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Sermons preached at the Hinckley Evangelical Free Church (Hinckley, MN)
Episodes
Monday Jun 26, 2017
Monday Jun 26, 2017
Nehemiah: Rebuilding A Community
The Problem
Nehemiah 4:1-23
The Naysayers Return (v. 1-6)
- Sanballat: Leading political official of Samaria residing at Beth-horon in Ephraim
- His anger at the rebuilding of the wall was because he saw it as a threat to his influence in the area
- Anger is often the world’s response to God’s work because it threatens the powerful and the status quo
- He even questions the builders’ commitment to God (v. 2b)
- His anger at the rebuilding of the wall was because he saw it as a threat to his influence in the area
- Tobiah: An Ammonite official whose family claimed to Jewish roots to Jerusalem
- He tries to undermine the quality of their work (v. 3)
- Even though archaeological excavations found Nehemiah’s wall to be about 9 feet thick
- Nehemiah’s response:
- Prayer (v. 4-5): Trusting God to deal with these accusers
- Determination (v. 6): The work continued
The Plot (v. 7-14)
- The naysayers’ anger turns to plots of violence to stop the work (v. 7-8)
- Again, Nehemiah and the people turn to God in prayer (v. 9)
- And they set guards where the wall was the weakest/shortest
- The work in these areas was overwhelming for those who lived closest (v. 11)
- So they asked for help! (v. 12)
- Their neighbors stepped up to help defend the gaps (v. 13)
- Being encouraged by Nehemiah to trust God (v. 14)
The Plan (v. 15-23)
- They continued working despite the opposition
- Keeping defenses close at hand throughout the work
- If an attack came, they had a plan to rally to where they were needed (v. 20)
- Nehemiah encouraged those from outside the city to stay in the city while the work took place (v. 22)
- Which meant people opened their homes to one another
- They stayed ready for battle at all times (v. 23)
So What?
- As we seek to do God’s work in our community, we will face opposition
- Because it means a change to the status quo
- We must trust God to fight for us
- As we continue with diligence and prayer
- The Church must model love and support
Meditation Verse: Neh. 4:
Saturday Jun 24, 2017
Saturday Jun 24, 2017
Nehemiah: Rebuilding A Community
The Participants
Nehemiah 3:1-32
The Participants (v. 1-5)
- The chapter is thought by many to be a list of unpronounceable names and gates
- The text shows us much more than that
- It reveals a process: All were involved
- It reveals a plan : 10 gates and 40 groups
- It reveals a purpose : Build where you live
- Building begins with Eliashib the high priest and the other priests
- Begin with the Sheep Gate
- Close to the Temple
- An example for the rest of the builders
- Only section that was consecrated
- Thus consecrating the whole project
- The narrative continues a path around the city
- Jericho (v. 2)
- Not local: 20 miles from Jerusalem
- References the Tekoites (v. 5)
- Royals called out for not being involved
- Possibly out of fear of Geshem the Arab
- Royals called out for not being involved
More Get Involved (v. 6–14)
- We start to see the actual occupations of some of the builders (v. 8)
- People worked in front of their own homes (v. 10)
- Increased sense of responsibility
- Not far away from home during construction
- Knew the area better than anyone else
- Father and daughters worked on the wall (v. 12)
- Did their portion and then did more (v. 13)
- Their gate was the Dung Gate (v. 14)
- Also known as the Refuse Gate
- Led out to where the refuse was taken
- No portion was beneath them
Work Continues (v. 15–32)
- Beth-Zur (v. 16)
- Town 4 miles N of city
- We begin to see groups working on more than one (v. 19)
- Tekoites do another section of the wall (v. 27)
- Tekoah was a town approx. 12 miles south
The Big Picture
- Nehemiah used everyone to accomplish this work
- Goldsmiths, perfume makers, merchants
- Men and women
- Priests to people from outside the city walls
- Walls would have been totally overwhelming
- Gates controlled access to city but the walls connected the gates
- Modern analogy for the gates
- Gates reflect the needs of our community
- Walls reflect the commonality of the needs
So What?
- As we seek God’s vision for rebuilding our community:
- Do we see our role in the work?
- Do we see our needs and those of our neighbors?
Meditation Verse: Phil. 2:4
Monday Jun 12, 2017
Monday Jun 12, 2017
Nehemiah: Rebuilding A Community
The Plan
Nehemiah 1:11bc-2:20
An Audience with the King (1:11c-2:8)
- Nehemiah served as Artaxerxes’ cupbearer (1:11c)
- A food taster to the king who ensured that the royal meals were of high quality, and not poisoned
- In some instances, they would act as counselors to the king as well
- He already had the ear of the king
- Shows God’s providence in the situation
- Nehemiah waited and prayed from Kislev (1:1; Nov/Dec) until Nisan (2:1; March/April)
- 4 to 5 months of prayer waiting for the right opportunity
- When the time was right, Nehemiah let his guard down before the king
- Letting the king see that something was bothering him
- And surprisingly, the king notices and cares!
- Nehemiah shares what is on his heart
- And the king’s response is to ask him how he could help
- But, before Nehemiah asks for help, he prays, again! (2:4b; see 1:5-11)
- Then he asks for permission to rebuild Jerusalem
- Along with letters to guarantee his safety on the journey back
- And material support to finish the project
- This was risky, since Artaxerxes had actually halted the rebuilding of Jerusalem previously (Ezra 4:17-22)
- Out of fear of rebellion
- But the king & queen* gives him everything he asks for
- Asking only when Nehemiah would return
- Which shows that the king valued him greatly
- Nehemiah sees all of these events as God’s hand upon the work
- Asking only when Nehemiah would return
Surveying the Problem (2:9-20)
- When Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem, he met with the leaders of the region
- He received opposition from Sanballat and Tobiah
- He then went out at night to survey the damage to the city walls in secret
- He had not sought out the Jewish people’s help yet
- He wanted to see the extent of the work that needed to be done first
- After his survey, he gathers the people and explains what God has laid on his heart to do
- And he includes himself in their troubles (v. 17)
- While explaining how God has already begun the work through Nehemiah’s relationship with the king
- The people were so inspired that the took up the call right away (v. 18)
- As the people rallied to Nehemiah’s side, the naysayers started in (v. 19)
- Accusing them of rebellion against the king
- But, Nehemiah places his hope firmly in God (v. 20)
So What?
- Nehemiah sought God throughout the process
- And he used his secular connections to help with God’s work
- As well as calling God’s people to step up
- As we seek to rebuild our community, we must do the same:
- Constantly seek God
- Use our connections, both within and outside the Church
Meditation Verse: Nehemiah 2:20a
Monday Jun 05, 2017
Monday Jun 05, 2017
Nehemiah: Rebuilding A Community
The Passion and The Prayer
Nehemiah 1:1-11b
The Passion (v. 1-3)
- Nehemiah is the author of this book
- Probably written around 430 BC
- Not much is known about Nehemiah before this
- His father is Hakaliah and his brother is Hanani
- Kislev is a month that would commonly include parts of Nov. and Dec.
- 20th year = 20th year of the reign of the Persian King Artaxerxes
- Nehemiah shows his heart by asking about the city of Jerusalem and more important the condition of the people there
- He is told that the survivors* were in great trouble and disgrace
- Since there was no simple way to communicate, this would have been devastating news to receive
- He is told that the survivors* were in great trouble and disgrace
Prayer of Confession (v. 4-7)
- Begins with brokenness
- His concern for the people and the city of Jerusalem led him to tears, to fasting and to mourning and most importantly, to prayer
- This portion of his prayer shows us his clear understanding of who God is
- Praise before petition
- His confession was personal and not superficial
- He understands that their inability to follow God’s commands had time and time again gotten them into trouble
- This was no exception
- He understands that their inability to follow God’s commands had time and time again gotten them into trouble
The Petition (v. 8-11b)
- Nehemiah reminds God of his promise to his people
- Done to show his utmost confidence in the covenant God had made with his people (2 Chron. 7:14)
- He references the Exodus and God leading his people out from Egypt (v. 10)
- He understands that the time for action in at hand (v. 11)
- He was asking God to act and showed the confidence of being in his will
So What?
- Do we have a heart for the “survivors” in our community?
- Do we understand that before we can be a part of restoration in our community, we need to restore our relationship with God?
Meditation Verse: Neh. 1:11a
Monday May 29, 2017
Monday May 29, 2017
Putting Christ First: Ministering Together
Colossians 4:7-18
The Couriers (v. 7-9)
- Paul ends his letter by telling the Colossians who he is entrusting this correspondence to
- Tychicus: One of Paul’s traveling companions (Acts 20:4)
- Delivered the Letters of Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon, and Titus
- He is described by Paul as a beloved brother, a faithful minister and a fellow servant
- Onesimus: The servant that Paul wrote to Philemon about
- Who met Paul in his prison, and came to Christ (v. 10)
- Paul became deeply attached to him (v. 12, 15)
- These men were not just passive letter-carriers
- They were fellow ministers of the gospel who would often elaborate on the letter (see Eph. 6:21-22)
- Who met Paul in his prison, and came to Christ (v. 10)
Ministry Partners (v. 10-15)
- Paul goes on to extend greetings from all those who are ministering with him
- 3 Jewish coworkers
- Aristarchus: A Thessalonian who was possibly imprisoned with Paul (Acts 19:29; 20:4; 27:29; Rom. 16:7; Phlm 23)
- Justus: Whose Hebrew name was Jesus*
- Mark: Barnabus’ cousin over whom Paul and Barnabus split company (see Acts 15:37-39)
- But, he reconciled with Paul (2 Tim. 4:11)
- And later worked with Peter in Rome (1 Pet. 5:13)
- Where he wrote the Gospel which bears his name
- 3 Gentile coworkers
- Epaphras: The local convert who brought concerns to Paul which prompted the letter
- Luke: The doctor who wrote the book of Acts and the Gospel which bears his name
- Demas: Who later abandons Paul (2 Tim. 4:9)
- Those working locally
- The church in Laodicea: Paul’s desire is to encourage fellowship between the local churches
- Colossae and Laodicea are less than 12 miles apart
- Nympha and the church which gathered in her home
- Possibly a wealthy widower who opened her large home for local Christians to meet in
- The church in Laodicea: Paul’s desire is to encourage fellowship between the local churches
The Church Universal (v. 16-18)
- Again, Paul encourages the church to be working outside of just its immediate community
- He also encourages them to encourage their brother Archippus to do what God has called him to do
- He closes the letter with a greeting in his own hand
- Since normally he used a scribe
So What?
- We are not called to live and minister alone
- We need partners
- Both in our congregation and in others
- And even those with whom we have had issues in the past
- And we need to encourage each other in the ministries to which we are called
Monday May 15, 2017
Monday May 15, 2017
Putting Christ First: New Life at Work
Colossians 3:22-4:1
Social Structures
- Paul’s focus here is show how our new identity in Christ is not meant to undo existing social structures
- But rather to transform us in them
- That being said: Read your own mail!
- Focus on what God is calling you to do
- Not on what others should be doing
Putting Christ First at Work (3:22-4:1)
- Bondservant ≠ slaves like in US history
- They were employees for a fixed period of time
- Who were often well compensated
- And were rarely forced into labor
- The modern equivalent would be employees
- Masters = employers/bosses
- Employees are called to obey their bosses
- Not just when they are looking
- Not to just get ahead
- But, by way of service to God
- The Lord is every Christian’s true Master
- Bosses are called to treat their employees well
- Not exploiting them
- Not making things unnecessarily hard on them
- Treating them like God treats you
- Because you both have the same Boss over you
What if they aren’t Christians?
- What if my spouse, or my children, or my boss, or my employer is not a Christian, am I required to still act this way?
- Yes, and even more so!
- Because your behavior to them is a testimony to the God you serve to them
- You are the Gospel they are reading!
So What?
- If we are new in Christ:
- How we treat our family should reflect that
- How we act at work should convey that
- Are you new in Jesus?
- Is our life showing that to those around us?
Meditation Verse: Col. 3:23
Monday May 08, 2017
Monday May 08, 2017
Putting Christ First: New Life in Practice
Colossians 3:18-4:1
Social Structures
- Paul’s focus here is show how our new identity in Christ is not meant to undo existing social structures
- But rather to transform us in them
- That being said: Read your own mail!
- Focus on what God is calling you to do
- Not on what others should be doing
Putting Christ First at Home (3:18-21)
- Wives are called to submit to their husbands
- Submit (hypotassō): Suggests a voluntary willingness to recognize and put oneself under the leadership of another
- It is to recognize a relationship of order established by God (v. 18b)
- But it is conditioned by the husband’s submission to God (see Eph. 5:22)
- Husbands are called to love their wives
- Like Christ loves His Church (see Eph. 5:23)
- Sacrificially
- “Do not be harsh”= Do not make them bitter, resentful
- This was counter-cultural
- Like Christ loves His Church (see Eph. 5:23)
- Children are called to obey their parents
- Obey: follow their instructions
- Again, as long as it is not in contradiction with God’s truth
- This pleases God because it means we are living under His rule for our lives (see Eph. 6:1-3; Ex. 20:12)
- Obey: follow their instructions
- Fathers* are called to be encouraging to their children
- Not give rules for rules’ sake
- Not irritate or embitter
- Again, this was counter-cultural
- Submit (hypotassō): Suggests a voluntary willingness to recognize and put oneself under the leadership of another
Putting Christ First at Work (3:22-4:1)
- Bondservant ≠ slaves like in US history
- They were employees for a fixed period of time
- Who were often well compensated
- And were rarely forced into labor
- The modern equivalent would be employees
- Masters = employers/bosses
- Employees are called to obey their bosses
- Not just when they are looking
- Not to just get ahead
- But, by way of service to God
- The Lord is every Christian’s true Master
- Bosses are called to treat their employees well
- Not exploiting them
- Not making things unnecessarily hard on them
- Treating them like God treats you
- Because you both have the same Boss over you
What if they aren’t Christians?
- What if my spouse, or my children, or my boss, or my employer is not a Christian, am I required to still act this way?
- Yes, and even more so!
- Because your behavior to them is a testimony to the God you serve to them
- You are the Gospel they are reading!
So What?
- If we are new in Christ:
- How we treat our family should reflect that
- How we act at work should convey that
- Are you new in Jesus?
- Is our life showing that to those around us?
Meditation Verse: Col. 3:23
Monday May 01, 2017
Monday May 01, 2017
Putting Christ First: Changing Clothes, part 2: Putting on the New
Colossian 3:12-17
Putting on New Clothes (v. 12-14)
- Because we are new in Christ
- Chosen and loved by God
- Set apart for God
- We should seek to emulate Jesus with:
- Compassion (lit. ‘guts of pity’): To be moved by what moves Him
- Kindness/Generosity: To look to the needs of others
- Humility/Modesty: To think of ourselves rightly
- Meekness: To not being overly impressed by a sense of one’s self-importance
- Patience: being self-controlled in the face of provocation
- Tolerance: Putting up with the struggles of others
- Forgiveness: Letting go of the wrongs that others have done to us
- All of these are just how Jesus treats us
- And all of which can be summed up in one command: Love each other! (John 13:34-35)
Taking Up New Residents (v. 15-16)
- We are called to let Christ’s peace rule in us*
- This is a call to let Jesus take control of our lives
- “Heart”: Place of will, decision
- “Rule”: Umpire, arbiter
- Peace should always take precedence in the life of a Christian, because of the peace we have with God through Christ
- Which should lead to gratitude
- We are to let Christ’s word dwell in us*
- The truth of the Gospel should transform us
- And we should encourage each other deeper and deeper into that truth through:
- Teaching: Show what is right
- Admonishing: Correcting what is wrong
- Praising God together
- This is a call to let Jesus take control of our lives
Living Out a New Mission (v. 17)
- With our new identity in place
- And our thinking & words being conformed to Christ
- We are called to let everything we do and say reflect Jesus to the world
- This is result of putting Christ first in our lives
So What?
- Are we letting Jesus transform our lives?
- So we are loving each other the way He loves us
- And so we are reflecting Him to the world
Meditation Verse: Col. 3:17
Monday Apr 24, 2017
Monday Apr 24, 2017
Putting Christ First: Changing Clothes, part 1: Taking off the Old
Colossian 3:5-11
Putting the Old Man Down (v. 5-7)
- Paul calls us to put to death everything in us that is at odds with the new life that Christ is building in us
- Because we have died to our old lives (v. 3)
- This includes:
- Sexual immorality (porneia): refers to any kind of sexual sin
- Impurity: refers more generally to any kind of moral corruption
- Passion: refers to sinful sexual thoughts; lust
- Evil desire: Refers to the human sinful impulse
- Our default mode apart from Christ is to sin
- Covetousness: Greed; an inappropriate desire for more
- This can mean money, power, pleasure, etc.
- Which Paul equates with idolatry
- Because it is placing a love for things over our love for God
- This way of living is what leads to death
- But it also led Jesus to the Cross to remove the wrath that our sinful life deserves (see John 3:36; Rom. 1:18; 2:5, 8; 3:5-6; 5:9; 1 Thess. 1:10; 5:9)
- But, notice Paul’s use of the past tense in v. 7
- Something has changed
Taking off the Old Self (v. 8-11)
- We are called to change
- Starting with how we think
- Anger, Wrath, & Malice: negative, vengeful thoughts towards other
- Moving to how we speak
- Slander: Tearing other down
- Obscene talk: Blasphemy; speaking wrongly about God
- Which results in lying to one another
- Starting with how we think
- This change comes about as we put off the old self
- And take up our new identity in Christ
- When we seek Jesus, we begin to look more and more like Him
- And this includes no longer seeing ourselves or others by ethnicity or social standing (v. 11)
- And take up our new identity in Christ
So What?
- If Jesus has made us new, our we putting the old us to death?
- And are we ready for Him to conform us to look like He does?
- Next week: Putting on the New
Meditation Verse: Col. 3:10
Monday Apr 17, 2017
Monday Apr 17, 2017
The Empty Tomb
Mark 16:1-8; Various Texts
The Joy of the Resurrection
- Part of Jesus’ mission was to impart His joy to those who trust in Him (John 15:11; 17:13)
- Jesus went to the Cross because of joy (Heb. 12:2)
- Joy is rooted in perspective
- It is not happiness, which is based upon circumstances
- Joy sees beyond the immediate to the final outcome
- For Jesus, the final outcome was eternity with us
The Hope of the Empty Tomb
- Hope is deeply connected to joy (Rom. 12:12)
- Hope is the confident expectation that God is working out everything for our good (Rom. 8:28)
- The Empty Tomb represents hope
- Because Jesus is alive, we have real hope that in Him we can have real, eternal life
- This comes through faith in Him
- And in His death and victory (1 John 5:4-5; 1 Cor. 15:54-57)
- Because Jesus is alive, we have real hope that in Him we can have real, eternal life
So What?
- Because Jesus is alive, we can have joy to move through every hardship of life
- Because Jesus is alive, we can have hope that God is working through everything for our good
- Because Jesus is alive, we can have real live now and forever
- Do you believe that He is alive?!
Meditation Verse: Revelation 1:17b-18