Preparing for the Lord's Day
Rebuilding the Kingdom
January 12th is the date that most New Year’s resolutions end. At least that is what one study of 31.5 million online participants revealed. People were able to gut it out for an average of two weeks and then give in. Much of the failure is due to unrealistic or overly ambitious goals. People think that they can go from couch potato to triathlete overnight. They believe the debt they built up over five years can be paid off in one month. However, when the struggle to follow through with their resolution hits they quickly give in. How then do we overcome the inertia against change and improvement? How do we persevere in those practices that are most beneficial?
This Sunday we return to our study of Ezra and Nehemiah with our focus on rebuilding the Kingdom. In our passage for this week, Nehemiah must persevere in the wall-rebuilding project as he meets opposition. Nehemiah knew that a part of his kingdom's work was to secure the city of Jerusalem so that Biblical worship could be reestablished and protected from foreign intervention. However, the surrounding kingdoms were not interested in Jerusalem having a secure border. They wanted to maintain their power and influence over the city. Therefore, they continually harass Nehemiah in his work. In our passage, we will see that they seek to trick, discredit, and even murder Nehemiah. Nevertheless, he perseveres in his work knowing that it is a great work empowered by God himself. And what we will see is that we too must persevere in our kingdom work. While New Year’s resolutions will come and go, we must be a people who continue on in the kingdom work that we have been given. We will do this when we come to see that kingdom work is opposed, it is important, and finally that it is empowered by the Lord. To come prepared for the sermon, take time this week to read and to meditate upon Nehemiah 6-7, Matthew 24:9-14, 1 Corinthians 1:24-2:5; 15:10, Philippians 2:12-13, and Westminster Confession of Faith 17.
As we gather to worship the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit this Lord’s day, we will join our hearts in song, singing the Hymn of Praise “Praise to the Lord the Almighty,” the Acclamation of Praise, “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less,” and the Hymn of Response “Come, Christians, Join to Sing.” Let us come to worship this Sunday prepared to hear God’s Word, to receive it in faith, to love and treasure it in our hearts, and to practice it in our lives that we may continue to glorify and enjoy Him!
Sermon Information
Text: Nehemiah 6-7
Title: How to Keep Going
- You Must Know that Kingdom Work is Opposed
- You Must Know that Kingdom Work is Important
- You Must Know that Kingdom Work is Empowered