This passage shows Nehemiah praying, planning and acting to attempt a project that will promote the cause of God in the world. He is successful because God hears his prayers and blesses his plans.
Read Nehemiah 2:1-8
Community and Mission (5): Engaging the World
This sermon considers three aspects of engaging the world. First the Bible speaks both of the Church attracting unbelievers by loving community and going out into the community to engage them. Second, the issue of “becoming all things to all people” from 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 is discussed. Thirdly from 1 Peter we are taught two ways of answering objections to the Christian faith.
Risen with Christ
Believers participate in the resurrection of Christ. This sermon considers how Paul intends this truth to function in our lives.
Read Ephesians 2:4-7
The Empty Tomb
The announcement of the angel to the women at the empty tomb is the most significant announcement that has every been made. There is great comfort in the fact that the women were explicitly told to tell the disciples and Peter all of whom had forsaken the Lord in his time of need.
Read Mark 16:1-8
“Who Gave Himself for Our Sins”
This sermon is a meditation on the death of Christ from the perspective of this text. The focus is on how Jesus’ death delivers us from “the present evil age.”
Read Galatians 1:3-5
Community and Mission (4): Community and Our Neighbours
The Bible calls for believers to be separate from unbelievers. Jesus’ example and other biblical passages show that that separation is not isolation, but rather holy lives which are deeply involved in the lives of unbelievers in order to be a blessing to them through the gospel.
Read Matthew 9:9-13; Luke 10:25-37
Nehemiah’s Zeal for God’s Kingdom
In this chapter Nehemiah heard of poor conditions back in Jerusalem and is greatly distressed. He takes the matter to God in prayers. Nehemiah foreshadows the passion for God’s kingdom that we see in Jesus and as such provides an example for us, both in his concern and in the prayer that results.
Read Nehemiah 1
Community and Mission (3): Community and Spiritual Growth
We tend to think of spiritual growth in an individualistic manner. This sermon examines some of the ways the NT teaches that we are to encourage spiritual growth in other believers as they are to encourage spiritual growth in us.
Read Ephesians 4:1-16
“Until He Comes”
There is a forward looking aspect to the Lord’s Supper. It is an anticipation of the return of Christ and of the messianic banquet at the end of time. As we partake we look forward to its fulfillment in the consummated kingdom of God.
Read Luke 22:14-23
Community and Mission (2): The Attraction of Community
We are made in the image of God. Part of what that means is that we are essentially social beings. We experience what it means to be human in community. Sin disrupts our relationships. The Jesus delivers us from sin also in this area. The gospel empowered community of the body of Christ is intended by God to be an attraction for the world.