Renew Nehemiah Pt 3 Series

Series: Renew 2021

Thesis: We need to be renewed by connecting or re-connecting with the Lord this year in 2021. To do this requires a renewed mind, a renewed soul and a renewed passion for Jesus.

Key theme Scriptures for the year:

“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” - Isaiah 40:30-31

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” - Romans 12:2

“Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” - 2 Corinthians 4:16

2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Our theme for 2021 is Re-new - we accomplish this by:

1. Renewing the mind

2. Refreshing the soul

3. Reigniting a passion for Jesus

When we decide to go after these (RE’s) another (RE) occurs – the word is revival – what is a revival? – it’s an extraordinary event moved by the power of the Holy Spirit to get people to repent and come to the Lord. It takes place within the church, within individuals lives, family lives and within the community. Revival is a great spiritual awakening and will change people, families, churches and communities – it’s a divine move of God.

Key point: The “Re’s” we have been exploring are all key ingredients to revival and renewal – these “Re’s” are to be looked on as beacons of light and hope for us to be renewed in 2021. We have to decide to put them into action to get a prayer for revival and renewal.

Sermon 2: Renewal (Nehemiah part 3)

Thesis: The Body of Christ in America needs to be renewed in 2021. They need to follow the example of Nehemiah who returned to Jerusalem by the direction of the Lord to rebuild, restore, rejuvenate, reform and to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. All these elements birthed a revival!

Opening Scripture Text: Nehemiah 5: 1-19

Nehemiah’s Concern for the Poor

1Some of the men and their wives complained about the Jews in power 2and said, “We have large families, and it takes a lot of grain merely to keep them alive.” 3Others said, “During the famine we even had to mortgage our fields, vineyards, and homes to them in order to buy grain.” 4Then others said, “We had to borrow money from those in power to pay the government tax on our fields and vineyards. 5We are Jews just as they are, and our children are as good as theirs. But we still have to sell our children as slaves, and some of our daughters have already been raped. We are completely helpless; our fields and vineyards have even been taken from us.” 6When I heard their complaints and their charges, I became very angry. 7 So I thought it over and said to the leaders and officials, “How can you charge your own people interest?” Then I called a public meeting and accused the leaders 8by saying, “We have tried to buy back all of our people who were sold into exile. But here you are, selling more of them for us to buy back!” The officials and leaders did not say a word, because they knew this was true. 9I continued, “What you have done is wrong! We must honor our God by the way we live, so the Gentiles can’t find fault with us. 10My relatives, my friends, and I are also lending money and grain, but we must no longer demand payment in return. 11Now give back the fields, vineyards, olive orchards, and houses you have taken and also the interest you have been paid.” 12The leaders answered, “We will do whatever you say and return their property, without asking to be repaid.” So I made the leaders promise in front of the priests to give back the property. 13Then I emptied my pockets and said, “If you don’t keep your promise, that’s what God will do to you. He will empty out everything you own, even taking away your houses.” The people answered, “We will keep our promise.” Then they praised the Lord and did as they had promised.

Nehemiah Is Generous

14I was governor of Judah from the twentieth year that Artaxerxes was king until the thirty-second year. And during these entire twelve years, my relatives and I refused to accept the food that I was allowed. 15Each governor before me had been a burden to the people by making them pay for his food and wine and by demanding forty silver coins a day. Even their officials had been a burden to the people. But I respected God, and I didn’t think it was right to be so hard on them.