The last year has been a very difficult time for the church. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges. Churches have been challenged to find new and creative ways to minister. As we enter 2021 we look forward to rebuilding. The story of Nehemiah rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem offer encouragement for us to begin rebuilding the walls of the church.
Hanani, one of my brothers, came to visit me with some other men who had just arrived from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had returned there from captivity and about how things were going in Jerusalem. 3 They said to me, “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.” 4 When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. Nehemiah 1:2-4
1 Rebuild Wall Of Prayer
…I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. Nehemiah 1:4
2 Rebuild Wall Of Participation
…all the people assembled with a unified purpose at the square… Nehemiah 8:1
I appeal to you…to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. 1 Corinthians 1:10
3 Rebuild The Wall Of Proclamation
They asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses…from early morning until noon [he] read aloud to everyone who could understand. All the people listened closely to the Book of the Law. Nehemiah 8:1;3
But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? Romans 10:14
4 Rebuild The Wall Of Praise
Then Ezra praised the Lord, the great God, and all the people chanted, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. Nehemiah 8:6
5 Rebuild The Wall Of Purity
…the people assembled again, and this time they fasted and dressed in burlap and sprinkled dust on their heads. 2 Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all foreigners as they confessed their own sins and the sins of their ancestors. 3 They remained standing in place for three hours while the Book of the Law of the Lord their God was read aloud to them. Then for three more hours they confessed their sins and worshiped the Lord their God. Nehemiah 9:1-3
One Comment
Harold & Therese Greenberg
Our sister Donna (who is so gifted at spiritual application) mentioned this sermon about “complacency” to me.
We were discussing the inevitable state that people find themselves in after a short season of vigilance.
This state is known as “Vigilance Fatigue.”
In today’s world, we find “Vigilance Fatigue” manifest in the loosening of Covid 19 precautions.
Donna pointed out that we, the Church, are also prone to “Vigilance Fatigue” in spiritual matters; i.e., the WORD, intersession, worship, repentance, soul-winning, etc.
Sometimes, we barely notice that our spiritual walls have been crumbling–perhaps even. for quite a while.
Revival always begins with a single, individual man or woman of God, returning to Spiritual Vigilance.
Thank you Tommy and Donna for this insight.