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by Denis Beausejour Sermon Series: GOOD TO GREAT
God’s Team: An Ingenious Design Nehemiah 3 Introduction
Nehemiah's tremendous leadership of the renewal in Jerusalem was a foreshadowing of the perfect leadership of Jesus in covenant renewal and the design of the church.
1. The gift of leadership: vision, planning, coaching
- God's vision for all stakeholders
- planning that invites everyone
- challenging, giving recognition and praise
2. The gift of one another: fully vested collaboration
- all ages occupations and gifts
- working near their homes
- many did more than asked
Testimony: Gary and Leigh Wilkins
3. The gift of growth: repairing our "gates" together
Sheep (vs 1) = Old self crucified with Jesus
Fish (vs 3) = Fishers of men....sharing our lives and our faith
Jeshanah (vs 6) = Old timeless truth.....not the latest fad, error
Valley (vs 13) = Humility....meekness
Dung (vs 14) = Eliminating the trash from our lives
Fountain (vs 15) = Springs of living water, Spirit-filled life
Water (vs 26) = Word of God never needs repair
Horse (vs 28) = A battle....not a cruise ship!
East (vs 29) = Hope and future glory
Inspection (vs 31) = Judgment, accountability
Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Ephesians 4:16 NLT
Some potential next steps from today’s message:
1. How can I get better at inviting people into God's life and work?
"Making Friends for Heaven's Sake" -All- MCC event, February 18th,
8:30 A.M.-12:30 P.M. Register today at the information table or talk to Todd or to Kent or Jill Schellhause for more info.
2. How can I serve at MCC? E-mail Joy Norman or call the office.
3. What are my Spiritual Gifts? Register with Joy Norman for our next session March 25th, 8:30 A.M. -12:30 P.M. - there is pre-work required so the deadline for signing up is March 19th!
4. How can I get repair help for my damaged gates? According to Ephesians 4, a small group or accountability relationship can bring tremendous results. Contact any elder or pastor and we will help find the best match for you!
Bible Reading Plan for our series:
From January 15 until April 2, we will spend 12 weeks in Nehemiah. To get the best flavor for this period in biblical history, you can read the Scriptures 30 minutes a week as follows:
Week 1 to Jan 21: Jeremiah 29:1-23, Ezra 1-3, Psalm 137, Nehemiah 1-2
Week 2 to Jan 28: Ezra 4-6, Nehemiah 3
Week 3 to Feb 4: Haggai, Nehemiah 4
Week 4 to Feb 11: Zechariah 1-7, Nehemiah 5
Week 5 to Feb 18: Zechariah 8-14, Nehemiah 6-7
Week 6 to Feb 25: Esther 1-5, Nehemiah 8
Week 7 to Mar 4: Esther 6-10, Nehemiah 9
Week 8 to Mar 11: Ezra 7-10, Nehemiah 10-11
Week 9 to Mar 18: Nehemiah 12-13, Psalm 126
Week 10 to Mar 25: Acts 1-3, Revelation 1:1-18
Week 11 to April 1: Acts 4-6, Revelation 1:19 - 3:22
Some history notes to help us keep track of key events:
Jeremiah prophesied from approximately 627 BC to 586 BC - in Chapter 29, he calls for an exile of 70 years as a punishment for national disobedience The Babylonians began to exile the Judeans in 597BC, and destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC. The Persians defeated the Babylonians and in 538 BC, King Cyrus decreed that the people return and the temple be rebuilt. (See 2 Chronicles 36:22-23, Ezra 1:1-4) The first Jews to return under Zerubbabel did so in 538 BC. Haggai and Zechariah prophesied in 520-518 BC, and the temple foundation was at least partially and temporarily rebuilt in 516 BC (70 years from its destruction) Esther is dated between 483 and 473 BC. She no doubt influenced the queen from Nehemiah chapter 2. Ezra came to Jerusalem in approximately 458 BC to begin reforms, but is thwarted. Malachi prophesies between 450 and 430 BC. Nehemiah comes in 445-4 BC and serves as governor for 12 years to 433-2 BC.
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