Date:   1/06/08

Text:   Nehemiah 1:1-11

Title:   Reflections from Nehemiah

Theme: God uses human responsibility to complete his plan.

Introduction:

  Even though we left STL 11 1/2 years ago, we still think of the neighborhood where we raised our 3 children. From time to time we have friends visiting us from STL. We asked them about our former neighborhood and t hey would say that it is still a very integrated community and we knww some of our neighbors are still there. There are times you may hear stories about the area you grew up in. It was not safe anymore. No one dares to venture out at night. Even though we've moved away, we still remember and are concerned about places that are important to us or were an integral part of our lives.

The text we read today is about Nehemiah inquiring a place that was important to him. At the time of Nehemiah, the nation of Israel was destroyed, and most of its people were taken to the Babylonian empire. Mostly likely, Nehemiah was born in exile. Now, he was a cupbearer in the Persian king's court and it was his responsibility to choose wine and safeguard it from poison. It was a position of honor and prestige, providing him with opportunity to stay close to the king.

Even though he was born and raised in that foreign country, apparently his heart was still very much with the land of his parents and ancestry. From this book, we also know that Nehemiah was well versed in the OT scriptures; he had a close relationship with the creator God, the God of his forefathers.

The story of Nehemiah occurred some time between November and December in 445 BC. It began with his inquiry of the people and land of Judah from his brother and some friends who had just visited that place. 1:2, “ 2 that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah . And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem .” Their answer was 1:3: “ 3 And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.” In other words, the city of Jerusalem was without defense. Anyone can come and loot. God's people, the remnant, were constantly harassed by enemies. With the city wall broken, there was no protection and security, everything was up for grabs. This answer from Nehemiah's friends set the stage for the rest of the book. This morning we'll take a look at how Nehemiah responded to the situation in that far away land. We want to see especially how it relates to us in 2008.

I •  To develop compassion for the things of God. .

In vs.4 we learned that, “ 4 As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days,…..” Nehemiah felt extreme sorrow for the condition of God's people and the city of Jerusalem . In chapter two we see these words were repeated. The author wants to impress the readers about Nehemiah's strong emotional response to the condition of Jerusalem . Why such sorrow?

Being familiar with the OT and the Israelites' history, Nehemiah knew the implication of the condition. You see, in the Jewish history, Jerusalem was known as the city of God . In this city was located the temple. It was a symbol of God living with his chosen people, and moreover, it foreshadowed God's future rule among his people. This is where God's glory and rule will radiate to all parts of the creation. And now, because of God's children's disobedience, the glory and presence of God was gone. Jerusalem had no walls and gates to protect her from the enemies. Anyone could come in, defile and take advantage of her citizens. Nehemiah's heart was broken over the condition of God's city. This also reminds us of how Jesus' heart was broken when he saw the temple being defiled by merchants taking advantage of the poor. Nehemiah had that compassion for things that matter to God.

In the 5 th century, St. Patrick's heart was broken when he saw the condition of the poor and oppressed. During the Industrial Revolution of the 18 th century, Shaftsbury saw the deplorable working conditions of the women and children in London . Later, Spurgeon and Mueller saw the heart breaking conditions of the orphans in that city. These individuals also had compassion for the things of God.

How about us today? In the last 10 to 15 years, there have been many changes among the Christian churches. We see churches changing the worship format in the songs, podium furniture and how preachers are to dress. No more dress for success standards but casual attires. No more podiums as they obstruct communication between the preacher and audience. If you have to have one, get a transparent one. We do not want to see sermons as propositional declarations but a dialog between the preachers and audience. Truth statements are replaced by experiences. Many churches are becoming ‘Missional' in the sense that it wants to serve very specific focus groups with specific needs. Instead of the come and check us out attitude, the churches venture into different parts of the city to be at where people are. Instead of focusing on church buildings, they meet at homes, schools, theaters and restaurants. There are churches specifically catering to the 30's generation. Worship time will be later because they cannot get up too early on Sunday mornings because of late Saturday night social functions. We want the church to be able to meet our market needs. Churches are run more like business enterprises instead of the body of Christ. Christ is here to serve us and meet our needs rather than someone we obey and follow.

We can be easily influenced by the latest trend/fad. In the name of identification with the world we serve, we have lost our distinctions. We change our vocabularies in order to make everyone feel comfortable in our midst. Yet we forget, when people come to church, they want to seek something that is different and unique from what they are familiar with.

Certainly, many of the changes are good and necessary. Yet, as we survey the church scene, we can't help but see and recognize the poverty of God's word. It's like that passage in Amos 8:11, “ 11 “ Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord God, “ when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.” Yes, we use the bible in our preaching, but very often we pick and choose passages to support our own message and agenda. We have forgotten to let the bible dictate our messages.

  These past two years, God has given me opportunities to serve some of the Asian pastors and church leaders. It is widely recognized their huge need to improve and radically change their preaching style. At the end of a one-week intensive training, one local experienced pastor said: “the future of our churches depends on how we preach God's word.” In that room of 25 students, there was dead silence, everyone nodded and some with tears in their eyes. In my limited travel and experience with various Chinese churches in other parts of the world, including the US , I deeply feel we are all in the same condition. So many times I have walked away from a sermon with a sad and sinking heart, saying, “It is a good message, but it has nothing to do with the text.” (at times I am also guilty of this.) We're making all kinds of changes yet, we've neglected the reason for our existence: the proclamation of God's word, the Truth, in a confused and directionless world.

  Isn't this true that when we open our spiritual eyes in the light of God's truth, we realize that 1Tim 3:15, “…… the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of truth.” the churches today have sometimes become a city whose walls are broken and gates are burned. God's people often feel helpless and defenseless against the tidal waves of the world. I am certain some of us may notice the holes and imperfections in this community of the redeemed.

  When Nehemiah heard about the desperate condition of God's people and God's city, he mourned and cried for days. When we see some of the sad conditions of God's people around us, don't we also need to feel sad for their conditions? We too, need to develop a compassion for things that matter to God. Bob Pierce, founder of World Vision, once said, “let my heart be broken with things that break my Lord's heart.”

II •  To appeal to God on things that break God's heart.

  Yes, Nehemiah felt very sad when he heard of the desolate condition. What else did he do? What would we do when we see some of the desolate conditions of God's church? There was a time when I was younger, seeing some of the broken walls and burned gates in some Chinese churches, I became skeptical and criticized the leaders. In the mid 70's I even decided to leave the Chinese church scene and went to Caucasian churches. Even during the two years we were in Taiwan , we went to an international church. But, what did Nehemiah do?

  He fasted and prayed. In the opening statement of his prayer,5-6; “ 5 And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants,…” Upon hearing the problems, Nehemiah appealed to the highest authority, God. He did not criticize or blame the authorities in the land of Judah . He brought it to God in prayer.

  This is a lesson we can all learn well. We, especially me, tend to point fingers at others when we see things that are wrong. The church leaders, the elders, deacons or the pastor should do something about this. Such an attitude can cause dissent, resentment and even bitterness. We either become the perpetual critic of church ministry or we leave and find a better church. Experience has taught us that there is no perfect church on this side of heaven. And it is said that if we do find a perfect church, the moment we join, it will become imperfect. We need to learn to feel sad about some of the desolate conditions of God's church, the community of the redeemed. God's heart is also broken when he sees our desolation and disobedience. However, we also need to bring the matter to God in prayer. Instead of appealing to people, learn first to appeal to the highest authority among us, God himself.

  From this prayer we also learn some additional lessons.

1 •  Confession of national sins.

Nehemiah knew that it was people's sins that led to the desolate condition of Jerusalem and God's people. Yet he prayed,vs.6-7, “confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father's house have sinned. 7 We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses…” Please note that Nehemiah included himself in this confession. He did not point to God about others having sinned and needing forgiveness. He wasn't even born when the disobedience and rebellion occurred, yet he confessed as if he was there and sinned against God.

This is so foreign to our western mindset. You sinned and you, and you alone are responsible. In the east, when the Korean young men shot and killed many on Virginia Tech last year, the entire Korean society felt guilty about the tragedy. Yes, you have sinned, but because I am also a part of this community, therefore I, too, have sinned. So it is we that have sinned against God.

2 •  Appeal to God's covenant love.

Nehemiah asked God to show his mercy. 9-10, “ 9 but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your dispersed be under the farthest skies, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.' 10 They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand.” He asked God to turn his face upon his people once again. On what basis? Not because of their merit of good work, which they had none. They are God's chosen, redeemed people. They were very precious in God's sight.

The reason we bring to God our concerns is because of his grace and mercy. When we see the broken walls and burned gates, we know this is still God's dwelling place. We know, even in our brokenness and imperfections, we are still his redeemed, being deeply loved by him and is very precious to him. Therefore he would never, never abandon us. This is our hope in the midst of brokenness.

III •  To allow God to use us to accomplish his redemptive plan.

  Lastly, what happened after Nehemiah's appeal to God? Nehemiah heard of the broken walls, burnt gates and the desolate people, and he brought it in prayer to God. He did not take things into his hands, but he waited. In the rest of the book, we will see how God began to use Him to rebuild the city wall, to restore and reform God's chosen people.

  What does this mean to us in 2008? I want to draw two applications to us.

First, it is easy for us to identify problems and challenges in this and other churches. But we don't stop here. When St. Patrick saw the conditions of the poor, he devoted his entire life to serve them, When Shaftsbury saw the deplorable working condition of the women and children in London , he devoted his life to pass legislations to outlaw such practices. When Spurgeon and Mueller saw the poor orphans, they reached out and started orphanages to provide a place for the children. When we bring to God things that break his heart, he may use us to bring about changes. He will use us to answer the prayers we offer to him.

Therefore, when we see the conditions of God's people, we are to give ourselves to God and let him use us to rebuild and strengthen the broken walls and missing gates. For the most part of this year, we'll be studying this book of Nehemiah. We want to learn how God uses human responsibility to carry out his redemptive work. We'll learn from Nehemiah his uniqueness of being a leader. We will learn from Nehemiah how we too, can strengthen the walls of this redeemed community. As we build and strengthen the walls of this church, we'll see how God's glory and honor will continue to radiate from us to the world around us.

Secondly, about 20 years ago, I started asking the question: Are there any additional applications I can glean from Nehemiah? I understand that beginning in the 60's and 70's there were many books written and sermons preached on Nehemiah as a leader. They are certainly true and helpful, but is that all? The following proverb has meant much to me during that last 20 years of ministry. Prov 25:28, “ 28 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” Do we see the connection here? When there is no self control, then you are like a city broken without walls. These are words used to describe the condition of Jerusalem . You see, God dwells in each one of us, his children. Each believer, in a way is also a city of God . when there is no self-control, we are like cities with broken walls and burnt gates. Anybody can come in, use us and take advantage of us.

  In my ministry, I have noticed many individuals whose lives are like the city without walls. They are constantly being used and manipulated by others. Sometimes they go from one relationship to another. Why? Because there is no self-control or discipline.

Therefore, it is my desire and prayer that as we study the book of Nehemiah in 2008, we not only learn how to build and strengthen the body of Christ, but we'll also learn how to rebuild and strengthen the walls and gates of our personal lives. That we become strong and mature. That God's dwelling in us, his beauty and glory will radiate from us to the people God brings into our lives.