WEBVTT 220 00:26:21.984 --> 00:26:23.085 You know, I love, uh, 221 00:26:23.086 --> 00:26:27.885 those impact stories 'cause every one of those stories is a story of how 222 00:26:27.886 --> 00:26:31.484 people didn't realize that God wanted to do something through their lives. 223 00:26:32.225 --> 00:26:35.725 And you watch him just kind of show up and it's a really special thing to see. 224 00:26:36.325 --> 00:26:40.285 Uh, I mean, who knows what God wants to do through our lives? Well, uh, listen, 225 00:26:40.665 --> 00:26:42.525 I'm Dwayne. I'm one of the pastors here at Hope. 226 00:26:42.526 --> 00:26:45.805 It is great to be with you and I hope you are doing well. Uh, 227 00:26:45.806 --> 00:26:48.244 and so I kind of want to jump into this thing. Uh, 228 00:26:48.405 --> 00:26:50.525 I am so excited to be before you. Uh, 229 00:26:50.645 --> 00:26:53.484 I have been out of the country for the past few weeks with my wife and it has 230 00:26:53.485 --> 00:26:57.085 been a great experience, but I'm home. And so it's good to be home. 231 00:26:57.115 --> 00:26:58.405 It's good to be back. Um, 232 00:26:58.545 --> 00:27:02.005 let me just start tonight off by asking you a question. Uh, 233 00:27:02.135 --> 00:27:04.165 today if you're watching at one of our physical campuses, 234 00:27:04.445 --> 00:27:07.605 lemme start today off by asking you a question. And here's the question, 235 00:27:08.945 --> 00:27:13.845 do you remember the last time that you realized that you 236 00:27:14.635 --> 00:27:15.468 were the problem? 237 00:27:19.375 --> 00:27:23.175 I'm just gonna let that settle for a second. Do you remember what it felt like? 238 00:27:23.375 --> 00:27:24.335 And let, lemme give you a little context. 239 00:27:24.465 --> 00:27:28.655 Maybe it was in the context of a relationship or maybe it was a problem that you 240 00:27:28.656 --> 00:27:30.695 were trying to solve or maybe it was, uh, 241 00:27:30.696 --> 00:27:32.895 something that you were trying to accomplish for God. 242 00:27:32.896 --> 00:27:36.535 Or maybe it was something that was a really big deal in your life and you came 243 00:27:36.536 --> 00:27:41.335 to the conclusion at some point during that time that you were 244 00:27:41.695 --> 00:27:46.255 actually the problem. Let me give you an example of what I mean. 245 00:27:46.725 --> 00:27:49.575 Like my wife and I, we've been married for 25 years and I told you earlier, 246 00:27:49.675 --> 00:27:52.055 we love to travel together. We are empty nesters, 247 00:27:52.195 --> 00:27:55.335 so we get to kind of just go and do things and it is a blast. 248 00:27:55.465 --> 00:27:57.975 Don't believe the hype empty nest is really, really good. 249 00:27:59.015 --> 00:28:00.095 And so we get to travel together. 250 00:28:00.155 --> 00:28:03.895 But there are times where my wife wants to travel with somebody else. 251 00:28:03.955 --> 00:28:07.734 She'll take one of our children or she'll go with one of her friends and she 252 00:28:07.735 --> 00:28:11.215 leaves me home alone no longer than 72 hours. 253 00:28:12.675 --> 00:28:16.135 The Bible is clear about man not needing to be alone because they know that we 254 00:28:16.136 --> 00:28:18.455 will make a mess. And I, 255 00:28:18.595 --> 00:28:22.815 I'm true to that reality because almost as soon as my wife exits the home, 256 00:28:23.135 --> 00:28:25.615 I begin throwing my clothes everywhere. Uh, 257 00:28:25.815 --> 00:28:29.734 I begin to cook and it's a really bad thing when I cook 'cause I just leave a 258 00:28:29.735 --> 00:28:32.734 mess everywhere. Why? 'cause she ain't there and she can't stop me. 259 00:28:33.635 --> 00:28:36.695 And I make a hot mess in the house. Now outside of the house, 260 00:28:36.696 --> 00:28:38.935 everything is pristine and it looks amazing, 261 00:28:39.275 --> 00:28:44.175 but inside the house there is a hot mess brewing and I make a mess for 262 00:28:44.176 --> 00:28:47.935 almost all of the 72 hours. And I know I'm the only man who does that, 263 00:28:50.195 --> 00:28:53.775 but I do it. And then there's something that happens. 264 00:28:54.485 --> 00:28:57.615 There's this time where I know I need to pick her up from the airport. Uh, 265 00:28:57.616 --> 00:29:02.415 maybe it's 7:00 PM and so at 6 45 I am washing the last 266 00:29:02.416 --> 00:29:06.695 dishes and putting the last load of laundry in the washer because I know I gotta 267 00:29:06.696 --> 00:29:09.575 go pick my wife up and I don't want her to come home to a mess. 268 00:29:09.715 --> 00:29:14.295 But there's also this realization that comes to fruition where I realize 269 00:29:15.855 --> 00:29:16.688 I I'm the problem. 270 00:29:19.435 --> 00:29:24.095 I'm the messy one in the relationship. It's, it's me. 271 00:29:25.715 --> 00:29:30.615 And there are times in my life where I have come to that reality that sometimes 272 00:29:31.215 --> 00:29:35.015 it, it's just us. Like sometimes we are the problem, 273 00:29:35.025 --> 00:29:38.175 especially when there's something big that we're trying to accomplish, 274 00:29:38.225 --> 00:29:40.175 especially when we're trying to solve a problem. 275 00:29:40.285 --> 00:29:43.725 Sometimes when we're trying to get something big accomplished or we're trying to 276 00:29:43.726 --> 00:29:47.565 move something forward or we come to the realization that God wants us to do 277 00:29:47.566 --> 00:29:52.045 something, that we are the ones who are standing in the way we are the problem. 278 00:29:52.805 --> 00:29:57.325 Oftentimes it's not the external factors that stop us, it is us. 279 00:29:59.155 --> 00:30:04.125 It's the internal factor our peoples that gets in the 280 00:30:04.126 --> 00:30:07.245 way that begins to challenge the success of something great. 281 00:30:07.385 --> 00:30:11.285 And when we're trying to accomplish something big for God is oftentimes us. 282 00:30:11.565 --> 00:30:12.398 Let me say it this way, 283 00:30:12.485 --> 00:30:16.605 I think that sometimes the greatest threat to slow down the movement of God, 284 00:30:17.505 --> 00:30:19.805 the movement that God's people need to undertake, 285 00:30:19.806 --> 00:30:23.725 sometimes the greatest threat that slows down the movement of God's people is 286 00:30:23.726 --> 00:30:28.245 you guessed it, God's people. Sometimes it's us. 287 00:30:29.435 --> 00:30:33.605 Sometimes we create internal strife that slows down future progress. 288 00:30:33.665 --> 00:30:37.965 And as a result of our behavior or our conduct or let's call it what it often 289 00:30:37.966 --> 00:30:42.365 really is, our sin, we make a mess of things 290 00:30:43.985 --> 00:30:47.655 we get in the way. And I know that's hard to hear, 291 00:30:49.165 --> 00:30:50.785 but I believe it's accurate. Like, 292 00:30:50.786 --> 00:30:54.385 like you can look all throughout the Bible and see stories of the behavior of 293 00:30:54.675 --> 00:30:59.465 God's people creating all kinds of challenges for other than you guessed it 294 00:30:59.685 --> 00:31:02.545 for people, it's people causing problems for people. 295 00:31:03.405 --> 00:31:07.705 And so what do you do when you are trying to get a fresh start? 296 00:31:08.735 --> 00:31:11.225 When you're trying to build something or you're trying to grow something, 297 00:31:11.226 --> 00:31:15.065 you're trying to do something for the kingdom and you find yourself hindered by 298 00:31:15.555 --> 00:31:17.145 God's people, by us. 299 00:31:19.005 --> 00:31:21.305 How do you move things back into the right direction? 300 00:31:21.445 --> 00:31:25.345 How do you get back on course when you realize that the internal threat of 301 00:31:25.346 --> 00:31:27.385 people is the thing that's causing the problem? 302 00:31:28.775 --> 00:31:32.425 Well today through the lens of Nehemiah's life and his attempts to build the 303 00:31:32.426 --> 00:31:36.785 wall, that's exactly what we are gonna look at. Now if you have your Bibles, 304 00:31:36.786 --> 00:31:37.505 here's what I want you to do, 305 00:31:37.505 --> 00:31:41.385 I want you to go ahead and open up to Nehemiah chapter five and we are gonna 306 00:31:41.386 --> 00:31:45.265 start with verse one. And we're gonna read all the way through this chapter, 307 00:31:45.355 --> 00:31:48.265 right Nehemiah chapter five, verse one. And while you're turning there, 308 00:31:48.375 --> 00:31:51.265 what I wanna do is go ahead and set the stage for you just a little bit. 309 00:31:51.525 --> 00:31:53.425 I'm not sure if you came in week one, 310 00:31:53.426 --> 00:31:56.385 but Jason has been teaching through from week one all the way through. 311 00:31:56.405 --> 00:31:58.505 And we are in chapter five today. 312 00:31:58.506 --> 00:32:01.905 So lemme just give you a little bit of a catch up of where we are now. 313 00:32:01.906 --> 00:32:06.465 Please know Nehemiah is a essential part of the Bible as every single 314 00:32:06.466 --> 00:32:07.299 character is. 315 00:32:07.405 --> 00:32:11.865 And Nehemiah has assembled this group of people to work on the rebuilding of the 316 00:32:11.866 --> 00:32:13.065 wall of Jerusalem. 317 00:32:13.605 --> 00:32:16.105 And you gotta understand that this is like not a small project. 318 00:32:16.295 --> 00:32:20.905 This is a huge undertaking and many believe that it 319 00:32:21.075 --> 00:32:24.585 can't be done. You see the wall is not just another project, 320 00:32:24.815 --> 00:32:29.425 it's a physical symbol as walls always are of the rebuilding of a nation, 321 00:32:29.765 --> 00:32:34.065 of the strengthening of a nation because walls tend to communicate a sense of 322 00:32:34.305 --> 00:32:36.945 strength. And all of this has collapsed and crumbled. 323 00:32:37.125 --> 00:32:39.725 But this is also not just a physical barrier, 324 00:32:39.915 --> 00:32:44.485 this is a spiritual reminder of God's power and how God can use his people 325 00:32:44.745 --> 00:32:47.445 to accomplish amazing things for his glory. 326 00:32:47.865 --> 00:32:52.165 And Nehemiah is rallying these people together for God's glory. 327 00:32:53.145 --> 00:32:57.565 And he knows that not only does his wall say that we're strong, 328 00:32:58.485 --> 00:33:03.145 the wall also says that we're strong because God 329 00:33:03.445 --> 00:33:07.305 is with us. And so collectively the people are working together, 330 00:33:07.535 --> 00:33:10.745 they are building this big wall. And as Jason says last week, 331 00:33:10.746 --> 00:33:14.745 they are beginning to face opposition And a lot of the opposition is not coming 332 00:33:14.746 --> 00:33:17.385 from the inside, it's coming from the outside. 333 00:33:17.895 --> 00:33:22.385 They got one hand on the sword and one hand on the word and they're trying to 334 00:33:22.386 --> 00:33:25.225 walk out life like this as they build this wall. 335 00:33:25.295 --> 00:33:28.545 There's all kind of external factors, there's naysayers, 336 00:33:28.546 --> 00:33:30.745 there's all kind of things that are putting the project at risk, 337 00:33:30.925 --> 00:33:34.305 but then they start to see a different concern emerge. 338 00:33:35.635 --> 00:33:40.465 It's not the outside threat. They start to see the inside threat. 339 00:33:41.545 --> 00:33:45.565 One that if they're not careful can all cause all kind of problems and 340 00:33:45.566 --> 00:33:48.925 potentially destroy them from the inside out and the threat that they're 341 00:33:49.005 --> 00:33:52.005 starting to see. You guessed it people 342 00:33:53.505 --> 00:33:56.905 in chapter five, verse one, here's what it says. It says, 343 00:33:56.925 --> 00:34:01.865 now there arose a great outcry of the people and of 344 00:34:01.866 --> 00:34:06.625 their wives against their Jewish brothers. For there were those who said, 345 00:34:06.775 --> 00:34:09.625 with our sons and our daughters, we are many. 346 00:34:10.485 --> 00:34:15.385 So let us get grain that we might eat and we might 347 00:34:15.386 --> 00:34:19.745 keep alive. There were also those who said we are mortgaging our fields, 348 00:34:20.285 --> 00:34:23.905 our vineyards and our houses to get grain because of the famine. 349 00:34:24.085 --> 00:34:25.185 And there were those who said, 350 00:34:25.186 --> 00:34:29.505 we have borrowed money for the king's tax on our fields and on our vineyards. 351 00:34:29.965 --> 00:34:33.465 And now our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers. 352 00:34:34.005 --> 00:34:35.905 Our children are as their children. 353 00:34:36.285 --> 00:34:40.385 Yet we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves. 354 00:34:41.205 --> 00:34:43.825 And some of our daughters have already been enslaved, 355 00:34:44.605 --> 00:34:46.105 but it is not in our power to help 356 00:34:47.665 --> 00:34:51.735 for other men have our fields and our vineyards. 357 00:34:53.255 --> 00:34:57.135 Lemme just kind of give you an idea of what's happening here. Uh, 358 00:34:57.245 --> 00:35:00.535 this is the poor beginning to cry out to Nehemiah. You. 359 00:35:00.536 --> 00:35:04.255 You see this is a group of people who have been assembled under Nehemiah's 360 00:35:04.256 --> 00:35:08.935 leadership and a significant amount of them would've been the poor and they 361 00:35:09.015 --> 00:35:12.295 would've been gathered trying to do this big thing with their lives. 362 00:35:12.555 --> 00:35:15.855 And many of them have escaped Babylonian captivity. 363 00:35:16.275 --> 00:35:21.055 And now they have come to this city and the city is in rubble and they're trying 364 00:35:21.056 --> 00:35:24.735 to do this big thing with their lives. And no doubt they're probably tired, 365 00:35:25.125 --> 00:35:26.655 they're probably frustrated, 366 00:35:26.725 --> 00:35:30.895 they've probably been through some very real challenges in their lives. 367 00:35:32.585 --> 00:35:36.085 And now they started to face this opposition. 368 00:35:37.285 --> 00:35:40.125 And the opposition is kind of praying on them. 369 00:35:40.594 --> 00:35:44.364 They've rallied themselves under Nehemiah's leadership and as they've done all 370 00:35:44.365 --> 00:35:47.965 this, they started to see problems arise but they're still trusting in God and 371 00:35:47.966 --> 00:35:51.205 believing that they can accomplish this thing and they're the poor. 372 00:35:51.505 --> 00:35:54.364 And so one of the biggest problems they face is the problem that everybody 373 00:35:54.375 --> 00:35:58.885 faces. They just need to eat and feed their families 374 00:36:00.185 --> 00:36:03.094 and they're hurting. They need food. 375 00:36:03.955 --> 00:36:07.455 And while people are helping them, what they're really doing, 376 00:36:07.515 --> 00:36:09.775 the people who are helping them are helping themselves. 377 00:36:10.085 --> 00:36:12.935 They are charging crazy amounts of interest. 378 00:36:12.936 --> 00:36:17.295 Some believe as high as 18% so that these folks can feed their family. 379 00:36:17.895 --> 00:36:19.855 I know nobody would ever charge 18%. 380 00:36:22.895 --> 00:36:27.575 I mean it's crazy and so much so that it's causing them to sell their own 381 00:36:27.815 --> 00:36:28.695 children into slavery. 382 00:36:28.875 --> 00:36:32.735 So they've come from and now they're putting their children back in. 383 00:36:34.755 --> 00:36:39.735 And in verse five it says that it is not of our power to even 384 00:36:39.765 --> 00:36:44.655 help translation. They feel powerless. 385 00:36:45.815 --> 00:36:49.185 They feel like they've gone from one situation where they've been exploited into 386 00:36:49.215 --> 00:36:53.705 another situation where they've been exploited. Not a person, 387 00:36:54.305 --> 00:36:56.745 uh, that they know or by a person that they don't know, I'm sorry, 388 00:36:56.746 --> 00:36:59.305 but by a person that they know. These are people who live with them, 389 00:36:59.364 --> 00:37:03.105 who do life with them. And these people are now taking advantage of them. 390 00:37:04.565 --> 00:37:07.905 You see the problem's not coming from an attacking army but from internal greed. 391 00:37:08.135 --> 00:37:11.105 It's not coming from an external threat but from an internal force. 392 00:37:11.445 --> 00:37:14.025 The problem is now motivated by something outside, 393 00:37:14.545 --> 00:37:15.985 it's motivated by something inside. 394 00:37:15.986 --> 00:37:19.305 And it's the same thing that typically causes trouble for all of us. 395 00:37:20.415 --> 00:37:21.425 It's a sinful heart. 396 00:37:23.475 --> 00:37:26.645 They are the poor and some of the most vulnerable in the community and they are 397 00:37:26.646 --> 00:37:31.364 being driven to the brink while they are trying to follow Nehemiah in rebuilding 398 00:37:31.365 --> 00:37:33.405 this wall. And when we get to chapter five, 399 00:37:33.725 --> 00:37:37.525 Nehemiah is forced to wrestle with some very real questions. 400 00:37:37.545 --> 00:37:40.805 You see this wall is supposed to be a symbol for God's people. 401 00:37:41.155 --> 00:37:45.045 It's supposed to be this great work that screams out that God is with us. 402 00:37:46.945 --> 00:37:51.925 But what good is it to have this big old wall and on 403 00:37:51.926 --> 00:37:53.844 the inside everything is a hot mess. 404 00:37:55.875 --> 00:38:00.045 What good is it to fight the external enemy and let the internal one rage and 405 00:38:00.195 --> 00:38:02.165 rampage everyone and everything? 406 00:38:02.275 --> 00:38:05.364 What good is it to build a wall that distinguishes us spiritually? 407 00:38:05.465 --> 00:38:09.245 If inside the wall we act and behave like everybody else? 408 00:38:12.114 --> 00:38:12.947 Here's one more. 409 00:38:13.725 --> 00:38:18.695 What good is it to address the external image and not actually 410 00:38:18.725 --> 00:38:22.415 deal with the internal sin condition of the people? 411 00:38:24.195 --> 00:38:27.165 There's this threat that begins to emerge and you guessed it. 412 00:38:28.285 --> 00:38:32.405 The thread is people and it's people from inside the wall, not outside the wall. 413 00:38:32.925 --> 00:38:34.565 And you better believe that it's creating conflict. 414 00:38:34.844 --> 00:38:38.445 Like this is one of the only chapters where you don't see a whole lot of 415 00:38:38.645 --> 00:38:40.525 progress being done on the wall. Why? 416 00:38:40.526 --> 00:38:42.685 Because this is starting to slow things down. 417 00:38:42.905 --> 00:38:44.565 As people are having this disagreement, 418 00:38:44.715 --> 00:38:48.844 most commentators believe that it is slowing the progress of the wall. 419 00:38:48.845 --> 00:38:53.045 There's only a very small section in this chapter that talks about Nehemiah 420 00:38:53.046 --> 00:38:57.535 trying to continue the work you see it's causing internal strife. 421 00:38:58.675 --> 00:39:02.535 And when you look at this and you see the poor being exploited, 422 00:39:02.725 --> 00:39:06.015 what we often think is, here we go again. Right? Uh, 423 00:39:06.016 --> 00:39:09.695 another situation where the rich get richer and the poor don't get anything, 424 00:39:10.594 --> 00:39:14.415 we think, man, this is another issue of the rich taking advantage of the poor. 425 00:39:14.755 --> 00:39:18.015 Can I get you to challenge you just a little bit in your thinking when I say 426 00:39:18.016 --> 00:39:21.775 that? Because I don't believe that this is an issue between rich and poor. 427 00:39:22.015 --> 00:39:23.975 I think this is an issue between right and wrong. 428 00:39:26.415 --> 00:39:31.114 You see the righteousness of this situation when equate to a person 429 00:39:31.485 --> 00:39:32.955 being a a giver 430 00:39:34.525 --> 00:39:37.885 and the wrongness in all of this would equate to a person being a taker. 431 00:39:38.285 --> 00:39:40.645 I mean man, what a question that we can ask ourselves. 432 00:39:40.745 --> 00:39:45.405 Are we a giver or are we a taker? And these folks, 433 00:39:46.435 --> 00:39:50.925 they are being takers and their sin condition is hard at work. 434 00:39:51.305 --> 00:39:51.606 You know, 435 00:39:51.606 --> 00:39:55.565 only the symbol condition of a person's heart would seek to exploit the poor 436 00:39:55.594 --> 00:40:00.565 because nested in this behavior are the sins like greed and pride and certainly 437 00:40:00.605 --> 00:40:05.205 a lack of compassion that if you were following God these would be big red 438 00:40:05.335 --> 00:40:09.045 flags. And they're not red flags. 439 00:40:09.705 --> 00:40:14.465 The folks aren't even convicted by what they're doing and so they just keep 440 00:40:14.466 --> 00:40:17.585 doing it and the poor are crying out. 441 00:40:18.364 --> 00:40:21.785 And Nehemiah knows that if, if people continue to do this, 442 00:40:21.815 --> 00:40:24.665 that it challenges the work that they're doing on the wall. 443 00:40:24.685 --> 00:40:28.864 So when we get to verse six, Nehemiah begins to say something and verse 60, 444 00:40:29.305 --> 00:40:33.225 Miah says, I was very angry when I heard their outcry. 445 00:40:34.085 --> 00:40:38.745 And when I heard these words I took counsel with myself and I brought charges 446 00:40:38.815 --> 00:40:41.745 against the nobles and all the officials. And I said to them, 447 00:40:42.125 --> 00:40:46.025 you are exacting interest each from his brother. 448 00:40:46.805 --> 00:40:49.945 And I held a great assembly against them and said to them, 449 00:40:50.725 --> 00:40:55.105 we as far as we are able have brought back our Jewish brothers who have been 450 00:40:55.385 --> 00:40:56.305 sold to other nations, 451 00:40:56.565 --> 00:41:00.745 but you even now sell your brothers that they might be sold to us. 452 00:41:02.005 --> 00:41:05.905 And they were silent and they couldn't find a word to say. 453 00:41:07.125 --> 00:41:07.958 So I said, 454 00:41:09.065 --> 00:41:13.025 the thing that you are doing is not good. 455 00:41:14.285 --> 00:41:15.985 You know, some translations say it this way, 456 00:41:16.125 --> 00:41:18.745 the thing that you're doing is not right. 457 00:41:19.645 --> 00:41:22.344 Can we just zone in on that right there? 458 00:41:23.364 --> 00:41:24.905 The thing that you're doing is not good. 459 00:41:24.925 --> 00:41:26.985 The thing that you're doing is not right. You see, 460 00:41:27.145 --> 00:41:30.585 because what Nehemiah sees here is that the thing that they're doing is wrong. 461 00:41:30.685 --> 00:41:33.805 And so rather than just continue and breeze right over it, 462 00:41:34.065 --> 00:41:37.565 he calls it out for what it is. He says, this is not right. 463 00:41:37.785 --> 00:41:41.085 And I think this is the first nugget of truth that we can extract from this. 464 00:41:41.094 --> 00:41:44.885 Today. We have to be the kind of people that when we see something is wrong, 465 00:41:45.225 --> 00:41:48.445 we say that it is wrong. If we are trying to have a fresh start, 466 00:41:48.585 --> 00:41:49.418 no matter what it is, 467 00:41:49.505 --> 00:41:53.765 we have to be the kind of people who call out the wrong things that we see. 468 00:41:55.395 --> 00:41:56.855 You see, when we see something, 469 00:41:58.235 --> 00:42:01.175 we should be the people who say something. 470 00:42:02.435 --> 00:42:06.215 And certainly we need to do it in a biblical way like Matthew 18 gives us great 471 00:42:06.495 --> 00:42:07.495 guidance on how to do that. 472 00:42:07.594 --> 00:42:11.375 We approach the person who has caused the problem because they're probably the 473 00:42:11.376 --> 00:42:12.375 person who can fix it. 474 00:42:13.475 --> 00:42:17.655 And we root everything that we believe is righteous to share in the words of 475 00:42:17.895 --> 00:42:20.935 scripture because we can't make up our own measurement on what's right and 476 00:42:20.936 --> 00:42:23.255 what's wrong. But when we see something that's wrong, 477 00:42:24.555 --> 00:42:27.255 we ought to be the kind of people who say something, can I get an amen? 478 00:42:29.815 --> 00:42:34.555 We don't say it through Twitter reviews or through Instagram 479 00:42:34.765 --> 00:42:37.835 posts. We don't film a video about the problem. 480 00:42:37.975 --> 00:42:40.955 We just go to the person the way Matthew 18 tells us to do. 481 00:42:41.575 --> 00:42:44.635 And we fix the situation and we hope that the person will change it. 482 00:42:45.835 --> 00:42:47.155 And for a fresh start to last, 483 00:42:48.215 --> 00:42:50.995 we need to be the kind of people who wanna say something. 484 00:42:51.425 --> 00:42:55.875 When we see something we don't sta nightly by when something is happening that's 485 00:42:55.876 --> 00:42:57.755 wrong, we say something, we bring it up. 486 00:42:57.935 --> 00:43:01.355 And what Nehemiah sees here is RONG. Wrong. 487 00:43:03.425 --> 00:43:08.275 It's just wrong. And so he speaks up, he says, this is not right. 488 00:43:08.375 --> 00:43:11.995 And in verse nine, he continues on, he says, I said, 489 00:43:12.715 --> 00:43:15.195 the thing that you are doing is not good. Again, 490 00:43:15.196 --> 00:43:19.915 some translations say it's not right all you not to walk in the fear 491 00:43:20.055 --> 00:43:24.955 of our God to prevent the talks of the nations or the enemies. Moreover, 492 00:43:25.395 --> 00:43:30.155 I and my brothers and my servants are lending them money and 493 00:43:30.165 --> 00:43:34.795 grain. So let us abandon this exacting of interest 494 00:43:35.935 --> 00:43:38.795 return to them this very day, their fields, their vineyards, 495 00:43:38.796 --> 00:43:43.555 their olive orchards and their houses and the percentage of money, grain, 496 00:43:43.985 --> 00:43:48.114 wine and oil that you have been exacting from them. And then they said, 497 00:43:48.975 --> 00:43:52.715 we will restore these and require nothing from them. 498 00:43:53.255 --> 00:43:54.475 We will do as you say. 499 00:43:54.815 --> 00:43:58.995 And I called the priest and I made them swear to do as they had promised, 500 00:43:59.875 --> 00:44:02.635 I also shook out the fold of my garment. And I said, 501 00:44:03.055 --> 00:44:07.795 so may God shake out every man of his house and from his labor who does not 502 00:44:07.825 --> 00:44:11.955 keep this promise. So may he be shaken out and emptied. 503 00:44:12.015 --> 00:44:13.995 And all the assemblies said, man, 504 00:44:14.175 --> 00:44:18.715 and they praise the Lord and the people did as they had promised. 505 00:44:20.505 --> 00:44:24.425 Now what Nehemiah does here is really important. 506 00:44:25.165 --> 00:44:26.185 And if you don't look closely, 507 00:44:26.364 --> 00:44:30.425 you can almost miss it because everybody's so excited about what they did. 508 00:44:30.685 --> 00:44:34.445 But a lot of it is because Nehemiah led in the right direction. 509 00:44:34.785 --> 00:44:37.525 He does these a couple of things in a row that that man, 510 00:44:37.526 --> 00:44:38.645 they make all the difference. 511 00:44:38.665 --> 00:44:43.045 The first thing he does is he goes first in setting up an active generosity. 512 00:44:43.145 --> 00:44:45.245 He says, you know what? I'm gonna start first. 513 00:44:46.864 --> 00:44:50.565 I'm gonna go out and do this first. And then he does this second thing, 514 00:44:50.785 --> 00:44:54.805 he creates a way for them to be accountable. 515 00:44:55.265 --> 00:45:00.005 So he goes first and then he creates accountability and he does it all. Why? 516 00:45:00.715 --> 00:45:03.005 Because he is operating as he says, 517 00:45:03.614 --> 00:45:06.005 under the fear of the Lord. 518 00:45:08.105 --> 00:45:10.875 He's working under the fear of the Lord. You know, 519 00:45:10.876 --> 00:45:12.875 the fear of the Lord is a really interesting thing to me. 520 00:45:13.585 --> 00:45:17.155 When I was young in my faith, I, I would hear those words, the fear of the Lord. 521 00:45:17.175 --> 00:45:18.008 And the truth is, 522 00:45:18.175 --> 00:45:22.795 is that I just thought it meant that God was mad at me because I hadn't read 523 00:45:22.796 --> 00:45:24.395 enough Bible, I hadn't lived enough life. 524 00:45:24.396 --> 00:45:28.355 And so I kind walked around in a little bit of a daze just thinking like God's 525 00:45:28.356 --> 00:45:29.555 just mad at me all the time. 526 00:45:29.745 --> 00:45:33.395 He's just this angry God who's always mad because I don't do the right thing. 527 00:45:33.455 --> 00:45:36.395 Can I just share something with someone who might need a little bit of hope 528 00:45:36.396 --> 00:45:38.395 today? God is not mad at you. 529 00:45:40.695 --> 00:45:42.715 He is certainly not happy about our sin 530 00:45:45.905 --> 00:45:49.915 and he's angry about that. But he loves you. 531 00:45:51.635 --> 00:45:54.645 And you need to know that, you know, 532 00:45:54.646 --> 00:45:59.245 the fear of the Lord had this picture of a God who just made me 533 00:45:59.355 --> 00:46:02.965 fearful because he was angry. And the more I studied the Bible, 534 00:46:03.385 --> 00:46:08.364 the more I shaped this deeper image of God and it's much 535 00:46:08.365 --> 00:46:11.285 more than a God who's just mad at me. You see, 536 00:46:11.286 --> 00:46:15.805 what is scripture shaped in scripture is a picture of a God who deserves our 537 00:46:16.125 --> 00:46:19.325 reverence and our adoration and our obedience. 538 00:46:20.965 --> 00:46:24.364 It's a God who is awesome in all ways and in all things. 539 00:46:24.785 --> 00:46:27.364 And so when we give him that kind of reverence, 540 00:46:27.505 --> 00:46:31.405 it demonstrates a healthy fear for him. Now, certainly he could crush us, 541 00:46:33.305 --> 00:46:38.065 but I think the thing that makes him so awesome is that he chooses not to. 542 00:46:40.435 --> 00:46:42.935 And it creates this healthy fear, 543 00:46:44.585 --> 00:46:47.075 this trembling trust 544 00:46:48.965 --> 00:46:50.925 and who he is and all that he has done. 545 00:46:53.355 --> 00:46:57.335 And Nehemiah is operating under this kind of fear, 546 00:46:58.864 --> 00:47:02.305 an adoration for God, a deep trust in him. 547 00:47:03.325 --> 00:47:07.625 And he's clearly upset. I mean, he shakes out his garment that that was a, 548 00:47:07.745 --> 00:47:11.864 a universal sign of being angry and almost wishing a little bit of a curse that 549 00:47:11.865 --> 00:47:14.105 something would happen to the people who wouldn't listen. 550 00:47:14.565 --> 00:47:19.344 And so he shakes out his garment, but instead of harping on the problem, 551 00:47:20.844 --> 00:47:25.465 he just trusts God. And he does something that all great leaders do. 552 00:47:26.844 --> 00:47:30.485 He sets the example, he lends grain, 553 00:47:31.025 --> 00:47:32.965 he sets the tone. He it is men. 554 00:47:33.185 --> 00:47:35.765 He does what is necessary and what needs to be done. 555 00:47:36.305 --> 00:47:41.165 And he also brings in the priest to have the priest follow up and he begins to 556 00:47:41.166 --> 00:47:44.364 establish a sense of accountability. You know, this whole series, 557 00:47:44.425 --> 00:47:46.085 we have been talking about a fresh start. 558 00:47:46.185 --> 00:47:49.965 And I believe that this is where most of us get stuck when we want to take a 559 00:47:49.966 --> 00:47:54.285 fresh start. We don't necessarily take action 560 00:47:56.035 --> 00:48:01.005 and we don't create accountability. Well, maybe it's just me. 561 00:48:02.925 --> 00:48:04.925 You know, if I've watched people live life out, 562 00:48:05.915 --> 00:48:09.205 I've seen them want to take major change steps in their lives. 563 00:48:10.185 --> 00:48:12.045 And when these two things aren't in place, 564 00:48:12.925 --> 00:48:17.085 I watched us fumble and fall over and over and over again. 565 00:48:18.185 --> 00:48:21.045 You know, it's great to wanna read scripture. 566 00:48:21.105 --> 00:48:23.685 And every year I see folks who say, I really want to read the Bible. 567 00:48:23.905 --> 00:48:25.885 And that is a noble aspiration. 568 00:48:26.185 --> 00:48:29.965 But if we don't create time in our calendars to actually read the Bible, 569 00:48:30.864 --> 00:48:34.645 the likelihood of us accomplishing that, if we don't take steps forward in that, 570 00:48:34.785 --> 00:48:39.165 the likelihood of us actually accomplishing that work is gonna be slim to none. 571 00:48:39.585 --> 00:48:42.565 And speaking of slim, one of the biggest things we say every year is, 572 00:48:42.605 --> 00:48:47.085 I wanna lose weight. But if we never step foot and a gym, 573 00:48:48.775 --> 00:48:50.785 it's gonna be rough in these streets to lose weight. 574 00:48:54.245 --> 00:48:57.965 I see us say things like, I want to create accountability. 575 00:48:59.155 --> 00:49:03.335 Can I just say that accountability will never work if when we say we want to 576 00:49:03.336 --> 00:49:04.295 create accountability, 577 00:49:04.435 --> 00:49:08.415 we invite somebody to hold us accountable and in every time they do, 578 00:49:09.435 --> 00:49:10.614 we get angry at them. 579 00:49:13.475 --> 00:49:17.685 Accountability requires us to be accountable. You know, 580 00:49:17.686 --> 00:49:19.965 accountability is one of the greatest things I see in leaders. 581 00:49:19.985 --> 00:49:20.925 And can I just say like, 582 00:49:20.926 --> 00:49:25.165 if you are a leader and you are not willing to be held accountable, 583 00:49:26.344 --> 00:49:27.925 you should probably stop leading. 584 00:49:29.835 --> 00:49:32.935 And if you have a leader who doesn't want to be accountable, 585 00:49:33.245 --> 00:49:37.715 help them to be accountable because it's such a big deal. 586 00:49:38.375 --> 00:49:41.594 And Nehemiah helps these leaders pursue accountability. 587 00:49:42.655 --> 00:49:44.315 He isn't afraid to confront the people, 588 00:49:44.815 --> 00:49:47.035 but he also knows that they need to be accountable. 589 00:49:47.036 --> 00:49:49.795 And so he does something to prevent that from happening again. 590 00:49:49.975 --> 00:49:54.475 He brings in the priests and these guys want no part of this man. 591 00:49:55.425 --> 00:49:59.275 They want no part of this. And so they agree to do as Nehemiah says, 592 00:49:59.905 --> 00:50:04.114 they see the area of their ways and it says that the assembly says amen and 593 00:50:04.435 --> 00:50:08.995 praise the Lord and they begin to change course. I mean, 594 00:50:09.015 --> 00:50:11.675 one guy sees something, 595 00:50:12.585 --> 00:50:17.215 says something does something, and everything changes. 596 00:50:18.955 --> 00:50:19.815 And in verse 14, 597 00:50:21.695 --> 00:50:26.295 Nehemiah shares with us just a little bit more. He says, moreover, 598 00:50:27.035 --> 00:50:31.725 from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, 599 00:50:31.726 --> 00:50:32.885 it's a really important note. 600 00:50:33.265 --> 00:50:38.245 He is the governor from the 20th year to the 32nd year of our 601 00:50:38.844 --> 00:50:40.645 taxis the king, 12 years. 602 00:50:40.646 --> 00:50:45.325 Neither I nor my brothers ate the food that was allowed to the 603 00:50:45.525 --> 00:50:48.445 governor. You see, he gets a salary, he gets food, 604 00:50:48.465 --> 00:50:52.125 he gets a whole bunch of privileges. But he pushes in aside, 605 00:50:53.185 --> 00:50:54.285 he says in verse 15, 606 00:50:54.585 --> 00:50:59.325 the former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people 607 00:50:59.665 --> 00:51:04.405 and took from them their daily rations. 40 shekels of silver, 608 00:51:04.835 --> 00:51:09.364 even their servants lorded it over the people, but I do not do. 609 00:51:09.385 --> 00:51:13.125 So why? Because of the fear of God. 610 00:51:14.385 --> 00:51:17.325 He says, I also preserved, uh, in the work, or excuse me, 611 00:51:17.485 --> 00:51:18.605 persevered in the work on the wall. 612 00:51:19.105 --> 00:51:23.765 And we acquired no land and all of my servants were gathered there for the work. 613 00:51:24.165 --> 00:51:28.165 Moreover, there were at my table, 150 men. 614 00:51:28.385 --> 00:51:30.445 So not only does he push aside privilege, 615 00:51:30.505 --> 00:51:33.844 he invites 150 people to eat at his table. 616 00:51:35.114 --> 00:51:38.885 Jews and officials besides those who came to us from the nations that were 617 00:51:38.886 --> 00:51:40.685 around us. Now, 618 00:51:40.686 --> 00:51:45.125 what was prepared at my expense for each day was one 619 00:51:45.805 --> 00:51:50.205 ox, six choice sheep and birds got to have them birds, 620 00:51:50.435 --> 00:51:51.268 Chick-fil-A. 621 00:51:52.364 --> 00:51:53.197 . 622 00:51:53.864 --> 00:51:58.165 And every 10 days all kinds of wine in abundance. Nehemiah was a wino. 623 00:51:59.945 --> 00:52:00.785 Yeah, for all of this, 624 00:52:01.025 --> 00:52:05.065 I did not demand the food allowance of the governor because the service was too 625 00:52:05.066 --> 00:52:09.585 heavy on the people. And then he says this, remember for my good, 626 00:52:10.045 --> 00:52:13.305 oh my God, all that I have done for this people, 627 00:52:15.205 --> 00:52:19.505 you know, when I read this, I thought to myself like, 628 00:52:21.465 --> 00:52:23.864 I wish I could just be half the leader that Nehemiah is. 629 00:52:25.844 --> 00:52:28.225 Here's a guy who just pushes away privilege 630 00:52:30.864 --> 00:52:35.305 and he pushes it to the side and he helps the people move from where they are 631 00:52:36.445 --> 00:52:39.585 to where they need to be. I mean, 632 00:52:39.586 --> 00:52:43.145 this is the work that all good leaders do. 633 00:52:44.875 --> 00:52:47.094 And I thought to myself like, man, what? 634 00:52:47.205 --> 00:52:52.055 What is it that makes this guy have this kind of conviction and this 635 00:52:52.056 --> 00:52:55.895 kind of courage in a moment where he's facing a lot of opposition? 636 00:52:55.896 --> 00:53:00.495 Like what is it that motivates this guy to be who he is and to do what he do? 637 00:53:00.775 --> 00:53:02.495 'cause if I could just have some of that man, 638 00:53:02.575 --> 00:53:04.335 I think I would be a really strong leader. 639 00:53:04.815 --> 00:53:08.015 And so I just got reading the text over and over and over again, 640 00:53:08.016 --> 00:53:11.895 and then something just jumped out at me. You see, 641 00:53:11.896 --> 00:53:14.465 when you get to that last verse, 642 00:53:16.685 --> 00:53:21.005 He says, remember for my good, 643 00:53:22.594 --> 00:53:26.515 oh my God, that I have done 644 00:53:28.195 --> 00:53:31.555 for this people. And it dawned on me, 645 00:53:33.715 --> 00:53:34.548 Nehemiah 646 00:53:36.614 --> 00:53:41.305 is living and leading for an audience of one. 647 00:53:43.335 --> 00:53:46.655 He is living to serve the Lord. You see, 648 00:53:46.775 --> 00:53:50.655 he's not motivated solely by the people. He, 649 00:53:50.656 --> 00:53:55.215 he's not motivated solely by the project He, he's motivated by the Lord, 650 00:53:55.594 --> 00:54:00.495 he knows and he has discerned God's plan and he's executing on God's plan and 651 00:54:00.496 --> 00:54:04.415 he's gonna do everything in his power to see God's plan enacted. 652 00:54:04.995 --> 00:54:08.735 And his only request, his only thing that he's asking for is not privilege, 653 00:54:08.925 --> 00:54:12.015 it's not title, it's not to be ascended to a high place. 654 00:54:12.275 --> 00:54:16.655 The only thing he's asking is that God will remember him for the good work that 655 00:54:16.656 --> 00:54:17.489 he is trying to do. 656 00:54:20.844 --> 00:54:23.205 And that's because his heart 657 00:54:24.955 --> 00:54:26.855 is focused and fixed on God. 658 00:54:29.455 --> 00:54:31.175 Lemme just share one last essential truth. 659 00:54:32.815 --> 00:54:35.295 I think if we are gonna maintain a fresh start, 660 00:54:35.765 --> 00:54:40.215 then we must have our hearts and our eyes fixed on 661 00:54:40.915 --> 00:54:45.035 God. You see, the folks that Nehemiah was dealing with, 662 00:54:46.675 --> 00:54:48.715 these folks that that enacted all this interest, 663 00:54:48.725 --> 00:54:53.635 these folks were fixed on themselves and Nehemiah comes along and he 664 00:54:53.636 --> 00:54:56.155 has been fixed on God the whole time. You know, 665 00:54:56.235 --> 00:54:59.555 a heart that has been set on God is a very powerful thing. 666 00:55:00.025 --> 00:55:03.635 It's like this catalyst that can do all kind of good work in the world. 667 00:55:03.975 --> 00:55:08.075 That's the video we saw earlier. It's a heart that has been fixed on God. 668 00:55:08.076 --> 00:55:09.355 And because it's fixed on God, 669 00:55:09.535 --> 00:55:11.755 it can accomplish powerful things for the kingdom. 670 00:55:15.265 --> 00:55:20.195 Can I just ask, what's your heart fixed on? 671 00:55:23.155 --> 00:55:25.965 What are your eyes fixed on? 672 00:55:28.545 --> 00:55:33.205 You know, sometimes our hearts are fixed on our own success. 673 00:55:34.825 --> 00:55:38.045 And so we try to paint this picture like we can do it all alone. 674 00:55:39.405 --> 00:55:42.285 And if your heart's fixed on that, can I just tell you that's a dead end street? 675 00:55:43.425 --> 00:55:43.726 You know, 676 00:55:43.726 --> 00:55:48.645 sometimes our hearts are fixed on some problem that we think has to 677 00:55:48.646 --> 00:55:51.045 be solved in order us to to be successful. 678 00:55:51.145 --> 00:55:54.645 And so we focus all of our energy and attention on this one problem. 679 00:55:55.025 --> 00:55:59.364 And meanwhile, God is in the background going, I'm here. I'm right here. 680 00:56:01.305 --> 00:56:04.515 Come to me all who are heavy late and I'll give you rest. 681 00:56:06.265 --> 00:56:07.875 This problem's not gonna save you, 682 00:56:12.185 --> 00:56:16.855 but I can. You know, as I watch our world right now, 683 00:56:16.935 --> 00:56:18.295 I think many of us, if we're honest, 684 00:56:20.515 --> 00:56:23.400 our eyes and our hearts are focused on the political cycle cycle. 685 00:56:26.025 --> 00:56:29.385 And so we got a 24 hour news reel going in our head and our hearts. 686 00:56:31.455 --> 00:56:35.645 And God is trying to get our attention and he's saying, 687 00:56:35.665 --> 00:56:40.245 get your eyes and your heart on me and let me work in you and through you. 688 00:56:40.246 --> 00:56:41.805 And if you really want to change this world, 689 00:56:44.465 --> 00:56:45.965 You're gonna have to come through me. 690 00:56:50.235 --> 00:56:53.575 What's your heart focused on? 691 00:56:55.364 --> 00:56:56.885 What are your eyes fixed on? 692 00:56:58.355 --> 00:57:01.245 Because if it's not a healthy helping of Jesus 693 00:57:03.685 --> 00:57:04.605 and something is wrong, 694 00:57:08.065 --> 00:57:10.955 it's okay that something is wrong, but it don't have to stay wrong 695 00:57:12.495 --> 00:57:16.865 because the God of the universe can fix the broken 696 00:57:17.525 --> 00:57:18.358 and sinful. 697 00:57:18.675 --> 00:57:19.508 Heart. 698 00:57:24.425 --> 00:57:29.405 Nehemiah is giving all glory to God with how he lives. 699 00:57:31.455 --> 00:57:33.315 And when our heart is set on God in this way, 700 00:57:33.495 --> 00:57:36.115 our vision shifts well what seemed impossible, 701 00:57:36.116 --> 00:57:40.915 whether it's rebuilding the wall or rebuilding our life quickly becomes possible 702 00:57:40.975 --> 00:57:44.995 and things go from impossible to difficult to done under God's power. 703 00:57:47.535 --> 00:57:51.135 Nehemiah knows that the completion of the wall wasn't just something that needs 704 00:57:51.136 --> 00:57:52.455 to happen under his strength, 705 00:57:53.035 --> 00:57:56.935 but he knew by God's power that every brick that was placed, 706 00:57:56.985 --> 00:58:00.735 every descendant that was made was a testament to God's faithfulness. 707 00:58:03.165 --> 00:58:05.465 You see, he's not just trying to resurrect a wall, 708 00:58:08.325 --> 00:58:09.375 he's trying to resurrect. 709 00:58:09.515 --> 00:58:10.348 Hearts. 710 00:58:12.605 --> 00:58:14.865 And he is trying to turn broken hearts 711 00:58:16.795 --> 00:58:17.925 towards the creator. 712 00:58:20.015 --> 00:58:23.725 Maybe you're here today and you are on your own resurrection journey. 713 00:58:23.726 --> 00:58:28.405 You're on your own rebuilding of a wall and you've 714 00:58:28.406 --> 00:58:32.405 experienced external conflict, people telling you it's never gonna get better. 715 00:58:32.785 --> 00:58:36.605 Or you've experienced internal conflict where you come to the realization that 716 00:58:36.606 --> 00:58:38.685 maybe you are a big part of the problem, 717 00:58:40.905 --> 00:58:45.535 things have gotten messy and you feel weak. 718 00:58:47.655 --> 00:58:52.475 Can I just share with you that like his power is made perfect 719 00:58:53.635 --> 00:58:54.468 in our weakness 720 00:58:57.055 --> 00:59:01.355 and in the end he has the power to restore broken lives. 721 00:59:03.105 --> 00:59:05.005 And if you're in your own rebuilding project, 722 00:59:05.006 --> 00:59:09.965 whether it's your marriage or your career or your health or your walk with 723 00:59:10.025 --> 00:59:11.605 God, can I just share with you that, 724 00:59:11.635 --> 00:59:16.165 that sometimes while the greatest threat to our fresh start can be us, 725 00:59:17.385 --> 00:59:19.725 the greatest answer to our troubles is Jesus. 726 00:59:23.855 --> 00:59:27.985 And as we close today, I want you to remember 727 00:59:29.835 --> 00:59:34.785 that if your eyes are not fixed and focused on 728 00:59:34.786 --> 00:59:35.705 the same God 729 00:59:38.115 --> 00:59:39.805 that changed and rebuilt that wall, 730 00:59:40.805 --> 00:59:43.415 and you can refocus them today, 731 00:59:45.915 --> 00:59:47.095 or maybe for the first time 732 00:59:49.515 --> 00:59:54.195 you can choose to trust in the God that Nehemiah did 733 00:59:56.015 --> 01:00:00.135 And follow his example right on down the road to glory, 734 01:00:02.965 --> 01:00:07.325 lemme leave you with a prayer. God, would you help us 735 01:00:09.825 --> 01:00:11.205 to keep our hearts set on you? 736 01:00:12.975 --> 01:00:17.325 Would you help us to be the kind of people who say this is not right, 737 01:00:18.695 --> 01:00:23.205 especially when sin threatens to divide us, when our people, 738 01:00:23.485 --> 01:00:26.005 this gets in the way. Would you help us with that Father God? 739 01:00:27.605 --> 01:00:32.475 Would you help us to take action? Would you help us to walk in accountability? 740 01:00:32.645 --> 01:00:36.035 Would you help us to live lives that bring honor and glory to you? 741 01:00:36.905 --> 01:00:39.515 Because we know that in you, 742 01:00:41.395 --> 01:00:42.975 our fresh start is possible, 743 01:00:46.085 --> 01:00:50.515 help us to trust that you'll carry us through to completion. 744 01:00:52.125 --> 01:00:54.705 In Jesus name, amen. 745 01:00:56.095 --> 01:00:56.928 Amen.