Heart of Nehemiah: The BLAME GAME doesn’t WORK, but Abiding with the Lord does! (Part 12 of 13)

January 24, 2014

Abiding, Heart of Nehemiah, The Secret to Rebuilding the Walls of the Church in America, Religion Mountain

LISTEN NOW! Greg, John, and Pat continue their discussion of the importance of having the heart of Nehemiah which they believe is the secret to rebuilding the church in America. They continue to discuss how going through public repentance is very important. The word of God convicts us, affirms us, challenges us, and brings us into alignment with God and how we can worship Him.

“But as soon as they were at rest, they again did what was evil in your sight. Then you abandoned them to the hand of their enemies so that they ruled over them. And when they cried out to you again, you heard from heaven, and in your compassion you delivered them time after time.” Nehemiah 9:28

The last time God handed them over to their enemies this time God abandoned them to their enemies. It’s a very dangerous time being on liberty. Sailors would get in trouble on liberty, however when they were manning there position they were focused. Giftings can take you where your character can’t keep you. Character is perfected when you are brought close in relationship.

^“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”

1 Corinthians 10:12

Idleness produces idolatry.

^“In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed. Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer.”

2 Thessalonians 3:6-15

What is the pattern to building or even rebuilding the church to the way God wants it to be? We don’t have a lot of time to respond. There have been plenty of times in history of those who have gathered themselves around what God is doing. God is a faithful deliverer who has been faithful to deliver us time after time after time. God longs to be sympathetic, merciful, and have compassion towards you if you confess your sins to him. If we confess openly and honestly before God truly seeking to acknowledge being right with him He will respond to us.

“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

2 Chronicles 7:13-14

We become deceived when we blame the world for our problems. What is happening is because we have sinned. Nehemiah understood that God warned them about what was going. God warned them to turn them back to their law. Even in the midst of darkness people have a tendency to go deeper. When you are in God’s word you are listening to his heart and what God has to say so you can follow and obey him.

“You warned them in order to turn them back to your law, but they became arrogant and disobeyed your commands. They sinned against your ordinances, of which you said, ‘The person who obeys them will live by them.’ Stubbornly they turned their backs on you, became stiff-necked and refused to listen. For many years you were patient with them. By your Spirit you warned them through your prophets. Yet they paid no attention, so you gave them into the hands of the neighboring peoples. But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.” Nehemiah 9:29-31

Nehemiah understood the depth and the severity of their bondage and how it was their fault not God’s fault for them being under oppression. How hard is it for a prideful man to take ownership for his own sin? The question for the church is can she repent from her sin?

“Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” Luke 7:23

Nehemiah was not offended with God. He realized who God was and how he could handle it. He just needed to figure out how they got there and how they can get out. Matthew 21:44 “Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed Nehemiah understanding Israel’s history saw how their government, their priest, their leaders, nor their fathers did not follow God’s commands.”

Courtesy of Storyblocks.com