THE SHEEPGATE OR WHATS INSIDE YOUR GATES
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B.R.: Neh. 3:1: Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel.
INTRODUCTION: As I read in my bible reading, we find that Eliashib, the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate.
Out of all the gates of the city of Jerusalem, (and there were 12), the sheep gate was of great significance. This was the gate that the priest brought the sheep through to be sacrificed unto the Lord in the temple.
Take note, that this gate was builded or repaired by the high priests and his brethren, the priests. Why were the priests charged with such a task to build this certain gate??
• The priests were the ones that offered sacrifices unto the Lord. The sheep, brought through this gate, were offered as a sacrifice on the altar of repentance.
The sheep gate represents the need for all to repent of their sins.
Jesus said “ I am the door of the sheep”. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers. But the sheep did not hear them.
The walls of Jerusalem were torn down because Gods people would not listen to the voice of the Lord. So God allowed their enemies to overthrow them and take them into captivity.
1. Sometimes it takes a hardship or calamity to get on the right road.
The bible says: “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death”.
• The priests, by repairing this gate, were establishing the way to get back to God by way of repentance.
If your going through something right now, remember, the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
He said “ I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. That word “pasture” is defined rest.
The Lord wants to give rest to those that are in sin. The bible says that Jesus, after being tempted of the devil, was led in the power of the Spirit into Galilee. And there went out a fame throughout all the region round about. And he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. The bible says they gave him the book of Isaiah, and he began to read where it was written:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.
Jesus wants to set free that soul that has been bruised by sin.
The bible says “the thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy; I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
By the Priests building the sheep gate, they were bringing back a sense of life into the camp. The devil wants to:
• Steal what God has given us.
• Kill men and women before their time.
• Destroy what the Lord has started.
But God, in his infinite Love toward us, always raises an individual up, to stir the hearts of his people to turn toward him. And that individual at that time was Nehemiah.
Nehemiah was a man of prayer and he prayed passionately for Gods people.
2. It still takes prayer.
The bible says “It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
• Both Nehemiah and Jesus had a burning love for God’s people which they poured out in prayer to God, interceding for them before the throne.
Ask yourself the question: When was the last time you prayed for someone other than yourself??
Just like the High priest were rebuilding the gate, they were not alone. The bible says “the high priest rose up with his brethren”
YOU KNOW, WERE NOT IN THIS THING ALONE
The work of God isn’t a one man show. Eliashib, the high priest, rose up with his brethren to do a great work for God. It has been shared that “One man and God is a majority”. But think about it. In the book of Acts, the bible says that they were all in one accord in the upper room. There were 120 men and women in that room waiting on the Promise of the Father. Those 120 men and women turned this world inside out.
3. When God calls men and women, he calls them to unite.
Just like Nehemiah stirred up a nation to unite and rebuild, God is still reaching out to a nation to unite and rebuild.
The word “unite” means to put together to form a single unit.
The Lords church is put together to form a single unit. Everyone working together for a common goal.
What is the goal of God’s church??
II Pet 3 says “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
The goal of the church is to reach out to a lost and dying world. Our world needs Jesus.
• Jesus has called each one of us for a purpose. And that purpose is to be a witness for him.
Jesus said “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost.
The body of Christ unites to bring back the lost sheep of Israel.
Just like Nehemiah united the people, God is uniting men and women back to him through:
• Prayer
• Church attendance
• Soulwinning
• Love
What’s inside your gates today.
