Rebuilding Jerusalem: Faithfulness, Worship, and Community Service
Summary
### Summary
Today, we continued our series on Nehemiah, focusing on chapters 11 and 12. Nehemiah's story is a powerful testament to God's faithfulness and the importance of worship. Nehemiah, a cupbearer to the Persian king, was heartbroken over the desolation of Jerusalem and the cessation of worship at the temple. Through God's providence, he was able to return to Jerusalem and lead the rebuilding of the city's walls in just 52 days, despite facing significant opposition. This monumental task was a collective effort, involving everyone from perfumers to priests, each playing a crucial role.
The people of Israel, having recommitted themselves to God, were called to live in Jerusalem, a city that still faced many challenges. Living in Jerusalem meant putting a target on their backs, as cities were prime targets for enemy attacks. Yet, Nehemiah called for a tithe of the people to populate the city, ensuring that the worship of God could be reinstated at the temple. This required priests, Levites, singers, and many others to maintain the temple and its services.
The dedication of the wall was a significant event, marked by great joy and celebration. The people rejoiced in God's faithfulness, recognizing that every good and perfect gift comes from Him. They dedicated themselves and their material possessions to God, understanding that everything they had was from Him. This dedication was not just about the physical structures but about the people themselves, who were now consecrated to God.
We also reflected on the importance of serving within our church community. Just as it took many people to rebuild Jerusalem and maintain the temple, it takes many hands to keep our church running smoothly. From pastors and worship leaders to security teams and coffee makers, everyone has a role to play. Serving is an act of worship, a way to grow in Christ-likeness and contribute to the body of Christ.
Finally, we dedicated our church building to the Lord, recognizing it as a place where His presence dwells and His people gather to worship. This dedication is a reminder that our service and worship extend beyond the walls of the church, impacting our homes, workplaces, and communities.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Faithfulness in Adversity: Nehemiah's story is a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness even in the face of adversity. Despite the opposition and challenges, the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt in just 52 days. This miraculous feat underscores that when we commit our plans to God and take action, He provides the strength and resources needed to accomplish His will. [02:54]
2. The Importance of Worship: The heart of Nehemiah's mission was to restore the worship of God in Jerusalem. The people of Israel had to recommit themselves to God, not just physically by returning to Jerusalem, but spiritually by renewing their covenant with Him. Worship is central to our relationship with God, and it requires both personal and communal dedication. [05:40]
3. Sacrificial Living: Living in Jerusalem was not an easy choice; it meant leaving behind established homes and facing potential danger. Yet, Nehemiah called for a tithe of the people to populate the city, emphasizing the need for sacrificial living for the sake of God's plan. This teaches us that following God often requires sacrifices, but these sacrifices are part of His greater purpose. [10:46]
4. Collective Effort in Ministry: The rebuilding of Jerusalem and the maintenance of the temple required a collective effort. Everyone, from priests to perfumers, had a role to play. Similarly, our church community thrives when everyone contributes their gifts and talents. Serving in the church is an act of worship and a way to grow in Christ-likeness. [27:24]
5. Dedication and Consecration: The dedication of the wall and the temple was a significant event marked by joy and celebration. It was a reminder that everything we have is from God and should be dedicated to Him. This dedication extends beyond physical structures to our very lives, calling us to live consecrated lives that reflect God's glory in all we do. [20:19]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:39] - Historical Context of Nehemiah
[02:54] - Nehemiah's Heartbreak and Mission
[04:16] - Rebuilding Amidst Opposition
[05:40] - Recommitting to Worship
[07:00] - Mourning Over Sin
[08:13] - The Covenant with God
[09:22] - Challenges of Living in Jerusalem
[10:46] - Sacrificial Living
[12:05] - Roles in Rebuilding and Worship
[13:54] - Dedication of the Wall
[16:12] - Rejoicing in God's Faithfulness
[17:43] - Supporting the Ministry
[19:17] - Experiencing God's Presence
[20:19] - Everything We Have is From God
[21:38] - Invitation to Know God
[23:01] - The Gospel Message
[25:00] - Living as God's People
[27:24] - Collective Effort in Ministry
[31:18] - Answering God's Call to Serve
[33:02] - Encouragement to Serve
[34:23] - Dedication of the Church Building
[40:55] - Responsive Prayer
[44:41] - Closing Remarks and Worship
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Nehemiah 11:1-2 (ESV)
> "Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem. And the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while nine out of ten remained in the other towns. And the people blessed all the men who willingly offered to live in Jerusalem."
2. Nehemiah 12:27-43 (ESV)
> "And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, they sought the Levites in all their places to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with gladness, with thanksgiving and with singing, with cymbals, harps, and lyres... And they offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy. The women and children also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away."
3. James 1:17 (ESV)
> "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Nehemiah's primary concern when he heard about the state of Jerusalem? ([02:54])
2. How did the people of Israel respond to the call to live in Jerusalem, and what method was used to determine who would live there? ([09:22])
3. Describe the atmosphere and activities during the dedication of the wall in Nehemiah 12:27-43.
4. According to the sermon, what roles were necessary to maintain the temple and its services? ([12:05])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why was it significant that Nehemiah placed a trumpeter next to him during the rebuilding of the wall? What does this tell us about his leadership and trust in God? ([02:54])
2. How does the sacrificial living of the Israelites, who moved to Jerusalem, reflect the broader theme of commitment to God's plan? ([10:46])
3. In what ways does the collective effort in rebuilding Jerusalem mirror the collective effort needed in church ministry today? ([27:24])
4. How does the dedication of the wall and the temple in Nehemiah 12:27-43 serve as a model for dedicating our own lives and possessions to God?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced significant opposition or challenges. How did you see God's faithfulness during that period? ([02:54])
2. Worship was central to Nehemiah's mission. How can you make worship a more integral part of your daily life, both personally and communally? ([05:40])
3. Nehemiah called for a tithe of the people to live in Jerusalem, which required sacrificial living. What is one area in your life where God might be calling you to make a sacrifice for His greater purpose? ([10:46])
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of serving within the church community. Identify one specific way you can contribute your gifts and talents to your church. ([27:24])
5. The dedication of the wall was marked by great joy and celebration. How can you cultivate a spirit of joy and gratitude in your service to God and others? ([16:59])
6. The people of Israel dedicated their material possessions to God. What is one material possession or resource you can dedicate to God's service this week? ([20:19])
7. The sermon mentioned that everything we have is from God. How can this perspective change the way you view and use your time, talents, and treasures? ([20:19])
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting God's Faithfulness in Adversity
Nehemiah's story is a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness even in the face of adversity. Despite the opposition and challenges, the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt in just 52 days. This miraculous feat underscores that when we commit our plans to God and take action, He provides the strength and resources needed to accomplish His will. Nehemiah's heartbreak over the desolation of Jerusalem and the cessation of worship at the temple led him to take bold steps, trusting in God's providence. His leadership and the collective effort of the people demonstrate that God's faithfulness is evident when we step out in faith and work together for His purposes. [02:54]
Nehemiah 2:17-18 (ESV): "Then I said to them, 'You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.' And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, 'Let us rise up and build.' So they strengthened their hands for the good work."
Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you commit this situation to God and trust in His faithfulness to provide the strength and resources you need?
Day 2: Recommitting to Worship
The heart of Nehemiah's mission was to restore the worship of God in Jerusalem. The people of Israel had to recommit themselves to God, not just physically by returning to Jerusalem, but spiritually by renewing their covenant with Him. Worship is central to our relationship with God, and it requires both personal and communal dedication. The dedication of the wall was marked by great joy and celebration, as the people recognized God's faithfulness and recommitted their lives and possessions to Him. This act of worship was not just about the physical structures but about the people themselves, who were now consecrated to God. [05:40]
Nehemiah 12:27 (ESV): "And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites in all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with gladness, with thanksgivings and with singing, with cymbals, harps, and lyres."
Reflection: Reflect on your personal and communal worship practices. How can you renew your commitment to worship God both individually and within your church community?
Day 3: Embracing Sacrificial Living
Living in Jerusalem was not an easy choice; it meant leaving behind established homes and facing potential danger. Yet, Nehemiah called for a tithe of the people to populate the city, emphasizing the need for sacrificial living for the sake of God's plan. This teaches us that following God often requires sacrifices, but these sacrifices are part of His greater purpose. The people who chose to live in Jerusalem did so out of a commitment to God's plan, understanding that their sacrifices were necessary for the restoration of worship and the fulfillment of God's promises. [10:46]
Nehemiah 11:1-2 (ESV): "Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem. And the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem the holy city, while nine out of ten remained in the other towns. And the people blessed all the men who willingly offered to live in Jerusalem."
Reflection: Consider an area of your life where God may be calling you to make a sacrifice. What steps can you take today to embrace this call and trust in His greater purpose?
Day 4: Collective Effort in Ministry
The rebuilding of Jerusalem and the maintenance of the temple required a collective effort. Everyone, from priests to perfumers, had a role to play. Similarly, our church community thrives when everyone contributes their gifts and talents. Serving in the church is an act of worship and a way to grow in Christ-likeness. Just as it took many hands to rebuild Jerusalem, it takes a diverse group of people working together to support the ministry and mission of the church. Each person's contribution, no matter how small, is valuable and essential to the health and growth of the church community. [27:24]
1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (ESV): "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many."
Reflection: Identify a specific way you can use your gifts and talents to serve within your church community. How can you take action this week to contribute to the collective effort of your church?
Day 5: Dedication and Consecration
The dedication of the wall and the temple was a significant event marked by joy and celebration. It was a reminder that everything we have is from God and should be dedicated to Him. This dedication extends beyond physical structures to our very lives, calling us to live consecrated lives that reflect God's glory in all we do. The people of Israel recognized that their material possessions and their very lives were gifts from God, and they responded with gratitude and dedication. This act of consecration is a call for us to examine our own lives and consider how we can dedicate ourselves and our resources to God's service. [20:19]
Romans 12:1 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."
Reflection: Reflect on how you can dedicate your life and resources to God. What practical steps can you take today to live a consecrated life that reflects His glory in all you do?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We get to worship God this morning. We don't have to. We get to. And then the people gave so that the ministry at the temple could happen." [17:43] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "There is a God who loves every single one of you. And I know that every single one of us has sinned and fallen short of God's standard. There's not one of us in this room that can say we're perfect. We've all messed up. We've all sinned against God." [22:23] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If we believe in our heart that Jesus is Lord and confess with our mouths that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. I know that. You believe Jesus is who he says he is, that he's the son of God, and that he did what he said he did, that he died on the cross to pay for your sins and my sins, and he rose from the dead on the third day, and he lives forevermore. You believe that, you will be saved." [23:01] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We don't want God to be fair. We want God to be gracious. We want God to be merciful. And he showed it to the people of Israel by bringing them home, by helping them rebuild the temple, by his presence dwelling with them and rebuilding that wall. And now it was time to dedicate themselves, dedicate the wall, to God and say, this is God's place." [24:09] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "How long has it been since you knew the presence of God? That you knew God. You knew you were walking with God. Some here today may have never walked with God. You're here and you're skeptical about the whole God thing. Maybe you have questions about God and how he works. Man, I pray you've heard a little bit of that as I've talked about Nehemiah this morning." [21:38] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Nehemiah was always about God's faithfulness. He was always about the faithfulness of God. And his goal was to restart the worship of God at Jerusalem. And so though the enemy had come, though the enemy had desired to overtake him and the people, he didn't let it happen. He wouldn't let the people. There was enemies inside saying, oh, we don't want to do this. There's people outside ridiculing him. Nehemiah kept going to the Lord and kept on mission with God." [05:40] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Everything we have, everything we have, I want you to get it this morning. Everything we have is from the Lord. That breath you just took, that heartbeat you just had, that's from God. You don't control it. You can't sit here and go, okay, beat, beat, beat, beat, beat, beat. You know, you don't control. God gives it to you. It's from God. It's from God." [20:19] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We learn Christ-likeness as we serve. For those of us that aren't serving, I wanna say, and I wanna ask you this morning, get in the game. Stop sitting on the sidelines. Get off the bench, get in the game. We're gonna be talking about joining the team here in the month of August. We're gonna present all kinds of opportunities that you can serve here at the River Church. It's time to join up, it's time to get off the bench. It's time to get in the game." [33:02] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We witness God doing great and mighty things. And so may what is said and done in these walls make a difference tomorrow. Make a difference later on this week in our homes, at our workplaces, because we carry the name of Jesus with us. Because it's not just this place that's dedicated. It's us that are dedicated. We're consecrated. It's more than just a religion. This isn't religion. I hate that word. Because we serve a living God, a risen Savior that loves every person and wants us to go and love our neighbors like we love ourselves." [46:45] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "They were rejoicing that they were saved from their enemies. They were rejoicing that the city had been secured. They were rejoicing that the wall had been built in 52 days. They were rejoicing that they had been brought home. They were rejoicing that God was in their midst. And that they were consecrated before him. Then celebration began in verse 31. They actually walked the wall with great choirs that gave thanks. And I love in verse 43 that last line that says, And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away." [16:12] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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