WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.820 Father, we, week after week, come before you as we open your word, and sometimes we can 00:00:08.820 --> 00:00:16.359 take it for granted, that it is just a good deed to do for respectable people like us. 00:00:17.300 --> 00:00:24.440 But Lord, if we're honest with ourselves, apart from you, there is no good in us, as 00:00:24.440 --> 00:00:25.240 the prayer book says. 00:00:25.940 --> 00:00:28.600 Lord, we desperately need you in our lives. 00:00:28.600 --> 00:00:29.600 We need your grace. 00:00:30.100 --> 00:00:32.100 We need to know your love afresh every week. 00:00:32.939 --> 00:00:36.020 So as we open your word, will you speak to us through it? 00:00:36.820 --> 00:00:41.620 Would you open our minds to understand and our hearts to receive what you would have for 00:00:41.620 --> 00:00:42.400 us this morning? 00:00:42.600 --> 00:00:44.700 And we pray this in Christ's name. 00:00:45.400 --> 00:00:45.780 Amen. 00:00:47.700 --> 00:00:55.760 We've talked about this in the past, how in our day of bounty and affluence and, dare I 00:00:55.759 --> 00:00:58.280 say, decadence, there is a meaning crisis. 00:00:59.519 --> 00:01:06.039 There is, at no point in human history, so much things at our disposal. 00:01:07.060 --> 00:01:12.519 And yet, generally speaking, people are desperate to find meaning. 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:14.959 A meaning crisis. 00:01:14.959 --> 00:01:21.919 Oftentimes, meaning is to be found through self-expression and self-achievement. 00:01:23.099 --> 00:01:27.559 But this seems to not be the antidote for a lack of meaning, but something that perpetuates 00:01:27.559 --> 00:01:28.339 the lack of meaning. 00:01:28.339 --> 00:01:34.379 That might give reprieve from the feelings of meaninglessness for a time, but will never 00:01:34.379 --> 00:01:36.099 fully satisfy. 00:01:36.099 --> 00:01:44.439 I put forward to you this morning that only by knowing and doing God's will will we find 00:01:44.439 --> 00:01:46.719 deep meaning in this life. 00:01:47.199 --> 00:01:50.619 A meaning that will stretch through this life and into eternity. 00:01:52.060 --> 00:01:58.699 That's the deepest, biggest, fullest source of meaning for the human heart that exists. 00:01:59.819 --> 00:02:05.119 So today we will read of Nehemiah's arrival in Jerusalem and the preparation for the rebuilding 00:02:05.120 --> 00:02:07.980 of Jerusalem, its walls, its gates. 00:02:08.640 --> 00:02:11.620 And on the surface, this is a very straightforward text. 00:02:12.219 --> 00:02:19.379 Steve read, Nehemiah comes, he inspects, he rallies the people, he's opposed, he stands 00:02:19.379 --> 00:02:20.039 against them. 00:02:20.599 --> 00:02:25.860 And then soon, in chapter 3, we're not going to touch on chapter 3, you'll see if you read 00:02:25.860 --> 00:02:29.620 it yourself, it's just a list of names and what they built. 00:02:29.759 --> 00:02:32.020 But building begins. 00:02:32.900 --> 00:02:33.819 It's very straightforward. 00:02:33.819 --> 00:02:43.259 But hopefully we will see that Nehemiah has been tasked by God to not just rebuild a decrepit 00:02:43.259 --> 00:02:47.659 and broken down city, but to rebuild a decrepit and broken down people. 00:02:48.439 --> 00:02:50.819 People that are in a very real way meaningless. 00:02:51.740 --> 00:02:54.939 That are not walking in God's will. 00:02:55.099 --> 00:03:01.539 In fact, because of that, their city, their hearts, their lives, this people, they are broken 00:03:01.539 --> 00:03:08.180 because of the very reason that we'll see that they are not walking in God's will. 00:03:08.280 --> 00:03:10.819 Nehemiah is calling them back to this. 00:03:11.079 --> 00:03:15.459 So Nehemiah is doing God's will and helping the people to do this. 00:03:15.979 --> 00:03:23.039 And through it, hopefully, we will see three key aspects of what it means to walk in God's will 00:03:23.039 --> 00:03:27.959 and help us to enjoy real, deep, long-lasting, eternal meaning in our lives. 00:03:28.419 --> 00:03:34.219 So the first thing, the favor of God that accompanies those who do God's will. 00:03:34.299 --> 00:03:36.479 We'll see that verses 9 and then 11 to 16. 00:03:37.120 --> 00:03:42.180 The second is the empowerment that God gives to those who are doing his will. 00:03:42.180 --> 00:03:47.659 So he doesn't simply call us to do his will, but he gives us the means by which to do it. 00:03:48.120 --> 00:03:50.140 And that's in verses 17 and 19. 00:03:50.780 --> 00:03:54.500 And then we will see that there is great prosperity in doing God's will. 00:03:54.560 --> 00:03:56.460 And we'll define what that prosperity is. 00:03:56.780 --> 00:03:58.580 And we'll see that in verse 20. 00:03:58.740 --> 00:04:02.260 So the favor of God, the empowerment of God, and the prosperity of God 00:04:02.260 --> 00:04:04.960 as it pertains to doing God's will. 00:04:05.740 --> 00:04:09.080 If you have a Bible, it would help a lot if you followed along. 00:04:09.080 --> 00:04:15.400 Feel free to jump up and grab a Bible from the back welcome table at any point. 00:04:15.500 --> 00:04:18.840 Don't worry about interrupting. 00:04:19.600 --> 00:04:21.160 Please, it would help quite a bit. 00:04:21.439 --> 00:04:22.960 So let's look at the first point. 00:04:23.600 --> 00:04:26.040 The favor of God as it pertains to doing his will. 00:04:26.939 --> 00:04:29.060 First and foremost, the Lord is about his business. 00:04:29.879 --> 00:04:35.259 He is about his redemption, his glory, about his will being accomplished above all others. 00:04:35.259 --> 00:04:43.259 And to that end, we labor for and with him in accomplishing his will. 00:04:43.360 --> 00:04:49.139 So it's not as if we have our goals and our will that we want to see accomplished 00:04:49.139 --> 00:04:50.680 and God is kind of our help. 00:04:51.199 --> 00:04:53.519 He gets on board with our plan. 00:04:53.639 --> 00:04:57.159 It is actually the opposite, where there is God's will 00:04:57.160 --> 00:05:05.960 and we get the privilege of participating and joining him in doing his will, accomplishing his will. 00:05:07.500 --> 00:05:10.340 And as we do so, his favor will accompany us. 00:05:10.480 --> 00:05:12.100 And what does that favor look like? 00:05:12.580 --> 00:05:15.560 So we won't read, but if you remember from last week, 00:05:16.340 --> 00:05:19.340 Nehemiah is, he's all tore up inside. 00:05:19.620 --> 00:05:22.760 Jerusalem is, he hears news that Jerusalem is laid waste. 00:05:22.759 --> 00:05:30.240 He is praying, he is fasting, he is looking for opportunities to canvass the king. 00:05:30.459 --> 00:05:32.000 He is the cupbearer for the king. 00:05:32.500 --> 00:05:37.800 To canvass the king, to reverse the king's decree to stop the rebuilding of Jerusalem. 00:05:37.920 --> 00:05:38.519 And then he does. 00:05:39.000 --> 00:05:41.699 And the king's favor is with him. 00:05:42.339 --> 00:05:45.339 And not only does King Artaxerxes of Persia say, 00:05:45.339 --> 00:05:50.439 yes, rebuild Jerusalem and the gates and the walls. 00:05:50.959 --> 00:05:53.919 He provides patronage to see it through. 00:05:54.259 --> 00:05:57.919 And protection to protect God's people as they rebuild. 00:05:58.859 --> 00:06:05.399 All of this, as we read, is just pure favor from the king to Nehemiah. 00:06:05.719 --> 00:06:09.479 However, we remember that, in fact, 00:06:10.739 --> 00:06:12.579 although the king had a huge part to play, 00:06:12.579 --> 00:06:16.899 it was God who showed the favor as Nehemiah was doing his will. 00:06:16.979 --> 00:06:18.959 We see this in verse 8 of chapter 2. 00:06:20.039 --> 00:06:21.659 If you want to turn there, it says this. 00:06:26.560 --> 00:06:33.240 The keeper of the king's, I'm sorry, I'll just jump to the very last bit of verse 8. 00:06:33.659 --> 00:06:38.159 And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me. 00:06:38.959 --> 00:06:40.000 Verse 9 continues. 00:06:40.000 --> 00:06:44.399 Then I came to the governors of the province beyond the river 00:06:44.399 --> 00:06:46.279 and gave them the king's letter. 00:06:46.420 --> 00:06:49.680 So did the patronage work? 00:06:49.899 --> 00:06:52.899 And the answer is, most certainly it did. 00:06:53.879 --> 00:06:57.459 Now the king had sent me with officers of the army and horsemen. 00:06:57.540 --> 00:07:00.220 But circling back to the last part of verse 8, 00:07:00.319 --> 00:07:00.639 it says, 00:07:00.639 --> 00:07:09.099 The favor of God opens doors that are otherwise shut. 00:07:09.919 --> 00:07:14.479 How on earth would a cupbearer, who is the servant of a king, 00:07:15.360 --> 00:07:20.719 and in a sense, he's not, well, he's certainly not native to Persia. 00:07:20.720 --> 00:07:25.940 He has been captured, his people have been captured by successive kingdoms, 00:07:25.940 --> 00:07:27.900 and he is a mere servant. 00:07:28.120 --> 00:07:30.960 And now, this open door is given to him. 00:07:31.140 --> 00:07:31.420 Why? 00:07:31.800 --> 00:07:33.840 Not because he caught the king on a good day, 00:07:33.920 --> 00:07:36.480 but precisely because the hand of the Lord was upon him. 00:07:36.960 --> 00:07:38.900 He had favor from God. 00:07:38.899 --> 00:07:41.679 This favor of God allows, 00:07:42.299 --> 00:07:46.319 it allows God's will to be accomplished through his people 00:07:46.319 --> 00:07:50.759 in situations that are either difficult or impossible in our own strength. 00:07:52.519 --> 00:07:53.759 But to be clear, 00:07:54.120 --> 00:07:56.199 just because the Lord's favor rests on a person 00:07:56.199 --> 00:08:00.819 doesn't necessarily mean that they will experience ease or smooth sailing. 00:08:01.539 --> 00:08:02.819 Hard work is required. 00:08:03.719 --> 00:08:05.419 God invites us to labor, 00:08:06.099 --> 00:08:07.399 but it is certainly labor. 00:08:07.399 --> 00:08:10.539 Nehemiah is working hard. 00:08:11.639 --> 00:08:13.659 He doesn't act haphazardly at all. 00:08:13.819 --> 00:08:14.639 He waits. 00:08:15.120 --> 00:08:15.979 He works. 00:08:16.159 --> 00:08:16.679 He waits. 00:08:16.779 --> 00:08:17.259 He works. 00:08:17.379 --> 00:08:18.259 He has an opportunity, 00:08:18.819 --> 00:08:24.060 finally, to talk to the king after a good amount of praying. 00:08:25.339 --> 00:08:29.819 And he, even when he is allowed back to Jerusalem, 00:08:30.560 --> 00:08:33.399 he gets there and he begins working even harder. 00:08:34.179 --> 00:08:35.980 Look with me, verses 11 to 16. 00:08:35.980 --> 00:08:40.899 So I went to Jerusalem and was there three days. 00:08:41.539 --> 00:08:42.340 Verse 12. 00:08:43.259 --> 00:08:44.440 Then I arose in the night, 00:08:45.259 --> 00:08:46.639 I and a few men with me, 00:08:46.700 --> 00:08:50.700 and I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. 00:08:51.120 --> 00:08:52.639 There was no animal with me, 00:08:52.820 --> 00:08:54.379 but the one on which I rode. 00:08:54.940 --> 00:08:55.980 I went out by night, 00:08:56.080 --> 00:08:57.180 by the valley gate, 00:08:57.259 --> 00:08:58.200 to the dragon spring, 00:08:58.279 --> 00:08:59.139 into the dung gate, 00:08:59.139 --> 00:09:04.699 and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire. 00:09:04.700 --> 00:09:07.140 Then I went on to the fountain gate, 00:09:07.440 --> 00:09:08.480 to the king's pool, 00:09:08.740 --> 00:09:12.259 but there was no room for the animal that was under me to pass. 00:09:12.320 --> 00:09:16.820 Then I went up in the night by the valley and inspected the wall, 00:09:17.200 --> 00:09:20.320 and I turned back and entered by the valley gate and so returned. 00:09:20.320 --> 00:09:24.020 And the officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, 00:09:24.140 --> 00:09:25.620 and I had not yet told the Jews, 00:09:25.760 --> 00:09:26.100 the priests, 00:09:26.240 --> 00:09:26.600 the nobles, 00:09:26.720 --> 00:09:27.220 the officials, 00:09:27.440 --> 00:09:30.540 and the rest who were to do the work. 00:09:32.600 --> 00:09:34.780 Even when Nehemiah arrives in Jerusalem, 00:09:36.300 --> 00:09:37.800 the favor of the Lord upon him, 00:09:38.560 --> 00:09:40.980 he doesn't take for granted that there's hard work ahead of him. 00:09:41.460 --> 00:09:45.240 He has the wherewithal to inspect and assess the sad state of affairs 00:09:45.240 --> 00:09:47.139 without being noticed or caught. 00:09:47.220 --> 00:09:48.100 Now this is a key bit, 00:09:48.159 --> 00:09:49.519 and we'll get into it a bit later on. 00:09:50.000 --> 00:09:50.700 There's opposition. 00:09:51.820 --> 00:09:54.940 There's also potentially suspicion as an outsider, 00:09:55.100 --> 00:09:56.240 even if he is a Jew. 00:09:56.899 --> 00:09:58.440 He was not born in Jerusalem. 00:09:58.580 --> 00:09:59.500 He was born in Persia. 00:10:00.180 --> 00:10:03.039 He has enjoyed the fine things in the Persian court. 00:10:03.279 --> 00:10:04.019 He's an outsider, 00:10:04.560 --> 00:10:07.820 even though he is ethnically Jewish. 00:10:08.279 --> 00:10:08.899 There's suspicion. 00:10:08.899 --> 00:10:09.539 Nevertheless, 00:10:10.600 --> 00:10:11.139 Nehemiah, 00:10:11.340 --> 00:10:12.340 he is not naive. 00:10:12.620 --> 00:10:13.600 He works hard. 00:10:13.600 --> 00:10:15.600 He thinks through strategy. 00:10:15.879 --> 00:10:20.720 He is very serious about how he is looking to labor for the Lord. 00:10:21.800 --> 00:10:25.840 He needed God's favor to fly under the radar, 00:10:26.220 --> 00:10:27.420 to avoid suspicion, 00:10:27.680 --> 00:10:30.240 and ultimately we'll see in the next section 00:10:30.240 --> 00:10:32.600 to empower the people to join him in the Lord's work. 00:10:34.460 --> 00:10:34.680 You know, 00:10:34.759 --> 00:10:35.220 we're going to, 00:10:36.019 --> 00:10:38.399 in the coming months and years, 00:10:38.560 --> 00:10:39.700 who knows how long, 00:10:40.399 --> 00:10:41.440 you know, 00:10:41.500 --> 00:10:42.920 this church will exist, 00:10:42.919 --> 00:10:45.519 either because the Lord's going to come back, 00:10:45.699 --> 00:10:45.899 or, 00:10:46.519 --> 00:10:46.740 you know, 00:10:46.779 --> 00:10:47.639 a hundred years from now, 00:10:47.699 --> 00:10:48.179 who knows. 00:10:48.819 --> 00:10:52.099 But as we seek to labor for the Lord, 00:10:52.240 --> 00:10:53.419 bearing witness to him, 00:10:54.199 --> 00:10:55.740 faithfully in our workplaces, 00:10:55.839 --> 00:10:56.419 in our neighborhoods, 00:10:56.860 --> 00:10:58.319 to raise our children, 00:10:58.699 --> 00:11:00.299 in the fear and admonition of the Lord, 00:11:01.199 --> 00:11:03.039 to confess our sins weakly, 00:11:03.099 --> 00:11:05.399 and choose the narrow way of the gospel of Christ, 00:11:06.039 --> 00:11:09.519 instead of the broad way of the cultural winds that blow, 00:11:09.519 --> 00:11:13.460 we can be sure that as we follow and seek God's will, 00:11:14.120 --> 00:11:15.159 he will give us favor. 00:11:17.319 --> 00:11:17.759 God, 00:11:17.939 --> 00:11:18.139 again, 00:11:18.220 --> 00:11:19.139 is about his business, 00:11:19.759 --> 00:11:21.519 is about his will being accomplished. 00:11:22.179 --> 00:11:24.159 And as much as we partner with God, 00:11:24.360 --> 00:11:25.779 or get on board with God, 00:11:25.879 --> 00:11:29.340 he will give us open doors where there are closed ones. 00:11:29.399 --> 00:11:29.659 And that, 00:11:29.980 --> 00:11:30.480 by the way, 00:11:30.840 --> 00:11:32.939 doesn't necessarily mean success, 00:11:33.379 --> 00:11:34.480 the feeling of success. 00:11:34.480 --> 00:11:36.139 You know, 00:11:36.180 --> 00:11:42.379 there's countless examples of missionaries that have gone to foreign lands, 00:11:42.560 --> 00:11:46.680 and their ministry has proven completely unfruitful. 00:11:47.580 --> 00:11:48.139 And yet, 00:11:48.700 --> 00:11:50.440 so they either die, 00:11:50.500 --> 00:11:51.720 or go back to where they're sent. 00:11:52.759 --> 00:11:53.180 And yet, 00:11:53.700 --> 00:11:56.399 their faithfulness to doing God's will, 00:11:57.480 --> 00:12:02.180 has laid the foundation for what will come. 00:12:02.179 --> 00:12:06.120 The conversion of whole people groups. 00:12:09.239 --> 00:12:10.519 Following God's will, 00:12:10.799 --> 00:12:11.519 knowing his favor, 00:12:11.620 --> 00:12:13.739 doesn't necessarily feel like success all the time. 00:12:15.279 --> 00:12:15.799 But, 00:12:15.939 --> 00:12:16.779 we continue on, 00:12:16.839 --> 00:12:17.599 we press forward. 00:12:18.459 --> 00:12:19.859 And I think the big question is, 00:12:19.899 --> 00:12:20.879 when we ask the question, 00:12:21.359 --> 00:12:22.519 what is God's will? 00:12:22.639 --> 00:12:23.879 How do we know his favor? 00:12:24.239 --> 00:12:26.459 The big question to ask as we make decisions, 00:12:26.899 --> 00:12:28.019 and seek God's will, 00:12:28.379 --> 00:12:28.899 is this. 00:12:29.579 --> 00:12:31.919 Will this bring glory to Christ? 00:12:32.459 --> 00:12:33.539 According to the scriptures. 00:12:33.739 --> 00:12:35.199 Will this lead to life? 00:12:35.299 --> 00:12:36.319 According to the scriptures. 00:12:37.339 --> 00:12:40.079 Will this shine light in the darkness? 00:12:40.199 --> 00:12:41.199 According to the scriptures. 00:12:41.419 --> 00:12:44.819 Will this result in God's kingdom coming on earth as it is in heaven? 00:12:44.879 --> 00:12:45.959 According to the scriptures. 00:12:46.879 --> 00:12:47.299 Notice, 00:12:47.419 --> 00:12:48.939 according to the scriptures is key in this, 00:12:49.000 --> 00:12:50.179 because it's not just how we define, 00:12:51.239 --> 00:12:52.099 what is good, 00:12:52.239 --> 00:12:52.939 or what is true, 00:12:53.099 --> 00:12:53.819 or what is beautiful, 00:12:54.019 --> 00:12:54.759 or what is light, 00:12:54.859 --> 00:12:55.659 or what is life. 00:12:56.319 --> 00:12:57.500 It's what God says, 00:12:57.579 --> 00:12:59.379 according to the scriptures. 00:12:59.379 --> 00:13:02.120 So like I said, 00:13:02.200 --> 00:13:05.539 this divine favor may not always feel like success. 00:13:06.399 --> 00:13:08.039 Nehemiah gave up much as he walked, 00:13:08.659 --> 00:13:10.580 in the favor of the Lord. 00:13:11.059 --> 00:13:12.600 We talked about this last week, 00:13:12.659 --> 00:13:14.299 and I referenced it a bit already. 00:13:15.240 --> 00:13:17.700 He enjoyed the finer things of life. 00:13:17.919 --> 00:13:20.539 He enjoyed a type of prosperity and bounty, 00:13:20.960 --> 00:13:21.580 in Persia. 00:13:21.580 --> 00:13:22.800 And he left it, 00:13:23.400 --> 00:13:25.400 to make a thousand mile journey, 00:13:25.980 --> 00:13:27.500 to a place he only heard of, 00:13:28.200 --> 00:13:29.440 to experience opposition, 00:13:29.900 --> 00:13:33.420 and to not even necessarily have his own things, 00:13:33.580 --> 00:13:35.620 the things that he would be used to. 00:13:36.940 --> 00:13:38.460 He felt the scorn of opposition, 00:13:38.639 --> 00:13:39.520 and weathered the abuse, 00:13:40.060 --> 00:13:41.840 as he walked in the favor of the Lord. 00:13:41.960 --> 00:13:42.940 He labored hard, 00:13:43.780 --> 00:13:44.920 as we have seen, 00:13:45.860 --> 00:13:47.580 in the favor of the Lord. 00:13:47.820 --> 00:13:49.080 But all of this, 00:13:49.080 --> 00:13:50.639 he knew God's favor. 00:13:51.440 --> 00:13:52.580 He spent his life, 00:13:53.060 --> 00:13:55.980 not on the beauty of Persia, 00:13:56.120 --> 00:13:58.040 but on the rebuilding of Jerusalem. 00:13:59.320 --> 00:14:01.340 Things that aren't fleeting, 00:14:01.500 --> 00:14:02.120 but are eternal. 00:14:03.600 --> 00:14:04.580 And God helped him with this. 00:14:04.660 --> 00:14:05.480 God empowered him. 00:14:05.540 --> 00:14:06.240 Another way to say it, 00:14:06.259 --> 00:14:08.200 is God equipped him to this end. 00:14:08.320 --> 00:14:10.280 So, going to the second point, 00:14:10.540 --> 00:14:11.820 the empowerment of God, 00:14:11.879 --> 00:14:12.960 that he gives to those, 00:14:13.300 --> 00:14:14.360 walking in his will, 00:14:14.540 --> 00:14:15.480 seeking his will. 00:14:15.820 --> 00:14:17.120 Verses 17 to 19, 00:14:17.120 --> 00:14:18.679 if you can look with me there. 00:14:19.820 --> 00:14:21.039 Then I said to them, 00:14:21.220 --> 00:14:21.980 these are the people, 00:14:22.080 --> 00:14:22.539 the Israelites, 00:14:22.740 --> 00:14:23.879 the Jewish people of Jerusalem, 00:14:24.279 --> 00:14:26.279 you see the trouble we are in, 00:14:26.879 --> 00:14:29.220 how Jerusalem lies in ruins, 00:14:29.299 --> 00:14:30.360 with its gates burned. 00:14:31.019 --> 00:14:31.440 Come, 00:14:31.799 --> 00:14:33.899 let us build the wall of Jerusalem, 00:14:34.039 --> 00:14:36.779 that we may no longer suffer derision. 00:14:37.779 --> 00:14:40.320 And I told them of the hand of my God, 00:14:40.759 --> 00:14:42.700 that had been upon me for good, 00:14:42.700 --> 00:14:46.259 and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. 00:14:47.100 --> 00:14:47.920 And the people said, 00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:49.180 let us rise up and build. 00:14:49.720 --> 00:14:52.040 So they strengthened their hands for the good work. 00:14:52.320 --> 00:14:52.980 And pause there. 00:14:54.759 --> 00:14:56.580 Nehemiah was doing something extraordinary 00:14:56.580 --> 00:14:58.180 that was nearly impossible. 00:14:59.140 --> 00:15:00.840 The rebuilding of Jerusalem. 00:15:01.840 --> 00:15:03.040 He was an outsider. 00:15:03.759 --> 00:15:07.160 He needed the help of a broken and wayward people. 00:15:07.159 --> 00:15:11.519 He also was opposed by a host of powerful and influential enemies. 00:15:12.399 --> 00:15:14.059 I'll reference them shortly. 00:15:15.299 --> 00:15:19.779 And even with all of the patronage and support of the king, 00:15:20.219 --> 00:15:21.620 success was not for certain. 00:15:23.620 --> 00:15:24.939 More often than not, 00:15:24.940 --> 00:15:30.280 God will empower us to do his will in ways 00:15:30.280 --> 00:15:32.320 that aren't necessarily supernatural. 00:15:33.060 --> 00:15:34.520 In the case of Nehemiah, 00:15:35.120 --> 00:15:35.580 you think, 00:15:35.960 --> 00:15:38.200 how does a cupbearer, 00:15:38.600 --> 00:15:41.220 probably has silky, soft hands, 00:15:42.500 --> 00:15:47.880 who has only known the beauty and the bounty of the king's palace. 00:15:48.040 --> 00:15:48.760 He's a cupbearer. 00:15:48.800 --> 00:15:49.340 He's tasting. 00:15:49.500 --> 00:15:50.660 He's like a sommelier. 00:15:50.659 --> 00:15:51.100 Like, 00:15:52.059 --> 00:15:55.259 how is that man going to rebuild Jerusalem? 00:15:56.659 --> 00:15:57.419 And yet, 00:15:57.539 --> 00:15:58.219 in the courts, 00:15:59.519 --> 00:16:01.659 this was a training ground, 00:16:02.360 --> 00:16:05.019 equipping that God was doing 00:16:05.019 --> 00:16:06.779 years and years and years 00:16:06.779 --> 00:16:08.740 before Nehemiah arrives in Jerusalem. 00:16:09.699 --> 00:16:10.839 He knows how to organize, 00:16:11.159 --> 00:16:11.899 how to assess, 00:16:12.579 --> 00:16:13.500 how to advise. 00:16:14.679 --> 00:16:17.319 He knows how to make a pitch 00:16:17.320 --> 00:16:19.340 and how to give good, 00:16:20.080 --> 00:16:20.860 inspirational, 00:16:21.500 --> 00:16:21.879 and yet, 00:16:22.480 --> 00:16:23.400 wise counsel. 00:16:24.280 --> 00:16:25.320 We see this here. 00:16:27.100 --> 00:16:27.580 Often, 00:16:27.860 --> 00:16:29.020 God equips us 00:16:29.020 --> 00:16:30.520 with the 00:16:30.520 --> 00:16:32.379 experiences 00:16:32.379 --> 00:16:34.300 and the skills 00:16:34.300 --> 00:16:36.420 that are already existing in our lives. 00:16:37.379 --> 00:16:37.820 Sometimes, 00:16:38.200 --> 00:16:39.780 he gives us supernatural 00:16:39.780 --> 00:16:41.180 equipping as well. 00:16:42.180 --> 00:16:42.580 Or maybe, 00:16:42.860 --> 00:16:43.840 we know what to do, 00:16:43.900 --> 00:16:44.700 but we need training 00:16:44.700 --> 00:16:46.620 and he provides the means by which to do that. 00:16:46.620 --> 00:16:47.179 But nevertheless, 00:16:48.000 --> 00:16:49.940 God has equipped us, 00:16:50.340 --> 00:16:51.179 you and I, 00:16:52.139 --> 00:16:52.980 to do his will. 00:16:54.580 --> 00:16:56.539 The church is called a body for a reason. 00:16:57.220 --> 00:16:58.460 It's talked about in the New Testament. 00:16:58.580 --> 00:17:00.840 Not everybody's an arm or a leg or a nose. 00:17:01.139 --> 00:17:02.500 We work together as a body. 00:17:02.899 --> 00:17:03.799 You will have opportunities 00:17:03.799 --> 00:17:05.920 to do God's will 00:17:05.920 --> 00:17:07.519 with your skill set 00:17:07.519 --> 00:17:10.059 that God has ordained for you 00:17:10.059 --> 00:17:12.400 to accomplish his will 00:17:12.400 --> 00:17:13.519 as a community, 00:17:13.720 --> 00:17:15.019 as his people together. 00:17:15.019 --> 00:17:17.220 This is what he's doing with Nehemiah. 00:17:20.039 --> 00:17:21.460 It's incredible to think 00:17:21.460 --> 00:17:23.259 that God in his providence 00:17:23.259 --> 00:17:26.440 has put you in situations 00:17:26.440 --> 00:17:27.680 and in training, 00:17:28.279 --> 00:17:29.000 circumstances, 00:17:29.319 --> 00:17:31.539 or circumstances that has led to training 00:17:31.539 --> 00:17:34.240 years and years and years before 00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:37.019 that will be transferable 00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:39.339 for you doing his will today 00:17:39.339 --> 00:17:40.700 or tomorrow or next year. 00:17:40.920 --> 00:17:41.660 It's remarkable. 00:17:41.660 --> 00:17:44.100 God is about his business 00:17:44.100 --> 00:17:45.720 and he invites us into it 00:17:45.720 --> 00:17:47.060 and he equips us 00:17:47.060 --> 00:17:48.259 to do just that. 00:17:51.220 --> 00:17:52.600 Nehemiah says to the people 00:17:52.600 --> 00:17:54.240 as he gathers them together 00:17:54.240 --> 00:17:56.500 in this rousing speech, 00:17:56.640 --> 00:17:56.820 first, 00:17:56.980 --> 00:17:58.340 he's saying something like this, 00:17:58.380 --> 00:17:59.140 first and foremost, 00:17:59.240 --> 00:18:00.040 God is with us. 00:18:01.620 --> 00:18:02.940 He is directing our steps. 00:18:03.140 --> 00:18:04.600 Notice that he doesn't lead with, 00:18:05.420 --> 00:18:07.080 I have all the papers from the king. 00:18:07.079 --> 00:18:09.699 We have kingly, 00:18:09.919 --> 00:18:12.059 royal backing. 00:18:12.339 --> 00:18:13.899 He doesn't lead with that, 00:18:13.960 --> 00:18:14.379 does he? 00:18:15.259 --> 00:18:15.839 What does he say? 00:18:15.939 --> 00:18:16.460 Verse 18, 00:18:16.559 --> 00:18:18.659 And I told them of the hand of my God 00:18:18.659 --> 00:18:20.419 that had been upon me for good 00:18:20.419 --> 00:18:22.639 and also of the words 00:18:22.639 --> 00:18:23.819 that the king had spoken to me. 00:18:24.539 --> 00:18:25.519 That comes second. 00:18:28.619 --> 00:18:29.019 Nehemiah, 00:18:29.379 --> 00:18:30.339 he's saying to the people, 00:18:30.439 --> 00:18:31.079 first and foremost, 00:18:31.220 --> 00:18:32.039 God is with us. 00:18:32.339 --> 00:18:33.519 He is directing our steps. 00:18:33.599 --> 00:18:34.919 He is showing us great favor. 00:18:34.920 --> 00:18:37.340 The king is on our side. 00:18:37.480 --> 00:18:38.600 He has overturned 00:18:38.600 --> 00:18:40.220 this moratorium 00:18:40.220 --> 00:18:42.800 that he had previously spoken. 00:18:43.560 --> 00:18:44.519 The moratorium's over. 00:18:44.600 --> 00:18:46.519 We can start rebuilding again. 00:18:46.660 --> 00:18:47.800 He has given us resources 00:18:47.800 --> 00:18:48.440 and protection 00:18:48.440 --> 00:18:49.960 to get the job done. 00:18:50.660 --> 00:18:51.779 And what do the people say? 00:18:52.100 --> 00:18:53.019 This is what they need. 00:18:53.140 --> 00:18:53.300 You know, 00:18:54.080 --> 00:18:55.100 these people weren't 00:18:55.100 --> 00:18:56.779 the cream of the crop 00:18:56.779 --> 00:18:57.640 that were taken away 00:18:57.640 --> 00:18:58.500 by the Assyrians 00:18:58.500 --> 00:19:00.400 a couple generations prior. 00:19:01.120 --> 00:19:02.120 They were the peasants 00:19:02.120 --> 00:19:02.800 that were left. 00:19:03.560 --> 00:19:04.420 Now, mind you, 00:19:04.420 --> 00:19:06.759 Zerubbabel and Ezra, 00:19:06.840 --> 00:19:09.380 we read about those two leaders 00:19:09.380 --> 00:19:11.160 in Ezra, 00:19:11.600 --> 00:19:12.700 they rouse the people, 00:19:12.840 --> 00:19:14.980 but there's been 20 years 00:19:14.980 --> 00:19:16.500 of lost momentum 00:19:16.500 --> 00:19:18.820 between those leaders 00:19:18.820 --> 00:19:20.000 and Nehemiah. 00:19:21.400 --> 00:19:23.680 So any kind of empowerment, 00:19:24.360 --> 00:19:25.640 any kind of strength 00:19:25.640 --> 00:19:26.700 that was previously there, 00:19:26.779 --> 00:19:27.400 it was sapped. 00:19:28.160 --> 00:19:28.880 And Nehemiah, 00:19:29.960 --> 00:19:31.840 really God through Nehemiah, 00:19:31.839 --> 00:19:34.079 he is rousing the people. 00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:37.000 And now we see 00:19:37.000 --> 00:19:38.799 the good hand of God 00:19:38.799 --> 00:19:40.099 who has helped Nehemiah 00:19:40.099 --> 00:19:41.539 convince the king 00:19:41.539 --> 00:19:42.319 and the people. 00:19:43.599 --> 00:19:44.959 And we look at what 00:19:44.959 --> 00:19:46.220 the king has given 00:19:46.220 --> 00:19:46.639 and we say, 00:19:46.759 --> 00:19:47.679 what a miracle from God. 00:19:47.759 --> 00:19:49.459 But when people are broken 00:19:49.459 --> 00:19:50.740 and despondent 00:19:50.740 --> 00:19:52.459 and they are lacking 00:19:52.459 --> 00:19:54.359 any sort of 00:19:54.359 --> 00:19:56.079 self-worth 00:19:56.079 --> 00:19:58.679 to convince those people 00:19:58.679 --> 00:19:59.539 to rise up, 00:19:59.859 --> 00:20:01.059 to strengthen their hands 00:20:01.059 --> 00:20:01.519 and build, 00:20:01.599 --> 00:20:02.419 that is a miracle. 00:20:03.139 --> 00:20:04.500 That's something only God can do. 00:20:05.199 --> 00:20:06.119 Only God can take 00:20:06.119 --> 00:20:07.819 broken and desperate 00:20:07.819 --> 00:20:09.500 and hurt people 00:20:09.500 --> 00:20:10.720 and heal them 00:20:10.720 --> 00:20:11.980 and use them then 00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:12.720 for his glory 00:20:12.720 --> 00:20:13.919 to accomplish his will. 00:20:14.419 --> 00:20:15.279 It's remarkable 00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:16.259 what is happening here. 00:20:16.259 --> 00:20:19.619 The people are empowered. 00:20:19.759 --> 00:20:20.019 Why? 00:20:20.140 --> 00:20:21.220 They get on board 00:20:21.220 --> 00:20:22.879 to God's plan 00:20:22.879 --> 00:20:24.279 to accomplish God's will, 00:20:24.359 --> 00:20:26.539 the rebuilding of Jerusalem. 00:20:27.599 --> 00:20:28.879 The empowerment of the Lord 00:20:28.879 --> 00:20:31.299 is a supernatural blessing 00:20:31.299 --> 00:20:32.059 but also 00:20:32.059 --> 00:20:33.420 the regular blessing 00:20:33.420 --> 00:20:34.759 upon God's people 00:20:34.759 --> 00:20:35.740 to trust and act 00:20:35.740 --> 00:20:36.619 upon God's word. 00:20:37.059 --> 00:20:37.680 To believe 00:20:37.680 --> 00:20:39.359 that God's promises are true, 00:20:39.819 --> 00:20:41.420 to walk in obedience with Him 00:20:41.420 --> 00:20:42.579 as a response 00:20:42.579 --> 00:20:43.359 to His love 00:20:43.359 --> 00:20:44.740 towards us. 00:20:44.740 --> 00:20:46.500 Throughout the New Testament 00:20:46.500 --> 00:20:47.019 this is called 00:20:47.019 --> 00:20:47.779 the grace of God. 00:20:48.920 --> 00:20:50.180 The grace of God 00:20:50.180 --> 00:20:50.900 that He gives 00:20:50.900 --> 00:20:51.680 in abundance, 00:20:52.620 --> 00:20:53.839 grace upon grace 00:20:53.839 --> 00:20:54.839 to do His will, 00:20:54.940 --> 00:20:56.200 to live out His will, 00:20:56.500 --> 00:20:58.839 to walk in wholeness 00:20:58.839 --> 00:21:00.640 to see His kingdom come 00:21:00.640 --> 00:21:01.120 on earth 00:21:01.120 --> 00:21:01.819 as it is in heaven. 00:21:02.880 --> 00:21:03.680 They need it, 00:21:03.720 --> 00:21:04.059 don't they? 00:21:04.859 --> 00:21:05.539 They rally, 00:21:06.319 --> 00:21:07.480 the troops need rallying 00:21:07.480 --> 00:21:07.980 but also 00:21:07.980 --> 00:21:08.599 it's not just that 00:21:08.599 --> 00:21:09.539 they need rallying, 00:21:10.299 --> 00:21:11.500 opposition is coming 00:21:11.500 --> 00:21:13.000 and it's heavy. 00:21:13.299 --> 00:21:13.779 Look with me 00:21:13.779 --> 00:21:15.039 in verse 19. 00:21:16.819 --> 00:21:17.859 But when Sanballat, 00:21:17.960 --> 00:21:18.579 the Horonite, 00:21:18.700 --> 00:21:19.440 and Tobiah, 00:21:19.879 --> 00:21:21.139 the Ammonite servant, 00:21:22.059 --> 00:21:22.579 and Geshem, 00:21:22.879 --> 00:21:23.259 the Arab, 00:21:23.359 --> 00:21:24.059 heard of it, 00:21:24.220 --> 00:21:25.379 they jeered at us 00:21:25.379 --> 00:21:26.579 and despised us 00:21:26.579 --> 00:21:27.039 and said, 00:21:27.200 --> 00:21:28.259 what is this thing 00:21:28.259 --> 00:21:29.039 that you are doing? 00:21:29.480 --> 00:21:30.379 Are you rebelling 00:21:30.379 --> 00:21:31.099 against the king? 00:21:33.279 --> 00:21:34.899 These are three characters, 00:21:35.220 --> 00:21:35.859 well the two, 00:21:36.160 --> 00:21:37.480 Sanballat and Tobiah, 00:21:38.279 --> 00:21:39.079 Tobias, 00:21:39.079 --> 00:21:39.779 Tobiah, 00:21:40.199 --> 00:21:41.379 they bookend this section. 00:21:41.579 --> 00:21:42.059 We see them 00:21:42.059 --> 00:21:45.720 in the verses 7 to 9, 00:21:46.279 --> 00:21:47.199 they show up 00:21:47.199 --> 00:21:49.079 and they do not want to see 00:21:49.079 --> 00:21:49.939 Jerusalem rebuilt. 00:21:50.980 --> 00:21:52.240 They accuse the people 00:21:52.240 --> 00:21:53.619 of rebellion. 00:21:53.740 --> 00:21:55.000 Now rebellion against the king, 00:21:55.099 --> 00:21:57.259 it's not just sticks and stones, 00:21:58.259 --> 00:21:59.419 may break my bones, 00:21:59.539 --> 00:22:00.639 words will never hurt me. 00:22:00.720 --> 00:22:01.579 These words 00:22:01.579 --> 00:22:04.179 will get them hung 00:22:04.180 --> 00:22:05.500 if it's true. 00:22:07.420 --> 00:22:08.220 Create a narrative 00:22:08.220 --> 00:22:10.080 that this Nehemiah, 00:22:10.180 --> 00:22:11.180 he might have the patronage 00:22:11.180 --> 00:22:11.880 of the king, 00:22:11.960 --> 00:22:13.740 but he was tricking the king. 00:22:14.200 --> 00:22:15.500 He is going to rebuild Jerusalem, 00:22:15.620 --> 00:22:16.400 he is going to rebel. 00:22:17.360 --> 00:22:18.960 They're serious statements 00:22:18.960 --> 00:22:19.880 and these men 00:22:19.880 --> 00:22:20.940 are very powerful. 00:22:21.100 --> 00:22:22.400 We won't get into 00:22:22.400 --> 00:22:25.259 a character study on them, 00:22:25.320 --> 00:22:26.200 but just know that 00:22:26.200 --> 00:22:28.519 they represent 00:22:28.519 --> 00:22:30.799 the political power, 00:22:30.960 --> 00:22:32.019 that would be Sanballat, 00:22:32.120 --> 00:22:33.560 he is the governor of Syria, 00:22:33.559 --> 00:22:34.619 Tobiah, 00:22:34.919 --> 00:22:36.639 he is a servant 00:22:36.639 --> 00:22:37.779 of the Ammonites, 00:22:37.899 --> 00:22:39.379 which are the enemies of God, 00:22:39.480 --> 00:22:40.639 but also he's like this 00:22:40.639 --> 00:22:43.000 Jewish person 00:22:43.000 --> 00:22:43.980 that has kind of 00:22:43.980 --> 00:22:45.039 bought into 00:22:45.039 --> 00:22:48.359 the foreign gods 00:22:48.359 --> 00:22:49.339 and the foreign worship, 00:22:49.480 --> 00:22:50.440 but also keeping, 00:22:50.839 --> 00:22:51.819 in a sense, 00:22:51.919 --> 00:22:52.819 the Jewish faith. 00:22:54.000 --> 00:22:55.399 He is this strong 00:22:55.399 --> 00:22:56.279 religious power 00:22:56.279 --> 00:22:57.079 that is opposing 00:22:57.079 --> 00:22:59.220 the true religion 00:22:59.220 --> 00:23:00.159 of God's people. 00:23:01.319 --> 00:23:02.200 And then Geshem, 00:23:02.299 --> 00:23:02.720 the Arab, 00:23:02.720 --> 00:23:05.440 who has this 00:23:05.440 --> 00:23:07.019 kind of huge 00:23:07.019 --> 00:23:10.039 series of Arab lands, 00:23:10.440 --> 00:23:12.440 big economic strength 00:23:12.440 --> 00:23:13.120 in the region. 00:23:13.940 --> 00:23:15.380 So now God's people 00:23:15.380 --> 00:23:16.600 are surrounded 00:23:16.600 --> 00:23:18.519 on all sides 00:23:18.519 --> 00:23:19.500 by enemies 00:23:19.500 --> 00:23:20.860 and by almost 00:23:20.860 --> 00:23:22.279 all spheres of influence, 00:23:22.700 --> 00:23:23.059 political, 00:23:23.319 --> 00:23:23.539 religious, 00:23:24.000 --> 00:23:25.160 and economic. 00:23:26.759 --> 00:23:28.860 This is a huge problem 00:23:28.860 --> 00:23:29.660 if you're trying 00:23:29.660 --> 00:23:30.880 to rebuild Jerusalem. 00:23:31.519 --> 00:23:31.940 Jerusalem, 00:23:32.180 --> 00:23:33.140 the rebuilding of Jerusalem 00:23:33.140 --> 00:23:35.460 was not in their best interests. 00:23:38.040 --> 00:23:39.080 And these people, 00:23:39.320 --> 00:23:40.640 if they truly do represent 00:23:40.640 --> 00:23:41.660 the prevailing 00:23:41.660 --> 00:23:42.320 political, 00:23:42.600 --> 00:23:42.840 religious, 00:23:42.980 --> 00:23:43.900 and economic forces 00:23:43.900 --> 00:23:44.500 in the region, 00:23:45.540 --> 00:23:46.920 it shows us 00:23:46.920 --> 00:23:47.900 in a sense that 00:23:47.900 --> 00:23:49.680 as we 00:23:49.680 --> 00:23:50.660 engage 00:23:51.200 --> 00:23:52.200 in walking out 00:23:52.200 --> 00:23:52.860 God's will, 00:23:52.960 --> 00:23:53.840 we will feel 00:23:53.840 --> 00:23:55.140 the weight of opposition. 00:23:55.140 --> 00:23:55.220 temptation. 00:23:56.120 --> 00:23:56.720 And there's a great 00:23:56.720 --> 00:23:57.180 temptation 00:23:57.180 --> 00:23:59.620 to give in 00:23:59.620 --> 00:24:00.400 or to give up. 00:24:00.960 --> 00:24:02.000 It's a very real thing. 00:24:03.160 --> 00:24:04.000 To walk 00:24:04.000 --> 00:24:04.980 in this world 00:24:04.980 --> 00:24:06.100 as a true Christian, 00:24:06.580 --> 00:24:06.900 trusting 00:24:06.900 --> 00:24:08.700 in God's empowerment 00:24:08.700 --> 00:24:09.840 and in His favor, 00:24:10.640 --> 00:24:11.460 it will always 00:24:11.460 --> 00:24:12.200 be opposed 00:24:12.200 --> 00:24:12.660 by 00:24:12.660 --> 00:24:14.280 the prevailing 00:24:14.280 --> 00:24:16.160 political 00:24:16.160 --> 00:24:17.580 forces, 00:24:18.060 --> 00:24:18.720 the prevailing 00:24:18.720 --> 00:24:19.400 religious 00:24:19.400 --> 00:24:20.440 spiritualities, 00:24:20.680 --> 00:24:21.280 the prevailing 00:24:21.280 --> 00:24:22.480 economic 00:24:22.480 --> 00:24:24.420 philosophies. 00:24:24.420 --> 00:24:28.039 there will 00:24:28.039 --> 00:24:28.600 always be 00:24:28.600 --> 00:24:29.060 opposition 00:24:29.060 --> 00:24:30.140 to God's people 00:24:30.140 --> 00:24:30.980 as we seek 00:24:30.980 --> 00:24:31.800 to do His will. 00:24:32.640 --> 00:24:33.560 To be a Christian, 00:24:34.039 --> 00:24:34.940 we've talked about 00:24:34.940 --> 00:24:35.440 this a lot 00:24:35.440 --> 00:24:35.980 in our house, 00:24:36.360 --> 00:24:37.160 these days 00:24:37.160 --> 00:24:37.800 is to 00:24:37.800 --> 00:24:38.740 no longer 00:24:38.740 --> 00:24:39.640 be on the home team. 00:24:41.080 --> 00:24:42.320 And that means 00:24:42.320 --> 00:24:43.539 that decisions 00:24:43.539 --> 00:24:44.240 we make 00:24:44.240 --> 00:24:44.980 will not be 00:24:44.980 --> 00:24:46.100 treated with indifference 00:24:46.100 --> 00:24:47.340 but with opposition. 00:24:48.160 --> 00:24:48.920 I'm not talking 00:24:48.920 --> 00:24:49.660 about flaunting 00:24:49.660 --> 00:24:50.460 what we do 00:24:50.460 --> 00:24:51.440 and being loud 00:24:51.440 --> 00:24:52.480 and boisterous 00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:54.420 and not 00:24:54.420 --> 00:24:55.460 unwinsome 00:24:55.460 --> 00:24:56.400 in doing 00:24:56.400 --> 00:24:57.700 life in a 00:24:57.700 --> 00:24:59.259 kind of a 00:24:59.259 --> 00:25:00.660 I don't know, 00:25:00.920 --> 00:25:02.279 not wise way. 00:25:02.360 --> 00:25:02.880 I'm talking about 00:25:02.880 --> 00:25:03.519 just the decisions 00:25:03.519 --> 00:25:04.220 that we make, 00:25:04.700 --> 00:25:05.539 the things that we 00:25:05.539 --> 00:25:06.180 hold our children 00:25:06.180 --> 00:25:07.180 back from, 00:25:07.880 --> 00:25:08.860 how we spend 00:25:08.860 --> 00:25:09.259 our money, 00:25:09.360 --> 00:25:09.940 what we spend 00:25:09.940 --> 00:25:11.140 our money on, 00:25:11.779 --> 00:25:12.880 the things we lobby 00:25:12.880 --> 00:25:13.519 our government 00:25:13.519 --> 00:25:14.160 for, 00:25:14.299 --> 00:25:15.180 or if you're in 00:25:15.180 --> 00:25:15.480 government, 00:25:15.599 --> 00:25:16.200 the things that you 00:25:16.200 --> 00:25:17.079 refuse to do 00:25:17.079 --> 00:25:18.500 because it goes 00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:19.360 against your faith 00:25:19.359 --> 00:25:20.740 and the reality 00:25:20.740 --> 00:25:21.439 is there will 00:25:21.439 --> 00:25:22.799 be real opposition 00:25:22.799 --> 00:25:24.159 to what we do 00:25:24.159 --> 00:25:24.879 as Christians, 00:25:25.019 --> 00:25:25.740 living out God's 00:25:25.740 --> 00:25:25.959 will. 00:25:26.659 --> 00:25:27.219 But it's been 00:25:27.219 --> 00:25:27.959 like this forever. 00:25:29.099 --> 00:25:29.740 It has. 00:25:30.539 --> 00:25:31.199 And God has 00:25:31.199 --> 00:25:31.919 promised us 00:25:31.919 --> 00:25:32.959 as we walk 00:25:32.959 --> 00:25:33.539 according to 00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:34.039 his will, 00:25:34.459 --> 00:25:35.559 he will give us 00:25:35.559 --> 00:25:36.679 favor and empowerment 00:25:36.679 --> 00:25:37.359 to do it. 00:25:38.339 --> 00:25:38.959 And that doesn't 00:25:38.959 --> 00:25:39.639 mean there won't 00:25:39.639 --> 00:25:40.439 be consequences 00:25:40.439 --> 00:25:41.059 to suffer, 00:25:41.479 --> 00:25:42.339 but it means 00:25:42.339 --> 00:25:43.240 that the consequences 00:25:43.240 --> 00:25:43.939 that we suffer 00:25:43.939 --> 00:25:45.259 will only be 00:25:45.259 --> 00:25:46.319 superficial in this 00:25:46.319 --> 00:25:46.619 life. 00:25:46.619 --> 00:25:49.119 but the benefits 00:25:49.119 --> 00:25:49.679 will go on 00:25:49.679 --> 00:25:50.579 through eternity. 00:25:51.219 --> 00:25:51.979 And it's hard 00:25:51.979 --> 00:25:53.339 to see eternity 00:25:53.339 --> 00:25:54.879 in this life, 00:25:55.000 --> 00:25:55.899 but this is where 00:25:55.899 --> 00:25:56.539 we cling to the 00:25:56.539 --> 00:25:57.479 promises of God 00:25:57.479 --> 00:25:59.279 so that we can 00:25:59.279 --> 00:25:59.919 trust that no 00:25:59.919 --> 00:26:01.179 matter how 00:26:01.179 --> 00:26:02.759 much we suffer 00:26:02.759 --> 00:26:03.799 for God's sake 00:26:03.799 --> 00:26:04.659 in this life, 00:26:05.819 --> 00:26:06.839 that truly 00:26:06.839 --> 00:26:07.919 the reward 00:26:07.919 --> 00:26:08.559 in the life 00:26:08.559 --> 00:26:09.079 to come 00:26:09.079 --> 00:26:10.199 will be 00:26:10.199 --> 00:26:11.299 infinitely greater 00:26:11.299 --> 00:26:12.239 and because it's 00:26:12.239 --> 00:26:12.619 eternity, 00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:13.619 infinitely longer. 00:26:13.619 --> 00:26:16.419 that is 00:26:16.419 --> 00:26:17.239 an empowering 00:26:17.239 --> 00:26:17.859 thought. 00:26:18.539 --> 00:26:18.959 That is 00:26:18.959 --> 00:26:19.659 God's spirit 00:26:19.659 --> 00:26:20.199 at work 00:26:20.199 --> 00:26:20.939 in our lives 00:26:20.939 --> 00:26:21.619 to think that 00:26:21.619 --> 00:26:22.859 way and to 00:26:22.859 --> 00:26:23.639 feed ourselves 00:26:23.639 --> 00:26:24.299 with that 00:26:24.299 --> 00:26:25.299 and to encourage 00:26:25.299 --> 00:26:25.719 one another 00:26:25.719 --> 00:26:26.079 with that 00:26:26.079 --> 00:26:26.859 and to read 00:26:26.859 --> 00:26:27.359 about that 00:26:27.359 --> 00:26:28.059 in Holy 00:26:28.059 --> 00:26:28.439 Scripture 00:26:28.439 --> 00:26:29.779 that in a 00:26:29.779 --> 00:26:30.399 sense we are 00:26:30.399 --> 00:26:31.699 just sojourning 00:26:31.699 --> 00:26:32.399 through this 00:26:32.399 --> 00:26:32.719 life. 00:26:34.019 --> 00:26:34.559 It doesn't 00:26:34.559 --> 00:26:34.959 mean we 00:26:34.959 --> 00:26:37.119 pull out 00:26:37.119 --> 00:26:37.579 from this 00:26:37.579 --> 00:26:37.959 life, 00:26:38.519 --> 00:26:39.419 but it means 00:26:39.419 --> 00:26:39.939 that we 00:26:39.939 --> 00:26:41.059 are brave 00:26:41.059 --> 00:26:42.619 by God's 00:26:42.619 --> 00:26:43.539 empowerment 00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:44.079 by his 00:26:44.079 --> 00:26:44.539 equipping 00:26:44.539 --> 00:26:45.179 to live 00:26:45.179 --> 00:26:45.519 out this 00:26:45.519 --> 00:26:46.539 life well. 00:26:51.039 --> 00:26:52.059 The church, 00:26:52.319 --> 00:26:52.539 friends, 00:26:52.619 --> 00:26:52.899 is an 00:26:52.899 --> 00:26:53.399 outpost 00:26:53.399 --> 00:26:54.479 of heaven. 00:26:55.819 --> 00:26:56.279 It really 00:26:56.279 --> 00:26:56.679 is. 00:26:58.039 --> 00:26:59.379 In a 00:26:59.379 --> 00:26:59.979 landscape 00:26:59.979 --> 00:27:00.939 of meaninglessness, 00:27:01.579 --> 00:27:02.059 the call 00:27:02.059 --> 00:27:02.639 is to find 00:27:02.639 --> 00:27:03.339 meaning through 00:27:03.339 --> 00:27:05.019 almost anything 00:27:05.019 --> 00:27:06.319 else but 00:27:06.319 --> 00:27:07.500 a humility 00:27:07.500 --> 00:27:08.039 of bending 00:27:08.039 --> 00:27:08.439 our knee 00:27:08.439 --> 00:27:08.919 to the will 00:27:08.919 --> 00:27:09.259 of God. 00:27:09.339 --> 00:27:09.719 It's always 00:27:09.719 --> 00:27:10.639 about accomplishing 00:27:10.639 --> 00:27:11.199 our will. 00:27:11.200 --> 00:27:12.779 and yet 00:27:12.779 --> 00:27:13.299 here we 00:27:13.299 --> 00:27:13.600 are in 00:27:13.600 --> 00:27:14.080 outposts 00:27:14.080 --> 00:27:14.380 of heaven 00:27:14.380 --> 00:27:15.059 proclaiming 00:27:15.059 --> 00:27:15.539 the gospel 00:27:15.539 --> 00:27:16.100 of Christ, 00:27:17.460 --> 00:27:17.940 trusting that 00:27:17.940 --> 00:27:18.220 the Holy 00:27:18.220 --> 00:27:18.740 Spirit is 00:27:18.740 --> 00:27:19.580 empowering us 00:27:19.580 --> 00:27:20.220 and we 00:27:20.220 --> 00:27:20.620 believe, 00:27:20.779 --> 00:27:21.200 according to 00:27:21.200 --> 00:27:21.559 scriptures, 00:27:22.140 --> 00:27:22.720 that God 00:27:22.720 --> 00:27:23.440 will use 00:27:23.440 --> 00:27:24.000 his people 00:27:24.000 --> 00:27:24.900 to transform 00:27:24.900 --> 00:27:26.000 this world, 00:27:27.220 --> 00:27:28.080 to transform 00:27:28.080 --> 00:27:28.900 Ottawa, 00:27:29.400 --> 00:27:30.299 our neighborhoods, 00:27:30.580 --> 00:27:31.200 our schools, 00:27:31.500 --> 00:27:32.160 wherever we 00:27:32.160 --> 00:27:32.559 may be, 00:27:32.640 --> 00:27:33.420 our workplaces. 00:27:35.420 --> 00:27:36.100 That is 00:27:36.100 --> 00:27:36.779 foolishness to 00:27:36.779 --> 00:27:37.180 the world, 00:27:37.779 --> 00:27:38.360 but God 00:27:38.360 --> 00:27:38.819 uses the 00:27:38.819 --> 00:27:39.460 foolishness 00:27:39.460 --> 00:27:40.480 to what? 00:27:40.579 --> 00:27:40.900 Shame the 00:27:40.900 --> 00:27:41.120 wise. 00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:41.460 It's a 00:27:41.460 --> 00:27:42.160 remarkable 00:27:42.160 --> 00:27:42.579 thing. 00:27:44.100 --> 00:27:44.840 We will 00:27:44.840 --> 00:27:45.600 experience 00:27:45.600 --> 00:27:46.460 real suspicion 00:27:46.460 --> 00:27:47.340 and hostility 00:27:47.340 --> 00:27:48.039 like the 00:27:48.039 --> 00:27:48.960 people of 00:27:48.960 --> 00:27:50.519 Jerusalem 00:27:50.519 --> 00:27:51.039 did as 00:27:51.039 --> 00:27:51.600 they began 00:27:51.600 --> 00:27:52.380 to work 00:27:52.380 --> 00:27:53.059 for God, 00:27:53.559 --> 00:27:53.920 but by 00:27:53.920 --> 00:27:54.380 God's 00:27:54.380 --> 00:27:54.940 strength 00:27:54.940 --> 00:27:55.460 they will 00:27:55.460 --> 00:27:55.840 walk in 00:27:55.840 --> 00:27:56.259 obedience 00:27:56.259 --> 00:27:57.360 and so 00:27:57.360 --> 00:27:57.819 too will 00:27:57.819 --> 00:27:58.079 we. 00:27:58.799 --> 00:27:59.100 Not 00:27:59.100 --> 00:27:59.600 perfectly, 00:28:00.440 --> 00:28:01.079 we will 00:28:01.079 --> 00:28:02.019 repent 00:28:02.019 --> 00:28:02.779 and confess 00:28:02.779 --> 00:28:04.720 and then 00:28:04.720 --> 00:28:05.200 get back 00:28:05.200 --> 00:28:05.539 up and 00:28:05.539 --> 00:28:06.019 keep going 00:28:06.019 --> 00:28:06.539 by God's 00:28:06.539 --> 00:28:06.840 strength. 00:28:06.839 --> 00:28:06.919 faith. 00:28:08.359 --> 00:28:09.039 But just 00:28:09.039 --> 00:28:10.000 trust that 00:28:10.000 --> 00:28:10.359 if God 00:28:10.359 --> 00:28:10.939 is calling 00:28:10.939 --> 00:28:11.559 you and 00:28:11.559 --> 00:28:11.959 he truly 00:28:11.959 --> 00:28:12.439 is to 00:28:12.439 --> 00:28:12.839 do his 00:28:12.839 --> 00:28:13.119 will, 00:28:13.459 --> 00:28:14.099 he's giving 00:28:14.099 --> 00:28:14.740 you everything 00:28:14.740 --> 00:28:15.299 you need 00:28:15.299 --> 00:28:16.419 and it is 00:28:16.419 --> 00:28:17.779 better than 00:28:17.779 --> 00:28:18.439 shrugging it 00:28:18.439 --> 00:28:19.740 aside and 00:28:19.740 --> 00:28:20.299 trying to 00:28:20.299 --> 00:28:21.039 in a sense 00:28:21.039 --> 00:28:21.500 build your 00:28:21.500 --> 00:28:21.939 own kingdom 00:28:21.939 --> 00:28:22.339 here on 00:28:22.339 --> 00:28:22.539 earth. 00:28:22.659 --> 00:28:22.919 It will 00:28:22.919 --> 00:28:23.419 always be 00:28:23.419 --> 00:28:23.679 better. 00:28:24.059 --> 00:28:24.199 It might 00:28:24.199 --> 00:28:24.699 not feel 00:28:24.699 --> 00:28:27.839 better at 00:28:27.839 --> 00:28:28.299 specific 00:28:28.299 --> 00:28:29.679 junctions of 00:28:29.679 --> 00:28:30.039 life, 00:28:30.559 --> 00:28:31.399 but certainly 00:28:31.399 --> 00:28:32.159 it is. 00:28:33.279 --> 00:28:34.220 Doing God's 00:28:34.220 --> 00:28:34.439 will, 00:28:34.579 --> 00:28:35.139 enjoying his 00:28:35.139 --> 00:28:35.959 favor and his 00:28:35.960 --> 00:28:37.360 empowerment is 00:28:37.360 --> 00:28:37.860 really the 00:28:37.860 --> 00:28:38.420 good stuff 00:28:38.420 --> 00:28:38.960 of life. 00:28:39.819 --> 00:28:40.200 We get a 00:28:40.200 --> 00:28:40.799 glimpse into 00:28:40.799 --> 00:28:41.460 this now 00:28:41.460 --> 00:28:42.900 through Nehemiah's 00:28:42.900 --> 00:28:43.700 response to 00:28:43.700 --> 00:28:44.740 the mockery and 00:28:44.740 --> 00:28:45.440 the accusations 00:28:45.440 --> 00:28:46.140 of these three 00:28:46.140 --> 00:28:46.380 men, 00:28:46.500 --> 00:28:46.980 Sanballat, 00:28:47.079 --> 00:28:47.500 Tobiah, 00:28:47.819 --> 00:28:48.380 and Geshem. 00:28:48.500 --> 00:28:49.120 And look with 00:28:49.120 --> 00:28:49.539 me in verse 00:28:49.539 --> 00:28:49.880 20. 00:28:50.160 --> 00:28:50.600 This is what 00:28:50.600 --> 00:28:51.779 Nehemiah says 00:28:51.779 --> 00:28:52.740 in response to 00:28:52.740 --> 00:28:54.019 their accusations 00:28:54.019 --> 00:28:54.579 and their 00:28:54.579 --> 00:28:54.980 jeering. 00:28:56.840 --> 00:28:57.840 Then I replied 00:28:57.840 --> 00:28:58.259 to them, 00:28:58.840 --> 00:28:59.400 the God of 00:28:59.400 --> 00:28:59.860 heaven will 00:28:59.860 --> 00:29:00.299 make us 00:29:00.299 --> 00:29:01.460 prosper and 00:29:01.460 --> 00:29:01.940 we his 00:29:01.940 --> 00:29:02.500 servants will 00:29:02.500 --> 00:29:03.100 arise and 00:29:03.100 --> 00:29:03.400 build, 00:29:03.819 --> 00:29:04.460 but you have 00:29:04.460 --> 00:29:05.039 no portion 00:29:05.039 --> 00:29:05.759 or right or 00:29:05.759 --> 00:29:06.299 claim in 00:29:06.299 --> 00:29:06.680 Jerusalem. 00:29:09.119 --> 00:29:09.839 The weight 00:29:09.839 --> 00:29:10.119 of these 00:29:10.119 --> 00:29:10.539 words are 00:29:10.539 --> 00:29:10.839 hard to 00:29:10.839 --> 00:29:11.059 fully 00:29:11.059 --> 00:29:11.619 comprehend. 00:29:12.920 --> 00:29:13.619 Understand how 00:29:13.619 --> 00:29:14.740 detrimental a 00:29:14.740 --> 00:29:15.480 curse is to 00:29:15.480 --> 00:29:16.059 these three 00:29:16.059 --> 00:29:16.899 and to their 00:29:16.899 --> 00:29:17.299 followers. 00:29:18.079 --> 00:29:18.859 You really, 00:29:19.019 --> 00:29:19.339 in a sense, 00:29:19.399 --> 00:29:19.680 have to 00:29:19.680 --> 00:29:21.180 understand the 00:29:21.180 --> 00:29:21.960 significance of 00:29:21.960 --> 00:29:22.700 Jerusalem and 00:29:22.700 --> 00:29:23.099 what the 00:29:23.099 --> 00:29:23.680 heavenly city 00:29:23.680 --> 00:29:24.200 represents 00:29:24.200 --> 00:29:24.659 throughout the 00:29:24.659 --> 00:29:24.960 scriptures. 00:29:26.339 --> 00:29:27.500 I've had the 00:29:27.500 --> 00:29:28.579 incredible 00:29:28.579 --> 00:29:30.259 privilege of 00:29:30.259 --> 00:29:31.119 going to 00:29:31.119 --> 00:29:31.940 Jerusalem a 00:29:31.940 --> 00:29:32.240 number of 00:29:32.240 --> 00:29:32.659 times. 00:29:32.660 --> 00:29:34.500 I remember 00:29:34.500 --> 00:29:34.860 the first 00:29:34.860 --> 00:29:35.200 time I 00:29:35.200 --> 00:29:35.440 went, 00:29:35.960 --> 00:29:36.320 I was 00:29:36.320 --> 00:29:37.820 exhausted. 00:29:39.380 --> 00:29:40.320 And it 00:29:40.320 --> 00:29:40.759 was a 00:29:40.759 --> 00:29:41.360 red eye and 00:29:41.360 --> 00:29:42.640 I arrived 00:29:42.640 --> 00:29:43.080 there. 00:29:43.440 --> 00:29:43.740 I don't know 00:29:43.740 --> 00:29:43.980 when I, 00:29:44.120 --> 00:29:44.660 whenever you 00:29:44.660 --> 00:29:45.320 arrive after 00:29:45.320 --> 00:29:45.700 a red eye, 00:29:45.960 --> 00:29:46.340 I don't know, 00:29:46.380 --> 00:29:46.800 I was tired. 00:29:47.200 --> 00:29:47.880 And I got in 00:29:47.880 --> 00:29:48.180 this little 00:29:48.180 --> 00:29:49.820 minibus and 00:29:49.820 --> 00:29:50.340 I just wanted 00:29:50.340 --> 00:29:50.720 to get to 00:29:50.720 --> 00:29:51.240 my family's 00:29:51.240 --> 00:29:51.720 house in 00:29:51.720 --> 00:29:52.000 Jerusalem. 00:29:53.279 --> 00:29:53.800 And I 00:29:53.800 --> 00:29:54.460 remember being 00:29:54.460 --> 00:29:55.040 so tired, 00:29:55.200 --> 00:29:55.900 but then all 00:29:55.900 --> 00:29:56.420 of a sudden I 00:29:56.420 --> 00:29:57.019 see a sign 00:29:57.019 --> 00:29:57.620 that says, 00:29:57.960 --> 00:29:58.700 Jerusalem 20 00:29:58.700 --> 00:29:59.560 kilometers away, 00:30:00.180 --> 00:30:01.120 15 kilometers 00:30:01.119 --> 00:30:01.619 away and 00:30:01.619 --> 00:30:01.919 all of a 00:30:01.919 --> 00:30:02.179 sudden I 00:30:02.179 --> 00:30:03.479 sit up and 00:30:03.479 --> 00:30:03.779 it's like 00:30:03.779 --> 00:30:04.119 there's this 00:30:04.119 --> 00:30:04.619 anticipation 00:30:04.619 --> 00:30:05.259 building. 00:30:05.779 --> 00:30:06.219 It's also 00:30:06.219 --> 00:30:06.819 very interesting 00:30:06.819 --> 00:30:07.299 that you 00:30:07.299 --> 00:30:08.899 travel up to 00:30:08.899 --> 00:30:09.259 Jerusalem. 00:30:09.579 --> 00:30:10.799 The Psalms of 00:30:10.799 --> 00:30:11.519 Ascent are 00:30:11.519 --> 00:30:11.879 called the 00:30:11.879 --> 00:30:12.279 Psalms of 00:30:12.279 --> 00:30:13.719 Ascent because 00:30:13.719 --> 00:30:14.639 the people are 00:30:14.639 --> 00:30:15.319 ascending to 00:30:15.319 --> 00:30:15.939 Jerusalem, but 00:30:15.939 --> 00:30:16.479 also ascending 00:30:16.479 --> 00:30:16.859 to God. 00:30:16.959 --> 00:30:17.479 But there is 00:30:17.479 --> 00:30:18.099 something about 00:30:18.099 --> 00:30:18.379 this. 00:30:18.559 --> 00:30:19.259 And I 00:30:19.259 --> 00:30:19.359 mean, 00:30:19.419 --> 00:30:19.659 Jerusalem 00:30:19.659 --> 00:30:20.119 itself, 00:30:20.479 --> 00:30:20.679 I mean, 00:30:20.739 --> 00:30:21.399 I've never 00:30:21.399 --> 00:30:21.719 been to 00:30:21.719 --> 00:30:22.079 Rome, but 00:30:22.079 --> 00:30:22.379 I've heard 00:30:22.379 --> 00:30:23.059 about Rome 00:30:23.059 --> 00:30:23.579 being a very 00:30:23.579 --> 00:30:24.359 filthy city, 00:30:25.079 --> 00:30:25.500 dirty. 00:30:27.119 --> 00:30:27.579 Jerusalem's 00:30:27.579 --> 00:30:27.979 kind of like 00:30:27.979 --> 00:30:28.239 that. 00:30:28.759 --> 00:30:30.159 There's an 00:30:30.160 --> 00:30:31.220 infestation of 00:30:31.220 --> 00:30:31.980 stray cats, 00:30:32.259 --> 00:30:32.940 kind of a 00:30:32.940 --> 00:30:33.759 random fact, 00:30:34.100 --> 00:30:34.600 and they are 00:30:34.600 --> 00:30:35.460 loud and they 00:30:35.460 --> 00:30:35.860 fight. 00:30:36.500 --> 00:30:36.960 It's kind of 00:30:36.960 --> 00:30:37.300 grimy. 00:30:38.480 --> 00:30:39.460 But the old 00:30:39.460 --> 00:30:39.900 city, you 00:30:39.900 --> 00:30:41.580 approach it and 00:30:41.580 --> 00:30:42.040 you think, 00:30:42.620 --> 00:30:43.940 these walls are 00:30:43.940 --> 00:30:44.779 millennia old. 00:30:46.080 --> 00:30:46.860 The Romans were 00:30:46.860 --> 00:30:47.200 here. 00:30:47.700 --> 00:30:48.800 Before that, it 00:30:48.800 --> 00:30:49.600 was King David. 00:30:50.140 --> 00:30:51.400 Before that, it 00:30:51.400 --> 00:30:52.000 was Abraham 00:30:52.000 --> 00:30:52.540 visiting. 00:30:53.720 --> 00:30:54.360 But most 00:30:54.360 --> 00:30:54.980 importantly, this 00:30:54.980 --> 00:30:55.620 is where Jesus 00:30:55.620 --> 00:30:56.600 himself walked 00:30:56.600 --> 00:30:56.820 through. 00:30:57.120 --> 00:30:57.340 It's a 00:30:57.340 --> 00:30:58.300 remarkable place. 00:30:58.299 --> 00:31:00.799 Jerusalem 00:31:00.799 --> 00:31:02.559 itself is a 00:31:02.559 --> 00:31:03.759 regular city, 00:31:03.940 --> 00:31:04.720 but in the 00:31:04.720 --> 00:31:05.139 scriptures, 00:31:05.619 --> 00:31:06.259 regular city 00:31:06.259 --> 00:31:07.079 today, but 00:31:07.079 --> 00:31:07.539 that old 00:31:07.539 --> 00:31:08.759 city, the 00:31:08.759 --> 00:31:09.779 temple, the 00:31:09.779 --> 00:31:10.480 city itself 00:31:10.480 --> 00:31:11.039 upon the 00:31:11.039 --> 00:31:12.779 hill, the 00:31:12.779 --> 00:31:13.740 city that 00:31:13.740 --> 00:31:14.419 David, King 00:31:14.419 --> 00:31:15.200 David founded 00:31:15.200 --> 00:31:15.559 where our 00:31:15.559 --> 00:31:16.059 Lord Jesus 00:31:16.059 --> 00:31:16.619 walked. 00:31:17.359 --> 00:31:18.000 It's Zion, 00:31:18.159 --> 00:31:18.700 it's Jerusalem, 00:31:18.839 --> 00:31:19.299 it's a heavenly 00:31:19.299 --> 00:31:20.119 city, the city 00:31:20.119 --> 00:31:20.619 of God. 00:31:20.839 --> 00:31:21.960 And throughout 00:31:21.960 --> 00:31:22.539 the scriptures, 00:31:22.539 --> 00:31:23.279 it is the 00:31:23.279 --> 00:31:23.980 place where God 00:31:23.980 --> 00:31:24.700 will choose to 00:31:24.700 --> 00:31:25.299 dwell with his 00:31:25.299 --> 00:31:25.659 people. 00:31:25.660 --> 00:31:25.700 people. 00:31:26.360 --> 00:31:27.040 Psalm 48 00:31:27.040 --> 00:31:28.180 verses 1 to 3 00:31:28.180 --> 00:31:28.640 says this, 00:31:28.720 --> 00:31:29.180 Great is the 00:31:29.180 --> 00:31:30.120 Lord and 00:31:30.120 --> 00:31:30.840 greatly to be 00:31:30.840 --> 00:31:31.600 praised in the 00:31:31.600 --> 00:31:32.180 city of our 00:31:32.180 --> 00:31:32.759 God, his 00:31:32.759 --> 00:31:33.420 holy mountain. 00:31:34.000 --> 00:31:34.680 Beautiful in 00:31:34.680 --> 00:31:36.140 elevation is the 00:31:36.140 --> 00:31:36.800 joy of the 00:31:36.800 --> 00:31:37.040 earth. 00:31:37.600 --> 00:31:38.460 Mount Zion in 00:31:38.460 --> 00:31:39.160 the far north, 00:31:39.320 --> 00:31:40.180 the city of the 00:31:40.180 --> 00:31:40.860 great king. 00:31:41.400 --> 00:31:41.980 Within the 00:31:41.980 --> 00:31:42.920 citadels, God 00:31:42.920 --> 00:31:43.680 has made himself 00:31:43.680 --> 00:31:44.320 known as a 00:31:44.320 --> 00:31:44.759 fortress. 00:31:45.880 --> 00:31:46.259 Throughout the 00:31:46.259 --> 00:31:46.940 Bible, Jerusalem 00:31:46.940 --> 00:31:48.540 is where God 00:31:48.540 --> 00:31:49.220 dwells with his 00:31:49.220 --> 00:31:49.519 people. 00:31:49.519 --> 00:31:52.879 But more 00:31:52.879 --> 00:31:54.740 importantly, it 00:31:54.740 --> 00:31:56.000 is with the 00:31:56.000 --> 00:31:56.940 entire thrust of 00:31:56.940 --> 00:31:57.720 the Bible, looks 00:31:57.720 --> 00:31:58.740 towards the 00:31:58.740 --> 00:31:59.539 return of Christ 00:31:59.539 --> 00:31:59.839 and the 00:31:59.839 --> 00:32:00.599 establishment of 00:32:00.599 --> 00:32:00.920 the new 00:32:00.920 --> 00:32:01.500 Jerusalem that 00:32:01.500 --> 00:32:01.859 will come 00:32:01.859 --> 00:32:02.879 down at the 00:32:02.879 --> 00:32:03.240 end of the 00:32:03.240 --> 00:32:03.619 age. 00:32:04.240 --> 00:32:05.160 And it will 00:32:05.160 --> 00:32:06.319 be the place 00:32:06.319 --> 00:32:06.700 where God 00:32:06.700 --> 00:32:07.200 will dwell with 00:32:07.200 --> 00:32:07.660 all his 00:32:07.660 --> 00:32:08.259 people, world 00:32:08.259 --> 00:32:08.879 without end. 00:32:09.779 --> 00:32:10.160 If you've 00:32:10.160 --> 00:32:10.920 attended church 00:32:10.920 --> 00:32:11.420 for a while, 00:32:11.519 --> 00:32:11.799 you'll be 00:32:11.799 --> 00:32:12.559 familiar with 00:32:12.559 --> 00:32:14.259 the revelation 00:32:14.259 --> 00:32:15.339 of Jesus to 00:32:15.339 --> 00:32:16.059 St. John, 00:32:16.339 --> 00:32:17.079 and especially 00:32:17.079 --> 00:32:17.879 verses, or 00:32:17.879 --> 00:32:18.740 chapters 20 and 00:32:18.740 --> 00:32:19.720 21 and 22 00:32:19.720 --> 00:32:21.460 that have this 00:32:21.460 --> 00:32:23.140 wonderful, cosmic, 00:32:23.319 --> 00:32:24.019 kind of crazy 00:32:24.019 --> 00:32:24.759 picture of this 00:32:24.759 --> 00:32:25.339 new Jerusalem 00:32:25.339 --> 00:32:26.099 coming down, 00:32:26.759 --> 00:32:27.779 perfect cube, 00:32:28.599 --> 00:32:29.240 whether or not 00:32:29.240 --> 00:32:30.620 that's literally 00:32:30.620 --> 00:32:31.559 what will happen, 00:32:31.660 --> 00:32:32.240 it is a 00:32:32.240 --> 00:32:33.440 remarkable thing 00:32:33.440 --> 00:32:34.259 that the new 00:32:34.259 --> 00:32:34.960 Jerusalem will 00:32:34.960 --> 00:32:35.279 come. 00:32:36.039 --> 00:32:37.240 But it's very 00:32:37.240 --> 00:32:38.720 bizarre if you 00:32:38.720 --> 00:32:39.299 think about it. 00:32:39.359 --> 00:32:40.099 It is a very 00:32:40.099 --> 00:32:40.880 bizarre sight. 00:32:41.559 --> 00:32:42.220 And if you are 00:32:42.220 --> 00:32:43.220 skeptical of the 00:32:43.220 --> 00:32:44.480 faith or becoming 00:32:44.480 --> 00:32:45.480 increasingly skeptical, 00:32:46.099 --> 00:32:47.500 I can relate to 00:32:47.500 --> 00:32:47.599 you. 00:32:47.660 --> 00:32:48.720 It seems like 00:32:48.720 --> 00:32:49.660 like in this 00:32:49.660 --> 00:32:50.940 world, to see a 00:32:50.940 --> 00:32:51.759 cube drop from 00:32:51.759 --> 00:32:52.559 heaven, and we 00:32:52.559 --> 00:32:53.059 are to believe 00:32:53.059 --> 00:32:53.680 this, it's a bit 00:32:53.680 --> 00:32:54.100 of a bizarre 00:32:54.100 --> 00:32:54.480 thing. 00:32:55.059 --> 00:32:55.660 It seems a bit 00:32:55.660 --> 00:32:56.480 fantastical. 00:32:57.420 --> 00:32:58.160 However, this 00:32:58.160 --> 00:32:59.539 idea, in fact, 00:33:00.140 --> 00:33:02.420 is not just a 00:33:02.420 --> 00:33:03.600 fantastical thing, 00:33:04.039 --> 00:33:04.680 and I know that 00:33:04.680 --> 00:33:05.480 it fights against 00:33:05.480 --> 00:33:06.440 the skepticism that 00:33:06.440 --> 00:33:06.960 you might feel, 00:33:07.059 --> 00:33:07.900 but let me put it 00:33:07.900 --> 00:33:08.460 forward to you 00:33:08.460 --> 00:33:10.059 that it is the 00:33:10.059 --> 00:33:11.500 basis of all of 00:33:11.500 --> 00:33:12.539 the greatest stories 00:33:12.539 --> 00:33:13.980 that we enjoy and 00:33:13.980 --> 00:33:14.339 believe. 00:33:15.000 --> 00:33:15.660 What do I mean? 00:33:16.240 --> 00:33:17.000 The heavenly city 00:33:17.000 --> 00:33:18.339 is something that 00:33:18.339 --> 00:33:20.180 is throughout our 00:33:20.180 --> 00:33:21.160 myths and our 00:33:21.160 --> 00:33:21.559 legends. 00:33:22.339 --> 00:33:24.160 Camelot, Atlantis, 00:33:24.339 --> 00:33:26.240 El Dorado, Asgard, 00:33:26.400 --> 00:33:27.039 if you're into 00:33:27.039 --> 00:33:27.799 Marvel movies, 00:33:27.900 --> 00:33:28.440 Wakanda. 00:33:29.440 --> 00:33:30.339 These heavenly 00:33:30.339 --> 00:33:31.880 cities, these cities 00:33:31.880 --> 00:33:34.940 where they're full of 00:33:35.759 --> 00:33:38.259 treasures and riches, 00:33:38.660 --> 00:33:39.440 advancements, 00:33:39.579 --> 00:33:40.579 technologies, where 00:33:40.579 --> 00:33:41.839 people will risk life 00:33:41.839 --> 00:33:43.059 and limb to find them. 00:33:43.500 --> 00:33:44.900 Big adventures to find 00:33:44.900 --> 00:33:46.360 these heavenly cities, 00:33:46.519 --> 00:33:48.820 the cities where you 00:33:48.820 --> 00:33:50.560 will enjoy true 00:33:50.560 --> 00:33:52.200 happiness and true 00:33:52.200 --> 00:33:53.820 glory, a place where 00:33:53.820 --> 00:33:54.960 you will dwell with 00:33:54.960 --> 00:33:55.519 the gods. 00:33:57.100 --> 00:33:58.460 This idea of a 00:33:58.460 --> 00:33:59.720 heavenly city, this 00:33:59.720 --> 00:34:00.980 new Jerusalem, isn't 00:34:00.980 --> 00:34:02.560 just a cool story that 00:34:02.560 --> 00:34:04.340 the Bible invented, 00:34:05.040 --> 00:34:07.200 but it is a hope that 00:34:07.200 --> 00:34:08.039 God has put on the 00:34:08.039 --> 00:34:08.599 human heart. 00:34:08.599 --> 00:34:12.279 to dwell with God in 00:34:12.279 --> 00:34:13.239 the heavenly city means 00:34:13.239 --> 00:34:14.819 to be in union with the 00:34:14.819 --> 00:34:15.860 creator of all things. 00:34:16.000 --> 00:34:17.339 It means enjoying 00:34:17.339 --> 00:34:18.799 happiness and bliss and 00:34:18.799 --> 00:34:20.400 complete satisfaction 00:34:20.400 --> 00:34:21.380 without envy. 00:34:21.619 --> 00:34:22.559 Imagine that. 00:34:25.900 --> 00:34:27.079 Imagine having complete 00:34:27.079 --> 00:34:28.159 satisfaction without being 00:34:28.159 --> 00:34:29.239 jealous of somebody. 00:34:30.480 --> 00:34:31.559 It means being at peace 00:34:31.559 --> 00:34:32.619 with ourselves and 00:34:32.619 --> 00:34:33.960 others and most 00:34:33.960 --> 00:34:34.940 importantly, God. 00:34:34.940 --> 00:34:37.340 seems that the dwelling 00:34:37.340 --> 00:34:40.159 with God in the 00:34:40.159 --> 00:34:41.000 heavenly city is one of 00:34:41.000 --> 00:34:42.019 the greatest cries of 00:34:42.019 --> 00:34:42.659 the human heart. 00:34:44.260 --> 00:34:45.440 There's a motivation for 00:34:45.440 --> 00:34:46.559 our desire to accumulate 00:34:46.559 --> 00:34:48.220 wealth, the feelings of 00:34:48.220 --> 00:34:49.320 meaninglessness that we 00:34:49.320 --> 00:34:50.480 have when we feel like we 00:34:50.480 --> 00:34:51.360 do not have direction 00:34:51.360 --> 00:34:52.659 because we chase after 00:34:52.659 --> 00:34:54.240 things that promise what 00:34:54.240 --> 00:34:56.340 the heavenly city will 00:34:56.340 --> 00:34:57.500 guarantee us. 00:34:58.340 --> 00:35:01.240 Everything, our desires to 00:35:01.240 --> 00:35:02.460 be whole and happy, they 00:35:02.460 --> 00:35:04.139 find meaning. 00:35:04.940 --> 00:35:06.639 in our heart's desire to 00:35:06.639 --> 00:35:07.760 dwell with God in the 00:35:07.760 --> 00:35:08.320 heavenly city. 00:35:09.820 --> 00:35:11.700 So to oppose a building of 00:35:11.700 --> 00:35:13.220 this city isn't just a 00:35:13.220 --> 00:35:16.159 mean thing of San 00:35:16.159 --> 00:35:17.220 Belat, Tobiah, and 00:35:17.220 --> 00:35:17.559 Geshem. 00:35:18.000 --> 00:35:19.139 They're not just being mean 00:35:19.139 --> 00:35:19.720 here. 00:35:21.099 --> 00:35:23.679 They are actively opposing 00:35:23.679 --> 00:35:25.360 true life itself. 00:35:27.000 --> 00:35:28.940 They are actively working to 00:35:28.940 --> 00:35:30.599 undo the source of life and 00:35:30.599 --> 00:35:32.099 because this is what they 00:35:32.099 --> 00:35:33.059 are doing, they have no 00:35:33.059 --> 00:35:34.860 portion, right, or claim. 00:35:34.940 --> 00:35:35.619 They are not only in the 00:35:35.619 --> 00:35:36.179 heavenly city. 00:35:38.099 --> 00:35:40.900 It is a pronouncement of 00:35:40.900 --> 00:35:42.220 damnation upon them. 00:35:46.400 --> 00:35:47.760 But it's also a warning for 00:35:47.760 --> 00:35:48.300 us, isn't it? 00:35:50.940 --> 00:35:53.360 The Bible is very black and 00:35:53.360 --> 00:35:53.579 white. 00:35:53.880 --> 00:35:54.760 I mean, okay, I'll say this. 00:35:54.880 --> 00:35:55.980 The Bible is a lot of, 00:35:55.980 --> 00:35:58.200 there's a lot of gray that is 00:35:58.200 --> 00:35:58.599 in the Bible. 00:35:58.700 --> 00:36:00.860 It doesn't tell us about how 00:36:00.860 --> 00:36:01.900 to live life in a lot of 00:36:01.900 --> 00:36:02.720 different aspects. 00:36:02.719 --> 00:36:04.079 I mean, it requires wisdom 00:36:04.079 --> 00:36:05.079 and we can get wisdom from 00:36:05.079 --> 00:36:05.379 the Bible. 00:36:05.439 --> 00:36:06.919 But the Bible is also very 00:36:06.919 --> 00:36:08.719 black and white when it 00:36:08.719 --> 00:36:11.239 comes to what is God's will 00:36:11.239 --> 00:36:13.139 and what isn't God's will. 00:36:13.899 --> 00:36:15.559 And there's no gray allowed. 00:36:15.679 --> 00:36:17.980 There's no wiggle room here. 00:36:18.159 --> 00:36:20.879 And either we are throwing 00:36:20.879 --> 00:36:22.279 ourselves at the mercy of God, 00:36:22.419 --> 00:36:24.299 trusting that as we, by his 00:36:24.299 --> 00:36:27.899 strength, working out his will 00:36:27.900 --> 00:36:30.519 and getting on board with that, 00:36:30.639 --> 00:36:32.099 that we are going to have a 00:36:32.099 --> 00:36:33.720 portion and a claim and a right 00:36:33.720 --> 00:36:34.539 into the heavenly city. 00:36:34.660 --> 00:36:37.460 But if we actively push against 00:36:37.460 --> 00:36:39.579 it, it is a warning for us that 00:36:39.579 --> 00:36:43.300 there is true, that there is true 00:36:43.300 --> 00:36:44.740 damnation for those that oppose 00:36:44.740 --> 00:36:45.280 God's will. 00:36:48.099 --> 00:36:50.820 To not have a portion or a right 00:36:50.820 --> 00:36:52.220 or a claim to the heavenly city 00:36:52.219 --> 00:36:56.639 is an eternal curse. 00:36:57.379 --> 00:37:00.199 And friends, by God's kindness 00:37:00.199 --> 00:37:03.159 and grace, if you hear this 00:37:03.159 --> 00:37:05.559 warning this morning and you are 00:37:05.559 --> 00:37:07.259 troubled in your soul, God is at 00:37:07.259 --> 00:37:09.359 work pointing you towards him. 00:37:10.219 --> 00:37:12.119 And don't stifle it. 00:37:12.679 --> 00:37:13.779 Don't push it away. 00:37:14.559 --> 00:37:15.219 Embrace it. 00:37:15.219 --> 00:37:18.619 Throw yourself at the mercy of God. 00:37:19.579 --> 00:37:21.939 So can you hear the weight of 00:37:21.939 --> 00:37:23.019 verse 20 here? 00:37:24.059 --> 00:37:25.319 Can you feel the weight of 00:37:25.319 --> 00:37:26.179 Nehemiah's words? 00:37:26.319 --> 00:37:28.239 Can you also feel the comfort for 00:37:28.239 --> 00:37:29.879 those that actually do have a 00:37:29.879 --> 00:37:33.459 portion and claim and right in the 00:37:33.459 --> 00:37:34.059 heavenly city? 00:37:36.139 --> 00:37:37.819 What does he say at the beginning 00:37:37.819 --> 00:37:38.439 of verse 20? 00:37:38.659 --> 00:37:40.279 Then I replied to them, the God of 00:37:40.279 --> 00:37:43.219 heaven will make us prosper and we 00:37:43.219 --> 00:37:44.259 will arise and build. 00:37:45.219 --> 00:37:50.419 Prosperity is found not in the 00:37:50.419 --> 00:37:52.319 accumulation of things, but the 00:37:52.319 --> 00:37:54.359 partnering with God to arise and 00:37:54.359 --> 00:37:57.119 build, to walk in his will and to do 00:37:57.119 --> 00:37:58.359 the things he's called us to do. 00:37:58.480 --> 00:37:59.339 That's prosperity. 00:38:00.000 --> 00:38:01.059 That's what it is. 00:38:02.059 --> 00:38:04.359 It's to have a portion and a claim 00:38:04.359 --> 00:38:07.639 and a right to dwell with God in the 00:38:07.639 --> 00:38:08.699 new Jerusalem forever. 00:38:12.059 --> 00:38:15.199 How do we, here in Ottawa, sitting 00:38:15.199 --> 00:38:18.179 here on this absolutely stunning Sunday 00:38:18.179 --> 00:38:20.619 morning in mid-May have a portion and 00:38:20.619 --> 00:38:23.239 right and claim in the city of God, in 00:38:23.239 --> 00:38:25.419 the heavenly city and in the Zion to 00:38:25.419 --> 00:38:25.699 come? 00:38:25.759 --> 00:38:28.219 And the answer is simply this, not by our 00:38:28.219 --> 00:38:28.719 own ability. 00:38:30.879 --> 00:38:33.339 Not by our own effort, not by our own 00:38:33.339 --> 00:38:36.619 hard work, but only through the shed 00:38:36.619 --> 00:38:38.460 blood of Christ on the cross of Calvary. 00:38:38.460 --> 00:38:42.599 You see, the will, partnering with God to 00:38:42.599 --> 00:38:44.599 do his will, it's always in response to 00:38:44.599 --> 00:38:47.300 becoming a part of his family, to be, 00:38:47.460 --> 00:38:49.579 being a part of his kingdom. 00:38:51.199 --> 00:38:53.099 So it's only through the shed blood of 00:38:53.099 --> 00:38:54.420 Christ on the cross of Calvary. 00:38:54.500 --> 00:38:55.539 And I'll end with this. 00:38:56.500 --> 00:38:58.860 We have access to the heavenly city, being 00:38:58.860 --> 00:39:04.420 made citizens of the new Jerusalem that is, that is, that is going to come, who knows when, 00:39:04.420 --> 00:39:09.300 but is going to come precisely because Jesus, when he was condemned for a crime he did not 00:39:09.300 --> 00:39:11.260 commit, was spat out of Jerusalem. 00:39:12.180 --> 00:39:18.240 He was hung on a cross at the place of the skull, outside of the city limits, and he died in our 00:39:18.240 --> 00:39:18.680 stead. 00:39:19.619 --> 00:39:24.900 He gave up, in a sense, his citizenship for a time so that we could then get citizenship to 00:39:24.900 --> 00:39:28.860 the new Jerusalem, to the heavenly city, to dwell with God forever. 00:39:28.860 --> 00:39:33.820 His citizenship, in a sense, was revoked so that ours could be granted. 00:39:33.940 --> 00:39:35.320 His death has brought us life. 00:39:36.800 --> 00:39:38.559 Hebrews 12, 22 says this, 00:39:39.099 --> 00:39:43.440 But you have come to Mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, 00:39:44.079 --> 00:39:49.079 and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn, 00:39:49.480 --> 00:39:55.539 who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect. 00:39:56.140 --> 00:39:56.740 Verse 24, 00:39:56.739 --> 00:40:02.439 And to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better 00:40:02.439 --> 00:40:03.639 word than the blood of Abel. 00:40:04.179 --> 00:40:08.919 To the blood of Christ, we are citizens of the heavenly kingdom. 00:40:10.439 --> 00:40:15.619 So may we enjoy the favor and empowerment of the Lord as we do his will, but may we even 00:40:15.619 --> 00:40:17.639 more revel in the cross of Christ. 00:40:19.419 --> 00:40:24.919 That, in a sense, that visa that is given to us, that citizenship that is given to us, 00:40:24.920 --> 00:40:28.860 that grants us a portion, right, and claim to the new Jerusalem. 00:40:29.039 --> 00:40:30.519 And as King David says, 00:40:30.900 --> 00:40:31.980 let us make it our prayer. 00:40:32.380 --> 00:40:33.659 Psalm 16, verse 11, 00:40:34.220 --> 00:40:37.099 You make known to me the path of life in your presence. 00:40:37.700 --> 00:40:40.800 There is fullness of joy at your right hand pleasures forevermore. 00:40:40.880 --> 00:40:41.220 This is, 00:40:41.619 --> 00:40:42.940 this is what we get to claim. 00:40:43.059 --> 00:40:43.780 This is our portion. 00:40:43.920 --> 00:40:44.460 This is our right. 00:40:45.019 --> 00:40:45.519 Let's pray. 00:40:45.519 --> 00:40:52.920 Heavenly Father, we thank you so much for, for the rebuilding of the temple by Nehemiah. 00:40:53.019 --> 00:40:59.300 But we're, we're more thankful of, of, of what it represents and how it is deeply, deeply 00:40:59.300 --> 00:41:01.199 instructive for us this morning. 00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:03.780 Lord God, help us to be about your will. 00:41:04.440 --> 00:41:08.840 Help us to trust as we are about your will, that we will receive your favor, that we will 00:41:08.840 --> 00:41:10.519 receive your empowerment. 00:41:10.519 --> 00:41:15.759 But ultimately, Lord, that we will enjoy the prosperity of what it means to be your people. 00:41:17.000 --> 00:41:23.759 Lord, as we go our, our, uh, go on this week, let us be, let us be, uh, people that, that 00:41:23.759 --> 00:41:26.739 just ask the question every morning, throughout the day. 00:41:27.400 --> 00:41:28.420 Lord, use me. 00:41:29.300 --> 00:41:30.780 Lord, use me to accomplish your will. 00:41:30.860 --> 00:41:36.599 But also, more importantly, that we'll pray, Lord, help me to see the cross of Christ in, 00:41:36.659 --> 00:41:37.719 in its fullest beauty. 00:41:37.719 --> 00:41:45.779 Help me to understand that I truly am, by your grace, a citizen of the new Jerusalem to come. 00:41:47.239 --> 00:41:48.299 Lord, we thank you. 00:41:48.419 --> 00:41:55.399 We thank you that you bless us with pleasure and joy and fullness and life and light for 00:41:55.399 --> 00:41:55.759 eternity. 00:41:56.299 --> 00:41:57.159 In Christ's mighty name. 00:41:57.659 --> 00:41:57.879 Amen.