WEBVTT

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 We'll be looking at this today at chapter 2, verses 1-18.

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 Join me in a word of prayer.

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 Father God, we recognize this morning that this is your word.

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!

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 And you spoke it to us in various ways and different means,

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 but all of it was inspired by your spirit and it is sufficient for us.

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 And I pray, Father, this day that you'll help us to relish it,

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 to appreciate what it is that it has to say to us in our time now

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 as we're studying this story of Nehemiah and what was happening then.

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 It has implications for us now.

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 And I pray that you'll help us to take these things to heart.

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 We pray this in Christ's name. Amen.

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 So, just to give us this kind of a summary up to this point,

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 we've worked our way through chapter 1 in the past couple of weeks here.

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 We have seen that Nehemiah is the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes.

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 He is in the Persian Empire.

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 And we're now at kind of the tail end of the remnant of Israel

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 that had been taken away during Babylonian captivity, being taken back.

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 They've been able to travel back now to Jerusalem.

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 And word reaches him by way of his brother that the city is still in shambles.

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 The wall is still broken down.

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 We can see this through the beginning of the chapter through verse 3.

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 And when he hears this, he sits down and he weeps and he mourns for days.

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 Not simply because his people, his nation is in shambles,

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 but more so because his God is being ridiculed.

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 Because God's visible glory on earth at this time was the state of his nation.

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 The state of Israel.

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 And Nehemiah then launches into a prayer.

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 And that's what we looked at together last week and the very nature of this prayer.

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 Today I want to show you in verse 2 some themes that are kind of showing back up here again

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 from when we studied in Romans chapter 15, the life of Paul.

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 And those themes are prayer, planning, and providence.

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 Prayer, planning, and providence.

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 And we looked last week at length at this prayer that Nehemiah prayed.

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 Now, recognize that he was praying for approximately four months.

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 Fasting and praying continually.

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 This was a huge task ahead of him.

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 Not only the task of building the wall,

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 but even getting the permission to go and build the wall.

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 Obtaining the means necessary for the building of the wall.

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 It was a balancing act there, wasn't it?

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 It was a massive, massive task ahead of him.

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 I misspoke a little bit last week and said that King Artaxerxes had issued an edict 20 years previous.

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 It wasn't quite that.

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 It was about 13 years prior.

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 To stop the building of the wall.

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 Within the seventh year of his reign,

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 word had reached him that the Israelites were beginning to build the wall again around Jerusalem.

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 And he issued an edict saying,

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 You will not build this wall.

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 No glory will go to your God because all glory belongs to me as the king.

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 So here, the cupbearer, lowly Nehemiah,

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 is going to face the king and ask him to reverse his edict.

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 Which was a big deal.

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 We change our mind all the time.

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 I'll tell you all the time that I was wrong then.

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 We're going to do something different now.

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 Kings didn't do that in these days.

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 So it was an admission of their own frailty.

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 Kings were worshipped as deities.

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 They were gods.

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 In their own minds, they were gods.

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 So if they were to go back on their own word,

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 they were admitting that they have faults.

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 In addition to that, we kind of get this idea.

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 I think some people read chapter 2 and they think that Nehemiah and the king were kind of buddies.

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 You'll read that often the cupbearer to the king kind of became endeared to him

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 because he risked his life every time the king drank wine.

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 And kings drank a lot of wine.

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 And they often became counselors to them.

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 But the position stayed the same.

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 The king was still the king.

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 And the cupbearer, the cupbearer.

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 They weren't buddies.

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 He didn't walk in and stride up onto the platform and sit down next to him next to the throne and say,

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 Hey, my people are kind of in a rough spot.

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 I'd love to go help them out.

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 What do you think?

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 He had to go face this king.

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 He had to go present something to him which was to say,

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 You were faulty in your original edict.

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 And I want to go build something that's much more glorious than you.

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 I want to steal from you your glory.

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 This was the presentation he was to make before the king.

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 So for four months, he fasts and he prays.

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 Presented to you a Latin term, sine qua non, without which nothing.

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 He fully understood for the task ahead of him that if God was not with him in it,

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 through his prayer, nothing would be accomplished.

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 And we saw that his prayer was persistent.

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 That it was saturated by God's character.

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 That it was motivated by God's promises.

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 And that it was humble and intercessory.

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 He admitted both his guilt and the guilt of the nation.

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 I exhorted you last week that we ought to be more patient in our prayers.

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 Psalm 27, 14 says,

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 Wait for the Lord, be strong, and let your hearts take courage.

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 Wait for the Lord.

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 Psalm 130, 5 and 6,

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 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope.

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 My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning.

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 More than watchmen for the morning.

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 And this was the way in which he prepares himself for what we're about to see happen here.

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 And I promise we're going to read the text together.

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 But this is the stage being set.

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 So we see the prayer on his part for this task that's ahead of him.

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 So let's begin reading in verse 1 of chapter 2.

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 And I'm going to stop along the way and bring some commentary into this as we go through it.

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 And then we'll go back and visit the themes.

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 Verse 1.

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 In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, I took up the wine and gave it to the king.

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 Now I had not been sad in his presence.

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 And the king said to me,

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 Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick?

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 This is nothing but sadness of the heart.

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 Then I was very much afraid.

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 I said to the king,

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 Let the king live forever.

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 Why should not my face be sad when the city, the place of my father's graves, lives in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?

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 Now, recognize that as he's approaching the king,

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 What a great time for God to orchestrate this conversation.

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 Because he has now tasted the wine.

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 He's shown how faithfully he's willing to serve the king.

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 And the king is now endeared to him in this way.

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 Yet, as I talked previously about their position,

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 it was a very dangerous thing to be sad in the presence of the king.

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 If you were sad in the presence of a king, it was to say to the king,

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 The way you're ruling is not ample for my joy.

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 And kings wanted people in their presence to think that they hung the moon.

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 Everything is great in your kingdom.

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 We are so, so very happy with all that's going on because you rule over everything.

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 So to be sad in the face of the king could potentially lead to beheading.

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 Just imagine some of the conversation that may have happened as the report of this went out.

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 Somebody said,

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 Can you believe what Nehemiah said to the king?

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 He was sad in his presence and this is what he said?

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 And that the other buddy would have said,

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 Oh man, when is he getting beheaded?

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 I'd love to watch that.

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 And they go,

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 The king granted him his wish.

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 Can you believe it?

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 What a shocking thing this would have been to have taken place here.

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 So Nehemiah was afraid, we see there in verse 2.

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 Because the king recognized his sorrow.

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 Recognized that he wasn't content with the way things were.

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 And I want to believe that as Nehemiah had the scriptures to this point,

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 He took heart in things like Psalm 56, 3 and 4.

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 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

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 In God whose word I praise, in God I trust.

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 I shall not be afraid.

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 What can flesh do to me?

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 So here's a man that has been communing with God in prayer for the past four months.

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 And he's willing to be sad in the presence of the king to make known his request.

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 Now verse 3, you'll notice that he talks about the tombs of his fathers and the gates.

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 A tomb was a place of honor where respect was shown for the dead.

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 And a place that the living hoped to one day join their ancestors.

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 Recognizing the Jews knew there was an eternal state.

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 But they wanted their bodies to be laid along with their ancestors.

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 And the gates were emblematic of the life of the city.

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 This is where traffic happened.

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 Many meetings happened.

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 Courts were adjourned at gates.

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 So the city gates being burned meant that the people had no community.

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 There was no livelihood happening in this place.

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 Verse 4.

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 Then the king said to me,

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 What are you requesting?

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 So I prayed to the God of heaven and I said to the king,

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 If it pleases the king,

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 And if your servant has found favor in your sight,

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 That you send me to Judah, to the city of my father's graves,

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 That I may rebuild it.

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 Now notice again the pause here for prayer.

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 And some scholars have suggested that he went away,

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 Spent more time in prayer,

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 And returned with this plan.

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 And I don't believe so.

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 I have no way of knowing that for sure.

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 But it seems ludicrous to me that the king would have granted him permission to do that.

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 He asked him a question.

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 He wanted an answer to the question.

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 And I believe that in this case,

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 Nehemiah did a quick little,

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 Now God?

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 Like, this thing we've been praying about,

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 This vision you give me for what needs to be done,

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 Should I speak up now?

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 You better put your hand over my mouth,

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 Because I'm about to say it.

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 I think this is the prayer that Nehemiah prays at this point.

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 And I believe Nehemiah would have understood completely what Paul meant in 1 Thessalonians 5.17

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 When he said,

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 Pray without ceasing.

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 This continual conversation happening with the Lord.

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 So when the king asked the question,

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 He said,

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 Now God, go?

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 Is this the moment we've been waiting for?

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 God said yes.

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 And off he goes into this conversation with the king.

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 Nehemiah is often considered the Old Testament counterpart to Paul.

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 Because he had such a grand, holy ambition,

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 Just as Paul did to take the gospel to the Gentiles.

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 And he had such a beautiful life of prayers.

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 I've said before, there are ten prayers recorded in the thirteen chapters of Nehemiah.

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 So he prays.

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 Verse 6,

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 And the king said to me,

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 The queen sitting beside him,

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 How long will you be gone?

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 And when will you return?

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 So it pleased the king to send me when I had given him a time.

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 Now just an interesting note,

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 I believe the introductory paper I gave you,

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 This note saying that the queen was sitting beside him

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 Probably meant

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 That there was some endearing quality

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 That had been passed down

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 For the Jews.

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 Recall the story of Esser.

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 Esther was likely

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 King Artaxerxes' stepmother.

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 She was married to Xerxes.

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 And she would have had great influence over the current queen.

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 She would have taken her under her wing

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 And probably passed along

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 A love for the Jewish people.

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 So just an interesting note for you there.

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 Verse 7,

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 And I said to the king,

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 If it pleases the king,

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 Let letters be given me

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 To the governors of the province beyond the river,

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 That they may let me pass through

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 Until I come to Judah.

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 And a letter to Asaph,

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 The keeper of the king's forest,

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 That he may give me timber

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 To make beams for the gates

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 Of the fortress of the temple,

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 And for the wall of the city,

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 And for the house that I shall occupy.

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 And the king granted me what I asked,

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 For the good hand of my God was upon me.

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 Then I came to the governors

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 Of the province beyond the river,

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 And gave them the king's letters.

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 Now the king had sent with me

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 Officers of the army and horsemen.

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 But when Sambalat the Horonite

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 And Tobiah the Ammonite's servant heard this,

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 This pleased them greatly

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 That someone had come to seek the welfare

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 Of the people of Israel.

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 So when the king asks him what he needs,

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 Seems that he cashes all of his chips in,

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 And he asks for letters for safe passage.

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 It's about 800 miles distance

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 That he had to travel from where he was

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 In Susa, where they were wintering,

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 To Israel.

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 It would have taken them about three months,

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 And there would have been a lot of peril

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 Along the way,

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 If they didn't have the permission of the king.

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 If the king hadn't given them a pass,

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 So to speak.

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 But he goes even a step beyond that,

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 Because the people needed the resources

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 By which to rebuild.

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 And forests at this time

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 Were highly, highly guarded.

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 Wood was a high commodity in this region,

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 As if you've ever seen photos or traveled

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 In the Middle East,

00:13:54.979 --> 00:13:56.699
 You can understand that very thing.

00:13:57.359 --> 00:13:59.419
 So not only does Nehemiah ask for permission

00:13:59.419 --> 00:14:02.559
 To go to relinquish his duty as the cupbearer,

00:14:03.339 --> 00:14:04.699
 To go rebuild something

00:14:04.699 --> 00:14:06.379
 That's going to compete with the glory of the king,

00:14:06.539 --> 00:14:09.119
 But he also asks for the king to pay for it.

00:14:09.599 --> 00:14:10.559
 He asks for letters

00:14:10.559 --> 00:14:12.359
 To go to Asaph,

00:14:12.399 --> 00:14:14.859
 Who governs his property

00:14:14.860 --> 00:14:17.139
 To get wood for the rebuilding.

00:14:17.539 --> 00:14:19.680
 It's a bold, bold,

00:14:20.440 --> 00:14:22.039
 Very bold thing he did.

00:14:22.620 --> 00:14:23.500
 And beyond this,

00:14:23.600 --> 00:14:24.480
 Beyond what he asks,

00:14:24.700 --> 00:14:25.980
 You'll notice in verse 9 and 10

00:14:25.980 --> 00:14:28.120
 That the king sends with him an armed guard

00:14:28.120 --> 00:14:30.139
 To protect him to that degree,

00:14:30.600 --> 00:14:32.940
 Because the governors were not pleased

00:14:32.940 --> 00:14:34.399
 With the work that was going to be done.

00:14:35.399 --> 00:14:36.080
 Verse 11,

00:14:37.200 --> 00:14:38.680
 So I went to Jerusalem

00:14:38.680 --> 00:14:39.920
 And was there three days.

00:14:39.980 --> 00:14:41.600
 So we fast forward this three months journey.

00:14:41.600 --> 00:14:43.019
 So I went to Jerusalem

00:14:43.019 --> 00:14:44.379
 And was there three days.

00:14:44.840 --> 00:14:46.019
 Then I arose in the night,

00:14:46.399 --> 00:14:47.680
 I and a few men with me.

00:14:48.080 --> 00:14:49.360
 And I told no one what my God

00:14:49.360 --> 00:14:51.060
 Had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem.

00:14:51.720 --> 00:14:52.840
 There was no animal with me

00:14:52.840 --> 00:14:54.060
 But the one on which I rode.

00:14:54.200 --> 00:14:55.060
 I went out by night,

00:14:55.159 --> 00:14:55.840
 By the valley gate,

00:14:55.899 --> 00:14:56.800
 To the dragon spring,

00:14:56.920 --> 00:14:57.639
 And to the dung gate.

00:14:57.720 --> 00:14:59.240
 And I inspected the walls of Jerusalem

00:14:59.240 --> 00:15:00.100
 That were broken down,

00:15:00.180 --> 00:15:01.960
 And its gates had been destroyed by fire.

00:15:02.519 --> 00:15:03.759
 Then I went on to the fountain gate,

00:15:03.840 --> 00:15:04.639
 And to the king's pool,

00:15:04.720 --> 00:15:05.879
 But there was no room for the animal

00:15:05.879 --> 00:15:07.759
 That was under me to pass.

00:15:08.279 --> 00:15:09.240
 Then I went up in the night

00:15:09.240 --> 00:15:09.840
 By the valley,

00:15:09.840 --> 00:15:10.800
 And inspected the wall,

00:15:10.920 --> 00:15:11.660
 And I turned back

00:15:11.660 --> 00:15:13.100
 And entered by the valley gate,

00:15:13.220 --> 00:15:13.960
 And so returned.

00:15:14.700 --> 00:15:15.820
 And the officials did not know

00:15:15.820 --> 00:15:16.540
 Where I had gone,

00:15:16.620 --> 00:15:17.379
 Or what I was doing.

00:15:17.800 --> 00:15:19.460
 And I had not yet told the Jews,

00:15:19.620 --> 00:15:20.080
 The priests,

00:15:20.240 --> 00:15:20.720
 The nobles,

00:15:20.879 --> 00:15:21.420
 The officials,

00:15:21.840 --> 00:15:22.519
 And the rest,

00:15:22.840 --> 00:15:23.860
 Who were to do the work.

00:15:24.379 --> 00:15:25.500
 So once he gets there,

00:15:25.560 --> 00:15:26.120
 He sets out,

00:15:26.160 --> 00:15:27.160
 He spends three days

00:15:27.160 --> 00:15:28.680
 Making a very careful plan.

00:15:28.740 --> 00:15:29.120
 In fact,

00:15:29.480 --> 00:15:30.519
 Travels by night

00:15:30.519 --> 00:15:32.000
 To inspect the work

00:15:32.000 --> 00:15:32.800
 That's ahead of them.

00:15:33.160 --> 00:15:34.040
 The record here

00:15:34.040 --> 00:15:35.400
 Of these gates

00:15:35.400 --> 00:15:36.860
 And the sections of the wall

00:15:36.860 --> 00:15:37.960
 Are of interest,

00:15:37.960 --> 00:15:39.320
 But only historical interest.

00:15:39.320 --> 00:15:41.520
 They really add no weight

00:15:41.520 --> 00:15:42.140
 Or bearing

00:15:42.140 --> 00:15:43.620
 To the text itself.

00:15:43.780 --> 00:15:45.520
 But it does help us see

00:15:45.520 --> 00:15:47.140
 That the record is accurate.

00:15:47.800 --> 00:15:49.440
 That the way the city was built,

00:15:49.580 --> 00:15:50.440
 The state that it was in

00:15:50.440 --> 00:15:51.140
 At this time,

00:15:51.440 --> 00:15:52.700
 Even the fact that he had to

00:15:52.700 --> 00:15:54.000
 Get off of the animal

00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:55.740
 And travel through a narrow area

00:15:55.740 --> 00:15:57.260
 Gives record that there's

00:15:57.260 --> 00:15:58.280
 Some accountability here.

00:15:58.400 --> 00:15:59.879
 There's legitimacy

00:15:59.879 --> 00:16:01.500
 To the text itself.

00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:03.260
 So he goes out

00:16:03.260 --> 00:16:04.360
 And he surveys

00:16:04.360 --> 00:16:05.640
 And he plans.

00:16:06.600 --> 00:16:07.520
 Verse 17,

00:16:07.519 --> 00:16:08.819
 Then I said to them,

00:16:09.240 --> 00:16:10.259
 He addresses the people,

00:16:10.939 --> 00:16:12.399
 You see the trouble we are in,

00:16:12.460 --> 00:16:13.879
 How Jerusalem lies in ruins

00:16:13.879 --> 00:16:14.899
 With its gates burned.

00:16:15.299 --> 00:16:15.639
 Come,

00:16:15.899 --> 00:16:17.399
 Let us build the wall of Jerusalem

00:16:17.399 --> 00:16:19.079
 That we may no longer suffer

00:16:19.079 --> 00:16:20.000
 Derision.

00:16:20.579 --> 00:16:21.360
 And I told them

00:16:21.360 --> 00:16:22.199
 Of the hand of my God

00:16:22.199 --> 00:16:23.439
 That had been upon me for good

00:16:23.439 --> 00:16:24.759
 And also of the words

00:16:24.759 --> 00:16:25.860
 That the king had spoken to me.

00:16:26.059 --> 00:16:26.899
 And they said,

00:16:27.139 --> 00:16:28.220
 Let us rise up

00:16:28.220 --> 00:16:28.899
 And build.

00:16:29.340 --> 00:16:30.819
 So they strengthened their hands

00:16:30.819 --> 00:16:32.340
 For the good work.

00:16:32.340 --> 00:16:34.700
 Now notice here again,

00:16:35.000 --> 00:16:35.800
 He addresses them

00:16:35.800 --> 00:16:36.480
 In verse 17,

00:16:36.580 --> 00:16:36.820
 He says,

00:16:37.019 --> 00:16:38.180
 That we may no longer

00:16:38.180 --> 00:16:39.720
 Suffer derision.

00:16:39.820 --> 00:16:41.259
 And I want you to always remember

00:16:41.259 --> 00:16:43.100
 That the state of the people,

00:16:43.340 --> 00:16:45.280
 They connected their state

00:16:45.280 --> 00:16:46.240
 To the glory of God.

00:16:47.440 --> 00:16:48.800
 So he's not saying,

00:16:48.920 --> 00:16:50.100
 Let's build this for us.

00:16:50.639 --> 00:16:51.960
 We don't want to be ridiculed.

00:16:52.040 --> 00:16:52.740
 Let's do this for us.

00:16:52.879 --> 00:16:54.540
 When he spoke these words to them,

00:16:54.620 --> 00:16:55.740
 They recognized fully

00:16:55.740 --> 00:16:56.500
 What he was saying.

00:16:57.120 --> 00:16:58.080
 Let's do this

00:16:58.080 --> 00:16:59.300
 So we're not ashamed

00:16:59.299 --> 00:17:00.599
 Because when we're ashamed,

00:17:00.939 --> 00:17:02.500
 Our God is ashamed.

00:17:03.859 --> 00:17:04.579
 And then it says,

00:17:04.680 --> 00:17:05.720
 They put their hands

00:17:05.720 --> 00:17:06.899
 To the good work.

00:17:07.619 --> 00:17:08.740
 Means they became

00:17:08.740 --> 00:17:09.879
 Resolute

00:17:09.879 --> 00:17:11.299
 To build the wall.

00:17:11.919 --> 00:17:13.460
 And the picture in my mind

00:17:13.460 --> 00:17:14.240
 Of this is when you're

00:17:14.240 --> 00:17:15.079
 Getting ready to do something

00:17:15.079 --> 00:17:16.099
 Hard with your hands.

00:17:16.279 --> 00:17:16.839
 So you're going to

00:17:16.839 --> 00:17:18.180
 Dig a hole with pulse hole diggers

00:17:18.180 --> 00:17:20.079
 And a guy cracks his knuckles

00:17:20.079 --> 00:17:21.059
 And gets ready for that

00:17:21.059 --> 00:17:21.680
 Kind of a work.

00:17:21.839 --> 00:17:23.980
 Or a boxer who tapes his hands up

00:17:23.980 --> 00:17:25.899
 And gets ready to go.

00:17:27.519 --> 00:17:28.159
 You're going to have to do

00:17:28.159 --> 00:17:29.039
 A lot of dissuading

00:17:29.039 --> 00:17:29.839
 To keep that guy

00:17:29.839 --> 00:17:30.819
 From getting into a fight

00:17:30.819 --> 00:17:31.799
 Once that happens.

00:17:31.960 --> 00:17:32.119
 Right?

00:17:32.200 --> 00:17:33.599
 They were resolute.

00:17:33.680 --> 00:17:34.720
 They got themselves ready.

00:17:34.819 --> 00:17:35.960
 They strengthened themselves

00:17:35.960 --> 00:17:37.279
 For the good work

00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:38.980
 That was ahead of them.

00:17:39.859 --> 00:17:41.299
 So we saw already

00:17:41.299 --> 00:17:42.639
 Nehemiah's prayer

00:17:42.639 --> 00:17:44.059
 Leading up to this

00:17:44.059 --> 00:17:45.960
 In the midst of his request

00:17:45.960 --> 00:17:47.180
 To the king.

00:17:47.680 --> 00:17:49.399
 He also planned.

00:17:50.839 --> 00:17:52.079
 Three ways he planned.

00:17:52.519 --> 00:17:53.240
 He knew

00:17:53.240 --> 00:17:54.879
 That he needed to go.

00:17:55.819 --> 00:17:57.019
 God had directed him

00:17:57.019 --> 00:17:57.940
 In his time of prayer

00:17:57.940 --> 00:17:59.960
 To know that he was

00:17:59.960 --> 00:18:01.000
 The one that was meant

00:18:01.000 --> 00:18:01.799
 To go back

00:18:01.799 --> 00:18:02.559
 And lead the people

00:18:02.559 --> 00:18:03.460
 In the rebuilding.

00:18:03.720 --> 00:18:05.180
 Remember he's a three month journey

00:18:05.180 --> 00:18:07.100
 Eight hundred miles away.

00:18:07.620 --> 00:18:08.200
 Could he have not

00:18:08.200 --> 00:18:08.860
 Written a letter?

00:18:09.660 --> 00:18:10.620
 Dispatched a plan?

00:18:11.660 --> 00:18:12.400
 Sent it along?

00:18:12.500 --> 00:18:13.580
 And had somebody else

00:18:13.580 --> 00:18:14.660
 Build it?

00:18:14.660 --> 00:18:16.620
 Certainly God could have

00:18:16.620 --> 00:18:17.860
 Reconstructed the wall

00:18:17.860 --> 00:18:18.820
 In that way

00:18:18.820 --> 00:18:19.880
 And used Nehemiah

00:18:19.880 --> 00:18:20.759
 To that degree.

00:18:21.540 --> 00:18:22.480
 But Nehemiah knew

00:18:22.480 --> 00:18:23.600
 He was the one

00:18:23.600 --> 00:18:24.519
 That was meant to go.

00:18:24.720 --> 00:18:25.560
 To be so bold

00:18:25.560 --> 00:18:26.759
 As to ask the king

00:18:26.759 --> 00:18:28.040
 To let him relinquish his duty

00:18:28.040 --> 00:18:29.019
 And leave.

00:18:29.380 --> 00:18:29.900
 He knew

00:18:29.900 --> 00:18:30.880
 It was him.

00:18:32.080 --> 00:18:32.840
 It's in verse five.

00:18:32.920 --> 00:18:33.320
 Verse six.

00:18:33.500 --> 00:18:34.620
 He knew how long

00:18:34.620 --> 00:18:35.860
 He needed to go for.

00:18:36.540 --> 00:18:37.200
 He must have had

00:18:37.200 --> 00:18:38.360
 A very clear plan

00:18:38.360 --> 00:18:39.060
 For the work

00:18:39.060 --> 00:18:39.580
 That was ahead of him.

00:18:39.600 --> 00:18:41.080
 He had it to see the wall.

00:18:41.440 --> 00:18:41.900
 But he was able

00:18:41.900 --> 00:18:42.980
 To give the king an answer

00:18:42.980 --> 00:18:44.759
 As to when he would return.

00:18:45.960 --> 00:18:46.940
 And in verses seven and eight

00:18:46.940 --> 00:18:48.680
 He knew what provisions

00:18:48.680 --> 00:18:49.680
 He needed from the king

00:18:49.680 --> 00:18:50.140
 As well.

00:18:50.660 --> 00:18:51.820
 He had already plotted it out.

00:18:51.920 --> 00:18:52.980
 He had thought about the journey.

00:18:53.380 --> 00:18:54.080
 Once he got there

00:18:54.080 --> 00:18:55.080
 He thought about the things

00:18:55.080 --> 00:18:55.920
 That were going to be available

00:18:55.920 --> 00:18:56.700
 For the rebuilding.

00:18:57.040 --> 00:18:58.500
 And he knew what to request

00:18:58.500 --> 00:18:59.759
 Of the king.

00:19:00.460 --> 00:19:01.640
 So the planning was

00:19:01.640 --> 00:19:04.019
 Very very important here.

00:19:05.100 --> 00:19:07.040
 But the planning is not devoid

00:19:07.040 --> 00:19:09.040
 Of the providence of God.

00:19:10.420 --> 00:19:11.640
 Rejoice John MacArthur said

00:19:11.640 --> 00:19:12.520
 Making sensible

00:19:12.520 --> 00:19:13.820
 And careful plans

00:19:13.820 --> 00:19:14.580
 For serving God

00:19:14.580 --> 00:19:15.540
 Does not conflict

00:19:15.540 --> 00:19:16.540
 With reliance

00:19:16.540 --> 00:19:17.700
 On his providence.

00:19:18.200 --> 00:19:18.940
 And reliance

00:19:18.940 --> 00:19:19.700
 On his providence

00:19:19.700 --> 00:19:20.780
 Does not excuse

00:19:20.780 --> 00:19:23.100
 Failure to plan.

00:19:23.900 --> 00:19:24.420
 Notice

00:19:24.420 --> 00:19:25.500
 In the last half

00:19:25.500 --> 00:19:26.040
 Of verse eight

00:19:26.040 --> 00:19:26.400
 He says

00:19:26.400 --> 00:19:27.580
 And the king granted me

00:19:27.580 --> 00:19:28.360
 What I asked

00:19:28.360 --> 00:19:29.980
 He granted me my plan

00:19:29.980 --> 00:19:30.960
 Why?

00:19:31.500 --> 00:19:32.920
 For the good hand

00:19:32.920 --> 00:19:33.960
 Of my God

00:19:33.960 --> 00:19:35.340
 Was upon me.

00:19:36.600 --> 00:19:37.660
 So he prayed

00:19:37.660 --> 00:19:38.360
 And he planned

00:19:38.360 --> 00:19:40.740
 But he fully recognized

00:19:40.740 --> 00:19:42.099
 The providence of God

00:19:42.099 --> 00:19:43.140
 Which is necessary

00:19:43.140 --> 00:19:44.579
 For any work

00:19:44.579 --> 00:19:45.779
 Any holy ambition

00:19:45.779 --> 00:19:47.160
 To come to pass.

00:19:47.700 --> 00:19:48.819
 So let's look some more

00:19:48.819 --> 00:19:50.380
 At this providence.

00:19:51.120 --> 00:19:51.940
 We see it again

00:19:51.940 --> 00:19:52.720
 In verse 18.

00:19:53.120 --> 00:19:53.240
 It says

00:19:53.240 --> 00:19:54.200
 And I told them

00:19:54.200 --> 00:19:55.900
 Of the hand of my God

00:19:55.900 --> 00:19:57.440
 That had been upon me

00:19:57.440 --> 00:19:58.460
 For good.

00:19:58.680 --> 00:20:00.000
 He encourages the people

00:20:00.000 --> 00:20:01.319
 To do the work

00:20:01.319 --> 00:20:02.099
 This work

00:20:02.099 --> 00:20:02.660
 That they had been

00:20:02.660 --> 00:20:03.740
 Ordered not to do

00:20:03.740 --> 00:20:04.980
 Thirteen years previous.

00:20:04.980 --> 00:20:05.980
 This work

00:20:05.980 --> 00:20:06.620
 That had yet

00:20:06.620 --> 00:20:07.380
 To be completed

00:20:07.380 --> 00:20:09.559
 For the 90 years

00:20:09.559 --> 00:20:10.380
 That they've been

00:20:10.380 --> 00:20:11.140
 Back now

00:20:11.140 --> 00:20:11.900
 In Jerusalem.

00:20:12.599 --> 00:20:14.019
 They were encouraged

00:20:14.019 --> 00:20:15.279
 By his report

00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:16.759
 Of his presentation

00:20:16.759 --> 00:20:17.579
 To the king.

00:20:17.720 --> 00:20:18.579
 They would have said

00:20:18.579 --> 00:20:19.720
 The king did what?

00:20:20.420 --> 00:20:21.660
 You're here with letters

00:20:21.660 --> 00:20:22.299
 Protection

00:20:22.299 --> 00:20:23.779
 An armed guard?

00:20:24.019 --> 00:20:25.339
 You got his credit card

00:20:25.339 --> 00:20:26.079
 To get wood

00:20:26.079 --> 00:20:26.819
 For this building?

00:20:28.819 --> 00:20:29.420
 Incredible.

00:20:29.900 --> 00:20:30.920
 It was an encouragement

00:20:30.920 --> 00:20:32.380
 To them.

00:20:32.380 --> 00:20:34.100
 Proverbs

00:20:34.100 --> 00:20:34.860
 They had these

00:20:34.860 --> 00:20:36.040
 Proverbs by the way

00:20:36.040 --> 00:20:36.660
 These scriptures.

00:20:37.280 --> 00:20:38.300
 Proverbs 16

00:20:38.300 --> 00:20:39.260
 3

00:20:39.260 --> 00:20:40.880
 Commit your work

00:20:40.880 --> 00:20:41.420
 To the Lord

00:20:41.420 --> 00:20:42.780
 And your plans

00:20:42.780 --> 00:20:44.120
 Will be established.

00:20:45.180 --> 00:20:45.620
 16

00:20:45.620 --> 00:20:46.040
 9

00:20:46.040 --> 00:20:46.820
 The heart of man

00:20:46.820 --> 00:20:47.600
 Plans his way

00:20:47.600 --> 00:20:48.320
 But the Lord

00:20:48.320 --> 00:20:49.480
 Establishes

00:20:49.480 --> 00:20:50.520
 His steps.

00:20:51.280 --> 00:20:52.140
 Proverbs 19

00:20:52.140 --> 00:20:52.660
 21

00:20:52.660 --> 00:20:54.120
 Many are the plans

00:20:54.120 --> 00:20:55.120
 In the mind of a man

00:20:55.120 --> 00:20:56.360
 But it is the purpose

00:20:56.360 --> 00:20:57.160
 Of the Lord

00:20:57.160 --> 00:20:58.500
 That will stand.

00:20:59.800 --> 00:21:00.240
 Nehemiah

00:21:00.240 --> 00:21:01.540
 Certainly knew this

00:21:01.539 --> 00:21:02.859
 As he set a course

00:21:02.859 --> 00:21:03.799
 As he thought through

00:21:03.799 --> 00:21:05.940
 What needed to be done.

00:21:06.740 --> 00:21:07.940
 How foolish would it have been

00:21:07.940 --> 00:21:08.700
 For Nehemiah

00:21:08.700 --> 00:21:09.579
 To stand in front of the king

00:21:09.579 --> 00:21:10.159
 And the king says

00:21:10.159 --> 00:21:11.119
 What do you need?

00:21:11.680 --> 00:21:13.220
 What are you requesting of me?

00:21:13.599 --> 00:21:14.259
 Nehemiah goes

00:21:14.259 --> 00:21:17.139
 I don't know.

00:21:17.139 --> 00:21:19.420
 Can I have a little bit of time

00:21:19.420 --> 00:21:20.099
 To think about it?

00:21:21.200 --> 00:21:22.299
 Would the king have responded

00:21:22.299 --> 00:21:23.119
 Favorably to that?

00:21:23.379 --> 00:21:24.259
 Probably not.

00:21:24.940 --> 00:21:26.279
 He would have said you fool.

00:21:26.619 --> 00:21:27.519
 Probably would have beheaded him

00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:28.500
 In this case.

00:21:28.500 --> 00:21:30.920
 He had a plan.

00:21:31.039 --> 00:21:32.220
 He knew when it was time

00:21:32.220 --> 00:21:33.019
 To press on

00:21:33.019 --> 00:21:33.900
 And act.

00:21:33.960 --> 00:21:35.019
 He had it all

00:21:35.019 --> 00:21:36.759
 Plotted out.

00:21:37.460 --> 00:21:38.480
 A couple of weeks ago

00:21:38.480 --> 00:21:39.380
 We had one of our

00:21:39.380 --> 00:21:40.279
 Project Grow outings

00:21:40.279 --> 00:21:41.839
 And we did our

00:21:41.839 --> 00:21:42.799
 Annual boat race

00:21:42.799 --> 00:21:43.660
 Where we bring together

00:21:43.660 --> 00:21:44.180
 A bunch of

00:21:44.180 --> 00:21:45.380
 Junk cups

00:21:45.380 --> 00:21:46.619
 And styrofoam plates

00:21:46.619 --> 00:21:47.539
 And things of that nature

00:21:47.539 --> 00:21:49.339
 And we build boats

00:21:49.339 --> 00:21:50.279
 And we race them

00:21:50.279 --> 00:21:51.440
 Down Yuhula Creek

00:21:51.440 --> 00:21:52.619
 Just for fun.

00:21:53.200 --> 00:21:54.319
 It's always a good time though.

00:21:54.339 --> 00:21:55.079
 We always have a blast.

00:21:55.460 --> 00:21:56.140
 The whole boat

00:21:56.140 --> 00:21:57.200
 Has to cross the finish line

00:21:57.200 --> 00:21:58.600
 So that's always the joys

00:21:58.600 --> 00:21:59.600
 They come down in pieces.

00:22:01.559 --> 00:22:03.240
 These boats have no power sources.

00:22:03.440 --> 00:22:04.640
 They usually have some sails.

00:22:04.759 --> 00:22:05.640
 Some really creative people

00:22:05.640 --> 00:22:06.460
 Put sails on them

00:22:06.460 --> 00:22:07.360
 But it's never windy enough

00:22:07.360 --> 00:22:08.480
 Really to propel the boat

00:22:08.480 --> 00:22:09.220
 Down the river.

00:22:09.400 --> 00:22:10.740
 So all of these boats

00:22:10.740 --> 00:22:12.019
 Are kind of victim

00:22:12.019 --> 00:22:12.960
 If you'll allow

00:22:12.960 --> 00:22:13.640
 To the current.

00:22:13.740 --> 00:22:14.059
 Right?

00:22:14.759 --> 00:22:15.799
 We line people up

00:22:15.799 --> 00:22:16.500
 Across the creek

00:22:16.500 --> 00:22:17.759
 And I always try to get people

00:22:17.759 --> 00:22:18.360
 To be smart about

00:22:18.360 --> 00:22:19.340
 Where they put the boat in

00:22:19.340 --> 00:22:20.059
 The current.

00:22:20.299 --> 00:22:20.500
 You know?

00:22:20.559 --> 00:22:21.340
 Because there's logs

00:22:21.340 --> 00:22:22.100
 And things that are going to

00:22:22.100 --> 00:22:23.600
 Cause them to get caught up.

00:22:23.720 --> 00:22:24.319
 But ultimately

00:22:24.319 --> 00:22:25.559
 Once you let the boat go

00:22:25.559 --> 00:22:27.339
 You have no control of the boat

00:22:27.339 --> 00:22:28.599
 The boat just moves its way down

00:22:28.599 --> 00:22:29.700
 And the boat certainly has

00:22:29.700 --> 00:22:31.599
 No control of its own.

00:22:33.000 --> 00:22:34.480
 God's providence is like that

00:22:34.480 --> 00:22:36.319
 An undercurrent providence

00:22:36.319 --> 00:22:38.559
 That carries us along.

00:22:39.000 --> 00:22:39.960
 Now in real life

00:22:39.960 --> 00:22:41.119
 A boat has no power

00:22:41.119 --> 00:22:41.859
 Out on the ocean

00:22:41.859 --> 00:22:42.839
 It's just going to get tossed

00:22:42.839 --> 00:22:43.859
 To and fro

00:22:43.859 --> 00:22:44.740
 By the waves

00:22:44.740 --> 00:22:46.259
 Until you put it under power.

00:22:46.799 --> 00:22:48.079
 You put a boat under power

00:22:48.079 --> 00:22:49.299
 You have it move faster

00:22:49.299 --> 00:22:50.639
 Than the water around it

00:22:50.639 --> 00:22:51.899
 And the rudder then actually

00:22:51.899 --> 00:22:53.440
 Has some ability to turn.

00:22:53.759 --> 00:22:54.779
 The same is true on a river

00:22:54.779 --> 00:22:55.859
 If you're paddling a canoe

00:22:55.859 --> 00:22:57.579
 If you're just drifting in a canoe

00:22:57.579 --> 00:22:58.639
 You can't turn the canoe

00:22:58.639 --> 00:23:00.460
 You speed the canoe up a little bit

00:23:00.460 --> 00:23:01.759
 And you can use the paddles

00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:03.359
 To steer the boat

00:23:03.359 --> 00:23:04.399
 Down the river.

00:23:04.859 --> 00:23:05.960
 In our lives

00:23:05.960 --> 00:23:08.099
 We have power

00:23:08.099 --> 00:23:09.759
 We have minds

00:23:09.759 --> 00:23:10.839
 We have ability

00:23:10.839 --> 00:23:13.059
 But recognize that even that

00:23:13.059 --> 00:23:14.660
 Is a gift of God.

00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:17.039
 Even that is providential.

00:23:17.920 --> 00:23:19.359
 So everything we do

00:23:19.359 --> 00:23:21.240
 There is an undercurrent

00:23:21.240 --> 00:23:23.579
 That carries us along.

00:23:24.380 --> 00:23:25.200
 Romans 8

00:23:25.200 --> 00:23:27.480
 28-31

00:23:27.480 --> 00:23:28.720
 And we know that for those

00:23:28.720 --> 00:23:29.400
 Who love God

00:23:29.400 --> 00:23:31.640
 All things work together

00:23:31.640 --> 00:23:32.279
 For good.

00:23:32.819 --> 00:23:34.319
 All things.

00:23:34.680 --> 00:23:36.519
 No matter what you do

00:23:36.519 --> 00:23:38.420
 Or anyone does to you

00:23:38.420 --> 00:23:40.500
 All things.

00:23:40.660 --> 00:23:43.099
 No matter what major calamity happens

00:23:43.099 --> 00:23:45.000
 No matter what economy fails

00:23:45.000 --> 00:23:47.539
 Or mudslide goes down

00:23:47.539 --> 00:23:48.720
 Or tornado comes

00:23:48.720 --> 00:23:49.779
 And rips your house apart

00:23:49.779 --> 00:23:51.480
 All things.

00:23:51.859 --> 00:23:53.019
 Work together for good.

00:23:53.460 --> 00:23:54.319
 For those who are called

00:23:54.319 --> 00:23:55.519
 According to his purpose.

00:23:56.079 --> 00:23:57.220
 For those whom he foreknew

00:23:57.220 --> 00:23:58.099
 He also predestined

00:23:58.099 --> 00:23:58.940
 To be conformed

00:23:58.940 --> 00:24:00.140
 To the image of a son.

00:24:00.180 --> 00:24:01.759
 And there's our definition of good.

00:24:02.559 --> 00:24:03.400
 Work together for good

00:24:03.400 --> 00:24:04.119
 To be conformed

00:24:04.119 --> 00:24:04.880
 To the image of a son.

00:24:05.079 --> 00:24:06.579
 In order that he might be

00:24:06.579 --> 00:24:08.180
 The firstborn among many brothers.

00:24:08.759 --> 00:24:09.700
 And those whom he predestined

00:24:09.700 --> 00:24:10.440
 He also called.

00:24:10.500 --> 00:24:11.160
 And those whom he called

00:24:11.160 --> 00:24:11.880
 He also justified.

00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:12.960
 And those whom he justified

00:24:12.960 --> 00:24:13.840
 He also glorified.

00:24:14.420 --> 00:24:15.480
 What then shall we say

00:24:15.480 --> 00:24:16.420
 To these things?

00:24:16.920 --> 00:24:18.579
 If God is for us

00:24:18.579 --> 00:24:21.019
 Who can be against us?

00:24:22.039 --> 00:24:24.480
 The undercurrent of providence.

00:24:25.860 --> 00:24:27.819
 And so the encouragement in that

00:24:27.819 --> 00:24:30.579
 Is to strengthen your hands

00:24:30.579 --> 00:24:31.880
 For the good work.

00:24:32.779 --> 00:24:33.819
 Why not?

00:24:34.360 --> 00:24:35.380
 The providence of God

00:24:35.380 --> 00:24:36.960
 Is presented to us.

00:24:37.420 --> 00:24:40.019
 We know that his goodness

00:24:40.019 --> 00:24:42.200
 Is upon the good work.

00:24:42.960 --> 00:24:45.360
 Strengthen your hands

00:24:45.360 --> 00:24:46.920
 For the good work.

00:24:48.079 --> 00:24:48.920
 That would bring us back

00:24:48.920 --> 00:24:49.960
 To the Old Testament again.

00:24:50.019 --> 00:24:50.680
 Again a story

00:24:50.680 --> 00:24:51.700
 That Nehemiah

00:24:51.700 --> 00:24:52.940
 And the people he was speaking to

00:24:52.940 --> 00:24:55.019
 Would have been very aware of.

00:24:55.700 --> 00:24:57.240
 Genesis chapter 39

00:24:57.240 --> 00:24:58.460
 We see the story of Joseph

00:24:58.460 --> 00:25:00.200
 Being sold into slavery.

00:25:00.400 --> 00:25:01.620
 And he is now a slave

00:25:01.620 --> 00:25:03.000
 In the house of Potiphar.

00:25:03.680 --> 00:25:04.360
 In verse 2

00:25:04.360 --> 00:25:05.860
 It says the Lord was with Joseph

00:25:05.860 --> 00:25:07.759
 And he became a successful man.

00:25:08.200 --> 00:25:09.319
 And he was in the house

00:25:09.319 --> 00:25:10.299
 Of his Egyptian master.

00:25:10.740 --> 00:25:11.779
 His master saw the Lord

00:25:11.779 --> 00:25:13.279
 And the Lord caused

00:25:13.279 --> 00:25:14.139
 All that he did

00:25:14.139 --> 00:25:16.500
 To succeed in his hands.

00:25:16.899 --> 00:25:17.799
 So Joseph found favor

00:25:17.799 --> 00:25:18.259
 In his sight

00:25:18.259 --> 00:25:19.039
 And attended him

00:25:19.039 --> 00:25:19.639
 And he made him

00:25:19.639 --> 00:25:20.599
 Overseer of his house

00:25:20.599 --> 00:25:21.879
 And put him in charge

00:25:21.879 --> 00:25:23.099
 Of all that he had.

00:25:23.339 --> 00:25:23.980
 Verse 3

00:25:23.980 --> 00:25:25.599
 The Lord was with him

00:25:25.599 --> 00:25:26.920
 And the Lord caused

00:25:26.920 --> 00:25:28.139
 All that he did

00:25:28.139 --> 00:25:30.539
 To succeed in his hands.

00:25:31.339 --> 00:25:31.819
 Later

00:25:31.819 --> 00:25:33.139
 We know Potiphar's wife

00:25:33.139 --> 00:25:35.000
 Tries to be with him.

00:25:35.700 --> 00:25:36.480
 Accuses him

00:25:36.480 --> 00:25:38.359
 Of trying to be with her.

00:25:39.059 --> 00:25:39.700
 Potiphar has him

00:25:39.700 --> 00:25:40.519
 Thrown into prison.

00:25:40.680 --> 00:25:41.580
 Beginning in verse 20

00:25:41.580 --> 00:25:42.420
 Of chapter 39

00:25:42.420 --> 00:25:43.660
 And Joseph's master

00:25:43.660 --> 00:25:44.259
 Took him

00:25:44.259 --> 00:25:44.840
 And put him

00:25:44.840 --> 00:25:45.460
 Into the prison.

00:25:45.720 --> 00:25:46.400
 The place where

00:25:46.400 --> 00:25:47.259
 The king's prisoners

00:25:47.259 --> 00:25:48.319
 Were confined.

00:25:48.720 --> 00:25:49.460
 And he was there

00:25:49.460 --> 00:25:49.980
 In prison.

00:25:50.519 --> 00:25:50.960
 But the Lord

00:25:50.960 --> 00:25:51.819
 Was with Joseph

00:25:51.819 --> 00:25:52.819
 And showed him

00:25:52.819 --> 00:25:53.779
 Steadfast love

00:25:53.779 --> 00:25:54.720
 And gave him favor

00:25:54.720 --> 00:25:55.180
 In the sight

00:25:55.180 --> 00:25:55.580
 Of the keeper

00:25:55.580 --> 00:25:56.120
 Of the prison.

00:25:56.660 --> 00:25:57.120
 And the keeper

00:25:57.120 --> 00:25:57.500
 Of the prison

00:25:57.500 --> 00:25:58.480
 Put Joseph in charge

00:25:58.480 --> 00:25:59.559
 Of all the prisoners

00:25:59.559 --> 00:26:00.340
 Who were in the prison.

00:26:00.720 --> 00:26:01.799
 Whatever was done there

00:26:01.799 --> 00:26:02.680
 He was the one

00:26:02.680 --> 00:26:03.319
 Who did it.

00:26:03.660 --> 00:26:04.519
 The keeper of the prison

00:26:04.519 --> 00:26:05.299
 Payed no attention

00:26:05.299 --> 00:26:06.039
 To anything that was

00:26:06.039 --> 00:26:06.840
 In Joseph's charge

00:26:06.839 --> 00:26:07.839
 Because the Lord

00:26:07.839 --> 00:26:08.539
 Was with him

00:26:08.539 --> 00:26:09.639
 And whatever he did

00:26:09.639 --> 00:26:10.559
 The Lord

00:26:10.559 --> 00:26:11.919
 Made it succeed.

00:26:13.019 --> 00:26:14.539
 The keeper of the prison

00:26:14.539 --> 00:26:15.579
 Gave him charge

00:26:15.579 --> 00:26:16.859
 Of a section of the prison

00:26:16.859 --> 00:26:17.119
 And said

00:26:17.119 --> 00:26:17.559
 I don't have to worry

00:26:17.559 --> 00:26:18.379
 About that anymore

00:26:18.379 --> 00:26:19.819
 Because Joseph the prisoner

00:26:19.819 --> 00:26:20.539
 Has got it handled.

00:26:20.699 --> 00:26:21.139
 He'll take care

00:26:21.139 --> 00:26:21.720
 He'll keep everything

00:26:21.720 --> 00:26:22.059
 In order.

00:26:22.319 --> 00:26:22.480
 Right?

00:26:22.679 --> 00:26:23.639
 Because the Lord

00:26:23.639 --> 00:26:25.359
 Made it succeed.

00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:25.859
 And of course

00:26:25.859 --> 00:26:26.500
 If we go on

00:26:26.500 --> 00:26:27.159
 In that story

00:26:27.159 --> 00:26:28.240
 We see Joseph

00:26:28.240 --> 00:26:29.599
 Having visions

00:26:29.599 --> 00:26:30.599
 Being put in charge

00:26:30.599 --> 00:26:32.339
 Of all of the crops

00:26:32.339 --> 00:26:32.859
 Of Egypt

00:26:32.859 --> 00:26:34.019
 Storing them up

00:26:34.019 --> 00:26:35.379
 To save the Egyptians

00:26:35.380 --> 00:26:36.480
 And later

00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:37.560
 We find out

00:26:37.560 --> 00:26:39.300
 The Jews

00:26:39.300 --> 00:26:40.120
 From famine.

00:26:40.420 --> 00:26:40.520
 Right?

00:26:40.560 --> 00:26:41.700
 We see God's providence

00:26:41.700 --> 00:26:42.580
 As an undercurrent

00:26:42.580 --> 00:26:43.940
 Working through the story

00:26:43.940 --> 00:26:44.680
 And I believe that

00:26:44.680 --> 00:26:46.720
 The people here

00:26:46.720 --> 00:26:48.140
 Would have known this

00:26:48.140 --> 00:26:48.980
 And they're seeing

00:26:48.980 --> 00:26:50.440
 Evidence of God's providence

00:26:50.440 --> 00:26:51.200
 In the working

00:26:51.200 --> 00:26:51.880
 Through Nehemiah

00:26:51.880 --> 00:26:52.820
 To come back and build

00:26:52.820 --> 00:26:53.700
 So they strengthen

00:26:53.700 --> 00:26:54.840
 Their hands

00:26:54.840 --> 00:26:56.400
 For the work.

00:26:58.020 --> 00:26:58.900
 Need some further

00:26:58.900 --> 00:26:59.320
 Encouragement?

00:27:00.140 --> 00:27:01.100
 I hope not

00:27:01.100 --> 00:27:02.020
 But you're getting it

00:27:02.020 --> 00:27:02.300
 Anyway.

00:27:04.140 --> 00:27:05.340
 Colossians 1.16

00:27:05.339 --> 00:27:06.879
 Paul, speaking of Christ

00:27:06.879 --> 00:27:07.299
 Says,

00:27:08.179 --> 00:27:08.980
 For by Him

00:27:08.980 --> 00:27:10.359
 All things were created

00:27:10.359 --> 00:27:11.740
 In heaven and on earth

00:27:11.740 --> 00:27:13.559
 Visible and invisible

00:27:13.559 --> 00:27:14.759
 Whether thrones

00:27:14.759 --> 00:27:15.500
 Or dominions

00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:16.099
 Or rulers

00:27:16.099 --> 00:27:16.879
 Or authorities

00:27:16.879 --> 00:27:18.039
 All things were created

00:27:18.039 --> 00:27:18.759
 Through Him

00:27:18.759 --> 00:27:20.379
 And for Him

00:27:20.379 --> 00:27:21.839
 Now, catch

00:27:21.839 --> 00:27:22.519
 I always

00:27:22.519 --> 00:27:25.059
 Grab hold of the beginning

00:27:25.059 --> 00:27:26.159
 And I grab hold of the end

00:27:26.159 --> 00:27:26.799
 For by Him

00:27:26.799 --> 00:27:27.939
 All things were created

00:27:27.939 --> 00:27:29.079
 That's awesome

00:27:29.079 --> 00:27:30.639
 All things were created

00:27:30.639 --> 00:27:31.179
 Through Him

00:27:31.179 --> 00:27:31.759
 And for Him

00:27:31.759 --> 00:27:32.539
 But notice the list

00:27:32.539 --> 00:27:33.740
 Of things that were created

00:27:33.740 --> 00:27:34.460
 By Him

00:27:34.460 --> 00:27:35.559
 And for Him

00:27:35.559 --> 00:27:37.099
 All things in heaven and earth

00:27:37.099 --> 00:27:37.700
 Visible and invisible

00:27:37.700 --> 00:27:38.879
 Whether thrones

00:27:38.879 --> 00:27:40.279
 Or dominions

00:27:40.279 --> 00:27:41.420
 Or rulers

00:27:41.420 --> 00:27:43.339
 Or authorities

00:27:43.339 --> 00:27:45.759
 Reigns over

00:27:45.759 --> 00:27:47.940
 All of those things

00:27:47.940 --> 00:27:48.420
 Certainly

00:27:48.420 --> 00:27:49.700
 In the case of

00:27:49.700 --> 00:27:50.259
 Artaxerxes

00:27:50.259 --> 00:27:51.339
 We see that God

00:27:51.339 --> 00:27:52.000
 Shapes

00:27:52.000 --> 00:27:53.920
 The heart of this man

00:27:53.920 --> 00:27:54.619
 To go back

00:27:54.619 --> 00:27:55.700
 On His own edict

00:27:55.700 --> 00:27:57.079
 To basically say

00:27:57.079 --> 00:27:57.740
 To His people

00:27:57.740 --> 00:27:58.920
 I was a fool then

00:27:58.920 --> 00:28:02.359
 To send off

00:28:02.359 --> 00:28:02.819
 A people

00:28:02.819 --> 00:28:03.859
 To build a fortress

00:28:03.859 --> 00:28:04.799
 Against Him

00:28:04.799 --> 00:28:05.440
 And His reign

00:28:05.440 --> 00:28:06.539
 To rob

00:28:06.539 --> 00:28:07.460
 Some of the glory

00:28:07.460 --> 00:28:08.039
 That He felt

00:28:08.039 --> 00:28:08.720
 Was due Him

00:28:08.720 --> 00:28:11.259
 The name

00:28:11.259 --> 00:28:11.860
 Artaxerxes

00:28:11.860 --> 00:28:12.539
 Means

00:28:12.539 --> 00:28:13.819
 Righteous

00:28:13.819 --> 00:28:14.480
 Ruler

00:28:14.480 --> 00:28:16.160
 And we can certainly

00:28:16.160 --> 00:28:16.620
 See here

00:28:16.620 --> 00:28:17.779
 That He was ruled

00:28:17.779 --> 00:28:18.860
 By the

00:28:18.860 --> 00:28:19.980
 Righteous ruler

00:28:19.980 --> 00:28:21.700
 Jesus Christ

00:28:21.700 --> 00:28:24.420
 All the rulers

00:28:24.420 --> 00:28:25.279
 Of this world

00:28:25.279 --> 00:28:26.279
 Those that we face

00:28:26.279 --> 00:28:27.000
 Today

00:28:27.000 --> 00:28:28.120
 Are ultimately

00:28:28.120 --> 00:28:29.299
 And finally ruled

00:28:29.299 --> 00:28:30.600
 By Jesus Christ

00:28:30.600 --> 00:28:31.519
 They were created

00:28:31.519 --> 00:28:32.900
 By Him

00:28:32.900 --> 00:28:33.880
 And

00:28:33.880 --> 00:28:35.019
 For Him

00:28:35.019 --> 00:28:35.539
 Is this true

00:28:35.539 --> 00:28:36.400
 Of our president

00:28:36.400 --> 00:28:37.339
 It certainly

00:28:37.339 --> 00:28:38.620
 Is

00:28:38.619 --> 00:28:39.759
 How about

00:28:39.759 --> 00:28:41.739
 Of Kim Jong-un

00:28:41.739 --> 00:28:42.459
 Right

00:28:42.459 --> 00:28:42.859
 We probably

00:28:42.859 --> 00:28:43.579
 Could label him

00:28:43.579 --> 00:28:44.119
 One of the most

00:28:44.119 --> 00:28:44.859
 Evil men

00:28:44.859 --> 00:28:45.739
 Alive now

00:28:45.739 --> 00:28:46.119
 He's the

00:28:46.119 --> 00:28:46.919
 Succeder to his

00:28:46.919 --> 00:28:47.699
 Father

00:28:47.699 --> 00:28:49.319
 Kim Jong-il

00:28:49.319 --> 00:28:50.139
 North Korea

00:28:50.139 --> 00:28:50.839
 If you know this

00:28:50.839 --> 00:28:51.239
 Right

00:28:51.239 --> 00:28:51.959
 You know he's not

00:28:51.959 --> 00:28:52.500
 The president

00:28:52.500 --> 00:28:53.979
 Of North Korea

00:28:53.979 --> 00:28:55.039
 The presidency

00:28:55.039 --> 00:28:55.719
 Belongs to

00:28:55.719 --> 00:28:56.859
 His grandfather

00:28:56.859 --> 00:28:57.819
 Who apparently

00:28:57.819 --> 00:28:58.239
 Will be the

00:28:58.239 --> 00:28:59.119
 President forever

00:28:59.119 --> 00:29:01.239
 His father

00:29:01.239 --> 00:29:02.059
 Is the supreme

00:29:02.059 --> 00:29:02.479
 Leader

00:29:02.479 --> 00:29:03.359
 Who will be

00:29:03.359 --> 00:29:03.839
 The supreme

00:29:03.839 --> 00:29:04.219
 Leader

00:29:04.219 --> 00:29:05.000
 Forever

00:29:05.000 --> 00:29:05.959
 So

00:29:05.959 --> 00:29:06.719
 Kim Jong-un

00:29:06.719 --> 00:29:07.219
 Has had to come up

00:29:07.219 --> 00:29:07.619
 With some of his

00:29:07.619 --> 00:29:08.239
 Own titles

00:29:08.240 --> 00:29:09.920
 And in seven

00:29:09.920 --> 00:29:10.440
 Months time

00:29:10.440 --> 00:29:10.900
 He's come up

00:29:10.900 --> 00:29:11.519
 With six

00:29:11.519 --> 00:29:12.700
 You ready for them

00:29:12.700 --> 00:29:14.839
 He is the

00:29:14.839 --> 00:29:15.920
 Marshal of the

00:29:15.920 --> 00:29:16.680
 Democratic People's

00:29:16.680 --> 00:29:17.380
 Republic of Korea

00:29:17.380 --> 00:29:19.039
 The first chairman

00:29:19.039 --> 00:29:19.559
 Of the National

00:29:19.559 --> 00:29:20.319
 Defense Commission

00:29:20.319 --> 00:29:21.519
 First secretary

00:29:21.519 --> 00:29:22.240
 Of the Workers

00:29:22.240 --> 00:29:22.660
 Party

00:29:22.660 --> 00:29:23.859
 Chairman of the

00:29:23.859 --> 00:29:24.519
 Party's Central

00:29:24.519 --> 00:29:25.620
 Military Commission

00:29:25.620 --> 00:29:27.319
 Member of the

00:29:27.319 --> 00:29:28.160
 Presidium of the

00:29:28.160 --> 00:29:29.039
 Party's Political

00:29:29.039 --> 00:29:29.660
 Bureau

00:29:29.660 --> 00:29:30.980
 And supreme

00:29:30.980 --> 00:29:31.859
 Commander of the

00:29:31.859 --> 00:29:32.660
 Korean People's

00:29:32.660 --> 00:29:32.960
 Army

00:29:32.960 --> 00:29:35.840
 This is Kim Jong-un

00:29:35.840 --> 00:29:37.940
 He is ruled

00:29:37.940 --> 00:29:39.240
 By the Son of

00:29:39.240 --> 00:29:39.620
 God

00:29:39.620 --> 00:29:41.299
 The right arm

00:29:41.299 --> 00:29:42.200
 Of the Lord

00:29:42.200 --> 00:29:43.880
 The Lion of Judah

00:29:43.880 --> 00:29:45.920
 The Great I Am

00:29:45.920 --> 00:29:47.640
 No title

00:29:47.640 --> 00:29:48.420
 No matter how

00:29:48.420 --> 00:29:49.120
 Lofty

00:29:49.120 --> 00:29:50.259
 Will ever

00:29:50.259 --> 00:29:51.600
 Place a man

00:29:51.600 --> 00:29:52.259
 In charge of

00:29:52.259 --> 00:29:53.440
 The greatest man

00:29:53.440 --> 00:29:54.840
 The one who

00:29:54.840 --> 00:29:55.500
 Walked this earth

00:29:55.500 --> 00:29:56.519
 Fully human

00:29:56.519 --> 00:29:57.340
 And fully

00:29:57.340 --> 00:29:58.079
 Divine

00:29:58.079 --> 00:29:59.079
 The one that we

00:29:59.079 --> 00:30:00.359
 Call Jesus Christ

00:30:00.359 --> 00:30:01.539
 He reigns

00:30:01.539 --> 00:30:02.179
 Supreme

00:30:02.179 --> 00:30:03.819
 Over all

00:30:03.819 --> 00:30:05.799
 So here we

00:30:05.799 --> 00:30:06.179
 Have

00:30:06.179 --> 00:30:08.039
 The Jews

00:30:08.039 --> 00:30:08.699
 Living in

00:30:08.699 --> 00:30:09.159
 Shambles

00:30:09.159 --> 00:30:09.639
 Their walls

00:30:09.639 --> 00:30:10.319
 Torn down

00:30:10.319 --> 00:30:10.939
 The glory of

00:30:10.939 --> 00:30:11.819
 God defaced

00:30:11.819 --> 00:30:12.839
 In this way

00:30:12.839 --> 00:30:13.639
 And they hear

00:30:13.639 --> 00:30:14.379
 A report

00:30:14.379 --> 00:30:15.659
 Of the providence

00:30:15.659 --> 00:30:16.139
 Of God

00:30:16.139 --> 00:30:18.000
 God working

00:30:18.000 --> 00:30:18.699
 Through

00:30:18.699 --> 00:30:19.559
 Nehemiah

00:30:19.559 --> 00:30:20.859
 And they're

00:30:20.859 --> 00:30:21.839
 Encouraged

00:30:21.839 --> 00:30:22.740
 To strengthen

00:30:22.740 --> 00:30:23.799
 Their hands

00:30:23.799 --> 00:30:24.639
 For the work

00:30:24.639 --> 00:30:25.019
 We're going to

00:30:25.019 --> 00:30:25.579
 See the work

00:30:25.579 --> 00:30:26.039
 They do

00:30:26.039 --> 00:30:26.839
 It's incredible

00:30:26.839 --> 00:30:27.539
 They complete

00:30:27.539 --> 00:30:27.899
 This wall

00:30:27.900 --> 00:30:28.220
 Hasn't been

00:30:28.220 --> 00:30:28.460
 Completed

00:30:28.460 --> 00:30:29.160
 In 90

00:30:29.160 --> 00:30:29.780
 Years

00:30:29.780 --> 00:30:30.040
 They do

00:30:30.040 --> 00:30:30.680
 It in 52

00:30:30.680 --> 00:30:31.259
 Days

00:30:31.259 --> 00:30:33.400
 They work

00:30:33.400 --> 00:30:34.600
 Tirelessly

00:30:34.600 --> 00:30:35.140
 We'll talk

00:30:35.140 --> 00:30:35.600
 About that

00:30:35.600 --> 00:30:36.340
 Next week

00:30:36.340 --> 00:30:37.140
 An incredible

00:30:37.140 --> 00:30:37.920
 Incredible

00:30:37.920 --> 00:30:38.740
 Effort

00:30:38.740 --> 00:30:39.220
 And they're

00:30:39.220 --> 00:30:40.080
 Encouraged

00:30:40.080 --> 00:30:41.000
 To do this

00:30:41.000 --> 00:30:41.519
 By the

00:30:41.519 --> 00:30:41.880
 Providence

00:30:41.880 --> 00:30:42.240
 Of God

00:30:42.240 --> 00:30:43.040
 How much

00:30:43.040 --> 00:30:43.580
 More should

00:30:43.580 --> 00:30:44.080
 We

00:30:44.080 --> 00:30:45.480
 Be encouraged

00:30:45.480 --> 00:30:46.080
 To work

00:30:46.080 --> 00:30:46.640
 Because we

00:30:46.640 --> 00:30:47.080
 Now have

00:30:47.080 --> 00:30:47.680
 The full

00:30:47.680 --> 00:30:48.540
 Revelation

00:30:48.540 --> 00:30:49.140
 Of the

00:30:49.140 --> 00:30:49.500
 Providence

00:30:49.500 --> 00:30:49.840
 Of God

00:30:49.840 --> 00:30:50.660
 We have

00:30:50.660 --> 00:30:51.240
 Jesus

00:30:51.240 --> 00:30:52.160
 Christ

00:30:52.160 --> 00:30:53.920
 The finisher

00:30:53.920 --> 00:30:54.840
 Of all

00:30:54.840 --> 00:30:55.360
 Of that

00:30:55.360 --> 00:30:56.380
 All the

00:30:56.380 --> 00:30:56.820
 Promises

00:30:56.820 --> 00:30:57.580
 Of God

00:30:57.579 --> 00:30:58.679
 Are yes

00:30:58.679 --> 00:30:59.699
 And amen

00:30:59.699 --> 00:31:00.579
 In Jesus

00:31:00.579 --> 00:31:01.480
 Christ

00:31:01.480 --> 00:31:02.500
 We should be

00:31:02.500 --> 00:31:03.359
 All the

00:31:03.359 --> 00:31:04.159
 Much more

00:31:04.159 --> 00:31:05.919
 Encouraged

00:31:05.919 --> 00:31:07.220
 So let me draw

00:31:07.220 --> 00:31:08.000
 Out the connection

00:31:08.000 --> 00:31:08.480
 For you

00:31:08.480 --> 00:31:09.579
 As we talk

00:31:09.579 --> 00:31:09.939
 About these

00:31:09.939 --> 00:31:10.299
 People

00:31:10.299 --> 00:31:10.819
 Who are

00:31:10.819 --> 00:31:11.299
 Building a

00:31:11.299 --> 00:31:11.599
 Wall

00:31:11.599 --> 00:31:12.299
 Visible

00:31:12.299 --> 00:31:13.199
 Glory of God

00:31:13.199 --> 00:31:13.699
 On earth

00:31:13.699 --> 00:31:14.460
 What is now

00:31:14.460 --> 00:31:14.960
 The visible

00:31:14.960 --> 00:31:15.519
 Display

00:31:15.519 --> 00:31:16.240
 Of God's

00:31:16.240 --> 00:31:16.500
 Glory

00:31:16.500 --> 00:31:16.960
 On this

00:31:16.960 --> 00:31:17.240
 Earth

00:31:17.240 --> 00:31:19.759
 It's me

00:31:19.759 --> 00:31:20.379
 And it's you

00:31:20.379 --> 00:31:20.759
 It's the

00:31:20.759 --> 00:31:21.299
 Church

00:31:21.299 --> 00:31:22.200
 This is

00:31:22.200 --> 00:31:22.720
 Redeemed

00:31:22.720 --> 00:31:23.259
 People

00:31:23.259 --> 00:31:25.200
 1 Peter

00:31:25.200 --> 00:31:25.819
 2

00:31:25.819 --> 00:31:27.019
 1

00:31:27.019 --> 00:31:27.419
 Let's go

00:31:27.419 --> 00:31:27.720
 And turn

00:31:27.720 --> 00:31:27.960
 There

00:31:27.960 --> 00:31:28.460
 With me

00:31:28.460 --> 00:31:30.639
 It's too

00:31:30.639 --> 00:31:31.079
 Much goodness

00:31:31.079 --> 00:31:31.500
 Here for you

00:31:31.500 --> 00:31:31.899
 Just to listen

00:31:31.899 --> 00:31:32.119
 To me

00:31:32.119 --> 00:31:32.519
 Say it

00:31:32.519 --> 00:31:44.559
 1 Peter

00:31:44.559 --> 00:31:44.859
 2

00:31:44.859 --> 00:31:45.259
 1

00:31:45.259 --> 00:31:47.819
 Peter's giving

00:31:47.819 --> 00:31:48.339
 Instruction

00:31:48.339 --> 00:31:49.139
 To the way

00:31:49.139 --> 00:31:49.740
 These people

00:31:49.740 --> 00:31:50.539
 Ought to live

00:31:50.539 --> 00:31:51.639
 What their lives

00:31:51.639 --> 00:31:52.259
 Should look like

00:31:52.259 --> 00:31:53.019
 So put away

00:31:53.019 --> 00:31:54.119
 All malice

00:31:54.119 --> 00:31:55.059
 And all deceit

00:31:55.059 --> 00:31:56.119
 And hypocrisy

00:31:56.119 --> 00:31:56.759
 And envy

00:31:56.759 --> 00:31:58.139
 And all slander

00:31:58.139 --> 00:31:59.819
 Like newborn infants

00:31:59.819 --> 00:32:00.939
 Long for the pure

00:32:00.939 --> 00:32:01.720
 Spiritual mick

00:32:01.720 --> 00:32:02.379
 Though by it

00:32:02.379 --> 00:32:03.399
 You may grow up

00:32:03.399 --> 00:32:04.159
 Into salvation

00:32:04.160 --> 00:32:05.320
 If indeed

00:32:05.320 --> 00:32:06.000
 You have tasted

00:32:06.000 --> 00:32:06.779
 That the Lord

00:32:06.779 --> 00:32:07.259
 Is good

00:32:07.259 --> 00:32:08.660
 As you come

00:32:08.660 --> 00:32:09.120
 To him

00:32:09.120 --> 00:32:10.340
 A living stone

00:32:10.340 --> 00:32:11.259
 Rejected by men

00:32:11.259 --> 00:32:11.880
 But in the sight

00:32:11.880 --> 00:32:12.259
 Of God

00:32:12.259 --> 00:32:13.340
 Chosen and precious

00:32:13.340 --> 00:32:14.620
 You yourselves

00:32:14.620 --> 00:32:15.940
 Like living stones

00:32:15.940 --> 00:32:17.080
 Are being built up

00:32:17.080 --> 00:32:18.340
 As a spiritual house

00:32:18.340 --> 00:32:19.080
 There's the key

00:32:19.080 --> 00:32:19.620
 To this

00:32:19.620 --> 00:32:20.720
 Whole connection

00:32:20.720 --> 00:32:21.160
 Right

00:32:21.160 --> 00:32:22.480
 As you come to him

00:32:22.480 --> 00:32:23.320
 Being Christ

00:32:23.320 --> 00:32:23.920
 Right

00:32:23.920 --> 00:32:24.960
 You're able to put off

00:32:24.960 --> 00:32:25.680
 These things

00:32:25.680 --> 00:32:27.200
 This type of living

00:32:27.200 --> 00:32:28.759
 Long for the pure

00:32:28.759 --> 00:32:29.940
 Spiritual milk

00:32:29.940 --> 00:32:31.680
 Jesus is the

00:32:31.680 --> 00:32:32.880
 Saver

00:32:32.880 --> 00:32:34.120
 Of God

00:32:34.119 --> 00:32:35.019
 He is the

00:32:35.019 --> 00:32:36.279
 Very

00:32:36.279 --> 00:32:37.399
 Flavor

00:32:37.399 --> 00:32:37.899
 That the Lord

00:32:37.899 --> 00:32:38.399
 Is good

00:32:38.399 --> 00:32:39.679
 So as you come

00:32:39.679 --> 00:32:40.239
 To him

00:32:40.239 --> 00:32:40.819
 To Christ

00:32:40.819 --> 00:32:41.639
 A living stone

00:32:41.639 --> 00:32:42.500
 Rejected by men

00:32:42.500 --> 00:32:43.279
 But in the sight

00:32:43.279 --> 00:32:43.579
 Of God

00:32:43.579 --> 00:32:44.559
 Chosen and precious

00:32:44.559 --> 00:32:45.799
 You yourselves

00:32:45.799 --> 00:32:47.159
 Like living stones

00:32:47.159 --> 00:32:48.339
 Are being built up

00:32:48.339 --> 00:32:49.739
 As a spiritual house

00:32:49.739 --> 00:32:51.639
 To be a holy priesthood

00:32:51.639 --> 00:32:52.819
 To offer spiritual

00:32:52.819 --> 00:32:53.479
 Sacrifices

00:32:53.479 --> 00:32:54.279
 Acceptable to God

00:32:54.279 --> 00:32:55.279
 Through Jesus Christ

00:32:55.279 --> 00:32:56.579
 For it stands

00:32:56.579 --> 00:32:57.119
 In scripture

00:32:57.119 --> 00:32:58.359
 Behold

00:32:58.359 --> 00:32:58.919
 I'm allaying

00:32:58.919 --> 00:33:00.000
 In Zion

00:33:00.000 --> 00:33:00.539
 A stone

00:33:00.539 --> 00:33:01.419
 A cornerstone

00:33:01.419 --> 00:33:02.459
 Chosen and precious

00:33:02.459 --> 00:33:03.479
 And whomever

00:33:03.480 --> 00:33:04.339
 Believes in him

00:33:04.339 --> 00:33:05.259
 Will not be put

00:33:05.259 --> 00:33:05.759
 To shame

00:33:05.759 --> 00:33:07.279
 So the honor

00:33:07.279 --> 00:33:07.839
 Is for you

00:33:07.839 --> 00:33:08.599
 Who believe

00:33:08.599 --> 00:33:09.339
 But for those

00:33:09.339 --> 00:33:09.779
 Who do not

00:33:09.779 --> 00:33:10.240
 Believe

00:33:10.240 --> 00:33:10.799
 The stone

00:33:10.799 --> 00:33:11.180
 That the builders

00:33:11.180 --> 00:33:11.599
 Rejected

00:33:11.599 --> 00:33:12.180
 Has become

00:33:12.180 --> 00:33:13.440
 The cornerstone

00:33:13.440 --> 00:33:14.599
 And a stone

00:33:14.599 --> 00:33:15.200
 Of stumbling

00:33:15.200 --> 00:33:16.059
 And a rock

00:33:16.059 --> 00:33:16.640
 Of offense

00:33:16.640 --> 00:33:17.519
 They stumble

00:33:17.519 --> 00:33:18.000
 Because they

00:33:18.000 --> 00:33:18.940
 Disobey the word

00:33:18.940 --> 00:33:19.539
 As they were

00:33:19.539 --> 00:33:20.160
 Destined

00:33:20.160 --> 00:33:21.120
 To do

00:33:21.119 --> 00:33:22.139
 So we're

00:33:22.139 --> 00:33:22.139


00:33:22.139 --> 00:33:22.699
 Being built up

00:33:22.699 --> 00:33:23.299
 Into a spiritual

00:33:23.299 --> 00:33:23.579
 House

00:33:23.579 --> 00:33:23.899
 We're not

00:33:23.899 --> 00:33:24.299
 Building

00:33:24.299 --> 00:33:25.259
 Houses

00:33:25.259 --> 00:33:26.239
 It's not

00:33:26.239 --> 00:33:26.619
 The point

00:33:26.619 --> 00:33:26.859
 Of us

00:33:26.859 --> 00:33:27.339
 To build

00:33:27.339 --> 00:33:28.319
 Elaborate

00:33:28.319 --> 00:33:28.899
 Grand

00:33:28.899 --> 00:33:29.319
 Buildings

00:33:29.319 --> 00:33:29.759
 To God

00:33:29.759 --> 00:33:30.519
 It's us

00:33:30.519 --> 00:33:31.319
 We're being

00:33:31.319 --> 00:33:31.819
 Built up

00:33:31.819 --> 00:33:32.679
 As a spiritual

00:33:32.679 --> 00:33:33.119
 House

00:33:33.119 --> 00:33:33.859
 And for those

00:33:33.859 --> 00:33:34.139
 Of us

00:33:34.139 --> 00:33:34.639
 Who place

00:33:34.639 --> 00:33:35.059
 Our faith

00:33:35.059 --> 00:33:35.500
 In Christ

00:33:35.500 --> 00:33:36.019
 Jesus

00:33:36.019 --> 00:33:37.039
 Is the

00:33:37.039 --> 00:33:37.619
 Cornerstone

00:33:37.619 --> 00:33:37.899
 And we

00:33:37.899 --> 00:33:38.579
 Will not

00:33:38.579 --> 00:33:39.259
 Be put

00:33:39.259 --> 00:33:40.419
 To shame

00:33:40.419 --> 00:33:41.559
 Verse 9

00:33:41.559 --> 00:33:42.819
 But you

00:33:42.819 --> 00:33:43.919
 Are a chosen

00:33:43.919 --> 00:33:44.399
 Race

00:33:44.399 --> 00:33:45.379
 A royal

00:33:45.379 --> 00:33:46.039
 Priesthood

00:33:46.039 --> 00:33:46.839
 A holy

00:33:46.839 --> 00:33:47.319
 Nation

00:33:47.319 --> 00:33:48.079
 A people

00:33:48.079 --> 00:33:48.500
 For his

00:33:48.500 --> 00:33:49.139
 Own possession

00:33:49.139 --> 00:33:49.899
 That you

00:33:49.899 --> 00:33:50.519
 May proclaim

00:33:50.519 --> 00:33:51.139
 The excellencies

00:33:51.139 --> 00:33:51.500
 Of him

00:33:51.500 --> 00:33:51.960
 Who called

00:33:51.960 --> 00:33:52.240
 You out

00:33:52.240 --> 00:33:52.679
 Of darkness

00:33:52.679 --> 00:33:53.799
 Into his

00:33:53.799 --> 00:33:54.259
 Marvelous

00:33:54.259 --> 00:33:54.539
 Light

00:33:54.539 --> 00:33:55.859
 There is

00:33:55.859 --> 00:33:56.859
 The work

00:33:56.859 --> 00:33:57.659
 We may

00:33:57.659 --> 00:33:58.440
 Proclaim

00:33:58.440 --> 00:33:59.099
 The excellencies

00:33:59.099 --> 00:33:59.919
 Of him

00:33:59.919 --> 00:34:00.159
 Who has

00:34:00.159 --> 00:34:01.000
 Called us

00:34:01.000 --> 00:34:01.480
 Out of

00:34:01.480 --> 00:34:01.779
 Darkness

00:34:01.779 --> 00:34:02.179
 And into

00:34:02.179 --> 00:34:02.579
 His

00:34:02.579 --> 00:34:03.559
 Marvelous

00:34:03.559 --> 00:34:03.859
 Light

00:34:03.859 --> 00:34:04.779
 Once you

00:34:04.779 --> 00:34:05.059
 Were not

00:34:05.059 --> 00:34:05.399
 A people

00:34:05.399 --> 00:34:05.819
 But now

00:34:05.819 --> 00:34:06.059
 You are

00:34:06.059 --> 00:34:06.440
 God's

00:34:06.440 --> 00:34:06.700
 People

00:34:06.700 --> 00:34:07.919
 Once you

00:34:07.919 --> 00:34:08.199
 Had not

00:34:08.199 --> 00:34:08.460
 Received

00:34:08.460 --> 00:34:08.679
 Mercy

00:34:08.679 --> 00:34:08.980
 But now

00:34:08.980 --> 00:34:09.340
 You have

00:34:09.340 --> 00:34:09.599
 Received

00:34:09.599 --> 00:34:09.900
 Mercy

00:34:09.900 --> 00:34:10.699
 Beloved

00:34:10.699 --> 00:34:11.219
 I urge

00:34:11.219 --> 00:34:11.519
 You as

00:34:11.519 --> 00:34:12.099
 Soldiers

00:34:12.099 --> 00:34:12.759
 And exiles

00:34:12.759 --> 00:34:13.339
 To abstain

00:34:13.339 --> 00:34:13.579
 From the

00:34:13.579 --> 00:34:13.879
 Passions

00:34:13.879 --> 00:34:14.059
 Of the

00:34:14.059 --> 00:34:14.359
 Flesh

00:34:14.359 --> 00:34:15.159
 Which wage

00:34:15.159 --> 00:34:15.480
 War

00:34:15.480 --> 00:34:15.939
 Against your

00:34:15.939 --> 00:34:16.199
 Soul

00:34:16.199 --> 00:34:17.039
 Keep your

00:34:17.039 --> 00:34:17.519
 Conduct

00:34:17.519 --> 00:34:17.839
 Among the

00:34:17.839 --> 00:34:18.219
 Gentiles

00:34:18.219 --> 00:34:18.639
 Honorable

00:34:18.639 --> 00:34:19.379
 So that

00:34:19.379 --> 00:34:19.699
 When they

00:34:19.699 --> 00:34:20.039
 Speak

00:34:20.039 --> 00:34:20.459
 Against you

00:34:20.459 --> 00:34:21.019
 As evildoers

00:34:21.019 --> 00:34:21.239
 They may

00:34:21.239 --> 00:34:21.559
 See your

00:34:21.559 --> 00:34:22.000
 Good deeds

00:34:22.000 --> 00:34:22.579
 And glorify

00:34:22.579 --> 00:34:22.980
 God

00:34:22.980 --> 00:34:23.679
 On the

00:34:23.679 --> 00:34:23.919
 Day of

00:34:23.919 --> 00:34:24.399
 Visitation

00:34:24.399 --> 00:34:26.059
 This is

00:34:26.059 --> 00:34:26.539
 The work

00:34:26.539 --> 00:34:26.919
 That's

00:34:26.919 --> 00:34:27.339
 Before

00:34:27.339 --> 00:34:28.259
 Us

00:34:28.259 --> 00:34:29.899
 Have

00:34:29.899 --> 00:34:30.599
 We seen

00:34:30.599 --> 00:34:31.500
 The providence

00:34:31.500 --> 00:34:31.939
 Of God

00:34:31.939 --> 00:34:32.599
 I sure

00:34:32.599 --> 00:34:33.199
 Hope so

00:34:33.199 --> 00:34:34.679
 We see it

00:34:34.679 --> 00:34:35.099
 In the story

00:34:35.099 --> 00:34:35.719
 Of Nehemiah

00:34:35.719 --> 00:34:36.379
 We see it

00:34:36.379 --> 00:34:36.779
 In the personal

00:34:36.779 --> 00:34:37.480
 Work of

00:34:37.480 --> 00:34:38.039
 Jesus Christ

00:34:38.039 --> 00:34:38.719
 We're given

00:34:38.719 --> 00:34:39.419
 The promises

00:34:39.419 --> 00:34:40.359
 Of scripture

00:34:40.359 --> 00:34:41.199
 Whether or

00:34:41.199 --> 00:34:41.460
 Not you

00:34:41.460 --> 00:34:42.039
 Feel it

00:34:42.039 --> 00:34:42.399
 Day to

00:34:42.399 --> 00:34:42.699
 Day

00:34:42.699 --> 00:34:43.339
 You're being

00:34:43.339 --> 00:34:44.359
 Carried along

00:34:44.359 --> 00:34:44.919
 On the

00:34:44.919 --> 00:34:45.599
 Providence

00:34:45.599 --> 00:34:46.099
 Current

00:34:46.099 --> 00:34:47.960
 It's happening

00:34:47.960 --> 00:34:48.919
 Even now

00:34:48.919 --> 00:34:50.319
 You're here

00:34:50.319 --> 00:34:50.899
 For a very

00:34:50.899 --> 00:34:51.819
 Specific reason

00:34:51.819 --> 00:34:52.739
 Not just by

00:34:52.739 --> 00:34:53.539
 Happenstance

00:34:53.539 --> 00:34:54.059
 Did you show

00:34:54.059 --> 00:34:54.539
 Up today

00:34:54.539 --> 00:34:55.679
 God brought

00:34:55.679 --> 00:34:56.399
 You along

00:34:56.399 --> 00:34:56.919
 By his

00:34:56.919 --> 00:34:57.399
 Providence

00:34:57.399 --> 00:34:58.079
 To be here

00:34:58.079 --> 00:34:58.779
 Today

00:34:58.780 --> 00:35:00.440
 So do

00:35:00.440 --> 00:35:00.540
 Do you

00:35:00.540 --> 00:35:00.860
 Have a

00:35:00.860 --> 00:35:01.380
 Plan

00:35:01.380 --> 00:35:02.519
 I'll make

00:35:02.519 --> 00:35:02.640
 This

00:35:02.640 --> 00:35:02.900
 Really

00:35:02.900 --> 00:35:03.300
 Simple

00:35:03.300 --> 00:35:03.600
 Do you

00:35:03.600 --> 00:35:04.120
 Have a

00:35:04.120 --> 00:35:04.540
 Plan

00:35:04.540 --> 00:35:05.120
 For this

00:35:05.120 --> 00:35:05.660
 Week

00:35:05.660 --> 00:35:06.800
 About how

00:35:06.800 --> 00:35:07.220
 It is

00:35:07.220 --> 00:35:07.700
 That you're

00:35:07.700 --> 00:35:07.960
 Going to

00:35:07.960 --> 00:35:08.340
 Proclaim

00:35:08.340 --> 00:35:08.880
 The excellencies

00:35:08.880 --> 00:35:09.360
 Of God

00:35:09.360 --> 00:35:10.120
 That you're

00:35:10.120 --> 00:35:10.280
 Going to

00:35:10.280 --> 00:35:11.120
 Live out

00:35:11.120 --> 00:35:11.940
 Righteous

00:35:11.940 --> 00:35:12.480
 Lives

00:35:12.480 --> 00:35:12.960
 In front

00:35:12.960 --> 00:35:13.260
 Of

00:35:13.260 --> 00:35:13.880
 Evil

00:35:13.880 --> 00:35:14.440
 Doers

00:35:14.440 --> 00:35:15.000
 So they

00:35:15.000 --> 00:35:15.500
 May glorify

00:35:15.500 --> 00:35:15.940
 God

00:35:15.940 --> 00:35:16.440
 On the

00:35:16.440 --> 00:35:16.660
 Day of

00:35:16.660 --> 00:35:17.180
 Visitation

00:35:17.180 --> 00:35:18.360
 If you're

00:35:18.360 --> 00:35:18.600
 Part of

00:35:18.600 --> 00:35:19.040
 A community

00:35:19.040 --> 00:35:19.360
 Group

00:35:19.360 --> 00:35:20.100
 This is

00:35:20.100 --> 00:35:20.400
 The week

00:35:20.400 --> 00:35:20.620
 That we're

00:35:20.620 --> 00:35:21.180
 Not meeting

00:35:21.180 --> 00:35:21.519
 In order

00:35:21.519 --> 00:35:21.920
 To meet

00:35:21.920 --> 00:35:22.200
 With our

00:35:22.200 --> 00:35:22.680
 Neighbors

00:35:22.680 --> 00:35:23.160
 Do you

00:35:23.160 --> 00:35:23.360
 Have a

00:35:23.360 --> 00:35:23.960
 Plan yet

00:35:23.960 --> 00:35:24.960
 For who

00:35:24.960 --> 00:35:25.139
 You're

00:35:25.139 --> 00:35:25.300
 Going to

00:35:25.300 --> 00:35:25.519
 Meet

00:35:25.519 --> 00:35:25.860
 With

00:35:25.860 --> 00:35:26.220
 Who

00:35:26.220 --> 00:35:26.340
 You're

00:35:26.340 --> 00:35:26.500
 Going to

00:35:26.500 --> 00:35:26.940
 Work

00:35:26.940 --> 00:35:27.380
 Toward

00:35:27.380 --> 00:35:27.679
 Sharing

00:35:27.679 --> 00:35:28.159
 The gospel

00:35:28.159 --> 00:35:28.500
 With

00:35:28.500 --> 00:35:29.679
 You should

00:35:29.679 --> 00:35:30.099
 Plan

00:35:30.099 --> 00:35:31.300
 You should

00:35:31.300 --> 00:35:31.639
 Set up

00:35:31.639 --> 00:35:32.099
 Time

00:35:32.099 --> 00:35:32.679
 Specific

00:35:32.679 --> 00:35:33.019
 Times

00:35:33.019 --> 00:35:33.400
 To meet

00:35:33.400 --> 00:35:33.860
 With people

00:35:33.860 --> 00:35:34.579
 To build

00:35:34.579 --> 00:35:35.500
 Relationships

00:35:35.500 --> 00:35:37.780
 Find strategies

00:35:37.780 --> 00:35:38.559
 For turning

00:35:38.559 --> 00:35:39.360
 Conversations

00:35:39.360 --> 00:35:39.940
 To spiritual

00:35:39.940 --> 00:35:40.380
 Ones

00:35:40.380 --> 00:35:40.980
 That you

00:35:40.980 --> 00:35:41.460
 Might share

00:35:41.460 --> 00:35:42.179
 The goodness

00:35:42.179 --> 00:35:42.900
 Of our

00:35:42.900 --> 00:35:43.260
 Lord

00:35:43.260 --> 00:35:44.480
 Make

00:35:44.480 --> 00:35:45.599
 Plans

00:35:45.599 --> 00:35:46.599
 Do you

00:35:46.599 --> 00:35:46.780
 Know that

00:35:46.780 --> 00:35:47.139
 Our church

00:35:47.139 --> 00:35:47.440
 Has a

00:35:47.440 --> 00:35:47.699
 Plan

00:35:47.699 --> 00:35:49.059
 We call

00:35:49.059 --> 00:35:49.380
 It the

00:35:49.380 --> 00:35:50.019
 Plan

00:35:50.019 --> 00:35:50.159
 Of

00:35:50.159 --> 00:35:50.500
 Action

00:35:50.500 --> 00:35:50.940
 For

00:35:50.940 --> 00:35:51.360
 2013

00:35:51.360 --> 00:35:52.139
 Here

00:35:52.139 --> 00:35:52.500
 It is

00:35:52.500 --> 00:35:52.880
 Some of

00:35:52.880 --> 00:35:53.059
 You may

00:35:53.059 --> 00:35:53.220
 Or may

00:35:53.220 --> 00:35:53.360
 Not

00:35:53.360 --> 00:35:53.500
 Have

00:35:53.500 --> 00:35:53.900
 Actually

00:35:53.900 --> 00:35:54.159
 Seen

00:35:54.159 --> 00:35:54.340
 This

00:35:54.340 --> 00:35:54.840
 Or may

00:35:54.840 --> 00:35:54.920
 Have

00:35:54.920 --> 00:35:55.340
 Forgotten

00:35:55.340 --> 00:35:55.599
 Already

00:35:55.599 --> 00:35:55.900
 That it

00:35:55.900 --> 00:35:56.320
 Exists

00:35:56.320 --> 00:35:56.800
 It's

00:35:56.800 --> 00:35:57.119
 Beautiful

00:35:57.119 --> 00:35:57.400
 Isn't

00:35:57.400 --> 00:35:57.579
 It

00:35:57.579 --> 00:35:59.679
 We'll

00:35:59.679 --> 00:35:59.940
 Present

00:35:59.940 --> 00:36:00.260
 Another

00:36:00.260 --> 00:36:00.500
 One

00:36:00.500 --> 00:36:00.619
 In

00:36:00.619 --> 00:36:01.119
 October

00:36:01.119 --> 00:36:02.519
 The way

00:36:02.519 --> 00:36:03.079
 In which

00:36:03.079 --> 00:36:03.940
 We believe

00:36:03.940 --> 00:36:04.239
 God

00:36:04.239 --> 00:36:04.440
 Is

00:36:04.440 --> 00:36:05.119
 Directing

00:36:05.119 --> 00:36:05.340
 Us

00:36:05.340 --> 00:36:05.539
 There

00:36:05.539 --> 00:36:05.639
 Are

00:36:05.639 --> 00:36:05.800
 Some

00:36:05.800 --> 00:36:05.960
 Men

00:36:05.960 --> 00:36:06.059
 In

00:36:06.059 --> 00:36:06.199
 This

00:36:06.199 --> 00:36:06.500
 Church

00:36:06.500 --> 00:36:06.699
 That

00:36:06.699 --> 00:36:06.840
 Have

00:36:06.840 --> 00:36:07.559
 Gone

00:36:07.559 --> 00:36:07.780
 Out

00:36:07.780 --> 00:36:07.940
 At

00:36:07.940 --> 00:36:08.280
 Night

00:36:08.280 --> 00:36:08.480
 And

00:36:08.480 --> 00:36:08.699
 We've

00:36:08.699 --> 00:36:09.119
 Surveyed

00:36:09.119 --> 00:36:09.239
 The

00:36:09.239 --> 00:36:09.579
 Wall

00:36:09.579 --> 00:36:09.780
 And

00:36:09.780 --> 00:36:09.960
 We've

00:36:09.960 --> 00:36:10.099
 Come

00:36:10.099 --> 00:36:10.239
 Up

00:36:10.239 --> 00:36:10.340
 With

00:36:10.340 --> 00:36:10.460
 A

00:36:10.460 --> 00:36:10.880
 Plan

00:36:10.880 --> 00:36:11.400
 For

00:36:11.400 --> 00:36:11.579
 This

00:36:11.579 --> 00:36:11.920
 Year

00:36:11.920 --> 00:36:12.360
 We're

00:36:12.360 --> 00:36:12.440
 Going

00:36:12.440 --> 00:36:12.460
!

00:36:12.460 --> 00:36:12.579
 To be

00:36:12.579 --> 00:36:12.760
 Coming

00:36:12.760 --> 00:36:12.920
 Up

00:36:12.920 --> 00:36:13.039
 With

00:36:13.039 --> 00:36:13.280
 One

00:36:13.280 --> 00:36:13.760
 For

00:36:13.760 --> 00:36:14.059
 Next

00:36:14.059 --> 00:36:14.079
!

00:36:14.079 --> 00:36:14.420
 Year

00:36:14.420 --> 00:36:15.039
 A

00:36:15.039 --> 00:36:15.179
 Way

00:36:23.500 --> 00:36:23.639
 It

00:36:23.639 --> 00:36:23.739
 And

00:36:23.739 --> 00:36:23.840
 Our

00:36:23.840 --> 00:36:24.300
 Calendar

00:36:24.300 --> 00:36:24.639
 Comes

00:36:24.639 --> 00:36:24.880
 Out

00:36:24.880 --> 00:36:25.099
 Of

00:36:25.099 --> 00:36:25.440
 The

00:36:25.440 --> 00:36:25.619
 Way

00:36:25.619 --> 00:36:25.760
 In

00:36:25.760 --> 00:36:25.960
 Which

00:36:25.960 --> 00:36:26.139
 We

00:36:26.139 --> 00:36:26.579
 Believe

00:36:26.579 --> 00:36:27.320
 God

00:36:27.320 --> 00:36:27.880
 Is

00:36:27.880 --> 00:36:28.159
 Leading

00:36:28.159 --> 00:36:28.579
 Us

00:36:28.579 --> 00:36:30.340
 So

00:36:30.340 --> 00:36:30.920
 Prayer

00:36:30.920 --> 00:36:32.400
 Planning

00:36:32.400 --> 00:36:33.260
 And

00:36:33.260 --> 00:36:33.679
 Providence

00:36:33.679 --> 00:36:34.000
 I hope

00:36:34.000 --> 00:36:34.119
 That

00:36:34.119 --> 00:36:34.280
 These

00:36:34.280 --> 00:36:34.440
 Are

00:36:34.440 --> 00:36:35.480
 Realities

00:36:35.480 --> 00:36:36.179
 In

00:36:36.179 --> 00:36:36.320
 Your

00:36:36.320 --> 00:36:36.659
 Life

00:36:36.659 --> 00:36:37.280
 Let's

00:36:37.280 --> 00:36:37.420
 Pray

00:36:37.420 --> 00:36:37.699
 Together