Series: 3:16- Numbers That Bring Hope [#15]
THE HOPE THAT COMES FROM JESUS
Nehemiah 3:16
Introduction:
This morning, we are going to continue in our series from chapter 3 verse 16 of each Book of the Bible. The most familiar of these is John 3:16, which sums up this sermon very well. John 3:16 is a verse that gives us hope; but each of the 3:16’s have a message of hope. This morning’s text comes from Nehemiah 3. That may surprise you, just like it did me; but the Lord needs each of us to see that Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection should be celebrated every day.
Christians, I want us to understand this morning that we have been left here to take care of the Master’s business and He is coming back soon. How will He find us? Right now, I want to tell you that the spiritual walls and gates around our Nation, State, City, and Church have been burned down and destroyed by the enemy. The enemy has come in and stolen what is not his. He has stolen our morals, ethics, and principles in which we were founded. He has robbed us of our children, grandchildren, church family, marriages, etc…
We have allowed the enemy to cause us to feel powerless, vulnerable, scared, and without hope; but God has sent me here today to tell you, “We have hope, we have a future, we have the Holy Spirit power, we have no need to fear, and we need to rebuild the walls and gates around our Church, City, State, and Nation”.
We find in the Book of Nehemiah that God has used regular people to rebuild walls and gates around what the enemy has destroyed. As we look at the gates that Nehemiah led the people in rebuilding; let us begin to rebuild the walls and gates around what belongs to God’s people.
Nehemiah 3:1 (NIV)
“Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set its doors in place, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and as far as the Tower of Hananel.”
There is hope in…
1. Jesus’ death.
The Sheep Gate is the most important gate around the city because it was where the sheep used for sacrifice were brought in. Those sheep that were brought through this gate to be offered had to be examined thoroughly for any blemishes or defects before they could ever enter the city. Only those who appeared perfect could be considered as worthy of offering to God. Once they were into the city and presented at the temple, they were examined even more closely to insure that nothing would disqualify them for use as a sacrificial lamb. The Law of Moses, as given to him by God, stated that only a perfect lamb would be acceptable by God as an offering for the sin of Israel.
The Sheep Gate is a symbol of the very 1st experience we encounter in our Christian life. It is not through our own righteousness and our own blood, but by the perfect, precious Blood of the Lamb. Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. On the day of his crucifixion Jesus carried his cross out of the city, passing through the Sheep Gate. Just as many thousands of sheep had passed through this gate, the Lamb of God passed also.
It is important to note that this was the only gate that was never bolted shut.
[Invitation: “Jesus Paid It All”]
[Lord’s Supper]
(Pass Bread)
1 Corinthians 11:23-24 (NIV)
“For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me."
(Prayer & Eat Bread)
(Pass Juice)
1 Corinthians 11:25-26 (NIV)
“In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.”
Nehemiah 3:3 (NIV)
“The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid its beams and put its doors and bolts and bars in place.”
There is hope in…
2. Evangelism.
The next gate to be built was the Fish Gate. The fishermen from Galilee brought their catch through this gate to be sold. We need to see this morning that after we are saved there should be a desire to share Jesus with others. Jesus told His disciples that He was going to make them fishers of men.
Nehemiah 3:6 (NIV)
“The Jeshanah Gate was repaired by Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah. They laid its beams and put its doors and bolts and bars in place.”
There is hope in…
3. God’s refuge.
The Jeshanah Gate or the Old Gate, was where the elders of the city sat and dealt with business and disputes. 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 one 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. God is your place of refuge. Even when no one else seems to care, you can go to Jesus and be safe.
Nehemiah 3:13 (NIV)
"The Valley Gate was repaired by Hanun and the residents of Zanoah. They rebuilt it and put its doors and bolts and bars in place. They also repaired five hundred yards of the wall as far as the Dung Gate.”
There is hope in…
4. Humbleness.
Most of the lessons I have learned in life happened while I was in a valley- A difficult time in my life. Every time I go through rough situations, I have to 1st humble myself before God. Once I realize and admit that I cannot make it on my own, then God can teach me, mature me, and use me.
Nehemiah 3:14 (NIV)
"The Dung Gate was repaired by Malkijah son of Recab, ruler of the district of Beth Hakkerem. He rebuilt it and put its doors and bolts and bars in place.”
There is hope in…
5. Cleaning up.
This is not the gate I was looking forward to talking about because it is through this gate where all of the waste of the city was dumped. This was a nasty, stinky place; but it was necessary.
The whole point of Jesus dying on the cross and becoming the world’s sin was so that we could be cleaned up. The sin in our life needs to be disposed of. You need to take it to God and let it be dealt with.
[Song: “The Potter’s Hand”]
[Song: “Take My Life”]
Nehemiah 3:15-16 (NIV)
“The Fountain Gate was repaired by Shallun son of Col-Hozeh, ruler of the district of Mizpah. He rebuilt it, roofing it over and putting its doors and bolts and bars in place. He also repaired the wall of the Pool of Siloam, by the King’s Garden, as far as the steps going down from the City of David. Beyond him, Nehemiah son of Azbuk, ruler of a half-district of Beth Zur, made repairs up to a point opposite the tombs of David, as far as the artificial pool and the House of the Heroes.”
There is hope in…
6. The Holy Spirit.
The Fountain Gate appeared to be the gate that was in the worst condition. It was so bad that the ruins of that gate actually blocked Nehemiah’s journey when he took a secret tour of the city walls during the night. When he got to the Fountain Gate he had to turn back because he could go no further until it was repaired.
It is believed by many that when the Babylonians attacked Jerusalem; that it was at the Fountain Gate where the main attack took place. This would make sense from a spiritual perspective, because it is the “True Fountain of Living Water”, Jesus Christ; that took the full brunt of the attack from the enemy.
There are a number of places of importance mentioned in the Bible that are associated with the Fountain Gate. Some of these places could only be reached by passing through this gate. The King’s Pool, (The Pool of Siloam is where Jesus told the blind man to wash and receive his sight); The King’s Garden The Steps to Zion; The Tomb of David; and The Fountain at the Gihon Spring.
The Fountain Gate got its name from the fact that it was the primary access to the Fountain located at the Gihon Spring. This spring was Jerusalem’s only really reliable source of water. In times of drought, the Gihon Spring would still flow freely.
As we go through the Fountain Gate, we find traits of a maturing believer. Without water, you will die. We also need spiritual water flowing through our lives. Let me ask you this morning, “What is flowing out of you”? See, what is going on around you is not very important compared to what is flowing out of your life. Is what flowing out of you living, dead, or stopped up? A maturing believer allows the Holy Spirit of God to be filled in their life to a point that the Holy Spirit is overflowing from their life.
Nehemiah 3:26 (NIV)
“And the temple servants living on the hill of Ophel made repairs up to a point opposite the Water Gate toward the east and the projecting tower.”
There is hope in…
7. The Word of God.
The water gate was used to bring water into the city. Although there was a spring of water and an aqueduct that brought some water into the city; it didn’t bring all of the water in. The rest was carried in through the water gate.
Often God’s Word refers to itself as “water”. We also need to notice that this is the 7th gate mentioned. The number 7 is the number of perfection and completion; and the only way we might be completely perfect is to grow in God’s Word. It is also important to note that this is the only gate that needed “No repairs”. There are many today who try to “improve the Word of God”. In Scripture, water often represents the Word of God and it is at this gate where the Word of God was read to the people.
Nehemiah 3:28 (NIV)
“Above the Horse Gate, the priests made repairs, each in front of his own house.”
There is hope in…
8. Spiritual warfare.
This was the gate where the Kings of Israel would pass with their chariots and horses as they went to and from the palace. When they left the city to do battle, they would ride out at the head of the army. When the battle was over and the victory was won they would come back in through the Horse Gate either riding in the victor’s chariot or riding on a white charger to signify that they were the conqueror of their enemies.
We are in a spiritual battle all of the time. You may not see it that way; but it is still happening. If you want to be victorious, put on the full armor of God; and stand firm.
[Song: “Chain Breaker”]
[Offering: “Who Can Satisfy My Soul”]
Nehemiah 3:29 (NIV)
”Next to them, Zadok son of Immer made repairs opposite his house. Next to him, Shemaiah son of Shecaniah, the guard at the East Gate, made repairs.”
There is hope in…
9. The Second Coming of Jesus.
The East Gate has been set-aside especially by God and was known by Jews for 1 particular event- The coming of the Messiah to deliver Israel in the last days. This gate was not damaged when Nebuchadnezzar’s army conquered Jerusalem. There was no damage to repair. God’s design in this undamaged gate is to let us know that His Word and prophecies are true and no man can mess that up. The Lord told Ezekiel to close this gate and seal it up until Jesus came back and entered through it.
The east gate, when it is open, provides access to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. If you know anything about the second coming of Christ, you will know that when Jesus returns He will return to this mountain, where his feet will first touch the earth, causing a great earthquake and the Mount of Olives will split in two. Jesus will then enter Jerusalem through the East Gate.
This is what we have to look forward to as Christians. Jesus is coming again. Now please understand that this is not what we consider as the Rapture. The Rapture refers to the time when the Archangel will shout, the trumpet will blast, and all of the dead in Christ will rise first; and then all of those Christians who are still living will rise and meet Jesus in the air.
When we talk about the Second Coming of Christ, we are talking about when His feet will touch the ground. This will take place after the 7 years of tribulation.
Nehemiah 3:31-32 (NIV)
"Next to him, Malkijah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs as far as the house of the temple servants and the merchants, opposite the Inspection Gate, and as far as the room above the corner; and between the room above the corner and the Sheep Gate the goldsmiths and merchants made repairs."
There is hope in…
10. God’s judgment.
There were 2 very important things that occurred at this gate: Soldiers would pass through this gate to be inspected by their King David; and you had to register at this gate to enter into Jerusalem.
All of us are going to die and all of us are going to have to stand before God and give an account of our lives. The “Inspection” of each of us, one by one is recorded in the Judgment of Christ when He separates the sheep from the goats.
Regardless of who we think is saved or not; Jesus will separate them out. There will be 2 judgments- 1 for the sheep and 1 for the goats.
Let’s look at the 1st judgment: The inspection of soldiers. We as Christians are in the Army of God, and we will go before the BEMA seat of Christ where our lives will be inspected. Our lives will go through the refiner’s fire. At this time, everything we ever do will be put to the test and anything that was for the Lord will survive; everything else will be gone. From this, we will be rewarded with crowns in which we will cast at the feet of Jesus.
Let’s look at the 2nd judgment: The registration to enter. In order to enter into Heaven, your name must be found in the Lamb’s Book of Life. If it’s not there, you will not go to Heaven.
Conclusion:
As we have traveled around the city of Jerusalem this morning, I want you to know that none of this matters if Jesus would not have risen from the grave. Today is about the Resurrection of Jesus and I pray everyday from here on out will be about the Resurrection of Jesus.
[Song: “Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me)”]
[Song: “All The Earth Will Sing Your Praises”]
