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The wall of Jerusalem is completed in just 52 days, revealing God’s hand in the work despite the enemy’s persistent opposition. Although the rebuilding happened quickly, it was the result of a much longer story of obedience, reminding us that God often works through a “long obedience” before bringing about a sudden completion. Nehemiah’s enemies shift from open opposition to subtle influence and fear, pointing to the need to recognize the “stranger” and become familiar with the voice of the Good Shepherd. Jesus is the Gate and the Good Shepherd who leads His people into abundant life, knows them personally, protects and restores them, and ultimately laid down His life for them.

Pastor Jake’s message centered on Nehemiah 6 and three ways the enemy sought to pull him away from God's work: distract, discourage, and discredit. Nehemiah responded by staying focused, refusing to defend himself unnecessarily, cultivating discernment, and entrusting his enemies to God. These are practices that fit into our daily walk with Christ as well.

This week, we looked at Nehemiah 5 and what it means to lead in the fear of God. The governors before Nehemiah followed the leadership patterns of the culture around them, using their authority to burden the people and benefit themselves. Nehemiah chose a different way. He refused privileges he had a right to take, stayed focused on the work God gave him, and used his own resources to welcome and provide for others. His leadership reflected the way of Jesus, who said that greatness in His kingdom is found in serving rather than lording authority over people. The message challenged us to recognize that everyone has areas of influence and to ask whether we use that influence to press down on people or come underneath them to lift and strengthen them. Godly leadership is motivated by reverence for God, seeks His purposes instead of personal gain, works with people for their joy, and trusts God with recognition and reward.

In Nehemiah 5, after facing lots of challenges and resistance to the work of fortifying the city, the people of God now face a new challenge: the enemy in their midst. Within the family of God, people are taking advantage of one another, relationships look less like mutual sacrificial love and more like using people for their own gain. Let’s take a lesson from Nehemiah and embrace walking in the fear of the Lord. May we yield to His Lordship, so that we can live among His people in the Way of Love He calls us to.

Nehemiah 4 teaches that kingdom work requires both faithful labor and spiritual vigilance. Despite opposition, God’s people kept building while remaining ready to defend the work, trusting that God would ultimately fight for them. Believers today are called to continue the good works God has prepared for them, while resisting spiritual opposition and bearing one another’s burdens. We keep building, stay watchful, support one another, and trust God to fight for His kingdom purposes.

Nehemiah chapter 4 we see God’s people encountering the threats of the enemy in the midst of their rebuilding project. The very presence of the City of God, even just the hint of it established in a region, is viewed as a threat. Nehemiah, awake and aware of the danger, responds in prayer and gives strategic plans for building and warfare. When the threat of attack and sense of discouragement arose, he spoke words of truth and encouragement to protect the people who had a mind to work. Friends, in light of the inevitable attacks of the enemy, let’s be aware, be prepared, encourage one another, stand together in the fight, and above all pray!

In chapter 3, Nehemiah leads the people in a large scale project, as they work together side by side to repair the city wall. Just as they received direction together, they now link arms, each person with their own part to play in the work the Lord has called them to. What might the Lord be calling us to, with those around us? What needs repaired? May we discover that by listening to Him together, and then walking in oneness in the work. Let’s rise up and build!

This week’s message focuses on the importance of having a heart open to God's vision, using the story of Nehemiah as an example. Nehemiah, upon hearing of Jerusalem's ruins, felt a weighty burden and acted on it, secretly inspecting the walls at night. He then shared his vision with the leaders, who responded positively. This message also highlighted the growing tension and inevitability of opposition when pursuing God's will.

Shawn preached on Nehemiah 2:1-10, emphasizing Nehemiah's role as a cupbearer to the king and the broader cosmic significance of his mission. He recounted the historical context of the Israelites returning from exile, the rebuilding of the temple, and the need to restore the city walls. Shawn highlighted the spiritual battle between good and evil, referencing the fall of angels and their influence over nations. He drew parallels between Nehemiah's actions and Jesus' role as the Comforter, urging the congregation to hold their influence for God's kingdom and to pray and act boldly when opportunities arise.

Nehemiah opens with the delivery of sad news. God’s people are in trouble, and the city is in shambles. Nehemiah is moved to pray and seek God on behalf of his people. Anyone can read the “news” and see the trouble around us. But will we find our hearts broken for the people of God, so that we are moved to seek the Lord in prayer? Will we allow Him to open our eyes to how we may participate in the answer to the very prayers we pray?

This week we wrapped up the book of Ezra by seeing how God’s people responded when called out for their compromise. Through godly sorrow, honest confession, and a holy sacrifice, we can undergo significant renewal when we have gotten way off course. May we posture our lives before the Lord in such a way that we can be corrected and changed when we lose our way.

Ezra is now confronted with the brokenness and sin of the people of God. Instead of blaming others, or ignoring the problem, he faces it head-on. Through this story, we get a powerful example of how we should deal with the brokenness in our own lives and in the church. May we all approach sin and repentance the way Ezra did with honesty, humility, and true godly sorrow, so that through the power and grace of Jesus we may be forgiven and changed.

Just as Ezra was called to journey from Babylonia to Jerusalem, the Lord will often call us to risky journeys of faith. May we learn from Ezra’s example to use wisdom to plan well in preparation, while ultimately trusting in the Lord and not our own strength. It’s tempting to just leap out in faith unprepared, or give ourselves a false sense of security by trusting our own wisdom and planning. But God would have us plan and prepare, and then in prayer trust Him to guide and protect us all along the way.

In Ezra chapter 7, we move into the period in Israel’s history when Ezra leads a new wave of returning exiles. He brings with him a sound anchoring in the Word of God and needed reforms to the people of God. All that Ezra will experience and accomplish comes through God’s good hand upon him, and his own heart posture to submit to the Lord's yoke, through his “skilled” study, application, and teaching of God’s Word. May we adopt a similar heart posture as we live under the gracious hand of God, whose yoke is easy and burden is light!

In Ezra chapter 6, we see the conclusion of this long journey of rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem. This leads to a time of dedication, being set apart as God’s people, and worshipping Him in joyful celebration. Now, because of the salvation we have through Jesus, God’s Presence resides with and in us. We are His Temple. May we be dedicated to Him - cleansed, set apart, and full of joy in His Presence!