Nehemiah 12:44 to 13:31 Being a church that seeks to be ‘inclusive’, this passage presents some difficulty! We need to remember Jesus is the “friend of sinners” and the Gospel brings outsiders in. That said, Nehemiah’s final reforms point again to the need for vigilance as God’s people. It is so easy to let our […]
Nehemiah 11:1 to 12:43 Some people relocate in order for Jerusalem to flourish. It’s quite a step (!) and underlines the city’s central role in shaping national identity, focussing worship and guiding how the people live. The newly-rebuilt wall is dedicated as part of worship that’s carefully planned and everyone joins in wholeheartedly (cf. 12.43). […]
Nehemiah 9:1 to 10:39 The focus on who the people are called to be continues. They’re reminded about what God has done in the past, His faithfulness and father-like care. Sadly, the people have been wayward and suffered the consequences. Their response is to make a covenant and re-dedicate themselves to the Lord’s service. This […]
Nehemiah 8:1-18. Christians often quote Proverbs 29.18 from KJV: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” in connection with strategy or planning. However, modern translations render the word vision’ as ‘guidance’, ‘revelation’ or ‘prophecy’. It is in remembering who they are that the people will live as they should. Ezra plays a key role […]
Nehemiah 6:15 to 7:73 The completion of the wall is a cause of celebration. (It’s important to celebrate our achievements and thank God for His guidance, help etc.) However, there is still a lot of work to be done and Nehemiah turns his attention to the community’s spiritual, social and economic development. Again, he offers […]
Nehemiah 5:1-19. Playing our part in God’s service means looking out for the needs of others – especially those who are weaker, more vulnerable etc. If we are to be effective as a church then it’s crucial that this is understood and acted on. Paul’s letters underline this time and again – cf. image of […]
Nehemiah 4: 1-23 and 6: 1-14 How do we deal with opposition? Does it come as a surprise? If so, it shouldn’t! (Cf. Jesus’ warnings, e.g. Mt. 10.17f.) But how do we identify opposition? It isn’t always obvious or ‘out there’. Sometimes we hear the kind of thing Nehemiah’s builders did inside our own heads! Thinking […]
Nehemiah 3:1-32. Nehemiah calls the people to work and delegates tasks appropriate to their gifts, skills and experience. There are links here with the New Testament image of the Body of Christ, gifts of the Spirit etc. One of the themes that emerges is that serving God is a wonderful privilege but it is also […]
Nehemiah 2: 1-20. Nehemiah didn’t go into this major task lightly and neither should we when God calls us to undertake a particular task. (Cf. Jesus’ challenge to would-be disciples.) What are the risks involved in saying that we’ll serve God? Are we prepared to put ourselves out for a greater purpose? Are we prepared […]
Start of a series entitled – Open to God through serving. Based on the book of Nehemiah. Nehemiah 1: 1-11. Sometimes it’s a big challenge to serve the Lord right where we are and/ or in the place we come from. Yet a vital part of our witness means identifying ourselves with those to whom […]