Nehemiah: Man of Vision
Main Theme:
Taking Dominion: A call to action for Christians to actively participate in establishing God’s will on earth, rather than passively waiting for divine intervention.
Key Ideas and Facts:
- The Responsibility of Dominion:
Christians are tasked with actively establishing God’s kingdom on earth.
The speaker uses the analogy of messy rooms and parental responsibility to highlight the need for personal action.
Christians should not expect God to miraculously fix the world’s problems without their involvement.
Quote: “Don’t you think do you think that it’s any different with our heavenly father. I don’t think so. It certainly may be true that he’s planning to do something about the mess that we currently have here in America and around the world today sometime in the future. That may be certainly a part of his plan. But in the meantime, he’s appointed us to be kings and priests here on earth. And he expects us to be a light and salt.”
- Learning from the Past:
The rebuilding of the temple and walls in Jerusalem by Ezra and Nehemiah serves as an example of taking dominion.
The speaker emphasizes the importance of personal spiritual renewal as a foundation for societal change.
Quote: “They first came and returned with Ezra to rebuild the temple. What’s the temple today? We’re the temple. In other words, it’s got to begin with us. It’s got to begin with us individually dealing with our lives.”
The speaker criticizes the cyclical pattern of blessings and curses in Israel’s history, urging listeners to break free from this pattern.
- Retaining Dominion:
The speaker highlights the need to not only establish Christian dominion but also to maintain it for future generations.
He contrasts the long-term thinking of the “Antichrist Edomites” with the short-sightedness of many Christians.
Quote: “We must do we must get this in our minds and the minds of our children that we must do whatever is necessary to secure and to retain it.”
The speaker draws a parallel with the early American settlers who, according to him, established a kingdom based on God’s law, lamenting its subsequent loss.
- Clarifying Misinterpretations:
The speaker addresses a theological point regarding the terms “Jew” and “Israel”.
He refutes the claim that the two terms became interchangeable after the Babylonian captivity, arguing that “Jew” always refers to the house of Judah.
He uses scriptural examples from Ezra and Nehemiah to support his argument.
Quote: “You can read Ezra and Nehemiah for yourself and see that this is true.”
- The Importance of Praise and Thanksgiving:
The speaker emphasizes the importance of genuine, heartfelt praise and thanksgiving to God.
He criticizes rote, mechanical expressions of praise, urging listeners to cultivate a spirit of constant thankfulness.
The speaker cites biblical examples and personal anecdotes to illustrate the benefits of praising God, even during difficult times.
Quote: “Now, I confess to you that that I don’t do it anywhere near as much as I used to. Not that I don’t do it at all, but I don’t do anywhere near as much as I used to. And I’m sure even then I didn’t do it as much as I should have. But I want you to know I’m determined to change that.”
- Prerequisites for Acceptable Praise:
The speaker argues that genuine praise requires submission to both God and fellow Christians.
He cites passages from Ephesians and Colossians to support this point.
He stresses the importance of reconciliation and putting others before oneself.
Quote: “Yes. In order for our praises to be acceptable to God, we must not only be submitted to God, but submitted to each other as well.”
Overall, the sermon is a call to action for Christians to actively engage in building God’s kingdom on earth. It emphasizes personal responsibility, spiritual renewal, and a commitment to maintaining dominion for future generations. The speaker also addresses a specific theological point concerning the terms “Jew” and “Israel,” highlighting the importance of proper biblical interpretation.
Taking Dominion and Rebuilding Jerusalem
The sermon on taking dominion emphasises the responsibility of Christians to actively establish God’s will on earth, rather than passively waiting for divine intervention. This message connects to the Israelites’ rebuilding of Jerusalem, highlighting the Israelites’ proactive efforts in reclaiming their land and establishing God’s presence.
The sermon draws a parallel between the Israelites taking possession of the Promised Land and the call for Christians to take dominion in the present day. Just as God expected the Israelites to actively conquer and inhabit the land He had given them, Christians are urged to take responsibility for establishing God’s kingdom on earth.
The rebuilding of the temple and the walls of Jerusalem under Ezra and Nehemiah is presented as an example of the Israelites’ commitment to this principle. They did not wait for God to miraculously restore their city; they actively worked to rebuild it, demonstrating their understanding that taking dominion requires action and effort.
The sermon emphasises the importance of Christians “rebuilding” themselves first, dealing with their own lives and becoming temples of the Holy Spirit before attempting to rebuild their families, communities, and nation. This echoes the Israelites’ prioritisation of rebuilding the temple, symbolising God’s presence, before rebuilding the city walls.
The sermon acknowledges the dangers and challenges associated with taking dominion, using the example of Jerusalem as the centre of attacks. However, it also highlights the courage and willingness of the Israelites who volunteered to live in Jerusalem, despite the risks. This is presented as an example for Christians to follow, encouraging them to be steadfast and committed in their efforts to establish God’s kingdom, even in the face of opposition.
The sermon connects the concept of taking dominion with the idea of breaking the cycle of blessing, disobedience, and curse that the Israelites experienced. The speaker expresses a desire to see Christians establish and maintain God’s dominion for generations to come, learning from the Israelites’ mistakes and ensuring that the blessings of obedience are not lost.
The rebuilding of Jerusalem serves as a historical example and a source of inspiration for the call to take dominion. The sermon encourages Christians to emulate the proactive spirit of the Israelites, understanding that establishing God’s will on earth requires action, commitment, and a willingness to face challenges.
Rebuilding as Spiritual and Physical Restoration
The speaker believes the Israelites rebuilding the temple and walls of Jerusalem represents the restoration of both spiritual and physical aspects of their lives and relationship with God.
The temple represents the individual’s spiritual state and their connection to God. The speaker uses the analogy of the temple to emphasise that Christians need to “rebuild” themselves first, focusing on their individual spiritual growth and becoming “temples of the Holy Spirit” before attempting to impact their families, communities, or nation. This echoes the Israelites’ prioritisation of rebuilding the temple before the city walls, signifying the importance of individual spiritual renewal as a foundation for broader societal transformation.
Rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem signifies taking physical control and responsibility for their land and security. The speaker highlights the importance of not waiting for God to miraculously fix the “mess” but actively working to establish God’s kingdom. He commends the Israelites for their proactive approach to rebuilding Jerusalem, demonstrating their commitment to taking possession of their land and defending it.
The rebuilding of both the temple and the walls symbolises a commitment to breaking the cycle of blessing and disobedience. The speaker expresses weariness with the recurring pattern of God blessing the Israelites, followed by their disobedience and subsequent curses. He views the rebuilding efforts as a sign of their desire to break free from this cycle and maintain God’s blessings for future generations. By rebuilding, the Israelites demonstrated a commitment to securing and retaining the blessings of obedience, a lesson the speaker believes is crucial for Christians today.
The speaker draws a strong parallel between the Israelites’ actions and the responsibility of Christians today. He emphasises that taking dominion requires not just spiritual renewal but also proactive engagement in shaping the world according to God’s will. The rebuilding of Jerusalem serves as a powerful example of this principle in action, urging Christians to emulate the Israelites’ commitment to spiritual and physical restoration.