Here I am to worship
Jesus be the Centre
Have thine own way Lord
Spirit of the living God
Jesus, all for Jesus
Scripture
Nehemiah 5
Sermon Notes:
As a church we need to keep moving towards God's emergent future.
But what seems like the future (default) seems to be the way to go.
So there is conflict between the two.
In chapter 5 you can see this conflict, the selfishness of the people pushing towards their default future rather than God's emergent future
The Israelites had broken down into a bunch of selfish folks...looking out to their own interests.
. A famine and people weren't sharing with each other
. Government was over taxing them
. An influx of workers is straining their resources
. They were charging interest to each other
This selfishness brought the community to a standstill.
They sought their own needs, not the needs of the people.
How does this passage apply to us today?
. How are we sharing our finances with the church?
. How are we using our money for God?
. Are we remembering who we are the church for?
Stop
Restore
Promise
Praise
Stop.
Nehemiah was angry. He didn't react immediately. He stopped and thought.
He told them to stop what they were doing. Stop being self-centered.
Restore.
Go back to being what they were, make it right, correct the situation. Restore the healthy community.
Promise
Make an oath. Promise this solemnly. Be accountable.
Praise.
The people said amen...so be it. They praised God.
The Israelites, called to be a holy nation, walking in the fear of the Lord.
This church is to be a testament of God to the people around us.
What is more important to us? This testimony or our own needs.
Be challenged
Be encouraging
Be generous
Do this all on account of Jesus.
Be part of a missional church.
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