Sunday, November 17, 2024

ESTABLISHING HIS KINGDOM (Part 9)

Key Texts: Nehemiah 9; Matthew 16:18

MAINTAINING THE SPIRITUAL HEALTH OF THE KINGDOM

Our study of the book of Nehemiah has focused on this singular theme – ESTABLISHING HIS KINGDOM. this is more than a bible study, this is the heartbeat of our God. To establish His kingdom in our hearts. To establish His kingdom in our families. To establish His kingdom in our city, to establish His kingdom in our state, to establish His kingdom in our Nation. To establish His kingdom in our world. That is what He has called us to do. That is what we must be about.

The same passion that Nehemiah had for rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and reestablishing true worship of the one true God should exist in our hearts as well. And The Holy Spirit has given us a model for doing just that through the book of Nehemiah.

As we move into chapter 9, there is a powerful truth we need to understand about Establishing His Kingdom. So often in our thinking about kingdom principles we focus on an EVENT and forget to consider what needs to happen to MAINTAIN the results of that event in our lives.

We focus more on getting someone to the EVENT of Salvation but forget to teach them how to WALK the rest of their lives in that salvation.

We emphasize the importance of Being FILLED with the Holy Spirit, but neglect the importance of STAYING FULL of the Holy Spirit

Nehemiah’s work in ESTABLISHING HIS KINGDOM was more than just rebuilding the walls and setting the gates in place. The Wall was rebuilt in 52 days. If that was all there was to Establishing His Kingdom then Nehemiah would have been finished. But he stayed for 12 years before returning to Babylon. In Chapter 13, we will see that he returned once more to Jerusalem after a period of time in Babylon to find spiritual life again compromised and in need of repair.

How do we MAINTAIN THE SPIRITUAL HEALTH OF THE KINGDOM

1. ACKNOWLEDGE OUR ONGOING NEED FOR CONFESSION AND REPENTANCE
2. PURSUE RIGHTEOUSNESS, HOLINESS AND GODLINESS
3. LEARN FROM THE PAST (Both Positive and Negative Examples)