Introduction: End of WWII wasn’t the end of the war. There was still work to do, peace to be enforced. Similarly Christians who think walking the isle is the end of their responsibility to God - It’s only the first step.
Background: Nehemiah knew getting the walls up didn’t fix the underlying problem
Purpose Statement: As children of God we need to organize our life around…
I. The Correct Priorities (v.1)
A. Levites/Ministers
1. The need for correct doctrine in our lives
2. We are becoming religious not little Christs
B. Worship
1. The need for worship to fill our lives DAILY!
2. John 4:19-24
C. Doors
1. The need for doors to guard our hearts, minds and spirit
2. Whenever it breaks illustration
D. Gatekeepers
1. The need for accountability in our lives
2. Christian Behavior Illustration
II. People We Can Trust (v. 2)
A. Brothers
1. The church ought to be our family
2. We’ve not done a very good job of this
B. Godly People
1. What kind of people are you taking your advice from?
2. We turn to Oprah, Dr. Phil, Ann Landers, etc.
C. We need to be that kind of person as well
1. You need to be there for people as well
2. Character not comfort illustration
III. Preservation of the Faith (v. 3)
A. Be prepared for attacks
1. On your person, on your faith, to get you to sin
2. Screwtape Letters
B. Avoid the darkness
1. Don’t go where you know you shouldn’t
2. Pick up the snake Illustration
C. Don’t fight alone
1. Too many of us think we’re spiritual supermen
2. Edinburgh Castle Illustration
D. It starts at home
1. Protect yourself, your home, your work, then your church
2. Evil is like a wild wolf illustration
IV. The Potential For Kingdom Growth (v. 4)
A. Lots of room for growth
1. In your life, church, family and friends/security helps cultivate growth
2. I’m Well Established illustration
B. Lots of work remains
1. The city was not intended to be empty
2. 75% of churches are plateaued or declining
C. Everyone is going to have to chip in
1. Too much work to be accomplished alone
2. Honey Bees Illustration
Conclusion: Keeping the homeland safe should be a priority in every Christian’s life
JOHN 4:19-24
19 The woman said to Him, "Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet.
20 "Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you {people} say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship."
21 Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, shall you worship the Father.
22 "You worship that which you do not know; we worship that which we know, for salvation is from the Jews.
23 "But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.
24 "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." (NAS)
WHENEVER IT BREAKS
The story is told of a monastery in Portugal, perched high on a 3,000-foot cliff and accessible only by a terrifying ride in a swaying basket. The basket is pulled with a single rope by several strong men, perspiring under the strain of the fully loaded basket. One American tourist who visited the site got nervous halfway up the cliff when he noticed that the rope was old and frayed. Hoping to relieve his fear he asked, “How often do you change the rope?” The monk in charge replied, “Whenever it breaks!”
Daily Walk, March 30, 1992
CHRISTIAN BEHAVIOR
A study conducted by The Roper Organization for High Adventure Ministries in 1990 found that the moral behavior of born again Christians actually worsened after their conversions. Examined were incidences of illegal drug use, driving while intoxicated and marital infidelity.
The problem can be solved, says one researcher, with a new commitment to accountability and discipleship.
1. How’s your thought life?
2. How are you handling the balance between work and home?
3. Have you been in the Word over the last few days?
4. What has God been teaching you recently?
5. How are you doing in handling God’s provision of time, talent, and money?
6. Are you being responsible in protecting your eyes, hands, feet and mind with women other than your wife?
7. Are you shooting straight in answering the above questions--or trying to blow smoke?
CHARACTER NOT COMFORT
God is more concerned about our character than our comfort. His goal is not to pamper us physically but to perfect us spiritually. - Paul W. Powell
PICKED UP THE SNAKE
Iron Eyes Cody is a Native American actor who once did a TV spot for the Keep America Beautiful campaign. He was an Indian drifting alone in a canoe. As he saw how our waters are being polluted, a single tear rolled down his cheek, telling the whole story. This powerful public service commercial still shows up on TV screens after 17 years. In 1988 Cody repeated an old Indian legend in Guideposts magazine. Here it is:
Many years ago, Indian youths would go away in solitude to prepare for manhood. One such youth hiked into a beautiful valley, green with trees, bright with flowers. There he fasted. But on the third day, as he looked up at the surrounding mountains, he noticed one tall rugged peak, capped with dazzling snow. I will test myself against that mountain, he thought. He put on his buffalo-hide shirt, threw his blanket over his shoulders and set off to climb the peak. When he reached the top he stood on the rim of the world. He could see forever, and his heart swelled with pride. Then he heard a rustle at his feet, and looking down, he saw a snake. Before he could move, the snake spoke. “I am about to die,” said the snake. “It is too cold for me up here and I am freezing. There is no food and I am starving. Put me under your shirt and take me down to the valley.” “No,” said the youth. “I am forewarned. I know your kind. You are a rattlesnake. If I pick you up, you will bite, and your bite will kill me.” “Not so,” said the snake. “I will treat you differently. If you do this for me, you will be special. I will not harm you.” The youth resisted awhile, but this was a very persuasive snake with beautiful markings. At last the youth tucked it under his shirt and carried it down to the valley. There he laid it gently on the grass, when suddenly the snake coiled, rattled, and leapt, biting him on the leg. “But you promised...” cried the youth. “You knew what I was when you picked me up.” said the snake as it slithered away.”
EDINBURGH CASTLE TOWER
Anyone who travels to Edinburgh, Scotland will find Edinburgh castle a tower of seemingly insurmountable strength. But the truth is that the castle was once actually captured. The fortress had an obvious weak spot which defenders guarded—but because another spot was apparently protected by its steepness and impregnability, no sentries were posted there. At an opportune time, an attacking army sent a small band up that unguarded slope and surprised the garrison into surrender. Where the castle was strong, there it was weak.
Today in the Word, February, 1989, p. 36
EVIL IS LIKE A WILD WOLF
The 19th-century pastor Henry Ward Beecher told of a mother in the wild frontier country who was washing clothes beside a steam. Her only child was playing nearby. Suddenly she realized he was no longer near her. She called his name, but there was no answer. Alarmed, the mother ran to the house, but her son was not there. In wild distress, the frightened woman dashed out to the forest. There she found the child, but it was too late. The youngster had been killed by a wolf. Heartbroken, she picked up the lifeless body, drew it close to her heart, and tenderly carried it home. Beecher concluded, “Oh, how that mother hated wolves!” Understandably, she detested them because of what they had done to her beloved child.
Every Christian parent should feel that way about evil. Like a wild wolf, it can destroy children. Many mothers and fathers who are so careful to guard their youngsters from physical harm don’t notice the sinful forces that threaten the spiritual welfare of their boys and girls. As a result, they leave them unprotected. They show little concern for the friends their children make, the magazines they read, or the TV programs they watch. But if any of these influences are evil, they should be viewed as a deadly threat. Like the psalmist, we must determine, “I will not know wickedness” (Psalm 101:4). And we should protect our children from it.
The mother in Beecher’s story had good reason to hate wolves. And, as parents, we should hate evil with that same passion. - R.W.D.
I’M WELL ESTABLISHED
An old farmer frequently described his Christian experience by saying, “Well, I’m not making much progress, but I’m established!” One spring when he was hauling some logs, his wagon wheels sank down to the axles in mud. Try as he would, he couldn’t get the wagon out. Defeated, he sat atop the logs, viewing the dismal situation. Soon a neighbor who had always felt uncomfortable with the farmer’s worn out testimony came along and greeted him, “Well, brother Jones, I see you’re not making much progress, but you must be content because you’re well-established!”
HONEY BEES
Bees can show you something about teamwork. On a warm day about half the bees in a hive stay inside beating their wings while the other half go out to gather pollen and nectar. Because of the beating wings, the temperature inside the hive is about 10 degrees cooler than outside. The bees rotate duties and the bees that cool the hive one day are honey gatherers the next.
Bits & Pieces, September 17, 1992, pp. 19-20
