Community from Nehemiah

Nehemiah 4 - community - October 24 @ Life Bridge

Adversity coming from outside forces. Neh 4:14 don't be afraid of the enemy. Fight. Pointing to the fact that we don't need to live life alone, they couldn't do it on their own they needed each other. DNA to focus on what a group would focus.

Overall: it's time to build. (Healthy or strong community)

Review

Nehemiah 1:3; cf 2:2 - loss of physical safety - the city was becoming an urban desert - reducing the wall to rubble symbolized the breaking of the bonds of community - no order - shame - not pride - dominated by foreign powers and estranged from city and covenant with God

Problem of being separated (sin) - restoration of what God intended - the garden walk

Nehemiah 1:4-11 - prayer - restoration of community

.: Nehemiah's crying out to God to be restored. Asking forgiveness of his sins, not only his sins but those from past generations."But if you return to me and obey my commands and live by them, then even if you are exiled to the ends of the earth, I will bring you back to the place I have chosen for my name to be honored." (Neh. 1:9)

.: Jesus provides the way back to the garden. Romans 3:21-24

.: DNA - it's the original framework for the church - not only community but for the whole body of Christ

Nehemiah 2:17 - city wide meeting - there's something wrong so let's do something about it

Pray - Luke 10:2-3 (NLT)  These were his instructions to them:"The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields. Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves.

Nehemiah 4:2-3;8 - Luke 10:3(NLT) - Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves.

Nehemiah 4:4-5 - taking action

Nehemiah 4:9-14 - deploying guards and security

Nehemiah 4:14 - Gods history of protecting people

Nehemiah 5 - breaking down of community - Acts 2:42-47 - restoring among believers and adding more

Micah 6:8 - Romans 12 - Worship in community

.: Even though this is what we strive for and see as what the church should be, you can't expect it in every culture and community.