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WEBVTT
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glorious

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father in heaven hallowed be thy most

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precious name

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so the morning has broken dear lord and

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through thy grace

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we have awoken to a beautiful new day

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we bow before thee is thy servants

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children called out of this world

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give thee our thanks in our praise

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heavenly father bless us

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help us to awaken and open our hearts

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and our minds and our ears to thy word

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this morning

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help us to take these lessons from

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nehemiah into our hearts to apply them

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in our lives to be better servants of

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thee

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dear lord we thank you for all thy many

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blessings for the sun which rises above

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us

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and for each other the fellowship the

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friendship the love and the hope which

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we share

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through thy beloved son

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we know that thou wilt send him soon

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and we pray that when he does that he

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would find us willing working in that

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field

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find us

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ready to answer his call and serve him

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we thank you dear lord for thy blessings

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for thy grace and forgiveness we ask

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that you would send him soon

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and that when he comes

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through thy grace each one of us will be

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accepted into your kingdom

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for this is our hope dear lord and this

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is our prayer we ask it through thy

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beloved son's name our lord and our

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master jesus the christ amen

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and i'm pleased to call upon our brother

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tim stiles from the royal oak ecclesia

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to read this for us

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nehemiah chapter six

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rivers unto us is fourth class entitled

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the joy of the lord is your strength

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good morning everyone

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just a couple of loose ends to tie up

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from last night

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hopefully uh

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we all experienced last night a uh

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a process

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of discussing

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the word and how the world can have an

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impact on our life

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one of the purposes that we hope

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everyone takes from last night's

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discussion

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is we've now done it

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so

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and by that i mean

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that can be the springboard potentially

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for future discussions

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we have a longer car ride home lord

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willing than many of you

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one of the things we will be discussing

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in our car is

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with uh with our two our two teenagers

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is how is the world having

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an impact on our family where are the

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weak spots on our wall what can we do to

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strengthen

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those weak spots and and i would

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encourage all of us whether it's parents

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sitting down with with young people

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whether it's husbands sitting down with

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wives or if you have time on your on

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your trip home today

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look for details and look for specific

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actions that we can take when we leave

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this place because remember james says

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it's the doers of the word it's not just

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the hearers that god is looking for

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so so one of the intents last night was

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to create a situation where once

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excuse me

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we've gone through a discussion process

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it's it's not so difficult the next time

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some of the young people here are

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baptized sit down with your parents if

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your parents are in the truth and have a

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discussion as a family at your kitchen

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table

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very very powerful discussion

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can be had

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because as brothers and sisters in the

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lord along with your parents you can

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have a remarkable impact on the

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spiritual environment that is created in

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your home

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a couple other uh just points just to

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clarify from yesterday we've been

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talking a lot about the gentile

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influence

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and i want to make sure we understand

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we're not saying that we shouldn't have

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anything to do with the gentiles

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the remnant is surrounded by the

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gentiles the the scriptures do not teach

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us to to leave the gentile world and go

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off and live in some isolated area

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the book of nehemiah contains principles

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as does ezra and other books the deal

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that teach the remnant how to

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spiritually survive and grow

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in a difficult

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gentile environment so it's not that

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we're saying we shouldn't have anything

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to do with the gentiles the lesson of

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nehemiah among the many lessons is that

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when we interact with the gentiles we

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interact with the gentiles on god's

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bases according to god's principles

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not on the basis of the gentiles not not

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on the basis of the gentile principles

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so that the lord jesus christ could go

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anywhere and talk to anyone about

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anything

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because he was always bringing the word

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of righteousness into that conversation

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the warning of nehemiah is that there is

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a danger there's a tendency for the

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remnant when they're in the midst of

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this gentile world to begin to act and

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think like the gentiles

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the other piece we wanted to point out

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was from chapter five

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time didn't permit to

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fully this to describe what was

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happening in terms of what i would refer

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to as the slavery cycle some of you

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caught it in your comments to me

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afterwards and for those that didn't one

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of the other reasons that nehemiah was

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so appalled was because the the uh the

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financial the brethren that were

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financially well-off the nobles and the

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and the officials the rulers

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would sell

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their brethren into slavery so if a

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brother could not pay his debt so he

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could not buy food the brother would be

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given money by the elder by the by the

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noble and official and he would go into

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slavery and then nehemiah would come

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behind that and he said we we

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tried among the best of our ability to

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buy our brethren out of slavery so

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nehemiah would pay off their debt so

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they could be freed from slavery only to

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have the the nobles and the officials

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sell them right back into slavery all

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over again so it was almost as if there

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was a cycle going on here and and you

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can see why nehemiah was so so perplexed

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that i buy them out of slavery and then

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you sell them right into slavery so that

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i can buy them out again so it was an

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extensive mistreatment one of the other

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but we come to chapter six

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and we find now that the

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gentile opposition has been ineffective

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in their psychological warfare back in

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chapter four

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they were ineffective in trying to

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physically excuse excuse me harm the

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community

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they've only got one option left

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they're gonna go right after nehemiah

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if they can

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taint the character

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if they can discredit the leader of the

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jews

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then they will have won their case

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because what they're trying to do is

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stop the wall from being built

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so we find in verse one of chapter six

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the wall is almost completed

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when it was reported to sambalet and

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tobiah and to gish from the arab and to

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the rest of our enemies that i had built

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the wall and that there was no breach

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left in it although up to that time i

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had not set up the doors and the gates

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thanks

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so you notice we're done now with the

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mortar and the brick

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all we have left are the gates and the

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doors to be hung in the gates

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four times

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sam ballot and tobiah

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contact nehemiah and they asked to meet

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with him

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in the plane of ono

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four times nehemiah says i won't meet

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you there

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verse 2 sanballat and gisham sent to me

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saying come and let us meet together in

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one of the villages in the plane of ono

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but they intended to do me mischief as

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it is in the authorized version and the

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word means physical harm

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so

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nehemiah was aware of the fact that they

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didn't want to just meet and talk and

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you notice how the gentiles here they

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send the unity letter to nehemiah come

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on nehemiah we want to have unity with

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us with you and that's really what the

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word meet together means we want to be

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of one mind with you nehemiah four times

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they send this invitation four times

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nehemiah says no because he can see

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through what they're trying to do

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a spiritual man or woman

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living as part of the remnant in gentile

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times

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assesses the invitations from the

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gentiles around them

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will this

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have a positive spiritual impact on me

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or will it not

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if it will i can participate

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if it will not i can't participate

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why because nehemiah says i have a great

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work to do in verse 4 verse 3 sorry and

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i sent a messenger to them saying i am

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come i am doing a great work and cannot

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come down why should the work stop while

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i leave it and come down to you

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it was a great work to build the wall

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around the city brother and sisters and

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young people

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it's equally is great a work to meet

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saturday at the hall next week for our

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fix up day if that's what we have

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planned

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instead of out going to play golf or

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some other recreation that our gentile

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friends at work or school may have

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invited us to do

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here is a spiritual leader

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telling his gentile friends or

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associates in this case i can't come on

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saturday because i have a great work to

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do in the ecclesia

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and young people maybe that great work

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is simply visiting an older widowed

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sister

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or visiting someone in the hospital

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or or taking a a

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package of love to someone who's had a

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difficult time

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but all that we do in the ecclesia needs

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to be seen in this context it's a great

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work because we're doing the work for

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the lord

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sam balot and gisham don't take the

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rejection lightly

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and like we saw in chapter four they now

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will raise the stakes

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the fifth invitation is no longer by a

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secret messenger the fifth in the

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invitation is by an open letter

275
00:09:40.160 --> 00:09:41.509
and don't think for a minute this open

276
00:09:41.519 --> 00:09:43.110
letter was just just to the other

277
00:09:43.120 --> 00:09:45.750
gentiles they now send this open letter

278
00:09:45.760 --> 00:09:48.070
to the whole community

279
00:09:48.080 --> 00:09:49.750
because what they're going to try and do

280
00:09:49.760 --> 00:09:52.150
is discredit nehemiah in the eyes of his

281
00:09:52.160 --> 00:09:53.430
brethren

282
00:09:53.440 --> 00:09:56.310
and in the letter they accuse nehemiah

283
00:09:56.320 --> 00:09:58.389
of wicked

284
00:09:58.399 --> 00:09:59.990
intentions

285
00:10:00.000 --> 00:10:02.550
secret intentions

286
00:10:02.560 --> 00:10:04.790
they have no proof for what they're

287
00:10:04.800 --> 00:10:07.430
saying

288
00:10:07.440 --> 00:10:09.430
and we have uh

289
00:10:09.440 --> 00:10:10.870
handouts for anybody that wasn't here

290
00:10:10.880 --> 00:10:12.870
yesterday there's uh there's a few left

291
00:10:12.880 --> 00:10:14.150
you don't have one you can raise your

292
00:10:14.160 --> 00:10:15.829
hand and we'll uh we'll make sure you

293
00:10:15.839 --> 00:10:18.470
get one

294
00:10:18.480 --> 00:10:20.949
but under uh under a false pretense of

295
00:10:20.959 --> 00:10:24.069
wanting to meet with nehemiah

296
00:10:24.079 --> 00:10:26.230
to talk about you know positive things

297
00:10:26.240 --> 00:10:27.910
when they're really intending to to do

298
00:10:27.920 --> 00:10:30.630
him mischief or harm this open letter

299
00:10:30.640 --> 00:10:32.870
accuses nehemiah in verse

300
00:10:32.880 --> 00:10:35.990
in verse six it is reported

301
00:10:36.000 --> 00:10:38.310
among the nations now nehemiah we've

302
00:10:38.320 --> 00:10:39.509
heard

303
00:10:39.519 --> 00:10:42.310
this these these rumors these reports

304
00:10:42.320 --> 00:10:43.190
and

305
00:10:43.200 --> 00:10:46.389
gisham it's gashmieu in the av but if

306
00:10:46.399 --> 00:10:48.230
you take a look it's actually the same

307
00:10:48.240 --> 00:10:49.990
gishan that we've been referring to

308
00:10:50.000 --> 00:10:52.470
earlier in the in the book he also gives

309
00:10:52.480 --> 00:10:54.470
his personal testimony that you and the

310
00:10:54.480 --> 00:10:56.550
jews intend to rebel

311
00:10:56.560 --> 00:10:58.550
against the king that is why you're

312
00:10:58.560 --> 00:11:00.470
building the wall but it gets worse

313
00:11:00.480 --> 00:11:02.630
you wish to become their king according

314
00:11:02.640 --> 00:11:05.110
to their report according to this report

315
00:11:05.120 --> 00:11:06.710
so not only are you going to rebel

316
00:11:06.720 --> 00:11:08.230
against the king but nehemiah you have

317
00:11:08.240 --> 00:11:10.550
some personal motives here

318
00:11:10.560 --> 00:11:11.829
you have the

319
00:11:11.839 --> 00:11:14.790
proverbial hidden agenda that you're not

320
00:11:14.800 --> 00:11:17.190
telling anybody about

321
00:11:17.200 --> 00:11:19.670
and to make it worse you have designated

322
00:11:19.680 --> 00:11:22.630
brethren as false prophets so at the

323
00:11:22.640 --> 00:11:24.069
right time

324
00:11:24.079 --> 00:11:26.310
they will stand up and claim you are the

325
00:11:26.320 --> 00:11:28.550
king

326
00:11:28.560 --> 00:11:31.110
you see the devastating potential

327
00:11:31.120 --> 00:11:33.670
for this open letter to have in the

328
00:11:33.680 --> 00:11:36.069
community

329
00:11:36.079 --> 00:11:39.670
they don't have to kill nehemiah

330
00:11:39.680 --> 00:11:41.910
all they have to do is discredit him in

331
00:11:41.920 --> 00:11:44.069
the eyes of the community

332
00:11:44.079 --> 00:11:45.990
because their real intention as we see

333
00:11:46.000 --> 00:11:48.230
later in the chapter is to stop the work

334
00:11:48.240 --> 00:11:50.550
on the wall

335
00:11:50.560 --> 00:11:52.470
that's all this open letter is intended

336
00:11:52.480 --> 00:11:54.710
to do is take the credibility out of

337
00:11:54.720 --> 00:12:01.509
nehemiah

338
00:12:01.519 --> 00:12:02.550
the other

339
00:12:02.560 --> 00:12:04.389
item they mention is they will threaten

340
00:12:04.399 --> 00:12:06.310
to tell the king

341
00:12:06.320 --> 00:12:07.829
so you can see the impact that this

342
00:12:07.839 --> 00:12:10.870
would have on the community potentially

343
00:12:10.880 --> 00:12:12.629
if the king hears about it then he's

344
00:12:12.639 --> 00:12:14.230
going to come and take away our freedom

345
00:12:14.240 --> 00:12:15.750
and the whole purpose of coming back to

346
00:12:15.760 --> 00:12:18.069
the land will be eliminated

347
00:12:18.079 --> 00:12:19.990
and have you ever noticed in a collegial

348
00:12:20.000 --> 00:12:21.750
life

349
00:12:21.760 --> 00:12:24.710
that it's very easy to be caught up

350
00:12:24.720 --> 00:12:26.870
with aspersions that are cast upon a

351
00:12:26.880 --> 00:12:28.949
brother

352
00:12:28.959 --> 00:12:33.030
and that is because a brother or sister

353
00:12:33.040 --> 00:12:35.910
who are living by faith

354
00:12:35.920 --> 00:12:39.110
and willing to risk everything

355
00:12:39.120 --> 00:12:41.750
oftentimes looks

356
00:12:41.760 --> 00:12:44.629
like a brother or sister

357
00:12:44.639 --> 00:12:47.910
who is working the same type of work

358
00:12:47.920 --> 00:12:49.110
but they have

359
00:12:49.120 --> 00:12:52.389
hidden motives they have hidden agendas

360
00:12:52.399 --> 00:12:54.470
and the reason this is is because in

361
00:12:54.480 --> 00:12:57.110
nehemiah's case he is literally willing

362
00:12:57.120 --> 00:12:59.190
to risk everything

363
00:12:59.200 --> 00:13:02.069
for the sake of the community

364
00:13:02.079 --> 00:13:03.750
and the brethren and sisters that would

365
00:13:03.760 --> 00:13:06.710
be questioning his motives who haven't

366
00:13:06.720 --> 00:13:08.470
yet learned to live by that level of

367
00:13:08.480 --> 00:13:09.670
faith

368
00:13:09.680 --> 00:13:11.190
and may not be strong brother and

369
00:13:11.200 --> 00:13:12.710
sisters in the community they're over

370
00:13:12.720 --> 00:13:14.150
there thinking you know

371
00:13:14.160 --> 00:13:15.829
i wouldn't give up a job in shoeshine to

372
00:13:15.839 --> 00:13:16.949
come here

373
00:13:16.959 --> 00:13:18.710
i wouldn't risk my life to come here for

374
00:13:18.720 --> 00:13:20.790
the sake of others the only reason i

375
00:13:20.800 --> 00:13:23.190
would possibly come here is maybe to get

376
00:13:23.200 --> 00:13:25.670
more money and more power and be king

377
00:13:25.680 --> 00:13:27.590
and what we end up doing is assigning

378
00:13:27.600 --> 00:13:30.150
our natural motives

379
00:13:30.160 --> 00:13:32.389
to a brother or sister who are trying to

380
00:13:32.399 --> 00:13:34.389
live by faith

381
00:13:34.399 --> 00:13:36.310
and we figure well if i would do it for

382
00:13:36.320 --> 00:13:38.069
that reason that's probably why they're

383
00:13:38.079 --> 00:13:40.550
doing it for that reason

384
00:13:40.560 --> 00:13:42.870
very very diabolical but brother and

385
00:13:42.880 --> 00:13:44.710
sisters it can exist today in the

386
00:13:44.720 --> 00:13:46.150
ecclesia

387
00:13:46.160 --> 00:13:48.230
we have to be oh so careful when people

388
00:13:48.240 --> 00:13:50.069
stand up and say i know what the motives

389
00:13:50.079 --> 00:13:52.230
are for that brother

390
00:13:52.240 --> 00:13:54.389
scripture is is very specific on being

391
00:13:54.399 --> 00:13:55.430
careful

392
00:13:55.440 --> 00:13:57.350
because it can play upon the fears and

393
00:13:57.360 --> 00:13:59.990
the concerns of others

394
00:14:00.000 --> 00:14:03.590
but it gets worse

395
00:14:03.600 --> 00:14:05.670
the implication of

396
00:14:05.680 --> 00:14:09.269
sam ballot's letter

397
00:14:09.279 --> 00:14:11.030
is that

398
00:14:11.040 --> 00:14:15.350
the people should at least some

399
00:14:15.360 --> 00:14:17.269
immediately begin to

400
00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:19.350
question nehemiah's motives and they

401
00:14:19.360 --> 00:14:21.110
ought to back off on this work on the

402
00:14:21.120 --> 00:14:23.509
wall until an investigation can take

403
00:14:23.519 --> 00:14:25.269
place and we can find out what's really

404
00:14:25.279 --> 00:14:26.870
going on

405
00:14:26.880 --> 00:14:28.790
nehemiah recognizes all this this is

406
00:14:28.800 --> 00:14:30.870
their last opportunity to stop the

407
00:14:30.880 --> 00:14:31.910
building of the wall because they're

408
00:14:31.920 --> 00:14:35.189
getting very close to being done

409
00:14:35.199 --> 00:14:37.509
the real stinger as i would refer to it

410
00:14:37.519 --> 00:14:38.790
in their plot

411
00:14:38.800 --> 00:14:41.910
is that they have charged

412
00:14:41.920 --> 00:14:44.310
the brethren who are supporting nehemiah

413
00:14:44.320 --> 00:14:48.230
as being false prophets

414
00:14:48.240 --> 00:14:50.470
so that now if any brother comes along

415
00:14:50.480 --> 00:14:52.870
in support of what nehemiah is doing

416
00:14:52.880 --> 00:14:54.470
yeah that's right brother

417
00:14:54.480 --> 00:14:55.750
you know you're going to be the

418
00:14:55.760 --> 00:14:57.189
lieutenant governor and then you're

419
00:14:57.199 --> 00:14:58.710
going to be the department of secretary

420
00:14:58.720 --> 00:14:59.910
head and you're going to be in charge of

421
00:14:59.920 --> 00:15:02.150
commerce once nehemiah is king boy he's

422
00:15:02.160 --> 00:15:04.550
he's got his cabinet all picked out and

423
00:15:04.560 --> 00:15:06.069
all of you brethren that are standing up

424
00:15:06.079 --> 00:15:07.430
and supporting him are all just part of

425
00:15:07.440 --> 00:15:09.350
his cabinet members that he's promised

426
00:15:09.360 --> 00:15:11.269
these positions to because you're all

427
00:15:11.279 --> 00:15:13.829
doing it with these base motives

428
00:15:13.839 --> 00:15:15.430
so it's going to be very difficult for

429
00:15:15.440 --> 00:15:18.389
anyone in the ecclesia or the community

430
00:15:18.399 --> 00:15:20.629
to support nehemiah

431
00:15:20.639 --> 00:15:22.629
and you notice how they're using the law

432
00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:24.829
of moses in a diabolical way these

433
00:15:24.839 --> 00:15:27.430
gentiles they are saying nehemiah

434
00:15:27.440 --> 00:15:29.910
nehemiah will act ungodly

435
00:15:29.920 --> 00:15:33.990
and set up false prophets

436
00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:34.870
to

437
00:15:34.880 --> 00:15:37.749
support him in his quest to be king

438
00:15:37.759 --> 00:15:39.990
so he's using the law of moses for his

439
00:15:40.000 --> 00:15:43.110
own advantage

440
00:15:43.120 --> 00:15:45.350
but the zinger

441
00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:49.269
on top of the stinger

442
00:15:49.279 --> 00:15:52.069
is that the gentile opposition

443
00:15:52.079 --> 00:15:54.470
was able to convince

444
00:15:54.480 --> 00:15:58.470
some of the brethren in the community

445
00:15:58.480 --> 00:16:00.550
of their position

446
00:16:00.560 --> 00:16:02.629
or the brethren in the community already

447
00:16:02.639 --> 00:16:05.189
were in league with them

448
00:16:05.199 --> 00:16:06.829
because there are false

449
00:16:06.839 --> 00:16:09.670
prophets real false prophets as nehemiah

450
00:16:09.680 --> 00:16:11.990
mentions in verse 14

451
00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:14.230
where he prays that god would not forget

452
00:16:14.240 --> 00:16:15.749
these false prophets who have acted

453
00:16:15.759 --> 00:16:18.150
against him there are false brethren in

454
00:16:18.160 --> 00:16:20.790
the community that are agreeing with the

455
00:16:20.800 --> 00:16:23.030
gentiles

456
00:16:23.040 --> 00:16:24.629
so picture the setting

457
00:16:24.639 --> 00:16:26.310
maybe they're having a business meeting

458
00:16:26.320 --> 00:16:27.829
of all the leading brothers saying

459
00:16:27.839 --> 00:16:31.110
nehemiah we have this open letter

460
00:16:31.120 --> 00:16:32.949
from these gentiles what is it talking

461
00:16:32.959 --> 00:16:34.949
about are you really trying to be king

462
00:16:34.959 --> 00:16:36.389
can you imagine the presiding brother at

463
00:16:36.399 --> 00:16:38.069
that meeting and this brother stands up

464
00:16:38.079 --> 00:16:39.910
and tell us about this nehemiah and this

465
00:16:39.920 --> 00:16:41.269
brother stands up over here and this

466
00:16:41.279 --> 00:16:43.030
brother stands up over here you know

467
00:16:43.040 --> 00:16:44.629
we've got some concerns here what did

468
00:16:44.639 --> 00:16:48.230
really did the king ask you to do

469
00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:50.310
and before nehemiah can even stand up

470
00:16:50.320 --> 00:16:52.470
and give his defense

471
00:16:52.480 --> 00:16:55.350
other brethren stand up in the meeting

472
00:16:55.360 --> 00:16:58.069
i know the open letter to be true

473
00:16:58.079 --> 00:16:59.749
i have

474
00:16:59.759 --> 00:17:01.670
firm factual knowledge that this is

475
00:17:01.680 --> 00:17:04.150
exactly what nehemiah is trying to do

476
00:17:04.160 --> 00:17:07.110
and another brother stands up i agree

477
00:17:07.120 --> 00:17:09.029
i can certify a hundred percent that

478
00:17:09.039 --> 00:17:11.990
nehemiah has intended has a hidden

479
00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:14.230
agenda here he's got these motives

480
00:17:14.240 --> 00:17:17.270
that are unbiblical and another brother

481
00:17:17.280 --> 00:17:20.789
stands up and makes the same accusation

482
00:17:20.799 --> 00:17:22.069
today you wouldn't necessarily need a

483
00:17:22.079 --> 00:17:23.750
business meeting to do this we could do

484
00:17:23.760 --> 00:17:25.909
it by emails

485
00:17:25.919 --> 00:17:27.829
before the brother was accused was

486
00:17:27.839 --> 00:17:29.190
allowed to respond you could have all

487
00:17:29.200 --> 00:17:31.190
these other emails take place that's

488
00:17:31.200 --> 00:17:32.870
right i agree with that accusation and i

489
00:17:32.880 --> 00:17:35.270
agree and i agree i talked to nehemiah

490
00:17:35.280 --> 00:17:36.630
last week and this is what he told me

491
00:17:36.640 --> 00:17:37.990
that conversation may never have taken

492
00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:39.029
place

493
00:17:39.039 --> 00:17:41.669
but the gentiles coupled with the false

494
00:17:41.679 --> 00:17:44.870
brethren in the community

495
00:17:44.880 --> 00:17:48.150
have left nehemiah in a box

496
00:17:48.160 --> 00:17:50.630
he has nowhere to turn

497
00:17:50.640 --> 00:17:53.350
if he stands up and says

498
00:17:53.360 --> 00:17:55.270
this is all untrue

499
00:17:55.280 --> 00:17:57.909
and i have these brethren to support me

500
00:17:57.919 --> 00:17:59.750
they will all be labeled as false

501
00:17:59.760 --> 00:18:02.310
prophets part of his future cabinet that

502
00:18:02.320 --> 00:18:04.150
are likely to benefit from this just

503
00:18:04.160 --> 00:18:06.470
like he would

504
00:18:06.480 --> 00:18:08.789
an incredible plot that the gentiles

505
00:18:08.799 --> 00:18:10.870
have hatched

506
00:18:10.880 --> 00:18:14.549
to discredit nehemiah

507
00:18:14.559 --> 00:18:16.630
what can a brother or sister in this

508
00:18:16.640 --> 00:18:18.230
kind of a situation

509
00:18:18.240 --> 00:18:20.070
possibly do

510
00:18:20.080 --> 00:18:22.230
anything he says will be discredited and

511
00:18:22.240 --> 00:18:23.909
anything his supporters say will be

512
00:18:23.919 --> 00:18:26.390
discredited

513
00:18:26.400 --> 00:18:29.110
what does nehemiah do

514
00:18:29.120 --> 00:18:31.430
he does what he always does when he

515
00:18:31.440 --> 00:18:34.710
finds himself in a difficult situation

516
00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:36.230
verse 9

517
00:18:36.240 --> 00:18:38.710
they all wanted to frighten us and

518
00:18:38.720 --> 00:18:40.150
that's how it should be read i know the

519
00:18:40.160 --> 00:18:41.750
authorized version says they made us

520
00:18:41.760 --> 00:18:43.669
afraid but if you check into it you'll

521
00:18:43.679 --> 00:18:45.909
find out the the phrasalis phraseology

522
00:18:45.919 --> 00:18:47.430
of the hebrew really means they wanted

523
00:18:47.440 --> 00:18:49.430
to frighten us they hadn't frightened us

524
00:18:49.440 --> 00:18:50.870
yet and that's what all the other

525
00:18:50.880 --> 00:18:52.230
versions support

526
00:18:52.240 --> 00:18:54.310
thinking this is the gentile thinking

527
00:18:54.320 --> 00:18:56.230
their hands the hands of the jews will

528
00:18:56.240 --> 00:18:58.070
drop from the work and it will not be

529
00:18:58.080 --> 00:18:59.270
done

530
00:18:59.280 --> 00:19:04.070
see there's their intention

531
00:19:04.080 --> 00:19:05.750
wanting to frighten us

532
00:19:05.760 --> 00:19:08.230
but nehemiah's response at the latter

533
00:19:08.240 --> 00:19:10.870
part of verse 9 is to pray to god but

534
00:19:10.880 --> 00:19:14.710
now oh god strengthen thou my hands

535
00:19:14.720 --> 00:19:16.150
brother and sisters when we find in

536
00:19:16.160 --> 00:19:17.590
young people when we find ourselves in

537
00:19:17.600 --> 00:19:20.390
situations and and we are in a box

538
00:19:20.400 --> 00:19:22.470
and we have nowhere to turn

539
00:19:22.480 --> 00:19:24.070
whether it's because our credibility has

540
00:19:24.080 --> 00:19:25.430
been questioned whether because we've

541
00:19:25.440 --> 00:19:28.630
been falsely accused whatever it is

542
00:19:28.640 --> 00:19:30.070
make sure

543
00:19:30.080 --> 00:19:32.390
our first next step

544
00:19:32.400 --> 00:19:34.549
is to god

545
00:19:34.559 --> 00:19:36.789
exactly what nehemiah does and in

546
00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:38.789
addition to that he will refute their

547
00:19:38.799 --> 00:19:40.390
charges

548
00:19:40.400 --> 00:19:42.710
you have famed this out of your mind as

549
00:19:42.720 --> 00:19:44.789
it is in the authorized version as it is

550
00:19:44.799 --> 00:19:45.909
in some of the other versions you are

551
00:19:45.919 --> 00:19:47.830
inventing these accusations out of our

552
00:19:47.840 --> 00:19:49.270
out of your mind so he denies the

553
00:19:49.280 --> 00:19:50.630
accusations

554
00:19:50.640 --> 00:19:53.190
he prays to god he denies their

555
00:19:53.200 --> 00:19:56.549
accusations and he refuses to be party

556
00:19:56.559 --> 00:19:59.110
to their requests that he meet with them

557
00:19:59.120 --> 00:20:00.710
and that's all he could do was to pray

558
00:20:00.720 --> 00:20:03.510
to god refuse to be party or to

559
00:20:03.520 --> 00:20:05.270
participate in these in this group that

560
00:20:05.280 --> 00:20:07.510
was falsely accusing him and deny their

561
00:20:07.520 --> 00:20:09.029
accusations

562
00:20:09.039 --> 00:20:11.029
the result is god did strengthen his

563
00:20:11.039 --> 00:20:13.590
hand and these accusations fell by the

564
00:20:13.600 --> 00:20:14.630
wayside

565
00:20:14.640 --> 00:20:16.230
they were ineffective

566
00:20:16.240 --> 00:20:18.470
they didn't accomplish what the gentiles

567
00:20:18.480 --> 00:20:20.870
had intended but the gentiles aren't

568
00:20:20.880 --> 00:20:21.990
done

569
00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:24.310
verse 10

570
00:20:24.320 --> 00:20:26.789
shemia we don't know much about him

571
00:20:26.799 --> 00:20:28.310
other than the fact he was another

572
00:20:28.320 --> 00:20:29.990
jewish brethren

573
00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:33.270
another one of these false prophets

574
00:20:33.280 --> 00:20:35.750
it's not specifically clear on why he

575
00:20:35.760 --> 00:20:38.070
was shut up or

576
00:20:38.080 --> 00:20:40.870
incapacitated in some way but he was and

577
00:20:40.880 --> 00:20:44.789
he sends a message to nehemiah

578
00:20:44.799 --> 00:20:47.029
and he plays

579
00:20:47.039 --> 00:20:50.070
or praise upon the good intentions of

580
00:20:50.080 --> 00:20:53.190
nehemiah here's this brother who shut up

581
00:20:53.200 --> 00:20:55.350
in the temple and he sends this letter

582
00:20:55.360 --> 00:20:57.430
to nehemiah and the letter says nehemiah

583
00:20:57.440 --> 00:20:59.029
i need to meet with you

584
00:20:59.039 --> 00:21:00.390
immediately

585
00:21:00.400 --> 00:21:03.350
i have important news for you

586
00:21:03.360 --> 00:21:05.430
please please come to me and meet me in

587
00:21:05.440 --> 00:21:07.029
the temple because i have inside

588
00:21:07.039 --> 00:21:08.230
information

589
00:21:08.240 --> 00:21:12.149
that the gentiles are about to kill you

590
00:21:12.159 --> 00:21:16.070
so put yourself in nehemiah's spot

591
00:21:16.080 --> 00:21:17.830
is it true that the gentiles are upset

592
00:21:17.840 --> 00:21:18.950
with you

593
00:21:18.960 --> 00:21:20.470
absolutely

594
00:21:20.480 --> 00:21:22.149
is it possible that the gentiles may

595
00:21:22.159 --> 00:21:23.430
want to kill you

596
00:21:23.440 --> 00:21:25.430
we've already seen evidence of that

597
00:21:25.440 --> 00:21:27.510
and now a brother sends you a letter

598
00:21:27.520 --> 00:21:28.390
saying

599
00:21:28.400 --> 00:21:31.830
i've got this information

600
00:21:31.840 --> 00:21:33.510
come and meet with me

601
00:21:33.520 --> 00:21:36.230
and i'll tell you all about it

602
00:21:36.240 --> 00:21:39.750
difficult situation for nehemiah

603
00:21:39.760 --> 00:21:40.710
but he

604
00:21:40.720 --> 00:21:42.950
reasons within himself based on his

605
00:21:42.960 --> 00:21:45.909
understanding of how god works

606
00:21:45.919 --> 00:21:47.590
he says now

607
00:21:47.600 --> 00:21:49.190
if i flee

608
00:21:49.200 --> 00:21:51.669
because they're trying to kill me

609
00:21:51.679 --> 00:21:53.430
will that be good for the community

610
00:21:53.440 --> 00:21:55.110
absolutely not because the work will

611
00:21:55.120 --> 00:21:56.230
stop

612
00:21:56.240 --> 00:21:59.430
if i go to the temple

613
00:21:59.440 --> 00:22:01.909
and meet with his brother

614
00:22:01.919 --> 00:22:04.870
what happens

615
00:22:04.880 --> 00:22:06.230
i've sinned

616
00:22:06.240 --> 00:22:08.310
because i'm not a levite

617
00:22:08.320 --> 00:22:10.789
i'm not allowed in the temple

618
00:22:10.799 --> 00:22:13.110
so i can't go to the temple and see this

619
00:22:13.120 --> 00:22:13.990
brother

620
00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:16.310
and then he concludes in verse

621
00:22:16.320 --> 00:22:18.950
11.

622
00:22:18.960 --> 00:22:20.870
now when i went in verse 10 now i i went

623
00:22:20.880 --> 00:22:22.789
into the house of shemiyah the son of

624
00:22:22.799 --> 00:22:25.350
delia son of mayhem table who was shut

625
00:22:25.360 --> 00:22:27.190
up he said let us meet together in the

626
00:22:27.200 --> 00:22:29.029
house of god within the temple and let

627
00:22:29.039 --> 00:22:30.789
us close the doors of the temple for

628
00:22:30.799 --> 00:22:32.230
they are coming to kill you at night

629
00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:34.070
they are coming to kill you

630
00:22:34.080 --> 00:22:36.149
so here's this brother asking him to go

631
00:22:36.159 --> 00:22:38.149
with him to the temple nehemiah

632
00:22:38.159 --> 00:22:41.110
concludes but i said

633
00:22:41.120 --> 00:22:44.149
should such a man as i flee and what man

634
00:22:44.159 --> 00:22:48.230
such as i could go into the temple

635
00:22:48.240 --> 00:22:50.630
and save his life or live

636
00:22:50.640 --> 00:22:52.789
because if i go into the temple i have

637
00:22:52.799 --> 00:22:54.789
desecrated the temple

638
00:22:54.799 --> 00:22:57.029
and now i deserve death or at least to

639
00:22:57.039 --> 00:22:58.710
be banished or discredited in in the

640
00:22:58.720 --> 00:23:01.029
community so nehemiah reasons then in

641
00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:03.190
verse 12 and i understood and saw that

642
00:23:03.200 --> 00:23:05.270
god had not sent him

643
00:23:05.280 --> 00:23:07.110
but he this is

644
00:23:07.120 --> 00:23:09.270
shemaya had pronounced the prophecy

645
00:23:09.280 --> 00:23:10.710
against me

646
00:23:10.720 --> 00:23:11.990
why

647
00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:14.470
because tobiah and sam balot had hired

648
00:23:14.480 --> 00:23:16.390
him

649
00:23:16.400 --> 00:23:19.350
amazing amazing character of nehemiah

650
00:23:19.360 --> 00:23:21.110
and brother and sisters and young people

651
00:23:21.120 --> 00:23:23.110
you see the lesson for us

652
00:23:23.120 --> 00:23:24.950
we may get lots of different councils

653
00:23:24.960 --> 00:23:27.430
from our brothers and sisters

654
00:23:27.440 --> 00:23:30.230
analyze the council

655
00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:33.029
does this council that i am receiving

656
00:23:33.039 --> 00:23:34.390
square

657
00:23:34.400 --> 00:23:38.549
with what i know about the god i worship

658
00:23:38.559 --> 00:23:40.870
and if god has already revealed to me

659
00:23:40.880 --> 00:23:44.310
that i am not to go into the temple

660
00:23:44.320 --> 00:23:46.230
and remember even the youngest sunday

661
00:23:46.240 --> 00:23:47.669
school scholars would have known there

662
00:23:47.679 --> 00:23:49.510
are only certain people that can go into

663
00:23:49.520 --> 00:23:51.029
the temple

664
00:23:51.039 --> 00:23:53.029
if what i'm being told to do or

665
00:23:53.039 --> 00:23:55.029
encouraged to do does not square with

666
00:23:55.039 --> 00:23:57.029
what i know of what god has revealed to

667
00:23:57.039 --> 00:24:00.390
me from his word i won't do it

668
00:24:00.400 --> 00:24:03.430
and nehemiah refuses to participate

669
00:24:03.440 --> 00:24:05.029
in this

670
00:24:05.039 --> 00:24:08.950
he sees right through the plot

671
00:24:08.960 --> 00:24:10.310
you see

672
00:24:10.320 --> 00:24:12.549
the gentiles knew

673
00:24:12.559 --> 00:24:14.950
that if they can get nehemiah just to

674
00:24:14.960 --> 00:24:17.190
sin

675
00:24:17.200 --> 00:24:19.350
they will have been successful

676
00:24:19.360 --> 00:24:22.630
because look at what he says in verse 13

677
00:24:22.640 --> 00:24:25.590
for this purpose was he hired

678
00:24:25.600 --> 00:24:28.549
that i should be afraid and act in this

679
00:24:28.559 --> 00:24:30.710
way in sin

680
00:24:30.720 --> 00:24:33.269
and so they could give me an evil name

681
00:24:33.279 --> 00:24:36.070
in order to taunt me

682
00:24:36.080 --> 00:24:38.149
if you don't do any other bible marking

683
00:24:38.159 --> 00:24:41.669
in nehemiah bible mark that verse

684
00:24:41.679 --> 00:24:44.149
because what nehemiah is saying is their

685
00:24:44.159 --> 00:24:46.549
purpose in hatching this plot involving

686
00:24:46.559 --> 00:24:49.190
this false brother shemaya

687
00:24:49.200 --> 00:24:51.430
was to make me afraid

688
00:24:51.440 --> 00:24:53.190
so that i would act in a way that would

689
00:24:53.200 --> 00:24:55.029
cause sin

690
00:24:55.039 --> 00:24:59.110
so that they could give me an evil name

691
00:24:59.120 --> 00:25:01.590
in order to taunt me

692
00:25:01.600 --> 00:25:03.990
and those are the same words we see all

693
00:25:04.000 --> 00:25:07.430
the way back in chapter one verse three

694
00:25:07.440 --> 00:25:09.750
when han and i first reported that the

695
00:25:09.760 --> 00:25:13.110
community was under great affliction

696
00:25:13.120 --> 00:25:15.590
and reproach

697
00:25:15.600 --> 00:25:17.669
if they are successful in getting

698
00:25:17.679 --> 00:25:19.750
nehemiah to sin

699
00:25:19.760 --> 00:25:21.750
they will bring the community all the

700
00:25:21.760 --> 00:25:24.789
way back to chapter 1 verse 3

701
00:25:24.799 --> 00:25:27.190
and the shame and the reproach will have

702
00:25:27.200 --> 00:25:28.789
all been brought back

703
00:25:28.799 --> 00:25:30.710
all the building of the wall will be for

704
00:25:30.720 --> 00:25:32.870
naught and they will be able to stand up

705
00:25:32.880 --> 00:25:34.950
these are the gentile opposition and the

706
00:25:34.960 --> 00:25:36.630
false brethren in the community and say

707
00:25:36.640 --> 00:25:39.269
see this nehemiah we can discredit him

708
00:25:39.279 --> 00:25:40.710
and do away with all that he's brought

709
00:25:40.720 --> 00:25:44.549
to our community in one fell swoop

710
00:25:44.559 --> 00:25:46.870
one sin

711
00:25:46.880 --> 00:25:50.149
and it's all gone

712
00:25:50.159 --> 00:25:52.710
we haven't spent any time this weekend

713
00:25:52.720 --> 00:25:55.110
talking about the parallels between

714
00:25:55.120 --> 00:25:57.590
nehemiah and the lord jesus christ

715
00:25:57.600 --> 00:26:00.230
but i would invite your study into that

716
00:26:00.240 --> 00:26:01.750
comparison

717
00:26:01.760 --> 00:26:04.630
because here is a clear example

718
00:26:04.640 --> 00:26:08.390
of one sin and it all comes to an end

719
00:26:08.400 --> 00:26:09.990
and brother and sisters and young people

720
00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:11.750
that is often times the case in our

721
00:26:11.760 --> 00:26:12.789
lives

722
00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:15.029
we reach critical stages in the ecclesia

723
00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:16.630
or we reach critical stages in our

724
00:26:16.640 --> 00:26:17.750
families

725
00:26:17.760 --> 00:26:19.909
and it's critical that mum and dad or

726
00:26:19.919 --> 00:26:21.510
the arranging brethren or whoever is

727
00:26:21.520 --> 00:26:24.230
involved in the situation act consistent

728
00:26:24.240 --> 00:26:25.669
with god's word

729
00:26:25.679 --> 00:26:27.430
because there are devastating

730
00:26:27.440 --> 00:26:28.789
consequences

731
00:26:28.799 --> 00:26:31.430
if that next step is a sin

732
00:26:31.440 --> 00:26:33.110
devastating consequences that will

733
00:26:33.120 --> 00:26:34.710
affect the individual and the people

734
00:26:34.720 --> 00:26:38.390
that are affected by this

735
00:26:38.400 --> 00:26:40.470
hundreds thousands for who knows how

736
00:26:40.480 --> 00:26:42.230
many months or years

737
00:26:42.240 --> 00:26:44.470
nehemiah was in a tremendously difficult

738
00:26:44.480 --> 00:26:47.029
situation he saw the spirituality of the

739
00:26:47.039 --> 00:26:49.909
situation and he acted properly

740
00:26:49.919 --> 00:26:51.590
and you see how it isn't the book of

741
00:26:51.600 --> 00:26:53.110
nehemiah really isn't about building a

742
00:26:53.120 --> 00:26:54.149
wall

743
00:26:54.159 --> 00:26:56.470
it's about obedience

744
00:26:56.480 --> 00:26:58.470
it's about knowing god's word and acting

745
00:26:58.480 --> 00:27:01.430
consistent with god's word the gentiles

746
00:27:01.440 --> 00:27:04.070
intended to bring shame and reproach

747
00:27:04.080 --> 00:27:07.110
but were ineffective in doing so

748
00:27:07.120 --> 00:27:11.350
but they weren't done

749
00:27:11.360 --> 00:27:12.789
at the end of this situation when

750
00:27:12.799 --> 00:27:15.110
nehemiah prays in verse 14

751
00:27:15.120 --> 00:27:17.190
remember tobiah and sam balot oh my god

752
00:27:17.200 --> 00:27:18.549
according to these things that they did

753
00:27:18.559 --> 00:27:21.350
and also the prophetess noah dia and the

754
00:27:21.360 --> 00:27:23.510
rest of the prophets there they are

755
00:27:23.520 --> 00:27:25.430
those false brethren who wanted to make

756
00:27:25.440 --> 00:27:27.909
me afraid

757
00:27:27.919 --> 00:27:29.190
all of these efforts on the part of the

758
00:27:29.200 --> 00:27:31.350
gentile in the gentile opposition is

759
00:27:31.360 --> 00:27:32.630
ineffective

760
00:27:32.640 --> 00:27:35.029
they don't stop verse 15 the wall was

761
00:27:35.039 --> 00:27:36.710
finished on the 25th day of the month

762
00:27:36.720 --> 00:27:38.789
elo in 52 days

763
00:27:38.799 --> 00:27:40.710
and when all our enemies heard of it the

764
00:27:40.720 --> 00:27:43.029
nations round about us were afraid and

765
00:27:43.039 --> 00:27:45.590
fell greatly in their own esteem

766
00:27:45.600 --> 00:27:47.669
isn't that a beautiful summary of what

767
00:27:47.679 --> 00:27:50.470
happened all this opposition

768
00:27:50.480 --> 00:27:51.669
all those who were trying to make the

769
00:27:51.679 --> 00:27:53.269
jews afraid who were trying to stop the

770
00:27:53.279 --> 00:27:54.310
work

771
00:27:54.320 --> 00:27:55.590
who were trying to bring shame and

772
00:27:55.600 --> 00:27:58.230
reproach upon the jews

773
00:27:58.240 --> 00:28:01.430
fell greatly and their own esteem

774
00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:03.590
because of the spirituality of the

775
00:28:03.600 --> 00:28:05.510
ecclesia

776
00:28:05.520 --> 00:28:07.590
and you see the connection between sin

777
00:28:07.600 --> 00:28:10.070
and righteousness when we stand tall and

778
00:28:10.080 --> 00:28:12.149
stand firm in the word

779
00:28:12.159 --> 00:28:15.190
as individuals and as families and as

780
00:28:15.200 --> 00:28:17.590
ecclesias and as a community

781
00:28:17.600 --> 00:28:20.870
sin is brought low and the world falls

782
00:28:20.880 --> 00:28:22.710
in its own esteem because when you take

783
00:28:22.720 --> 00:28:23.909
the light

784
00:28:23.919 --> 00:28:26.389
and it burns brightly in a dark room the

785
00:28:26.399 --> 00:28:28.149
darkness

786
00:28:28.159 --> 00:28:31.029
doesn't have a chance

787
00:28:31.039 --> 00:28:32.310
and and what we're seeing here in

788
00:28:32.320 --> 00:28:34.389
nehemiah 6 is the fact that as

789
00:28:34.399 --> 00:28:37.110
righteousness was returned to the land

790
00:28:37.120 --> 00:28:39.190
the gentile influence and the way of the

791
00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:40.230
flesh

792
00:28:40.240 --> 00:28:42.230
fell greatly in its own esteem because

793
00:28:42.240 --> 00:28:44.870
sin was brought down

794
00:28:44.880 --> 00:28:46.389
for they perceived that this work had

795
00:28:46.399 --> 00:28:48.389
been accomplished with the help of our

796
00:28:48.399 --> 00:28:50.870
god it's obvious to the gentiles the

797
00:28:50.880 --> 00:28:52.310
jews didn't do this in the strength of

798
00:28:52.320 --> 00:28:53.510
their own right hand or in their

799
00:28:53.520 --> 00:28:55.029
strength of their own might

800
00:28:55.039 --> 00:28:57.029
this is another example of the god of

801
00:28:57.039 --> 00:28:59.830
these jews at work in his community

802
00:28:59.840 --> 00:29:01.909
and the glory was all to our heavenly

803
00:29:01.919 --> 00:29:04.789
father as it should have been

804
00:29:04.799 --> 00:29:07.669
and in all of this there are still some

805
00:29:07.679 --> 00:29:08.870
jews

806
00:29:08.880 --> 00:29:11.909
who don't quite get who the bad guys are

807
00:29:11.919 --> 00:29:14.070
and who the good guys are because in

808
00:29:14.080 --> 00:29:16.549
verse 17 in those days the nobles of

809
00:29:16.559 --> 00:29:19.909
judah sent many letters to tobiah this

810
00:29:19.919 --> 00:29:21.510
is the tobiah now who has tried to

811
00:29:21.520 --> 00:29:23.350
discredit nehemiah who's threatened him

812
00:29:23.360 --> 00:29:25.750
with physical harm who has hired false

813
00:29:25.760 --> 00:29:27.269
brethren against them this this is the

814
00:29:27.279 --> 00:29:29.669
same tobiah they sent many letters to

815
00:29:29.679 --> 00:29:31.909
him and let tobiah sent letters back to

816
00:29:31.919 --> 00:29:34.230
them verse 18 for

817
00:29:34.240 --> 00:29:37.909
many in judah were bound by oath to him

818
00:29:37.919 --> 00:29:41.750
because he was the son-in-law of

819
00:29:41.760 --> 00:29:44.310
era and his son jehohenan had taken the

820
00:29:44.320 --> 00:29:46.710
daughter of mushum the son of barakaya

821
00:29:46.720 --> 00:29:48.789
as his wife

822
00:29:48.799 --> 00:29:50.470
family ties

823
00:29:50.480 --> 00:29:53.350
will be devastating if we allow them to

824
00:29:53.360 --> 00:29:55.909
be

825
00:29:55.919 --> 00:29:58.630
he who loves father or mother or brother

826
00:29:58.640 --> 00:30:01.029
or sister in a wrong set of

827
00:30:01.039 --> 00:30:04.549
circumstances more than me

828
00:30:04.559 --> 00:30:06.230
is not worthy

829
00:30:06.240 --> 00:30:08.950
so these jews are tied to this

830
00:30:08.960 --> 00:30:10.789
evil tobiah

831
00:30:10.799 --> 00:30:13.830
because of their marriage alliance

832
00:30:13.840 --> 00:30:15.909
so much so that they come to nehemiah in

833
00:30:15.919 --> 00:30:18.630
verse 19 and they speak

834
00:30:18.640 --> 00:30:20.950
they speak of his good deeds

835
00:30:20.960 --> 00:30:22.710
in my presence

836
00:30:22.720 --> 00:30:26.149
and reported my words to him

837
00:30:26.159 --> 00:30:28.389
unless we think we've just misread this

838
00:30:28.399 --> 00:30:30.389
tobiah and maybe he's finally had a

839
00:30:30.399 --> 00:30:32.230
change of heart

840
00:30:32.240 --> 00:30:34.950
tobias sent letters to make me afraid

841
00:30:34.960 --> 00:30:38.230
see tobiah is not going to quit

842
00:30:38.240 --> 00:30:39.909
in fact he will re-exert his influence

843
00:30:39.919 --> 00:30:42.630
once nehemiah leaves 12 years later

844
00:30:42.640 --> 00:30:44.789
but some in the community still don't

845
00:30:44.799 --> 00:30:47.029
understand that topia is not to be

846
00:30:47.039 --> 00:30:49.430
trusted but because they are so linked

847
00:30:49.440 --> 00:30:50.630
in with him

848
00:30:50.640 --> 00:30:52.310
and we may sit here this morning and say

849
00:30:52.320 --> 00:30:53.830
well my children aren't married into the

850
00:30:53.840 --> 00:30:56.549
truth or out of the truth or any of this

851
00:30:56.559 --> 00:30:58.710
but if we have business connections or

852
00:30:58.720 --> 00:31:01.110
we have connections through societies or

853
00:31:01.120 --> 00:31:02.630
whatever it is we have gentile

854
00:31:02.640 --> 00:31:05.669
connections that are so strong in our

855
00:31:05.679 --> 00:31:08.149
life that they cause us

856
00:31:08.159 --> 00:31:10.230
to get the truth mixed up

857
00:31:10.240 --> 00:31:12.310
and what should be right becomes wrong

858
00:31:12.320 --> 00:31:14.389
and what should be wrong becomes right

859
00:31:14.399 --> 00:31:16.549
it can have the same influence on us

860
00:31:16.559 --> 00:31:18.149
despite all of this some in the

861
00:31:18.159 --> 00:31:19.909
community are still

862
00:31:19.919 --> 00:31:22.950
in tobias camp

863
00:31:22.960 --> 00:31:25.669
we'll move on to chapter eight

864
00:31:25.679 --> 00:31:27.990
not that chapter seven doesn't have

865
00:31:28.000 --> 00:31:29.509
some beneficial points but we want to

866
00:31:29.519 --> 00:31:32.149
make sure we cover the uh

867
00:31:32.159 --> 00:31:34.230
the reformation as it begins in the into

868
00:31:34.240 --> 00:31:35.990
chapter eight if you look on your

869
00:31:36.000 --> 00:31:37.909
timeline

870
00:31:37.919 --> 00:31:39.590
you will notice

871
00:31:39.600 --> 00:31:42.389
that the building was completed

872
00:31:42.399 --> 00:31:43.950
in the

873
00:31:43.960 --> 00:31:48.149
52nd day

874
00:31:48.159 --> 00:31:52.630
and the month elo on the 25th day

875
00:31:52.640 --> 00:31:56.789
the reference is 6 15

876
00:31:56.799 --> 00:32:00.070
chapter 8

877
00:32:00.080 --> 00:32:02.870
will take place in the seventh month on

878
00:32:02.880 --> 00:32:05.110
the first day of the month

879
00:32:05.120 --> 00:32:06.389
one

880
00:32:06.399 --> 00:32:07.269
week

881
00:32:07.279 --> 00:32:08.549
later

882
00:32:08.559 --> 00:32:10.470
the nation gathers in jerusalem

883
00:32:10.480 --> 00:32:13.269
according to chapter eight

884
00:32:13.279 --> 00:32:15.269
as one man

885
00:32:15.279 --> 00:32:16.549
there's really a break point now in

886
00:32:16.559 --> 00:32:18.310
nehemiah not in terms of chronologic

887
00:32:18.320 --> 00:32:21.190
chronological uh chronological break but

888
00:32:21.200 --> 00:32:22.950
the first six chapters have been devoted

889
00:32:22.960 --> 00:32:24.549
to building the wall the wall is now

890
00:32:24.559 --> 00:32:26.630
finished the gentile opposition has

891
00:32:26.640 --> 00:32:28.549
opposition has been uh

892
00:32:28.559 --> 00:32:29.750
withstood

893
00:32:29.760 --> 00:32:31.269
and the nation now is going to enter

894
00:32:31.279 --> 00:32:33.190
into a new phase

895
00:32:33.200 --> 00:32:35.590
a spiritual reformation phase most of

896
00:32:35.600 --> 00:32:37.110
their efforts have been devoted to

897
00:32:37.120 --> 00:32:38.710
physical work

898
00:32:38.720 --> 00:32:40.870
the physical act of separation

899
00:32:40.880 --> 00:32:43.350
in phase two now it is necessary to get

900
00:32:43.360 --> 00:32:44.470
the word

901
00:32:44.480 --> 00:32:47.669
back into the middle of the community

902
00:32:47.679 --> 00:32:49.029
because people haven't been reading

903
00:32:49.039 --> 00:32:50.710
their bibles

904
00:32:50.720 --> 00:32:52.470
they don't know what the law of moses

905
00:32:52.480 --> 00:32:53.909
says

906
00:32:53.919 --> 00:32:55.509
and the proof of this is they will spend

907
00:32:55.519 --> 00:32:58.149
the next eight days

908
00:32:58.159 --> 00:32:59.830
sorry the next three weeks three and a

909
00:32:59.840 --> 00:33:01.110
half weeks

910
00:33:01.120 --> 00:33:04.070
reading and studying the bible

911
00:33:04.080 --> 00:33:06.389
the physical labor is is is completed

912
00:33:06.399 --> 00:33:08.389
the spiritual label of labor of

913
00:33:08.399 --> 00:33:10.470
restoring the worship is now the uh now

914
00:33:10.480 --> 00:33:11.269
the

915
00:33:11.279 --> 00:33:14.389
the the top item on nehemiah and ezra's

916
00:33:14.399 --> 00:33:17.509
agenda it begins in chapter eight in the

917
00:33:17.519 --> 00:33:18.789
seventh month when the children of

918
00:33:18.799 --> 00:33:21.110
israel were in their towns that they all

919
00:33:21.120 --> 00:33:23.669
gather as one man into the city sorry

920
00:33:23.679 --> 00:33:25.590
the street or the square as it is in

921
00:33:25.600 --> 00:33:28.149
some versions before the watergate

922
00:33:28.159 --> 00:33:29.909
so they have now come as one man and

923
00:33:29.919 --> 00:33:31.590
it's the same two words you see back in

924
00:33:31.600 --> 00:33:35.190
genesis 2 the two shall become one flesh

925
00:33:35.200 --> 00:33:39.029
they have come together in unity

926
00:33:39.039 --> 00:33:41.029
and the purpose of coming together in

927
00:33:41.039 --> 00:33:43.430
unity that day

928
00:33:43.440 --> 00:33:50.230
was to learn the word

929
00:33:50.240 --> 00:33:52.710
nehemiah has wasted no time since the

930
00:33:52.720 --> 00:33:56.549
completion of the wall

931
00:33:56.559 --> 00:33:58.310
if you had been there that day to see

932
00:33:58.320 --> 00:34:00.870
what was happening you have a picture

933
00:34:00.880 --> 00:34:03.669
of the community united

934
00:34:03.679 --> 00:34:06.389
coming together the wall is completed

935
00:34:06.399 --> 00:34:07.909
it's not time to celebrate the

936
00:34:07.919 --> 00:34:10.950
completion of the wall it's time for the

937
00:34:10.960 --> 00:34:11.829
the

938
00:34:11.839 --> 00:34:14.470
the spiritual regeneration

939
00:34:14.480 --> 00:34:16.310
who will lead us in this spiritual

940
00:34:16.320 --> 00:34:18.069
regeneration

941
00:34:18.079 --> 00:34:20.149
why nehemiah of course you would think

942
00:34:20.159 --> 00:34:23.030
because he has been the leader all along

943
00:34:23.040 --> 00:34:25.510
but you see nehemiah isn't qualified to

944
00:34:25.520 --> 00:34:29.589
take the community to the next phase

945
00:34:29.599 --> 00:34:32.149
because nehemiah is not a levite

946
00:34:32.159 --> 00:34:33.669
it's not that he doesn't know the law

947
00:34:33.679 --> 00:34:35.510
but what's called for in this situation

948
00:34:35.520 --> 00:34:37.270
is a different brother

949
00:34:37.280 --> 00:34:39.430
we need somebody

950
00:34:39.440 --> 00:34:41.829
who knows the law

951
00:34:41.839 --> 00:34:43.750
somebody who's been studying the law all

952
00:34:43.760 --> 00:34:45.430
his life

953
00:34:45.440 --> 00:34:46.950
and the reason he's been studying it is

954
00:34:46.960 --> 00:34:49.430
so he could teach the law

955
00:34:49.440 --> 00:34:51.030
and not only has he been knowing it and

956
00:34:51.040 --> 00:34:52.710
studying it and teaching it he's been

957
00:34:52.720 --> 00:34:55.270
living the law

958
00:34:55.280 --> 00:34:57.910
who else but ezra

959
00:34:57.920 --> 00:35:00.710
back in 7 chapter 7 at verse 10

960
00:35:00.720 --> 00:35:02.950
he studied the law to teach it and to

961
00:35:02.960 --> 00:35:04.230
live it

962
00:35:04.240 --> 00:35:07.430
and they sent and they call for ezra

963
00:35:07.440 --> 00:35:09.349
an incredible day in the nation's

964
00:35:09.359 --> 00:35:10.550
history

965
00:35:10.560 --> 00:35:12.150
this ezra who may have been in their

966
00:35:12.160 --> 00:35:14.230
community during his 13 years he may not

967
00:35:14.240 --> 00:35:16.710
have we don't know but here is this

968
00:35:16.720 --> 00:35:20.150
older brother he's either 83 years old

969
00:35:20.160 --> 00:35:22.710
or 130 some years old depending on which

970
00:35:22.720 --> 00:35:26.069
king is on the throne in shushan

971
00:35:26.079 --> 00:35:28.230
and they call for

972
00:35:28.240 --> 00:35:33.270
verse 1.

973
00:35:33.280 --> 00:35:35.430
they told ezra the scribe

974
00:35:35.440 --> 00:35:36.550
it's uh

975
00:35:36.560 --> 00:35:38.230
and the authorized version i believe it

976
00:35:38.240 --> 00:35:40.550
says that they uh

977
00:35:40.560 --> 00:35:41.750
i haven't got the phrase written down

978
00:35:41.760 --> 00:35:43.510
but they call forth for ezra to read the

979
00:35:43.520 --> 00:35:46.069
law and notice they're asking him to

980
00:35:46.079 --> 00:35:46.950
bring

981
00:35:46.960 --> 00:35:48.950
the book that contains god's

982
00:35:48.960 --> 00:35:50.230
commandments

983
00:35:50.240 --> 00:35:51.829
so it's not like ezra stands out up

984
00:35:51.839 --> 00:35:53.190
there and says you know we should really

985
00:35:53.200 --> 00:35:54.630
get together today and talk about the

986
00:35:54.640 --> 00:35:55.829
bible

987
00:35:55.839 --> 00:35:58.069
the community is ready to learn so they

988
00:35:58.079 --> 00:36:00.790
call forth and they ask ezra to come

989
00:36:00.800 --> 00:36:02.310
and they ask him when ezra when you come

990
00:36:02.320 --> 00:36:04.470
don't just speak from memory we want you

991
00:36:04.480 --> 00:36:06.390
to bring the book

992
00:36:06.400 --> 00:36:09.510
that contains the commandments of god

993
00:36:09.520 --> 00:36:10.829
so here's

994
00:36:10.839 --> 00:36:13.670
ezra and there's there's likely at least

995
00:36:13.680 --> 00:36:16.790
forty thousand people gathered that day

996
00:36:16.800 --> 00:36:19.349
and he's got the bible under his hand

997
00:36:19.359 --> 00:36:21.589
and he has been studying this

998
00:36:21.599 --> 00:36:24.390
for all his life

999
00:36:24.400 --> 00:36:27.270
been neglected and rejected and ignored

1000
00:36:27.280 --> 00:36:29.510
for many many years

1001
00:36:29.520 --> 00:36:31.829
and he walks out to the community that

1002
00:36:31.839 --> 00:36:34.390
day with bible in hand

1003
00:36:34.400 --> 00:36:36.310
and they've got a special platform a

1004
00:36:36.320 --> 00:36:38.829
special pulpit built just for this

1005
00:36:38.839 --> 00:36:41.190
meeting and they're asking him to come

1006
00:36:41.200 --> 00:36:43.270
forth and lead them

1007
00:36:43.280 --> 00:36:45.990
back to righteousness

1008
00:36:46.000 --> 00:36:48.710
an incredible lesson to our older

1009
00:36:48.720 --> 00:36:51.510
brothers and sisters

1010
00:36:51.520 --> 00:36:54.470
he has been waiting in a sense all his

1011
00:36:54.480 --> 00:36:55.910
life

1012
00:36:55.920 --> 00:36:58.710
he has been preparing all his life

1013
00:36:58.720 --> 00:37:00.950
and then that's this critical stage in

1014
00:37:00.960 --> 00:37:02.790
the nation's history

1015
00:37:02.800 --> 00:37:05.030
he's brought back on day one and

1016
00:37:05.040 --> 00:37:06.230
requested

1017
00:37:06.240 --> 00:37:08.870
to take center stage

1018
00:37:08.880 --> 00:37:10.310
and don't discount the fact that

1019
00:37:10.320 --> 00:37:13.510
nehemiah willingly stepped back

1020
00:37:13.520 --> 00:37:15.510
and said i'm not qualified for this

1021
00:37:15.520 --> 00:37:17.190
there is another brother more qualified

1022
00:37:17.200 --> 00:37:18.870
than myself

1023
00:37:18.880 --> 00:37:20.950
and we need to be able to

1024
00:37:20.960 --> 00:37:22.870
to take leadership positions and back

1025
00:37:22.880 --> 00:37:24.630
away from leadership positions brother

1026
00:37:24.640 --> 00:37:27.270
and sisters as the situation requires

1027
00:37:27.280 --> 00:37:29.510
he has no trouble at all as at nehemiah

1028
00:37:29.520 --> 00:37:31.430
does it and now taking a place in the

1029
00:37:31.440 --> 00:37:32.710
background

1030
00:37:32.720 --> 00:37:35.190
but ezra comes forth well advanced in

1031
00:37:35.200 --> 00:37:36.630
years

1032
00:37:36.640 --> 00:37:38.710
and he's brought to lead the ecclesia

1033
00:37:38.720 --> 00:37:42.150
back to god

1034
00:37:42.160 --> 00:37:45.349
you see there are no retirement years in

1035
00:37:45.359 --> 00:37:47.910
in the life of a brother or sister

1036
00:37:47.920 --> 00:37:51.829
the the duties may be let go

1037
00:37:51.839 --> 00:37:53.349
after a while

1038
00:37:53.359 --> 00:37:56.630
but not the responsibilities

1039
00:37:56.640 --> 00:37:59.230
our older brother and sisters have a

1040
00:37:59.240 --> 00:38:02.950
responsibility and it's it's a god-given

1041
00:38:02.960 --> 00:38:06.470
responsibility to set the right example

1042
00:38:06.480 --> 00:38:09.270
to give sound counsel

1043
00:38:09.280 --> 00:38:11.990
to be able to lead wayward brother and

1044
00:38:12.000 --> 00:38:15.030
sisters back to righteousness if sin has

1045
00:38:15.040 --> 00:38:16.870
has momentarily overcome them in their

1046
00:38:16.880 --> 00:38:18.870
life

1047
00:38:18.880 --> 00:38:20.630
and to make sure they're always giving

1048
00:38:20.640 --> 00:38:22.550
sound exposition

1049
00:38:22.560 --> 00:38:24.310
you see why older brothers and sisters

1050
00:38:24.320 --> 00:38:27.109
need to stay sharp in the word

1051
00:38:27.119 --> 00:38:28.710
it's as critical for them to be doing

1052
00:38:28.720 --> 00:38:30.550
the readings and the study as it is for

1053
00:38:30.560 --> 00:38:32.470
the younger because when people come up

1054
00:38:32.480 --> 00:38:35.910
and ask for counsel what you tell them

1055
00:38:35.920 --> 00:38:37.910
could have it either a very positive

1056
00:38:37.920 --> 00:38:39.510
effect on their life or a very deserving

1057
00:38:39.520 --> 00:38:41.589
devastating effect in their life

1058
00:38:41.599 --> 00:38:43.670
and it's critical it's critical that our

1059
00:38:43.680 --> 00:38:45.109
older brothers and sisters know the

1060
00:38:45.119 --> 00:38:46.550
truth

1061
00:38:46.560 --> 00:38:50.150
and be ready to share this council

1062
00:38:50.160 --> 00:38:51.430
and younger

1063
00:38:51.440 --> 00:38:53.190
those those of us who are younger and

1064
00:38:53.200 --> 00:38:54.630
again we're younger if we have somebody

1065
00:38:54.640 --> 00:38:56.150
here that's older than us so that's how

1066
00:38:56.160 --> 00:38:57.750
the bible defines it

1067
00:38:57.760 --> 00:38:59.270
i don't want to you know have us

1068
00:38:59.280 --> 00:39:01.030
imagining that 15 to 20 is older and

1069
00:39:01.040 --> 00:39:03.910
over 80s is younger and over 80 is older

1070
00:39:03.920 --> 00:39:05.349
the bible says the older ones teach the

1071
00:39:05.359 --> 00:39:07.589
younger ones lots of different places

1072
00:39:07.599 --> 00:39:08.950
never found a verse yet where it says

1073
00:39:08.960 --> 00:39:10.310
the younger one should teach the older

1074
00:39:10.320 --> 00:39:12.470
ones

1075
00:39:12.480 --> 00:39:13.670
young people

1076
00:39:13.680 --> 00:39:15.670
young brothers and sisters we need to be

1077
00:39:15.680 --> 00:39:17.990
open to the counsel and the direction of

1078
00:39:18.000 --> 00:39:20.310
our older brothers and sisters

1079
00:39:20.320 --> 00:39:22.150
it's critical that we be willing and

1080
00:39:22.160 --> 00:39:23.990
ready to listen to what they have to

1081
00:39:24.000 --> 00:39:25.510
tell us

1082
00:39:25.520 --> 00:39:27.270
at this critical meeting

1083
00:39:27.280 --> 00:39:29.750
the community knew exactly who they

1084
00:39:29.760 --> 00:39:31.910
should call forth

1085
00:39:31.920 --> 00:39:32.950
dear

1086
00:39:32.960 --> 00:39:33.910
old

1087
00:39:33.920 --> 00:39:38.230
reliable brother ezra

1088
00:39:38.240 --> 00:39:39.990
the spiritual principle of the older

1089
00:39:40.000 --> 00:39:41.270
teaching the younger we saw it last

1090
00:39:41.280 --> 00:39:43.910
night and titus one and two

1091
00:39:43.920 --> 00:39:45.589
older sisters are to teach the younger

1092
00:39:45.599 --> 00:39:47.829
sisters how to love their husbands how

1093
00:39:47.839 --> 00:39:49.589
to love their children

1094
00:39:49.599 --> 00:39:51.349
what's that love your husband and love

1095
00:39:51.359 --> 00:39:52.310
your children doesn't that come

1096
00:39:52.320 --> 00:39:53.430
naturally

1097
00:39:53.440 --> 00:39:54.790
not the spiritual love that paul's

1098
00:39:54.800 --> 00:39:57.430
talking about how you love your husband

1099
00:39:57.440 --> 00:40:01.589
when your husband lets you down

1100
00:40:01.599 --> 00:40:03.910
that can only be taught by the older

1101
00:40:03.920 --> 00:40:06.710
sisters who have experienced that

1102
00:40:06.720 --> 00:40:08.230
you continue to love your husband by

1103
00:40:08.240 --> 00:40:09.270
faith

1104
00:40:09.280 --> 00:40:10.710
it's the same love that we have for one

1105
00:40:10.720 --> 00:40:12.710
another in the occlusion

1106
00:40:12.720 --> 00:40:14.950
easy to love those who love us

1107
00:40:14.960 --> 00:40:16.710
you almost don't need any faith to love

1108
00:40:16.720 --> 00:40:18.150
those kind

1109
00:40:18.160 --> 00:40:19.910
it takes faith to love those who have

1110
00:40:19.920 --> 00:40:21.589
mistreated us

1111
00:40:21.599 --> 00:40:22.630
and when we love those who have

1112
00:40:22.640 --> 00:40:24.950
mistreated us then the love we have for

1113
00:40:24.960 --> 00:40:27.030
them is glorifying to god

1114
00:40:27.040 --> 00:40:28.870
because we're loving them out of faith

1115
00:40:28.880 --> 00:40:31.030
and obedience to god

1116
00:40:31.040 --> 00:40:33.349
another way in which the world can

1117
00:40:33.359 --> 00:40:35.430
affect our understanding

1118
00:40:35.440 --> 00:40:37.510
you ask the world today what their

1119
00:40:37.520 --> 00:40:41.030
regard for older members are

1120
00:40:41.040 --> 00:40:42.870
and they will tell you that all people

1121
00:40:42.880 --> 00:40:46.150
are to be honored and respected

1122
00:40:46.160 --> 00:40:47.910
for what they were

1123
00:40:47.920 --> 00:40:49.750
and what they did

1124
00:40:49.760 --> 00:40:51.589
and we have museums

1125
00:40:51.599 --> 00:40:54.390
and we have all kinds of monuments

1126
00:40:54.400 --> 00:40:57.510
that talk about what older people did

1127
00:40:57.520 --> 00:40:59.589
when they were younger

1128
00:40:59.599 --> 00:41:01.670
that's not the bible definition of

1129
00:41:01.680 --> 00:41:05.030
honoring our older members

1130
00:41:05.040 --> 00:41:07.510
the spiritual principle behind honoring

1131
00:41:07.520 --> 00:41:09.670
and respecting our older members is not

1132
00:41:09.680 --> 00:41:11.750
because of what they did

1133
00:41:11.760 --> 00:41:15.349
it's because of what they have become

1134
00:41:15.359 --> 00:41:16.790
see in the world's eyes the older

1135
00:41:16.800 --> 00:41:19.990
members members are like relics

1136
00:41:20.000 --> 00:41:22.390
that's not the bible's definition

1137
00:41:22.400 --> 00:41:24.470
what older members have

1138
00:41:24.480 --> 00:41:26.150
is unique

1139
00:41:26.160 --> 00:41:28.390
and the glory is not to them

1140
00:41:28.400 --> 00:41:30.230
god has been working in their life for

1141
00:41:30.240 --> 00:41:34.150
40 or 50 or 60 years

1142
00:41:34.160 --> 00:41:36.150
they're reading the bible they're going

1143
00:41:36.160 --> 00:41:38.630
through the trials sometimes victorious

1144
00:41:38.640 --> 00:41:41.109
sometimes not victorious

1145
00:41:41.119 --> 00:41:43.349
struggling with the flesh

1146
00:41:43.359 --> 00:41:45.910
wrestling with problems in the ecclesia

1147
00:41:45.920 --> 00:41:47.670
for all these years god has been

1148
00:41:47.680 --> 00:41:49.430
transforming their mind from the mind of

1149
00:41:49.440 --> 00:41:50.710
the flesh

1150
00:41:50.720 --> 00:41:53.190
to the mind of the spirit

1151
00:41:53.200 --> 00:41:55.430
and it's this mind of the spirit that

1152
00:41:55.440 --> 00:41:58.550
the bible commands us who are younger

1153
00:41:58.560 --> 00:42:02.550
to come to and to seek its counsel

1154
00:42:02.560 --> 00:42:05.190
not to the glory of the older member

1155
00:42:05.200 --> 00:42:07.430
but to the glory of god come and listen

1156
00:42:07.440 --> 00:42:09.750
to what they have to say god says

1157
00:42:09.760 --> 00:42:11.349
see what the result is of the

1158
00:42:11.359 --> 00:42:13.270
transformation process that can take

1159
00:42:13.280 --> 00:42:15.910
place when the word is effective in

1160
00:42:15.920 --> 00:42:18.710
somebody's life over all these years

1161
00:42:18.720 --> 00:42:21.190
the glory is all to god

1162
00:42:21.200 --> 00:42:23.910
and that day when ezra stood up

1163
00:42:23.920 --> 00:42:26.870
he didn't just read the bible

1164
00:42:26.880 --> 00:42:29.190
six times in that chapter it says he

1165
00:42:29.200 --> 00:42:30.710
read

1166
00:42:30.720 --> 00:42:33.030
sorry six times he said the people had

1167
00:42:33.040 --> 00:42:35.109
come for understanding

1168
00:42:35.119 --> 00:42:36.950
they wanted to not just hear what the

1169
00:42:36.960 --> 00:42:38.630
word had to say they wanted to

1170
00:42:38.640 --> 00:42:41.109
understand what the word had to say

1171
00:42:41.119 --> 00:42:43.270
and when nehemiah read he read so that

1172
00:42:43.280 --> 00:42:45.270
they would understand

1173
00:42:45.280 --> 00:42:47.589
and it says in verse

1174
00:42:47.599 --> 00:42:50.390
8 that the levites were there helping

1175
00:42:50.400 --> 00:42:53.109
they gave the sense so that the people

1176
00:42:53.119 --> 00:42:56.230
understood the reading

1177
00:42:56.240 --> 00:42:58.150
this was a day of the nation gathering

1178
00:42:58.160 --> 00:43:00.550
so that they could understand what god

1179
00:43:00.560 --> 00:43:02.710
wanted them to do

1180
00:43:02.720 --> 00:43:06.069
and there was ezra the leading brother

1181
00:43:06.079 --> 00:43:08.230
leading the reading

1182
00:43:08.240 --> 00:43:10.470
so that the community could understand

1183
00:43:10.480 --> 00:43:12.390
the wisdom of god

1184
00:43:12.400 --> 00:43:15.190
you see our older members have a wisdom

1185
00:43:15.200 --> 00:43:16.710
that is

1186
00:43:16.720 --> 00:43:19.670
only comes from experience

1187
00:43:19.680 --> 00:43:21.270
as we were going through the lessons of

1188
00:43:21.280 --> 00:43:23.750
nehemiah yesterday we put the slides up

1189
00:43:23.760 --> 00:43:25.750
and said wow look at the wisdom of god

1190
00:43:25.760 --> 00:43:27.589
and how he built the wall had the wall

1191
00:43:27.599 --> 00:43:29.670
built with the gentiles surrounding the

1192
00:43:29.680 --> 00:43:30.790
wall

1193
00:43:30.800 --> 00:43:33.190
we sat here and admired and rightfully

1194
00:43:33.200 --> 00:43:34.150
so

1195
00:43:34.160 --> 00:43:36.390
how god works and we could see

1196
00:43:36.400 --> 00:43:40.470
academically the wisdom of god at work

1197
00:43:40.480 --> 00:43:44.630
the wisdom that our older members have

1198
00:43:44.640 --> 00:43:47.109
is as we were going through those events

1199
00:43:47.119 --> 00:43:50.790
they were recalling events in their life

1200
00:43:50.800 --> 00:43:53.190
a collegial events personal events where

1201
00:43:53.200 --> 00:43:55.190
they could go back in their own life and

1202
00:43:55.200 --> 00:43:56.309
see

1203
00:43:56.319 --> 00:43:59.670
how god works exactly in that same

1204
00:43:59.680 --> 00:44:01.750
process

1205
00:44:01.760 --> 00:44:03.430
and they can validate that the wisdom

1206
00:44:03.440 --> 00:44:05.430
that we read about in scripture is

1207
00:44:05.440 --> 00:44:06.550
actually

1208
00:44:06.560 --> 00:44:08.710
a real wisdom

1209
00:44:08.720 --> 00:44:10.950
and that's the real beauty of the word

1210
00:44:10.960 --> 00:44:13.270
when we see it put in place

1211
00:44:13.280 --> 00:44:14.790
and you ask our older members and they

1212
00:44:14.800 --> 00:44:16.630
will tell you events

1213
00:44:16.640 --> 00:44:18.870
in which the wisdom of god was followed

1214
00:44:18.880 --> 00:44:20.870
and the ecclesia or the family or the

1215
00:44:20.880 --> 00:44:23.910
individual or themselves benefited

1216
00:44:23.920 --> 00:44:27.510
greatly

1217
00:44:27.520 --> 00:44:29.270
and they will share with you if they are

1218
00:44:29.280 --> 00:44:30.390
willing

1219
00:44:30.400 --> 00:44:31.430
events

1220
00:44:31.440 --> 00:44:33.270
in which the wisdom of god was not

1221
00:44:33.280 --> 00:44:34.630
followed

1222
00:44:34.640 --> 00:44:37.030
and there were disastrous results

1223
00:44:37.040 --> 00:44:39.270
for individuals or for families or for

1224
00:44:39.280 --> 00:44:40.710
ecclesias

1225
00:44:40.720 --> 00:44:42.950
but that's why god says to those of us

1226
00:44:42.960 --> 00:44:45.670
who are younger there is a wisdom that i

1227
00:44:45.680 --> 00:44:47.109
have been developing in the minds of

1228
00:44:47.119 --> 00:44:48.630
these people

1229
00:44:48.640 --> 00:44:50.790
seek out that wisdom

1230
00:44:50.800 --> 00:44:52.309
and just see the exhortation to our

1231
00:44:52.319 --> 00:44:53.750
older members

1232
00:44:53.760 --> 00:44:57.589
god is expecting you

1233
00:44:57.599 --> 00:44:58.790
us

1234
00:44:58.800 --> 00:45:00.790
he's expecting older members that when

1235
00:45:00.800 --> 00:45:02.950
people come and seek counsel

1236
00:45:02.960 --> 00:45:05.349
that this 40 and 50 in 60 years that

1237
00:45:05.359 --> 00:45:07.750
he's been working with us

1238
00:45:07.760 --> 00:45:09.750
will be effective and that we will give

1239
00:45:09.760 --> 00:45:12.550
the right counsel to his glory so that

1240
00:45:12.560 --> 00:45:15.030
the actions that are then taken will be

1241
00:45:15.040 --> 00:45:18.390
christ-like and conform to his word it's

1242
00:45:18.400 --> 00:45:19.829
marvelous how god has set up the

1243
00:45:19.839 --> 00:45:21.430
ecclesias and there are older ones and

1244
00:45:21.440 --> 00:45:23.430
there are younger ones

1245
00:45:23.440 --> 00:45:25.349
we get a little insight into this as

1246
00:45:25.359 --> 00:45:27.670
families as parents are able to broad as

1247
00:45:27.680 --> 00:45:29.510
the older members are to be able to are

1248
00:45:29.520 --> 00:45:30.950
providing the counsel to the younger

1249
00:45:30.960 --> 00:45:33.750
ones but it doesn't stop in the families

1250
00:45:33.760 --> 00:45:35.910
as we grow up in the truth and in our

1251
00:45:35.920 --> 00:45:37.510
ecclesial life we ought to be seeking

1252
00:45:37.520 --> 00:45:39.510
the council of the older members just

1253
00:45:39.520 --> 00:45:41.109
like we when you're we were young kids

1254
00:45:41.119 --> 00:45:44.309
seeking the council of our parents

1255
00:45:44.319 --> 00:45:45.910
but they read distinctly so that the

1256
00:45:45.920 --> 00:45:48.150
people could understand the impact is

1257
00:45:48.160 --> 00:45:49.670
amazing

1258
00:45:49.680 --> 00:45:51.990
here is teaching and unit here is

1259
00:45:52.000 --> 00:45:54.309
teaching and learning taking place in

1260
00:45:54.319 --> 00:45:55.349
unity

1261
00:45:55.359 --> 00:45:57.349
you see the power that that is unleashed

1262
00:45:57.359 --> 00:45:59.190
when unity exists

1263
00:45:59.200 --> 00:46:01.030
that day the nation had come they had an

1264
00:46:01.040 --> 00:46:02.870
expectation to learn the levites are

1265
00:46:02.880 --> 00:46:04.790
there helping with the understanding and

1266
00:46:04.800 --> 00:46:06.309
the whole community's knowledge of the

1267
00:46:06.319 --> 00:46:08.550
bible is rising

1268
00:46:08.560 --> 00:46:09.990
every hour

1269
00:46:10.000 --> 00:46:12.710
by the hour

1270
00:46:12.720 --> 00:46:15.270
it was increasing

1271
00:46:15.280 --> 00:46:17.270
when ezra stands up they all stand up

1272
00:46:17.280 --> 00:46:18.230
with him

1273
00:46:18.240 --> 00:46:20.069
bowing their heads when he bowed his

1274
00:46:20.079 --> 00:46:21.030
head

1275
00:46:21.040 --> 00:46:23.750
he opens the meeting in prayer

1276
00:46:23.760 --> 00:46:25.589
and they they finish by raising at the

1277
00:46:25.599 --> 00:46:27.030
end of the prayer by raising their hands

1278
00:46:27.040 --> 00:46:30.550
and concluding with their amen

1279
00:46:30.560 --> 00:46:32.470
when the ecclesia is united when the

1280
00:46:32.480 --> 00:46:34.950
community is united there are great

1281
00:46:34.960 --> 00:46:38.710
things that god can do in our life

1282
00:46:38.720 --> 00:46:41.190
the impact of the reading

1283
00:46:41.200 --> 00:46:43.510
shows the further proof of what was

1284
00:46:43.520 --> 00:46:46.150
happening in the morning

1285
00:46:46.160 --> 00:46:48.710
because at the end of the reading

1286
00:46:48.720 --> 00:46:50.150
at some point

1287
00:46:50.160 --> 00:46:51.910
and it says they went from morning to

1288
00:46:51.920 --> 00:46:53.910
midday so they have been reading their

1289
00:46:53.920 --> 00:46:56.710
bibles for six hours now this wasn't

1290
00:46:56.720 --> 00:46:58.870
just having different brethren come up

1291
00:46:58.880 --> 00:47:00.550
and read this is ezra before the

1292
00:47:00.560 --> 00:47:03.109
community reading and it's been six

1293
00:47:03.119 --> 00:47:05.990
hours of bible exposition

1294
00:47:06.000 --> 00:47:09.349
and at the end of this six hours

1295
00:47:09.359 --> 00:47:12.309
they stop the reading

1296
00:47:12.319 --> 00:47:17.430
and they start weeping

1297
00:47:17.440 --> 00:47:20.309
and nehemiah and ezra and the levites in

1298
00:47:20.319 --> 00:47:22.870
verse 9 have to go out among the people

1299
00:47:22.880 --> 00:47:25.990
and implore them to stop weeping

1300
00:47:26.000 --> 00:47:27.829
because this is not a day for weeping

1301
00:47:27.839 --> 00:47:31.750
this is a day for celebration

1302
00:47:31.760 --> 00:47:32.870
you see what's happening that day

1303
00:47:32.880 --> 00:47:34.549
brother and sisters you see the power of

1304
00:47:34.559 --> 00:47:36.950
the word unto salvation

1305
00:47:36.960 --> 00:47:39.270
as a result of this six hours of bible

1306
00:47:39.280 --> 00:47:41.270
study

1307
00:47:41.280 --> 00:47:42.950
they close their bibles and they're in

1308
00:47:42.960 --> 00:47:44.710
tears

1309
00:47:44.720 --> 00:47:46.790
because they have read

1310
00:47:46.800 --> 00:47:49.030
about the greatness of their god

1311
00:47:49.040 --> 00:47:50.790
and they have read about the greatness

1312
00:47:50.800 --> 00:47:52.790
of their sin and they see where the

1313
00:47:52.800 --> 00:47:54.470
bible says we should be and they see

1314
00:47:54.480 --> 00:47:56.150
where they have been

1315
00:47:56.160 --> 00:47:57.910
and they see the mercy of god and they

1316
00:47:57.920 --> 00:48:00.549
see the the utter worthlessness of where

1317
00:48:00.559 --> 00:48:02.309
they have been

1318
00:48:02.319 --> 00:48:04.710
and they have been brought by their

1319
00:48:04.720 --> 00:48:06.549
reading

1320
00:48:06.559 --> 00:48:09.670
to the very same place that nehemiah was

1321
00:48:09.680 --> 00:48:11.670
back in chapter one

1322
00:48:11.680 --> 00:48:13.750
when he heard the report of hanani and

1323
00:48:13.760 --> 00:48:15.430
he wept

1324
00:48:15.440 --> 00:48:17.589
and fasted for many days the very same

1325
00:48:17.599 --> 00:48:19.589
place that ezra was in chapter nine at

1326
00:48:19.599 --> 00:48:22.150
verse one or verse four when he saw the

1327
00:48:22.160 --> 00:48:23.829
conditions and he sat down and he wept

1328
00:48:23.839 --> 00:48:26.150
and he was appalled

1329
00:48:26.160 --> 00:48:28.069
because spiritual men and women once

1330
00:48:28.079 --> 00:48:30.630
they understand the strength of sins

1331
00:48:30.640 --> 00:48:34.069
dominion over us

1332
00:48:34.079 --> 00:48:35.910
weep

1333
00:48:35.920 --> 00:48:37.270
at the thought

1334
00:48:37.280 --> 00:48:40.069
that it can have that kind of strength

1335
00:48:40.079 --> 00:48:43.510
and that kind of power and domination

1336
00:48:43.520 --> 00:48:45.349
but nehemiah and ezra go through the

1337
00:48:45.359 --> 00:48:46.870
community and they tell them this is not

1338
00:48:46.880 --> 00:48:48.790
a day for weeping

1339
00:48:48.800 --> 00:48:50.710
there is a day for weeping

1340
00:48:50.720 --> 00:48:52.790
it was back in in ezra 9 and it was in

1341
00:48:52.800 --> 00:48:54.390
nehemiah 1.

1342
00:48:54.400 --> 00:48:56.390
the time of weeping is when the ecclesia

1343
00:48:56.400 --> 00:48:58.710
or the or the a family or an individual

1344
00:48:58.720 --> 00:49:01.270
is dominated by sin is overcome by sin

1345
00:49:01.280 --> 00:49:03.910
and they don't know it

1346
00:49:03.920 --> 00:49:07.109
that's the sad part

1347
00:49:07.119 --> 00:49:08.470
and that's when ezra wept and that's

1348
00:49:08.480 --> 00:49:10.630
when nehemiah went but today was to be a

1349
00:49:10.640 --> 00:49:12.710
day of celebration

1350
00:49:12.720 --> 00:49:14.470
because they could celebrate that god

1351
00:49:14.480 --> 00:49:16.549
was going to give them victory over sin

1352
00:49:16.559 --> 00:49:18.069
and he was going to lead them out and he

1353
00:49:18.079 --> 00:49:19.910
was going to bring them to righteousness

1354
00:49:19.920 --> 00:49:23.109
and bring them to salvation

1355
00:49:23.119 --> 00:49:27.190
as he says in verse 11

1356
00:49:27.200 --> 00:49:29.270
sorry in verse 10

1357
00:49:29.280 --> 00:49:31.670
then he said to him to them and this is

1358
00:49:31.680 --> 00:49:33.190
ezra and nehemiah and the levites out

1359
00:49:33.200 --> 00:49:35.190
among the people verse 9 for connection

1360
00:49:35.200 --> 00:49:37.109
this day is holy to the lord your god do

1361
00:49:37.119 --> 00:49:39.109
not mourn or wheat for all the people

1362
00:49:39.119 --> 00:49:40.309
wept when they heard the words of the

1363
00:49:40.319 --> 00:49:42.950
law then he said to them go your way eat

1364
00:49:42.960 --> 00:49:45.349
the fat and drink the sweet and send

1365
00:49:45.359 --> 00:49:47.829
portions to him for whom nothing is

1366
00:49:47.839 --> 00:49:50.069
prepared for this day is holy to our

1367
00:49:50.079 --> 00:49:52.950
lord and do not be greed for the joy of

1368
00:49:52.960 --> 00:49:56.230
the lord is your strength

1369
00:49:56.240 --> 00:49:59.030
we can be grieved brother and sisters

1370
00:49:59.040 --> 00:50:01.829
over the strength of sin in our life

1371
00:50:01.839 --> 00:50:03.829
we may struggle from from time to time

1372
00:50:03.839 --> 00:50:05.349
now the world may have words for it like

1373
00:50:05.359 --> 00:50:07.190
depression or whatever they want to call

1374
00:50:07.200 --> 00:50:08.549
it

1375
00:50:08.559 --> 00:50:10.549
but don't lose sight of the fact that

1376
00:50:10.559 --> 00:50:12.790
when we look at the extent that sin

1377
00:50:12.800 --> 00:50:14.870
sometimes takes in our life it can be

1378
00:50:14.880 --> 00:50:15.910
very

1379
00:50:15.920 --> 00:50:17.109
very

1380
00:50:17.119 --> 00:50:18.870
discouraging

1381
00:50:18.880 --> 00:50:20.390
we may find ourselves right now in a

1382
00:50:20.400 --> 00:50:21.670
situation

1383
00:50:21.680 --> 00:50:24.630
where we don't see a way out

1384
00:50:24.640 --> 00:50:26.150
and we'll just try to hold on so our

1385
00:50:26.160 --> 00:50:27.430
kids can come up in the truth and

1386
00:50:27.440 --> 00:50:29.430
hopefully get baptized and then

1387
00:50:29.440 --> 00:50:31.990
who knows what happens after that

1388
00:50:32.000 --> 00:50:33.829
and sometimes we hang out it seems by

1389
00:50:33.839 --> 00:50:36.230
the smallest thread

1390
00:50:36.240 --> 00:50:37.990
because righteous men and women examine

1391
00:50:38.000 --> 00:50:39.670
themselves and they say you know sin has

1392
00:50:39.680 --> 00:50:43.510
such a strong hold of my life

1393
00:50:43.520 --> 00:50:45.109
and then the flesh takes over i don't

1394
00:50:45.119 --> 00:50:49.270
think god can save me

1395
00:50:49.280 --> 00:50:52.309
and we are convicted by our sin

1396
00:50:52.319 --> 00:50:54.390
and it's worth weeping and mourning over

1397
00:50:54.400 --> 00:50:56.150
but the lesson that day of nehemiah and

1398
00:50:56.160 --> 00:50:58.230
ezra is don't be trapped in that

1399
00:50:58.240 --> 00:50:59.589
thinking

1400
00:50:59.599 --> 00:51:02.150
don't shortchange god

1401
00:51:02.160 --> 00:51:05.190
the joy of yahweh

1402
00:51:05.200 --> 00:51:09.349
is your strength

1403
00:51:09.359 --> 00:51:11.750
god can take us from this position of

1404
00:51:11.760 --> 00:51:15.030
being dominated by sin and free us

1405
00:51:15.040 --> 00:51:16.630
if we will trust in him and walk

1406
00:51:16.640 --> 00:51:18.309
faithfully

1407
00:51:18.319 --> 00:51:20.150
so today was to be a day of celebration

1408
00:51:20.160 --> 00:51:21.589
and they were go out they were to go out

1409
00:51:21.599 --> 00:51:23.030
and celebrate and share with those that

1410
00:51:23.040 --> 00:51:24.069
had none

1411
00:51:24.079 --> 00:51:25.589
because they were to celebrate the

1412
00:51:25.599 --> 00:51:27.190
victory that god would accomplish in

1413
00:51:27.200 --> 00:51:30.630
them spiritually

1414
00:51:30.640 --> 00:51:40.230
i think we'll leave it at that

1415
00:51:40.240 --> 00:51:42.950
on behalf of everyone i'm sure

1416
00:51:42.960 --> 00:51:44.230
i would like to thank our brother ken

1417
00:51:44.240 --> 00:51:46.470
for his words his time and his love on

1418
00:51:46.480 --> 00:51:47.910
our behalf

1419
00:51:47.920 --> 00:51:49.750
and showing us the importance of

1420
00:51:49.760 --> 00:51:52.069
building up that wall of separation

1421
00:51:52.079 --> 00:51:54.710
between those influences that seek to

1422
00:51:54.720 --> 00:51:56.309
compel us to disobedience from the

1423
00:51:56.319 --> 00:51:57.829
outside

1424
00:51:57.839 --> 00:52:00.549
and also showing us the importance of

1425
00:52:00.559 --> 00:52:02.230
breaking down those walls of separation

1426
00:52:02.240 --> 00:52:04.470
which we have built up between brother

1427
00:52:04.480 --> 00:52:06.069
and brother

1428
00:52:06.079 --> 00:52:07.750
parent and child

1429
00:52:07.760 --> 00:52:10.470
and between ourselves and our god

1430
00:52:10.480 --> 00:52:13.270
so thank you brother ken

1431
00:52:13.280 --> 00:52:14.950
at this time i have just a few short

1432
00:52:14.960 --> 00:52:22.870
announcements

1433
00:52:22.880 --> 00:52:24.870
that's last year's announcement uh we're

1434
00:52:24.880 --> 00:52:41.349
gonna try it again

1435
00:52:41.359 --> 00:52:43.440
you