In Nehemiah 7 the walls of Jerusalem have been rebuilt after years and years of neglect during the exile.
Now Nehemiah has decided to return to King Artaxerxes (probably to report on progress) and needs to appoint leaders in his stead to remain and continue to lead the effort to restore the city.
Two men are selected Nehemiah’s brother and the governor of the castle. For some reason the scripture records why Nehemiah selected the governor of the castle over other men. There is no indication that Nehemiah needed to justify his decision, but he does and it works to encourage all of us on two central expectations God has always had for His servants for all of time.
First, Nehemiah says the man was faithful. Who can find a faithful man? Who can find a faithful woman? Where are the dependable people of God? Where are those who you can count on day in and day out?
Merriam-Webster defines faithful like this: “firm in adherence to promises or in observance of duty.”[1]
Are you faithful to your duties and responsibilities in the House of the Lord, in the city God has placed you to live? Would Nehemiah see you and describe you as a faithful person?
Second, Nehemiah says the man feared God more than many. Do you fear God? Is there any indication that you are concerned with standing before God some day to account for your life? Or have you bought into the lie that Christians have nothing to fear about the Judgment Seat of Christ?
Do you order your life in a particular way and made decisions based on the reality that there is a Sovereign God for whom you will give an account one day? Or have you decided you don’t have to sell out to God?
King Solomon declared that the whole duty of all human beings could be summed up with this one verse.
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man (Eccles 12:3).
We all struggle from day to day but Nehemiah encourages me to keep a healthy fear of who God is and be faithful till God calls me home.
How about you?
[1] Inc Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary., 10th ed. (Springfield, Mass., U.S.A.: Merriam-Webster, 1996).
My Understanding of the "Freewill" of Man
For the sake of succinctness, addressing man as a person and creature is both biblical and helpful in this discussion. We (representing the pastors at Berean) believe the personal freedom that God gives mankind is perhaps the most difficult concept for humans to understand when one attempts to reconcile man’s freedom with God’s sovereignty.
The complexity of man, as the only being on the planet made in God’s image, is conceivably most seen in the fact that man is both a person and a created being.
As a person, he is capable of making choices (Josh 24:15), setting goals, accomplishing objectives, searching the Scriptures (John 5.39), choosing God (with God’s grace), hardening his heart, rebelling against or worshipping God (or idols) and coming to Jesus (Matt 11:28).
As a creature, man is clay completely dependent on God, the potter, for the air he breathes and the life he has (Job 12:10; Romans 9; Col 1:15, James 4:15); and when he is converted he becomes a new creature (2 Cor 5:17). We believe that the Bible addresses man, the person, with a duty and capacity to respond to compelling invitations (Luke 14:23; Matt 11:28-30; 22:8; Rev 22:17); preaching and persuasion (Mark 16:15-16; 2 Cor 5:14); commandments to love, serve and repent (Matt 4:10; Mark 12:30; Acts 17:30); and conviction from the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:37). We also believe the Bible addresses man, the created being, with a complete inability to seek God (John 6:44; Rom 3:11), repent unless God grants it (Acts 11:18), confess that Jesus is the Christ unless the Father reveals it (Matt 16:16-17), nor come to Jesus but for the Father’s drawing him (John 6:44). Moreover, we believe this total inability will not remove man’s responsibility and accountability for his failure to obey the Gospel at the final judgment (2 Thess 1:8).
The complexity of man, as the only being on the planet made in God’s image, is conceivably most seen in the fact that man is both a person and a created being.
As a person, he is capable of making choices (Josh 24:15), setting goals, accomplishing objectives, searching the Scriptures (John 5.39), choosing God (with God’s grace), hardening his heart, rebelling against or worshipping God (or idols) and coming to Jesus (Matt 11:28).
As a creature, man is clay completely dependent on God, the potter, for the air he breathes and the life he has (Job 12:10; Romans 9; Col 1:15, James 4:15); and when he is converted he becomes a new creature (2 Cor 5:17). We believe that the Bible addresses man, the person, with a duty and capacity to respond to compelling invitations (Luke 14:23; Matt 11:28-30; 22:8; Rev 22:17); preaching and persuasion (Mark 16:15-16; 2 Cor 5:14); commandments to love, serve and repent (Matt 4:10; Mark 12:30; Acts 17:30); and conviction from the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:37). We also believe the Bible addresses man, the created being, with a complete inability to seek God (John 6:44; Rom 3:11), repent unless God grants it (Acts 11:18), confess that Jesus is the Christ unless the Father reveals it (Matt 16:16-17), nor come to Jesus but for the Father’s drawing him (John 6:44). Moreover, we believe this total inability will not remove man’s responsibility and accountability for his failure to obey the Gospel at the final judgment (2 Thess 1:8).
Learning from Jim Elliot
God is breaking my heart and showing me what it means to love Him through Shadow of the Almighty by Elisabeth Elliot. This morning I read for 90 minutes straight as found myself hearing from God. If are not familiar with the story of the missionary martyr Jim Elliot let me encourage you to pour into one of the many works about his life.
This one is a compilation of journal entries and letters to his future wife and family back home; it is packed with who Jim Elliot was as servant of God committed to be bringing the gospel to the remotest regions of South America.
Over and over again I find myself in tears as I consider what Jim experienced for our Savior and His love for our Lord, as it drove him to make sacrifices beyond my comprehension.
Over and over, I am reminded of the necessity of the grace of God and the reality that this is His church and He will build it as He sees fit. I must rest in Him and Him alone. Dear, God help me to learn from men like Jim Elliot.
Elliot reminded me that it is God who opens the heart of man to hear the gospel. Elliot reminded me of the necessity to pray for the harvest. Elliot reminded me that it is not about numbers but individuals. Elliot reminded me that I am blessed beyond the comprehension of billions of people across the planet and that is all because of God's grace in my life.
Elliot reminded me that my little problems are nothing in the hands of Almighty God.
Once again, I am reminded of the value of reading Christian biographies in the life of the believer.
This one is a compilation of journal entries and letters to his future wife and family back home; it is packed with who Jim Elliot was as servant of God committed to be bringing the gospel to the remotest regions of South America.
Over and over again I find myself in tears as I consider what Jim experienced for our Savior and His love for our Lord, as it drove him to make sacrifices beyond my comprehension.
Over and over, I am reminded of the necessity of the grace of God and the reality that this is His church and He will build it as He sees fit. I must rest in Him and Him alone. Dear, God help me to learn from men like Jim Elliot.
Elliot reminded me that it is God who opens the heart of man to hear the gospel. Elliot reminded me of the necessity to pray for the harvest. Elliot reminded me that it is not about numbers but individuals. Elliot reminded me that I am blessed beyond the comprehension of billions of people across the planet and that is all because of God's grace in my life.
Elliot reminded me that my little problems are nothing in the hands of Almighty God.
Once again, I am reminded of the value of reading Christian biographies in the life of the believer.
2010 Mission's Conference
The 2010 Mission’s Conference was excellent this year with what could only be described as a sweet spirit.
The speakers were superb; each in their own way communicated their heart for the Lord and His Church. Each message seemed to be used by God to speak to us on the importance of supporting these global partners. The material needs that they expressed they desired: tires, a laptop, planes tickets, running shoes, a GPS and much, much more was easily met by the generosity of God’s people. The Lord blessed and $2000 extra was given to deposit into a 15-pax van fund, as seed money, for the Divakars, missionaries to Australia. We ate Saturday night until we couldn’t eat another bite at the International Potluck Dinner. Brother Yamazaki blessed our heart night after night with his incredible giftedness to play the flute. Gerald and Mary Branch pierced our hearts with their commitment to the people of Mexico for 25 years of continuous service on the mission field—they are to be honored. Henry Benach challenged us to think about the importance of taking the gospel to lost Jews who are depending upon their good works or lineage to Abraham for their eventual salvation. David Divakar opened the Scripture from Acts 17 and poured through each verse and related it to the Hindu culture of the 21st century. We fell in love with his two sons and wished they didn’t have to leave after only a day at the Academy. From Matthew 6, brother Branch closed the conference with a challenge to seek God first in every aspect of our lives. The days flew by and before we wanted it to end, it was over.
And, Steve Rahn visited twice via a video upload to share his heart about starting a church in Brockton, MA.
Thank you for your positive emails to me—now let me encourage you to leave a comment here for all to see on how God spoke to you during the conference.
The speakers were superb; each in their own way communicated their heart for the Lord and His Church. Each message seemed to be used by God to speak to us on the importance of supporting these global partners. The material needs that they expressed they desired: tires, a laptop, planes tickets, running shoes, a GPS and much, much more was easily met by the generosity of God’s people. The Lord blessed and $2000 extra was given to deposit into a 15-pax van fund, as seed money, for the Divakars, missionaries to Australia. We ate Saturday night until we couldn’t eat another bite at the International Potluck Dinner. Brother Yamazaki blessed our heart night after night with his incredible giftedness to play the flute. Gerald and Mary Branch pierced our hearts with their commitment to the people of Mexico for 25 years of continuous service on the mission field—they are to be honored. Henry Benach challenged us to think about the importance of taking the gospel to lost Jews who are depending upon their good works or lineage to Abraham for their eventual salvation. David Divakar opened the Scripture from Acts 17 and poured through each verse and related it to the Hindu culture of the 21st century. We fell in love with his two sons and wished they didn’t have to leave after only a day at the Academy. From Matthew 6, brother Branch closed the conference with a challenge to seek God first in every aspect of our lives. The days flew by and before we wanted it to end, it was over.
And, Steve Rahn visited twice via a video upload to share his heart about starting a church in Brockton, MA.
Thank you for your positive emails to me—now let me encourage you to leave a comment here for all to see on how God spoke to you during the conference.
Been Busy
I haven't posted anything on the blog recently because I have been so busy with a new webpage on the church website call Contemporary Issues.
Check it out www.bbcfnc.org/contemporary-issues.php
We, the pastors, are trying to tackle tough issues from a biblical perspective.
If you have an issue you would like tackled send me an email and I will add it to the list.
Sean
Check it out www.bbcfnc.org/contemporary-issues.php
We, the pastors, are trying to tackle tough issues from a biblical perspective.
If you have an issue you would like tackled send me an email and I will add it to the list.
Sean
God's Unlimited Invisible Influence
Genesis 39: 20-23
And Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison. 21 But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. 23 The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph's charge, because the Lord was with him. And whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed.
After serving for Potiphar for some time in a God glorifying way, Joseph was unjustly thrown into jail under a false accusation and without a trial by a jury of his peers. Joseph got a bum rap and found himself in prison with no lawyer or hope of release.
BUT the Bible says “the Lord was with him”—those are glorious words! He who has promised never to leave or forsake me was with Joseph even in prison. I need to know that. I need to be reminded that the Lord will be with me in prison regardless of whether I am guilty or innocent. His presence with me is not conditional or geographically limited.
BUT there is more: The Lord showed Joseph steadfast love. In prison, and far from family and friends, Joseph experienced the love of God.
BUT not just love, the Lord gave Joseph favor in the eyes of the prison guards. The Sovereign God of the universe intervened in an individual manner, on behalf of Joseph, such that, the man in charge of the prison noticed Joseph and thought well of him. Who gave him that thought? Where did that trust come from? Who motivated him to think this way? Genesis 39:21 clearly indicated that it was the Lord who was behind all this on behalf of Joseph. Then we think “Wow! Could God do all that?”
BUT there is more: To top it all off, look at the end of verse 23: the Bible says that whatever Joseph did, the Lord made it succeed. Now that is one powerful phrase. Joseph was so in tune with what God was doing and God was so using Joseph that whatever Joseph did it was something that the Lord made successful.
Now remember all this is to the glory of God because Joseph is not getting richer in prison; his lifestyle is not changing; his bank account is not growing larger and Joseph, at this point, has no idea why he has been brought to Egypt and thrown in jail.
BUT remember in the end it was not about Joseph (or me); it was, is and will always be about the Lord and His glory!
And Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison. 21 But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. 23 The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph's charge, because the Lord was with him. And whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed.
After serving for Potiphar for some time in a God glorifying way, Joseph was unjustly thrown into jail under a false accusation and without a trial by a jury of his peers. Joseph got a bum rap and found himself in prison with no lawyer or hope of release.
BUT the Bible says “the Lord was with him”—those are glorious words! He who has promised never to leave or forsake me was with Joseph even in prison. I need to know that. I need to be reminded that the Lord will be with me in prison regardless of whether I am guilty or innocent. His presence with me is not conditional or geographically limited.
BUT there is more: The Lord showed Joseph steadfast love. In prison, and far from family and friends, Joseph experienced the love of God.
BUT not just love, the Lord gave Joseph favor in the eyes of the prison guards. The Sovereign God of the universe intervened in an individual manner, on behalf of Joseph, such that, the man in charge of the prison noticed Joseph and thought well of him. Who gave him that thought? Where did that trust come from? Who motivated him to think this way? Genesis 39:21 clearly indicated that it was the Lord who was behind all this on behalf of Joseph. Then we think “Wow! Could God do all that?”
BUT there is more: To top it all off, look at the end of verse 23: the Bible says that whatever Joseph did, the Lord made it succeed. Now that is one powerful phrase. Joseph was so in tune with what God was doing and God was so using Joseph that whatever Joseph did it was something that the Lord made successful.
Now remember all this is to the glory of God because Joseph is not getting richer in prison; his lifestyle is not changing; his bank account is not growing larger and Joseph, at this point, has no idea why he has been brought to Egypt and thrown in jail.
BUT remember in the end it was not about Joseph (or me); it was, is and will always be about the Lord and His glory!
King David's View of God and Sin from Psalm 38
King David is one of the primary writers of many of the Psalms in the Bible, and he is described as the only man in the Bible as a "man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22)." What was it about David that made him a man after God’s own heart? Perhaps David’s high view of God’s holiness and hatred for sin contributed to being such a man.
From Psalm 38 we see that sin or iniquity really bothers David. When David sinned, he was NOT ok with it. He was troubled. It troubled him. He asks God not to rebuke him in His hot anger. This certainly doesn’t sound like the “Santa Claus” all loving, non-judgmental god so many people create for the god they prefer to describe as their god.
David says his sin is like a heavy burden to him that he carries on his back—weighing him down. He needs relief. He needs the burden removed.
Before the Lord he bows in reverence, seeking forgiveness in a prostrate configuration that shows respect (vs. 6). In vs. 18, he confesses his iniquity and is sorry for his sin. This sounds so much like repentance that is absent from the gospel being preached in most churches who water down repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus to a pray one prays and never thinks about it again.
Finally, he closes the Psalm with a confession that he needs God. It is not God that needs David. It is David that needs God; he needs his forgiveness, mercy, grace, and very presence in his time of need. He asks God not to be far from him, and he acknowledges that God is His salvation. David would agree that God is the gospel!
From Psalm 38 we see that sin or iniquity really bothers David. When David sinned, he was NOT ok with it. He was troubled. It troubled him. He asks God not to rebuke him in His hot anger. This certainly doesn’t sound like the “Santa Claus” all loving, non-judgmental god so many people create for the god they prefer to describe as their god.
David says his sin is like a heavy burden to him that he carries on his back—weighing him down. He needs relief. He needs the burden removed.
Before the Lord he bows in reverence, seeking forgiveness in a prostrate configuration that shows respect (vs. 6). In vs. 18, he confesses his iniquity and is sorry for his sin. This sounds so much like repentance that is absent from the gospel being preached in most churches who water down repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus to a pray one prays and never thinks about it again.
Finally, he closes the Psalm with a confession that he needs God. It is not God that needs David. It is David that needs God; he needs his forgiveness, mercy, grace, and very presence in his time of need. He asks God not to be far from him, and he acknowledges that God is His salvation. David would agree that God is the gospel!
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