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Sundays Sermon Podcast

Calvary Chapel Kampala
  • 1 Peter 1 "Our Living Hope"
    "We all remember Peter, that disciple that opened his mouth too much with Jesus. Peter later, however, because one of the chief pillars of the early church. Peter and Paul were the two major apostles in bringing the gospel to the Jews (Peter) and Gentiles (Paul). The themes are hope, holiness, and suffering. This letter was mainly to bring encouragement and renewed motivation to live in Godliness no matter what the circumstances"
  • Nehemiah 13 "Cleaning House"
    "When you clean your house do you only have to do it once and then it remains clean? No. There is dirt around here and messy people. It takes a continual maintenance and cleaning. When you take a bath do you only have to do it the first time and then you don't have to bathe anymore? No, we get dirty living in this world. We need to keep on cleaning or we stink and become grotesque. The people had made many promises in chapter 10 of what they were going to do for God and how they were going to live. Unfortunately, when Nehemiah went back to report to the King the people had turned quickly back to the sin and impurity that they had said they would not do. Through God's Word, and spiritual leadership, God's people were going to clean house again. This chapter is about cleaning that which was rebuilt. It is a maintenance process to examine your life, family, church, and leadership to make sure they are according to the standard of purity that God has shown us in His Word. "
  • Nehemiah 11-12 "Rebuilding Together"
    "The work of rebuilding is not something we can do alone. We need God obviously, but we also need one another. There are a few lasting lessons that we can take with us about rebuilding our lives. We are given a reminder of those lessons in these final chapters. The people were now right with God, and together they continued in the day-to-day decisions that made this rebuilding last. Let us be reminded that: Rebuilding Together Needs People. Rebuilding Together Needs Praise. Rebuilding Together Needs Provisions."
Nehemiah 4-5

Nehemiah Chapters 4-5 “Problems and Solutions”

 

  1. I) Problems From Without (Chapter 4)

A) Ridicule (Verses 1-6)

  1. The Problem – Ridicule
  • Ridicule is a dangerous weapon in the enemy’s hand. Ridicule is critical mocking words that make you feel foolish, and that your work is for nothing.
  1. The Solution – A Mind to Work
  • They didn’t listen to the criticism because their mind was on the work.

& Haggai 1:14 “So the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God”

& Galatians 6:4-5 “But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load.”

  1. B) Planned Attack (Verses 7-14, Key verse 9)
    1. The Problem – The Enemy Plans an Attack
  • When they saw that their ridicule wasn’t working, they planned an attack
  1. The Solution – Pray and Prepare
  • We need to pray AND prepare. Many Christians are unwilling to take practical steps to avoid danger.
  1. There was an insurance agent who has a poster on his office wall which says:  Always trust God.  And always build your house on high ground. Always love thy neighbor.  And always pick a good neighborhood to live in…”
  • In prayer we “remember the Lord, great and awesome” (vs.14) This gives us courage to fight.

 

  1. C) Not Enough People (Verses 15-23)
    1. The Problem – The People were Few
  • The wall was so large that the people were spread thin, especially since they had to guard too.
  1. The Solution – They Worked Harder and Did Multiple Jobs
  • They did multiple jobs—a sword in one hand and a trowel in the other.
  • They worked long hours, and only took their clothes off for washing.

 

  1. II) Problems From Within (Chapter 5)

A) Brotherly Oppression (Verses 1-13)

  1. The Problem – God’s people were being mistreated by their brethren
  • They had a famine, they mortgaged to get food, and they borrowed to pay taxes. It had become so bad that their children had to become slaves.
  • Much of the problem was caused by the Jewish brethren!

& Exodus 22:25 "If you lend money to any of My people who are poor among you, you shall not be like a moneylender to him; you shall not charge him interest.”

  • When the enemy can’t stop us by a direct attack, he will resort to inward strife.
  1. The Solution – Stop and restore
  • They were rebuked because they were concerned about making money and didn’t consider their brethren or, more importantly, the fear of God. (see vs.9)
  • They didn’t just say “sorry” they restored what was taken.

 

  1. B) Burdensome Leaders (Verses 14-19)
    1. The Problem – The former leaders used their power to rule over the people and became a burden
  • Nehemiah wasn’t a taker…he was a giver.
  1. The Solution – Servant leadership

& Matthew 20:25-28 “But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26  Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27  And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave —  28  just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."