WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.660
 But we begin our worship by singing to God's praise in Psalm 46.

00:00:06.240 --> 00:00:16.740
 In the Scottish Psalter version, Psalm 46, we're going to sing from verse 1 to verse 7, page 271 of the psalm book, the tune is Strathcathro.

00:00:17.620 --> 00:00:27.140
 It's a psalm I'm sure we know very well, but it's often good to again to remind ourselves of God as our refuge and our strength,

00:00:27.140 --> 00:00:35.460
 even when troubles arise and so much goes on around us that we find our safety, our help in him.

00:00:36.020 --> 00:00:41.500
 So we're going to sing from verse 1 to verse 7, God is our refuge and our strength.

00:00:41.500 --> 00:00:43.500
 Amen.

00:00:43.500 --> 00:00:45.500
 Amen.

00:00:45.500 --> 00:00:47.500
 Amen.

00:00:47.500 --> 00:00:49.500
 Amen.

00:00:49.500 --> 00:00:51.500
 Amen.

00:00:51.500 --> 00:00:53.500
 Amen.

00:00:53.500 --> 00:00:56.600
 Amen.

00:01:00.600 --> 00:01:01.500
 Amen.

00:01:03.500 --> 00:01:05.099
 Amen.

00:01:05.099 --> 00:01:21.599
 For although the air we live, we will not be afraid.

00:01:21.599 --> 00:01:45.280
 Though hills and hills the seas becast, though waters roaring me, and troubled me,

00:01:45.280 --> 00:01:59.040
 in all the hills, by swelling seas to shame.

00:01:59.040 --> 00:02:18.080
 The river is to stream to cloud, the city of our God.

00:02:18.080 --> 00:02:37.080
 The holy place where in the Lord was high and dear, God.

00:02:37.080 --> 00:02:55.080
 God in the midst of the heart of dwell, nothing shall ever remove.

00:02:55.080 --> 00:03:14.080
 The Lord to heart and ever will, and the uprightly blue.

00:03:14.080 --> 00:03:33.460
 The deep and bridge to mount us free, the kingdom's new bled web.

00:03:33.460 --> 00:03:51.460
 The Lord to come, the wicked's voice, the earth did melt for fear.

00:03:51.460 --> 00:04:09.460
 The Lord of hosts upon our side, that constantly remain.

00:04:09.460 --> 00:04:27.460
 The God of hosts upon our refuge, as safely to maintain.

00:04:33.460 --> 00:04:36.060
 Let's come to God in prayer. Let us pray.

00:04:39.459 --> 00:04:44.859
 Our gracious and eternal God, we come to you anew this evening hour.

00:04:45.500 --> 00:04:48.139
 We come dependent upon you for all things.

00:04:49.000 --> 00:04:51.339
 We come, O Lord, seeking your strength.

00:04:51.599 --> 00:04:56.479
 We come seeking your presence with us and your blessing upon all that we do.

00:04:56.899 --> 00:05:03.759
 In your name at this time, we thank you that we come opening up your word together.

00:05:03.759 --> 00:05:09.519
 We come looking to your word and seeing what it has to say to us.

00:05:10.259 --> 00:05:17.659
 And we are reminded even in these words that we've sung, words that we've probably sung many, many times together.

00:05:18.079 --> 00:05:21.139
 Or in different situations with different people.

00:05:21.939 --> 00:05:24.719
 And yet words that so often resonate with us.

00:05:24.879 --> 00:05:31.120
 They speak to us, Lord, again and again as we see an ever-changing world around us.

00:05:31.120 --> 00:05:35.259
 And yet we see and look to you as the unchanging God.

00:05:35.579 --> 00:05:37.680
 The one who is always there.

00:05:38.060 --> 00:05:42.480
 The one who is ever-present and unchanging and unchangeable.

00:05:43.220 --> 00:05:47.519
 When we think of these words, the heathen rage tumultuously.

00:05:47.660 --> 00:05:49.720
 The kingdoms move it well.

00:05:49.819 --> 00:05:55.800
 And when we look at our world today and we see so much of the devastation that surrounds us, Lord.

00:05:55.800 --> 00:05:59.139
 When we see kingdoms shaken by events.

00:05:59.400 --> 00:06:04.660
 When we see a people shaken by atrocities all around us.

00:06:05.100 --> 00:06:07.460
 We thank you that we can come to you.

00:06:07.579 --> 00:06:12.680
 That you are the Lord who has uttered his voice to us in the midst of it all.

00:06:12.759 --> 00:06:17.660
 You are the one who is speaking to us each and every day and each and every event.

00:06:17.660 --> 00:06:21.860
 And we pray, Lord, that you will help us to hear your voice.

00:06:21.960 --> 00:06:25.080
 And help many people in this world to hear.

00:06:25.200 --> 00:06:27.800
 But to heed your voice as well.

00:06:28.120 --> 00:06:29.920
 Not to turn away from it.

00:06:30.040 --> 00:06:31.680
 And not to ignore it.

00:06:31.800 --> 00:06:33.760
 Not to dismiss it and to mock it.

00:06:34.440 --> 00:06:35.840
 But to look to you.

00:06:36.680 --> 00:06:37.940
 For we need you, Lord.

00:06:38.020 --> 00:06:40.460
 We need you in so many different ways.

00:06:41.120 --> 00:06:42.160
 We need your help.

00:06:42.860 --> 00:06:45.600
 We need, oh Lord, your nearness to us.

00:06:45.600 --> 00:06:48.580
 We need that hope that you are able to give us.

00:06:48.700 --> 00:06:51.580
 That you gave your people even long ago.

00:06:52.460 --> 00:06:57.080
 The psalm here reminds us that you were Jacob's refuge.

00:06:57.700 --> 00:07:01.100
 And we thank you that you are our refuge too.

00:07:01.860 --> 00:07:05.040
 And so we pray, Lord, that near and far as your people.

00:07:05.580 --> 00:07:08.439
 Even as people gather for worship in this evening hour.

00:07:09.100 --> 00:07:11.600
 Even as people have worshipped you throughout this day.

00:07:12.240 --> 00:07:13.600
 Throughout the world.

00:07:13.600 --> 00:07:16.780
 We thank you, Lord, that you are the God who hears.

00:07:16.980 --> 00:07:18.640
 And is able to answer prayer.

00:07:19.560 --> 00:07:23.040
 And so we commit, oh Lord, ourselves into your hands.

00:07:23.100 --> 00:07:24.200
 And all your people.

00:07:24.920 --> 00:07:27.120
 We thank you that you are our God.

00:07:27.180 --> 00:07:28.560
 And there is no other.

00:07:29.520 --> 00:07:32.260
 And so, Lord, we come humbly before you.

00:07:32.379 --> 00:07:35.700
 Thankful for all that is ours in Christ Jesus.

00:07:35.980 --> 00:07:39.400
 That we are reminded that no matter the troubles of this world.

00:07:39.399 --> 00:07:41.479
 No matter what comes our way.

00:07:42.060 --> 00:07:46.739
 That our ultimate, our greatest security is in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

00:07:47.319 --> 00:07:52.120
 And help us, Lord, that we will find our refuge and our strength in him.

00:07:52.819 --> 00:07:57.739
 We pray, oh Lord, and ask for your goodness to us as a people here.

00:07:58.399 --> 00:08:03.000
 We thank you that we are reminded in your word that your kingdom comes.

00:08:03.120 --> 00:08:04.759
 That you are building your church.

00:08:04.759 --> 00:08:08.699
 And as we continue, oh Lord, our study in the book of Nehemiah.

00:08:09.319 --> 00:08:12.259
 As we again turn to it this evening and open it up.

00:08:12.779 --> 00:08:15.439
 We pray, Lord, that you will still us in your presence.

00:08:15.680 --> 00:08:21.800
 That you will help us to hear and to understand what you are saying to us.

00:08:22.459 --> 00:08:27.639
 Help us as preacher and hearers alike, oh Lord, to approach your word prayerfully.

00:08:27.639 --> 00:08:31.339
 And with a desire for it, Lord, to learn from it.

00:08:31.699 --> 00:08:33.319
 To apply it to ourselves.

00:08:34.000 --> 00:08:37.639
 Not just to see it as something from a distant past.

00:08:37.779 --> 00:08:39.199
 Thousands of years ago.

00:08:39.799 --> 00:08:43.679
 But something that is fresh and real for us today.

00:08:44.340 --> 00:08:48.059
 Something that encourages us as well as challenges us today.

00:08:48.059 --> 00:08:55.159
 Because we thank you that although the work is not the same in the sense of building the walls of Jerusalem.

00:08:55.759 --> 00:09:00.399
 That in many ways we are still fulfilling your commission to us.

00:09:00.879 --> 00:09:02.139
 To be your church.

00:09:02.519 --> 00:09:03.619
 To be your people.

00:09:04.199 --> 00:09:05.939
 And to seek the good of your name.

00:09:06.459 --> 00:09:07.639
 The praise of your name.

00:09:08.299 --> 00:09:10.039
 In our town.

00:09:10.259 --> 00:09:11.419
 In our islands.

00:09:11.579 --> 00:09:12.199
 In our lands.

00:09:12.299 --> 00:09:13.679
 And all lands of the world.

00:09:13.679 --> 00:09:17.359
 We thank you, Lord, for the great promise that you have given.

00:09:18.139 --> 00:09:19.699
 That you will build your church.

00:09:19.799 --> 00:09:22.959
 And that you will not allow the gates of hell to prevail against it.

00:09:23.699 --> 00:09:25.819
 And help us, Lord, when we feel weak.

00:09:25.959 --> 00:09:27.059
 When we feel discouraged.

00:09:27.339 --> 00:09:29.559
 When we feel the opposition great.

00:09:29.620 --> 00:09:31.399
 Even as we see in the day of Nehemiah.

00:09:32.079 --> 00:09:35.879
 To know and trust in you as our Lord and as our God.

00:09:36.459 --> 00:09:40.279
 So help us even in this coming week to go on in your strength.

00:09:40.279 --> 00:09:42.419
 To do all for the glory of God.

00:09:42.419 --> 00:09:44.259
 And for the good of your people.

00:09:44.799 --> 00:09:46.659
 And for people all around us, Lord.

00:09:46.719 --> 00:09:49.419
 We pray that you will help us and encourage us.

00:09:49.500 --> 00:09:51.719
 And bind us together in the work of the gospel.

00:09:52.279 --> 00:09:55.819
 That we would seek your good for all around us.

00:09:56.360 --> 00:09:58.319
 We would see your blessing upon us.

00:09:58.879 --> 00:10:03.120
 We thank you for the ministry of your word that takes place in so many different ways.

00:10:03.759 --> 00:10:07.779
 We thank you for the times of public worship such as we have just now.

00:10:07.779 --> 00:10:11.639
 And as we gather during the week for times of prayer and worship.

00:10:11.639 --> 00:10:16.679
 But we thank you too for the quieter ways your work goes on.

00:10:17.179 --> 00:10:23.159
 For individuals who take so much time to visit and to keep in touch with people.

00:10:23.299 --> 00:10:24.460
 To look out for others.

00:10:25.080 --> 00:10:27.699
 For so many people who help quietly in the background.

00:10:28.159 --> 00:10:29.919
 Doing so many tasks, oh Lord.

00:10:29.980 --> 00:10:31.720
 That maybe go unnoticed by many.

00:10:32.340 --> 00:10:33.519
 But we thank you, Lord.

00:10:33.600 --> 00:10:36.819
 That from all corners of our congregation.

00:10:36.820 --> 00:10:38.780
 You are using your people.

00:10:38.860 --> 00:10:43.080
 And we pray together that we be encouraged to give ourselves to the work.

00:10:43.700 --> 00:10:45.180
 To encourage one another.

00:10:45.360 --> 00:10:46.560
 To build one another up.

00:10:47.379 --> 00:10:49.580
 To ask, oh Lord.

00:10:49.640 --> 00:10:52.960
 What can we do in this place to help your cause?

00:10:53.040 --> 00:10:55.980
 To commit ourselves to the Lord first and foremost.

00:10:56.700 --> 00:10:59.420
 And then to commit each other to each other as well.

00:10:59.419 --> 00:11:01.039
 We thank you, Lord.

00:11:01.139 --> 00:11:02.799
 For your teaching and your word.

00:11:02.959 --> 00:11:06.360
 That reminds us of what our priorities are to be.

00:11:06.919 --> 00:11:09.559
 That we are to seek first the kingdom of God.

00:11:10.199 --> 00:11:13.079
 And that then all other things will be added unto us.

00:11:13.679 --> 00:11:14.919
 Give us wisdom, oh Lord.

00:11:14.959 --> 00:11:18.319
 To apply these words to our lives and to our hearts.

00:11:18.979 --> 00:11:20.059
 And we pray, oh Lord.

00:11:20.120 --> 00:11:21.860
 For your church far and wide.

00:11:22.500 --> 00:11:25.079
 That we thank you for a communion season in our midst.

00:11:25.080 --> 00:11:28.340
 We pray for the services taking place today.

00:11:28.940 --> 00:11:31.780
 Even this evening hour in Calanish and in Cross.

00:11:32.540 --> 00:11:35.420
 And those who have been together there for our communion weekend.

00:11:35.600 --> 00:11:37.259
 We pray there have been a blessed time.

00:11:37.940 --> 00:11:39.900
 We pray for the upcoming week as well.

00:11:40.040 --> 00:11:41.600
 For the congregation of Park.

00:11:41.740 --> 00:11:44.020
 And for Reverend Ian McCritchie there.

00:11:44.840 --> 00:11:46.560
 And the congregation as a whole.

00:11:47.200 --> 00:11:48.900
 That we pray for visiting ministers.

00:11:48.900 --> 00:11:51.020
 As they will have Reverend Paul Murray.

00:11:51.100 --> 00:11:53.560
 And Reverend Ian Thompson over this coming weekend.

00:11:53.559 --> 00:11:56.839
 And that you would bless the ministry of your word to them.

00:11:57.219 --> 00:11:58.439
 To them all together.

00:11:59.079 --> 00:12:01.939
 We thank you for encouragements in the congregation there.

00:12:02.079 --> 00:12:03.319
 And we pray, oh Lord.

00:12:03.359 --> 00:12:07.979
 To continue to see and to hear of great things happening throughout your church.

00:12:08.059 --> 00:12:08.939
 Far and wide.

00:12:09.699 --> 00:12:11.599
 We remember other ministries, Lord.

00:12:11.699 --> 00:12:12.519
 Today as well.

00:12:12.619 --> 00:12:16.059
 We are mindful of the congregation of Shabbos.

00:12:16.059 --> 00:12:18.279
 Today as Reverend Calum MacLeod.

00:12:18.899 --> 00:12:21.299
 Leads in his last services with them.

00:12:21.299 --> 00:12:25.099
 As he comes to the time of retirement from the ministry.

00:12:25.719 --> 00:12:28.579
 We pray for them that's gathered there this evening.

00:12:29.219 --> 00:12:30.319
 We pray for Calum.

00:12:30.419 --> 00:12:33.819
 And thank you for his ministry there over many years.

00:12:34.099 --> 00:12:37.359
 And pray, oh Lord, that you will bless that ministry.

00:12:37.359 --> 00:12:40.059
 Even in the days and months and years ahead.

00:12:40.740 --> 00:12:43.599
 We pray, Lord, for him and his family.

00:12:43.679 --> 00:12:46.740
 As he will soon be settling into retirement.

00:12:46.740 --> 00:12:51.200
 But still with much to do in terms of his work for the Lord.

00:12:51.419 --> 00:12:52.659
 Even especially in this week.

00:12:52.759 --> 00:12:56.000
 Having been appointed as moderator to our denomination.

00:12:56.360 --> 00:12:58.399
 For the next year.

00:12:58.860 --> 00:13:01.080
 Taking place at the assembly in May.

00:13:01.680 --> 00:13:03.440
 We thank you for that, Lord.

00:13:03.539 --> 00:13:06.899
 And for the acknowledgement of his years of service in the church.

00:13:07.580 --> 00:13:09.379
 We pray that you will continue to use him.

00:13:09.440 --> 00:13:10.139
 And to bless him.

00:13:10.200 --> 00:13:11.240
 And to uphold him.

00:13:11.240 --> 00:13:14.840
 In his ongoing ministry in different ways.

00:13:15.360 --> 00:13:18.060
 We pray for the congregation there as it becomes vacant.

00:13:18.680 --> 00:13:19.940
 Lord, may you bless them.

00:13:20.019 --> 00:13:20.639
 And guide them.

00:13:20.700 --> 00:13:22.779
 And shepherd them throughout these days.

00:13:22.919 --> 00:13:24.360
 And months ahead.

00:13:24.460 --> 00:13:26.080
 We pray, Lord, for your provision.

00:13:26.620 --> 00:13:28.860
 For a new ministry there in your time.

00:13:29.299 --> 00:13:30.820
 And according to your will.

00:13:31.500 --> 00:13:34.200
 We pray, oh Lord, now that you will continue with us.

00:13:34.200 --> 00:13:36.519
 That you will help us to look to you.

00:13:36.519 --> 00:13:38.740
 And to trust in you with all our heart.

00:13:39.220 --> 00:13:41.699
 That you will build us up, oh Lord, in our faith.

00:13:42.360 --> 00:13:44.699
 That you will encourage us in our hearts, oh Lord.

00:13:44.819 --> 00:13:48.120
 And we thank you, Lord, for all that is ours in Christ.

00:13:48.240 --> 00:13:50.759
 We thank you for a great salvation.

00:13:50.919 --> 00:13:52.879
 And a great hope that we have in him.

00:13:53.439 --> 00:13:55.919
 And we pray, Lord, that whatever comes our way.

00:13:56.019 --> 00:13:59.240
 That you will always keep us looking to Jesus.

00:13:59.240 --> 00:14:02.360
 The author and the perfecter of our faith.

00:14:02.740 --> 00:14:04.480
 So hear our prayers, oh Lord.

00:14:04.480 --> 00:14:07.019
 Continue with us in our time together.

00:14:07.680 --> 00:14:08.560
 Bless us, we pray.

00:14:08.639 --> 00:14:09.759
 And pardon our sin.

00:14:10.220 --> 00:14:12.820
 As we ask it all in Jesus' precious name.

00:14:13.340 --> 00:14:13.680
 Amen.

00:14:16.600 --> 00:14:19.279
 So again, sing to God's praise.

00:14:19.340 --> 00:14:21.639
 This time we'll sing in Psalm 127.

00:14:22.840 --> 00:14:24.560
 In the Sing Psalms version.

00:14:25.279 --> 00:14:28.259
 Page 171 of the psalm books.

00:14:28.759 --> 00:14:29.920
 Psalm 127.

00:14:31.800 --> 00:14:33.659
 We'll sing the whole of this psalm.

00:14:33.659 --> 00:14:35.719
 The tune is Wiltshire.

00:14:36.799 --> 00:14:38.679
 Page 171.

00:14:38.759 --> 00:14:41.579
 Unless the Lord builds up the house,

00:14:41.679 --> 00:14:43.679
 Its builders toil in vain.

00:14:44.219 --> 00:14:46.139
 Unless he keeps the city safe,

00:14:46.299 --> 00:14:49.719
 Then they vainly watch maintain.

00:14:50.360 --> 00:14:53.000
 So we'll sing the whole of this psalm to God's praise.

00:14:53.120 --> 00:14:54.679
 We stand to sing.

00:14:54.679 --> 00:15:11.000
 Kung stolid, you are here in the kingdom of God is to live the hall.

00:15:11.000 --> 00:15:33.000
 The elders toil in vain, unless he keeps the seldomly safe, they mainly won't maintain.

00:15:33.000 --> 00:16:01.299
 In vain you rise before the dawn, and lift her skin with heat, that you may toil for food to eat.

00:16:01.299 --> 00:16:09.039
 He gives his cup of sleep.

00:16:09.039 --> 00:16:27.039
 Sons are a precious heritage, a blessing from the Lord.

00:16:27.039 --> 00:16:45.039
 The children that are born to us are to lead his reward.

00:16:45.039 --> 00:17:04.220
 Like an old sin, a warrior's hand, are children of one's youth.

00:17:04.220 --> 00:17:22.220
 The man whose whippers full of them is blessed by God in truth.

00:17:22.220 --> 00:17:40.220
 Such men will not be put to shame, but will not be their fate.

00:17:40.220 --> 00:17:57.680
 When they content are yet to boast, who takes them in the gate.

00:17:57.680 --> 00:17:58.240
 Amen.

00:18:04.299 --> 00:18:08.320
 We can turn together to read now in the Old Testament in the book of Nehemiah.

00:18:08.820 --> 00:18:10.900
 It's a continuous study in this book.

00:18:11.560 --> 00:18:13.640
 We read in Nehemiah chapter 4.

00:18:16.140 --> 00:18:20.000
 We can read the whole of this chapter in Nehemiah chapter 4.

00:18:20.860 --> 00:18:23.480
 Reading from the beginning down to the end of the chapter.

00:18:23.480 --> 00:18:33.920
 Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged,

00:18:34.380 --> 00:18:40.079
 and he jeered at the Jews. And he said in the presence of his brothers and of the army of

00:18:40.079 --> 00:18:48.279
 Samaria, what are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for themselves? Will they sacrifice?

00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:57.160
 Will they finish in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish and burned ones

00:18:57.160 --> 00:19:05.960
 at that? Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, yes, what they are building, if a fox goes

00:19:05.960 --> 00:19:15.680
 up on it, he will break down their stone wall. Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt

00:19:15.680 --> 00:19:22.600
 on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. Do not cover

00:19:22.600 --> 00:19:29.620
 their guilt, and let not their sin be blotted out from your sight, for they have provoked you to anger

00:19:29.620 --> 00:19:37.900
 in the presence of the builders. So we built the wall, and all the wall was joined together to half

00:19:37.900 --> 00:19:45.019
 its height, for the people had a mind to work. But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the

00:19:45.019 --> 00:19:51.359
 Ammonites and the Astrodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward,

00:19:51.900 --> 00:19:58.639
 and that the breaches were beginning to be closed, they were very angry. And they all plotted together

00:19:58.639 --> 00:20:06.940
 to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. And we prayed to our God and set

00:20:06.940 --> 00:20:14.140
 their guard as a protection against them day and night. In Judah it was said, the strength of those

00:20:14.140 --> 00:20:21.779
 who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild

00:20:21.779 --> 00:20:30.140
 the wall. And our enemies said, they will not know or see till we come among them and kill them and stop

00:20:30.140 --> 00:20:38.620
 the work. At that time the Jews who lived near them came from all directions and said to us ten times,

00:20:38.880 --> 00:20:47.900
 you must return to us. So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed

00:20:47.900 --> 00:20:56.720
 the people by their clans with their swords, their spears, and their bows. And I looked and arose and said

00:20:56.720 --> 00:21:02.660
 to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, do not be afraid of them.

00:21:03.559 --> 00:21:11.600
 Remember the Lord who is great and awesome and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters,

00:21:11.600 --> 00:21:20.220
 your wives, and your homes. When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated

00:21:20.220 --> 00:21:28.819
 their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work. From that day on, half of my servants worked

00:21:28.819 --> 00:21:37.360
 on construction and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind

00:21:37.360 --> 00:21:45.039
 the whole house of Judah, who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a

00:21:45.039 --> 00:21:52.240
 way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. And each of the

00:21:52.240 --> 00:22:00.240
 builders had his sword strapped to his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me.

00:22:00.839 --> 00:22:06.980
 And I said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, the work is great and

00:22:06.980 --> 00:22:14.339
 widely spread, and we are separated on the wall far from one another. And the place where you hear the

00:22:14.339 --> 00:22:24.379
 sound of the trumpet, rally to us there, our God will fight for us. So we labored at the work, and half of them

00:22:24.379 --> 00:22:31.419
 held the spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out. I also said to the people at that time,

00:22:31.939 --> 00:22:38.740
 let every man and his servant pass the night within Jerusalem, that they may be a guard for us by night

00:22:38.740 --> 00:22:46.539
 and may labor by day. So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed

00:22:46.539 --> 00:22:56.819
 me, none of us took off our clothes, each kept his weapon at his right hand. Amen, and may God bless that

00:22:56.819 --> 00:23:03.799
 reading from his word. Well, before we turn back to look at this passage, we'll sing again to God's praise,

00:23:03.799 --> 00:23:14.419
 this time in Psalm 31 in the Scottish Psalter. We're singing from verse 13 down to verse 17,

00:23:15.059 --> 00:23:19.079
 page 242 of the psalm book, Psalm 31.

00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:25.579
 We sing from verse 13, the tune is Torwood.

00:23:25.579 --> 00:23:42.299
 We see here a similar situation to what Nehemiah and the people were facing when there was

00:23:42.299 --> 00:23:48.319
 slanderers all around them. Fear was in their midst, and there were those who were plotting against them

00:23:48.319 --> 00:23:57.200
 in so many different ways. But verse 14 reminds us, but as for me, O Lord, my trust, upon thee I did lay,

00:23:57.720 --> 00:24:05.579
 and I to thee, thou art my God, did confidently say. That we will be able to say these words for

00:24:05.579 --> 00:24:12.119
 ourselves as well, that we can take confidence in the Lord. So we'll sing from verse 13 down to

00:24:12.119 --> 00:24:14.619
 verse 17 to God's praise.

00:24:14.619 --> 00:24:44.599
 Thank you.

00:24:44.619 --> 00:25:14.599
 Thank you.

00:25:14.619 --> 00:25:16.619
 Thank you.

00:25:44.619 --> 00:25:46.619
 Thank you.

00:26:14.619 --> 00:26:16.619
 Thank you.

00:26:44.619 --> 00:26:52.359
 Let wicked men be shamed.

00:26:52.619 --> 00:27:00.619
 Let them be silent in the grave.

00:27:00.619 --> 00:27:02.619
 Amen.

00:27:02.619 --> 00:27:11.099
 Well, we can turn back to our reading in Nehemiah chapter 4.

00:27:11.099 --> 00:27:18.279
 We'll consider some of these sections before us here in this chapter together.

00:27:18.279 --> 00:27:29.440
 If you read again with me at verse 10, we see there some of the discouragement that the people were facing.

00:27:29.440 --> 00:27:35.299
 In Judah it was said, the strength of those who bear the burdens is failing.

00:27:35.960 --> 00:27:39.480
 There is too much rubble by ourselves.

00:27:39.720 --> 00:27:43.340
 We will not be able to rebuild the wall.

00:27:43.339 --> 00:27:50.619
 Then we can read again at verse 14 as well, where Nehemiah speaks to the people and says,

00:27:50.619 --> 00:27:57.039
 And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people,

00:27:57.879 --> 00:27:59.539
 Do not be afraid of them.

00:28:00.419 --> 00:28:04.159
 Remember the Lord who is great and awesome.

00:28:04.160 --> 00:28:11.860
 And fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.

00:28:11.859 --> 00:28:21.939
 This chapter is a real mix of ups and downs in the midst of the work that Nehemiah had come back to Jerusalem to do

00:28:21.939 --> 00:28:29.899
 and to encourage the people of Jerusalem to return to the work of rebuilding the walls that had been devastated.

00:28:30.919 --> 00:28:35.959
 What we have seen of Nehemiah so far as we began our study in this book,

00:28:35.959 --> 00:28:41.799
 we've seen him as one who was a servant for the king in Persia.

00:28:42.219 --> 00:28:45.359
 Some 900 miles away from Jerusalem.

00:28:45.759 --> 00:28:51.419
 He had been born in that place, born of parents who had been taken captive from Jerusalem

00:28:51.419 --> 00:28:55.399
 when they had been conquered and taken captive.

00:28:56.279 --> 00:28:59.139
 And Nehemiah had never seen Jerusalem for himself.

00:29:00.419 --> 00:29:04.159
 But we see that as he was a cupbearer to the king in Persia,

00:29:04.159 --> 00:29:09.219
 he heard news from Jerusalem, news that greatly troubled him.

00:29:09.220 --> 00:29:12.920
 That Jerusalem was in disarray.

00:29:13.980 --> 00:29:20.980
 And this led to him getting a confident vision of what the Lord wanted him to do.

00:29:21.079 --> 00:29:25.299
 And so he returned to Jerusalem or came to Jerusalem, not returning.

00:29:25.400 --> 00:29:30.660
 He came to Jerusalem, saw it for the first time himself and the devastation that there was,

00:29:30.660 --> 00:29:38.000
 and yet was still encouraged and an encourager to the people to get on with the work of rebuilding the wall.

00:29:38.080 --> 00:29:40.880
 But this was not without its challenges.

00:29:41.920 --> 00:29:47.840
 Every step along the way, there was challenges as they got on with this work.

00:29:47.839 --> 00:29:51.019
 But perhaps for ourselves, it's just important to think,

00:29:51.099 --> 00:29:55.959
 what kind of task did Nehemiah face as he returned to Jerusalem?

00:29:56.119 --> 00:29:59.279
 We've mentioned the rebuilding of the walls.

00:30:00.199 --> 00:30:03.119
 But what kind of walls are we looking at here?

00:30:03.159 --> 00:30:07.059
 What's the importance of these walls of Jerusalem?

00:30:07.059 --> 00:30:17.700
 Well, it wasn't just a nice little block garden wall to protect the flowers or to protect the vegetable plot.

00:30:17.779 --> 00:30:22.279
 That's not the kind of walls that he was returning to rebuild at all.

00:30:22.899 --> 00:30:25.819
 Remember what it said in chapter 1, verse 3.

00:30:26.519 --> 00:30:30.899
 They were given an insight as to the devastation of Jerusalem.

00:30:30.900 --> 00:30:34.240
 It says there in verse 3,

00:30:34.440 --> 00:30:41.420
 The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame.

00:30:42.080 --> 00:30:49.540
 The wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates are destroyed by fire.

00:30:50.680 --> 00:30:55.680
 The walls of Jerusalem, walls of any city in those days, it had to be robust.

00:30:56.180 --> 00:30:57.800
 It had to be large.

00:30:57.799 --> 00:31:04.740
 It had to be strong in order to stand up against attacks from the enemies.

00:31:05.419 --> 00:31:08.579
 It had to surround the city entirely.

00:31:09.359 --> 00:31:16.259
 Just one breach in the wall could mean disaster for that city because the city would be conquered.

00:31:16.460 --> 00:31:17.599
 And here is Jerusalem.

00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:21.019
 There's no wall left all around it.

00:31:21.579 --> 00:31:24.940
 So the enemy is free to come in and to go out.

00:31:24.940 --> 00:31:28.460
 The people can't get on with their lives as they would wish.

00:31:29.120 --> 00:31:32.820
 They're influenced by outside enemies all the time.

00:31:32.900 --> 00:31:39.779
 And in order to be themselves once again, to be a people once again, they need these walls rebuilt.

00:31:40.580 --> 00:31:48.820
 And the wall itself stretched around Jerusalem for about two miles length to get right around the city.

00:31:48.819 --> 00:31:53.099
 The walls were, in some places, 12 meters high.

00:31:53.740 --> 00:31:56.960
 Probably as high as the walls on the side of the church here.

00:31:57.359 --> 00:32:01.519
 Two and a half meters thick, even thicker than these walls.

00:32:02.200 --> 00:32:05.559
 So that the task wasn't small.

00:32:06.599 --> 00:32:13.159
 If you think about it in our own situation here, it's like building a wall like that from the church here,

00:32:13.160 --> 00:32:17.800
 up to the manse and plaster field, and back again.

00:32:19.960 --> 00:32:22.060
 Who's up for that task?

00:32:22.860 --> 00:32:27.940
 What would it be like to even just think of starting a work like that?

00:32:28.000 --> 00:32:30.680
 It would just seem impossible in our eyes.

00:32:31.300 --> 00:32:37.040
 And for a time, it seems like it may be impossible in the eyes of the people in Nehemiah's day.

00:32:37.039 --> 00:32:46.119
 But what was at stake here with Nehemiah and the people of his day, it was more than just the security of the city.

00:32:46.740 --> 00:32:53.019
 It was the worship of the Lord and the salvation of the Lord's people.

00:32:53.579 --> 00:32:55.500
 That's what was at stake.

00:32:55.500 --> 00:33:02.839
 And as we think ourselves today of how this applies to us,

00:33:03.339 --> 00:33:08.539
 we're not going to start building a wall from here to plaster field and back.

00:33:09.059 --> 00:33:11.619
 That's not what the Lord is calling us to.

00:33:12.599 --> 00:33:19.160
 But we are involved, or we should be involved, in a building project that's even greater.

00:33:19.940 --> 00:33:23.500
 To be involved in the kingdom work of God.

00:33:23.500 --> 00:33:27.460
 Because God is building his church.

00:33:28.420 --> 00:33:31.400
 Of that we are assured through his word.

00:33:31.460 --> 00:33:36.319
 Until the day that he returns, he is building his church.

00:33:37.259 --> 00:33:41.059
 And in order to build his church, he uses his people.

00:33:41.900 --> 00:33:45.380
 We may not be building a physical wall,

00:33:45.920 --> 00:33:50.680
 but he has commanded us in his word to the work of mission.

00:33:50.680 --> 00:33:55.100
 To the work of building his kingdom.

00:33:55.779 --> 00:33:59.740
 The Lord has told his church in the New Testament.

00:33:59.900 --> 00:34:03.560
 He has commanded his church to go in the Great Commission.

00:34:03.700 --> 00:34:07.980
 To go and make disciples of all nations.

00:34:09.099 --> 00:34:13.039
 He has given his church through every generation today,

00:34:13.539 --> 00:34:16.559
 before us and after us, that commission, that work,

00:34:16.559 --> 00:34:18.179
 to be involved in.

00:34:19.500 --> 00:34:21.480
 And as we think of that task,

00:34:21.539 --> 00:34:25.900
 a little like it would be for those who are looking at Jerusalem in their day,

00:34:25.960 --> 00:34:27.239
 when the walls were in ruin,

00:34:27.299 --> 00:34:30.320
 it's a task that maybe seems beyond us.

00:34:31.219 --> 00:34:35.500
 It's a task that maybe makes us feel overwhelmed in it all.

00:34:35.639 --> 00:34:38.000
 How are we going to do this work?

00:34:38.119 --> 00:34:39.099
 Where do we start?

00:34:39.940 --> 00:34:42.159
 We just don't have the resources.

00:34:42.159 --> 00:34:45.539
 We just have to maybe try and hold our own.

00:34:45.679 --> 00:34:47.159
 Look after what we've got.

00:34:48.399 --> 00:34:51.139
 But that's not the command of God's word.

00:34:51.920 --> 00:34:54.619
 The command of God's word is not to stand still.

00:34:55.420 --> 00:34:58.819
 The command of God's word is not to look after what we've got.

00:34:58.899 --> 00:35:00.420
 The command is still the same.

00:35:01.379 --> 00:35:04.839
 Go and make disciples of all nations,

00:35:04.940 --> 00:35:06.079
 of all people,

00:35:06.639 --> 00:35:07.759
 all around us,

00:35:07.879 --> 00:35:09.259
 near and far.

00:35:09.260 --> 00:35:12.300
 We still have that great commission.

00:35:14.620 --> 00:35:18.140
 But what was happening in Nehemiah's day was,

00:35:18.540 --> 00:35:20.720
 for the past 13 years or so,

00:35:20.780 --> 00:35:21.820
 up till this point,

00:35:22.260 --> 00:35:24.420
 Jerusalem had been at a standstill.

00:35:25.620 --> 00:35:28.960
 All they were trying to do was just hold their own.

00:35:30.620 --> 00:35:34.180
 The focus had been lost from looking to God

00:35:34.179 --> 00:35:39.279
 and loving his people to just trying to survive day by day.

00:35:40.659 --> 00:35:41.839
 There was no encouragement.

00:35:42.099 --> 00:35:43.839
 There was no sense of joy.

00:35:43.960 --> 00:35:47.079
 There was no sense of mission or vision for the people.

00:35:47.179 --> 00:35:48.039
 It had been lost.

00:35:49.639 --> 00:35:52.379
 But as we have seen in the opening chapter here,

00:35:52.460 --> 00:35:55.619
 a simple question that Nehemiah asked

00:35:55.619 --> 00:35:58.659
 changed his life upside down.

00:35:58.659 --> 00:36:00.779
 When he asked that question,

00:36:01.119 --> 00:36:03.219
 how are they in Jerusalem?

00:36:03.339 --> 00:36:06.159
 And when he heard the disarray that they were in,

00:36:06.579 --> 00:36:08.099
 the shame that was upon them,

00:36:08.239 --> 00:36:10.899
 and the danger that they were in,

00:36:11.579 --> 00:36:14.079
 it gave him this burden,

00:36:14.920 --> 00:36:16.460
 that this vision was needed,

00:36:17.519 --> 00:36:19.799
 that there was work to be done,

00:36:20.799 --> 00:36:24.599
 that there was a renewed confidence in the Lord required.

00:36:24.599 --> 00:36:29.639
 And that is what Nehemiah came to Jerusalem with.

00:36:31.019 --> 00:36:33.259
 Realism as to the work,

00:36:33.619 --> 00:36:34.920
 the enormity of it,

00:36:35.400 --> 00:36:36.480
 but yet a passion,

00:36:37.519 --> 00:36:41.039
 a passion to stir up a people to the work.

00:36:42.259 --> 00:36:45.819
 And last week we saw that he arrived in Jerusalem.

00:36:46.500 --> 00:36:47.779
 He had taken this journey,

00:36:47.900 --> 00:36:49.799
 maybe taking about four months,

00:36:49.880 --> 00:36:52.779
 to travel from Persia down to Jerusalem.

00:36:52.780 --> 00:36:54.780
 And he arrived there.

00:36:55.660 --> 00:36:58.040
 But he didn't immediately start with the work.

00:36:58.140 --> 00:37:00.360
 He got his priorities right first.

00:37:01.380 --> 00:37:03.680
 He spent a time, first of all, resting.

00:37:03.860 --> 00:37:06.560
 It says for three days he was in Jerusalem.

00:37:06.720 --> 00:37:08.880
 He rested for a time.

00:37:09.680 --> 00:37:12.500
 But then he went out for himself to review the situation,

00:37:12.660 --> 00:37:16.180
 to see what was actually had happened in Jerusalem

00:37:16.180 --> 00:37:18.080
 and the devastation that there was.

00:37:18.140 --> 00:37:20.140
 He saw for himself.

00:37:20.139 --> 00:37:23.500
 But then he spoke to the people and said,

00:37:23.619 --> 00:37:25.719
 it's a time to rise.

00:37:25.839 --> 00:37:29.000
 It's a time for the work to go on.

00:37:29.500 --> 00:37:31.400
 And in chapter three, we didn't read it,

00:37:31.900 --> 00:37:35.039
 but it outlines those who were involved in the work.

00:37:35.139 --> 00:37:37.099
 You can read through it in your own time.

00:37:37.199 --> 00:37:38.940
 It's worth looking through.

00:37:39.119 --> 00:37:43.199
 Again, it seems like a list of names of people,

00:37:43.699 --> 00:37:45.219
 but they're always significant.

00:37:45.219 --> 00:37:47.579
 And we'll see that as we go on this evening.

00:37:48.179 --> 00:37:51.500
 But it just shows you those who were involved in the work

00:37:51.500 --> 00:37:57.099
 and the huge task that was involved in rebuilding these walls.

00:37:58.219 --> 00:38:02.139
 And they were enthused and they rose to the challenge.

00:38:02.199 --> 00:38:05.199
 And initially things seem to be going well.

00:38:05.199 --> 00:38:08.019
 But as is often the case,

00:38:08.639 --> 00:38:11.480
 when things are going well in the Lord's work,

00:38:11.539 --> 00:38:12.579
 what happens?

00:38:13.839 --> 00:38:14.919
 Attacks come.

00:38:16.119 --> 00:38:17.899
 Discouragements will come.

00:38:18.839 --> 00:38:21.899
 But it's how do we deal with these things?

00:38:21.960 --> 00:38:22.899
 That is the key.

00:38:23.759 --> 00:38:27.599
 And that is what we want to take from chapter four this evening.

00:38:27.599 --> 00:38:31.219
 How do we deal with these challenges?

00:38:31.860 --> 00:38:36.619
 And how do we remain courageous in the work of the Lord?

00:38:37.059 --> 00:38:40.619
 So I want us to think of four things from this chapter.

00:38:41.339 --> 00:38:43.500
 First, conflict is inevitable.

00:38:44.460 --> 00:38:48.219
 It's a sad thing to say, but conflict is inevitable.

00:38:49.339 --> 00:38:52.239
 Secondly, we'll see discouragement is understandable.

00:38:52.239 --> 00:38:57.959
 But then thirdly, we'll see keeping focused is crucial.

00:38:58.959 --> 00:39:03.019
 And then fourthly, God is invincible.

00:39:04.199 --> 00:39:07.659
 So I want to look at these four things from the chapter this evening.

00:39:07.839 --> 00:39:11.139
 Firstly, conflict is inevitable.

00:39:12.259 --> 00:39:14.079
 In chapter four, as we read here,

00:39:14.159 --> 00:39:18.219
 we join with the people as the work is going on.

00:39:18.319 --> 00:39:20.479
 The walls are being rebuilt.

00:39:20.480 --> 00:39:24.199
 The people have engaged and they're enthused for it.

00:39:25.079 --> 00:39:28.740
 But what we see is soon after the work's starting,

00:39:28.820 --> 00:39:34.760
 that when God's people respond to the call to focus on God's work,

00:39:35.679 --> 00:39:39.980
 the enemy will quickly rise up in opposition.

00:39:41.400 --> 00:39:44.820
 And the enemy will use all kinds of means

00:39:44.820 --> 00:39:49.119
 to put the work into disarray once again.

00:39:49.119 --> 00:39:52.719
 But maybe the obvious question to ask is,

00:39:52.839 --> 00:39:56.279
 where has this opposition been for the last number of years

00:39:56.279 --> 00:39:58.699
 when the walls lay in ruin?

00:39:59.980 --> 00:40:04.179
 Well, it's the opposition that has been keeping things down,

00:40:05.000 --> 00:40:06.339
 not needing to do much.

00:40:07.559 --> 00:40:09.380
 When people are discouraged,

00:40:09.679 --> 00:40:12.839
 the devil doesn't have to do much to keep his people down.

00:40:13.179 --> 00:40:15.319
 When they're discouraged, when they've got no vision,

00:40:15.320 --> 00:40:17.340
 they're not doing anything.

00:40:19.059 --> 00:40:24.760
 But as soon as Nehemiah arrives with this vision for this work,

00:40:25.480 --> 00:40:27.840
 the enemy is on the case.

00:40:28.940 --> 00:40:30.980
 The enemy is there.

00:40:31.700 --> 00:40:34.340
 And isn't it so true to this day?

00:40:35.420 --> 00:40:38.380
 Whenever we're involved in the Lord's work,

00:40:38.440 --> 00:40:40.960
 whenever we feel a sense of encouragement,

00:40:40.960 --> 00:40:44.240
 whenever we feel that good things are happening,

00:40:45.039 --> 00:40:46.679
 the attacks come.

00:40:48.039 --> 00:40:49.720
 The enemy attacks.

00:40:50.440 --> 00:40:52.400
 It's always the case.

00:40:53.920 --> 00:40:57.019
 The devil doesn't want the church to grow.

00:40:57.559 --> 00:41:00.260
 The devil doesn't want the gospel to spread.

00:41:00.699 --> 00:41:03.579
 The devil doesn't want people to be saved.

00:41:03.699 --> 00:41:05.679
 So as soon as something good is happening,

00:41:06.059 --> 00:41:08.280
 he becomes more active.

00:41:08.280 --> 00:41:12.060
 You see it in the days of Ezra.

00:41:13.100 --> 00:41:14.800
 The previous book to this.

00:41:14.920 --> 00:41:16.080
 When Ezra came back,

00:41:16.460 --> 00:41:19.760
 was involved in the work of rebuilding the temple at Jerusalem.

00:41:20.100 --> 00:41:22.800
 There was chaos in the midst of that.

00:41:22.920 --> 00:41:24.440
 There was confusion.

00:41:24.740 --> 00:41:27.880
 There was discouragement in the midst of that.

00:41:29.200 --> 00:41:32.220
 And Ezra says that this will be the case

00:41:32.220 --> 00:41:34.640
 down through all the generations.

00:41:34.639 --> 00:41:38.940
 So it's happening here in Nehemiah's day.

00:41:39.339 --> 00:41:41.799
 And you see it right throughout the scriptures.

00:41:43.079 --> 00:41:43.719
 Discouragements.

00:41:44.739 --> 00:41:46.659
 Attacks always come.

00:41:47.759 --> 00:41:50.420
 And so when we think of that ourselves,

00:41:50.420 --> 00:41:53.779
 we see it happening again and again.

00:41:54.639 --> 00:41:56.739
 Conflicts always arise

00:41:56.739 --> 00:41:59.639
 when the work of the Lord is going on.

00:42:00.639 --> 00:42:03.699
 And Jesus himself faced these conflicts too.

00:42:03.699 --> 00:42:07.319
 When you look at the life of Jesus in this world,

00:42:07.839 --> 00:42:09.460
 here in Nehemiah's day,

00:42:09.559 --> 00:42:11.299
 you've got Sanballat and Tobiah.

00:42:11.399 --> 00:42:13.339
 Their names keep appearing.

00:42:14.000 --> 00:42:15.379
 When you look at Jesus' days,

00:42:15.500 --> 00:42:17.339
 you've got the Pharisees and the Sadducees

00:42:17.339 --> 00:42:20.099
 and all of those who were opposed to him.

00:42:20.919 --> 00:42:23.779
 Again and again, he faces conflict from them.

00:42:24.579 --> 00:42:27.439
 The enemy is attacking all the time.

00:42:27.440 --> 00:42:32.740
 And there are times when the enemy seems to be victorious,

00:42:32.940 --> 00:42:35.480
 when he's got on top of the people.

00:42:36.000 --> 00:42:39.139
 That's what we see in verse 10 here.

00:42:39.659 --> 00:42:42.840
 That's what you see when you look in the life of Christ

00:42:42.840 --> 00:42:44.420
 and the cross especially.

00:42:44.920 --> 00:42:46.400
 When he's crucified there,

00:42:46.500 --> 00:42:47.420
 the people think,

00:42:47.880 --> 00:42:49.559
 this is it, we've won.

00:42:49.559 --> 00:42:52.779
 But as we're often reminded,

00:42:53.519 --> 00:42:55.519
 Christ is victorious.

00:42:57.519 --> 00:43:01.360
 And the cause of Christ will not be put down

00:43:01.360 --> 00:43:03.799
 even in the midst of conflict.

00:43:03.800 --> 00:43:07.800
 So we are reminded here

00:43:07.800 --> 00:43:09.480
 that even as conflict comes,

00:43:09.940 --> 00:43:12.820
 even though conflict is inevitable

00:43:12.820 --> 00:43:14.500
 in so many ways,

00:43:14.580 --> 00:43:17.480
 because Jesus reminds us in the Gospel of John,

00:43:17.640 --> 00:43:19.120
 chapter 15, he says,

00:43:19.220 --> 00:43:20.760
 if the world hates you,

00:43:21.300 --> 00:43:23.840
 know this, it has hated me first.

00:43:25.840 --> 00:43:27.900
 We are reminded again and again

00:43:27.900 --> 00:43:30.180
 that troubles will come.

00:43:30.179 --> 00:43:34.179
 Tobias and Sambalat are here again.

00:43:34.980 --> 00:43:36.139
 We hear them mentioned.

00:43:36.980 --> 00:43:38.879
 And we're going to come back to them again,

00:43:39.339 --> 00:43:40.019
 not this evening,

00:43:40.119 --> 00:43:41.460
 but another time, God willing,

00:43:41.539 --> 00:43:43.639
 and see how they keep appearing.

00:43:43.759 --> 00:43:46.039
 We'll see it in chapter 6, God willing.

00:43:47.879 --> 00:43:50.159
 There's opposition in so many ways.

00:43:50.239 --> 00:43:52.599
 There's conflict in so many ways,

00:43:52.779 --> 00:43:55.379
 inside, outside, from outside forces,

00:43:55.539 --> 00:43:56.599
 but also from within.

00:43:56.599 --> 00:44:00.679
 But tonight, the question is this.

00:44:02.019 --> 00:44:05.659
 Do you want to be a builder or a wrecker?

00:44:06.980 --> 00:44:09.500
 What side are you on?

00:44:10.539 --> 00:44:12.099
 Are you seeking to be involved

00:44:12.099 --> 00:44:15.599
 in the work of building the kingdom of God?

00:44:16.019 --> 00:44:18.839
 Or are you seeking to tear it down?

00:44:20.119 --> 00:44:22.440
 Surely, we are all builders.

00:44:22.440 --> 00:44:26.099
 Surely, we would all long to be builders

00:44:26.099 --> 00:44:27.800
 in the kingdom of God,

00:44:27.880 --> 00:44:29.659
 but be on our guard,

00:44:30.500 --> 00:44:33.280
 because it's easy to become a wrecker,

00:44:34.059 --> 00:44:37.179
 easy to be someone who brings it down.

00:44:38.340 --> 00:44:40.420
 There's a poem called this

00:44:40.420 --> 00:44:42.539
 A Builder or a Wrecker,

00:44:43.159 --> 00:44:44.420
 and it goes like this.

00:44:45.280 --> 00:44:48.240
 As I watched them tear a building down,

00:44:48.860 --> 00:44:51.579
 a gang of men in a busy town,

00:44:51.579 --> 00:44:54.880
 with a ho, heave, ho, and a lusty yell,

00:44:55.380 --> 00:44:56.400
 they swung a beam,

00:44:56.500 --> 00:44:58.119
 and the side wall fell.

00:44:59.119 --> 00:45:00.460
 I asked the foreman,

00:45:00.860 --> 00:45:02.259
 are these men skilled,

00:45:02.739 --> 00:45:05.179
 and the men you'd hire if you wanted to build?

00:45:06.000 --> 00:45:07.799
 He gave a laugh and said,

00:45:08.279 --> 00:45:11.920
 no, indeed, just common labor is all I need.

00:45:12.920 --> 00:45:15.579
 I can easily wreck in a day or two

00:45:15.579 --> 00:45:18.460
 what builders have taken years to do.

00:45:18.460 --> 00:45:21.920
 And I thought to myself as I went on my way,

00:45:22.260 --> 00:45:25.659
 which of these roles have I tried to play?

00:45:26.639 --> 00:45:29.019
 Am I a builder who works with care,

00:45:29.559 --> 00:45:32.059
 measuring life by rule and square?

00:45:32.440 --> 00:45:35.760
 Am I shaping my work to a well-made plan,

00:45:36.380 --> 00:45:39.519
 patiently doing the best I can?

00:45:39.519 --> 00:45:43.840
 Or am I a wrecker who walks to town,

00:45:44.300 --> 00:45:47.539
 content with the labor of tearing down?

00:45:48.300 --> 00:45:52.440
 O Lord, let my life and my labors be

00:45:52.440 --> 00:45:55.980
 that which will build for eternity.

00:45:57.739 --> 00:46:01.420
 Are we builders or wreckers?

00:46:01.420 --> 00:46:06.159
 The second thing we see here

00:46:06.159 --> 00:46:09.480
 is that discouragement is understandable.

00:46:10.619 --> 00:46:12.659
 As well as the opposition,

00:46:12.880 --> 00:46:15.980
 they also faced times of discouragement

00:46:15.980 --> 00:46:19.019
 when everything just seemed too much.

00:46:20.200 --> 00:46:22.440
 Nehemiah 4, verse 10,

00:46:22.519 --> 00:46:26.099
 is probably a low point in their experience here

00:46:26.099 --> 00:46:28.860
 where it says there,

00:46:28.980 --> 00:46:32.179
 the strength of those who bear the burdens is failing.

00:46:32.639 --> 00:46:34.299
 There is too much rubble.

00:46:34.420 --> 00:46:39.500
 By ourselves, we will not be able to rebuild the wall.

00:46:40.460 --> 00:46:43.739
 It's understandable in so many ways.

00:46:44.199 --> 00:46:47.059
 When you think of the picture of Jerusalem at this time

00:46:47.059 --> 00:46:47.940
 and the walls,

00:46:48.460 --> 00:46:51.960
 just a bunch of rubble lying around,

00:46:51.960 --> 00:46:53.519
 even though the work had gone on

00:46:53.519 --> 00:46:55.739
 to a fair degree at this point,

00:46:55.840 --> 00:46:58.920
 there was still much to be discouraged about.

00:47:00.320 --> 00:47:02.099
 So it's understandable

00:47:02.099 --> 00:47:04.699
 that there was discouragement.

00:47:05.739 --> 00:47:08.159
 It seemed that no matter how much they did,

00:47:08.599 --> 00:47:10.599
 there just seemed to be more to do.

00:47:11.780 --> 00:47:14.519
 And again, it maybe rings familiar to ourselves

00:47:14.519 --> 00:47:15.739
 as well as a church.

00:47:16.099 --> 00:47:18.420
 No matter how much we seem to do,

00:47:18.420 --> 00:47:21.800
 there's always just so much more to be done.

00:47:23.519 --> 00:47:24.739
 It feels like that.

00:47:24.800 --> 00:47:27.320
 The task is never ending.

00:47:28.139 --> 00:47:32.079
 But where does the real problem here lie?

00:47:33.420 --> 00:47:34.559
 Well, when you look at it,

00:47:34.659 --> 00:47:38.199
 it's not so much the circumstances that they're in,

00:47:38.880 --> 00:47:40.300
 it's their attitude.

00:47:41.860 --> 00:47:43.679
 Their attitude is being influenced

00:47:43.679 --> 00:47:47.000
 by those enemies that have come alongside them,

00:47:47.239 --> 00:47:48.780
 who are discouraging them.

00:47:49.840 --> 00:47:50.940
 And because of that,

00:47:50.940 --> 00:47:52.200
 they feel this way,

00:47:52.300 --> 00:47:54.380
 that their focus is on themselves.

00:47:54.619 --> 00:47:56.639
 Our strength is gone.

00:47:57.659 --> 00:47:59.579
 There's too much to do.

00:48:00.700 --> 00:48:02.059
 Where do we start?

00:48:02.139 --> 00:48:02.920
 By ourselves,

00:48:03.099 --> 00:48:06.039
 we're not able to rebuild this wall.

00:48:07.320 --> 00:48:10.380
 So they're at this low point.

00:48:11.559 --> 00:48:12.340
 And so often,

00:48:12.579 --> 00:48:15.320
 that's the problem within ourselves too.

00:48:15.320 --> 00:48:17.720
 It's when we begin to feel

00:48:17.720 --> 00:48:19.700
 that sense of discouragement,

00:48:20.140 --> 00:48:21.539
 that nothing's changing.

00:48:21.740 --> 00:48:22.980
 Even whatever we do,

00:48:23.059 --> 00:48:25.100
 it doesn't seem to make any impact

00:48:25.100 --> 00:48:26.940
 in our town or among our people.

00:48:27.220 --> 00:48:28.240
 They're not listening.

00:48:28.400 --> 00:48:29.120
 They're not coming.

00:48:29.580 --> 00:48:30.680
 They're not engaging.

00:48:32.039 --> 00:48:35.600
 The task just seems too much for us.

00:48:35.960 --> 00:48:38.440
 We are not able to rebuild the wall.

00:48:38.519 --> 00:48:41.200
 We are not able to rebuild the church.

00:48:41.539 --> 00:48:42.760
 We cannot do it.

00:48:42.760 --> 00:48:45.920
 What makes the difference?

00:48:47.640 --> 00:48:48.980
 But we need to remember

00:48:48.980 --> 00:48:51.460
 what we have in the Lord

00:48:51.460 --> 00:48:54.640
 and what He has done for us.

00:48:55.660 --> 00:48:57.560
 Psalm 1, 2, 6, at verse 3,

00:48:57.680 --> 00:48:58.160
 it says,

00:48:58.620 --> 00:49:01.720
 The Lord has done great things for us.

00:49:01.820 --> 00:49:02.800
 We are glad.

00:49:03.680 --> 00:49:05.920
 Restore our fortunes, O Lord,

00:49:06.000 --> 00:49:08.260
 like streams in the Negev.

00:49:08.260 --> 00:49:10.980
 We need to focus

00:49:10.980 --> 00:49:12.720
 on what the Lord has done.

00:49:12.800 --> 00:49:14.280
 The Lord has done

00:49:14.280 --> 00:49:16.180
 great things for us.

00:49:17.400 --> 00:49:18.780
 They could be reminded of that

00:49:18.780 --> 00:49:19.920
 in Nehemiah's day,

00:49:19.980 --> 00:49:21.860
 and we'll see that in a moment,

00:49:21.940 --> 00:49:23.720
 but surely we reminded that

00:49:23.720 --> 00:49:24.400
 of ourselves.

00:49:25.780 --> 00:49:27.220
 The Lord has done

00:49:27.220 --> 00:49:29.400
 great things for us.

00:49:30.540 --> 00:49:33.400
 He has come to us.

00:49:33.400 --> 00:49:36.639
 He died for us.

00:49:37.119 --> 00:49:39.960
 He rose from the grave for us.

00:49:40.119 --> 00:49:41.960
 He prayed for us.

00:49:42.920 --> 00:49:46.019
 He will come again for us.

00:49:46.800 --> 00:49:49.680
 All these assurances we have

00:49:49.680 --> 00:49:51.240
 in the Word of God.

00:49:52.639 --> 00:49:54.059
 The Lord has done

00:49:54.059 --> 00:49:56.180
 great things for us.

00:49:56.179 --> 00:49:58.299
 And that is what we have

00:49:58.299 --> 00:50:00.319
 to stay focused on.

00:50:01.139 --> 00:50:02.819
 That is what keeps us going.

00:50:03.359 --> 00:50:04.440
 The more we see

00:50:04.440 --> 00:50:06.759
 what the Lord has done for us,

00:50:06.859 --> 00:50:07.819
 the more we see

00:50:07.819 --> 00:50:09.319
 service to Him

00:50:09.319 --> 00:50:11.199
 as just something we owe,

00:50:11.799 --> 00:50:13.399
 something we love to do,

00:50:14.739 --> 00:50:15.940
 something we're delighted

00:50:15.940 --> 00:50:17.739
 to be involved in.

00:50:19.219 --> 00:50:20.379
 And there's an example

00:50:20.379 --> 00:50:22.059
 here for us.

00:50:23.059 --> 00:50:24.799
 As said, chapter 3,

00:50:24.800 --> 00:50:26.440
 it just seems like a list

00:50:26.440 --> 00:50:27.519
 of names.

00:50:28.680 --> 00:50:29.700
 But there's a name

00:50:29.700 --> 00:50:31.220
 on that list

00:50:31.220 --> 00:50:33.080
 that's an example to us.

00:50:33.760 --> 00:50:35.200
 And it's worth looking at this

00:50:35.200 --> 00:50:36.120
 just to see it.

00:50:37.260 --> 00:50:38.700
 Looking for those

00:50:38.700 --> 00:50:40.740
 who were enthused

00:50:40.740 --> 00:50:41.600
 for the work.

00:50:41.820 --> 00:50:43.539
 In Nehemiah 3,

00:50:44.100 --> 00:50:45.440
 verse 11,

00:50:46.760 --> 00:50:48.140
 we read there

00:50:48.140 --> 00:50:50.260
 of a man called

00:50:50.260 --> 00:50:51.260
 Machijah,

00:50:51.860 --> 00:50:53.420
 the son of Haran.

00:50:53.420 --> 00:50:57.400
 Just a passing comment

00:50:57.400 --> 00:50:58.119
 there on him.

00:50:58.800 --> 00:50:59.780
 And it says that

00:50:59.780 --> 00:51:01.260
 together with another man,

00:51:01.340 --> 00:51:01.840
 Hashab,

00:51:02.200 --> 00:51:03.840
 repaired another section

00:51:03.840 --> 00:51:04.599
 on the tower

00:51:04.599 --> 00:51:05.960
 of the ovens.

00:51:06.019 --> 00:51:06.200
 Now,

00:51:06.639 --> 00:51:07.480
 it's just

00:51:07.480 --> 00:51:09.340
 a passing comment,

00:51:09.400 --> 00:51:09.820
 isn't it?

00:51:10.340 --> 00:51:11.500
 But so often

00:51:11.500 --> 00:51:12.380
 with these lists,

00:51:12.559 --> 00:51:13.900
 you have to look deeper.

00:51:14.559 --> 00:51:15.320
 We saw it

00:51:15.320 --> 00:51:16.980
 in Colossians

00:51:16.980 --> 00:51:17.619
 as we were looking

00:51:17.619 --> 00:51:19.059
 at the list of names there.

00:51:19.139 --> 00:51:19.860
 There's so much

00:51:19.860 --> 00:51:21.420
 behind the name.

00:51:21.420 --> 00:51:22.599
 And for this,

00:51:22.700 --> 00:51:23.579
 you have to go back

00:51:23.579 --> 00:51:25.740
 to Ezra chapter 10.

00:51:26.460 --> 00:51:27.320
 And there's another

00:51:27.320 --> 00:51:29.559
 list of the names

00:51:29.559 --> 00:51:30.599
 there for us.

00:51:30.900 --> 00:51:32.740
 Beginning at verse 18,

00:51:32.860 --> 00:51:33.380
 it says,

00:51:33.780 --> 00:51:34.480
 those guilty

00:51:34.480 --> 00:51:36.200
 of intermarriage.

00:51:37.559 --> 00:51:37.980
 So,

00:51:38.099 --> 00:51:38.800
 there are those

00:51:38.800 --> 00:51:39.880
 who had failed

00:51:39.880 --> 00:51:41.300
 to trust the Lord.

00:51:41.300 --> 00:51:43.740
 And in

00:51:43.740 --> 00:51:47.400
 verse 25,

00:51:49.320 --> 00:51:50.160
 you see there

00:51:50.160 --> 00:51:51.280
 a list of names

00:51:51.280 --> 00:51:52.380
 and of Israel

00:51:52.380 --> 00:51:53.600
 of the sons

00:51:53.600 --> 00:51:54.400
 of Parosh,

00:51:54.580 --> 00:51:55.000
 Ramiah,

00:51:55.539 --> 00:51:56.000
 Isaiah,

00:51:56.640 --> 00:51:57.380
 Machijah.

00:51:58.460 --> 00:51:59.280
 His name

00:51:59.280 --> 00:52:00.860
 is on that list.

00:52:01.000 --> 00:52:01.100
 So,

00:52:01.160 --> 00:52:02.340
 you find his name

00:52:02.340 --> 00:52:04.560
 in two different lists here.

00:52:04.680 --> 00:52:05.280
 Initially,

00:52:05.800 --> 00:52:06.680
 he's on the list

00:52:06.680 --> 00:52:07.160
 of those

00:52:07.160 --> 00:52:07.880
 who are guilty

00:52:07.880 --> 00:52:09.220
 of intermarrying,

00:52:09.440 --> 00:52:10.160
 disobeying,

00:52:10.159 --> 00:52:11.279
 the Lord.

00:52:12.059 --> 00:52:12.619
 But now,

00:52:12.819 --> 00:52:13.420
 here he is

00:52:13.420 --> 00:52:14.579
 in Nehemiah's day

00:52:14.579 --> 00:52:15.519
 in chapter 3,

00:52:15.619 --> 00:52:16.279
 verse 11.

00:52:16.719 --> 00:52:17.859
 He's involved

00:52:17.859 --> 00:52:18.960
 in the work

00:52:18.960 --> 00:52:19.659
 of the Lord.

00:52:21.219 --> 00:52:22.339
 He has done wrong

00:52:22.339 --> 00:52:23.460
 before God,

00:52:23.879 --> 00:52:25.000
 but he's been made

00:52:25.000 --> 00:52:26.879
 right with God.

00:52:27.639 --> 00:52:28.279
 And that is

00:52:28.279 --> 00:52:29.879
 what enthuses him

00:52:29.879 --> 00:52:30.940
 for the work.

00:52:31.039 --> 00:52:31.500
 That is what

00:52:31.500 --> 00:52:32.859
 keeps him going

00:52:32.859 --> 00:52:34.480
 in the work.

00:52:35.059 --> 00:52:35.319
 So,

00:52:35.399 --> 00:52:36.000
 it's a great

00:52:36.000 --> 00:52:37.519
 reminder to us

00:52:37.519 --> 00:52:38.880
 of the power

00:52:38.880 --> 00:52:39.619
 of God

00:52:39.619 --> 00:52:40.860
 to save

00:52:40.860 --> 00:52:42.059
 and of what

00:52:42.059 --> 00:52:42.699
 we owe

00:52:42.699 --> 00:52:43.699
 the Lord

00:52:43.699 --> 00:52:44.960
 for our salvation.

00:52:45.860 --> 00:52:46.659
 We remember

00:52:46.659 --> 00:52:47.840
 Onesimus

00:52:47.840 --> 00:52:49.219
 in Colossians 2.

00:52:49.679 --> 00:52:50.519
 He had a past

00:52:50.519 --> 00:52:51.820
 where he'd failed God,

00:52:51.980 --> 00:52:53.219
 but he was restored

00:52:53.219 --> 00:52:54.079
 by God

00:52:54.079 --> 00:52:55.000
 and was used

00:52:55.000 --> 00:52:56.179
 by him.

00:52:57.259 --> 00:52:57.840
 So,

00:52:57.980 --> 00:52:59.219
 what keeps us going

00:52:59.219 --> 00:53:00.259
 in times

00:53:00.259 --> 00:53:01.239
 of discouragement?

00:53:01.420 --> 00:53:01.679
 Surely,

00:53:02.059 --> 00:53:02.679
 to remember

00:53:02.679 --> 00:53:03.559
 that the Lord

00:53:03.559 --> 00:53:04.940
 has saved us.

00:53:04.940 --> 00:53:06.700
 So,

00:53:06.760 --> 00:53:07.079
 whether

00:53:07.079 --> 00:53:08.380
 what we see here

00:53:08.380 --> 00:53:09.559
 is opposition

00:53:09.559 --> 00:53:11.400
 or discouragement,

00:53:12.360 --> 00:53:13.820
 we fix our eyes

00:53:13.820 --> 00:53:15.220
 on the Lord.

00:53:16.119 --> 00:53:17.019
 And what you find

00:53:17.019 --> 00:53:17.679
 here is that

00:53:17.679 --> 00:53:18.920
 as they do that,

00:53:19.280 --> 00:53:20.139
 as they keep

00:53:20.139 --> 00:53:21.679
 restoring their faith,

00:53:21.760 --> 00:53:23.200
 returning their vision,

00:53:23.300 --> 00:53:23.920
 their focus

00:53:23.920 --> 00:53:24.639
 to the Lord,

00:53:24.720 --> 00:53:25.220
 you see it

00:53:25.220 --> 00:53:26.260
 even in this chapter

00:53:26.260 --> 00:53:27.700
 again and again.

00:53:28.139 --> 00:53:29.179
 Verse 6,

00:53:29.980 --> 00:53:30.780
 in the midst

00:53:30.780 --> 00:53:31.639
 of the conflict

00:53:31.639 --> 00:53:32.280
 that they were

00:53:32.280 --> 00:53:33.400
 seeing around them,

00:53:33.760 --> 00:53:34.880
 it says in verse 6,

00:53:34.940 --> 00:53:35.920
 so we built

00:53:35.920 --> 00:53:36.840
 the wall.

00:53:37.579 --> 00:53:39.260
 In verse 16,

00:53:39.420 --> 00:53:39.880
 again,

00:53:40.780 --> 00:53:41.420
 they had faced

00:53:41.420 --> 00:53:42.039
 opposition

00:53:42.039 --> 00:53:42.960
 and what does it say?

00:53:43.059 --> 00:53:44.059
 From that day on,

00:53:44.420 --> 00:53:45.559
 half of my servants

00:53:45.559 --> 00:53:47.139
 worked on construction.

00:53:47.740 --> 00:53:48.480
 They returned

00:53:48.480 --> 00:53:49.400
 to the work.

00:53:49.860 --> 00:53:50.760
 Verse 21,

00:53:50.760 --> 00:53:52.460
 so we labored

00:53:52.460 --> 00:53:53.599
 at the work.

00:53:54.400 --> 00:53:55.340
 They keep coming

00:53:55.340 --> 00:53:56.679
 back to the work.

00:53:57.860 --> 00:53:58.860
 They keep doing

00:53:58.860 --> 00:54:00.900
 the same thing.

00:54:00.900 --> 00:54:02.720
 And so,

00:54:03.039 --> 00:54:05.079
 let's not lose heart.

00:54:05.980 --> 00:54:07.599
 Let's not be discouraged.

00:54:08.099 --> 00:54:09.300
 Even when it seems

00:54:09.300 --> 00:54:10.320
 we're maybe just doing

00:54:10.320 --> 00:54:11.559
 the same thing

00:54:11.559 --> 00:54:13.180
 again and again,

00:54:13.880 --> 00:54:15.220
 we are doing it

00:54:15.220 --> 00:54:16.420
 for the Lord.

00:54:16.420 --> 00:54:16.460
 Lord.

00:54:17.840 --> 00:54:18.700
 And that's what's

00:54:18.700 --> 00:54:19.260
 the key.

00:54:20.460 --> 00:54:21.159
 And we think of

00:54:21.159 --> 00:54:21.960
 even roles

00:54:21.960 --> 00:54:23.700
 in our own congregation

00:54:23.700 --> 00:54:24.539
 and how people,

00:54:24.900 --> 00:54:26.099
 many of you are involved

00:54:26.099 --> 00:54:27.700
 in so many different roles

00:54:27.700 --> 00:54:28.559
 in the church.

00:54:29.659 --> 00:54:30.880
 We've got Sunday school

00:54:30.880 --> 00:54:31.400
 teachers.

00:54:31.559 --> 00:54:32.500
 We've got people

00:54:32.500 --> 00:54:34.159
 working with toddlers,

00:54:34.280 --> 00:54:35.000
 with creche.

00:54:35.400 --> 00:54:36.300
 We've got people

00:54:36.300 --> 00:54:37.200
 on door duty

00:54:37.200 --> 00:54:38.139
 and tea duty.

00:54:38.679 --> 00:54:39.400
 We've got people

00:54:39.400 --> 00:54:40.139
 who are visiting,

00:54:40.359 --> 00:54:41.319
 doing the work

00:54:41.319 --> 00:54:42.339
 of the deacon's court,

00:54:42.480 --> 00:54:43.339
 the Kirk session,

00:54:43.579 --> 00:54:45.099
 serving in so many

00:54:45.099 --> 00:54:45.920
 different ways,

00:54:46.000 --> 00:54:47.279
 even preaching

00:54:47.279 --> 00:54:48.199
 of the word.

00:54:48.699 --> 00:54:49.839
 It can all seem

00:54:49.839 --> 00:54:50.819
 so often we're just

00:54:50.819 --> 00:54:52.379
 doing the same thing

00:54:52.379 --> 00:54:53.879
 again and again.

00:54:54.900 --> 00:54:55.359
 And we maybe

00:54:55.359 --> 00:54:56.480
 feel discouraged.

00:54:56.779 --> 00:54:57.539
 What difference

00:54:57.539 --> 00:54:58.319
 is it making?

00:54:59.259 --> 00:55:00.579
 Is it doing any good

00:55:00.579 --> 00:55:01.139
 and the devil

00:55:01.139 --> 00:55:01.920
 will come in?

00:55:02.440 --> 00:55:03.359
 There'll be conflict.

00:55:03.940 --> 00:55:05.199
 There'll be discouragement.

00:55:06.420 --> 00:55:08.119
 But we take heart.

00:55:08.719 --> 00:55:09.659
 We are doing it

00:55:09.659 --> 00:55:10.819
 for the Lord.

00:55:12.139 --> 00:55:13.559
 And the work of the Lord

00:55:13.559 --> 00:55:15.480
 is a great work.

00:55:16.699 --> 00:55:17.699
 As Paul says

00:55:17.699 --> 00:55:19.159
 to the church of Galatia

00:55:19.159 --> 00:55:20.500
 in chapter 6,

00:55:20.599 --> 00:55:21.139
 verse 9,

00:55:21.239 --> 00:55:21.440
 he says,

00:55:21.519 --> 00:55:22.980
 let us not grow weary

00:55:22.980 --> 00:55:24.579
 of doing good.

00:55:25.379 --> 00:55:27.579
 Let us not grow weary

00:55:27.579 --> 00:55:29.159
 of doing all the tasks

00:55:29.159 --> 00:55:30.839
 that we are involved in,

00:55:30.859 --> 00:55:32.480
 even if it seems repetitive.

00:55:33.539 --> 00:55:34.579
 Even when it seems

00:55:34.579 --> 00:55:35.879
 that there's no good

00:55:35.879 --> 00:55:36.799
 coming out of it.

00:55:36.800 --> 00:55:38.300
 let us not grow weary

00:55:38.300 --> 00:55:39.039
 of doing good.

00:55:39.140 --> 00:55:40.039
 For what does he say?

00:55:40.539 --> 00:55:41.780
 For in due season

00:55:41.780 --> 00:55:43.300
 we will reap

00:55:43.300 --> 00:55:45.680
 if we do not give up.

00:55:46.400 --> 00:55:47.700
 And that's what you see

00:55:47.700 --> 00:55:49.440
 here in Nehemiah.

00:55:50.320 --> 00:55:51.640
 He keeps saying to them,

00:55:51.880 --> 00:55:53.440
 don't lose heart.

00:55:54.400 --> 00:55:55.260
 Don't give up.

00:55:55.360 --> 00:55:56.240
 Don't grow weary

00:55:56.240 --> 00:55:57.640
 in doing good

00:55:57.640 --> 00:55:59.539
 because you will reap

00:55:59.539 --> 00:56:01.120
 in due season.

00:56:01.119 --> 00:56:03.339
 And that's the third thing

00:56:03.339 --> 00:56:04.400
 that we see here.

00:56:04.859 --> 00:56:06.239
 That keeping focused

00:56:06.239 --> 00:56:07.779
 is crucial.

00:56:08.900 --> 00:56:09.179
 You know,

00:56:09.219 --> 00:56:10.019
 there was times

00:56:10.019 --> 00:56:12.279
 when Nehemiah was afraid.

00:56:13.119 --> 00:56:14.099
 When you go back

00:56:14.099 --> 00:56:15.500
 to chapter 2,

00:56:15.579 --> 00:56:16.139
 verse 2,

00:56:16.179 --> 00:56:16.920
 as he stood

00:56:16.920 --> 00:56:18.980
 before the king there.

00:56:20.039 --> 00:56:20.339
 It said,

00:56:20.340 --> 00:56:21.440
 And the king said to me,

00:56:21.519 --> 00:56:23.000
 Why is your face sad?

00:56:23.340 --> 00:56:24.960
 Seeing as you are not sick,

00:56:25.160 --> 00:56:25.820
 this is nothing

00:56:25.820 --> 00:56:26.980
 but sadness

00:56:26.980 --> 00:56:27.780
 of the heart.

00:56:28.260 --> 00:56:29.960
 Then I was very much

00:56:29.960 --> 00:56:30.780
 afraid,

00:56:31.019 --> 00:56:31.640
 he says.

00:56:32.539 --> 00:56:34.200
 And I said to the king,

00:56:34.780 --> 00:56:36.140
 he went on,

00:56:36.200 --> 00:56:37.079
 he was afraid,

00:56:37.740 --> 00:56:39.100
 but he went on.

00:56:40.079 --> 00:56:41.780
 It was Robert Louis Stevenson

00:56:41.780 --> 00:56:42.440
 that once said,

00:56:42.559 --> 00:56:43.519
 Keep your fears

00:56:43.519 --> 00:56:44.760
 to yourself,

00:56:44.960 --> 00:56:46.079
 share your courage

00:56:46.079 --> 00:56:47.400
 with others.

00:56:47.400 --> 00:56:49.000
 Well,

00:56:49.039 --> 00:56:49.740
 that's what we see

00:56:49.740 --> 00:56:50.500
 in some ways

00:56:50.500 --> 00:56:51.720
 with Nehemiah here.

00:56:52.039 --> 00:56:52.680
 He wasn't keeping

00:56:52.680 --> 00:56:54.240
 his fears to himself,

00:56:54.400 --> 00:56:54.500
 though.

00:56:54.559 --> 00:56:55.240
 He was sharing

00:56:55.240 --> 00:56:56.360
 his fears

00:56:56.360 --> 00:56:57.240
 with the Lord.

00:56:58.519 --> 00:56:59.380
 But he was sharing

00:56:59.380 --> 00:57:00.680
 his courage

00:57:00.680 --> 00:57:01.760
 with others.

00:57:02.639 --> 00:57:03.340
 And Nehemiah

00:57:03.340 --> 00:57:04.300
 always keeps

00:57:04.300 --> 00:57:05.660
 this vision in mind

00:57:05.660 --> 00:57:07.059
 of the restoration

00:57:07.059 --> 00:57:08.099
 of the wall.

00:57:08.599 --> 00:57:09.539
 And it's much more

00:57:09.539 --> 00:57:10.000
 than that.

00:57:10.059 --> 00:57:11.240
 It's about the people

00:57:11.240 --> 00:57:12.920
 of Jerusalem.

00:57:12.920 --> 00:57:13.920
 The salvation

00:57:13.920 --> 00:57:16.420
 of the people.

00:57:16.420 --> 00:57:17.740
 And they needed

00:57:17.740 --> 00:57:18.500
 to be reminded

00:57:18.500 --> 00:57:19.460
 what they were

00:57:19.460 --> 00:57:20.680
 fighting for.

00:57:21.159 --> 00:57:22.480
 And that's what he does.

00:57:23.260 --> 00:57:24.960
 He refocuses them

00:57:24.960 --> 00:57:26.159
 on the Lord

00:57:26.159 --> 00:57:27.700
 and on the work.

00:57:27.800 --> 00:57:28.599
 And that's what we see

00:57:28.599 --> 00:57:29.780
 in verse 14.

00:57:31.180 --> 00:57:31.900
 What he says

00:57:31.900 --> 00:57:32.280
 to them there,

00:57:32.320 --> 00:57:32.579
 he says,

00:57:32.820 --> 00:57:33.980
 I looked and I rose

00:57:33.980 --> 00:57:35.180
 and said to the nobles

00:57:35.180 --> 00:57:36.119
 and to the officials

00:57:36.119 --> 00:57:37.260
 and to the rest

00:57:37.260 --> 00:57:37.980
 of the people,

00:57:38.300 --> 00:57:39.680
 do not be afraid

00:57:39.680 --> 00:57:40.200
 of them.

00:57:40.900 --> 00:57:42.039
 Remember the Lord

00:57:42.039 --> 00:57:42.940
 who is great

00:57:42.940 --> 00:57:43.619
 and awesome

00:57:43.619 --> 00:57:45.019
 and fight

00:57:45.019 --> 00:57:46.199
 for your brothers,

00:57:46.400 --> 00:57:46.960
 your sons,

00:57:47.219 --> 00:57:47.799
 your daughters,

00:57:47.960 --> 00:57:48.639
 your wives

00:57:48.639 --> 00:57:50.339
 and your homes.

00:57:51.339 --> 00:57:53.000
 He reminds them

00:57:53.000 --> 00:57:54.839
 and he gives them

00:57:54.839 --> 00:57:56.319
 a focus.

00:57:57.380 --> 00:57:58.380
 What were they

00:57:58.380 --> 00:57:59.659
 fighting for?

00:58:00.599 --> 00:58:01.299
 It was more

00:58:01.299 --> 00:58:02.519
 than just walls.

00:58:03.179 --> 00:58:04.380
 It was a people.

00:58:05.460 --> 00:58:06.659
 And that's the fight

00:58:06.659 --> 00:58:07.500
 that we are in

00:58:07.500 --> 00:58:08.559
 today as well.

00:58:08.559 --> 00:58:10.559
 We are in the fight

00:58:10.559 --> 00:58:11.400
 of faith

00:58:11.400 --> 00:58:12.920
 and the fight

00:58:12.920 --> 00:58:13.940
 for our people.

00:58:15.619 --> 00:58:16.079
 Here,

00:58:16.380 --> 00:58:17.059
 in verse 14,

00:58:17.159 --> 00:58:17.820
 they're reminded

00:58:17.820 --> 00:58:18.659
 that they were

00:58:18.659 --> 00:58:20.659
 fighting for the faith.

00:58:20.980 --> 00:58:21.840
 More was at stake

00:58:21.840 --> 00:58:23.139
 than just the wall

00:58:23.139 --> 00:58:23.960
 being built.

00:58:24.500 --> 00:58:25.579
 It was the worship

00:58:25.579 --> 00:58:26.500
 of God

00:58:26.500 --> 00:58:27.259
 in Jerusalem.

00:58:28.559 --> 00:58:30.039
 That was in the balance

00:58:30.039 --> 00:58:30.619
 here.

00:58:32.039 --> 00:58:32.599
 And that's what

00:58:32.599 --> 00:58:33.880
 we're fighting for.

00:58:34.480 --> 00:58:36.199
 For people to come

00:58:36.199 --> 00:58:38.099
 and worship God.

00:58:38.559 --> 00:58:41.199
 He was fighting

00:58:41.199 --> 00:58:41.719
 here.

00:58:42.219 --> 00:58:42.880
 They were fighting

00:58:42.880 --> 00:58:43.679
 here for their

00:58:43.679 --> 00:58:44.380
 families.

00:58:46.199 --> 00:58:47.139
 Fight for your

00:58:47.139 --> 00:58:47.559
 brothers,

00:58:47.799 --> 00:58:48.360
 your sons,

00:58:48.599 --> 00:58:49.239
 your daughters,

00:58:49.460 --> 00:58:50.199
 your wives.

00:58:51.219 --> 00:58:52.299
 That's the fight

00:58:52.299 --> 00:58:53.179
 that we are in.

00:58:54.039 --> 00:58:54.920
 When those of our

00:58:54.920 --> 00:58:56.059
 family are lost,

00:58:56.519 --> 00:58:57.440
 when those of our

00:58:57.440 --> 00:58:58.639
 community are lost,

00:58:58.719 --> 00:58:59.480
 we are fighting

00:58:59.480 --> 00:59:01.139
 for their salvation.

00:59:01.340 --> 00:59:02.159
 We keep that

00:59:02.159 --> 00:59:02.799
 in view.

00:59:02.800 --> 00:59:07.039
 our focus is on

00:59:07.039 --> 00:59:08.120
 the work

00:59:08.120 --> 00:59:09.380
 of the Lord.

00:59:10.380 --> 00:59:11.340
 It seems

00:59:11.340 --> 00:59:12.200
 an impossible

00:59:12.200 --> 00:59:13.260
 task,

00:59:13.980 --> 00:59:15.320
 but it's so

00:59:15.320 --> 00:59:15.960
 necessary.

00:59:17.080 --> 00:59:18.340
 And in many ways

00:59:18.340 --> 00:59:18.660
 here,

00:59:18.740 --> 00:59:19.539
 they were fighting

00:59:19.539 --> 00:59:20.660
 for their very

00:59:20.660 --> 00:59:21.320
 future.

00:59:22.200 --> 00:59:23.060
 The future of

00:59:23.060 --> 00:59:24.539
 Jerusalem was at stake.

00:59:24.980 --> 00:59:25.860
 So long as these

00:59:25.860 --> 00:59:27.120
 walls were broken

00:59:27.120 --> 00:59:27.580
 down,

00:59:27.700 --> 00:59:28.539
 they were open

00:59:28.539 --> 00:59:29.240
 to attack

00:59:29.239 --> 00:59:29.919
 the enemy

00:59:29.919 --> 00:59:31.759
 and the people

00:59:31.759 --> 00:59:32.359
 of God

00:59:32.359 --> 00:59:33.019
 could be done

00:59:33.019 --> 00:59:33.799
 away with.

00:59:35.339 --> 00:59:36.219
 But we know

00:59:36.219 --> 00:59:36.819
 in the word

00:59:36.819 --> 00:59:37.500
 of God

00:59:37.500 --> 00:59:38.919
 that the Lord

00:59:38.919 --> 00:59:39.799
 will keep

00:59:39.799 --> 00:59:40.979
 his people.

00:59:41.659 --> 00:59:42.319
 That he will

00:59:42.319 --> 00:59:43.299
 always have

00:59:43.299 --> 00:59:44.679
 his people.

00:59:45.799 --> 00:59:46.659
 But surely

00:59:46.659 --> 00:59:47.259
 we too

00:59:47.259 --> 00:59:47.959
 are fighting

00:59:47.959 --> 00:59:49.259
 for the future

00:59:49.259 --> 00:59:50.279
 here as well.

00:59:50.979 --> 00:59:51.979
 That a generation

00:59:51.979 --> 00:59:52.719
 after us

00:59:52.719 --> 00:59:53.500
 will still

00:59:53.500 --> 00:59:54.939
 worship God

00:59:54.939 --> 00:59:55.299
 here.

00:59:55.379 --> 00:59:56.059
 That a generation

00:59:56.059 --> 00:59:56.719
 after us

00:59:56.719 --> 00:59:57.959
 will serve

00:59:57.959 --> 00:59:58.639
 the Lord

00:59:58.639 --> 00:59:59.179
 here.

01:00:00.000 --> 01:00:01.179
 We're in a fight.

01:00:01.859 --> 01:00:02.759
 But it's a fight

01:00:02.759 --> 01:00:03.659
 worth fighting.

01:00:04.739 --> 01:00:05.399
 It's worth

01:00:05.399 --> 01:00:06.899
 fighting for.

01:00:07.759 --> 01:00:08.239
 And that's

01:00:08.239 --> 01:00:09.000
 what Nehemiah

01:00:09.000 --> 01:00:09.399
 does.

01:00:09.779 --> 01:00:10.599
 He stirs

01:00:10.599 --> 01:00:11.059
 them up

01:00:11.059 --> 01:00:11.500
 here

01:00:11.500 --> 01:00:13.319
 to fight.

01:00:14.319 --> 01:00:15.019
 And he says,

01:00:15.159 --> 01:00:15.699
 do not be

01:00:15.699 --> 01:00:16.799
 afraid of them.

01:00:17.519 --> 01:00:18.099
 Remember

01:00:18.099 --> 01:00:19.539
 the Lord.

01:00:21.359 --> 01:00:22.299
 Are we up

01:00:22.299 --> 01:00:23.159
 for the fight?

01:00:24.159 --> 01:00:24.859
 Are we

01:00:24.859 --> 01:00:25.480
 willing to

01:00:25.480 --> 01:00:25.939
 fight

01:00:25.940 --> 01:00:26.980
 in that

01:00:26.980 --> 01:00:27.700
 way today

01:00:27.700 --> 01:00:29.220
 to fight

01:00:29.220 --> 01:00:29.579
 for your

01:00:29.579 --> 01:00:29.980
 brothers,

01:00:30.400 --> 01:00:31.019
 your sons,

01:00:31.340 --> 01:00:31.940
 your daughters,

01:00:32.159 --> 01:00:32.840
 your wives,

01:00:33.039 --> 01:00:33.720
 your homes?

01:00:36.179 --> 01:00:37.280
 Charles Spurgeon

01:00:37.280 --> 01:00:37.740
 have used

01:00:37.740 --> 01:00:38.420
 this quote

01:00:38.420 --> 01:00:38.980
 before,

01:00:39.099 --> 01:00:39.820
 but it

01:00:39.820 --> 01:00:40.360
 seems to

01:00:40.360 --> 01:00:40.880
 tie in

01:00:40.880 --> 01:00:41.480
 so well

01:00:41.480 --> 01:00:42.039
 with this

01:00:42.039 --> 01:00:42.639
 as well.

01:00:42.720 --> 01:00:43.179
 He said,

01:00:43.619 --> 01:00:44.240
 if sinners

01:00:44.240 --> 01:00:45.000
 be damned,

01:00:45.760 --> 01:00:46.340
 at least

01:00:46.340 --> 01:00:46.900
 let them

01:00:46.900 --> 01:00:47.480
 leap to

01:00:47.480 --> 01:00:48.099
 hell over

01:00:48.099 --> 01:00:48.619
 our dead

01:00:48.619 --> 01:00:49.139
 bodies.

01:00:49.780 --> 01:00:50.220
 And if

01:00:50.220 --> 01:00:50.980
 they perish,

01:00:50.980 --> 01:00:51.820
 let them

01:00:51.820 --> 01:00:52.539
 perish with

01:00:52.539 --> 01:00:53.400
 our arms

01:00:53.400 --> 01:00:53.860
 wrapped

01:00:53.860 --> 01:00:54.559
 about their

01:00:54.559 --> 01:00:54.960
 knees,

01:00:54.960 --> 01:00:56.059
 imploring

01:00:56.059 --> 01:00:56.599
 them to

01:00:56.599 --> 01:00:57.019
 stay.

01:00:57.740 --> 01:00:58.320
 If hell

01:00:58.320 --> 01:00:58.820
 must be

01:00:58.820 --> 01:00:59.300
 filled,

01:00:59.720 --> 01:01:00.039
 let it

01:01:00.039 --> 01:01:00.599
 be filled

01:01:00.599 --> 01:01:00.960
 in the

01:01:00.960 --> 01:01:01.460
 teeth of

01:01:01.460 --> 01:01:01.820
 our

01:01:01.820 --> 01:01:02.699
 exertions,

01:01:03.019 --> 01:01:03.460
 and let

01:01:03.460 --> 01:01:04.059
 no one

01:01:04.059 --> 01:01:05.380
 go unwarned

01:01:05.380 --> 01:01:05.900
 and

01:01:05.900 --> 01:01:06.840
 unprayed

01:01:06.840 --> 01:01:07.639
 for.

01:01:08.800 --> 01:01:09.699
 That's the

01:01:09.699 --> 01:01:10.360
 challenge

01:01:10.360 --> 01:01:11.440
 to us,

01:01:11.960 --> 01:01:13.059
 to fight.

01:01:15.559 --> 01:01:16.500
 The fourth

01:01:16.500 --> 01:01:16.940
 thing and the

01:01:16.940 --> 01:01:17.619
 final thing

01:01:17.619 --> 01:01:18.280
 we see here

01:01:18.280 --> 01:01:18.880
 just briefly

01:01:18.880 --> 01:01:20.420
 is tied

01:01:20.420 --> 01:01:21.099
 into these

01:01:21.099 --> 01:01:21.720
 words,

01:01:22.260 --> 01:01:22.880
 remember

01:01:22.880 --> 01:01:24.180
 the Lord.

01:01:25.260 --> 01:01:25.940
 God is

01:01:25.940 --> 01:01:27.320
 invincible.

01:01:28.260 --> 01:01:28.980
 The danger

01:01:28.980 --> 01:01:29.420
 with going

01:01:29.420 --> 01:01:30.400
 through Nehemiah

01:01:30.400 --> 01:01:30.700
 is that we

01:01:30.700 --> 01:01:31.159
 can make

01:01:31.159 --> 01:01:31.639
 it about

01:01:31.639 --> 01:01:32.900
 ourselves.

01:01:34.800 --> 01:01:35.920
 But Nehemiah

01:01:35.920 --> 01:01:36.680
 is always

01:01:36.680 --> 01:01:37.940
 focused on

01:01:37.940 --> 01:01:38.460
 God.

01:01:39.380 --> 01:01:40.220
 He prays

01:01:40.220 --> 01:01:40.840
 to God.

01:01:41.139 --> 01:01:41.880
 He points

01:01:41.880 --> 01:01:42.559
 to God.

01:01:42.900 --> 01:01:43.599
 His passion

01:01:43.599 --> 01:01:44.480
 is for

01:01:44.480 --> 01:01:45.019
 God.

01:01:46.380 --> 01:01:47.200
 One preacher

01:01:47.200 --> 01:01:47.820
 puts it

01:01:47.820 --> 01:01:48.440
 like this,

01:01:48.440 --> 01:01:49.679
 Nehemiah,

01:01:49.780 --> 01:01:50.179
 the book,

01:01:50.579 --> 01:01:51.260
 is ultimately

01:01:51.260 --> 01:01:52.079
 about Jesus

01:01:52.079 --> 01:01:52.780
 Christ,

01:01:53.720 --> 01:01:54.400
 about his

01:01:54.400 --> 01:01:55.280
 great project

01:01:55.280 --> 01:01:55.980
 of building

01:01:55.980 --> 01:01:56.920
 his church

01:01:56.920 --> 01:01:58.039
 against which

01:01:58.039 --> 01:01:58.659
 the gates

01:01:58.659 --> 01:01:59.200
 of hell

01:01:59.200 --> 01:02:00.119
 will not

01:02:00.119 --> 01:02:00.659
 prevail.

01:02:01.460 --> 01:02:02.039
 Nehemiah is

01:02:02.039 --> 01:02:02.619
 not mainly

01:02:02.619 --> 01:02:03.500
 about leadership

01:02:03.500 --> 01:02:04.539
 or church

01:02:04.539 --> 01:02:05.200
 growth or

01:02:05.200 --> 01:02:05.659
 business

01:02:05.659 --> 01:02:06.320
 management.

01:02:07.240 --> 01:02:08.079
 Nehemiah is

01:02:08.079 --> 01:02:08.880
 mainly about

01:02:08.880 --> 01:02:09.360
 Jesus.

01:02:10.300 --> 01:02:10.880
 Jesus is

01:02:10.880 --> 01:02:11.400
 the one

01:02:11.400 --> 01:02:12.400
 who builds

01:02:12.400 --> 01:02:12.980
 the new

01:02:12.980 --> 01:02:13.539
 Jerusalem,

01:02:14.119 --> 01:02:14.840
 the church

01:02:14.840 --> 01:02:15.880
 of the

01:02:15.880 --> 01:02:16.800
 living God.

01:02:16.800 --> 01:02:18.539
 God is

01:02:18.539 --> 01:02:20.700
 building his

01:02:20.700 --> 01:02:21.260
 church

01:02:21.260 --> 01:02:22.080
 today.

01:02:23.400 --> 01:02:23.660
 And the

01:02:23.660 --> 01:02:24.260
 gates of

01:02:24.260 --> 01:02:25.400
 hell will

01:02:25.400 --> 01:02:26.380
 not prevail

01:02:26.380 --> 01:02:27.280
 against it.

01:02:28.820 --> 01:02:29.539
 In verse

01:02:29.539 --> 01:02:30.460
 20 here,

01:02:30.539 --> 01:02:31.180
 we're reminded

01:02:31.180 --> 01:02:31.980
 of that as

01:02:31.980 --> 01:02:32.340
 well.

01:02:32.760 --> 01:02:33.320
 In the place

01:02:33.320 --> 01:02:33.940
 where you hear

01:02:33.940 --> 01:02:34.700
 the sound of

01:02:34.700 --> 01:02:35.260
 the trumpet

01:02:35.260 --> 01:02:36.220
 rally to us

01:02:36.220 --> 01:02:36.560
 there,

01:02:36.980 --> 01:02:37.800
 our God

01:02:37.800 --> 01:02:38.920
 will fight

01:02:38.920 --> 01:02:39.820
 for us.

01:02:41.200 --> 01:02:42.440
 God is

01:02:42.440 --> 01:02:42.960
 on our

01:02:42.960 --> 01:02:44.100
 side as

01:02:44.100 --> 01:02:44.740
 we fight

01:02:44.739 --> 01:02:45.459
 for him.

01:02:46.359 --> 01:02:46.759
 But do

01:02:46.759 --> 01:02:47.599
 we remember

01:02:47.599 --> 01:02:48.119
 that?

01:02:49.000 --> 01:02:49.599
 We don't

01:02:49.599 --> 01:02:50.279
 look to

01:02:50.279 --> 01:02:50.979
 ourselves.

01:02:51.819 --> 01:02:52.259
 The psalm

01:02:52.259 --> 01:02:52.759
 that we sang

01:02:52.759 --> 01:02:53.319
 at the start,

01:02:53.479 --> 01:02:54.199
 Psalm 127,

01:02:54.539 --> 01:02:55.359
 reminds us,

01:02:55.799 --> 01:02:56.399
 unless the

01:02:56.399 --> 01:02:57.219
 Lord builds

01:02:57.219 --> 01:02:57.799
 the house,

01:02:58.459 --> 01:02:59.119
 the builders

01:02:59.119 --> 01:03:00.059
 build in

01:03:00.059 --> 01:03:00.399
 vain.

01:03:01.979 --> 01:03:02.839
 The Lord

01:03:02.839 --> 01:03:03.979
 is building

01:03:03.979 --> 01:03:04.659
 his church.

01:03:04.759 --> 01:03:05.399
 He uses

01:03:05.399 --> 01:03:06.500
 us, but we

01:03:06.500 --> 01:03:06.919
 are to put

01:03:06.919 --> 01:03:07.679
 ourselves

01:03:07.679 --> 01:03:09.119
 into his

01:03:09.119 --> 01:03:09.819
 hands.

01:03:11.479 --> 01:03:12.279
 There's a

01:03:12.279 --> 01:03:12.919
 story of a

01:03:12.920 --> 01:03:13.559
 little boy

01:03:13.559 --> 01:03:14.539
 who was

01:03:14.539 --> 01:03:15.220
 traveling to

01:03:15.220 --> 01:03:15.659
 see his

01:03:15.659 --> 01:03:16.340
 grandparents.

01:03:16.539 --> 01:03:16.740
 He was

01:03:16.740 --> 01:03:17.880
 flying an

01:03:17.880 --> 01:03:18.500
 airplane to

01:03:18.500 --> 01:03:18.900
 see his

01:03:18.900 --> 01:03:19.519
 grandparents.

01:03:20.720 --> 01:03:21.320
 And sat

01:03:21.320 --> 01:03:22.039
 beside him

01:03:22.039 --> 01:03:22.300
 on the

01:03:22.300 --> 01:03:23.000
 plane was

01:03:23.000 --> 01:03:23.900
 a professor

01:03:23.900 --> 01:03:24.460
 from a

01:03:24.460 --> 01:03:25.119
 university.

01:03:26.559 --> 01:03:26.860
 And the

01:03:26.860 --> 01:03:27.260
 professor

01:03:27.260 --> 01:03:28.039
 sitting beside

01:03:28.039 --> 01:03:28.960
 him wasn't

01:03:28.960 --> 01:03:29.639
 a Christian

01:03:29.639 --> 01:03:30.260
 at all,

01:03:31.059 --> 01:03:31.639
 but he saw

01:03:31.639 --> 01:03:32.159
 this little

01:03:32.159 --> 01:03:33.000
 boy sitting

01:03:33.000 --> 01:03:33.559
 beside him

01:03:33.559 --> 01:03:34.079
 reading a

01:03:34.079 --> 01:03:34.360
 Sunday

01:03:34.360 --> 01:03:34.680
 school

01:03:34.680 --> 01:03:35.320
 magazine.

01:03:36.500 --> 01:03:36.800
 And the

01:03:36.800 --> 01:03:37.180
 professor

01:03:37.180 --> 01:03:37.800
 thought to

01:03:37.800 --> 01:03:38.320
 himself he'd

01:03:38.320 --> 01:03:38.760
 had some

01:03:38.760 --> 01:03:39.300
 fun with

01:03:39.300 --> 01:03:39.619
 the young

01:03:39.619 --> 01:03:39.920
 boy.

01:03:40.840 --> 01:03:41.300
 He turned

01:03:41.300 --> 01:03:41.500
 to him and

01:03:41.500 --> 01:03:41.639
 said,

01:03:41.639 --> 01:03:42.219
 young man,

01:03:42.739 --> 01:03:43.619
 if you

01:03:43.619 --> 01:03:44.099
 can tell

01:03:44.099 --> 01:03:44.759
 me something

01:03:44.759 --> 01:03:45.539
 God can

01:03:45.539 --> 01:03:46.920
 do, I'll

01:03:46.920 --> 01:03:47.559
 give you a

01:03:47.559 --> 01:03:48.319
 big shiny

01:03:48.319 --> 01:03:48.779
 apple.

01:03:50.759 --> 01:03:51.239
 Well, the

01:03:51.239 --> 01:03:51.659
 wee boy

01:03:51.659 --> 01:03:52.299
 thought to

01:03:52.299 --> 01:03:52.900
 himself for

01:03:52.900 --> 01:03:53.279
 a moment

01:03:53.279 --> 01:03:53.980
 and replied,

01:03:54.619 --> 01:03:56.179
 sir, if

01:03:56.179 --> 01:03:56.559
 you can

01:03:56.559 --> 01:03:57.319
 tell me

01:03:57.319 --> 01:03:58.639
 something God

01:03:58.639 --> 01:03:59.519
 can't do,

01:04:00.139 --> 01:04:00.759
 I'll give

01:04:00.759 --> 01:04:01.480
 you a whole

01:04:01.480 --> 01:04:02.679
 barrel of

01:04:02.679 --> 01:04:03.279
 apples.

01:04:05.099 --> 01:04:06.420
 A simple

01:04:06.420 --> 01:04:07.440
 faith.

01:04:08.579 --> 01:04:09.019
 He wouldn't

01:04:09.019 --> 01:04:09.719
 let God

01:04:09.719 --> 01:04:10.480
 be mocked,

01:04:10.480 --> 01:04:11.500
 no matter

01:04:11.500 --> 01:04:12.340
 how intelligent

01:04:12.340 --> 01:04:13.219
 this professor

01:04:13.219 --> 01:04:13.840
 was.

01:04:14.159 --> 01:04:14.920
 He turned

01:04:14.920 --> 01:04:15.380
 it right

01:04:15.380 --> 01:04:16.000
 back to

01:04:16.000 --> 01:04:16.159
 him.

01:04:16.400 --> 01:04:16.840
 If you

01:04:16.840 --> 01:04:17.340
 can tell

01:04:17.340 --> 01:04:17.579
 me

01:04:17.579 --> 01:04:18.039
 something

01:04:18.039 --> 01:04:18.639
 God

01:04:18.639 --> 01:04:19.480
 can't

01:04:19.480 --> 01:04:19.800
 do,

01:04:20.940 --> 01:04:22.920
 can you

01:04:22.920 --> 01:04:23.340
 tell me

01:04:23.340 --> 01:04:23.719
 something

01:04:23.719 --> 01:04:24.199
 tonight

01:04:24.199 --> 01:04:24.679
 God

01:04:24.679 --> 01:04:25.139
 can't

01:04:25.139 --> 01:04:25.320
 do?

01:04:26.960 --> 01:04:27.519
 Can you

01:04:27.519 --> 01:04:28.039
 look around

01:04:28.039 --> 01:04:28.659
 this town

01:04:28.659 --> 01:04:29.059
 and say

01:04:29.059 --> 01:04:29.420
 God

01:04:29.420 --> 01:04:29.800
 cannot

01:04:29.800 --> 01:04:30.320
 save

01:04:30.320 --> 01:04:30.860
 the

01:04:30.860 --> 01:04:31.219
 people

01:04:31.219 --> 01:04:31.480
 of

01:04:31.480 --> 01:04:31.699
 this

01:04:31.699 --> 01:04:32.119
 place?

01:04:33.480 --> 01:04:34.099
 God

01:04:34.099 --> 01:04:34.440
 cannot

01:04:34.440 --> 01:04:35.059
 rebuild

01:04:35.059 --> 01:04:35.880
 his

01:04:35.880 --> 01:04:36.280
 church

01:04:36.280 --> 01:04:36.679
 here.

01:04:36.679 --> 01:04:39.559
 If you

01:04:39.559 --> 01:04:40.219
 say that

01:04:40.219 --> 01:04:40.480
 you've

01:04:40.480 --> 01:04:40.759
 lost

01:04:40.759 --> 01:04:41.279
 faith

01:04:41.279 --> 01:04:43.079
 because

01:04:43.079 --> 01:04:43.539
 God

01:04:43.539 --> 01:04:43.739
 is

01:04:43.739 --> 01:04:44.379
 invincible.

01:04:45.359 --> 01:04:45.980
 God

01:04:45.980 --> 01:04:46.179
 is

01:04:46.179 --> 01:04:46.739
 building

01:04:46.739 --> 01:04:47.500
 his

01:04:47.500 --> 01:04:48.059
 church.

01:04:49.019 --> 01:04:49.359
 We

01:04:49.359 --> 01:04:49.739
 ask

01:04:49.739 --> 01:04:50.339
 ourselves

01:04:50.339 --> 01:04:50.679
 are we

01:04:50.679 --> 01:04:51.159
 builders

01:04:51.159 --> 01:04:52.139
 or are

01:04:52.139 --> 01:04:52.299
 we

01:04:52.299 --> 01:04:52.980
 wreckers?

01:04:53.980 --> 01:04:54.899
 Do we

01:04:54.899 --> 01:04:55.339
 long to

01:04:55.339 --> 01:04:56.000
 be involved

01:04:56.000 --> 01:04:57.219
 in building

01:04:57.219 --> 01:04:58.039
 his

01:04:58.039 --> 01:04:58.519
 kingdom?

01:04:59.419 --> 01:04:59.779
 Do you

01:04:59.779 --> 01:05:00.500
 believe

01:05:00.500 --> 01:05:01.339
 that he

01:05:01.339 --> 01:05:01.940
 is building

01:05:01.940 --> 01:05:02.339
 his

01:05:02.339 --> 01:05:02.940
 church

01:05:02.940 --> 01:05:03.039
 church

01:05:03.039 --> 01:05:04.179
 even

01:05:04.179 --> 01:05:04.659
 here

01:05:04.659 --> 01:05:04.940
 in

01:05:04.940 --> 01:05:05.559
 Stornway?

01:05:07.000 --> 01:05:07.639
 Yes,

01:05:07.860 --> 01:05:08.240
 there are

01:05:08.240 --> 01:05:08.880
 challenges

01:05:08.880 --> 01:05:09.780
 for us,

01:05:10.920 --> 01:05:11.920
 many of

01:05:11.920 --> 01:05:12.159
 them,

01:05:13.099 --> 01:05:13.940
 but we

01:05:13.940 --> 01:05:14.240
 have to

01:05:14.240 --> 01:05:14.420
 have

01:05:14.420 --> 01:05:15.139
 confidence

01:05:15.139 --> 01:05:16.840
 and faith

01:05:16.840 --> 01:05:17.760
 in him.

01:05:18.679 --> 01:05:18.960
 We

01:05:18.960 --> 01:05:19.579
 fight.

01:05:20.300 --> 01:05:20.720
 We

01:05:20.720 --> 01:05:21.360
 fight for

01:05:21.360 --> 01:05:21.860
 those

01:05:21.860 --> 01:05:22.619
 who we

01:05:22.619 --> 01:05:23.159
 love.

01:05:24.019 --> 01:05:24.300
 We

01:05:24.300 --> 01:05:24.920
 fight for

01:05:24.920 --> 01:05:25.480
 those who

01:05:25.480 --> 01:05:25.740
 we do

01:05:25.740 --> 01:05:26.360
 not know.

01:05:27.099 --> 01:05:27.360
 We

01:05:27.360 --> 01:05:28.460
 fight for

01:05:28.460 --> 01:05:28.900
 those who

01:05:28.900 --> 01:05:29.420
 even just

01:05:29.420 --> 01:05:29.880
 now are

01:05:29.880 --> 01:05:30.079
 our

01:05:30.079 --> 01:05:30.559
 enemies

01:05:30.559 --> 01:05:32.019
 and

01:05:32.019 --> 01:05:32.400
 enemies

01:05:32.400 --> 01:05:32.719
 of

01:05:32.719 --> 01:05:33.119
 God,

01:05:34.059 --> 01:05:34.579
 but we

01:05:34.579 --> 01:05:35.960
 pray that

01:05:35.960 --> 01:05:36.599
 God will

01:05:36.599 --> 01:05:37.539
 build his

01:05:37.539 --> 01:05:38.159
 church.

01:05:39.480 --> 01:05:40.099
 Nehemiah

01:05:40.099 --> 01:05:41.519
 encouraged the

01:05:41.519 --> 01:05:42.300
 people not

01:05:42.300 --> 01:05:43.159
 to be afraid

01:05:43.159 --> 01:05:44.539
 to remember

01:05:44.539 --> 01:05:45.199
 the Lord,

01:05:45.539 --> 01:05:46.380
 to fight

01:05:46.380 --> 01:05:46.920
 and to

01:05:46.920 --> 01:05:47.320
 build.

01:05:48.519 --> 01:05:49.179
 Let us

01:05:49.179 --> 01:05:50.159
 do likewise.

01:05:50.980 --> 01:05:51.400
 Let us

01:05:51.400 --> 01:05:53.139
 rise and

01:05:53.139 --> 01:05:53.639
 build,

01:05:54.280 --> 01:05:55.380
 trusting the

01:05:55.380 --> 01:05:55.759
 Lord.

01:05:56.420 --> 01:05:56.800
 Let us

01:05:56.800 --> 01:05:57.059
 pray.

01:05:58.280 --> 01:05:59.059
 Our

01:05:59.059 --> 01:05:59.780
 Father in

01:05:59.780 --> 01:06:00.119
 heaven,

01:06:00.619 --> 01:06:01.079
 give us

01:06:01.079 --> 01:06:01.860
 eyes of

01:06:01.860 --> 01:06:02.240
 faith,

01:06:02.300 --> 01:06:02.680
 even as

01:06:02.680 --> 01:06:03.000
 we look

01:06:03.000 --> 01:06:03.360
 around

01:06:03.360 --> 01:06:03.740
 us,

01:06:04.360 --> 01:06:04.720
 and give

01:06:04.720 --> 01:06:05.059
 us a

01:06:05.059 --> 01:06:06.280
 prayer of

01:06:06.280 --> 01:06:07.059
 faith offered

01:06:07.059 --> 01:06:07.539
 up to

01:06:07.539 --> 01:06:07.840
 you,

01:06:08.480 --> 01:06:08.840
 that we

01:06:08.840 --> 01:06:09.360
 would come

01:06:09.360 --> 01:06:10.039
 before you,

01:06:10.200 --> 01:06:10.980
 trusting in

01:06:10.980 --> 01:06:11.140
 you,

01:06:11.200 --> 01:06:11.760
 in all your

01:06:11.760 --> 01:06:12.620
 goodness to

01:06:12.620 --> 01:06:12.940
 us,

01:06:13.320 --> 01:06:13.940
 in all that

01:06:13.940 --> 01:06:14.220
 you are

01:06:14.220 --> 01:06:14.720
 able to

01:06:14.720 --> 01:06:14.860
 do,

01:06:14.960 --> 01:06:15.760
 never doubting

01:06:15.760 --> 01:06:16.559
 that there

01:06:16.559 --> 01:06:17.039
 is anything

01:06:17.039 --> 01:06:17.400
 that you

01:06:17.400 --> 01:06:18.220
 cannot do,

01:06:18.780 --> 01:06:19.240
 for with

01:06:19.240 --> 01:06:19.940
 God all

01:06:19.940 --> 01:06:20.860
 things are

01:06:20.860 --> 01:06:21.420
 possible.

01:06:22.099 --> 01:06:22.640
 So Lord,

01:06:22.740 --> 01:06:23.260
 hear our

01:06:23.260 --> 01:06:23.700
 prayers,

01:06:23.820 --> 01:06:24.480
 continue with

01:06:24.480 --> 01:06:25.000
 us as a

01:06:25.000 --> 01:06:25.420
 people,

01:06:25.980 --> 01:06:26.620
 build us up

01:06:26.620 --> 01:06:27.019
 as a

01:06:27.019 --> 01:06:27.480
 church,

01:06:27.980 --> 01:06:28.500
 here and

01:06:28.500 --> 01:06:29.099
 all throughout

01:06:29.099 --> 01:06:29.800
 the world,

01:06:29.920 --> 01:06:30.380
 we pray,

01:06:30.539 --> 01:06:30.660
 Lord,

01:06:30.659 --> 01:06:31.019
 that your

01:06:31.019 --> 01:06:32.279
 people will

01:06:32.279 --> 01:06:33.279
 glorify your

01:06:33.279 --> 01:06:33.579
 name,

01:06:33.719 --> 01:06:34.119
 day and

01:06:34.119 --> 01:06:34.500
 night,

01:06:35.139 --> 01:06:35.559
 young and

01:06:35.559 --> 01:06:36.059
 old,

01:06:36.399 --> 01:06:37.219
 all throughout

01:06:37.219 --> 01:06:38.019
 our lands,

01:06:38.519 --> 01:06:39.099
 for we ask

01:06:39.099 --> 01:06:39.599
 it for the

01:06:39.599 --> 01:06:40.420
 glory of our

01:06:40.420 --> 01:06:41.019
 Saviour.

01:06:41.440 --> 01:06:41.859
 Amen.

01:06:41.859 --> 01:06:42.019
 Amen.

01:06:46.119 --> 01:06:47.239
 We're going to

01:06:47.239 --> 01:06:48.059
 conclude by

01:06:48.059 --> 01:06:49.239
 singing to God's

01:06:49.239 --> 01:06:49.819
 praise in

01:06:49.819 --> 01:06:50.639
 Psalm 18,

01:06:52.000 --> 01:06:52.319
 in the

01:06:52.319 --> 01:06:53.059
 Sing Psalms

01:06:53.059 --> 01:06:53.420
 version,

01:06:53.619 --> 01:06:54.899
 Psalm 18,

01:06:54.900 --> 01:06:58.280
 verse 27,

01:06:58.280 --> 01:06:58.300
 verse 27.

01:07:01.139 --> 01:07:02.260
 The tune for

01:07:02.260 --> 01:07:02.700
 this is

01:07:02.700 --> 01:07:03.320
 Talis

01:07:03.320 --> 01:07:03.840
 Canon.

01:07:04.340 --> 01:07:04.960
 We'll sing

01:07:04.960 --> 01:07:05.539
 from verse

01:07:05.539 --> 01:07:07.720
 27 down

01:07:07.720 --> 01:07:08.280
 to verse

01:07:08.280 --> 01:07:08.760
 30,

01:07:08.860 --> 01:07:09.900
 three stanzas.

01:07:10.420 --> 01:07:10.940
 You save

01:07:10.940 --> 01:07:11.539
 the humble

01:07:11.539 --> 01:07:12.099
 and the

01:07:12.099 --> 01:07:12.360
 meek,

01:07:12.440 --> 01:07:12.900
 but bring

01:07:12.900 --> 01:07:13.519
 the proud

01:07:13.519 --> 01:07:14.340
 down from

01:07:14.340 --> 01:07:14.900
 their height.

01:07:15.380 --> 01:07:15.539
 You,

01:07:15.660 --> 01:07:15.940
 Lord,

01:07:16.039 --> 01:07:16.720
 will keep

01:07:16.720 --> 01:07:17.400
 my lamp

01:07:17.400 --> 01:07:18.019
 aflame.

01:07:18.559 --> 01:07:18.820
 God

01:07:18.820 --> 01:07:19.720
 turns my

01:07:19.720 --> 01:07:20.360
 darkness

01:07:20.360 --> 01:07:21.680
 into light.

01:07:21.760 --> 01:07:22.079
 And again,

01:07:22.180 --> 01:07:22.900
 verse 29,

01:07:23.039 --> 01:07:23.680
 we're reminded

01:07:23.679 --> 01:07:24.799
 that with

01:07:24.799 --> 01:07:25.460
 God we

01:07:25.460 --> 01:07:26.259
 can advance

01:07:26.259 --> 01:07:26.980
 against

01:07:26.980 --> 01:07:28.019
 a troop.

01:07:28.460 --> 01:07:28.799
 So we'll

01:07:28.799 --> 01:07:29.359
 sing these

01:07:29.359 --> 01:07:30.259
 three stanzas,

01:07:30.379 --> 01:07:31.440
 verse 27

01:07:31.440 --> 01:07:32.239
 to 30,

01:07:32.679 --> 01:07:33.440
 to God's

01:07:33.440 --> 01:07:33.919
 praise.

01:07:33.919 --> 01:07:34.419
 Amen.

01:07:53.679 --> 01:07:54.679
 Lord,

01:07:54.679 --> 01:07:56.319
 will keep

01:07:56.319 --> 01:07:57.259
 my

01:07:57.259 --> 01:07:57.839
 lamp

01:07:57.839 --> 01:07:59.579
 aflame.

01:07:59.960 --> 01:08:00.739
 God

01:08:00.739 --> 01:08:01.679
 turns

01:08:01.679 --> 01:08:02.460
 my

01:08:02.460 --> 01:08:03.679
 darkness

01:08:03.679 --> 01:08:05.480
 into

01:08:05.480 --> 01:08:08.059
 light.

01:08:09.059 --> 01:08:10.559
 With

01:08:10.559 --> 01:08:11.379
 help

01:08:11.379 --> 01:08:12.159
 from

01:08:12.159 --> 01:08:13.239
 God

01:08:13.239 --> 01:08:13.879
 I

01:08:13.879 --> 01:08:15.039
 can

01:08:15.039 --> 01:08:16.460
 advance

01:08:16.460 --> 01:08:18.559
 against

01:08:18.559 --> 01:08:20.359
 a troop

01:08:20.359 --> 01:08:21.259
 and

01:08:21.259 --> 01:08:21.279
 and

01:08:21.279 --> 01:08:22.199
 rarts

01:08:22.199 --> 01:08:23.059
 them

01:08:23.059 --> 01:08:23.679
 all

01:08:23.679 --> 01:08:25.039
 and

01:08:25.039 --> 01:08:25.979
 with

01:08:25.979 --> 01:08:27.659
 the aid

01:08:27.659 --> 01:08:28.380
 my

01:08:28.380 --> 01:08:29.479
 God

01:08:29.479 --> 01:08:30.199
 will

01:08:30.199 --> 01:08:30.939
 give

01:08:30.939 --> 01:08:31.979
 I

01:08:31.979 --> 01:08:33.019
 can

01:08:33.019 --> 01:08:34.059
 leap

01:08:34.059 --> 01:08:35.059
 over

01:08:35.059 --> 01:08:37.199
 any

01:08:37.199 --> 01:08:38.359
 wall.

01:08:40.359 --> 01:08:41.619
 For

01:08:41.619 --> 01:08:43.039
 perfect

01:08:43.039 --> 01:08:44.679
 is

01:08:44.679 --> 01:08:45.479
 the

01:08:45.479 --> 01:08:46.479
 way

01:08:46.479 --> 01:08:47.239
 of

01:08:47.239 --> 01:08:47.960
 God

01:08:47.960 --> 01:08:48.899
 no

01:08:48.899 --> 01:08:49.939
 flaw

01:08:49.939 --> 01:08:50.899
 is

01:08:50.899 --> 01:08:51.859
 found

01:08:51.859 --> 01:08:52.939
 within

01:08:52.939 --> 01:08:54.579
 his

01:08:54.579 --> 01:08:55.219
 word.

01:08:55.699 --> 01:08:56.159
 To

01:08:56.159 --> 01:08:57.399
 all

01:08:57.399 --> 01:08:58.139
 who

01:08:58.139 --> 01:08:59.260
 put

01:08:59.260 --> 01:09:00.039
 their

01:09:00.039 --> 01:09:01.159
 trust

01:09:01.159 --> 01:09:01.960
 in

01:09:01.960 --> 01:09:02.579
 him

01:09:02.579 --> 01:09:03.880
 a

01:09:03.880 --> 01:09:04.819
 shield

01:09:04.819 --> 01:09:05.840
 and

01:09:05.840 --> 01:09:07.699
 refuge

01:09:07.699 --> 01:09:08.659
 is

01:09:08.659 --> 01:09:09.599
 the

01:09:09.599 --> 01:09:11.099
 Lord.

01:09:11.100 --> 01:09:12.840
 After

01:09:12.840 --> 01:09:13.020
 the

01:09:13.020 --> 01:09:13.460
 benediction

01:09:13.460 --> 01:09:13.720
 I'll

01:09:13.720 --> 01:09:14.039
 go to

01:09:14.039 --> 01:09:14.160
 the

01:09:14.160 --> 01:09:14.380
 door

01:09:14.380 --> 01:09:14.560
 to

01:09:14.560 --> 01:09:14.740
 my

01:09:14.740 --> 01:09:15.100
 right

01:09:15.100 --> 01:09:15.380
 this

01:09:15.380 --> 01:09:15.579
 evening.

01:09:15.680 --> 01:09:15.820
 We'll

01:09:15.820 --> 01:09:16.280
 close

01:09:16.280 --> 01:09:16.539
 with

01:09:16.539 --> 01:09:16.680
 the

01:09:16.680 --> 01:09:17.240
 benediction.

01:09:18.280 --> 01:09:18.500
 Now

01:09:18.500 --> 01:09:18.720
 may

01:09:18.720 --> 01:09:19.260
 grace,

01:09:19.600 --> 01:09:19.920
 mercy

01:09:19.920 --> 01:09:20.280
 and

01:09:20.280 --> 01:09:20.720
 peace

01:09:20.720 --> 01:09:21.260
 from

01:09:21.260 --> 01:09:21.740
 God,

01:09:21.960 --> 01:09:22.360
 Father,

01:09:22.640 --> 01:09:22.940
 Son,

01:09:23.039 --> 01:09:23.240
 and

01:09:23.240 --> 01:09:23.579
 Holy

01:09:23.579 --> 01:09:24.039
 Spirit

01:09:24.039 --> 01:09:24.960
 rest

01:09:24.960 --> 01:09:25.400
 upon

01:09:25.400 --> 01:09:25.579
 and

01:09:25.579 --> 01:09:26.000
 abide

01:09:26.000 --> 01:09:26.280
 with

01:09:26.280 --> 01:09:26.480
 you

01:09:26.480 --> 01:09:26.800
 all

01:09:26.800 --> 01:09:27.539
 now

01:09:27.539 --> 01:09:27.800
 and

01:09:27.800 --> 01:09:28.180
 forever

01:09:28.180 --> 01:09:28.579
 more.

01:09:29.079 --> 01:09:29.440
 Amen.