Rebuilding the wall: Nehemiah

• Nehemiah 6:15-16

Fifty-two days

• Nehemiah 1:1-2:10
• The condition of the people of Jerusalem
  • In great distress and reproach (Nehemiah 1:3)
• The condition of the walls of Jerusalem
  • Broken down and gates burned with fire (Nehemiah 1:3; 2:13)
• Their enemies mocked and plotted against them.
  • Nehemiah 2:10, 19; 4:1-3, 7-8
• The remnant held strong, godly leadership.
  • Ezra (Ezra 7:10; Nehemiah 8:1-8); Nehemiah (Nehemiah 2:11-20)
• The people had a mind to work.
  • Nehemiah 4:6
• The people joined together in a united effort.
  • Nehemiah 3
• Continued to work and were prepared to fight.
  • Nehemiah 4:9-23 – They refused to quit working! This was the work of the Lord.
  • Nehemiah 6:15-16

Conclusion

• What could you do in 52 days?

Introduction

• I Thessalonians 5:11
• Be an encourager, not a discourager!
• Numbers 13:25-33 – Ten of the twelve spies brought back a discouraging report.
• Numbers 14:1-4
• Deuteronomy 1:21, 28 – “our brethren have discouraged our hearts”

The effects of discouragement

• It is demoralizing.
• It often has a leavening effect.
• It creates a negative atmosphere.
  • Ezra 4:4-5

Barnabas, son of encouragement

• Acts 4:32-37 – Our first introduction to Barnabas.
• Be a Barnabas!

What does a “Barnabas” do?

• He or she gives comfort and encouragement to others (Acts 4:36; cf. Galatians 6:2).
  • I Thessalonians 5:14
• He or she stands up and speaks on behalf of others (Acts 9:26-27).
• He or she encourages fellow Christians “that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord” (Acts 11:23; cf. I Corinthians 15:58).
• He or she gives others a “second chance” to serve the Lord (Acts 15:37-39).

Be a “Barnabas” to others!

• Let us encourage our older members.
  • Those who are faithful in coming but often in pain; widows and widowers; our shut-in.
• Let us encourage those who are married to non-Christians or divorced, but faithful.
• Let us encourage those who battle chronic illnesses and diseases.
• Let us encourage our Bible class teachers.
• Let us encourage our children and young people to put God first in their lives.
• Let us encourage elders, deacons, preachers (and their spouses) as they serve.
• Let us encourage younger men to be preparing themselves to be elders/deacons.
• Let us encourage those we know who are presently struggling with discouragement.

Conclusion

• We all need an encourager!
  • I Thessalonians 5:11
• You need an encourager!
  • Who’s your Barnabas?
• Every Christian should see encouraging others as an essential part of their discipleship.
  • Encouraging is a spiritual art that can be learned, mostly through practice.
• Let me encourage you:
  • To obey the gospel of Christ, in order to receive salvation (Romans 1:16; Mark 16:15-16).
  • To grow in your faith and remain faithful in serving the Lord (II Peter 1:5; Acts 11:23).

Preaching in Jerusalem (Mark 11:1-12:44)

• Mark 11:1-11 – Fulfilled prophecy of Zechariah 9:9.
• Mark 11:27-33 – Authority of Jesus challenged. All authority is from one of two sources: man or God.
• Mark 12:-1-12 – Parable of the tenants.
• Mark 12:13-17 – Paying taxes to Caesar
• Mark 12:18-27 – “Sadducees,” no marriage in resurrection
• Mark 12:28-34 – Greatest commandment – love God and neighbor
• Mark 12:35-37 – Whose Son is the Christ?
• Mark 12:38-40 – Beware of the scribes and their hypocrisy
• Mark 12:41-44 – Widows offering – “gave more than all”
• Mark 13:1-2 – Temple would be thrown down, not one stone left on another. Josephus said there were some stones of the temple that were 8’ x 10’ x 70’!

Destruction of Jerusalem and the temple

Four different comings of Jesus in scripture:

• Physical, coming to earth – John 16:28
• Spiritual, come into hearts, mark abode with us – John 14:23
• Coming thru/via agent representative (Egypt, Assyria, Rome, etc.)
  • Isaiah 19:1 - Agents God used to afflict Egypt was Egypt from within, Israel, and Assyria
  • Mark 13:26 – The agent Jesus used in the destruction of Judaism, Jerusalem and the temple, was the Roman army.
• Second coming of Jesus

Introduction

• I Peter 1:3-5

I must first believe that Jesus rose from the dead.

• Acts 2:3, 24, 31
• Peter reached a spiritual low point after denying Christ.
• Luke 24:11-12, 17-27, 45-49 – The life work of the apostles would be to tell people about the risen Jesus.
• Acts 1:1-8
• Acts 2:36 – What changed for Peter? The resurrection!
• I Corinthians 15:12-17 – If Jesus didn’t rise from the dead, how could we believe anything He said? But He did rise!

I must get to work!

• Acts 2:38; 3:15, 19-20
• Acts 17:18, 30-31 – This is the proof that we need to repent!
• Romans 1:4-5

I must die to sin and walk in newness of life!

• Romans 6:1-4

• Our goal should be to never sin again!
• Philippians 3:6-11 – However hard it is to put away the old life, it’s worth it!
• Colossians 2:12; 3:1-14
• I Peter 2:24

Imprisoned in Caesarea (Acts 24-26), continued:

Felix (Acts 24), continued:

• Acts 24:10 – Felix had been governor for 5-6 years at this point.
• Acts 24:24-27 – This seems to be moral procrastination on the part of Felix. Compare Acts 2:41; 8:36; 16:33. In those cases, baptism was immediate!

Festus (Acts 25)

• Acts 25:11-12 – We have known for a while that Paul would somehow end up in Rome. See Acts 23:11.
• Acts 25:13 – This is King Agrippa II. Agrippa and Felix were brothers-in-law. Berenice was Agrippa’s sister (with some rumors of an incestual relationship).

Agrippa (Acts 26)

• Acts 26:6 – Compare Acts 23:30-35.