The Old Gate Series

Series: Rebuild The Gates [#3]

THE OLD GATE

Nehemiah 3:6

Introduction:

As we continue in our study about the gates that Nehemiah rebuilt around the city of Jerusalem, we need to be reminded of the importance of the gates and walls. Walls are built to keep people in or out; and gates are built to let people in or out. We must be very careful that we don’t build spiritual walls around our Church without any gates. The purpose of the Church is to see that the population of the Kingdom of God is growing- Not our comfort or bank account.

As each gate was built, there was a purpose for that gate and as we build spiritual gates around our Nation, State, City, Church, and Homes; we must do that with a purpose. The Old Gate, (just as all of the other gates for the exception of the Sheep Gate) had locks and bolts on it. That tells me that the gatekeeper had to let you in. Today, that would be like having a key.

The enemy will do anything he can to get into a place that he does not belong and destroy that which belongs to God. He doesn’t try to climb over the wall or dig a tunnel; he simply comes through a gate and the gate we are going to study today is a gate that he likes to come in.

Nehemiah 3:6

The Old Gate is where…

1. Decisions are made.

At the Old Gate, the Elders of the City would meet to discuss matters of community importance and make judgment on disputes. These Elders were men who had been around for a while; and they were considered to be men of wisdom. They were trusted with very important decisions.

The Bible tells us that the older men should be teaching the younger men and the older women should be teaching the younger women. Why? Because the older men and women have gained wisdom through years of experience; and they are supposed to share that with the younger generation. So why is the older generation not teaching the younger generation?

* The younger generation won’t listen.

Younger generation- Not all of the things that the older generation does is wrong. The older generation hasn’t had it as easy as you have. They didn’t have everything they have always wanted just handed to them. They know what it means to have to work and save for things. They know what respect is and how to give it. They know what morals and ethics God expects from our lives. They know what a good spanking on the behind feels like.

* The older generation won’t change.

Older generation- This younger generation does dress strangely, has holes all in their bodies, and have tattoos on them; but don’t give up on them because they are trying to figure out who they are and where they are going. Try to remember back when you were a little younger and the challenges of figuring out who you were and what you were supposed to do. How it felt to raise children, have a good marriage, support your family; and do that without going insane.

We need to come back to the place where leaders are making decisions based upon God’s Word. Church, the things we do shouldn’t be based upon traditions that are not supported by God’s Word and we shouldn’t be making decisions based upon what puts butts in the seats. Some of you just turned me off because I said butt in Church. That’s what I’m talking about.

The Old Gate is where…

2. Refugees were safe.

What is a refugee? It is someone who is running for their life and trying to find safety. In the Book of Joshua, we find God telling Joshua to have some Cities of Refuge built. These cities were designed for those people who had killed someone accidentally and were running from family members of the deceased. When a person accidentally killed someone, they would go to the Old Gate in 1 of the Cities of Refuge and there they would report to the Elders why they were there.

People need a place to go where they can share their problems and needs without getting hurt and killed. In order to do that, Christian people must stop being so judgmental. When we stand around and complain about how bad things are and even open the gate through attitudes of apathy and compromise so that the enemy can come in and make it worse; we are doing nothing but destroying God’s purpose for us.

When we bring hurting people in, we need to not judge them; but listen to them- Not condone what they are doing; but love them back to restoration. As it has been said, the Church shouldn’t be a retirement center for Saints, but a hospital for sinners.