This message begins a new series, Rise and Rebuild, based on applications to our life journey from the biblical book of Nehemiah. Pastor Tammy Long shared her recent spiritual pilgrimage through Spain. It was modeled on St. Ignatius’ journey when he developed spiritual exercises. These spiritual exercises include imaginative prayer, recognizing God in both the highs and lows of your day, and God’s grace is all you need. In the evening at the hotel, the breaking news on TV was Iran’s military attacks on Israel, and the US military assisted in shooting down missiles and drones. The Bible is clear that there will be wars and rumors of wars (See Matthew 24:6, Mark 13:7). We live in a fallen and broken world. In our world of media and round the clock reporting, we are inundated with brokenness, pain, and suffering. Our minds can struggle to take in distressing events and can lead to a decrease in empathy and sensitivity towards the pain and suffering of others. We can experience compassion fatigue in which continuous negative news can diminish our capacity to empathize. Also we may experience psychic numbing in which the scale of suffering is too much. We may experience a reduced sense of urgency to respond to crisis that we see because we are numb to it. We can also experience desensitization from prolonged exposure to violent media content. Desensitization decreases our emotional response to violence and lessens our perception of the severity of a problem. Faced with brokenness and injustice all around us, like Nehemiah, you and I can take it to God for help. Nehemiah deliberately sought and listened with the following four prayer movements in Nehemiah 1:1-11. First, Nehemiah recounts that God is great and awesome with unfailing covenant love (Verses 5-6a). Second, Nehemiah acknowledges in humility and confession that he has sinned, fallen short, contributed to the brokenness being experienced, and allowed God’s grace of forgiveness to cleanse him, you, and me (Verses 6b-7). Third, as Nehemiah recalls God’s promises, we align with God’s Word, we are reminded of our part for focus and commitment, and God’s promises are sure amidst brokenness, pain, and suffering because God can be trusted (Verses 8-10). Fourth, Nehemiah makes his request to God and responds to God’s leading. God positioned Nehemiah to respond to broken walls all around from people who are not doing well (Verse 11). Nehemiah’s prayer is a model for us today.
Rise & Rebuild
April 21, 2024 • Pastor Tammy Long • Nehemiah 1:11
Rise & Rebuild: Two Questions. So What? Now What?
June 2, 2024 • Pastor Tammy Long • Nehemiah 2:17–18
Sermon Quick Summary For the past few weeks, we have been in the Old Testament book of Nehemiah. The theme has been repairing broken walls in our world, such as systemic injustice and inequalities, broken relationships, broken emotional, physical, mental or spiritual health, and broken financial realities. The list of brokenness in our world is endless. Brokenness can cause us to grieve, mourn, pray, and celebrate spiritual renewal as we listen for how God would have us repair and restore what is broken. Two lingering questions for us today are the following: (1) So what does this all mean for us? (2) What would God have us to do next? Three people shared personal testimonies about how they felt God leading them to respond to broken walls in their personal lives. Then the mission team who went to Atlanta shared how they saw God at work and the call to repair broken walls like Nehemiah in our partnership with New Life Covenant Church. This partnership follows the declaration of Jesus when he declared in Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to set the oppressed free.”
Rise & Rebuild: Celebrations for Spiritual Renewal
May 26, 2024 • Reverend Harry Cox • Nehemiah 8
We are continuing our mini-series, “Rise and Rebuild.” Wherever there is brokenness, including broken systems, relationships, or communities in this world, there is a need for repair and healing. Pastor Tammy Long has delivered three messages covering Nehemiah Chapters 1 through 4 in this Rise and Rebuild miniseries. Nehemiah was deeply troubled by the literal broken walls around Jerusalem, which left his people vulnerable, unprotected, and in disgrace. Brokenness in the fallen world needing repair and healing includes broken systems, relationships, or communities. He went to God in prayer with fasting and mourning. God gave him a vision. Nehemiah assessed the situation and mobilized the diverse community. Nehemiah faced opposition and internal struggles like fatigue and fear. Continual prayer and action in support of the vision got Nehemiah through it. This message in the Rise and Rebuild miniseries is focused on Nehemiah Chapter 8. As recorded in Nehemiah 6:15-16, rebuilding the wall was finished and perceived by all as accomplished with the help of God. Nehemiah continued to mobilize the community guided by the vision from God. Here is a summary of 7 applications to our lives today of Nehemiah Chapter 8 that this message will explore. (1) Reading or hearing God’s Word with explanations to ensure understanding can be convicting with feelings of falling short. (2)Careful examination of God’s Word leads to obedience. (3) We may then engage in self-remorse or cry, but instead, God wants us to celebrate. (4) God directs us to spiritual renewal in our celebration. (5) Celebrations can be spiritual renewals if we have God as part of our celebrations. (6) The spiritual renewal will point out, transform us, and remind us about the attributes of God and what God has done to bless us, our ancestors, and God’s people. (7) The Hebrew language words convey truths that point to the Good News Gospel of Christ. These words in the Hebrew of the Old Testament facilitate obedient celebrations of the right relationship with God both for the Israelites in 845 BC and for us today. The Israelite's use of the Hebrew words translated town, people, water, scribe, priest, bless, amen, hand, holy, and strength in Nehemiah 8 facilitate obedience in embracing celebration for spiritual renewal in the joy of relationship with God. These are words celebrating the joy of God’s mercy and forgiveness as we remember what God has done for us, our ancestors, and God’s people. This is not self-absorbed condemnation based on our falling short, but joy in celebrating and trusting in Jesus Christ. Let each of us read and hear the Word of God, pray, and teach for understanding just as Ezra and the Jewish leaders did. Let’s worship God with joy because when we hear the Word of God and obey, we are truly living and experiencing spiritual renewal.
Rise & Rebuild: Fighting Opposition
May 19, 2024 • Pastor Tammy Long • Nehemiah 4
We are continuing our mini-series, “Rise and Rebuild” based on the model of Nehemiah rebuilding. Today, we celebrate Pentecost Sunday as we remember that the Holy Spirit did come as God’s presence within us that never leaves us. Nehemiah preceded the coming of the Holy Spirit, but he did know about the faithfulness of God. God placed on the heart of Nehemiah to rebuild broken areas in this world in need of healing and restoration, including broken systems, relationships, or communities. Nehemiah faced opposition like we face when doing great work for the Lord from the forces of evil in this fallen world. There is a spiritual battle waging that we may feel through circumstances, people, systems, attitudes, or mentalities.