Weekly Sermon Reflection Questions

READ | SERMON NOTES (Sermon notes and recording available after 8 Oct 2024.) PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS

The walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt in 52 days, showing that God works miracles. For without God, the people could not have done it. Restoring the walls represented the restoration of security in the city. However, the ultimate goal was to restore its people to worship and glorifying God.

Stories shape our lives and choices. Sacrificial love in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ contrasts with Nietzsche’s Übermensch in ‘Breaking Bad’, advocating self-actualisation and rejecting tradition. Contemporary culture values self-expression, fulfillment, and the belief that might makes right.

In Nehemiah 9, the Israelites offer one of the Bible’s longest prayers after rebuilding the walls. Following the Feast of Tabernacles, they engage in communal worship and deep repentance, reflecting on God’s faithfulness.

True repentance involves recognizing and mending broken relationships with God after disobedience. In Nehemiah 9, Israel renews its commitment to God, acknowledging His faithfulness despite their past sins, which is essential for genuine discipleship and spiritual growth.

Nehemiah 8-13 focuses on Israel’s renewal of their commitment to the Lord, by addressing their inward spiritual issues and renewing the covenant. We learn that true renewal begins in the heart, as the Word of God renews, revives, and restores us.

Nehemiah 8 highlights the centrality of God’s Word, which is essential for the renewal of hearts.

The wall was finished in 52 days (Neh. 6:16). This statement may appear as an anticlimax. Announced without fanfare, it indicates that problems remained, as seen in Chapter 6.

We often begin projects with enthusiasm and precision but struggle to finish due to energy depletion. This leads to fatigue, frustration, and the temptation to quit, a phenomenon known as “hitting the wall,” causing a sudden loss of momentum.

How can Christians make a difference in society today?
Let us look at Nehemiah 5 by breaking it down into three parts.

Interspersed between two chapters on building, Nehemiah 5 deals with internal conflict and frustration and centres on Nehemiah’s work on justice.

Meeting opposition is a basic part of living out our faith every day. We should accept it and not be surprised by it. Jesus never faltered in his mission, despite strong opposition and even in the face of death.

In this sermon series on Nehemiah, it’s crucial to remember that we are designed to work from a place of rest. Neglecting regular Sabbath observance means rejecting God’s intended rhythm of work and rest.

God is in the business of working through people to accomplish seemingly impossible tasks.

The people of Jerusalem came together to rebuild the city walls. Though God’s name isn’t mentioned, He was deeply involved, using different people in the rebuilding efforts.

Nehemiah’s plans worked from conviction to commission through contemplation.

In Nehemiah 1, we read about how Nehemiah received a compelling burden after hearing Hanani’s report of Jerusalem in ruin. Nehemiah was so moved that he mourned, fasted, and prayed. This week, we look at how Nehemiah acted.

In 586 B.C., the Babylonians destroyed the temple in Jerusalem and the people of Judah were exiled to Babylon. Years later, in 538 B.C., the Persian King Cyrus defeated the Babylonians and allowed the Jews to return to their land.

What a powerful story of faith, leadership and the incredible things that can happen when hearts are aligned with God’s purposes!

Psalm 111 is an acrostic Hebrew poem written for easily memorisation, with 22 lines corresponding to the Hebrew alphabet. It is a song of praise focusing on the covenant-keeping God and His works.

Psalm 111 was meant to be memorised by God’s people. It repeatedly taught the reader that it was imperative to study God’s work.

The verses on the Great Commission are well known. The fields are ripe for harvest. Jesus commanded his disciples to make more disciples, preach the Gospel, baptise and teach.

Mark 16:15 (NLT): “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” This verse encapsulates The Great Commission, a foundational text that has shaped Christian missionary work since the earliest days of the church.

We, as a church at Wesley, have a sacred responsibility to bear witness and reinforce collective memory of God’s almighty acts and faithfulness; warn every generation against repeating past sinful mistakes.

This Next Generation Weekend, we look at how to pass on Godly heritage from generation to generation.

On this Pledge Sunday, it is appropriate to consider how to counter our modern culture of getting and gaining with God’s Word to pledge and give. In 2 Corinthians 8 and 9, Paul wrote to churches about raising funds for the poor and needy in Jerusalem.

New Testament, Paul urged us to give from our heart (2 Cor:6-8). Exodus 35 is a powerful example of giving as an act of worship in our discipleship when people give out of their hearts and commit their will to God’s cause.

What happens when biblical stewardship is observed? God can work through people who trust in him.

Salvation joy leads us to steward spiritual treasures that build God’s Kingdom.