Radical

This week we take a break from Nehemiah and look into Thessalonians. Both of Paul’s letters to the Thessalonian church address either an individual or individuals who are perfectly capable of working but have adopted a rebellious attitude and are refusing to work. This refusal to work places significant weight on the community of faith, and needs to be addressed with pastoral sensitivity (culminating with Paul’s instruction regarding discipline). I will demonstrate how the refusal to work continues to be a relevant issue today, and conclude with how at creation, God invited us to partner with Him in the gift of work, and even though sin has distorted this gift, in Christ Jesus, God has already begun to redeem the gift of work.

By Lead Pastor, Bill Flavin The project is complete, the good guys have won, and now they take time to celebrate and thank God, kind of. ...

Their project is almost done at near record pace, as their largest critiques ramp up their work trying to derail the project. Nehemiah is under intense threat and criticism, as he works to keep the most important thing most important.

After a few chapters of miraculous moves of God, Nehemiah and those in Jerusalem run into significant roadblocks. The people of Jerusalem model an approach to handling roadblocks and challenges, that is honest, prayerful, and laser focused on what God has asked of them.

Nehemiah 3 is an interesting passage, sandwiched between chapters filled with actions, conflict and plot twists is a long list of names. In the 30+ verses filled with names, we get a reminder of God’s work through community. That in a world that can be focused on individuals, God’s work often occurs (and occurs best) through groups of people doing life together.

Taking a break from the book of Nehemiah, the sermon will walk through how we are all looking for security, but how nothing in this world can provide us the security we long for. Sin has caused us to lose our security. God doesn’t leave us lost and searching, but rather offers us the love we long for in Christ. This is our ultimate security. Even though we can claim security in Christ, it is threatened by opposition. Yet, with the help of God’s Word, Spirit and Christian community, we’re able to remain secure in God’s love for us and share this with others. This is the greatest gift we’ve been given and the greatest gift we can share.

There is no Next Steps document this week.

Often we have hopes and dreams in this world, but how intentional are we about pursuing them? Nehemiah is asked by the King, what can I do for you? And without any hesitation he shares a plan that God placed on his heart, and how it would all play out. Nehemiah shows a passion.

Jesus tells us in Matthew that we should ask, seek and knock when it comes to prayer and connection with God. Nehemiah takes this to a new level. When asked what he wants and is praying about, he gives not only a bold response, but an answer that he has clearly been praying about and thinking through for some time.