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Nehemiah 2:17-10
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can also download our service at Baptist-Christian at iTunes. The journey to true spiritual revival is neither easy nor quick! Both the journey and true spiritual revival demand a life consecrated to God. We think because we are saved, eternally, sin is “collateral damage” that God expects and accepts. Nehemiah forces us to open our eyes to that heresy and remember that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses watching us all the time. In our trek from a dream to our goal we must travel in reality.
- REALITY MUST BE TRUTH! Both reality and truth are the foundation for faith and zeal for God. The reality and truth for Nehemiah was that Jerusalem was ruined and was a reproach to the people. There is the first lesson! We must get to the point where the rubble and ruin in our spiritual lives is a reproach to us! Furthermore, Jerusalem was the city God built. Israel’s enemies were asking, “Where’s your Mighty God now? Your Protector seems to have gone away, abandoning you?” The people of God lived in squalor and ruin. Now, to foreign nations God was just like their gods, only not as strong! Not a pretty picture of Elohim’s care was it? That was their reality! Nehemiah understood that the truth and reality was – God owned the land; He cleared it, He cleaned it, He built all that was Israel’s. His sovereign hand directed them into the land and established Jerusalem as the center of worship. The other part of truth and reality is that after all that God had done for Israel, they thought so much of it, they destroyed it in their rebellion and sin. Their blessing made them arrogant. The one undeniable truth that became reality to them was – “God is not mocked.” Fast forward 4,000 years. Are we so much different now? Notice also
- REBUILDING REKINDLED HOPE! God came to Nehemiah privately with the “dream” of rebuilding the wall. Only after much prayer and thought did Nehemiah begin to share the idea. When God comes to us inviting us to move forward in our spiritual life, He comes privately to us so we can prepare to work! At just the right time, God prompts us to share with other Godly individuals who will pray for wisdom and guidance with and for us. Why? Because God knows spiritual rebuilding demands help from spiritual Christians. We are going to need help alone the way, and only spiritual Christians can provide the right help. True spiritual rebuilding happens only when there is harmony between God’s purpose and our desire. We learn that it’s all about Him, not us! True spiritual rebuilding happens only in the hearts of spiritual people driven by spiritual motives, accomplished through spiritual strength. Romans 8 explains why! Finally, spiritual rebuilding is deaf to mocking and ridicule (verse 19). In this 21st Century Christians cannot be satisfied because they have cleared a little, comfortable place to live while the Body of Christ lives in ruins and rubble. The whole Body will become clean only when each individual part gets on its knees and begs God to help them see the reality and truth of their own spiritual self. Now is the time for rebuilding!
If we can help you with your spiritual questions call us at (574) 634-9419.
