NEHEMIAH

 

June 22, 2008 – Nehemiah 9:17 – The Lesson of Nehemiah.

 

Intro:  What a privilege it is again to share the Word of God with you today.  This morning we are looking at 7 lessons or truths found in the Book of Nehemiah.  I love this book.  It is a lesson in prayer, sacrifice and tenacity.  It is an overcomer’s book.  It tells of a man that gave up wealth, position, power and comfort to follow the will of God.  Nehemiah is a book that shows how through prayer and wise actions we can overcome any opposition or attack.  Nehemiah is a foundation book.  One friend of mine when he was starting a new pastorate spent several months in this book helping that church rediscover its purpose and direction.  I will never do this book justice this morning but we will look briefly at the lessons we can learn from it.

 

1.  Even in the face of arrogance, stubbornness, rebellion, disobedience and forgetfulness

     On the part of His people.  God is still forgiving, gracious, compassionate, slow to

     Anger, abounding in love and refuses to abandon His people.  I love this about God.

     No matter how far I may stray or others.  God still possesses these qualities and

     View of us.  These qualities are who He is.  Church write these down.  The writer of

     This book wanted his audience to know.  This is who God is.  This is His nature and

     Essence.  The wrath and judgment of God are but for a moment but His forgiveness

     Lasts for such a long time.  The apostle Paul was a great example of this.

 

2.  The second lesson we learn is that we need prayer and firmness in the work of the

     Lord.  In the work of the Lord it is not how you start that matters but how you finish.

     It is not just how you arrive that is important but how you leave.  Nehemiah started off

     In prayer.  He heard about the walls of Jerusalem and for five months he prayed and it

     Was only because the King noticed his disposition that his request to go back to

     Jerusalem was even approached.  Even before he asked the King his request.  He took

     A moment to pray.  Strong works for God on built on the foundation of prayer.

 

a.  Nehemiah also learned that he had to firm, focused and forthright to overcome all

    obstacles.  He refused to let the trivial or even urgent, to keep him from what he knew

     God wanted him to do.  A good lesson for us.  For many of us, it is the urgent, the

     Unimportant or crisis that seems to drive our time and energy.  It takes real wisdom,

     Discipline and knowledge to know the different.  We can see that Nehemiah had this

     Figured out.

b.  Nehemiah also knew that when you decide to take a stand or fight a battle.  You have

     to be willing to stay in there until the battle was won.   A good lesson for parents,

     employers, authority figures and leaders.  Leaders lead, not get led.  If you do not as a

     believer exercise the authority God has given you, in your family, work or

     community others will intimidate you and hinder your effectiveness. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.  Thirdly, we need a fresh touch from the Lord from time to time.  That is so true.  I

      Even pray now, Lord gives us here a fresh touch of your spirit.  Man has some basic

      Needs.  There is our physical, those elements that are needed to maintain physical

      life.  Security, will my needs be met tomorrow?  Love, will I be loved by God or

      others?  Purpose, will I value myself and will others value me?  Lastly, am I full

      creative and expressing myself.  These basic needs drive us so much we can get

      weary tired and dry.  That is when we need to reach out to God and say.  Lord I need

      that fresh touch.  Lord touch me now.  Close you eyes for a moment and reach up to

      heaven and just receive his touch that is coming right now.   

      Nehemiah knew this and he encouraged it.  After years of

      moral decline, Nehemiah and  Ezra brought reform.  That is why we have special

      Meetings and times with the Lord.  That is what Northern Harvest is for.

 

4.   Fourthly when people come into the family of God, they must be shown how to

      Worship and encouraged to be dedicated to the Lord.   When I came to the Lord.  I

      Didn’t know how to act, talk, or think.  I am so glad there wee people who took

      Time to do that.  We must help those new here to become part of us by becoming

      Their friends and family.  It takes work which witness, opportunity, knowledge and

      Risk.  I also encourage new people here to make yourself available for this kind of

      Help and support. 

 

5.  We must never be afraid to confess our sins.  Nehemiah had Ezra read the law so the

     People would know who set them free.  He an the nation then confessed their sins and

     Sought the Lord forgiveness.  Nehemiah remember 2 Chron 7:14, a formula for

     Individual and personal revival.  John encourages us 1 John 1:9 to confess our sins.

     Our opening scripture told us about God’s nature.  So never be afraid to confess your

     Sins, faults and failures to God.  He is willing to forgive.  That is what I love about

     Redemption.  A brand new start and beginning every time.  We can stop the madness

     And start again.  This is my sanity foundation.

 

6.  When faced with stiff opposition, it is good to have a wise defence.  Sanballat and   

     Tobiah and the people of the land.  Made threats, deception, accusation and other

     Tricks to try and make Nehemiah stumble, fall or get off track.  Nehemiah saw

     Through them and had a wise defence.  For example the work was done in shifts.

     The workers also wore weapons of defence.  Watchmen and soldiers were on guard.

     Every attempt failed because Nehemiah prayed, heard from God and implemented

     His plan.  I believe when Jesus faced all the questions he did, knew how to answer

     Because He heard from God before in His prayer time.  We can too.  That is why I

     Try to do when face with difficult choices, decisions and situations.  Also I believe

     That if we take a moment and pray before we open our mouth it would save us from    

     A lot of trouble.  Nehemiah faced every problem and was an example for all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.  This last point is get to the essence of God’s will.  Nehemiah had a food position in

     Life,   He was the cupbearer of the King of Persia but he went to Jerusalem to follow

     God’s will for his life,  We must be willing to forsake all so that the work of God can

     Be completed in our lives.  I believe there is a perfect and permissive will of God for

     Each of us.  The permissive is where we decide what we are going to do for God with

     Our lives.  We will be blessed but this directed by comfort, safety, prosperity, family

     Friends etc.  The perfect will is willing to go, say, do and be what God wants you to

     Be.  It is where you say, anytime, anywhere, anything, God I will do.  Whatever,

     Wherever and however.  My answer in advance is Yes.  Jesus did and won salvation.

     Paul did and the gentile world was won.  Ken Gaetz did and this church, the hospital

     Next door is a testimony to his willingness to come.  The thousands coming daily to

     The Lord is a testimony to the millions who say God I want your will to be done in my

     Life.  This is what this book is all about.  prayer, sacrifice and tenacity. 

    

 

 

QUOTES FOR JUNE 29, 2026

 

ON THE WINNING SIDE

 

2 Kings 6:16 – On the Winning Side

 

Intro:  It is again a privilege to share the word of God with you.  Today we will be looking at the book of 2 Kings...  Our lessons today are from the life of Elisha, the double portion prophet and 2 Kings

 

Don’t be afraid, the prophet answered, “Those that are with us are more than those who are with them.

 

Background

 

-  Every plan of the Arameans against Israel had failed.  They found out Elisha told the

    King of Israel what was spoken even in the king of Syria bedroom.

-  Sent troops to capture Elisha when found out he was Dothan.  Surrounded the city.

-  Servant of Elisha saw the troops and horses and panicked. 

-  Elisha made this statement and then prayed the servant’s eyes would be opened.  He

   Saw the hills around filled with horses and chariots of fire. 

 

1.  With the Lord on our side we will always win the war.  I John 4:4, James 4:7,

     Is 41:10

2.  We have divine protection in all aspects of life.  Ps 34:7, tells the angels of the Lord

     Camp around those that fear Him and He delivers them all.  Ps 91:4 tells us the Lord

     Is our refuge, shield and ramparts.  Zech 2:5 says He is a wall of fire around us.

     Jesus stated in Luke 21:8 that not even a hair on our heads will perish.

3.  The Lord has already provided the victory.  1 John 3:8.  Daniel found that in the

     Lion’s den, the three Hebrew boys in the fiery furnace and Elisha found it here.

4.  This battle is fought through Spiritual means.  2 Cor 10:4.  It fought is with prayer,

     Word of God, binding and loosing, putting on the whole armour of God.  Staying

     Connected with God, being obedient, faithful and purity.

5.  Examples from this book are how the famine was lifted off of Samaria because Lord

     Causes the Syrians hear the sound of a great army.  An angel of the Lord killed

     185,000 Assyrian soldiers. 

6.  As they came Elisha struck them with blindness, led them to Samaria, open their eyes

     And when the King of Samaria wanted to kill them, Elisha instructed them to be fed

     And then returned to Syria.  Results attacks on Israel stopped for a while.

 

The book of 2 Kings as we learn this morning covers a time of Ahaziah to Zedekiah.  It talks about the two nations of Israel and Judah.  The four others lessons I want to leave with you are simple.

 

In times of great apostasy, God always raises up His spokesman.  There was Elijah, Elisha, Jonah, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Amos.  God today is speaking.  He is using, David Wilkerson, John Hagee, John Bevere, and Tommy Tenney to name a few.  What is He saying?   Return to the Lord, seek His face, don’t squander this day of grace, His time is very close, keep your oil lamps full, pray fervently and without ceasing, be diligent in all things and keep your eyes on Him.   

There was the witness of the prophets but the Kings and the people chose to ignore them and so they reaped the results of their apostasy. 

 

Pray for our nation that we do not forget about God and end up like Israel and Judah.

2 Chron 7:14 is the key.  Prov 14:34, tells us it is righteousness that exalts a nation.  When God had given them sufficient time to repent, He poured out His judgment.  This book teaches us to be people of spiritual discernment.  Any nation that forgets God will be put down unless it turns back to Him.

 

Rulers often decide the spiritual condition of a nation or show the spiritual condition of a nation.  Canada has had very few good spiritual leaders.  Mackenzie King was a spiritualist, Pearson, abolished prayer and the bible from schools, Trudeau allowed, abortion, Chretien allowed homosexual marriages and some forms of euthanasia. This reflects the moral decay of our nation.  Our current Prime Minister claims to be a Christian and his support for Israel has proven that.  That is why we must pray for Him.

I pray for God’s grace, that we don’t get another leader like we deserve.  Israel and Judah

Are our examples.  The Northern Kingdom never had a godly king... Judah fared better but ultimately they were destroyed because the kings and people forgot about God.

 

Making alliances with the world will only lead to destruction.  Make an alliance with God and live in peace through His Son Jesus Christ.  We learn through the examples Jehoahaz against Neco or Zedekiah against the Babylonians.  We learn from Elisha and Hezekiah how an alliance with God will keep you from destruction.  You want to live in peace, get along with everyone all the time and die in victory.  Serve Jesus Christ.  He will give you peace that passes all understanding.  He will help you to walk in love, acceptance and constant forgiveness.  Lastly you know where you are going.  Who is your victory? 

THE REAL JESUS

 

Intro:  Today from these verses we will learn about who the real Jesus Christ.  Talk about when my dad and I heard.  Garner Ted Armstrong.

 

This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ.  He did not come by water only, but by water and the blood.  And it is the Spirit who testifies because the Spirit is truth. 

 

1.  When you see this verse without understanding the background.  It seems difficult but

      John here is refuting the Gnostic belief that the divine Christ descended on the man

      Jesus at His water baptism and then left before His crucifixition.  John says that

      Christ did not just come by water but by blood.  John was saying that Jesus

      Right from his conception is divine.  The blood that ran through his veins was both

      Human and yet divine. 

2.  The blood shed on the cross was the element, property or substance that secured our

      Salvation.  The blood is the most powerful element in the universe.  It cleansed the

      Sin of every person, past, present and future.  The blood of Jesus Christ secured us

      Salvation and redemption.  It gave us access to the throne of God.  It brings us

      Success and the fullness of the Holy Spirit.   In a few moments I we will be sharing

      Communion which is a celebration of the broken body and the shed blood.

3.  Then John reminds his audience and us that it is the Holy Spirit who testifies of Christ.

     His testimony is true.  This morning we are looking at the one of the 8 themes in this

     chapter.  The divine witnesses of earth and heaven.

 

For there are three that testify:  The Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.

 

1.  John makes it clear that the baptism of Jesus, with the Father confirming Jesus as the

     Son and the Holy Spirit landing on Jesus is one witness.  The shedding of His blood

     on the cross was the second witness and the resident Holy Spirit is the third. 

2.  The Baptism of Jesus and His crucifixition are historical facts.  These three witnesses

     Are in agreement that a single divine Person, the Lord Jesus Christ was involved in

     These events. 

3.  John in his focused on the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Knew that the Gnostic’s

     Under Cerinthus views were utterly false and contrary to the true witness of the Holy

     Spirit.

4.  John here in this passage and book are exposing the three false doctrines of the day.

     First, that Jesus is not the Christ.  That of course is attack today as well by books such

     As the Divinci code.  Secondly, That God is not the Father of Jesus.  This is done by

     Cults either saying He is a created being or the younger brother of satan.  Lastly, 

      That Jesus is not the Son of God.  Jewish and Gnostic elements denied the miraculous

     Virgin Birth.  They saw Jesus the man as the ordinary son of Mary and Joseph.

 

 

 We accept man’s testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God which he has given about His Son.

 

1.  In our country, the testimony of one person can put us in jail for a long time.  In

     John’s day it was two or three witnesses and their stories had to concur.  In the trial

     Of Jesus we see the witnesses brought forward to testify about Jesus stories not

     Agreeing.  That is why the trial was such a sham.

2.  The Spirit, water and blood are Jesus’ witnesses.  Their testimony is true.  This

     Testimony, John says is from God Himself.  So John tells his audience to believe

     The Baptism of Jesus, His shed blood and the Spirit’s testimony as proofs of Jesus’

      Divinity and don’t listen to the false doctrines and teaching of man which on the

      Surface sound so true.

3.  To John anything that takes away from Jesus divinity and humanity is from the pit

     Of hell.  John as we have talk about believe that Jesus was 100% God and man.  The

     Perfect union of the divine and humanity.  God with a face. 

4.  Jesus was the essence and glory of God to John.  Remember John spoke like

     Other on the Divinity of Christ.  He was its greatest champion.  Jesus was not a mere

     Man but God who was with the Father at creation.  He showed Jesus in earthly

     Conversations, sympathies and friendships.

5.  John recorded not only Jesus Baptism, but he was there at the Mount of

     Transfiguration, and the voice that spoke at the temple.  Each time the Father told the

     audience that Jesus was his beloved Son and John was there for each one.  So he heard

     the testimony of  the Father and He speaks of it hear.  This then silences the voices of

     the critics and Gnostics.

6.  As we prepare for communion let us focus on the reality of this truth. Jesus had his

     Body broken and his blood shed for us. 

 

 

 

 

IT IS FINISHED

 

John 19:30 – It is Finished!

     This was the phrase Jesus said before He died.  It is a Word of Triumph.

1.       Sin has been dealt with. 

2.       Satan has been defeated. 

3.       It is the announcement that Jesus’ earthly ministry has been completed.  Nothing more has to be done or said. 

4.       Jesus is anticipating resurrection.  This is a cry of victory. 

5.       A plan was fulfilled, salvation has come and love has been shown.  Jesus had taken our place. 

6.       He demonstrated both humanities weakness and God’s love. 

7.       He offered Himself as the one and for all sacrifice for mankind. 

8.       This statement is His declaration to His complete obedience to His divine purpose. 

9.       Jesus was the Lamb of God who took away the sins of the world.  Nothing more is needed or added.  To do so would negate the sacrifice of the cross. 

10.   As he died, it was finished.  The greatest, noblest man who ever walked this planet, God in flesh breathed His last. 

11.   As I write this the awesome reality of what was done has fully impacted this writer.  Jesus the perfect Lamb of God died for me.  Praise God. 

QUOTES FOR JUNE 28, 2026

 

HOW TO BE AN OVERCOMER

 Sept 7^th 2008 – The Secret of Overcoming – Job 13:13

 

Intro:  This morning we are looking at the book of Job.  What a powerful book.  It is about a man who at the time is the greatest man in the east.  From his life we learnt the secret of overcoming.  We see how you can come back from complete disaster if you trust God.  This is the first of two messages from the Book of Job.

 

1.  This book introduces us to Job.  A man whose character is an example to follow. 

    These following five characteristics distinguished him from all the men of his

     generation.

 

a.  He was blameless.  No one could accuse him, attach blame about his morality,

     Business dealings, how he treated others or how he lived.

b.  He was upright.  He always did what was right even to the point of taking the loss.

     He lived his life with the belief that God was watching, judging and rewarding him for

     His conduct and character.

c.  He feared God.  Job awed, respected and honoured God.  He knew that the fear of the

     Lord was the beginning of wisdom.  Our scripture this morning showed he feared and

     Trusted God so much that he believed if God would slay him, he would still trust God.

d.  He shunned evil.  He avoided it at all costs.  He hated its appearance.  He stated he

     Never look at a woman with lust.  That is why Job was confused about what had

     Happened.  After his self examination he concluded he had done nothing wrong so he

     Couldn’t figure out what had happened.

e.  He prayed for his family every day.  Job made sure his family was covered in prayer.

     He took his role as Patriarch and High Priest over his family seriously.  He was their

     Spiritual covering..  He knew his role as a Father.  He knew spiritual heritage didn’t

     Just happened you had to work at it.  Men that is my exhortation to you.  You want

     Your children to serve the Lord do your part and it is never too late.  These

     Characteristics made his the greatest man in the East and prepared him for the greatest

     Trial of his life.

 

2.  In Chapter 1-2, we are introduced by this first book of the Bible to the divine conflict

     Of the ages.  God and satan have a conversation over Job.  God says that there was no

     Man like him.  Satan reveals a truth about men and women who God has a

     Relationship with.

 

a.  God has put a hedge of protection around Job, his family and everything he owns.

b.  God has blessed the work of his hands and everything he owns and in involved in.

c.  This is the promise for the child of God as well.  I know that so everyday I put a hedge

     Of protection and me, my family, everything I own and this church and every Sunday

      I do it over you as your spiritual patriarch. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

d.  Satan says, “let me take away everything he has and he will curse you.”  God allows

     It to happen.  From the very beginning of Biblical history we learn that satan is the

     Author of evil.  His MO is shown from the very beginning.  He comes to rob, kill and

     Destroy.  Jn 10:10.  His principle means of attack is accusation, temptation and

     Deception.  He suffered from the I Will syndrome.  I will be like God, I will have His

     Glory, I will be worshipped, love and feared.  This caused him to become proud,

    Arrogant, devious and totally corrupt.  He now is known as the Father of all lies.

e.  Satan takes everything Job has, family, possessions but Job did not curse God.  He

     Understood as he says in1:20, that family & possession are only for this life.  We

     Come into this world with nothing and we leave the same way.  We are pilgrims

     Passing through.  Job did not curse God.

f.  God is pleased with Job’s response.  Job maintained his integrity.  2:3  Satan then says,

     Let me take his health and he will curse you.  God allowed it and Job lost his health

     And was afflicted with a dreaded disease.  So bad his wife told him to curse God

     And die.  Job revealed to us a powerful

     Truth.  Shall we accept good from God and not trouble.   Job is all about why the

     Righteous suffer reverses.  

g.  We learn from this book the meaning of faith.  It is more than a theological truth, a

     Philosophical approach to life, a code to live by.  It is putting your faith in the unseen

     God, believing His promises, trusting Him in all circumstances, knowing all things

     Work together for God. Refusing to allow pessimism, negativity, hopelessness to

     shake you.  This book reminds us that faith lies not in outward circumstances or in

     Speculative explanations.  It is an encounter with the all knowing and all powerful

     God.  We all need to become like Job and say, “Even if He slays me I will trust Him.”

     Faith in a simple word is trust. 

h.  There is a biblical list you can trust God for. 

 

a.  God will meet our physical needs.  Mt 6:33

b.  God has meet my needs today and He will meet them tomorrow.  Mt 6:34,

     Phil 4:6 &19

c.  God will me our need for security or love.  Rom 8:35-36 & 5:8

d.  God will meet our need for significance.  Phil 1:21, Eph 2:10, Ps 103:4

 

 

3.  The book of Job shows the malignant destructive power of satan in human life.

     But it also shows the quickness of people to blame or kick someone when they

     Are down.  Job’s four friends come to see him.  They are so shocked by his

     Condition they sit down and do not speak.  Then when they do, Eliphaz, Bildad,

     Zophar and Elihu argue with Job for 34 chapters, that it was his sin that caused all

     This.  They speak about God but only as men who do not know Him.

 

a.  Job was a man that of great faith in God and even though he suffered much he still

    Maintained his innocence and integrity.

 

 

b. God finally shows up after Job had requested several times for God t