Nehemiah: Learning to Live From a God Who's Faithful
He's Coming. Get Ready!
February 16, 2020 • Murray Lee
If you were the author of Nehemiah, wouldn’t you want to end the story of great revival in chapter 12 and not 13? Chapter 12 is filled with the glorious revival of the people of God. And chapter 13 takes us back to cycles of sin. God, in his most wise counsel saw fit to include chapter 13, which makes us long for things to be made right: it makes us long for Jesus.
Joy: Taking off the Mask of Pretend to See Jesus
February 2, 2020 • Murray Lee
If the Christian’s proper response to God’s faithfulness is joy, how are we to be joyful? The people of Israel in Nehemiah 12 show us how we are to be joyful by painting one of the most beautiful worship services in all of Scripture. And in so doing tell us this very important truth that we must know: Joy is God-powered.
Not Just a List of Names
January 26, 2020 • Murray Lee
Nehemiah 11-12:27 is a long list of the names of people who repopulated Jerusalem. Since we believe that all Scripture is about Jesus, what do we learn from Nehemiah 11? God was faithful to fulfill his promises to bring an earthly people into the city of Jerusalem. He will one day show how this is a foretaste of his ultimate promise to bring a spiritual people into a holy city.
Who's the Hero?
January 19, 2020 • Murray Lee
The people of Israel in Nehemiah 10 provide a beautiful picture of resolving to obey God’s Word in the face of failure. The only problem is, they too will fail. What will God do to stop the coming judgment for disobedience? He will send his son as a Rescuer to stand in their and our place.
Joy
January 5, 2020 • Murray Lee
For the first time in generations the people of God hear from the Word of God as the curtain draws on Nehemiah 8. In the newly walled city they gather, 50,000 strong, to hear from God’s Word. As they hear it they learn one of the most important truths of Scripture: the joy of the Lord is your strength.
There is a King!
October 13, 2019 • Murray Lee
It’s easy to allow our fears to control the decisions that we make. Fears come in all shapes and sizes: relational or professional; internal or external. And the Devil desires to use those fears to cause us to lose faith in God. But God has defeated the Devil and has secured us through his faithfulness. Nehemiah 6 shows us how.
Trouble and Rescue
October 6, 2019 • Murray Lee
Life is hard. The Christian life is not characterized by going from victory to victory as if life with Christ means no more suffering. Nehemiah 5 shows us this in big ways. Not only is life hard, but we, like the people of Nehemiah 5 are in desperate need of a rescue. Jesus is that Rescuer.
The Greatest Construction Project Ever
September 22, 2019 • Murray Lee
At first glance, Nehemiah 3 is a long tedious list of people and projects. In reality, it is a beautiful description of the holiness, shared identity and giftedness of God’s people as he builds his church through all kinds of people he has redeemed in Jesus.
Great Things!
September 15, 2019 • Murray Lee
Nehemiah’s four-month prayer has led to this moment. King Artaxerxes knows Nehemiah is sad because Jerusalem is in ruins and asks Nehemiah what he wants. Nehemiah responds in saying that not only does he want the King’s resources to rescue the people of God, but he himself wants to go and be apart of the rescue plan. Sound familiar?
Seeing the Big Picture
September 8, 2019 • Murray Lee
The book of Nehemiah teaches us that God is faithful to accomplish his purposes even when all seems lost. In chapter one, Nehemiah receives news that the reconstruction project of the city and walls of Jerusalem is brought to an abrupt and violent halt. Without a city or walls, the people of Israel who’ve returned from exile are open to attack, and it seems as though the future of God’s people is in peril. How will God’s promises of bringing a Messiah out of the people of Israel come to pass if there is no more Israel? Nehemiah’s prayer teaches us what we need to know about ourselves and our God.