Build: A Time of Glad Thankfulness to God

Preached on 5.2.10 by Heath Lambert Sermon Notes

(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?