Nehemiah 13:14

Nehemiah 13:14

Nehemiah was not only the one who guided the rebuilding of the wall and the temple.  Nehemiah was also a reformer of the spiritual life of Israel.  None of these reforms were popular but he did them.  As he recounts them, he prays that what he has done has honored God and will be remembered.  He prays that God will also remember those who have not faithfully served God.  This week will be an important week in the life of our Church.  A day of reform that may cost us, and yet like it was for Nehemiah, it is something that must be done.

1. THE NEED FOR REFORM

            A. ALLOWED AMMONITE AND MOABITES IN THE TEMPLE AND THEIR LIVES.

            B. CHIEF PREIST GAVE TOBIAH AN APARTMENT IN THE TEMPLE.

            C. THE LEVITES AND MUSICIANS LEFT THE TEMPLE TO WORK FIELDS TO SURVIVE.

            D. THEY WORKED ON THE SABBATH

            E. THE MEN TOOK WIVES FROM ASHDOD, AMMON, AND MOAB (WHO DID NOT FOLLOW GOD BUT LEAD THE JEWS ASTRAY.)

2. NEHEMIAH’S REFORMS

            A. THE READING OF THE LAW

            B. PURIFING THE TEMPLE

            C. RESTORING THE LEVITES AND PROVIDING FOR THEM

            D. STOPED ALL TRADE ON THE SABBATH

            E. STOPPED INTERMARRAGE

3. NEHEMIAH’S PRAYERS

            A. I PRAY I HAVE DONE WHAT IS RIGHT

            B. I PRAY THAT WHAT I HAVE DONE HONORS YOU GOD

            C. REMEMBER MY LOVE FOR YOU GOD

4. THINGS THAT SHAKE YOUR RESOLVE

            A. POPULAR OPINION

            B. PERSONAL DESIRES

            C. AFECTION FOR OTHERS

CONCLUSION: Like Nehemiah we have been called to live not only the forgiveness of God but in obedience to God.  To show respect and honor to Jesus through our actions.  Some of our actions will not be popular or may cost us.  In the end we must seek God with all our heart, mind and strength.  Then we pray the prayer of Nehemiah.  “Lord I pray I have honored you, I pray I have pleased you.”  “Lord give me peace.”

Point: We do our best to honor God, knowing that will remember it.  God will remember the sacrifices you have made.

Nehemiah 13:14   
¹⁴ Remember me for this, my God, and do not blot out what I have so faithfully done for the house of my God and its services.

Nehemiah 13:22   
²² Remember me for this also, my God, and show mercy to me according to your great love.

Nehemiah 13:29   
²⁹ Remember them, my God, because they defiled the priestly office and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites.

Nehemiah 13:31   
³¹ Remember me with favor, my God.