AM I IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL?
NEHEMIAH – GOD’S MAN IN TIMES OF CRISIS
NEHEMIAH 12-13, LESSON # 10 of 10 – A Complete Lesson
· Tell me a story of a departed saint who was faithful.
· Crises reoccur and sometimes we fight the same battles again, as Nehemiah did.
· The important thing, through it all, is that I remain faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:2 – Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
· The question we need to ask ourselves is, “Am I in it for the Long Haul?”
In Nehemiah 12 we are told of the dedication of the walls of Jerusalem. In chapter 13 we learn of the deteriorating conditions that Nehemiah found and corrected after he had been away. In both of these chapters we find qualities that are true of a faithful Christian.
PRAISE – 12:27-43
· Vs. 27 – Why was the dedication of the wall such a time of great praise, singing and thanksgiving?
· What are some of the times in the life of a church when we, as a congregation, should be filled with praise, singing and thanksgiving?
· How will our personal habits of worship effect the entire congregation?
· Vss. 31-42 – Nehemiah formed two great companies on the wall that acted as choirs.
· Vs 43 – This turned out to be such a wonderful time of praise. Why do you think our worship of God is often listless?
· Let us consider our hearts and our reasons and responsibilities for praising God.
Psalm 100:1-5 – Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. [2] Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. [3] Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. [4] Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. [5] For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
Hebrews 13:15 – By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
PURITY – 12:30, 13:4-9
· Vs. 30 – Before the celebration, there was a purification that took place on the part of those involved.
· How will personal purity effect our personal worship and a worship service?
· How will personal examination and confession before a worship service help the mood of a service?
· Vs. 6 – Nehemiah was out of town for a while. He had gone back to serve the king for a period of time, before returning again to Jerusalem. How will the absence of strong spiritual leadership effect a church?
· Vss. 4-5 – While Nehemiah was gone, Tobiah, one of Israel’s enemies was allowed to move in.
· Notice that there was a price to pay for the presence of an enemy within the walls!
· What are some of the enemies that will move into our lives and/or the local church and affect our own purity and the purity of the church?
· Vss. 6-9 – What does Nehemiah’s solution of the problem teach us?
1 Corinthians 5:11 – But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
Proverbs 28:13 – He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
PROVISION – Vss. 10-13
· While Nehemiah was gone, giving had greatly decreased and many of the worship services had ceased. Part of the problem was evidently due to dishonest leadership.
· Nehemiah reinstated the worship, the worship leaders, and the tithes. He also appointed responsible people to handle the money.
· Why is giving important to a local church?
· Why is integrity in the use of funds important to a local church?
· Each one of us is responsible to give.
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 – But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. [7] Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
PAUSE – Vss. 15-22
· While Nehemiah was gone many people failed to pause for the Sabbath. They were working, buying, and selling as if it was any day of the week. Nehemiah put a quick stop to it.
· How has Sunday changed since you were a kid?
· If Sunday is “the Lord’s Day”, how do you think it should be spent?
PARTNERSHIP – Vss. 23-29
· There had been much intermarriage among the Jews. Why was Nehemiah so upset?
· What are the disadvantages of not being married to a Christian or to a Christian who is not very committed?
PRIZE – Vss. 14, 30-31
· Nehemiah wanted God to remember him and the work that he had done. What would you tell Nehemiah about God’s reward system?
1 Corinthians 4:5 – Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
2 Corinthians 5:10 – For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
2 Timothy 4:7-8 – I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: [8] Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.