A Rebuilt People A Rebuilt Faith: they are returning to God. A Symbolic Wall

John 17:22 “…that they may be one just as We are one: Jesus Prayed for the Unity of His Believers

Philippians 3: Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. 17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame--who set their mind on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s Believers Commanded To Be United!

What is not by faith is sin (Rom. 14:23) Faith comes from God’s word (Rom. 10:17) Our sins separate us from God (Isa. 59:2) Failing to follow the divine pattern makes us “captives” 2 Timothy 3:6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, God’s Believers Commanded To Be United!

Nehemiah 2:14 Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and to the King's Pool, but there was no room for the animal under me to pass. Jerusalem: A City Destroyed For Rebellion Against God

Israel has been destroyed by rebellion against God. Israel has been destroyed by rebellion against God. Those who believe in Christ are as religiously destroyed as the walls of Jerusalem at the time of Nehemiah. Those who believe in Christ are as religiously destroyed as the walls of Jerusalem at the time of Nehemiah. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 NKJV 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. Sound like our time? Parallels From the Time of Nehemiah to Our Time

1) They Read God’s Word: (Neh. 8:1-8) Nehemiah 8:2 “So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month.” Nehemiah 8:7-8 “…the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law; and the people stood in their place. 8 So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading.” Nehemiah Builds a Wall: Four “R’s” of Reconciliation

1) They Read God’s Word: (Neh. 8:1-8) 2) They Repented of Their Sins: (Neh. 9:1-3) Nehemiah 9:1-3 “…the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, in sackcloth, and with dust on their heads. 2 Then those of Israelite lineage separated themselves from all foreigners; and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. 3 And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for one - fourth of the day; and for another fourth they confessed and worshiped the LORD their God.” Nehemiah Builds a Wall: Four “R’s” of Reconciliation

1) They Read God’s Word: (Neh. 8:1-8) 2) They Repented of Their Sins: (Neh. 9:1-3) 3) They Realized the Need to Live According to God’s Word: (Neh. 9:29-31) Nehemiah 9:29-31 (The people prayed…) “..bring them back to Your law. Yet they acted proudly, And did not heed Your commandments, But sinned against Your judgments, 'Which if a man does, he shall live by them.' And they shrugged their shoulders, Stiffened their necks, And would not hear. 30 Yet for many years You had patience with them, And testified against them by Your Spirit in Your prophets. Yet they would not listen; Therefore You gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands. 31 Nevertheless in Your great mercy You did not utterly consume them nor forsake them; For You are God, gracious and merciful. Nehemiah Builds a Wall: Four “R’s” of Reconciliation

1) They Read God’s Word: (Neh. 8:1-8) 2) They Repented of Their Sins: (Neh. 9:1-3) 3) They Realized the Need to Live According to God’s Word: (Neh. 9:29-31) (They made changes where they had fallen short.) Nehemiah 8:14 And they found written in the Law, which the LORD had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths during the feast of the seventh month, Nehemiah 8:17 So the whole assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and sat under the booths; for since the days of Joshua the son of Nun until that day the children of Israel had not done so. And there was very great gladness. Nehemiah Builds a Wall: Four “R’s” of Reconciliation

1) They Read God’s Word: (Neh. 8:1-8) 2) They Repented of Their Sins: (Neh. 9:1-3) 3) They Realized the Need to Live According to God’s Word: (Neh. 9:29-31) 4) They Resolved to CONTINUE Serving God: (Neh. 10:28-39) Nehemiah 10:28-29 Now the rest of the people…all those who had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the Law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, everyone who had knowledge and understanding- 29 these joined with their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse and an oath to walk in God's Law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and His ordinances and His statutes: Nehemiah Builds a Wall: Four “R’s” of Reconciliation