I. Introduction
A. I am excited!
The study theme this year is going to focus on two construction books in the Bible: Ezra and Nehemiah.
B. Both record the events surrounding the return of the Jews from their captivity in Babylon and Persia back to Jerusalem
- Jeremiah 52:12-14, 27 records king Nebuchadnezzar completely destroying Jerusalem, and Solomon’s glorious Temple in 606 BC
- Ezra and Zerubbabel headed up the rebuilding of the Temple that had been completely destroyed by king Nebuchadnezzar 70 years later in 536 BC
- And Nehemiah heads up the return to Jerusalem about 90 years later to rebuild the protective walls and gates around Jerusalem
C. I hope you will start to see that these are not just books that record the rebuilding of ruined walls…
God didn’t include them in His Bible just for builders
D. They are books about rebuilding LIVES
- Rebuilding broken homes
- Rebuilding broken hearts
- Rebuilding broken churches
- Rebuilding broken nations
II. The Need for Rebuilding (Nehemiah 1:1-4)
A. Nehemiah received distressing news about Jerusalem
B. The walls were broken down
C. The gates were burned with fire
D. The people were in great affliction and reproach
III. Nehemiah’s Response (Nehemiah 1:4-11)
A. He sat down and wept
B. He mourned for days
C. He fasted and prayed
D. He confessed sin - his own and Israel’s
IV. Application: Do We Care Enough?
A. Do we see the brokenness around us?
B. Does it move us to action?
C. Are we willing to be part of the solution?
D. Will we pray and work for restoration?
V. Conclusion
A. Nehemiah cared enough to weep
B. He cared enough to pray
C. He cared enough to act
D. Do we?
For more information, contact Bible Baptist Church of Ballincollig at www.biblebc.com