Tensions are surfacing in the covenant community because the rich are exploiting the poor. Nehemiah addresses this issue and is himself an example of helping the poor rather than exploiting them.
Read Nehemiah 5
Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
From this text we learn that how we think of ourselves is important in the kingdom of God. To be poor in spirit is to be aware of our dependence upon God, aware of our smallness before God and aware of our sinfulness.
Read Matthew 5:1-3
Dealing with Opposition
This chapter describes the beginning of opposition against Nehemiah and the Jews as they worked at rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. From it we learn how opposition against the work of promoting the cause of Christ can be discouraging and how we are encouraged to persevere.
Read Nehemiah 4
Receiving the Kingdom Like a Child
This sermon considers the nature of child-like faith both in order to enter the kingdom and for the ongoing life of believers.
Read Mark 10:13-16
Working Together for a Common Goal
Three themes from this chapter are explored: the importance of organization, the importance of everyone working and the importance of unity as believers work together to build the kingdom of God.
Read Nehemiah 3
Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount
This sermon introduces a study of the Sermon on the Mount by considering the significance of Jesus preaching of the kingdom of God and also Matthew’s portrayal of Jesus and his significance.
Read Matthew 4:12-25
Nehemiah Inspects Jerusalem’s Walls
This passage shows how God builds his kingdom using leaders who plan and motivate the people of God. It also shows that where God’s kingdom is being built there is opposition.
Read Nehemiah 2:9-20
Community and Mission (6): Hospitality
Hospitality is one of the ways that we are to reflect the character of God. The Bible often uses the imagery of hospitality to describe how God relates to us in the gospel. We are to show hospitality both to fellow Christians and people from the world.
Read Luke 14:12-24; 1 Peter 4:7-11
Prayer, Planning and God
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.