Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—and all the brothers who are with me, To the churches of Galatia . . .

(Galatians 1:1-2)

What a privilege it is to look at this letter together

• One of the most powerful and influential documents ever written
• Written by one of the consequential men in the entirety of human history
• Several important questions to answers as we begin our journey

Who wrote this letter?

• The letter was written by Paul
• Nobody has ever seriously doubted this
• The Bible is clear (Gal 1:1)
• It is consistent with Paul’s other letters
• Paul identifies himself as an Apostle

Who was to receive the letter?

• The letter was written to the churches of Galatia (Gal 1:2)
• There is some question about this
• The Galatic region is shaped like a figure 8 on a map
• Was the letter written to North Galatia?
• Or was it written to South Galatia?
• Probably written to South Galatia, but it honestly doesn’t matter that much

When was the letter written?

• Could have been written as late as 55 A.D.
• Probably written in 48 A.D. before the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15)

Why was the letter written?

• People in the Galatian Churches were trying to persuade the Christians that they needed to keep the Old Testament Law to be legitimate

These false teachers have been called Judaizers

They seem particularly interested in teaching the necessity of circumcision

• Paul is shocked, offended, and angry at this teaching
• He writes a stern letter to these churches to emphasize the true Gospel of Jesus
• We are not saved by keeping the Law, but by faith in Jesus Christ
• This truth is a central part of the Apostolic preaching
• This truth is confirmed by the Old Testament itself
• This Gospel leads to freedom, power, and holy living
• This Gospel is eternally and inalterably true and should never be rejected

Where to from here?

• Threats to the Gospel always exist
• As sinners we naturally lean in the direction of seeking to be saved based on our labors
• Whether we learn of these labors from the Old Testament Law or we make them up on our own, we are always seeking to save ourselves by what we do
• But people cannot save themselves by doing anything—we must have a savior who can do something for us
• As we approach this letter be humble: You need your understanding of the gospel correct by this letter!
• As we approach this letter be courageous: You need to learn from Paul’s passion for the Gospel and share some of it!
• At Crossing we want to love the Gospel!  We should all pray for grace that we can understand it, believe it, live it, and share it better after our study of this letter

http://theresurgence.com/gosepl_of_radiohead

Recap: Living on mission begins with open eyes, an open heart, an open mouth, and a open mind.

²³ For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.  ²⁴ The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,  ²⁵ nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.  ²⁶ And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place,  ²⁷ that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,  ²⁸ for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘ For we are indeed his offspring.’  ²⁹ Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man.  ³⁰ The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,  ³¹ because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”  ³² Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.”  ³³ So Paul went out from their midst.  ³⁴ But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them. Acts 17:23-34 ESV

If You Want to Live on Mission…

Know Who God Is and How He Works (v. 23-27)

“God who made the world… He is the Creator and Lord over Creation.

“does not live in temples…” Unlike their gods, He doesn’t have an address.

“not served…needed anything…” He is self-sufficient.

“made every nation…having determined…” He is sovereign over every detail of life.

“that they should seek…” He is loving and accessible.

INWARD: Do I know God through Jesus Christ? If so, is my knowledge of God deepening

Am I consistently putting myself in a place where God can change me through spritual disciplines, worship and service? If not, why not?

OUTWARD: Do I know that God has strategically placed people in my life to share with the Gospel with? Am I praying for and engaging in opportunities to share with them?

Learn How to Speak About God in a Way that People Understand (v.28-29)

“In him we live…his offspring” From Epimenides and Eritus. Worship songs for Zeus.

“we ought not to think…art and imagination…” God is limitless. Can’t be confined or replicated. He used the examples in front of him to share truth.

Are your conversations about God in a language ‘outsiders’ can understand? Are we comfortable using the “starting points” around us in the culture?

“Speak as if your neighbors are around and eventually your neighbors will be around.” – Keller

Tips for Speaking a Language People Can Understand:

1. Don’t just talk – listen. (To them and yourself for what you are saying.)
2. Become a student of the culture. (Music, movies, sports, web, etc.)
3. Learn to effectively “turn the corner” in a conversation.
   1. Prayer for God to guide you and listening for your “in.”

Be Careful to Tell the ‘Whole Story’ and Understand there Will Always Be A Variety of Responses to the Message of Jesus (v.32-34)

^“The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent”

The times before Jesus came. Wasn’t that people weren’t accountable, this is just language that indicates God’s patience in enduring their sins. Repent = u-turn.

“because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” The day of judgment. Jesus is the Judge. The resurrection proves his qualifications. In sharing the Gospel, we can’t just talk about the love about God. We need to talk about the judgment of God as well.  We need to be careful to be balanced.

Are you careful to tell the ‘whole story’ about God? Are you able to be sensitive to the moment?

What is your current default setting (grace or truth)?

^“Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked.” Hot-button issue.

“But others said, “We will hear you again about this.”  So Paul went out from their midst.” Not ready to believe, but intrigued and wanted to hear more.

“But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.” He was a wealthy member of the Aeropagus. Went on to become the first bishop of Athens. She was a very poor, uneducated lady at the other end of the social spectrum.

Are you comfortable with the fact that there will always be a variety of responses to the Gospel?

Are you being faithful to do your part to pray and share the Gospel?

- We are not responsible for conversions but conversations.

Jesus is both our goal and our hope in all of these things.

Works Consulted: Radical Reformission by Mark Driscoll, Message on Acts 17 by Mark Driscoll, Word Pictures by A.T. Robertson

Sermon Notes

¹⁶ Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols.  ¹⁷ So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.  ¹⁸ Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”- because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection.  ¹⁹ And they took hold of him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?  ²⁰ For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.”  ²¹ Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.  ²² So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. ²³ For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.  Acts 17:16-23  ESV

Living on Mission is about being OPEN.

“while he was waiting for them…” Mission is not something we turn on & off.

“his spirit was provoked…” lit. ‘greatly distressed,’ ‘disturbed,’ ‘mortified’

“as he saw that the city was full of idols” possibly as many as 30,000.

Open Your Eyes (v.16)

The temples in our day look different (Office buildings, Gyms, Sports arenas, Malls, etc.) but the idolatry is the same.

Those in my Family who Need Jesus:

Those at my Work who Need Jesus:

Those where I live who Need Jesus:

Those in our “Activities” who Need Jesus:

Those “as you go” who need Jesus:

Are your eyes open to the spiritual need around you? If not, what needs to change? How can your

community group support you as you seek to reach those around you.

Open Your Heart (v.16)

What Does it Take for This to Happen?

1.      Personal understanding of the Gospel.

a.      Our experience with the Gospel must be a “present reality” to us.

2.      Appropriate understanding of the spiritual “state of affairs” around us.

a.      It’s “not o.k.” that the city is filled with idols.

3.      Appropriate understanding of the weight of eternity.

a.      There is no hope apart from Christ.

4.      Prayer that God would so grip our hearts that this would be so.

Is your heart disturbed by the spiritual condition of those around you? If not, what needs to change?

Open Your Mouth (v.17)

“reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews…” The “religious” people.

“…and in the marketplace…” The “irreligious” people. Different

groups of people call for different methods of communication.

*We need to be careful to speak the language of our audience. “If you want your neighbors

to be around, speak as if they are around and eventually they will come around.” – Tim Keller

Is my mouth ever opened about the Gospel?  If not, why not? What needs to change?

Reasons Why We Don’t “Open Our Mouths” :

1.      Fear.

a.      Of man. Of rejection. Of repercussions. Of “not knowing enough.”

2.    The Gospel addresses all those fears.

a.      Of man—(Matt. 10:28).

b.     Of rejection—(Eph. 2:19)

c.      Of repercussions— (Prov. 16:9, 16:33, Jer. 10:23, 29:11)

d.     Of “not knowing enough”— (Jn. 9:25)

Am I trusting in God to work within me to overcome those fears? If not, what needs to change?

Open Your Mind (v.18-23)

“Stoics…Epicureans…” Varying philosophies of the day. Also, there are

always a variety of responses to the Gospel being proclaimed.

“…Aeropagus, saying may we know…” Counsel of men, possible business opportunity.

“…all the Athenians…” They loved to sit and talk about ideas.

“Men of Athens…” The ways Socrates began his addresses.  This

showed respect and a knowledge of their audience.

“I perceive that in every way you are very religious.” He was careful to affirm what he could.

^“For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this

inscription, ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to

you.” He moves from affirmation to proclamation.

When we open ourselves to Jesus, He enlists us in and empowers us on Mission with Him.

Works Consulted: Radical Reformission by Mark Driscoll, Message on Acts 17 by Mark Driscoll, Word Pictures by A.T. Robertson, Various resources from the Acts 29 Network Website.

24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. Jude 24-25 ESV

“Now” Shows a change in topic what has been previously discussed.

“to him who is able to keep you from stumbling…”

P: Our God is able to keep us from stumbling.

1. The picture here is one of a sure-footed horse. Also, this audience would have walked everywhere so this was an image that would have been very real to them.

2. It is also a direct contrast to what is taking place in the Text – people stumbling in the faith.

3. It highlights the unlimited nature of God’s power over the limited power of the false teachers.

Practical Implications:

1. We can live with confidence about the surety of our salvation (Jn. 17:22-24).

a. This is not a “I’m good for heaven I can do what I want pass.” This functions alongside the “keep yourselves in the love of God” from last week.

2. We can have hope in our ongoing struggle against sin.

a. “He who began a good work within you will see it through…” Phil. 1:6

b. This should be a special encouragement for those struggling with great

difficulties, ongoing sins, addiction etc.

Am I resting in the fact that my God can keep me from stumbling? If not, what needs to change?

“and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy”

1. “present” presentation of a dignitary. A significant occurrence they would recognize.

2. “blameless” is a word taken from the OT sacrificial system in which the best animals were sacrificed before God to atone for the sins of the people. It was a pointer to the “blameless” sacrifice of Jesus. Now, because of Jesus and our faith in Him, we will be presented “blameless” before God in Him.

3. This makes God happy. This reminds us of the character of God and that the end of our salvation is not simply to rescue us from Hell but to bring God glory and joy. This should lead to our joy as well.

P: Our God is able to present us blameless to Himself in heaven. It makes Him happy and should make us happy as well.

Do I see the ultimate purpose of my salvation and do I look forward to the day that I will be presented blameless to God with joy? If not, what needs to change?

“to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord”

P: Our God is the only God.

1.  Affirmation of Deut. 6:4-5. Most of us here know that this is true. Because of our sins, we often turn to a number of lesser, ‘counterfeit gods’ as we go through life.

What are the ‘counterfeit gods’ that I look to to save me?

Be as specific as possible. The more specific you are in your identification, the more specific you can be in your confession, repentance and application of the Gospel and dependence upon the Spirit.

P: Our God is the Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord.

1. Jesus is the only savior (Jn 14:6, Ac. 4:12, 1 Tim. 2:5).

2. Jesus was your Savior then and He is still your Savior now.

Have I turned from sin & trusted in trusted in Christ? Am I turning to Jesus in my remaining sin?

“be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”

“glory” Stresses the splendor of His holiness. Also used to describe radiance of light.

“majesty” His position above all Creation. He is the pinnacle of greatness.

“dominion” His power to carry out His sovereign will which has no boundaries.

“and authority” His divine right to carry out His sovereign will.

“before all time and now and forever.” He has always been, He is and He will always be.

“Amen.” Punctuation statement. “It is true.”

P: Our God is glorious, majestic, and has ultimate power and authority.

Through the Cross, we become friends with the glorious, majestic, and powerful God of which Jude speaks.

Works Consulted: MacArthur Study Bible, ESV Study Bible, James and Judas : Half-Brothers of Jesus Speak, New Bible Commentary, Holman Bible Handbook, Bible Reader’s Companion.

]]> http://crossinglouisville.com/2010/07/05/jude-our-god-is/feed/ 0 00:01:01 Preached on 7.4.10 by Dustin Neeley Sermon Notes 24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless ... Jude,,Sermon Crossing Church no No http://crossinglouisville.com/2010/07/04/freedom-through-dependence/ http://crossinglouisville.com/2010/07/04/freedom-through-dependence/#comments Mon, 05 Jul 2010 01:12:00 +0000 admin http://crossinglouisville.com/?p=1038 Read Here]]> Found this great “perspective” piece on the Desiring God blog. Worth a read.

Read Here

17 But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18 They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” 19 It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.  Jude 17-23 ESV

“But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions. It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.

“But…”  Clear contrast between the behavior of the false teachers and themselves.

“remember”  Go back, remain clear on what you were told.

“predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Warnings from the lead messengers.

“last time” period of time between Jesus’ first and second comings.

“scoffers, following their own ungodly passions…cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.”

The non-Christian, false teachers we were warned about in v. 3-16 and the damage they can do.

P: Much of Christianity is about remembering what we already know.

How’s your spiritual memory?

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.  “Keep” is the key command here. The other participles are how we fulfill it.

P: We have a responsibility to “keep ourselves in the love of God” by “building ourselves up in the most holy faith,” “praying in the Holy Spirit,” and “waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

What Do Each of These Mean and How Do We Do Them?

1. “Keep yourselves in the love of God.”

a. Verb establishes the Believer’s responsibility to faithfully “work out” what God

is “working in” him. (Phil. 2:12-13)

b. You can’t “work out” what has never been “worked in.”

i.   Have I responded to the love of God? Have I turned from sin and trusted in Christ?

ii.   If so, we need to give careful attention to the ways that Jude tells us to

“keep ourselves in the love of God” in this text.

2. “Building yourselves up in the most holy faith.”

a. Bolstering, establishing, encouraging. Think “Spiritual Brick-masonry”

b. Happens primarily through the Word. Sunday. Groups. Relationships.

3. “Praying in the Holy Spirit.”

a. Not a reference to speaking in tongues, as some suggest. A separate discussion.

Praying in line with and according to the will of God, as directed by the Spirit

(Eph. 6:18).

b. Begins with the Word. Word guides informs and transforms our prayers.

4. “Waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

a. Looking forward to the second coming of Christ. Living in expectation.

b. Just look around at the broken world. Remember this world is not our home.

How are you doing “keeping yourself in the love of God,” by “building yourself up in the most holy faith,” “praying in the Holy Spirit,” and “waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ?” What needs to change?

“And have mercy on those who doubt, save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.” Most likely referring to 3 groups of people in their midst. 1. Those who are largely faithful but slightly wavering in their faith.  2. Those who are in serious danger of abandoning the faith altogether. 3. Unclear, but possibly a reference the false teachers with a “love the sinner, but hate the sin” posture.

P: Applying the Gospel will help us greatly in doing all three things.

1. We show mercy to others because we have been shown mercy by God.

2. The Gospel reminds us of the eternal urgency of the situation.

3. The Gospel allows us to be refute the lies and still love the liar.

Because Jesus perfectly fulfilled these commands on our behalf, we can now fulfill them in His power.

Works Consulted: MacArthur Study Bible, ESV Study Bible, James and Judas : Half-Brothers of Jesus Speak, New Bible Commentary, Holman Bible Handbook, Bible Reader’s Companion.

]]> http://crossinglouisville.com/2010/06/29/jude-a-faithful-alternative/feed/ 0 00:01:01 Preached on 6.27.10 by Dustin Neeley Sermon Notes 17nbsp;But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18nbsp;They said to you, ... Preached on 6.27.10 by Dustin Neeley Sermon Notes 17nbsp;But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18nbsp;They said to you, ldquo;In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.rdquo; 19nbsp;It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. 20nbsp;But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21nbsp;keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 22nbsp;And have mercy on those who doubt; 23nbsp;save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.nbsp; Jude 17-23 ESV ldquo;But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. Theynbsp;said to you, ldquo;In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions. It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. ldquo;But...rdquo; nbsp;Clear contrast between the behavior of the false teachers and themselves. ldquo;rememberrdquo;nbsp; Go back, remain clear on what you were told. ldquo;predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.rdquo; Warnings from the lead messengers. ldquo;last timerdquo; period of time between Jesusrsquo; first and second comings. ldquo;scoffers, following their own ungodly passions...cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.rdquo; The non-Christian, false teachers we were warned about in v. 3-16 and the damage they can do. P: Much of Christianity is about remembering what we already know. Howrsquo;s your spiritual memory? ldquo;But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.nbsp; ldquo;Keeprdquo; is the key command here. The other participles are how we fulfill it. P: We have a responsibility to ldquo;keep ourselves in the love of Godrdquo; by ldquo;building ourselves up in the most holy faith,rdquo; ldquo;praying in the Holy Spirit,rdquo; and ldquo;waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.rdquo; What Do Each of These Mean and How Do We Do Them? 1. ldquo;Keep yourselves in the love of God.rdquo; a. Verb establishes the Believerrsquo;s responsibility to faithfully ldquo;work outrdquo; what God is ldquo;working inrdquo; him. (Phil. 2:12-13) b. You canrsquo;t ldquo;work outrdquo; what has never been ldquo;worked in.rdquo; i.nbsp;nbsp; Have I responded to the love of God? Have I turned from sin and trusted in Christ? ii.nbsp;nbsp; If so, we need to give careful attention to the ways that Jude tells us to ldquo;keep ourselves in the love of Godrdquo; in this text. 2. ldquo;Building yourselves up in the most holy faith.rdquo; a. Bolstering, establishing, encouraging. Think ldquo;Spiritual Brick-masonryrdquo; b. Happens primarily through the Word. Sunday. Groups. Relationships. 3. ldquo;Praying in the Holy Spirit.rdquo; a. Not a reference to speaking in tongues, as some suggest. A separate discussion. Praying in line with and according to the will of God, as directed by the Spirit (Eph. 6:18). b. Begins with the Word. Word guides informs and transforms our prayers. 4. ldquo;Waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.rdquo; a. Looking forward to the second coming of Christ. Living in expectation. b. Just look around at the broken world. Remember this world is not our home. How are you doing ldquo;keeping yourself in the love of God,rdquo; by ldquo;building yourself up in the most holy faith,rdquo; ldquo;praying in the Holy Spirit,rdquo; and ldquo;waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ?rdquo; What needs to change? ldquo;And have mercy on those who doubt, save others by sna... Jude,,Sermon Crossing Church clean No http://crossinglouisville.com/2010/06/20/jude-contending-without-contentiousness/ http://crossinglouisville.com/2010/06/20/jude-contending-without-contentiousness/#comments Mon, 21 Jun 2010 01:55:43 +0000 admin http://crossinglouisville.com/?p=1026 Preached on 6.20.10 by Dustin Neeley Sermon Notes]]> Preached on 6.20.10 by Dustin Neeley
Sermon Notes

3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Jude 3-4

What Is God Calling Us to Do Here?

“Beloved” Shows the depth of Jude’s heart toward these people.

“our common salvation” The fact that have both turned to Jesus in faith and repentance. necessary”

“contend” Strong word. A soldier fighting for his cause. (More next week.)

“for the faith once for all delivered to the saints” True Christianity. Nothing is to be added to the Faith or the Scriptures.

Why Is This So Important?

1. Because souls are at stake.

a.   Eternally: False teaching can lead people to hell.

b.  Practically: False teaching does great damage in people’s lives.

2. Because our culture and context require it.

a.  We live in an “anything but Christianity” goes culture where tolerance is more important than Truth. To a degree, contending is the currency of proclamation.

How Do We Do This?

1. It begins with knowing the faith.

a. You can’t defend what you don’t possess.

i.  Am I in the faith? Have I turned from sin and trusted in Christ?

b. We all need at least a basic understanding of the Christian Faith.

i. What should we believe about the “big rocks” or “closed handed issues?”

ii. Christian Beliefs by Elliott Grudem is a great place to start.

iii. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Plenty of resources in this church.

2.  Our identity needs to be firmly rooted in the Gospel.

a. Am I operating out of my Gospel identity? If so, we can handle personal attacks if they come. If not, we are going to be more concerned about defending our egos than the Faith.

b. Am I more concerned with being right or the righteousness that is mine in Christ?

c. Listen to Gospel preaching. Memorize Gospel Scriptures. Sing Gospel songs. Preach the Gospel to yourself. Read Gospel books. Gospel community.

3.  We need wisdom to assess the situation for what is really going on.

a. Is this person really a false teacher or a wolf or is this person just confused and needs a little help?

i. Think “Man with a knife.” (Is he a serial killer or a sick person off of his medication? You disarm the man either way, but this changes the equation.)

ii. Our response needs to fit the situation.

Where is Jesus in All of This?

1. He is our Example.

a.   Full of grace and truth (Jn. 1:14). Serves as a good balance for us in general.

b.  Cleared the temple in righteous anger (Matt. 21), radical grace (John 8).

2. He is our Empowerment.

a.   Through His Holy Spirit, He empowers us to fulfill this and all His commands.

3. He is our Payment.

a.   For when we fail to contend or when we contend too harshly.

4. He is our Goal.

a.   We contend for His Story for His glory and we want others to know it.

We contend without contentiousness for, through, and to Jesus.

Works Consulted: MacArthur Study Bible, ESV Study Bible, James and Judas : Half-Brothers of Jesus Speak, New Bible Commentary, Holman Bible Handbook, Bible Reader’s Companion.

Sermon Notes

Sermon Notes

What is this and who wrote it? An ‘epistle’ – a letter written to a group of

Christians to encourage them in their faith by Jude, a half-brother of Jesus.

When was it Written? Mid 60’s AD. During a time when Christianity was under severe political attack from Rome and aggressive spiritual infiltration from gnostic-like teachers. Except for John, all of the other apostles had been martyred, leaving Christianity extremely vulnerable. This explains Jude’s tone.

Why was it Written? To encourage an unnamed group of (likely) Jewish Christians to stand strong against the false teachers that have infiltrated their community and begun to undermine and threaten their faith.

What Are Some of its Key Themes:

• There is true teaching and false teaching about the Christian faith. (all) • Followers of Jesus need to stand upon and defend true teaching about the Faith. (v.3) • False teachers can be identified by their immoral character (v. 4, 8, 10, 12-13, 16,18-19) and

God will judge them for their false teaching. (v.4, 5-7,11, 14-15) • True Christians persevere in their faith and God grants grace to ensure that they do. (v.

17-23,1-2,24-25) • God shows mercy to us, therefore, we should show mercy to others. (v. 2, 21-23)

What Are Some of Its Unique Key Features?

• Its brevity. The entire book is only one chapter. • Its tone. Only one passage in the NT surpasses Jude’s filleting of these false teachers (Matt. 23). • Its illustrations. Jude leans heavily on the OT (Exodus, Satan’s rebellion, Sodom and

Gomorrah, Moses’ death, Cain, Balaam, Korah, Enoch and Adam) —————————————————————————————————————- “Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.” Jude 1-2

“Called”

A term used for an urgent call to a particular task–to be an apostle (Rom. 1:1), the life of a Believer (Rom. 1:6-7, Eph. 4), the call to preach the Gospel (Acts 16:10). Here, refers both to a call to salvation and to live godly lives in faith hope and purity. What is true for them is also true of us.

Three Things to Consider: 1. That this call came to us at all – God’s grace.

a. We often act like God “owes us something.” God was under no obligation to call out to us at all.

b. This should lead to a great humility on our part.

Have I responded to God’s call to me to turn from my sins and trust in Jesus? If not, why? When is the last time I stopped to marvel at the fact that God has called me to Himself?

2. When this call came – we were dead in our sins (Eph. 2:1).

Do I recognize the true state of my soul before I responded to God’s call? (The more we understand our condition of our condition before we knew Jesus, the more we appreciate our standing now with Jesus.)

3. This calling should impact the way that we live.

Is this calling bearing itself out in my life? If not, what needs to change?

“Beloved in God the Father”

Word is a form of agapao (agape) highlighting the special relationship between God the Father and His people. This word was used of God’s relationship with Jesus and now applied to Jesus’ people.

What Difference Should This Make?

1. Thanksgiving and humility. (Once aliens and enemies, now sons and daughters). 2. Changes the dynamic of our relationship with God.

a. Religion: We obey to be loved by God. Gospel: We obey because we are loved by God. We don’t seek to obey simply because we know we will be disciplined if we don’t. We don’t want to hurt the One we love. Caution for us: Intellectualism.

c. Recognizing that we are loved changes everything.

Do you know that you are loved today? How is this knowledge changing the way you live?

“Kept for Jesus Christ”

Word means guarded or preserved. This would have been a great promise in light of the fact that so many around them would have been falling away. God’s keeping power is emphasized in 2 ways in this book. 1. It is “of God” (Jn. 17:11, 1 Pet. 1:4-5). 2. It must be responded to by repentant, believing humans (v.3, 20-21). It has both passive (given by and maintained by the Spirit) and active dimensions (faithful effort on the part of the individual).

Three Things to Consider:

1. All true Christians will persevere in their faith (1 Cor. 6:11, Jn.6:37, Jn. 10:28-30) a. No matter what happens in life, if we are truly “in Christ,” our salvation cannot

be shaken. This should bring us great hope. b. Caution: Our country is filled with people who are not true Christians.

2. This is not a “go do what you want” pass (Rom. 6:1-2). a. If you are living as if it is, you are probably not a Christian. Repent and believe.

3. We rest in the fact that God is keeping us for Jesus. We exert ourselves toward the end of knowing and serving Jesus.

Preached on 5.30.10 by Heath Lambert
<a href=”http://crossinglouisville.com/wp-content/uploads/documents/sermons/misc/speaking_the_truth_in_love_part_2.pdf”>Sermon Notes</a>
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<a href=”http://vimeo.com/12263134″>Speaking the Truth in Love Part 2 – Heath Lambert</a> from <a href=”http://vimeo.com/user634056″>Crossing Church</a> on <a href=”http://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a>.
<em>¹Judge not, that you be not judged.  ²For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.  ³Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?  ⁴Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye’, when there is the log in your own eye?  ⁵You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.</em>
<em>(Matthew 7:1-5)</em>
How can we rebuke a fellow Christian in a redemptive way?
<strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”>1.  Believe the best of your brother or sister (<em>Matt 7:1-2</em></span></strong><strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”>)</span></strong><ul> <li> Jesus does not mean that we do not make any kind of evaluative judgment<ul> <li> Jesus encourages some judgments in the context of this passage (<em>Matt 7:6, 15-20</em>)</li> <li> What Jesus condemns is harsh and critical judgments that believe the worst of someone</li></ul></li> <li> Believing the best<ul> <li> DOES NOT MEAN you ignore evidence or get taken advantage of</li> <li> DOES MEAN you give the benefit of the doubt as long as possible</li></ul></li> <li> What does this look like?<ul> <li> Refuse to think only about the faults of your brother or sister</li> <li> Refuse to think you have no responsibility for the sin</li> <li> Refuse to think that change is impossible</li></ul></li></ul><strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”>2.  Take responsibility for your own sin first (<em>Matt 7:3-5</em></span></strong><strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”>)</span></strong><ul> <li> Jesus forbids arrogant rebuke where you skip over your own sin and focus only on the sin of your brother or sister</li> <li> You must be humble and ask what responsibility you share<ul> <li> Did your sin create a context for the sin of your brother or sister?</li> <li> Did you respond to the sin of your brother or sister in a sinful way?</li></ul></li> <li> Where can you humbly identify with the sinfulness of your brother or sister?</li></ul><strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”>3.  Point out the sin of your brother or sister in a spirit of service (<em>Matt 7:5</em></span></strong><strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”>)</span></strong><ul> <li> Just because you have a beam in your eye does not mean there is not a speck in the eye of your brother or sister</li> <li> Jesus wants to use each of you in the life of the other to make you more like him</li> <li> The goal: HELP not HARM</li></ul>

Sermon Notes

Let not corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

(Ephesians 4:29)

How should we speak to one another?

1.  Never speak words that are unhealthy

• We avoid corrupting talk that points backward to who we were before Christ (Eph 4:22)
  • Gossip-corrupting words that are motivated by the desire to spread information, rather than building others up (1 Tim 5:13)
  • Lies-corrupting words that are motivated by the desire to distort or conceal the truth (Eph 4:25)
  • Boasts-corrupting words that are designed to have people think much of you, rather than Christ (2 Cor 10:17-18)
  • Foolish arguments-corrupting words that are designed to prevail, rather than point to Christ (2 Tim 2:23)
  • Foul language-corrupting words that intrinsically-by their very nature-tear down and point away from Christ (Eph 5:4)
• Where do you need to repent and change?

2.  Only speak words that are healthy

• We use words that build up, and advance maturity in the church (1 Thess 5:14)
  • Rebuke-words that build up by pointing out sin and our need for repentance (Luke 17:3)
  • Encouragement-words that build up by promoting and confirming the good pursuit of Christ in someone’s life (Heb 10:25)
  • Help/Instruction-words that build up by providing practical help and guidance in Christ (Rom 15:14)
• Where do you need to repent and change?

3.  Only speak at appropriate times

• We must watch when we speak (Prov 25:11)
• It is not always appropriate to speak (Jas 1:19)

4.  The goal: Give grace when you speak

• We must give grace to others by the words we use (Col 4:6)
• We can only give grace if we meditate on grace (Matt 12:34; Col 3:16)
• We can only speak and meditate on grace if we have received it (2 Tim 2:1-2)

Where to from here?

• Trust in the grace of Jesus to make you acceptable before God
• Begin to meditate on the grace of God in the Word of God
• What sinful, unhealthy speech do you need to put off?
• What righteous, healthy speech do you need to put on?
• Pray for God’s grace and share with you someone in your community group who can hold you accountable

Sermon Notes

¹¹And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, ¹²to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, ¹³until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, ¹⁴so that we may no longer be children , tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.  ¹⁵Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, ¹⁶from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

(Ephesians 4:11-16)

This is a passage about maturity, and the Apostle Paul wants us to discover five things about it.

1.  Immaturity is a big problem (Eph 4:14)

• Do you realize that there are cunning, crafty, and deceitful enemies that want to lead you away from the faith? (2 Cor 11:13-15)
• If you do not mature you will be captured by their bad doctrine

2.  The goal of the Christian life is maturity in Christ (Eph 4:13)

• The goal of our growth in maturity is described in four ways. We grow up until we attain . . .
  • The unity of the faith (Eph 4:1-6)
  • The knowledge of the Son of God (Col 1:9-10)
  • Mature manhood (Heb 5:14)
  • The measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Eph 4:15)
• The call to Christian maturity is to grow up and be like Jesus

3.  The way we become mature is by talking to one another (Eph 4:15)

• The goal is growing up into Christ
• The means of achieving the goal is by speaking to one another
  • The content of our speech is truth (Eph 4:25)
  • The method of our speech is love (1 Cor 13:1)

4.  Jesus gives the Church ministers to equip them for maturity (Eph 4:11-12)

• Jesus loves his church and gives ministers to them as a gift
  • Apostles (Acts 2:42)
  • Prophets (Eph 2:20)
  • Evangelists (2 Tim 4:5)
  • Pastor-Teachers (1 Pet 5:1-2)
• Jesus gives these ministers to equip the saints for ministry
• As the saints are equipped, the body is built up

5.  Moving to maturity is ultimately the work of Jesus himself (Eph 4:16)

• Jesus gets the glory for our maturity in two ways
  • He is the one who gives the ministers to help us grow (Eph 4:11)
  • He is the one who “makes the body grow.” (Col 2:19)
• Moving to maturity is a work of grace, but this does not mean there is no effort on our part (Phil 2:12-13)

(Nehemiah 13)

Recap the story

Two Problems

1.  The problem of Chapter 13.  What do we do with . . .

• The statements about the temple?
• The statements about the Sabbath?
• The statements about intermarriage?

2.  The problem with the book of Nehemiah

• A pretty pathetic way to end
• “Remember me oh God . . .” (Neh 13:15; 13:22; 13:31)

To solve the problems we have to read Nehemiah in a distinctly Christian way

The New Testament tells us how to do this.  A few examples . . .

• 1 Corinthians 10:11
  • The events of the Old Testament have relevance for us
  • They are for our instruction
• Matthew 5:17-19
  • The Old Testament still has authority
  • It has the kind of authority Jesus says it has
  • We must read the Old Testament as finding its fulfillment in Christ
• Hebrews 7:11-12
  • We have a different priest-Jesus
  • We follow a new law-the law of Christ

How can we understand Nehemiah in general and Nehemiah 13 in particular in a way that sees Christ fulfilling what happens?

Let’s examine the three sections . . .

Part One: Failure Regarding the Temple (Neh 13:4-14)

• Nehemiah grounds his account in the beginning of God’s story.
• How should Christians see the account pointing to the fulfillment of God’s story?
  • Jesus is greater than the temple (Matt 12:6)
  • The triune God comes to make his home in believers (John 14:23)
  • It is in this sense that believers are “temples” (Eph 2:19-22)
  • The Old Testament temple finds its fulfillment in the Spirit of Christ indwelling his people (1 Cor 3:16-17)

Part Two: Failure Regarding the Sabbath (Neh 13:15-23)

• Nehemiah grounds his account in the beginning of God’s story.
• How should Christians see the account pointing to the fulfillment of God’s story?
  • Jesus is greater than and Lord of the Sabbath (Matt 12:8)
  • The Sabbath principle in Old Testament points to the need people have to rest from their works in Jesus (Heb 4:8-10)

Part Three: Failure Regarding the Purity of the People (Neh 13:23-30; 1-3)

• Nehemiah grounds his account in the beginning of God’s story.
• How should Christians see the account pointing to the fulfillment of God’s story?
  • Jesus’ purpose is to secure a holy people (Titus 2:14)
  • In Christ, Believers are the holy people of God called to give testimony to the name of Jesus (1 Pet 2:9-12)

5 Implications of all this

1.    We must read the parts of the Bible in light of the whole Bible.

• The Bible is not a series of disconnected stories
• It is one, large story with many parts progressing over centuries

2.    We must read the whole Bible in light of Christ

• We must read the whole Bible as Christians
• Every part of the Bible points to him in some sense

3.    Our bodies are the temple of God and we ought not defile them, but use them for his service and glory.

4.    The Christian Sabbath is not Sunday, but Jesus and we rest from our works in him.

5.    We must guard the people of God from threats outside the Church

• Be careful who you marry
• Be careful who you let in the church
• Be careful who you keep in the church

(Nehemiah 12:27-47)

Where are we in Nehemiah’s story?

There has been a time of labor and struggle

Now there is a time of dedication

1.  Glad Thankfulness Demands our Time (Neh 12:27-47)

• The Example of Nehemiah
  • The wall has been built since Nehemiah 6
  • Everything since has been reflection on that completed work!
• The Exhortation of Scripture (Ps 118:1; Eph 5:4; 1 Thess 4:18)
• Our problem: we ask, want, beg, and plead and then aren’t thankful

2.  Glad Thankfulness Loves Music (Neh 12:29, 31, 36, 42, 46)

• In Scripture, Thankfulness is often accompanied by music and singing (Pss 30:4; 69:30; 147:7; Eph 5:19-20)
• Make this work in two ways
  • Sing to God when are alone
  • Sing to God when you are gathered with the saints

3.  Glad Thankfulness is Leader-Led (Neh 12:31)

• Pay attention husbands, dads, mothers, community group leaders, ministry team leaders!
• As leaders we must set the pace for thankfulness
• If our people aren’t thankful, we bear some responsibility
  • We must express thankfulness to them
  • We must remind them of all they have to be thankful for

4.  Glad Thankfulness Unites (Neh 12:27-28

• There are many different people in our community
• But we are all united by the fact that our great God is at work in all of us (Col 3:15-16)

5.  Glad Thankfulness is all of Grace (Neh 12:43)

• Glad thankfulness is a good work so it ultimately doesn’t come from us
• Glad thankfulness is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23)
• When was the last time you struggled in prayer to be a more thankful person?

6.  Glad Thankfulness Must be Seen and Heard outside our Community (Neh 12:43)

• Glad thankfulness isn’t meant to be held inside, but seen and heard
• As Christians we have more reason for glad thankfulness than anyone else
• We should have a reputation for this (2 Cor 2:14)  DO WE?

7.  Glad Thankfulness Leads to Increased Faithfulness (Neh 12:44-47)

• Proud, arrogant, demanding hearts lead to more disobedience
• People who truly realize that the Lord has been more kind than they ever deserve will be people who are increasingly faithful

8.  Glad Thankfulness Demands our Careful Consideration (Neh 12:31-43)

• The context of Thankfulness in Nehemiah
  • Consider the many problems faced by Nehemiah and the people
  • Consider the many prayers lifted up to God
  • Consider the faithfulness of God in response to all of that
• In that context . . .
  • Descriptions of the wall and the people are far from worthless
  • They are a victory lap!
• When was the last time you really took time to consider the faithfulness of God in your life and respond with glad thankfulness?

“But they and our fathers acted presumptuously and stiffened their neck and did not obey your commandments. They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders that you performed among them, but they stiffened their neck and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. Notice the first word.

Notice the strong language that is used to describe their posture and behavior. This sets the tone for the entire passage.

P: The human heart is capable of unbelievable, irrational evil.

Do I know this? Am I surprised by the sinfulness that happens in a fallen world? Do I know my own sin?

“But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them. “Even when they had made for themselves a golden calf and said, ‘This is your God who brought you up out of Egypt,’ and had committed great blasphemies, you in your great mercies did not forsake them in the wilderness.  The pillar of cloud to lead them in the way did not depart from them by day, nor the pillar of fire by night to light for them the way by which they should go. You gave your good Spirit to instruct them and did not withhold your manna from their mouth and gave them water for their thirst. Forty years you sustained them in the wilderness, and they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell. “And you gave them kingdoms and peoples and allotted to them every corner. So they took possession of the land of Sihon king of Heshbon and the land of Og king of Bashan. You multiplied their children as the stars of heaven, and you brought them into the land that you had told their fathers to enter and possess. “So the descendants went in and possessed the land, and you subdued before them the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, and gave them into their hand, with their kings and the peoples of the land, that they might do with them as they would. And they captured fortified cities and a rich land, and took possession of houses full of all good things, cisterns already hewn, vineyards, olive orchards and fruit trees in abundance. So they ate and were filled and became fat and delighted themselves in your great goodness. Numerous reference to the Exodus events, wilderness wanderings and the fulfillment of His promise to put His people in the Promised Land.

P: Our God is merciful and gracious.

Mercy: He did not give them what they deserved.

Grace: He gave them what they did not deserve.

This is seen most clearly in the Cross.

Have I personally experienced these aspects of His character myself? Am I experiencing them regularly?

P: Our God is also ready to forgive, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.

Again, this comes together most clearly in the Cross.

Do I have the full picture of the character of God? If not, which “side” do I need to fill in?

P: Our God does not forsake His people even when they forsake Him.

This is a truth to be accessed to moments of despair, not abused in moments of disobedience (Rom. 6:1-4).

Am I regularly accessing this truth? Am I abusing this truth? What needs to change?

P: Our God miraculously provides for His people and keeps His promises.

How have I experienced the miraculous provision of God? (Reflecting on this will strengthen your faith.)

“Nevertheless, they were disobedient and rebelled against you and cast your law behind their back and killed your prophets, who had warned them in order to turn them back to you, and they committed great blasphemies. Therefore you gave them into the hand of their enemies, who made them suffer. And in the time of their suffering they cried out to you and you heard them from heaven, and according to your great mercies you gave them saviors who saved them from the hand of their enemies. “But after they had rest they did evil again before you, and you abandoned them to the hand of their enemies, so that they had dominion over them. Yet when they turned and cried to you, you heard from heaven, and many times you delivered them according to your mercies. “And you warned them in order to turn them back to your law. Yet they acted presumptuously and did not obey your commandments, but sinned against your rules, which if a person does them, he shall live by them, and they turned a stubborn shoulder and stiffened their neck and would not obey. Many years you bore with them and warned them by your Spirit through your prophets. Yet they would not give ear. Therefore you gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands. Nevertheless, in your great mercies you did not make an end of them or forsake them, for you are a gracious and merciful God. The same pattern continues.

P: Disobedience always leads to discipline.

P: God’s discipline is always redemptive, purposeful and never the ”final word” for His people.

Do I know these truths? Do I keep them before me when I am experiencing God’s discipline?

Hebrews 12:5-11 is a key text in our understanding of this concept.

These truths are at work in the lives of all Believers, but need to be especially active in the lives of parents seeking to biblically discipline their own children.

“Now, therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love, let not all the hardship seem little to you that has come upon us, upon our kings, our princes, our priests, our prophets, our fathers, and all your people, since the time of the kings of Assyria until this day. Yet you have been righteous in all that has come upon us, for you have dealt faithfully and we have acted wickedly. Our kings, our princes, our priests, and our fathers have not kept your law or paid attention to your commandments and your warnings that you gave them. Even in their own kingdom, and amid your great goodness that you gave them, and in the large and rich land that you set before them, they did not serve you or turn from their wicked works. Behold, we are slaves this day; in the land that you gave to our fathers to enjoy its fruit and its good gifts, behold, we are slaves. And its rich yield goes to the kings whom you have set over us because of our sins. They rule over our bodies and over our livestock as they please, and we are in great distress. “Because of all this we make a firm covenant in writing; on the sealed document are the names of our princes, our Levites, and our priests.”

P: True confession of sin is thorough.

P: When true confession happens, we take full responsibility for our sin.

Could these things be said of my confession of sin? If not, what needs to change?

P: Sin leads to slavery.

Where am I on the road to slavery in sin? Where am I already experiencing its enslaving effects?

The Gospel frees us from slavery to sin and makes us slaves to righteousness and shows us the perfect covenant God has made with us in Christ.

Works Consulted: Expositor’s Bible Commentary, ESV Study Bible, MacArthur Study Bible, Be Determined by Warren Wiersbe, Numerous Resources from the Logos Electronic Library.

I just realized I have a new spiritual problem.

Truth be told, I have had it for a while, but the light bulb just finally came on in my soul that illuminated what has been going on. I can get so caught up in trying to figure out why I sinned that I forget to repent of my sin.

Getting to the Root

As a “gospel-centrality” guy who believes that all true change begins at the heart level, I consider it a goal not just to stop doing something evil, but to try to figure out why I was doing that evil in the first place. My hope in doing so is to be led to as specific of an application of the gospel as possible, and to cut off the snake’s head and not just shorten his tail.

Theologically speaking, I believe this effort to deal with the root causes of our sin (Matthew 5:29) is a good practice modeled by Jesus, Paul, Keller, the Tripp brothers, and all of us who follow in their footsteps. However, practically speaking, even a good tool in the hands of sinners like us can do significant damage.

Gazing at Your Navel Instead of Jesus

I have found that in an effort to get to the root of my sin, I can become so navel-gazing that I cease to be cross-focused. I have found that I can get so wrapped up in the complexities and nuances of my sin and ‘how deep the rabbit-hole goes’ that I forget to repent of the fact that it was my fault that I climbed into the rabbit-hole in the first place.
I have also found, perhaps worst of all, that I can become so despairing or despondent because of my sin that I cease to be dependent upon the only One who can save me from that sin—Jesus.

Who Will Deliver Us?

And in those dark moments, thankfully, I am confronted afresh with the good news of the gospel: Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Romans 7:24-25) Most of us reading this can agree that we are wretched. But who or what is to save us from this wretchedness? Our self-evaluative introspection? Our repentance?

No. Neither is strong enough.

In Christ Alone

But Jesus is strong enough. And worthy enough. And holy enough. Only Jesus can save us from our sins and ourselves! In the midst of Paul’s own spiritual angst, this is the good news of the gospel that Paul himself is retelling and praising God for. In the midst of our own angst, we would be wise to follow suit.

So when you sin, repent—first! Then evaluate and seek to get to the root of what is going on. And when you find yourself confronted with yourlatest spiritual problem, whether it is like mine or not, ask yourself, “What good news am I retelling? Mine or Jesus’?”

“Water Gate…they…” in front of temple. The people called for this. Both signs of renewal.

“Ezra the scribe” Priest and scribe, spiritual leader. Forerunner to Nehemiah. Ez. 7:10.

“to bring the Book of the Law of Moses…” The Scriptures.

“…on the first day of the seventh month.” Their equivalent of New Year’s Day.

“And he read from it…from early morning until midday…” 5-6 hours.

P: God’s people should be hungry for God’s Word.

Am I hungry for God’s Word? If not, what needs to change?

“And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.”

P: God’s people should be attentive to God’s Word.

Am I attentive to God’s Word on Sundays and in personal study? If not, what needs to change?

“…a wooden platform that they had made for the purpose.” Both practical and symbolic.

“And beside him stood…” To show agreement and solidarity.

“And Ezra opened the book…as he opened it all the people stood.” Our of reverence.

P: God’s people should have a respect for God’s Word.

Do I have the proper respect for God’s Word? Most ultimately: read and obey what it says?

“…all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” Meaning “it is true.”

“lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. Submission and worship before the Lord.

P: God’s people should respond to God’s Word.

Am I appropriately responding to God’s Word? If not what needs to change?

Also… the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law, while the people remained in their places. They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading. The goal is not information but transformation. This requires understanding.

P: God has given His people teachers to explain His Word.

Am I taking full advantage of the environments that God has given us to learn His Word?

And Nehemiah…said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. When we understand the Word of God, we also understand our violations of it.

Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength…” “Fat” was a term for the best of foods. They were sharing with those who were less fortunate. This was a call to great joy in the Lord.

P: The Word of God leads us through a process of change.

Communication (of the Word).

Confrontation (of our sin and idolatry).

Conviction (that leads to repentance).

Consolation (being reminded that our sins have been paid for).

Celebration (that our sins have been paid for).

Am I experiencing all of the parts of the process? If not, there will be trouble, What’s missing?

On the second day the heads of fathers’ houses of all the people, with the priests and the Levites, came together to Ezra the scribe in order to study the words of the Law. Heads of houses lead their families in the Scriptures both then and now.

And they found it written in the Law that the Lord had commanded by Moses that the people of Israel should dwell in booths during the feast of the seventh month, and that they should proclaim it and publish it in all their towns and in Jerusalem, Looking back, looking around, looking forward. Tell the others so that we might be the City within a City we are intended to be.

P: The study of the Word of God should lead to a furtherance of the Mission of God.

Is my study of the Word of God further encouraging me on Mission with God?

“Go out to the hills and bring branches of olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees to make booths, as it is written.” So the people went out and brought them and made booths for themselves…for from the days of Jeshua the son of Nun to that day the people of Israel had not done so.” This was real, honest transformation.

And there was very great rejoicing. And day by day, from the first day to the last day, he read from the Book of the Law of God. They kept the feast seven days, and on the eighth day there was a solemn assembly, according to the rule. The recovery of God’s Word led ultimately to celebration.

The Written Word ultimately points us to the Incarnate Word – Jesus.

Works Consulted: Expositor’s Bible Commentary, ESV Study Bible, MacArthur Study Bible, Be Determined by Warren Wiersbe, Numerous Resources from the Logos Electronic Library, Message by Mark Driscoll.

Use at will and pass them on.

ESV Bible Reading Plans

“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, ²and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you- unless you believed in vain.  ³ For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,  ⁴that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,  ⁵ and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.  ⁶ Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.  ⁷ Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.  ⁸ Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.  ⁹ For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.  ¹⁰ But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.  ¹¹Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.  ¹² Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?  ¹³ But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.  ¹⁴ And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.  ¹⁵ We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised.  ¹⁶ For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised.  ¹⁷ And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.  ¹⁸ Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.  ¹⁹ If in this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.  ²⁰ But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.  ²¹ For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.  ²² For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.  1 Corinthians 15:1-22 ^ESV

“remind you brothers” Re-communicating the Truth to his spiritual family.

“the gospel” The Good News about Jesus and all He came to do.

“received…stand…being saved” Different aspects of salvation. (justification-when we

become Christians, sanctification-our growth as Christians, glorification-when

the process in finally completed in heaven.

“if you hold fast to the word I preached to you” Not loss of salvation, but an

encouragement to live out their salvation. Works like the ‘warning passages.’

“unless you believed in vain” If their faith wasn’t genuine.

P: Salvation is both an event and a process.

Have I experienced the event? Am I growing in the process?

“first importance” The most important thing he communicated

“I also received” Paul didn’t make this message up. It came to him as it came to them.

“Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures” The Gospel storyline didn’t just

come out of the blue. It is the Big Story of the Bible; referenced in Genesis, there

were types and shadows along the way (the Ark, prophets, priests, a sacrificial

system, etc.), prophesies of a Messiah written centuries earlier, longing people, etc.

“…he was buried…” in the borrowed tomb of Joseph of Arimathea (Mt. 27:57)
“…raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” In fulfillment of Jesus own

predictions and the prophesies that foretold its occurrence.

P:  Jesus life, death and resurrection are rooted in actual history and not religious speculation.

For more information, please visit www.crossinglouisville.com.

“he appeared to Cephas” His follower Peter who had denied him only days before.

“then to the twelve” The rest of His disciples that had fallen asleep and deserted Him.

P: Our God is a God of second chances.

“he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time most of whom are still alive, though some

have fallen asleep.” An appearance to a large number of people who could refute this

if it were false. Biblical language for death.

“James” the brother of the Lord Jesus. Author of the book of James.

“all of the apostles” The rest of Jesus’ key followers.

“one untimely born…me” Ref. to the fact that he wasn’t with them at the time.

He supernaturally appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus (Acts 9)

“I am the least of the apostles unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of

God.” Paul remembered his past before he knew Jesus.

“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary,

I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.

P: True encounters with Jesus give us the proper assessment of ourselves.

Am I walking in the proper assessment of myself today? If not, what needs to change?

^“Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.” The same message.

P: If it is truly the Gospel, it is the same no matter who communicates it.

“How can some of you say…” Greeks rejected the notion of the resurrection of the dead.

“But if…” The resurrection of Jesus and resurrection from the dead are inseparable.

“If Christ has not been raised…”  (v. 14-19)

1.      Our preaching is in vain.

2.      Our faith is in vain.

3.      We are misrepresenting God.

4.      We are still in our sins.

5.      Those also who have fallen asleep (died) in Christ (with their faith in Christ) have perished (to spend eternity in Hell separated from God).

6.      Of all the people in all the world, we are the most to be pitied because we have wasted our entire lives believing, preaching and hoping in a lie.

“But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead…” (v. 20-22)

1.      The OPPOSITE of everything that was just listed is true.

2.      Jesus has come to fix everything that Adam broke.

The Resurrection is the lynchpin of Christianity. If it is not true, our faith and ministry are worthless. Because it is true,

there is hope for us and the world.

Works Cited: John MacArthur Study Bible, Life Application Bible, Preaching Jesus by Mark Driscoll, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, NIV Application Commentary

Why we talk about money at church

“Now when the wall had been built and I had set up the doors, and the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed, I gave my brother Hanani and Hananiah the governor of the castle charge over Jerusalem, for he was a more faithful and God-fearing man than many. These men were chosen because of their character.

P: Our character opens and closes doors for us.

Examples in Scripture:

1. Jesus – (Rom. 5:19, 2 Cor. 5:21)
2. Acts 6:1-7 – choosing of those who would help the Apostles’
3. Qualifications for Pastor/Elders – 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1

Steps Toward Developing Godly Character:

1. Immerse yourselves in the Scriptures.
   1. Your time in the Bible has got to become more important than whatever is keeping you from it. What is keeping you from sending quality time in the Bible? What needs to change?
2. Spend time with Jesus in prayer.

a.  His character will rub off on you.

3.  Spend time with Jesus’ people.

a.  He who walks with the wise grows wise (Prov. 13:20). Bad company corrupts good

character (1 Cor. 15:33). The opposite is also true.

b. Taking it to the next level:

1. People who are ‘in your life.’ Spouses. Pastors. etc. Fight Clubs.

2. Ask someone you trust to honestly assess your character.

i. Someone who sees your blind spots and can address them in the Gospel.

P: There is a direct link between our fear of God and our

faithfulness to God.

Definition:  The “fear of God” is the reverential awe, worship, and even trepidation before the holy Creator God. For us, it finds its fullness in the cross where we see the intersection of God’s holiness and wrath and God’s love.

Practically:  If we take the holiness of God seriously, we will take our sin and the Cross seriously. If we will see that our sin is so serious that it cost Jesus His life and Jesus is so loving that He willingly laid down His life, then we will be motivated to live our lives as people who are not our own but who were bought with a price (1 Cor. 6:20)

Am I walking in an appropriate, biblical, fear of God that comes together in the Cross today? If not what, needs to change?

“And I said to them, “Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot. And while they are still standing guard, let them shut and bar the doors. Appoint guards from among the inhabitants of Jerusalem, some at their guard posts and some in front of their own homes. “The city was wide and large, but the people within it were few, and no houses had been rebuilt.” This would have been an adjustment to typical practice.

P: It’s not enough to be used by God to build something, we have to be ready to protect it as well.

*If you neglect it, the enemy will wreck it. If you ignore it, the enemy will destroy it. (John 10:10)

How is the enemy attacking you? How effectively are you protecting what God is rebuilding within you?

“Then my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles and the officials and the people to be enrolled by genealogy. And I found the book of the genealogy of those who came up at the first, and I found written in it:” Nehemiah was a man with an intimate relationship with God.

“These were the people of the province who came up out of the captivity of those exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried into exile…”

About the List of Names (v. 6-73)

1. This list is comparable to another list recorded in Ezra 2, though there are some slight differences. This is not an “error” in the Bible, as some suggest. It is possible a copyist’s error or they counted and included things in different ways. No cause for concern.
2. There Are Ten Different Groups of People Listed Here: Leaders who returned with Zerubabel, families or clans, priests, gatekeepers, various temple servants, singers, etc.

All together, some believe the list references 50,000 names.

P: God’s work force is both unified and diversified.

The same is true today and seen in the church (Eph. 2:10, Rom. 12)

Do I know and am I content with the part God has given me to play? Am I playing it to the best of my ability? If not, what needs to change?

P: Nehemiah counted the people because the people counted.

Just like Nehemiah knew the names of his workers, God knows the names of His

workers as well.

Do I know that God knows my name today? How is that impacting my daily life?

P: Nehemiah counted their financial investment because their

financial investment counted (v. 66-72).

How would I feel if my giving was broadcast as theirs was? Encouraged or convicted?  Am I faithfully investing in the expansion of the Gospel through Crossing and beyond? What needs to change in this area?

P: Our vision needs to extend beyond our own generation (v. 8).

Do I recognize that the choices I make today can affect my grandchildren’s children someday? How might God use this fact to help influence my daily life for the better?

P: Being able to prove your bloodline matters (v. 61-65).

How am I leveraging my spiritual bloodline in my fight against the world, flesh and devil?

Through the Gospel, we join the most

Works Consulted: Expositor’s Bible Commentary, ESV Study Bible, MacArthur Study Bible, Be Determined by Warren Wiersbe, Numerous Resources from the Logos Electronic Library.

In light of the message, this blog seemed fitting.

Check it out.

On Priorities: Which Ball Do You Drop?

“Now when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it (although up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates) The wall was almost finished. One final attempt.

Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono.” On the surface, this looked like a great opportunity to make nice.

But they intended to do me harm. But Nehemiah knew better.

P: Good leaders have good discernment.

How Do We Get This?

1. Immersing ourselves in the Scriptures.
2. Walking closely with Jesus in prayer.
3. Walking with wise people (Prov. 13:20).

How is your discernment today? What needs to change to improve it?

And I sent messengers to them, saying, I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?”

P: Good leaders have a good handle on their priorities.

How Do We Do This?

1. Figure out what our priorities are according to Scripture.
   • Jesus. Spouse (if applicable). Children (if applicable). Ministry/Vocation.
   • When these get out of order, things always go wrong. Disordered priorities always eventually lead to destruction.
2. Learn your limits and learn to say “no.”
   • We all have different sized plates. Different sizes in different seasons.
   • “The secret to effectiveness is elimination.” – Howard Hendricks.
   • If you have trouble saying no, get to the bottom of what is driving it. Is it a fear of man? Misplaced identity? Pride?
3. Live in community – not just attend a community group.

How are you doing with your priorities today? What needs to change to bring improvement?

And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner.

P: When our enemies are persistent, we have to be even more persistent to succeed.

Am I leaning on Jesus and His people to answer His call to persistence?

In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand. Letters were carefully sealed at this time. It was was meant to spread rumors.

In it was written,”It is reported among the nations, and Geshem also says it, that you and the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall. And according to these reports you wish to become their king. And you have also set up prophets to proclaim concerning you in Jerusalem, ‘There is a king in Judah.’ And now the king will hear of these reports. So now come and let us take counsel together.” There were multiple lies here intended to force Nehemiah to meet with them. Each of them could have brought serious consequences.

P: God’s enemies will use intimidation and lies to try to derail God’s work.

Are you aware of how the Enemy is using these in your life? How are you thwarting his attempts?

Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind.” For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done. But now, O God, strengthen my hands.” Nehemiah didn’t answer all the threats, but he did these. He knew these were serious threats at a pivotal point in the work. Again, we see his consistent commitment to prayer.

P: Good leaders have the wisdom they need to know when and how to respond to their enemies.

Are you walking in this wisdom? What needs to change in this area?

Now when I went into the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home, he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple. Let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you. They are coming to kill you by night.” But I said, “Should such a man as I run away? And what man such as I could go into the temple and live? I will not go in.“ He was likely a family friend. Possibly a shut-in.

To go into the temple would have been a clear violation of the Law and seriously undermined Nehemiah’s ability to lead effectively.

And I understood and saw that God had not sent him, but he had pronounced the prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. For this purpose he was hired, that I should be afraid and act in this way and sin, and so they could give me a bad name in order to taunt me. Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, according to these things that they did, and also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who wanted to make me afraid. As before, he prays for justice to be done.

P: Good leaders lead with integrity and courage even at the risk of their own safety.

Are these qualities evidenced in your leadership? If not, what needs to change?

So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God. The work is done.

Moreover, in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah’s letters came to them. For many in Judah were bound by oath to him, because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of Arah: and his son Jehohanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah as his wife. Also they spoke of his good deeds in my presence and reported my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to make me afraid. An evil alliance from within.

P: Even though the war is over, the battle continues. The same is true for us.

Am doing my part to stand firm in the battle?

We can stand firm in our battle because Jesus stood firm in His battle and now stands with us.

Works Cited: Expositor’s Bible Commentary, MacArthur Study Notes, ESV Study Bible, Be Determined by Wiersbe, Messages by Mark Driscoll, Other Logos Resources

“Now there arose a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish brothers.” The inclusion of the wives shows the significance of the problem. It was against their own.

For there were those who said, “With our sons and our daughters, we are many. So let us get grain, that we may eat and keep alive.” There were also those who said, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our houses to get grain because of the famine.” And there were those who said, “We have borrowed money for the king’s tax on our fields and our vineyards. 5 Now our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our children are as their children. Yet we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but it is not in our power to help it, for other men have our fields and our vineyards.”

A Perfect Storm of Trouble:

1. There was a famine leading to starvation (v.1).People were having to mortgage their homes to buy just enough food to survive. In this agrarian culture, this was an even more significant problem because people were not only fed from the land but also made a living from it (v.2-3).
2. In addition to these difficulties, they were required to pay exorbitant taxes to the king on the land they could keep (v.4).
3. As if these weren’t bad enough, the poorer Jews had borrowed money from the wealthier Jews to pay the tax to keep their land. Because they couldn’t pay back their loans, they were having to sell their children into slavery and, likely, even prostitution. They could do nothing about it (v.5).

P: There is a always a price to be paid for doing God’s work.

Do I know this is true? Do I know Jesus has suffered before me? Do I turn to Jesus when I suffer?

“I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words.” This is significant anger.

P: God’s people should be angry at the things that make God angry.

Anger in the Bible:

1. Righteous Anger: Becoming angry about the things that make God angry but not sinning in the process (Eph. 4:25-27)

a.  Do the things that make God angry make me angry? If not, why not? What should change?

b.  We need to be careful to not assume everything is righteous anger.

2. Unrighteous Anger: Something in that process gets derailed.

a.  Examples: Nebuchadnezzar. Peter cutting off soldier’s ear.

3. Any time we find ourselves getting angry, we need to ask “Why am I Angry?”

a.  Is this righteous anger? If so, what righteous action is God leading me to take?

b.  Is this unrighteous anger? If so, repent and look for the “sin behind the sin.”

“I took counsel with myself…” Nehemiah stopped to think before he acted.

P: It is a wise person that takes stock before taking action.

Do I think before I speak or act or do I “act first and apologize” later?

“and I brought charges against the nobles and the officials. I said to them, “You are exacting interest, each from his brother.” This was called “usury.” Loaning money wasn’t a problem but charging interest to another Jew was a direct violation of the Law that God had established – a serious sin.

And I held a great assembly against them and said to them, “We, as far as we are able, have bought back our Jewish brothers who have been sold to the nations, but you even sell your brothers that they may be sold to us!” They were silent and could not find a word to say. So I said, “The thing that you are doing is not good. Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God to prevent the taunts of the nations our enemies? Moreover, I and my brothers and my servants are lending them money and grain. Let us abandon this exacting of interest. Return to them this very day their fields, their vineyards, their olive orchards, and their houses, and the percentage of money, grain, wine, and oil that you have been exacting from them.” He lets them have it- appropriately.

P: Good leaders appropriately confront sin and call for repentance.

Do I do this in my own life? With others? Do I do this the proper, Gospel-centered way?

“Then they said, “We will restore these and require nothing from them. We will do as you say.” And I called the priests and made them swear to do as they had promised.” They heard and responded accordingly.

“I also shook out the fold of my garment and said, “So may God shake out every man from his house and from his labor who does not keep this promise. So may he be shaken out and emptied.” And all the assembly said “Amen” and praised the Lord. And the people did as they had promised.” Public ceremonial gesture.

The Pathway to Change

1. Confrontation (Scripture: can be through sermons, group, personal conversations. etc.).
2. Conviction and Confession. (We recognize we are wrong and confess our sin.)
3. Repentance (A spiritual “U-Turn.” “Putting off” our sinful practice. )
4. Restitution (“Putting on” Christ. Making amends when we can. eg. Paying back the money))

What do you need to put off today? Put on?  Where have you “stopped short on this path?”

“Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes the king, twelve years, neither I nor my brothers ate the food allowance of the governor. The former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people and took from them for their daily ration forty shekels of silver. Even their servants lorded it over the people. But I did not do so, because of the fear of God.” Nehemiah shows profound character for a powerful reason.

P: Good leaders do the right thing for the right reason.

Is this kind of servanthood at work in my life? Do I do the right thing for the right reason?

“I also persevered in the work on this wall, and we acquired no land, and all my servants were gathered there for the work. Moreover, there were at my table 150 men, Jews and officials, besides those who came to us from the nations that were around us. Now what was prepared at my expense for each day was one ox and six choice sheep and birds, and every ten days all kinds of wine in abundance. Yet for all this I did not demand the food allowance of the governor, because the service was too heavy on this people. Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people.”When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work.” Even more profound character.

P: Nehemiah provides a profound picture of generosity, self-sacrifice and an eye toward Ultimate Reality.

Am I following this example of generosity, self-sacrifice and eye toward heaven?

The example of Nehemiah points us to the example and empowerment of Jesus.

15 When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work. 16 From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, 17 who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. 18 And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me. 19 And I said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another. 20 In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.” 21 So we labored at the work, and half of them held the spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out. 22 I also said to the people at that time, “Let every man and his servant pass the night within Jerusalem, that they may be a guard for us by night and may labor by day.” 23 So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes; each kept his weapon at his right hand. Nehemiah 4:1-23 ESV

“When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work.” Nehemiah knew that there was no time to lose. They would return.

P: When God delivers us, there’s often not much time to celebrate.

Do I walk in this truth or do I allow myself to ‘let my guard down’ spiritually? How are you doing this?

“From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me.” Nehemiah had a well-thought-out plan.

P: Significant problems call for significant solutions.

Is this reflected in my planning or am I trying to take shortcuts that won’t lead to lasting change?

Practically Speaking:

1. It is likely that you didn’t get into the mess overnight, so it is likely you won’t get out overnight either.

2. The nature of our plan should reflect the nuances of our problem.

“And I said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another.” The difficult reality.

P: The biblical perspective assesses the situation as it is, not how we wish it were.

In the Scriptures:

1. Abraham (Rom. 4)
2. Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego (Dan. 3)
3. Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemanae (Mk. 14)

Are we addressing ‘actual reality’ or are we living in some kind of denial?

“In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.“

Nehemiah drew their attention back to Ultimate Reality.

P: Ultimate Reality is that God is the Ultimate Defender of His people.

Practically Speaking:

1. Their hands built the wall drew their swords but it was God’s hand that ultimately protected them.

2. The same is true for us.. We may take action to defend ourselves, but it is ultimately God who defends us. We stand against the world, the flesh and the devil, but it is God who gives us the strength to stand. (Phil. 2:12-13)

3. This should give us great hope in our struggle against sins of all kinds and hope, for our marriages, parenting, mission, etc.

Am I viewing life from the appropriate perspective? If not, what needs to change?

“So we labored at the work…” Nehemiah was a co-laborer, not a consultant.“…and half of them held the spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out. I also said to the people at that time, “Let every man and his servant pass the night within Jerusalem, that they may be a guard for us by night and may labor by day.” The workers would work by day and then sleep at their post at night. The need was great so the need for sacrifice was also great.

P: God’s work is hard no matter when or where it is done.

Have I wrongly expected God’s work to be easy? At home? At work? In relationships? Am I pressing into Jesus so that I can do the hard work that is my responsibility?

“So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes; each kept his weapon at his right hand.” Nehemiah and his team stayed the course.

P: Significant problems call for sustained solutions.

Do the solutions that I come up with reflect a ’spiritual stick-to-it-ive-ness?’

Through Jesus, we have the strength we need to live out what we have learned.

Works Consulted: Expositor’s Bible Commentary, ESV Study Bible, Numerous Resources from the Logos Electronic Library.

Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews. 2 And he said in the presence of his brothers and of the army of Samaria, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burned ones at that?” 3 Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Yes, what they are building-if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!” 4 Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. 5 Do not cover their guilt, and let not their sin be blotted out from your sight, for they have provoked you to anger in the presence of the builders. 6 So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. 7 But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and that the breaches were beginning to be closed, they were very angry. 8 And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. 9 And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.10 In Judah it was said, “The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall.” 11 And our enemies said, “They will not know or see till we come among them and kill them and stop the work.” 12 At that time the Jews who lived near them came from all directions and said to us ten times, “You must return to us.” 13 So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed the people by their clans, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. 14 And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.” Nehemiah 4:1-14 ESV

“Sanballat… angry and greatly enraged…jeered at the Jews… in the presence of his brothers and of the army

of Samaria, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burned ones at that? Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Yes, what they are building-if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!” Insulting the workers and their work in numerous ways.

P: Any time we seek to do God’s work God’s way, there will always be opposition.

Three Enemies that Oppose Us All:

1. The world-the system of values on which the ‘kingdom of this world’ operates.
2. The flesh-the yet unredeemed part of us that we war against for holiness.
3. The devil-our spiritual adversary spoken of repeatedly in the Scriptures.

Do I know that this is true? Do I know how each of my enemies oppose me and do I have a plan for success?

“Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. Do not cover their guilt, and let not their sin be blotted out from your sight, for they have provoked you to anger in the presence of the builders.” Nehemiah’s prayer.

P: When the opposition comes, our first response should be prayer.

Is prayer my first response or a ‘last resort’ when opposition comes in my life? What needs to change?

The Content of the Prayer:

1. It reveals that Nehemiah understood that they were working against God, not him.
   • Very reminiscent of the ‘imprecatory psalms.’
   • Our hearts are usually not so well-intentioned so we need to be careful.
2. This also reflects the unfolding nature of Redemptive History.
3. For us, this prayer is more descriptive than prescriptive.

“So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.

P: God accomplishes His Sovereign will through the obedience of His people.

Am I walking in the appropriate balance between God’s sovereignty and my responsibility? If not, what needs to change?

“But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard…they were very angry…they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it.

Rhetoric is becoming reality. Jerusalem is now surrounded and they are plotting an attack.

P: God’s enemies don’t let up so we can’t either.

Have I been wrongly expecting the Christian life to be easy?

“And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.” Another obvious partnership between divine sovereignty and human responsibility.

“In Judah it was said, “The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall.” Judah was another name for the area around Jerusalem. This shows that morale is weakening in the face of the greatness of the work.

“And our enemies said, “They will not know or see till we come among them and kill them and stop the work.” Important to note that these weren’t idle threats.

“At that time the Jews who lived near them came from all directions and said to us ten times, “You must return to us.” Frightened wives and family members.

P: In accomplishing God’s work, sometimes well-meaning people - even your own family can become an obstacle.

“So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed the people by their clans, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. Nehemiah gets creative.

P: Good leaders play the hand they are dealt, not the hand they wanted.

Am I able to make the needed adjustments as the situation changes or am I ‘playing the victim?’

And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.” Nehemiah directed their attention heavenward.

P: When opposition arises we need to look to the greatness of God not the greatness of the opposition.

Is my tendency to focus on God or the opposition in my life?

The greatness of God is seen most clearly in the Cross.

Works Consulted : Expositor’s Bible Commentary, MacArthur Study Bible, Message by Mark Driscoll, Other works by Ware, Wiersby, Carson, Stanley, Getz, others. Logos Library: too many to list!

Facts About the Text and the Wall:

• The list provides a counterclockwise ‘fly through’ around the wall and a list of the names of all the people who would have worked on it.
• 41 parties are named in the reconstruction of 42 sections. The project included rebuilding both the walls and the gates.
• The circuit of the walls would have been between 2-2.5 miles enclosing between 90-220 acres. Each of the 42 sections would have averaged about 250 ft. in length though there was one extraordinarily long section and a couple of sections were very short.
• The wall itself would have been 15-20 ft high and 3-4 ft wide.

Observations About the Text:

1. The fact that Nehemiah included these names is significant.

P: Nehemiah was a good leader who valued his people and the contribution that they made.

Do I value the people in my life or do I take them for granted? Who do I need to “appreciate?”

2. Who led the work and where the work began is significant (v.1).
   • Eliashib the high priest led the way. 1 Pet. 5:3 leader as example.
   • They began at the Sheep Gate which was named for where the sheep came in on their way to the temple to be sacrificed. By starting here there, they were “putting God first.”

P: Any time we undertake a task we should seek to “put God first.”

Can that be said for you when you take on a task-of any size? If not, what needs to change?

3. Some people are capable of doing more work than others (11, 19, 21,24, 27,30)
   • By divine design, we all have different gifting, abilities, limitations, etc.
4. The workers were strategically positioned where they would make the greatest impact (v. 10, 23, 28,30):
   • Most were positioned just outside their homes. People work harder when their hearts are in the work.
   • Think 1 Cor. 12-14. One body, many members.

P: Each of us have been strategically positioned for the greatest impact as well.

Am I making the most of my strategic placement? If not, what needs to change?

5. Some jobs are less desirable than others:
   • The Dung gate: It was like the ancient landfill/sewer system where all of the feces and trash were taken out to the dump. The man assigned there was some kind of ruler and showed great humility.

P: Faithfulness is not about which part you play, it is about how well you play your part.

Am I playing my part well? If not, what is standing in the way?

6. The nature of the work force:

• Highly diverse: Rulers and priests (1, 12-19), men and women (12), professional craftsmen (8, 32) even some outside the city (2,5,7).
• Unusually unqualified for building: From what we can tell, there were no expert builders here. Priests, priests’ helpers, goldsmiths, perfume makers, women, but no expert builders or carpenters are named.

P: God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.

What is God using me to do? Do you see the significance of what you are doing for the Kingdom?

• Some of the workers had a checkered past (v. 4, 11)
• Meremoth’s grandfather had been excluded from the priesthood. Malkijah had married a foreign wife.

P: God can use anyone, no matter what his or her past.

Am I living in the good of this truth today or am I being shackled by my past?

• Some of the workers worked hard, others didn’t work at all (v. 20, 5)
  • Baruch: only worker said to work ‘zealously.’
  • The nobles: These aristocrats thought they were ‘above’ manual labor. Some of the common people had to do double duty because they didn’t do their part.

P: Our pride can hinder our effectiveness in Kingdom work.

Where is your pride keeping you from being used by God to your full capacity?

If someone were to describe your work (with the church and beyond) how would you be described? Like Baruch or the Tekoans?

The workers and their work point us to the Ulimate Worker and His Work on the Cross.

Works Consulted : Expositor’s Bible Commentary, MacArthur Study Bible, Message by Mark Driscoll, Other works by Ware, Wiersby, Carson, Stanley, Getz, others. Logos Library: too many to list!

9 Then I came to the governors of the province Beyond the River and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen. 10 But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant heard this, it displeased them greatly that someone had come to seek the welfare of the people of Israel. 11 So I went to Jerusalem and was there three days. 12 Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. And I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. There was no animal with me but the one on which I rode. 13 I went out by night by the Valley Gate to the Dragon Spring and to the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire. 14 Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but there was no room for the animal that was under me to pass. 15 Then I went up in the night by the valley and inspected the wall, and I turned back and entered by the Valley Gate, and so returned. 16 And the officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, and I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, and the rest who were to do the work. 17 Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.” 18 And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work. 19 But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” 20 Then I replied to them, “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem.” – Nehemiah 2:9-20 ESV

“the king’s letters… Now the king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen.” These letters, which came with an escort, would have ensured safe passage through what would have otherwise been dangerous territory. They came with a military escort.

These things are obvious evidence of the ‘good hand of God’ upon him.

“when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant heard this, it displeased them greatly that someone had come to seek the welfare of the people of Israel.” The foreboding appearance of the “Joker and Penguin” figures in the book. They were disturbed because Nehemiah’s arrival threatened the Samaritan governor.More on them soon.

“So I went to Jerusalem and was there three days. Nehemiah took a break before he began work. This shows a great amount of discipline and that he understood his limits and the nature of the task at hand.

P: Before we lead others well, we have to lead ourselves well.

Do I have appropriate rest in my life or am I running at an unsustainable pace?

Steps Toward Change:

1. Ask “Why am I running so hard?” and apply the Gospel.

2. Consider the alternative.

P: There is a right way to cast vision (v.12-16).

Before the Vision is Cast (v.12-16):

Nehemiah “does his homework” secretly, silently and systematically before he ever goes public. This applies to all of us both at home and at work.

When It Comes Time to Cast the Vision (v. 17-18):

1. The timing matters.
   • Nehemiah casts the vision at the moment when it has the potential to make the greatest impact.
2. The language matters.
   • “the trouble…” “ruins…burned” “no longer suffer derision”
   • All strongly emotive words meant to move the people.
3. “let us build…”
   • Nehemiah is a co-laborer not a consultant.
4. The passion matters.
   • The need is the seed of vision. The vision is a solution to a problem.
   • He spoke passionately about what he was passionate about.
5. The facts matter.
   • Nehemiah didn’t spin the truth. Integrity and credibility are at stake.
   • The King is with me and God is with me.
   • When appropriate, we need to point out where God is at obviously at work.

“But when Sanballat… heard…they jeered at us and despised us and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” lit. ‘ridicule,’ strong language.

P: When we seek to do the right thing the right way, we will always be met with some kind of opposition (v.19).

Do I know the opposition is coming? Or do I expect that things to be easy?

“And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. Then I replied to them, “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem.”

Nehemiah speaks with clarity and confidence but not cockiness.

P: Our confidence must be in God and not ourselves (v.20).

Where is my confidence today? Especially when I encounter opposition?

The Gospel is our hope for doing the right thing the right way.

Works Consulted : Expositor’s Bible Commentary, MacArthur Study Bible, Message by Mark Driscoll, Other works by Ware, Wiersby, Carson, Stanley, Getz, others. Logos Library: too many to list!

^2:1 In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence. ²And the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of the heart.” Then I was very much afraid. ³I said to the king, “Let the king live forever! Why should not my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ graves, lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” ⁴Then the king said to me, “What are you requesting?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. ⁵And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ graves, that I may rebuild it.” ⁶And the king said to me (the queen sitting beside him), “how long will you be gone, and when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me when I had given him a time. ⁷And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let letters be given me to the governors of the province Beyond the River, that they may let me pass through until I come to Judah, ⁸and a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may make beams for the gates of the fortress of the temple, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall occupy.” And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me. (Nehemiah 2:1-8)

Nehemiah is EXTREMELY normal

• In a Bible full of prophets and miracle-workers Nehemiah is a just a guy
• He works hard and God blesses him and is pleased with him (2:8)
• Nehemiah is an encouragement to other normal people who want to serve God and be blessed.
• What did Nehemiah do that we can do?

1. Nehemiah had a broken heart over a serious need (2:1-3)

• The news of the broken walls led to Nehemiah’s broken heart (1:4)
• Where is your heart breaking? Is it breaking at all?

2. Nehemiah turned to God in prayer (2:4)

• Prayer is when we turn to God to speak to him and ask for his help
• Nehemiah is a man of prayer (cf. 1:4ff, 4:4-5; 5:19; 6:9, 14; 13:14, 22, 29, 31)
• Nehemiah did not keep his brokenness to himself but aimed it in a Godward direction

3. Nehemiah turned to God in Scripture (1:5, 7-9)

• Nehemiah’s life-all his prayers and plans were informed by Scripture
• The words of Nehemiah’s prayers and the foundation for his plans did not fall out of the sky but were rooted in texts of Scripture
  • The Great God who keeps a covenant of love (Deut 5:10)
  • The commandments, statutes, and rules (Deut 6:6)
  • The promise to scatter and return (Lev 26:33-45; 2 Chron 6:36-39)

4. Nehemiah meditated on the character of God (1:5)

• Nehemiah’s Scripture-soaked prayers reflect the thoughts of a man pondering God
• Nehemiah’s exalted view of God
  • The God of heaven (Deut 10:14-15)
  • The great and awesome God (Deut 7:21)
  • The God who keeps covenant and steadfast love (Deut 7:9)
• What does your brain sound like?

5. Nehemiah took time to think and plan (1:1; 2:1)

• From idea to implementation Nehemiah took 4 months
• This gave Nehemiah time to think, prepare, and pray about . . .
  • How do bring up the matter with the king (2:3; cf. Ezra 4:17-23)
  • How long the work would take (2:6)
  • What he would need to get the job done (2:7-8)
• Nehemiah didn’t rush in (Prov 14:8)
• But neither did he drag his feet (1:11)

6. Nehemiah acted, trusting God (2:4)

• All preparation finally Gave way to implementation
• Nehemiah was scared (2:2) but he trusted God and acted

All this met with God’s blessing (2:8)

• Be careful: God’s blessing ≠ Getting what you want!
• 3 cautions from Nehemiah
  • Nehemiah’s evaluation was based on the long-term
  • Nehemiah was self-sacrificing
  • Nehemiah was focused on God’s redemptive purposes

“4As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. 5 And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned. 7 We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses. 8 Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, 9 but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’ 10 They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. 11 O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. Now I was cupbearer to the king.” Nehemiah 1:4-11

“As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days…” Tremendous

response for news that was 140 years old.

“and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.” Going without physical food

for the purpose of being more focused in prayer. Sustained response as well

underscoring the deep affect that this had upon him.

P: God’s people should be broken by the brokenness of their city.

Is your heart broken for our city? If not, what needs to change?

P: When the bad news hits, we should PRAY!

What this does:

1. Enters God into the equation-better yet, it reminds you that He is already in the equation and already at work.
2. Gives you the spiritual resources you need to navigate this difficulty.
3. Puts things in perspective. Allows you to assess how big of a deal this is.

What is typically my response when I hear bad news? What needs to change?

“And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast

love with those who love him and keep his commandments…” He begins with adoration and a reminder of Who God is and highlights the ‘covenant keeping’ aspect of His nature (Deut. 7:9). This is his ‘hesed,’ a central theme of God’s faithfulness in the OT.

P: We should begin our prayers with worship.

What this does:

1. Makes sure that we are approaching God the right way.
   • Too often, we approach God as if He was a vending machine as opposed to the matchless King and Creator that He is.

“let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned. We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses.” Note the appropriate thoroughness. “commandments” are directives like the Ten Commandments, “statutes” something prescribed in the Law like keeping the Passover, “rules” are legal decisions or judgments. He includes himself in the confession.

P: Confession should be a regular part of our prayers.

Is confession of my sin a regular part of my prayer life?

Practically Speaking:

1. Confess your sins immediately.
2. Be as specific as possible.

“Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’ They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand.” This is a restatement of the covenant promises of God. This was common in the OT. For us, this would be a modern equivalent of praying the Scriptures back to God. In his own “Old Testament” way, applying the Gospel.

P: The Scriptures should be a regular part of our prayer life.

Practically Speaking:

• Allow the Text to guide your prayers. Simply pray through a passage.

Are the Scriptures a regular part of my prayer life? If not, what needs to change?

“O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” A prayer of supplication. Foreshadowing for what is to come in the book.

P: Don’t be afraid to ask for what you need.

Am I in the habit of asking God for what I need?

“Now I was cupbearer to the king.” Nehemiah’s statement about his job.

P: God strategically places us where He wants us to make a unique impact.

Do I recognize that I am where I am by the sovereign providence of God?

The Gospel is our hope for praying and serving rightly.

Works Consulted : NIV Application Commentary, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, ESV Study Bible, MacArthur Study Bible, Message by Mark Driscoll, Other works by Ware, Driscoll, Getz, others. Logos Library

Quick Facts about the Book of Nehemiah:

Who wrote it? Some debate, but according to both internal and external evidence, it

appears to be a combination of Nehemiah and Ezra.

When and why was it written? Likely between 445-432 BC. Most of the action takes

place in Jerusalem. It serves largely historical & educational purposes.

What is it basically about? Human: It is the story of a man named Nehemiah who

rebuilt the walls around the city of Jerusalem so that God’s exiled people could

return to their city (Jerusalem), reinstitute their worship of God and get back to

being the kind of nation they were intended to be. Divine: God reveals

His continued faithfulness to His people.

What are some of its major themes?

1. God’s plans are always accomplished.
2. God gives vision and the strength to carry it out.
3. Prayer is an essential component of any successful endeavor.
4. Nehemiah provides a great example of leadership.
5. Nehemiah provides a great example of perseverance in the face of ongoing

difficulties and distractions.

1. God brings repentance and revival to His people through His Word.

Why are we studying Nehemiah?

1. It is a great book to address where we are as a community and individuals.

• Nehemiah set out to build a “City within the City.” So are we.
• “A City within the City” of Louisville built on the values of the Bible. Gospel. Community. Mission.

2. Nehemiah effectively accomplished a great building task. We hope to as well.

3. All of the themes in this book are things we need to learn about.

How to Get the Most Out of Our Study of Nehemiah:

Know:

1. This begins by reading Nehemiah rightly.

• We begin with its historical, grammatical, biblical context. Then we recognize that even though these texts are about Nehemiah first, they are not about Nehemiah only
• He is a ‘hero’ in the Bible that points us to the “Hero” of the Bible.

2. We must understand the Bible as one “Big Story” of Redemptive History.

• The Bible is not a loose collection of stories and pithy sayings but rather one, unified story that all points to Jesus.

Do:

1. Read (or listen to) the book in its entirety (www.esv.org).

• a. Use the study notes in your Bible. Repetition leads to retention.

2. Read the Text we will teach each week. (We include it in the email.)

• Write down some thoughts, questions, or observations.

3. Interact with your community group and on the City.

“The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the capital, 2 that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. 3 And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.” Nehemiah 1:1-3 ESV

“Nehemiah” The main human character of the book. At least, the partial writer of the book. Chapters 1-7 and 13 are likely his journal entries. Amazing man who loved God, His glory and His people. Not mentioned anywhere else in Scripture. Not a ’religious professional’ of any kind. Just a man, working a job that God used.

P: God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.

Do I believe and live as if this is true?

P: God uses one man to make a world of difference.

What ‘world of difference’ is God wanting to make through my life?

“Chislev…twentieth year…Susa the capital” Winter. November/December. 20^th year of the reign of the king that Nehemiah worked for.

“Hanani…certain men from Judah” Some visitors came to see him from Jerusalem.

“Jews…exile…Jerusalem” God’s chosen people had been carried away and enslaved by the Babylonians.

Backstory: God had called out a people for Himself (the Israelites) who were ‘blessed to be a blessing’ to the nations around them. Sometimes they fulfilled this role, but many times they didn’t. In order to lovingly discipline them, God allowed their kingdom to be split in two and their people to be captured by the Assyrians and Babylonians. The Jews from Jerusalem had been living in exile in Babylon. Jerusalem, which was to be their archetypical “city within the city,” was, instead, in great disrepair.

“wall…broken down and gates are destroyed by fire.” The wall was of had both practical and spiritual significance. It protected them from other attacking nations but it also symbolized how seriously they did/n’t take their relationship with God.

P: Disobedience always leads to discipline.

How is God trying to get your attention today through his loving discipline?

P: The ‘externals’ in our lives reveal the condition of the ‘internal.’

What do the ‘externals’ in my life reveal?

All that we learn about Nehemiah reminds us of all that we love about Jesus.

Works Consulted : NIV Application Commentary, Life Application Bible, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, ESV Study Bible, MacArthur Study Bible, Message by Mark Driscoll, Other works by Ware, Driscoll, Getz, others.

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, 23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. Matthew 6:19-24 ESV

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth” Or “stop immediately.” Contextually, it would have likely been referring to clothing passed down as a form of wealth. Broader scope, it is “cease and desist” order of the “pursuit of stuff.”

P: As a citizen of the Kingdom, your life can’t be defined by the pursuit of temporal “stuff.”

Am I living my life and using my finances as a citizen of the Jesus’ Kingdom? What am I living for?

“where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,” Reason 2: It is not safe.

Vermin can attack them. Thieves can steal them.

P: Jesus is not saying, “Don’t save.” He is saying “Money can’t be your savior.”

To save us from:

1. Feeling out of control-’saved’ by the illusion of control money provides.
2. Our insecurity-’saved’ by our wardrobe, car, house, etc.
3. Our ‘uncomfortability’-’saved’ from things that make us ‘uncomfortable.

How am I looking for money to be my savior today?

“but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” Ref. to heavenly rewards.

P: As a citizen of my Kingdom, your life should be defined by the pursuit of eternal things.

This Happens By:

1. Living all of your life in obedience to God (all-inclusive).
2. Investing in the mission of God through grace-motivated giving that happens regularly, proportionally, sacrificially, freely, joyfully, & with accountability.

“where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” The “Big Why” in this verse.

P: Our hearts and our “stuff” are connected.

P: If you want to know where your heart is with God, follow the money.

Where does the money say your heart is with God?

“The eye is the lamp of the body” In Jewish culture, like the heart. Further amplifying v. 21.

P: Our perspective on money affects everything.

“eye…healthy…full of light…eye…bad…darkness…great darkness” If your perspective is right, you are on good footing. If your perspective is wrong, you are in big trouble.

Which kingdom’s perspective do you see at work in your finances?

“No one can serve two masters” A similar ‘crystallization’ as in vs. 21. Denotes slavery. ”hate…love…despise…devoted” Very strong language to make a point.

P: We cannot serve both God and money-we must choose.

Who am I serving (in my life, in this moment) God or money?

We answer this in an “Overarching” and “Moment by Moment” sense:

1. The decisive break in which we become a citizen of Jesus’ Kingdom.

2. The ‘moment by moment’ daily decisions that bear that out in life.

The way we serve God in both situation is the same:

Repent and Believe the Gospel.

Works Consulted : NIV Application Commentary, Life Application Bible, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, ESV Study Bible, MacArthur Study Bible, Bible Promise Books, Sermons by John Piper, Ligon Duncan, Andy Stanley

“We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, ² for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. ³ For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own free will, ⁴ begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints- ⁵ and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. ⁶ Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. ⁷ But as you excel in everything- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you- see that you excel in this act of grace also. ⁸ I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. ⁹ For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. ¹⁰ And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. ¹¹ So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. ¹² For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. ¹³ I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness ¹⁴ your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. ¹⁵ As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.” 2 Corinthians 8:1-15

Overview: Paul uses the example of the Macedonians’ generosity to encourage the Corinthians to give generously to the struggling Christians in Jerusalem.

P: Grace should be the greatest motivator to our giving (v.1-2).

Am I currently giving because of the grace of God? Am I giving at all? If I am, what drives me?

P: Our giving should be proportional to what we have (v. 3, 12)

Could this be said of your giving?

The tithe: “A great place to start but a terrible place to stop.”

P: Our giving should be sacrificial in light of what we have (v.3)

Could this be said of your giving?

P: Our giving should be done freely and joyfully (v.3-4)

Could this be said of your giving?

P: Our giving should begin with giving ourselves to the Lord first-then our money (v.5).

The best question is not: “Is God getting my money?” but “It is God getting me?”

P: Accountability for our giving will lead toward growth (v.6-7).

Upgrades: Finance Team, Giving in Weekly Email, Pledges, Pastoral Meetings

P: Our generosity flows from the generosity of God seen most clearly in the Cross (v.8-9)

Do I make the connection that I give back to God because He gave everything for me?

P: Giving to the Gospel benefits us. (v.10-11)

Do I give in faith recognizing that God will give back to me in some way?

P: Our passion must be accompanied by perseverance (v. 10-11).

Am I someone that follows through on my financial (and other) commitments?

P: We should manage our finances in such a way that we can help one another in hard times (v. 13-15)

Am I managing money in such a way that my ‘extra’ can become someone else’s ‘enough’?

The Gospel is our only hope for painting a picture of generosity in our own lives.

Works Consulted: “Giving and the Gospel Message by Daniel Montgomery, Stewardship Resources by Tim Keller, Generous Series by Mark Driscoll, Change You Can Believe Series In by Steven Furtick, Life Application Bible, MacArthur Study Bible

God Owns Everything.

1. Ps. 24:1, 1 Chr. 29:11-12, Ps. 50:11.

2. We tend to like this truth when we need God to provide something but shy away from it when it reveals the true extent of His ownership.

3. Do we recognize that “our Father owning the cattle on a thousand hills” means that He owns OUR cows as well?

Practically Speaking:

1. You are wearing God’s clothes, driving God’s car, living in God’s house and spending God’s money.

2. The question is not “What can I do with this money?” but “What should I do with this money?”

Heart Idols that Must Be Addressed in Order to Live in Light of This Truth:

1. Pride.

   • We like to think that we earned this money on our own and are entitled to do with it as we please. We need to hear the correction of Deut. 8:17-20.

2. Control.

   • We like to run our own ‘financial kingdom’ where we do what we want with the money. “Tithing” (though a great and needful practice) does not save us from this.

3. Comfort.

   • This idol, which is implicit in our context, is perhaps the most dangerous of all. This will kill our own souls as individuals and families and our Mission together as a church.

Our Hope in All of Our Sins is the Same : JESUS!

“Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Romans 7:24-25a

Practical Steps in the Right Direction:

1. Get to know Jesus-turn from your sins and trust in Christ.

2. Remind yourself effectively and often that your money is not your money.

   • Effectively: Whatever works for you. Eg. Post-it on the check book.

   • There is nothing like regular, systematic, generous giving to keep you oriented in the right direction.
   • Often: You can’t “set it and forget it.” Finances change. Our Flesh wars against us. God wants us to always be growing in this area.

3. Enlist others to help you in your struggle for growth

   • Community Groups. Fight Clubs. Your Pastor/Elders.

4. Begin to ask the right questions.

• Not “What can I do with this money?” but “What should I do with this money?”

The Gospel is our only hope for real, lasting change that works its way from the inside out.

Works Consulted for this Series: Messages by Darrin Patirck, Craig Groschel, Andy Stanley, Daniel Montgomery, Tim Keller and More. Various resources by Dave Ramsey, Larry Burkett, Chip Ingram, Ron Blue, Etc.

]]> http://crossinglouisville.com/2010/01/04/god-and-money-basic-instructions/feed/ 0 00:01:01 Preached on 1.3.10 by Dustin Neeley Sermon Notes God Owns Everything. Ps. 24:1, 1 Chr. 29:11-12, Ps. 50:11. We tend to like this truth when we need God ... Preached on 1.3.10 by Dustin Neeley Sermon Notes God Owns Everything. Ps. 24:1, 1 Chr. 29:11-12, Ps. 50:11. We tend to like this truth when we need God to provide something but shy away from it when it reveals the true extent of His ownership. Do we recognize that "our Father owning the cattle on a thousand hills" means that He owns OUR cows as well? Practically Speaking: You are wearing God's clothes, driving God's car, living in God's house and spending God's money. The question is not "What can I do with this money?" but "What should I do with this money?" Heart Idols that Must Be Addressed in Order to Live in Light of This Truth: Pride. We like to think that we earned this money on our own and are entitled to do with it as we please. We need to hear the correction of Deut. 8:17-20. Control. We like to run our own 'financial kingdom' where we do what we want with the money. "Tithing" (though a great and needful practice) does not save us from this. Comfort. This idol, which is implicit in our context, is perhaps the most dangerous of all. This will kill our own souls as individuals and families and our Mission together as a church. Our Hope in All of Our Sins is the Same : JESUS! "Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" Romans 7:24-25a Practical Steps in the Right Direction: Get to know Jesus-turn from your sins and trust in Christ. Remind yourself effectively and often that your money is not your money. Effectively: Whatever works for you. Eg. Post-it on the check book. There is nothing like regular, systematic, generous giving to keep you oriented in the right direction. Often: You can't "set it and forget it." Finances change. Our Flesh wars against us. God wants us to always be growing in this area. Enlist others to help you in your struggle for growth Community Groups. Fight Clubs. Your Pastor/Elders. Begin to ask the right questions. Not "What can I do with this money?" but "What should I do with this money?" The Gospel is our only hope for real, lasting changenbsp;that works its way from the inside out. Works Consulted for this Series: Messages by Darrin Patirck, Craig Groschel, Andy Stanley, Daniel Montgomery, Tim Keller and More. Various resources by Dave Ramsey, Larry Burkett, Chip Ingram, Ron Blue, Etc. God,amp;,Money,,Sermon,,Uncategorized Crossing Church no No http://crossinglouisville.com/2010/01/03/a-new-perspective-on-money/ http://crossinglouisville.com/2010/01/03/a-new-perspective-on-money/#comments Sun, 03 Jan 2010 19:00:49 +0000 admin http://crossinglouisville.com/?p=725 This morning I showed a helpful clip of a helpful conversation I had this week with Dan about how God has changed his perspective on money over the years. Here is the whole video. The whole thing is only 3 minutes and is definitely worth your time.

12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

Philippians 3: 12-16

“Not…already obtained this…already perfect” Paul is referring back to the previous verses to clarify that he does not believe that he is fully spiritually mature. It is also possible that this false idea of ’spiritual perfection’ was at work in Philippi.

“but I press on to make it my own” Word used for a sprinter. Aggressive, energetic action.

“because Christ Jesus has made me his own.” The basis for his holy discontent.

P: Spiritual growth is spurred by a holy dissatisfaction and recognition that we belong to Jesus.

Do I have these today? If not, why not? What steps do I need to take to see change take place?

Putting Feet on It:

1. Realize that this is our spiritual destiny (Rom. 8:29).

2. Surround yourself with other growing Christians who can encourage you.

“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own…” Restatement of previous idea.

“But one thing I do…” But I have figured this out…here’s how I am going to get there.

“forgetting what lies behind” Not erasing the memory, but not ‘dwelling’ on the past and allowing ourselves to be controlled by it. This includes our hurts, sins, or wins.

P: The past can be the enemy of the present.

Is my past affecting my present in an unhealthy way? If so, what needs to change?

Preaching the Gospel to Our Past:

1. A sin you committed – Jesus died as a ‘propitiation’ (a payment for our sins.)

2. A sin committed against you – Jesus died as an ‘expiation’ – to cleanse us from sin.

3. A hurt from the past – the Gospel brings healing.

4. A past success – restrains our pride, allows us to keep perspective.

P: The pursuit of spiritual growth includes both ‘forgetting’ what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead.

“and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Strong words from an athletic contest, to be straining forward with every fiber of his being. Unclear if Paul is talking about heaven, eternal rewards, or Christ Himself. In any case, the principle is the same.

P: What lies ahead should motivate us to push ahead.

Am I motivated by what lies ahead? If not, why not?

“Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.”

P: Paul’s perspective should be shared by all maturing Christians.

Is this my perspective today? If not, what needs to change

Putting Feet on It:

1. Immerse yourself in the Word-Sundays, personal study, group, etc.

   • Focus on particular Scriptures that keep these things before you.

2. Surround yourself with others pursuing the same perspective.

P: We should live out what we know-as individuals and as a community.

Are we? If not, what needs to change?

The Gospel allows us to look back and lean forward simultaneously.

Works Consulted: MacArthur Study Bible, Bible Knowledge Commentary, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, NIV Application Commentary, New Bible Commentary, The Bible Exposition Commentary

It takes one year and is made up of 300 readings.

Thanks to Tom Ascol for sharing this with his church and the world.

Click HERE to get it.

“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. 21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. Luke 2:1-21 ESV

“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

These historical details remind us that this is actual, factual history and not myth.

Caesar Augustus – Supreme ruler of Roman empire. Great nephew of Julius Caesar.

Registered – They were taking a census to collect more taxes and soldiers.

Quirinius – His ‘cabinet member’ in charge of executing the census and other orders.

Nazareth — the ‘nowhere’ town that was their home.

Bethlehem – about 100 miles away on a donkey for a woman ready to deliver.

he was of the house and lineage of David – to fulfill the prophesies/promises from the OT

P: God is Sovereign over all of history-including our stories.

Do I recognize and rest in God’s sovereignty today?

P: God kept His promises-He still does.

Am I trusting in God’s promises today? Is God calling me to a greater study of Scripture?

“And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

swaddling cloths – tight strips of cloth to keep babies warm and safe.

manger – likely a dirty feeding trough in a cave with animals.

“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.”

Shepherds – This was a job you ‘end up with.’ The were on the lowest rung of society;

disrespected, distrusted, and couldn’t even testify in court.

P: God entrusted the highest news to the lowest people-He still does.

Do we recognize the great grace we have been shown in even hearing the Good News?

“And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

P: The Good News of Great Joy is for all the people.

Have you written anybody out of God’s Kingdom today?

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” “When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

P: Seeing what God has done should lead to sharing what God has done.

Are you in the habit of sharing what God has done? Remember: Unique opportunities of Christmas

And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. Luke 2:1-21 ESV

Jesus didn’t just come to be born but to die and rise again.

The Gospel is our hope.

Works Consulted: Message by Mark Driscoll, Expositor’s Commentary, MacArthur Study Bible, ESV Study Bible, NIV Application Commentary

As most of you now know, it has just been released that Matt Chandler’s pathology report indicated bad news.

From his church website:

“On Tuesday, Dr. Barnett informed Matt and Lauren that the findings of the pathology report revealed a malignant brain tumor that was not encapsulated. The surgery to remove the tumor, the doctor said, was an extremely positive first step; however, because of the nature of the tumor, he was not able to remove all of it.

Matt, who is being released from the hospital today, is meeting with a neuro-oncologist this week to outline the next steps of the recovery process. There is a range of treatment possibilities but the exact course of action has not yet been determined. He will continue outpatient rehab.”

In light of this news, and the last few of weeks since the news of Chandler’s illness broke, I have begun to reflect on why we are and should be so concerned about this situation. I believe there are at least three reasons.

Because Matt is a friend to many of us.

Though I do not know Matt very well, nor do I want to appear to sound closer to him than I actually am, I have gotten to know Matt through recent Acts 29 events and have found him to be even more impressive off the stage than on. And if you have ever heard Matt preach, you know that is saying a lot.

Though Matt is obviously an uniquely gifted and powerful communicator of the Gospel, he is also an unusually humble and approachable man as well.

Even at our first meeting at a recent Acts 29 Boot Camp in Houston, he graciously gave me a good chunk of time to talk about preaching, family, coaching young planters and leading a growing church. He was also extremely complimentary of this new ministry and encouraged the work that we are seeking to do here. This kind of exchange can be quite rare for someone with Matt’s high profile and busy schedule. I was, and am, supremely thankful for the time we spent together and what he taught me as we sat across a table and talked in Houston and again in Louisville just a few weeks ago. If you missed that conversation, you can watch it HERE and HERE.

I know that I am not alone in sharing a heightened degree of personal concern for Matt’s well-being because of similar interactions with him along the way.

But whether you have had the privilege to engage Matt personally or not, all should all be concerned for him for a couple of other reasons as well.

Because God has raised Matt up to be an example in his suffering.

Consider this tweet from before the results were released:

Path report is 2ndary at best…good report doesn’t mean much, bad report doesn’t mean anything…my days r numbered and nt by ths report

This tweet went to more than 19,000 people. His pre-surgery video has been watched thousands of times. This is a man who GETS the Gospel and the Sovereignty of God not just for preaching on Sunday but for bad news from a pathologist on Tuesday. It is obvious that God is raising him up even when he is down for the advance of the Gospel and the glory of His name. May we all be faithful to pray that he would suffer well and herald the goodness of God no matter what lies ahead.

The final reason I believe we should care is perhaps the most poignant.

Because Matt Chandler is our brother.

Though our digital culture might tempt us to think otherwise, Matt is not just a well-known preacher that we admire from afar that we could be concerned about losing from the world stage.

He is a member of our spiritual family facing the biggest trial in his life and it should drive us to prayer and dependence upon Christ on his behalf.

Consider Paul’s commands from the Scriptures:

“If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.” 1 Corinthians 12:26

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15

Oh that God would give us the grace to fulfill these commands on Matt’s behalf, love our own families and flocks with as much passion as Jesus will give us and to examine our own lives and their potential brevity.

And may we respond to God’s call to us to pray mightily. To ask our churches to pray mightily. To pray that Matt would be healed and suffer well until he is on earth or in heaven.

And may God would grace us all to care about Matt Chandler’s cancer not because he is famous but because he is family.

If you would like to pray specifically, consider these directives from the church website:

• Wisdom for all the coming decisions
• Strength and peace to endure
• The kids’ (Audrey, Reid and Norah) hearts; pray the Lord is merciful as they process and that their little hearts do not grow embittered
• The Chandlers and The Village would suffer well because of the gospel and for the sake of Christ’s name

If you wish, send cards and letters to Matt and Lauren at 2101 Justin Road, Flower Mound, TX 75028.

46 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”56 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home. Luke 1:46-56 ESV

P: Mary is a “hero” that points us to the “Hero.”

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior”

Magnify = to make or declare great. 2 Ways to Magnify: A microscope (makes tiny things visible). A telescope (makes enormous things visible). This is the latter.

P: Our God is the Lord.
Are we living like this is true?

Rejoices-to exult, celebrate, rejoice greatly. The right response to the good news.

P: Our God is the Savior.
Savior-rescuer, deliverer, hero. Also shows us that she recognizes that she, herself, needs to be rescued. No immaculate conception.

Do we recognize that we need a Savior as well?

“for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed”

P: Our God is omniscient—all-knowing.
Do I know that the Lord knows me and my situations this morning?

“for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.”


P: Our God is mighty.
Mighty-Strong, mighty, powerful.
Do I live like our God is mighty?

P: Our God does great things for people.
When was the last time I ‘took inventory’ of the evidences of grace in my life?

P: Our God is holy.
Do I marvel at the greatness of His holiness? Do I seek to ‘be holy as He is holy?’

“And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.”

Mercy-not giving us the wrath that we justly deserve.

P: Our God is merciful to all who will turn from sin & trust in Him.
Have I experienced that mercy firsthand? Do I share the Good News of God’s mercy with others? “He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate”


P: Our God is Strong.
Do I know that my God is strong? Do I lean on His strength?

P: Our God humbles the exalted and exalts the humble.
Am I living in light of this truth?

“he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.”


P: Our God in generous and just.
Am I participating with Him in His generosity and justice?

“He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers,
 to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

P: Our God has a long history of faithfulness.
Do I leverage the long history of God’s faithfulness recorded in the Scriptures?

The Gospel is our only hope for responding in worship like Mary did when God intervenes in our lives.