Midweek Manna/Tearing it down to build it up!
Nehemiah 2:13 And I went out by night through the Valley Gate to the Serpent Well and the Refuse Gate, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem which were broken down and its gates which were burned with fire. ( Nehemiah 2:12-14)
Today the church is being attacked on every side from the demands of the world. These attacks demand that the church accepts what Satan is selling which has always gone against God's Word. A true church that belongs to God must stand strong on what God has established in His unchanging, uncompromising, all-powerful Word. These worldly powers are doing their best to tear down the churches walls and kick in its gates so it can flood in what God forbids.
I. What caused the walls to be broken down.
First, what caused the walls to be broken down. The walls where broken down because of Israel's unfaithfulness to God. God here allowed Israel's enemy as a toll of correction because they were unfaithful to God and His Word. God does the same type of training with Christians today when we stray away from God and become unfaithful. God does this because He loves us and wants the best for His children; in the same manner that a good Godly parent will correct their biological children when they do wrong. If Israel would have continue to walk faithful with God, God would not have allowed and adversary to even come close to the walls of Jerusalem and not only that He would have fought their battles for them as well.
II. What do the walls do?
Second, What do the walls do? The first thing the walls do is provide protection from whatever is outside trying to get to you. This is why Satan likes the walls torn down so he can water down the church, twist its doctrine, and putting people in church leadership positions that ought not to be because they are not right with God. The wall's also separates the outside from the inside, be ye separated from the world ( 2 Corinthians 6:17 ). We are to separate our beliefs and our ways from the world while reaching out into the world with the love of Jesus that will change their lives completely while becoming a child of the King. The walls also provide peace and rest in an uplifting atmosphere for the believers to fellowship with one another.
III. Who Builds up the walls?
Third, Who Builds up the walls? Her in the Book of Nehemiah we see God working through this faithful obedient laymen in a mighty way. Nehemiah wasn't a priest he was a follower and believer of God, Ezra was the priest at that time. God placed Nehemiah in a position of influence to help get the ball rolling on getting the walls rebuilt. God does the same today, He uses faithful brothers and sisters working through them who has the heart of Jesus to get the work done for the kingdom of God. When God builds the walls of His church He provides and protects His people, as long as everyone is obedient and walk steadfast in the Lord.
IV. Who maintains the walls?
Fourth, Who maintains the walls? As long as the ones that are inside the walls are faithful to God, God will maintain the walls of His church. As believers the Holy Spirit maintains the believers with wisdom from God's Word, and gives us the power to walk the walk that God desires us to walk as a child of the King. Just as God blessed Israel through their obedience, He also took away the blessing He gave them when they became disobedient; they were still His children, but being the good father God is He corrected them to bring them back into His will. When the believer goes off course a degree or two our loving Father in Heaven will do whatever He has to do to get us back on course not because He is mean, but because He loves us and He knows what is best for us when we don't know for ourselves. Remember we share because we care, if you know someone who may need to read this message please share it with them. May the Lord's peace be with you my friends!
"Tearing it down to build it up!"
I. What caused the walls to be broken down.
II. What do the walls do?
III. Who Builds up the walls?
IV. Who maintains the walls?
