Title: The Keys of a Strong Community

Date: 28.11.09

Speaker: Wenjiang

Passage: [Nehemiah 11]

 

 

-During this time, Jerusalem was actually empty.

-[Nehemiah 7:4-5]

-Jerusalem had been rebuilt, but no one inhabited the place!

-An empty city is actually a defenseless one.

-In the OT, the physical things that happened to the Israelites are a reflection of what is happening to us spiritually.

-Spiritually speaking, will God find an empty temple/city/church?

-Would God come back and find His people (who have everything needed to do what He wants them to do) being unfruitful?

-“populate Jerusalem” – God wants us to be present in His temple.

 

 

1) The Key of Sacrifice (v1-2b)

-These Israelites owned properties, but they left their own houses to build God’s church.

-Sacrifice is needed to build God’s house!

-[2 Samuel 24:23-24] – David said this: “…I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” David wanted to use the threshing floor to present offerings to God (build an altar to the Lord, v21). He wanted to give God a sacrifice that cost him something.

-“This is what I signed up for, and this is what I need to do.”

-Sacrifice is needed so that we don’t give something to God that costs us nothing at all.

-But when God calls us to do something, it is entirely up to us whether to respond or not.

 

2) The Key of Affirmation (v2a)

-The people went to Jerusalem voluntarily.

-Do we commend people who make a difference in our lives? Who willingly sacrifice?

-Do we take time to affirm what they have done for us?

-It takes people with a servant’s heart to go the extra mile for people. Do we affirm them?

-Give the commendation when it is due.

-[Romans 13:6-7] – When it is due, give the proper affirmation.

-[1 Timothy 5:17-20] – “worthy of double honour”

-[1 Corinthians 4:8-21] – Are we giving honour where it is due? Are we swayed by the words of the people around you when their words are not of God? Do you stand up for what’s right?

-Affirm what’s right!

 

 

3) The Key of Involvement (v3-36)

-These verses talked about who was in where and what they were serving as.

-All the Israelites were involved in one way or another.

-Sometimes when we do things frequently, we get complacent. Or we get discouraged and disillusioned.

-We start to focus on doing the ministry instead of God.

-Serving is like being on the military frontline. For the frontline to hold, the ENTIRE frontline must hold.

-Each and every one of us is in the frontline.

-We move forward in the frontline when we grow.

-But sometimes, the going gets tough and it becomes a matter of digging in and holding on. – When we get discouraged and disillusioned.

-As we all honour God and keep to His Word, God will be faithful.

-Continue to do what’s right. Continue to be involved.

-FAITHFULNESS.

-Will we be faithful to FINISH what God has called us to do? To hold our part of the frontline that God has called us to hold?

-God will not test us beyond what we can bear.

-Be faithful.

-Do what God has called you to do!

-[1 Corinthians 10:13] – do you still choose to believe this verse when the going gets tough?

-Live it out. 1 Corinthians 10:13 will be proven true when we live it out.

 

Another verse I came across the other day, in relation to the point about sacrifice:

Psalm 4:5 – Offer right sacrifices and trust in the Lord.

 

-Li Yin (:

Labels: esermon

 

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