WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.780 Well, good morning, church. 00:00:02.879 --> 00:00:05.980 Our sermon text today is Nehemiah chapter 6. 00:00:06.700 --> 00:00:09.720 That's page 373 in the Pew Bible. 00:00:10.359 --> 00:00:11.380 Go ahead and turn there with me. 00:00:11.439 --> 00:00:13.540 We'll be looking at that passage together today. 00:00:15.720 --> 00:00:19.480 Nehemiah chapter 6, page 373. 00:00:21.900 --> 00:00:26.320 Let me just mention before we get started that there's water in the back, or at least 00:00:26.320 --> 00:00:27.280 there was water in the back. 00:00:27.280 --> 00:00:29.400 If you need a drink, there's a water fountain out in the foyer. 00:00:31.000 --> 00:00:34.119 Downstairs also is an overflow space. 00:00:34.780 --> 00:00:37.640 The secret is it's a little cooler down there. 00:00:38.640 --> 00:00:42.640 So if it's just getting a little hot, feel free to go downstairs. 00:00:42.859 --> 00:00:46.200 You can still follow along with the video and the audio downstairs. 00:00:46.340 --> 00:00:46.899 It's a little cooler. 00:00:48.420 --> 00:00:52.620 Well, let me pray for us as we come to God's word, and then I'll read the text for us. 00:00:53.500 --> 00:00:54.100 Let's pray. 00:00:54.100 --> 00:01:00.500 Oh, Father, we've just sung that you would be our vision. 00:01:00.939 --> 00:01:03.160 You would be the heart of our hearts. 00:01:03.359 --> 00:01:07.780 You would be the target towards which we aim. 00:01:08.099 --> 00:01:11.299 You would be the goal, the end of all that we do. 00:01:11.299 --> 00:01:21.439 God, thank you that you give yourself to us, that you reveal yourself to us, that you allow 00:01:21.439 --> 00:01:24.239 yourself to be known and to be loved. 00:01:24.239 --> 00:01:34.039 And so you draw us up out of our sin and our selfishness and our concern with mere passing 00:01:34.039 --> 00:01:40.140 things to find our hope and our delight and our home in you, the eternal God. 00:01:40.140 --> 00:01:48.739 Lord, would you please bless the reading and the preaching of your word this morning so 00:01:48.739 --> 00:01:51.159 that you would be our vision above all. 00:01:51.980 --> 00:01:53.480 We ask this in Jesus' name. 00:01:53.680 --> 00:01:53.900 Amen. 00:01:55.739 --> 00:01:57.340 So, Nehemiah chapter 6. 00:01:58.420 --> 00:02:04.079 Now, when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that 00:02:04.079 --> 00:02:09.719 I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it, although up to that time 00:02:09.719 --> 00:02:16.300 I had not set up the doors and the gates, Sanballat and Geshem sent to me saying, come, let us 00:02:16.300 --> 00:02:19.060 meet together at Hakafarim in the plain of Ono. 00:02:20.219 --> 00:02:22.520 But they intended to do me harm. 00:02:23.599 --> 00:02:28.079 And I sent messengers to them saying, I'm doing a great work and I cannot come down. 00:02:28.400 --> 00:02:31.819 Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you? 00:02:32.539 --> 00:02:36.479 And they sent to me four times in this way and I answered them in the same manner. 00:02:36.479 --> 00:02:41.539 In the same way, Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter 00:02:41.539 --> 00:02:45.899 in his hand and it was written, it is reported among the nations. 00:02:46.579 --> 00:02:51.419 And Geshem also says it, that you and the Jews intend to rebel. 00:02:51.939 --> 00:02:53.439 That is why you are building the wall. 00:02:54.500 --> 00:02:58.539 And according to these reports, you wish to become their king. 00:02:58.539 --> 00:03:03.799 And you have also set up prophets to proclaim concerning you in Jerusalem, there is a king 00:03:03.799 --> 00:03:04.259 in Judah. 00:03:05.299 --> 00:03:08.280 And now the king will hear of these reports. 00:03:09.120 --> 00:03:11.840 So now come and let us take counsel together. 00:03:13.259 --> 00:03:18.419 Then I sent to him saying, no such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing 00:03:18.419 --> 00:03:19.759 them out of your own mind. 00:03:20.479 --> 00:03:25.560 For they all wanted to frighten us thinking their hands will drop from the work and it will 00:03:25.560 --> 00:03:26.219 not be done. 00:03:26.960 --> 00:03:29.659 But now, O God, strengthen my hands. 00:03:31.460 --> 00:03:36.120 Now, when I went into the house of Shemaiah, the son of Deliah, son of Mehetabel, who was 00:03:36.120 --> 00:03:41.159 confined to his home, he said, let us meet together in the house of God within the temple. 00:03:41.699 --> 00:03:44.539 Let us close the doors of the temple, for they're coming to kill you. 00:03:44.920 --> 00:03:46.340 They're coming to kill you by night. 00:03:47.340 --> 00:03:51.300 But I said, should such a man as I run away? 00:03:51.300 --> 00:03:55.500 And what man such as I could go into the temple and live? 00:03:56.060 --> 00:03:57.180 I will not go in. 00:03:58.140 --> 00:04:03.580 And I understood and saw that God had not sent him, but he had pronounced the prophecy against 00:04:03.580 --> 00:04:06.320 me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 00:04:07.040 --> 00:04:11.960 For this purpose he was hired, that I should be afraid and act in this way and sin, and so 00:04:11.960 --> 00:04:14.700 they could give me a bad name in order to taunt me. 00:04:14.699 --> 00:04:21.779 Remember Sanballat and Tobiah, O my God, according to these things that they did, and also the 00:04:21.779 --> 00:04:25.360 prophetess Noah-Diah and the rest of the prophets who wanted to make me afraid. 00:04:26.879 --> 00:04:32.439 So the wall was finished on the 25th day of the month of Elul in 52 days. 00:04:33.240 --> 00:04:37.060 And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and felt greatly 00:04:37.060 --> 00:04:41.099 in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help 00:04:41.099 --> 00:04:42.379 of our God. 00:04:42.379 --> 00:04:49.399 Moreover, in those days, the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah's 00:04:49.399 --> 00:04:50.279 letters came to them. 00:04:50.899 --> 00:04:55.839 For many in Judah were bound by oath to him, because he was the son-in-law of Shekaniah, 00:04:55.939 --> 00:05:00.719 the son of Ere, and his son Jehohanan had taken the daughter of Meshulam, the son of Barakai, 00:05:00.819 --> 00:05:01.439 as his wife. 00:05:02.459 --> 00:05:09.319 Also, they spoke of his good deeds in my presence and reported my words to him, and Tobiah sent 00:05:09.319 --> 00:05:11.839 letters to make me afraid. 00:05:12.379 --> 00:05:21.399 Well, sometimes the opposition just won't quit. 00:05:21.399 --> 00:05:26.099 Remember, the year is 445 BC. 00:05:26.979 --> 00:05:32.099 Nehemiah has arrived in Jerusalem from Susa, the capital of the Persian Empire, to rebuild 00:05:32.099 --> 00:05:36.839 the city walls of Jerusalem and to restore the honor of the city and of the people. 00:05:37.659 --> 00:05:41.479 And as chapter 6 opens, you see there that the work is actually almost done. 00:05:41.799 --> 00:05:42.919 You see that in verse 1. 00:05:42.920 --> 00:05:48.120 Everything is finished except for the setting up of the doors and the gates. 00:05:49.120 --> 00:05:56.480 But just as Nehemiah is about to cross the finish line, the enemies of the project just 00:05:56.480 --> 00:05:58.439 won't quit. 00:05:58.439 --> 00:06:05.139 You remember back in chapter 4 that they came against the people as a whole with taunts and 00:06:05.139 --> 00:06:05.540 threats. 00:06:05.699 --> 00:06:08.199 But here, it gets personal. 00:06:09.459 --> 00:06:11.800 Now, they're after Nehemiah himself. 00:06:12.540 --> 00:06:14.420 And it gets deceptive. 00:06:15.079 --> 00:06:18.019 The conspiracies start coming from every angle, don't they? 00:06:18.019 --> 00:06:20.279 It's political in verses 1 through 9. 00:06:20.839 --> 00:06:23.079 It's religious in verses 10 through 14. 00:06:23.560 --> 00:06:25.839 It's social in verses 17 through 19. 00:06:26.859 --> 00:06:33.819 And in each scheme against Nehemiah, the overarching aim is to make him afraid. 00:06:35.819 --> 00:06:38.240 In verse 9, they want to frighten me. 00:06:38.879 --> 00:06:41.079 Verses 10 and 14, that I should be afraid. 00:06:41.079 --> 00:06:44.339 Verse 19, Tobiah sent letters to make me afraid. 00:06:45.099 --> 00:06:52.099 Because if they could frighten Nehemiah, then he would stop the work on the wall and maybe 00:06:52.099 --> 00:06:57.839 even do something sinful or shameful out of fear, which would then give his enemies ammunition 00:06:57.839 --> 00:07:02.259 to ridicule him and taunt him and ruin his reputation in the eyes of the people. 00:07:02.259 --> 00:07:12.699 Fear, you see, is one of our spiritual enemy's greatest weapons. 00:07:14.300 --> 00:07:23.120 In Nehemiah's day and in our own, the world would love to make us afraid and get us to 00:07:23.120 --> 00:07:26.120 give up our allegiance to Christ and go against his word. 00:07:28.699 --> 00:07:30.620 Take a look at verses 10 through 14. 00:07:30.620 --> 00:07:33.399 There, it was physical fears, right? 00:07:33.980 --> 00:07:36.100 They're coming to kill you, Nehemiah. 00:07:38.100 --> 00:07:42.579 Now, many Christians around the world today do face physical intimidation. 00:07:44.360 --> 00:07:48.199 In verses 1 through 9, it's professional fears. 00:07:49.120 --> 00:07:52.920 You better come meet with us, Nehemiah, or we're going to tell the king of Persia that 00:07:52.920 --> 00:07:53.840 you're planning a rebellion. 00:07:54.079 --> 00:08:00.560 Now, there's no faster way to lose your job as a governor in the Persian Empire, which is 00:08:00.560 --> 00:08:03.060 what Nehemiah was, than to be charged with treason. 00:08:06.339 --> 00:08:09.620 But we can face professional fears today, can't we? 00:08:11.060 --> 00:08:18.579 Will my allegiance to Christ put my work, my job, my profession in jeopardy? 00:08:19.840 --> 00:08:22.160 Will I be overlooked for that promotion? 00:08:22.680 --> 00:08:24.480 Will I lose out on that big client? 00:08:24.480 --> 00:08:31.960 Will I be 00:08:31.960 --> 00:08:37.000 Nehemiah's enemies, Tobiah, has apparently married into the noble upper classes of Judah. 00:08:37.840 --> 00:08:41.820 And so, from that position of sort of social leverage, he can pull all sorts of strings 00:08:41.820 --> 00:08:45.860 and call in all sorts of favors and make Nehemiah's life pretty miserable. 00:08:45.860 --> 00:08:53.220 I think social fears may be the most prevalent for us here in our setting. 00:08:54.419 --> 00:09:02.399 What will my neighbors, my friends, my family think of me if they know I've become a Christian? 00:09:04.600 --> 00:09:12.120 Will I always be on the outside, always ridiculed, always excluded, always lonely? 00:09:12.120 --> 00:09:16.720 How about you this morning, friend? 00:09:17.919 --> 00:09:23.919 What ongoing fears are you experiencing from the world where God has placed you? 00:09:29.600 --> 00:09:34.759 And Nehemiah, throughout this chapter, through the ongoing conspiracies and plots, 00:09:37.039 --> 00:09:41.200 amazingly, he doesn't give up and he doesn't give in. 00:09:42.120 --> 00:09:46.960 In fact, in the face of all that, he shows incredible wisdom, incredible courage, and 00:09:46.960 --> 00:09:47.980 incredible endurance. 00:09:51.039 --> 00:09:51.919 How about us? 00:09:53.139 --> 00:09:57.860 How can we have that same sort of wisdom and courage and endurance today? 00:10:01.419 --> 00:10:05.679 Well, I think there are two things that we see in this passage that can help us keep going 00:10:05.679 --> 00:10:07.100 in the face of fear. 00:10:07.100 --> 00:10:11.940 First, a God-centered perspective. 00:10:13.220 --> 00:10:17.040 And second, a God-centered prayer life. 00:10:17.840 --> 00:10:22.460 A God-centered perspective and a life of God-centered prayer. 00:10:23.279 --> 00:10:25.740 So let's take a look at what a God-centered perspective looks like. 00:10:26.340 --> 00:10:30.300 On the one hand, we need to maintain a God-centered perspective of our work. 00:10:30.299 --> 00:10:34.959 Look at the end of verse 3, when Samballot, the governor of neighboring Samaria, tries 00:10:34.959 --> 00:10:39.299 to draw Nehemiah away from Jerusalem under the pretense of a meeting. 00:10:40.500 --> 00:10:44.579 It seems that meetings were used in all sorts of ways in the ancient world, just as they 00:10:44.579 --> 00:10:45.059 are today. 00:10:45.219 --> 00:10:46.659 Come on, we're going to have another meeting. 00:10:46.859 --> 00:10:47.359 Oh, my, my. 00:10:47.939 --> 00:10:48.799 Nehemiah, what does he say? 00:10:48.839 --> 00:10:51.500 He says, I'm doing a great work and I cannot come down. 00:10:52.019 --> 00:10:54.279 Now, that's a very shrewd answer, isn't it? 00:10:54.679 --> 00:10:57.199 He doesn't just tell Samballot to get lost. 00:10:57.200 --> 00:11:00.860 No, he maintains his professional dignity and says, actually, I have more pressing work 00:11:00.860 --> 00:11:01.600 to do right now. 00:11:02.780 --> 00:11:05.860 But it's not just a shrewd answer, it's also a true answer. 00:11:06.960 --> 00:11:09.980 It is a great work that he's involved in. 00:11:11.620 --> 00:11:15.900 But maybe not in the world's eyes. 00:11:17.180 --> 00:11:23.280 After all, in the world's eyes, at this point in history, Nehemiah is just stacking rocks 00:11:23.279 --> 00:11:27.919 around an insignificant town in a province that's literally called Beyond the River. 00:11:29.199 --> 00:11:31.980 It doesn't sound more backwater than that, does it? 00:11:32.199 --> 00:11:32.799 Where do you live? 00:11:33.059 --> 00:11:33.779 Beyond the River. 00:11:34.779 --> 00:11:35.779 Have fun with that. 00:11:37.279 --> 00:11:41.959 But in God's perspective, it is a great work. 00:11:42.919 --> 00:11:44.879 It's advancing the kingdom of God. 00:11:45.339 --> 00:11:47.019 It's restoring the people of God. 00:11:47.019 --> 00:11:48.639 It's honoring the name of God. 00:11:50.579 --> 00:11:56.919 Now, you may not think that your everyday work, your calling, is much in the world's eyes. 00:11:59.399 --> 00:12:07.759 But friend, any lawful work done as unto God with a heart to honor Him is a great work. 00:12:10.000 --> 00:12:11.579 Maybe you're a stay-at-home parent. 00:12:12.860 --> 00:12:14.399 Maybe you're an investment banker. 00:12:14.399 --> 00:12:16.079 Maybe you're a construction manager. 00:12:17.139 --> 00:12:18.579 Maybe you're an admin assistant. 00:12:18.840 --> 00:12:20.740 Maybe you're a craftsman, a plumber, an electrician. 00:12:20.819 --> 00:12:21.899 Maybe you're an Uber driver. 00:12:22.199 --> 00:12:27.139 If you're a follower of Christ, if you are engaged in your work for the sake of Christ 00:12:27.139 --> 00:12:30.039 with an eye towards His glory, it is a great work. 00:12:34.259 --> 00:12:41.600 And this is especially true when it comes to our calling as a member of Christ's church. 00:12:41.600 --> 00:12:49.220 Yes, in the world's eyes, what we're doing here right now seems fairly insignificant. 00:12:50.560 --> 00:12:51.840 Singing a few songs. 00:12:52.779 --> 00:12:55.420 Reading a few passages from an old religious text. 00:12:56.040 --> 00:12:57.700 Saying a few encouraging words. 00:12:57.700 --> 00:13:05.420 And so, if things get a little uncomfortable out in the world, if some social pressure heats up, 00:13:05.460 --> 00:13:11.240 if some fears crop up at work or in your neighborhood or in your dorm room, 00:13:11.820 --> 00:13:17.240 you know, it can feel like no big deal to just stop coming to church for a while. 00:13:17.240 --> 00:13:27.039 But in God's perspective, the church is no mere social club. 00:13:28.000 --> 00:13:30.700 It's the very body of Christ on earth. 00:13:32.139 --> 00:13:34.960 It's the very dwelling place of His Holy Spirit. 00:13:35.060 --> 00:13:41.759 The church gathered around and proclaiming the message of the Bible in word and in prayer 00:13:41.759 --> 00:13:43.539 and in preaching and in sacrament. 00:13:43.539 --> 00:13:49.779 The church engaged in that, friends, is the very voice of God to the world. 00:13:53.620 --> 00:13:58.079 You are doing a great work. 00:13:58.839 --> 00:14:01.819 Don't let the world frighten you into thinking otherwise. 00:14:05.879 --> 00:14:09.939 But Nehemiah also has a God-centered perspective, not just of his work, but of himself. 00:14:09.940 --> 00:14:16.060 In verses 10 through 14, we see that a certain priest named Shemaiah 00:14:16.060 --> 00:14:21.200 has actually been hired by Sanballat and Tobiah to give a false prophecy to Nehemiah. 00:14:22.440 --> 00:14:26.620 And we actually see in verse 14 at the end of that paragraph that there were others doing the same thing. 00:14:27.480 --> 00:14:30.080 Apparently, there was a prophetess, Noah-diah, and some other prophets 00:14:30.080 --> 00:14:32.640 who were apparently taking bribes from Nehemiah's enemies 00:14:32.640 --> 00:14:36.000 and then lying to him to make him afraid and to do something shameful. 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:42.120 Shemaiah tells Nehemiah to go hide in the temple with him, 00:14:42.480 --> 00:14:45.639 to go inside, to shut the doors because they're coming to kill you. 00:14:46.919 --> 00:14:48.679 But in verse 11, Nehemiah says, 00:14:49.759 --> 00:14:52.759 Should such a man as I run away? 00:14:54.480 --> 00:14:57.539 And what man such as I could go into the temple and live? 00:14:57.659 --> 00:14:58.759 I will not go in. 00:14:58.759 --> 00:15:05.100 Now, we see in Nehemiah's response that on the one hand, 00:15:05.179 --> 00:15:09.439 a God-centered perspective of our own selves gives us great boldness. 00:15:09.960 --> 00:15:13.340 Who am I to run away, Nehemiah says. 00:15:14.319 --> 00:15:17.279 Now, Nehemiah is the governor of Judah. 00:15:17.559 --> 00:15:21.000 The king of Persia himself gave him that job. 00:15:21.679 --> 00:15:23.939 Nehemiah has soldiers and servants at his disposal. 00:15:23.940 --> 00:15:26.880 But is that all that gives Nehemiah his boldness? 00:15:28.200 --> 00:15:28.760 No. 00:15:30.840 --> 00:15:35.580 You see, Nehemiah isn't just known and called by the king of Persia. 00:15:35.680 --> 00:15:41.140 He's known by the king of the universe, the creator, the Lord. 00:15:42.220 --> 00:15:44.420 That's where Nehemiah's boldness comes from. 00:15:46.720 --> 00:15:49.560 But on the other hand, this God-centered perspective of his own self 00:15:49.560 --> 00:15:52.080 brings not just boldness but also a deep humility. 00:15:52.080 --> 00:15:55.840 How can such a man as I go into the temple and live? 00:15:57.220 --> 00:16:02.080 You see, God's law permitted only the priests to enter into the temple itself. 00:16:03.259 --> 00:16:04.740 Everyone could worship in the courts, 00:16:04.860 --> 00:16:09.460 but only a certain particular group in Israel, 00:16:09.540 --> 00:16:11.780 the priestly class, could go into the temple. 00:16:15.520 --> 00:16:17.840 Nehemiah, you see, was humble before God. 00:16:17.840 --> 00:16:23.620 In other words, his rightful awe and fear of God 00:16:23.620 --> 00:16:26.759 was what helped him overcome the fear of human beings. 00:16:29.620 --> 00:16:32.500 But how can you and I have that same kind of boldness and humility? 00:16:33.600 --> 00:16:35.899 We are no Nehemiah, right? 00:16:36.680 --> 00:16:39.180 There have been about a hundred books written about the book of Nehemiah 00:16:39.180 --> 00:16:40.180 about godly leadership, 00:16:40.639 --> 00:16:42.080 and most of them you read and you think, 00:16:42.080 --> 00:16:45.340 oh man, that's a tough act to follow. 00:16:48.280 --> 00:16:49.980 But friends, consider what we know 00:16:49.980 --> 00:16:52.320 in light of the gospel, 00:16:53.139 --> 00:16:54.139 in the light of Christ. 00:16:56.580 --> 00:16:58.600 What is the message of the Bible 00:16:58.600 --> 00:17:00.620 that the creator of the universe, 00:17:01.000 --> 00:17:01.639 the Lord, 00:17:02.340 --> 00:17:04.779 the one before whom every knee will bow 00:17:04.779 --> 00:17:06.660 as we sung at the beginning of our service, 00:17:06.660 --> 00:17:09.120 sent his only son, 00:17:09.180 --> 00:17:11.460 his only son, 00:17:11.580 --> 00:17:13.040 to come die for you, 00:17:13.779 --> 00:17:15.720 to rescue you from sin, 00:17:15.960 --> 00:17:17.500 to make you his son, 00:17:17.620 --> 00:17:18.120 his daughter, 00:17:18.240 --> 00:17:19.519 to make you his heir? 00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:23.080 Is there any greater source 00:17:23.080 --> 00:17:25.220 of confidence and boldness than that? 00:17:26.500 --> 00:17:27.900 You have been chosen 00:17:27.900 --> 00:17:30.420 not by some mere earthly king, 00:17:30.519 --> 00:17:32.680 but by the king of kings. 00:17:32.680 --> 00:17:35.620 He's looked upon you 00:17:35.620 --> 00:17:36.560 and said, 00:17:36.779 --> 00:17:38.100 I'm choosing you 00:17:38.100 --> 00:17:39.960 and sending my son for you. 00:17:43.779 --> 00:17:44.380 And yet, 00:17:44.460 --> 00:17:46.000 what humility at the same time. 00:17:48.380 --> 00:17:50.060 Because your sins were so great 00:17:50.060 --> 00:17:52.360 and your failures so deep 00:17:52.360 --> 00:17:56.500 that the son of God had to die for you. 00:17:58.519 --> 00:17:59.019 You see, 00:17:59.100 --> 00:18:00.920 the necessity of the cross 00:18:00.920 --> 00:18:02.539 for our sins ought to give us 00:18:02.539 --> 00:18:04.259 a proper humility. 00:18:06.380 --> 00:18:08.400 But the willingness of God 00:18:08.400 --> 00:18:10.800 to take up the cross for you, 00:18:11.400 --> 00:18:12.720 it should fill us 00:18:12.720 --> 00:18:15.340 with an unshakable boldness. 00:18:17.120 --> 00:18:18.259 Brothers and sisters, 00:18:18.380 --> 00:18:21.019 do you know that kind of humble boldness, 00:18:21.140 --> 00:18:22.560 that sort of bold humility, 00:18:23.019 --> 00:18:23.800 that right, 00:18:24.140 --> 00:18:26.279 humble confidence before God 00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:28.140 that can make you withstand 00:18:28.140 --> 00:18:29.800 any fears from the world? 00:18:30.920 --> 00:18:32.720 It's there. 00:18:33.340 --> 00:18:34.740 It's for you 00:18:34.740 --> 00:18:36.080 in the cross of Christ. 00:18:36.460 --> 00:18:38.080 Stop trusting in yourself 00:18:38.080 --> 00:18:39.420 and put your trust in him. 00:18:40.160 --> 00:18:41.019 Find in him 00:18:41.019 --> 00:18:42.360 the forgiveness of your sins 00:18:42.360 --> 00:18:43.460 and the love 00:18:43.460 --> 00:18:44.480 of your heavenly father 00:18:44.480 --> 00:18:46.039 and the indwelling, 00:18:46.360 --> 00:18:47.460 powerful presence 00:18:47.460 --> 00:18:48.380 of the Holy Spirit. 00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:49.820 It's there for you 00:18:49.820 --> 00:18:51.240 to take hold of. 00:18:52.700 --> 00:18:54.759 It's not just for Nehemiah's, 00:18:54.800 --> 00:18:56.080 it's for all of us. 00:18:56.079 --> 00:19:03.659 So then a God-centered perspective 00:19:03.659 --> 00:19:04.539 of our work 00:19:04.539 --> 00:19:05.799 and of ourselves 00:19:05.799 --> 00:19:07.000 will help us to endure 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:08.039 through the fears 00:19:08.039 --> 00:19:09.240 that the world throws at us. 00:19:10.839 --> 00:19:11.980 But if we stopped there, 00:19:12.019 --> 00:19:13.099 we'd be missing something critical. 00:19:14.579 --> 00:19:15.879 How does what we know 00:19:15.879 --> 00:19:16.679 in our heads, 00:19:16.799 --> 00:19:18.159 this God-centered perspective, 00:19:18.599 --> 00:19:20.119 get down into our hearts? 00:19:20.419 --> 00:19:21.339 How does the truth 00:19:21.339 --> 00:19:22.599 of our relationship with God 00:19:22.599 --> 00:19:24.139 become a lived experience 00:19:24.140 --> 00:19:26.020 that actually changes our lives? 00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:30.000 Become a lived reality 00:19:30.000 --> 00:19:31.540 that actually allows us 00:19:31.540 --> 00:19:32.840 to carry on, 00:19:33.160 --> 00:19:34.060 to be wise, 00:19:34.200 --> 00:19:35.000 to be courageous 00:19:35.000 --> 00:19:36.580 in the midst of a world 00:19:36.580 --> 00:19:38.200 that wants us to live in fear? 00:19:41.100 --> 00:19:41.900 And that brings us 00:19:41.900 --> 00:19:42.860 to the second main thing 00:19:42.860 --> 00:19:44.120 that we see in this passage. 00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:46.120 We need to maintain 00:19:46.120 --> 00:19:47.500 a God-centered perspective, 00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:50.140 but we also need to enjoy 00:19:50.140 --> 00:19:52.940 the ongoing intimacy 00:19:52.940 --> 00:19:55.380 of God-centered prayer. 00:19:58.000 --> 00:20:00.160 Woven throughout this passage 00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:02.440 are Nehemiah's prayers. 00:20:03.580 --> 00:20:04.440 In verse 9, 00:20:04.580 --> 00:20:06.340 Nehemiah prays for strength, 00:20:07.060 --> 00:20:08.500 and in verse 14, 00:20:08.620 --> 00:20:09.940 he prays for justice. 00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:13.100 Notice in that prayer 00:20:13.100 --> 00:20:14.600 for strength in verse 9 00:20:14.600 --> 00:20:16.480 how it just seamlessly flows 00:20:16.480 --> 00:20:17.280 in the narrative. 00:20:18.120 --> 00:20:19.000 This happens a lot 00:20:19.000 --> 00:20:19.980 in the book of Nehemiah. 00:20:20.099 --> 00:20:21.200 It's as if to say 00:20:21.200 --> 00:20:22.440 that prayer is something 00:20:22.440 --> 00:20:23.980 that's meant to be woven 00:20:23.980 --> 00:20:25.619 into every corner 00:20:25.619 --> 00:20:27.119 of our lives. 00:20:28.640 --> 00:20:28.880 I mean, 00:20:28.920 --> 00:20:29.859 think about the situation 00:20:29.859 --> 00:20:30.799 for Nehemiah here. 00:20:31.059 --> 00:20:32.900 Nehemiah is at the office, 00:20:33.759 --> 00:20:35.339 and he's just 00:20:35.339 --> 00:20:36.900 gotten word 00:20:36.900 --> 00:20:38.539 of an open letter. 00:20:38.680 --> 00:20:39.640 That's like an email 00:20:39.640 --> 00:20:40.920 that's been CC'd 00:20:40.920 --> 00:20:41.799 to the whole company. 00:20:44.019 --> 00:20:45.240 And this sort of 00:20:45.240 --> 00:20:46.339 open letter 00:20:46.339 --> 00:20:48.420 contains a not-so-very-veiled 00:20:48.420 --> 00:20:49.060 threat 00:20:49.060 --> 00:20:50.340 that if he doesn't 00:20:50.340 --> 00:20:51.080 come meet with 00:20:51.080 --> 00:20:51.740 Samballot, 00:20:53.500 --> 00:20:54.180 the sort of, 00:20:54.180 --> 00:20:54.539 you know, 00:20:55.220 --> 00:20:56.220 director of operations 00:20:56.220 --> 00:20:57.000 over a few 00:20:57.000 --> 00:20:59.539 companies over, 00:21:00.920 --> 00:21:01.519 if he doesn't come 00:21:01.519 --> 00:21:02.380 meet with Samballot, 00:21:02.420 --> 00:21:03.360 he's going to be accused 00:21:03.360 --> 00:21:04.080 of treason 00:21:04.080 --> 00:21:05.580 to the king of Persia. 00:21:07.019 --> 00:21:08.440 And as Nehemiah 00:21:08.440 --> 00:21:10.180 is dictating his response, 00:21:10.360 --> 00:21:11.600 a prayer goes up 00:21:11.600 --> 00:21:12.340 from his heart, 00:21:12.339 --> 00:21:13.480 Oh God, 00:21:13.659 --> 00:21:14.419 strengthen 00:21:14.419 --> 00:21:16.220 my hands. 00:21:18.859 --> 00:21:19.299 Friends, 00:21:19.359 --> 00:21:19.839 do you see 00:21:19.839 --> 00:21:20.919 the intimacy 00:21:20.919 --> 00:21:22.259 that God wants you 00:21:22.259 --> 00:21:23.439 to have with him 00:21:23.439 --> 00:21:25.799 at any moment 00:21:25.799 --> 00:21:27.179 to speak with him, 00:21:27.639 --> 00:21:29.240 and he will hear? 00:21:33.740 --> 00:21:34.679 Nehemiah knows 00:21:34.679 --> 00:21:35.519 that in himself 00:21:35.519 --> 00:21:36.079 he's weak, 00:21:36.079 --> 00:21:37.960 so he calls 00:21:37.960 --> 00:21:38.379 out to God 00:21:38.379 --> 00:21:39.119 for strength. 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:41.099 Give us this day 00:21:41.099 --> 00:21:41.960 our daily bread. 00:21:42.299 --> 00:21:42.899 Lead us not 00:21:42.899 --> 00:21:43.579 into temptation, 00:21:43.720 --> 00:21:44.419 but deliver us 00:21:44.419 --> 00:21:44.759 from evil. 00:21:44.879 --> 00:21:45.259 Oh God, 00:21:45.379 --> 00:21:46.759 strengthen my hands. 00:21:47.659 --> 00:21:47.859 You know, 00:21:47.899 --> 00:21:48.460 we often think 00:21:48.460 --> 00:21:49.039 of prayer 00:21:49.039 --> 00:21:50.099 as a work 00:21:50.099 --> 00:21:50.679 that we have 00:21:50.679 --> 00:21:51.259 to perform, 00:21:51.379 --> 00:21:51.779 as a sort of 00:21:51.779 --> 00:21:52.539 religious duty 00:21:52.539 --> 00:21:53.079 that we have 00:21:53.079 --> 00:21:53.740 to engage in, 00:21:53.799 --> 00:21:54.399 but Nehemiah 00:21:54.399 --> 00:21:55.159 actually shows us 00:21:55.159 --> 00:21:56.099 that prayer 00:21:56.099 --> 00:21:57.500 is really 00:21:57.500 --> 00:21:58.759 the breath 00:21:58.759 --> 00:21:59.559 of the heart, 00:21:59.939 --> 00:22:01.000 giving simple 00:22:01.000 --> 00:22:02.019 expression 00:22:02.019 --> 00:22:03.379 to our needs 00:22:03.379 --> 00:22:05.200 before the God 00:22:05.200 --> 00:22:06.099 who made us 00:22:06.099 --> 00:22:07.079 and loves us 00:22:07.079 --> 00:22:08.639 and who promises 00:22:08.639 --> 00:22:09.539 to hear us 00:22:09.539 --> 00:22:11.119 and to fight 00:22:11.119 --> 00:22:11.680 for us. 00:22:13.539 --> 00:22:15.119 So if you are weary 00:22:15.119 --> 00:22:17.460 and if you are weak 00:22:17.460 --> 00:22:19.740 and if you are afraid, 00:22:20.799 --> 00:22:21.980 look to God. 00:22:22.779 --> 00:22:24.240 Pray for strength. 00:22:25.319 --> 00:22:26.039 He will hear 00:22:26.039 --> 00:22:27.440 and he will answer you. 00:22:27.440 --> 00:22:32.059 Nehemiah also 00:22:32.059 --> 00:22:33.000 prays in verse 14 00:22:33.000 --> 00:22:33.720 for justice. 00:22:34.420 --> 00:22:35.360 This God-centered 00:22:35.360 --> 00:22:36.460 life of prayer 00:22:36.460 --> 00:22:37.840 involves a prayer 00:22:37.840 --> 00:22:38.640 for justice. 00:22:39.759 --> 00:22:40.279 Now at first, 00:22:40.400 --> 00:22:41.240 this prayer in verse 14 00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:42.080 can sound a little 00:22:42.080 --> 00:22:42.940 vindictive, 00:22:44.120 --> 00:22:45.840 but actually, 00:22:46.559 --> 00:22:47.900 what Nehemiah 00:22:47.900 --> 00:22:49.299 is doing here 00:22:49.299 --> 00:22:50.279 in this prayer 00:22:50.279 --> 00:22:52.120 is actually 00:22:52.120 --> 00:22:53.039 acknowledging 00:22:53.039 --> 00:22:54.279 that God 00:22:54.279 --> 00:22:55.400 is the only 00:22:55.400 --> 00:22:56.440 just judge. 00:22:56.440 --> 00:22:58.259 Rather than 00:22:58.259 --> 00:22:59.120 seeking vengeance 00:22:59.120 --> 00:23:00.240 against his enemies, 00:23:00.440 --> 00:23:00.940 Nehemiah 00:23:00.940 --> 00:23:01.660 lets God 00:23:01.660 --> 00:23:02.600 be God. 00:23:03.880 --> 00:23:04.580 Matthew Henry 00:23:04.580 --> 00:23:05.340 writes on this verse, 00:23:05.440 --> 00:23:05.640 he says, 00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:06.640 whatever injuries 00:23:06.640 --> 00:23:07.840 are done to us, 00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:09.160 we must not 00:23:09.160 --> 00:23:10.539 avenge ourselves, 00:23:10.920 --> 00:23:12.259 but commit 00:23:12.259 --> 00:23:13.360 our cause 00:23:13.360 --> 00:23:14.340 to God 00:23:14.340 --> 00:23:15.640 who judges 00:23:15.640 --> 00:23:16.720 righteously. 00:23:19.160 --> 00:23:19.580 You know, 00:23:19.620 --> 00:23:20.160 rather than thinking 00:23:20.160 --> 00:23:20.700 that Nehemiah 00:23:20.700 --> 00:23:21.940 can fix his own problems 00:23:21.940 --> 00:23:23.059 and put his enemies 00:23:23.059 --> 00:23:23.779 in their place, 00:23:23.779 --> 00:23:24.980 he prays for God's 00:23:24.980 --> 00:23:25.820 justice whenever 00:23:25.819 --> 00:23:26.960 and however 00:23:26.960 --> 00:23:28.279 God chooses. 00:23:29.299 --> 00:23:29.559 You see, 00:23:29.659 --> 00:23:30.639 just like Nehemiah 00:23:30.639 --> 00:23:31.759 knows that he's weak 00:23:31.759 --> 00:23:32.619 and so he must 00:23:32.619 --> 00:23:33.639 pray for strength, 00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:35.259 so Nehemiah knows 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:36.720 that he's also 00:23:36.720 --> 00:23:38.419 not righteous, 00:23:38.700 --> 00:23:39.419 he's not 00:23:39.419 --> 00:23:40.859 a perfect judge, 00:23:41.079 --> 00:23:42.259 so he turns 00:23:42.259 --> 00:23:42.899 his enemies 00:23:42.899 --> 00:23:43.500 over 00:23:43.500 --> 00:23:44.799 to God 00:23:44.799 --> 00:23:46.139 who is. 00:23:46.140 --> 00:23:50.620 Do you wonder 00:23:50.620 --> 00:23:51.300 how Nehemiah 00:23:51.300 --> 00:23:52.120 is able to put up 00:23:52.120 --> 00:23:52.840 with the ongoing 00:23:52.840 --> 00:23:54.220 stress and schemes 00:23:54.220 --> 00:23:54.960 of his opponents 00:23:54.960 --> 00:23:55.700 who just 00:23:55.700 --> 00:23:56.960 won't quit? 00:23:58.440 --> 00:23:59.640 How is he able 00:23:59.640 --> 00:24:00.680 under all that pressure 00:24:00.680 --> 00:24:01.360 to answer 00:24:01.360 --> 00:24:02.440 with such clarity 00:24:02.440 --> 00:24:03.500 and shrewdness? 00:24:03.580 --> 00:24:04.140 How is he able 00:24:04.140 --> 00:24:04.820 to deal 00:24:04.820 --> 00:24:06.120 with the nobles 00:24:06.120 --> 00:24:06.600 of Judah, 00:24:06.680 --> 00:24:07.180 for example, 00:24:07.280 --> 00:24:08.060 in verse 19, 00:24:08.220 --> 00:24:09.200 who come to him 00:24:09.200 --> 00:24:10.160 and just praise 00:24:10.160 --> 00:24:11.280 how wonderful 00:24:11.280 --> 00:24:12.280 Tobiah is, 00:24:12.279 --> 00:24:12.799 Tobiah, 00:24:12.940 --> 00:24:14.059 such a great guy 00:24:14.059 --> 00:24:16.039 and then turn around 00:24:16.039 --> 00:24:17.379 and betray 00:24:17.379 --> 00:24:18.339 Nehemiah's confidence 00:24:18.339 --> 00:24:18.819 right back 00:24:18.819 --> 00:24:19.319 to his enemy? 00:24:19.440 --> 00:24:20.440 How is it 00:24:20.440 --> 00:24:21.720 that Nehemiah 00:24:21.720 --> 00:24:22.460 doesn't just 00:24:22.460 --> 00:24:23.980 lose his cool? 00:24:27.319 --> 00:24:28.299 And how can you 00:24:28.299 --> 00:24:28.839 and I live 00:24:28.839 --> 00:24:29.220 in the midst 00:24:29.220 --> 00:24:29.700 of a world 00:24:29.700 --> 00:24:30.119 that does 00:24:30.119 --> 00:24:31.319 the exact same thing? 00:24:33.379 --> 00:24:34.720 People disappoint us, 00:24:35.339 --> 00:24:36.619 they betray us, 00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:38.759 they gossip about us, 00:24:38.899 --> 00:24:39.759 they intimidate us, 00:24:39.819 --> 00:24:40.799 they forget about us, 00:24:40.799 --> 00:24:41.819 they threaten us, 00:24:42.639 --> 00:24:43.319 and yet, 00:24:44.019 --> 00:24:45.579 in prayer, 00:24:46.240 --> 00:24:47.940 we can lay 00:24:47.940 --> 00:24:49.299 all of that 00:24:49.299 --> 00:24:50.779 out before a God 00:24:50.779 --> 00:24:52.419 who is perfect 00:24:52.419 --> 00:24:53.000 in judgment. 00:24:54.659 --> 00:24:55.740 We don't need 00:24:55.740 --> 00:24:56.740 to sort it all out. 00:24:57.480 --> 00:24:58.180 We don't need 00:24:58.180 --> 00:24:58.940 to be the judge. 00:24:59.019 --> 00:24:59.359 We don't need 00:24:59.359 --> 00:25:00.220 to be defensive 00:25:00.220 --> 00:25:01.399 or bitter 00:25:01.399 --> 00:25:02.599 or entitled. 00:25:03.180 --> 00:25:03.759 We can pray, 00:25:03.859 --> 00:25:04.059 God, 00:25:04.139 --> 00:25:05.440 let your kingdom come 00:25:05.440 --> 00:25:06.759 and let your will 00:25:06.759 --> 00:25:07.240 be done. 00:25:08.139 --> 00:25:08.819 Forgive me 00:25:08.819 --> 00:25:10.119 my trespasses 00:25:10.119 --> 00:25:11.259 as I forgive 00:25:11.259 --> 00:25:11.719 those who 00:25:11.719 --> 00:25:12.639 trespass against 00:25:12.639 --> 00:25:13.019 me. 00:25:15.899 --> 00:25:16.659 If you are 00:25:16.659 --> 00:25:17.239 under pressure, 00:25:17.439 --> 00:25:17.939 if you feel 00:25:17.939 --> 00:25:18.279 like you're 00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:19.039 under attack, 00:25:19.779 --> 00:25:21.359 pray for God's 00:25:21.359 --> 00:25:22.099 justice. 00:25:23.199 --> 00:25:23.799 Entrust it 00:25:23.799 --> 00:25:24.779 into his hands, 00:25:25.459 --> 00:25:26.579 he will hear 00:25:26.579 --> 00:25:27.139 your prayer, 00:25:27.339 --> 00:25:28.019 and then 00:25:28.019 --> 00:25:29.419 you'll have 00:25:29.419 --> 00:25:30.199 the clarity 00:25:30.199 --> 00:25:31.819 and the peace 00:25:31.819 --> 00:25:33.000 and the perspective 00:25:33.000 --> 00:25:35.039 to act in a way 00:25:35.039 --> 00:25:36.680 that honors him, 00:25:37.200 --> 00:25:38.039 that is shrewd, 00:25:38.740 --> 00:25:39.859 that is courageous, 00:25:40.519 --> 00:25:41.759 that is persevering. 00:25:45.200 --> 00:25:46.019 So when the world 00:25:46.019 --> 00:25:46.579 wants to make us 00:25:46.579 --> 00:25:47.119 afraid, 00:25:48.059 --> 00:25:48.759 afraid to keep 00:25:48.759 --> 00:25:49.200 going, 00:25:49.359 --> 00:25:49.900 afraid to hold 00:25:49.900 --> 00:25:50.819 fast to our 00:25:50.819 --> 00:25:51.700 allegiance to Christ 00:25:51.700 --> 00:25:52.279 and his kingdom, 00:25:52.400 --> 00:25:53.539 Nehemiah 6 reminds us 00:25:53.539 --> 00:25:54.759 to fill our minds 00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:55.400 with a God-centered 00:25:55.400 --> 00:25:56.000 perspective 00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:57.200 and to express 00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:57.900 our hearts 00:25:57.900 --> 00:25:58.480 in ongoing, 00:25:58.680 --> 00:25:58.960 intimate, 00:25:59.099 --> 00:25:59.880 God-centered prayer. 00:25:59.880 --> 00:26:02.660 And then, 00:26:03.000 --> 00:26:04.320 what's the outcome? 00:26:06.360 --> 00:26:06.760 Well, 00:26:07.180 --> 00:26:08.120 in verse 15, 00:26:09.000 --> 00:26:10.380 the wall's finished. 00:26:11.120 --> 00:26:12.260 They actually do it, 00:26:12.620 --> 00:26:13.220 and they do it 00:26:13.220 --> 00:26:14.460 in 52 days. 00:26:15.720 --> 00:26:16.020 Friends, 00:26:16.100 --> 00:26:16.560 it's going to take 00:26:16.560 --> 00:26:17.640 longer than 52 days 00:26:17.640 --> 00:26:18.220 to build the thing 00:26:18.220 --> 00:26:18.840 we're planning to build 00:26:18.840 --> 00:26:19.160 over there. 00:26:19.220 --> 00:26:20.260 I guarantee you that, 00:26:20.340 --> 00:26:21.160 and this was a big 00:26:21.160 --> 00:26:22.060 project Nehemiah 00:26:22.060 --> 00:26:22.860 was engaged in. 00:26:24.180 --> 00:26:25.360 Talk about an answer 00:26:25.360 --> 00:26:25.960 to prayer, 00:26:26.140 --> 00:26:27.460 52 days. 00:26:28.120 --> 00:26:28.960 And because 00:26:28.960 --> 00:26:29.620 Nehemiah, 00:26:29.619 --> 00:26:30.919 doesn't give in 00:26:30.919 --> 00:26:31.419 to the fear 00:26:31.419 --> 00:26:32.079 of the world, 00:26:32.500 --> 00:26:33.139 the world, 00:26:33.299 --> 00:26:33.799 ironically, 00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:34.899 in verse 16, 00:26:35.019 --> 00:26:36.379 begins to fear God. 00:26:39.139 --> 00:26:40.019 And again, 00:26:40.179 --> 00:26:41.039 we see the 00:26:41.039 --> 00:26:42.359 missional thrust 00:26:42.359 --> 00:26:43.219 of this book 00:26:43.219 --> 00:26:44.379 and of the entire 00:26:44.379 --> 00:26:45.019 Old Testament 00:26:45.019 --> 00:26:46.279 and of the entire 00:26:46.279 --> 00:26:46.659 Bible, 00:26:46.779 --> 00:26:48.119 that God is out 00:26:48.119 --> 00:26:49.459 to capture the hearts 00:26:49.459 --> 00:26:50.500 of all nations, 00:26:50.759 --> 00:26:51.659 and he's using 00:26:51.659 --> 00:26:53.099 his people to do it. 00:26:53.219 --> 00:26:54.779 Their very opponents 00:26:54.779 --> 00:26:56.599 became fears of God 00:26:56.599 --> 00:26:58.179 in just a little bit 00:26:58.180 --> 00:26:59.700 more of a true way 00:26:59.700 --> 00:27:00.980 because of this work. 00:27:04.140 --> 00:27:05.120 But surprisingly, 00:27:05.640 --> 00:27:07.720 that's not the end 00:27:07.720 --> 00:27:08.580 of the book of Nehemiah. 00:27:09.220 --> 00:27:10.120 You would think, 00:27:10.240 --> 00:27:10.500 right? 00:27:10.660 --> 00:27:11.880 They build the wall, 00:27:12.140 --> 00:27:12.799 boom, 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:14.039 book over, 00:27:14.460 --> 00:27:15.500 bring on the New Testament, 00:27:16.060 --> 00:27:16.440 right? 00:27:17.920 --> 00:27:18.380 No. 00:27:19.660 --> 00:27:20.180 Moreover, 00:27:20.180 --> 00:27:21.480 in those days, 00:27:22.140 --> 00:27:23.779 all this other stuff 00:27:23.779 --> 00:27:24.539 started happening. 00:27:25.740 --> 00:27:26.680 The city wall 00:27:26.680 --> 00:27:27.600 is finished, 00:27:28.100 --> 00:27:29.480 but the opposition 00:27:29.480 --> 00:27:30.320 keeps coming 00:27:30.320 --> 00:27:31.920 in verses 17 through 19, 00:27:31.920 --> 00:27:33.900 and there's still 00:27:33.900 --> 00:27:34.900 more work to be done. 00:27:35.720 --> 00:27:36.799 In chapter 7, 00:27:37.340 --> 00:27:38.380 Nehemiah then begins 00:27:38.380 --> 00:27:39.460 the work of protecting 00:27:39.460 --> 00:27:39.960 the city 00:27:39.960 --> 00:27:41.080 in verses 1 through 4, 00:27:41.180 --> 00:27:42.180 and then repopulating 00:27:42.799 --> 00:27:43.480 the city beginning 00:27:43.480 --> 00:27:44.200 in verse 5. 00:27:44.279 --> 00:27:45.600 There's more to be done, 00:27:45.779 --> 00:27:46.460 and there's more 00:27:46.460 --> 00:27:47.740 opposition to withstand. 00:27:47.740 --> 00:27:49.960 So the story of Nehemiah 00:27:49.960 --> 00:27:50.940 is not done. 00:27:52.819 --> 00:27:54.339 It pushes ahead. 00:27:56.079 --> 00:27:56.420 And you know, 00:27:56.480 --> 00:27:57.059 even by the end 00:27:57.059 --> 00:27:57.660 of this book, 00:27:58.019 --> 00:27:58.759 it's not over. 00:27:59.640 --> 00:28:00.839 The temple's finished, 00:28:01.259 --> 00:28:02.160 the city's rebuilt, 00:28:02.460 --> 00:28:03.680 the people are gathered, 00:28:04.240 --> 00:28:06.299 but the king, 00:28:06.859 --> 00:28:09.019 the long-awaited king, 00:28:09.140 --> 00:28:11.180 is still not here. 00:28:13.039 --> 00:28:13.319 You know, 00:28:13.380 --> 00:28:14.000 Nehemiah's enemies 00:28:14.000 --> 00:28:14.839 accuse him 00:28:14.839 --> 00:28:15.720 of making himself 00:28:15.720 --> 00:28:16.180 a king, 00:28:16.360 --> 00:28:17.299 and that's all lies, 00:28:17.360 --> 00:28:17.779 of course, 00:28:18.259 --> 00:28:20.140 but the truth is, 00:28:20.220 --> 00:28:21.440 Nehemiah and the rest 00:28:21.440 --> 00:28:23.559 of the returned exiles 00:28:23.559 --> 00:28:24.980 know that there is 00:28:24.980 --> 00:28:25.680 a real king 00:28:25.680 --> 00:28:26.759 still on the way. 00:28:29.819 --> 00:28:30.660 And you know, friends, 00:28:30.700 --> 00:28:31.860 our story isn't done either. 00:28:32.880 --> 00:28:34.620 Even when we stand strong, 00:28:35.160 --> 00:28:36.039 even when we complete 00:28:36.039 --> 00:28:36.759 great works 00:28:36.759 --> 00:28:37.640 for God's kingdom, 00:28:38.079 --> 00:28:39.000 the opposition's 00:28:39.000 --> 00:28:39.759 going to keep coming, 00:28:39.960 --> 00:28:40.759 and there's still 00:28:40.759 --> 00:28:41.779 going to be work to do, 00:28:41.779 --> 00:28:43.299 but we know 00:28:43.299 --> 00:28:44.500 that the king, 00:28:45.000 --> 00:28:46.980 the king that Nehemiah 00:28:46.980 --> 00:28:47.839 was waiting for, 00:28:48.519 --> 00:28:49.440 the king that Isaiah 00:28:49.440 --> 00:28:50.220 spoke about, 00:28:50.559 --> 00:28:51.440 and Zechariah 00:28:51.440 --> 00:28:52.220 and Haggai, 00:28:52.299 --> 00:28:53.220 the king that they 00:28:53.220 --> 00:28:54.819 were all talking about, 00:28:55.099 --> 00:28:56.180 the king has come, 00:28:56.720 --> 00:28:58.779 and we know that this king 00:28:58.779 --> 00:28:59.819 is going to come again. 00:29:01.519 --> 00:29:03.019 The world may try 00:29:03.019 --> 00:29:04.039 to make us afraid, 00:29:04.619 --> 00:29:06.660 but with our eyes 00:29:06.660 --> 00:29:08.519 fixed on our once 00:29:08.519 --> 00:29:10.960 and coming King Jesus, 00:29:11.559 --> 00:29:13.119 the church will endure. 00:29:13.400 --> 00:29:16.059 Friends, you will endure. 00:29:17.200 --> 00:29:19.680 The church's one foundation 00:29:19.680 --> 00:29:22.180 is Jesus Christ, her Lord. 00:29:22.680 --> 00:29:24.099 She is a new creation 00:29:24.099 --> 00:29:25.539 by water and the word. 00:29:25.799 --> 00:29:26.339 From heaven, 00:29:26.440 --> 00:29:27.539 he came and sought her 00:29:27.539 --> 00:29:28.740 to be his holy bride. 00:29:28.799 --> 00:29:29.740 With his own blood, 00:29:29.799 --> 00:29:30.359 he bought her, 00:29:30.579 --> 00:29:31.200 and for her life, 00:29:31.259 --> 00:29:32.000 he died. 00:29:34.200 --> 00:29:36.039 Mid toil and tribulation 00:29:36.039 --> 00:29:38.319 and tumult of her war, 00:29:38.519 --> 00:29:41.339 she waits the consummation 00:29:41.339 --> 00:29:42.940 of peace forevermore, 00:29:44.220 --> 00:29:46.579 till with the vision glorious 00:29:46.579 --> 00:29:49.599 our longing eyes are blessed, 00:29:50.400 --> 00:29:52.400 and the great church victorious 00:29:52.400 --> 00:29:55.920 shall be the church at rest. 00:29:57.359 --> 00:29:58.420 Let's pray. 00:30:02.599 --> 00:30:04.079 Father, in this moment, 00:30:04.879 --> 00:30:06.799 we take just a moment 00:30:06.799 --> 00:30:08.440 to be still before you 00:30:08.440 --> 00:30:12.359 and to open up our hearts 00:30:12.359 --> 00:30:13.139 before you 00:30:13.139 --> 00:30:16.339 in this quiet 00:30:16.339 --> 00:30:17.819 to let our souls come out 00:30:17.819 --> 00:30:18.440 as it were 00:30:18.440 --> 00:30:21.299 and to lay our fears 00:30:21.299 --> 00:30:22.039 before you. 00:30:31.039 --> 00:30:31.960 Oh, Lord Jesus, 00:30:32.139 --> 00:30:33.099 you are great. 00:30:33.099 --> 00:30:36.339 Lord, you have loved us. 00:30:37.579 --> 00:30:38.959 You have died for us. 00:30:39.099 --> 00:30:40.039 You have risen again. 00:30:42.079 --> 00:30:43.759 I pray for all of us 00:30:43.759 --> 00:30:44.379 gathered here 00:30:44.379 --> 00:30:45.079 that we 00:30:45.079 --> 00:30:49.019 would stand firm 00:30:49.019 --> 00:30:52.159 and have all the wisdom 00:30:52.159 --> 00:30:53.319 and courage we need 00:30:53.319 --> 00:30:54.399 going out this week 00:30:54.399 --> 00:30:55.459 into your world 00:30:55.459 --> 00:30:57.079 as ambassadors 00:30:57.079 --> 00:30:58.740 of your kingdom, 00:30:58.919 --> 00:31:00.179 knowing that you've given us 00:31:00.180 --> 00:31:01.060 a great work. 00:31:03.640 --> 00:31:04.360 Even so, 00:31:04.460 --> 00:31:05.279 come, Lord Jesus. 00:31:06.340 --> 00:31:06.680 Amen. 00:31:11.740 --> 00:31:12.140 Amen. 00:31:12.140 --> 00:31:12.259 Amen. 00:31:21.500 --> 00:31:22.980 Would you stand and sing with us? 00:31:22.980 --> 00:31:23.500 Amen. 00:31:23.720 --> 00:31:24.319 Amen. 00:31:24.319 --> 00:31:24.740 Amen. 00:31:24.900 --> 00:31:25.120 Amen. 00:31:25.120 --> 00:31:25.180 Amen. 00:31:25.180 --> 00:31:25.740 Amen. 00:31:26.259 --> 00:31:26.740 Amen. 00:31:26.740 --> 00:31:27.120 Amen. 00:31:27.120 --> 00:31:27.860 Amen. 00:31:28.000 --> 00:31:28.079 Amen. 00:31:28.599 --> 00:31:29.279 Amen. 00:31:29.279 --> 00:31:30.519 People are having you 00:31:32.519 --> 00:31:33.220 along with us giving us 00:31:34.220 --> 00:31:35.360 all these here 00:31:36.000 --> 00:31:36.519 shown us. 00:31:39.180 --> 00:31:41.160 Amen. 00:31:41.640 --> 00:31:44.099 Amen. 00:31:44.099 --> 00:31:44.599 Amen. 00:31:44.599 --> 00:31:46.099 Amen. 00:31:46.099 --> 00:31:48.240 Amen. 00:31:48.240 --> 00:31:48.779 Amen. 00:31:48.980 --> 00:31:50.039 Amen. 00:31:50.039 --> 00:31:50.620 Amen. 00:31:50.880 --> 00:31:51.019 Amen. 00:31:51.019 --> 00:31:51.339 Amen. 00:31:51.380 --> 00:31:52.079 Amen. 00:31:52.079 --> 00:31:52.160 Amen.