the areas they had
built.
With guards at the gates, watchmen on the walls, and a solid "neighborhood
watch," the city was safe from outside attack.
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10. All of this has a message for us today.
If God's people don't protect what they have accomplished for the Lord, the
enemy will come in and take it over.
Paul's admonition must be heeded: "And having done all, to stand" (Eph. 6:13).
What a tragedy that schools that once were true to the faith are today denying
the faith, and churches that once preached the Gospel now have in their pulpits
ministers who preach "another gospel."
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Every Christian ministry is one short generation away from destruction, and God's
people must be on guard.
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We need guards at the gates, faithful men and women who will not allow false
Christians to get in and take over the ministry (2 Cor. 11:13-15).
• We need watchmen on the walls to warn us when the enemy is
approaching.
11. Christian parents need to guard their homes lest the enemy gets in and captures
their children.
• It is while God's servants are asleep and overconfident that the enemy
comes in and plants his counterfeits (Matt. 13:25), so we must be alert.
In this day when "pluralism" is interpreted by most people to mean "agree with
everybody about everything and don't make waves," Christians need to
remember that they are different and must test everything by the Word of God.
There are many religions, but there is still "none other name under heaven given
among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
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Anything that changes that message or weakens our motivation to get that
message out is of the devil and must be opposed.
• We need guards at the gates and watchers on the wall, or the enemy will
take over.
12. Three steps in protecting the people and their work
1. Enlisting leadership (Neh. 7:1-3)
2. Establishing citizenship (Neh. 7:4-69)
3. Encouraging worship (Neh. 7:70-73)
2. Establishing citizenship (Neh. 7:4-69)
This section parallels Ezra 2:1-64.
Ezra 2 lists the names of those who set out with Ezra, but it's possible that others
joined the group after Zerubbabel's list was completed.
Reading this long list of difficult names might be boring to the modern student,
but these people were God's "bridge" from the defeats of the past to the hopes
of the future.
These Jews were the "living link" that connected the historic past with the
prophetic future and made it possible for Jesus Christ to come into the world.
Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 7 are to the Old Testament what Hebrews 11 (Group A and
Group B) is to the New Testament: a listing of the people whose faith and
courage made things happen.
Genealogies were "lifelines" that linked the Jews not only to the heritage of the
past but also to their hope for the future.
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13. There are twelve different groups listed here, starting with the leaders who
returned with Zerubbabel (Nehemiah 7:7).
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These twelve men may have represented the twelve tribes of Israel, even though
ten of the tribes had been assimilated by the Assyrians when the Northern
Kingdom was captured in 722 B.C.
The "Nehemiah" mentioned here is not the author of this book, since these men
lived nearly a century before.
• It appears that these were the elders of the people who helped
Zerubbabel, the governor, establish the nation.
Next are listed the various families or clans (vv. 8-25) and the number of people
in each family who returned to the land.
Verses 27-38 list the people according to their villages.
It is interesting that the largest group in the entire list came from Senaah (v. 38), a
town whose location is a mystery to us.
• It must have been a large community if nearly 4,000 people came from
there.
The Hebrew word, Senaah, means "hated," and some students think it refers to a
category of citizen and not to a place.
• Whoever they were, they worked on the walls (3:3) and helped restore the
city, they did their assigned part.
It is worth noting that these returned exiles had maintained their identification
with their native towns and villages.
They knew where they came from and were not ashamed of it!
14. Many people in our modern mobile population care little about family roots or
even civic loyalty.
To them, home is wherever one's work is, no matter where their original roots
were planted.
Also, in spite of their local loyalties, these Jews put the good of Jerusalem first
(Psalm 137:1-6).
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Psalm 137:1-6 NKJV
1 By the rivers of Babylon,
There we sat down, yea, we wept
When we remembered Zion.
2 We hung our harps
Upon the willows in the midst of it.
3 For there those who carried us away captive asked of us a song,
And those who plundered us requested mirth,
Saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”
4 How shall we sing the Lord’s song
In a foreign land?
5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem,
Let my right hand forget its skill!
6 If I do not remember you,
Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth—
If I do not exalt Jerusalem
Above my chief joy.
15. True patriotism sees no conflict between loving one's home city and loving one's
nation, for both are gifts from God.
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2. Establishing citizenship (cont.)
The temple personnel are listed next: priests (Neh. 7:39-42), Levites (v. 43),
temple singers (v. 44), gatekeepers (v. 45), and various temple servants (vv. 46-
60).
In the original return to the land, it was necessary for Ezra to send for Levites to
serve as priests in the restored temple (Ezra 8:15-20).
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Some of the Levites had become so comfortable in Babylon that they were
unwilling to serve in Jerusalem.
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16. The temple servants ("Nethinim") had been organized by David to assist in the
temple (Neh. 7:20) and may have been either prisoners of war or descendants
of the Gibeonites (Josh. 9:22-27), who relieved the Levites of heavy routine tasks,
like cutting wood and drawing water.
"Solomon's servants" (Neh. 7:57) were also foreigners who labored for the king.
That these non-Jews were willing to leave the secure life in Babylon for the
difficulties of life in Jerusalem may indicate that they had come to trust the God
of Israel.
On the other hand, perhaps they were compelled to return by their masters.
The singers will play an important role in the life of the city.
http://keyboardsforchrist.com/Keyboardjewish.jpg
There are at least eighteen references to singers in the Book of Nehemiah and
eight references to giving thanks to the Lord.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-smQUGEDJmrw/UBwrIBECidI/AAAAAAAAAF8/xZiHaWomvaA/s1600/Psalms.jpg
17. There was not much singing during the exile, when the nation was out of
fellowship with God (Ps. 137);
http://thefoundationstone.org/images/stories/fruit/541696_by-the-waters-of-babylon.jpg
but now they needed the musicians to maintain worship at the temple.
http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?&id=HN.608014112242535696&w=300&h=300&c=0&pid=1.9&rs=0&p=0
One group of people, including some priests, could not prove their genealogies
(Nehemiah 7:61-65).
• For the priests, this would mean being cut off from the temple ministry and
the income it provided from the tithes and offerings of the people.
But the Law of Moses made it clear that only those whose family line was clearly
in the family of Aaron could minister at the altar.
• The important thing is not to count the people but to realize that these
people counted.
In leaving Babylon, they did much more than put their names on a list.
They laid their lives on the altar and risked everything to obey the Lord and
restore the Jewish nation.
They were "pioneers of faith" who trusted God to enable them to do the
impossible.
"If I had to prove my genealogy in order to get into God's city, could I do it?"
18. You are heading for one of two destinies—Heaven or Hell—and only those who
belong to God's family can enter Heaven.
http://www.stpaulmuskego.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/The-Family-of-God.jpg
Ephesians 3:14-15 NKJV
14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 from Whom the whole family in Heaven and Earth is named,
You enter God's family by receiving Jesus Christ as your own Savior, and this
alone guarantees your entrance into Heaven (John 1:11-12; 3:16; 14:6).
The priest examined the lamb for imperfections, not the man who brought the
lamb to serve as the substitute for his sins.
http://barryboucher.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54fb77662883301156fdbb7b7970b-800wi
http://www.wordlive.org/uploads/wordlight/resources/W151212A4-Names-of-Jesus--Lamb-of-God.jpg
19. Three steps in protecting the people and their work
1. Enlisting leadership (Neh. 7:1-3)
2. Establishing citizenship (Neh. 7:4-69)
3. Encouraging worship (Neh. 7:70-73)
3. Encouraging worship
Nehemiah 7:70-73 NKJV
70 And some of the heads of the fathers’ houses gave to the work.
The governor gave to the treasury one thousand gold drachmas, fifty basins, and
five hundred and thirty priestly garments. 71 Some of the heads of the fathers’
houses gave to the treasury of the work twenty thousand gold drachmas, and
two thousand two hundred silver minas. 72 And that which the rest of the people
gave was twenty thousand gold drachmas, two thousand silver minas, and sixty-
seven priestly garments.
73 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.
Citizenship and leadership together can make a state, but it takes worship to
make that state into a godly nation.
John Stuart Mill wrote, "The worth of a state, in the long run, is the worth of the
individuals composing it."
But the worth of the individual depends on his or her relationship to God, and this
involves worship.
If individual godliness declines, the morality of the nation declines.
The parallel passage is Ezra 2:68-70, which tells us that some of the Jewish
leaders gave generously to the temple ministry.
http://christianliferantoul.com/main/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Giving-WDGSA.jpg
20. Nehemiah informs us that the governor ("Tirshatha") and some of the common
people also gave offerings to the Lord.
It was only right that the leaders set the example.
A thousand drams (Neh. 7:70) would be 19 pounds of gold, and 20,000 drams
(vv. 71-72) would be about 375 pounds of gold.
It seems obvious that some of the Jewish leaders left Babylon very wealthy men,
with precious metals and servants; but within a few years, the economy failed
and the nation was in the grips of a crippling depression (Hag. 1).
But all of this money would have been useless were it not for the God-appointed
ministers at the temple: the priests, Levites, singers, and helpers (Neh. 7:73) who
led the people in worship.
Moses had assigned special towns for the priests and Levites to live in
(Num. 35:1-8; Josh. 21), but later Nehemiah had to move some of them into
Jerusalem (Neh. 11:1-2).
It was now the seventh month (Oct.-Nov.), when Israel was expected to
celebrate the fall feasts:
the Feast of Trumpets,
the Day of Atonement, and
the Feast of Tabernacles
(Lev. 23:23-44).
http://www.christianworldviewinstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Jewish-Feasts-214x140.jpg
22. Things appear to be falling apart when in reality they are falling into place!
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CDg5cI7A1Ew/UxibRczQMsI/AAAAAAAABbs/CfeNby_BOc4/s1600/Blood-Moon-Tetrad-2014-
2015_by-Helena-Lehman.jpg
http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y388/criniedog/buzz_zps683a2552.jpg
Ezekiel 39:17-20 NKJV
17 “And as for you, son of man, thus says the Lord God, ‘Speak to every sort of
bird and to every beast of the field:
“Assemble yourselves and come;
Gather together from all sides to My sacrificial meal
Which I am sacrificing for you,
A great sacrificial meal on the mountains of Israel,
That you may eat flesh and drink blood.
23. 18 You shall eat the flesh of the mighty,
Drink the blood of the princes of the earth,
Of rams and lambs,
Of goats and bulls,
All of them fatlings of Bashan.
19 You shall eat fat till you are full,
And drink blood till you are drunk,
At My sacrificial meal
Which I am sacrificing for you.
20 You shall be filled at My table
With horses and riders,
With mighty men
And with all the men of war,” says the Lord God.
There could have been no better time for Nehemiah to call the people together
to honor the Word of God, confess their sins, and dedicate themselves and their
work to the Lord.
What began with concern (Neh. 1) led to construction (chaps. 2-3) and conflict
(chaps. 4-7); and now it was time for consecration (chaps. 8-12).
As we serve the Lord, we must always do our best; but without His help and
blessing, even our best work will never last.
http://praylivecreate.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/this-weeks-dose-of-hope-feb-14-2013.jpg
Psalm 127:1 NKJV
1 Unless the Lord builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the Lord guards the city,
The watchman stays awake in vain.
24. Nehemiah knew that there was a desperate need for the people to come back
to the Lord and turn away from their secret sins that were grieving Him.
http://destiny.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/do-not-grive-the-holy-spirit-580x200.jpg
Even though Nehemiah was the official representative of a pagan king, he did
everything he could to glorify the God of Israel. (The #1 thing!)
• One of the key lessons we can learn from this chapter is that common
people are important to God.
When God wanted to take the next step in His great plan of redemption, He
called a group of Jews to leave the place of exile and return to their own land.
He gave them encouragement from the prophets and leadership from people
who feared God and wanted to honor Him.
http://therdchurch.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/rising-up-godly-leaders_wide_t_nv.jpg
The Lord didn't send a band of angels to do the job; He used common people
who were willing to risk their futures on the promises of God.
• Today, God is still calling common people to leave their personal
"Babylon" and follow Him by faith.
The church is living in a day of reproach (Neh. 2:17), and there are "ruins" all
around us that need to be rebuilt.
• "If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" David asked
(Ps. 11:3).
25. The answer is plain:
The righteous can rebuild what has been torn down and start over again!
If you think that an enemy victory is final, then you have lost your faith in God's
promises.
There is always a new beginning for those who are willing to pay the price.
• This chapter also reminds us that God keeps accounts of His servants.
• He knows where we came from, what family we belong to, how much we
gave, and how much we did for Him.
Hebrews 11:6 NKJV
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must
believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
When we stand before the Lord, we will have to give an accounting of our lives
before we can receive our rewards (Romans 14:7-12); and we want to be able
to give a good account.
Romans 14:12 NKJV
12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.
1 John 2:18 NKJV
Deceptions of the Last Hour
18 Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is
coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the
last hour.
1 John 2:28-29 NKJV
28 And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have
confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. 29 If you know that
He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of
Him.
A third lesson we must learn is that the Lord is able to keep His work going.
http://drlej.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/he-is-able.jpg
26. The first group of Jewish exiles left Babylon for Judea in 538 B.C. and, in spite of
many difficulties and delays, rebuilt the temple and restored the worship.
Eighty years later (458 BC), Ezra and another group returned; and fourteen years
after that (444 BC), Nehemiah arrived and rebuilt the walls and gates (in 52
days!).
http://ts4.mm.bing.net/th?id=HN.608051744749388551&pid=1.7
During the days of Zerubbabel, God raised up the prophets Haggai and
Zechariah to give God's message to His people.
http://focusmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Haggai-and-Zechariah-Pict-1.jpg
No matter how discouraging the situation might be, God is able to accomplish
His purposes if we will trust Him and do His will.
http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?&id=HN.607993337488540338&w=300&h=300&c=0&pid=1.9&rs=0&p=0
27. John Wesley was right when he said that God buries His workers but continues
His work.
We must not be discouraged!
• God has you here exactly when and where He wants you here.
Finally, and most important, we must all be sure that we know we are in the
family of God.
http://adrianpursglove.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/gods-family.png
1 John 5:11-13 NKJV
11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His
Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does
not have life. 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the
Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may
continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
No matter how much they argued or protested, the priests without legitimate
genealogies (family) could not enter the temple precincts and minister at the
altar.
God is not impressed with our first birth; what He wants is that we experience a
second birth and become His children.
http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?&id=HN.608016109403178101&w=300&h=300&c=0&pid=1.9&rs=0&p=0
28. If you are not certain of your spiritual genealogy, read John 3:1-18 and
1 John 5:9-13 and make sure that your name is written down in Heaven
(Luke 10:20).
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Iz67cd7Vmfo/UHYzsa5M11I/AAAAAAAAHsc/PuZPnvgkILU/s1600/book_of_life111111.jpg
Luke 10:20 NKJV
20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather
rejoice because your names are written in Heaven.”
End
Bible Exposition Commentary (BE Series) - Old Testament - The Bible Exposition
Commentary
The Plan of Hope & Salvation
John 3:16 NKJV
16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever
believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
John 14:6 NKJV
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the
Father except through Me.”
Romans 3:23 NKJV
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
29. Romans 6:23a NKJV
23a For the wages of sin is death,
Death in this life (the first death) is 100%.
Even Jesus, the only one who doesn’t deserve death, died in this life to
pay the penalty for our sins.
The death referred to in Romans 6:23a is the second death explained in
Revelation 21:8.
Revelation 21:8 NKJV
8 “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral,
sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with
fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
Romans 6:23b NKJV
23b but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 5:8 NKJV
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners,
Christ died for us.
Revelation 21:7 NKJV
7 “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be
My son.”
Romans 10:9-10 explains to us how to accept Jesus as our Savior.
Romans 10:9-10 NKJV
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that
God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one
believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto
salvation.
Romans 10:13 NKJV
13 For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”
If you have questions or would like to know more, Please, contact First Baptist
Church Jackson at 601-979-1900 or http://firstbaptistjackson.org/contact/