Synopsis: We are beginning our series on the mission of the church today by looking at the Bible’s big story. That story is best seen by turning to the end of the book to see how it all ends. Revelation 22 portrays heaven as a restored and enhanced Garden of Eden, complete with a river,…
Main Idea: Many books conclude with a “happily-ever-after” ending. Nehemiah is not one of those books. The very matters that seemed to have been settled by Israel’s covenant renewal back in chapter 10 have once again become problems. The matters Nehemiah confronts here are the same ones, broadly considered, that we still fight.
Main thought: Twice in Nehemiah 11, Jerusalem is referred to as the “holy city.” The walls have been rebuilt, but few people want to live there. This is all the more tragic because of the principle resident of the city, God. That’s what is meant by calling this city a holy city. So Jerusalem is…
David, the soon-to-be king of Israel, faces a test. How will he respond when his and his men’s wives and children are kidnapped and their homes and livestock are raided? David’s leadership helps us to see the fruit of honesty and action. But more than that, David points us to Jesus, and to His victory…
Nehemiah 9-10 describes a service of covenant renewal, which outlines how God’s people make a fresh start with God following a breach in that relationship. We will consider today what this might look like in our own day.
The walls of Jerusalem are now complete, and it is time to turn to the building of God’s people. It is the Word of God that builds up the people of God, and today’s passage highlights the two ways that happens: through the faithful preaching and the sincere receiving of God’s Word.
In our passage today, Peter does not question whether Christians will suffer for doing God’s will – that is certain. The real question is: will we suffer well?