1. Restoring our Spiritual Foundations
Study 5
NEHEMIAH 5

2. Restoring our Spiritual Foundations
The Importance of People when building for/with GOD

3. 1.RECOGNIZE the needs of people. V1-5
When building for God we must:
1.RECOGNIZE the needs of people. V1-5
Family needs v1-2
Concern for children
Concern for Health
Financial Needs v3
Concern about food
Concern about housing
Concern about working environment
Emotional Needs v4-5
The need to belong
The need of being acknowledged

4. 2.REVIEW how we treat people. V6-8
When building for God we must:
2.REVIEW how we treat people. V6-8
The Jewish Leaders:
Charged unfair interest v7
Saw people as objects not humans v8
HOW IMPORTANT ARE PEOPLE IN THIS CHURCH?
How welcome does the stranger feel?
Do we value the people who come to the church for
who they are not what they do?
Do we know each others names?
Are we building a community?

5. 3.RESTORE any broken relationships. V9-13a
When building for God we must:
3.RESTORE any broken relationships. V9-13a
Nehemiah challenges the people to sort their relationships out based on the Word of God ("If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not be like a moneylender; charge him no interest Exodus 22:25) and on their witness (V9 Shouldn't you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies)
God’s New Word. - "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. John 13:34
Our Witness - By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35

6. When the relationships were sorted out the Israelites rejoiced!!!!
When building for God we must:
4.REJOICE in right relationships. 13b
When the relationships were sorted out the Israelites rejoiced!!!!
They shouted “AMEN!!!!” – So be it
They “Praised the LORD!!!!” – The heavens rejoice when relationships are restored. - I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent Luke 15:7

7. 5.RELATE to all as equals. V14-18
When building for God we must:
5.RELATE to all as equals. V14-18
1. We should not demand a place of Honour – v14-15a
2. We should not seek to associate with those who can lift our status – 15b
3.We should see people the way God sees them – 15c
4.We should work together a equals – v16-8

8. The Importance of People when building for/with GOD
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28