Past decisions have present and future consequences. This is true in life, and the storylines of Scripture refuse to hide it. Scripture refuses to present us with a romantic portrait of life. Good beginnings don't guarantee happy endings. Sadly, sin often spoils the story. Case in point: the anti-climactic narrative of Nehemiah 13. Sunday we conclude our series in Nehemiah with "This Is Us." Hope you'll join us!
Want to have fun at the next party you attend? Ask two simple questions: "If you knew you were going to die one year from today, what would you do and how would you want to be remembered?" Now you may not be invited back to future parties, but hopefully those questions will lead to life reflection and reassessment. How about you? How would you respond? Nehemiah 11 and 12 take us there this Sunday. Join us for "We Live for the Lord"!
In all negotiations and considerations, there comes a time when we either commit ourselves or walk away - or possibly admit that we are simply along for the ride and have no interest at all in making a commitment. Having confessed their disobedience to God, the people of Israel commit themselves - by signing their names to a written covenant - to obey God's laws. In doing so, they set themselves apart from the world to the service of God. There is much for us to learn as we return to our series from Nehemiah this Sunday. We look at chapter ten, "The Signing of a Covenant".
What if God were on Facebook? What would His page look like? And what if He approached His profile the way most of us do? Would His name be listed as "Almighty God"? "The Deity"? "I AM WHO I AM"? Relationship status: "Triune and eternally delightful"? Photos: "None available" (see the 2nd commandment). Nehemiah 9 is all about God. He's the main subject - who He is, what He does for His people, and what His people must do for Him. Sunday we dive into "Encountering God." Come join us!
In 1739, Benjamin Franklin met British evangelist George Whitfield in Philadelphia. Despite rejecting the evangelist's message, Franklin couldn't deny the change it had on the "half beasts and half devils" it came into contact with. He wrote, "It was wonderful to see the change soon made in the manners of our inhabitants . . . One could not walk thro' the town in an evening without hearing psalms sung in different families of every street." Revival! God poured out His Spirit and shook the people of Philadelphia, like he did in Jerusalem during Nehemiah's day! Join us Sundayfor "When God Breaks In!"
Rev. Dr. Stacey Cox
A Gathered People
In our study of Nehemiah, we find ourselves in a good but incomplete spot in Jerusalem. Ezra 6 tells us there was a completed Temple. Under Nehemiah's leadership, the walls and gates have been restored - to the chagrin of the enemy. But Nehemiah's work wasn't finished. Jerusalem is missing the critical component of the restoration project: people! What a picture we have this week of God's heart to gather a people to Himself to live under His reign and blessings. Join us!
Rev. Dr. Stacey Cox
Know Your Enemies
A man was riding a bus in Boston. It was full of office workers, students, and shoppers. When it approached a stop, two men and women climbed in. The seasoned driver immediately bellowed, "Everybody watch your valuables. There are pickpockets on board!" It's helpful to know one's enemies. The Bible is clear believers must fight three enemies as well...but ours are invisible. We'll meet those enemies Sunday in our study of Nehemiah. Hope you'll join us!
In Nehemiah 5, we are given two contrasting examples of behavior and a quality of the heart that is linked to both. In the first example, that of the people of Israel, this quality of heart is absent. In the second example, that of Nehemiah, the same quality is present. This quality is so essential to our conduct that it has been termed "the soul of godliness." Join us Sunday for "Walking Before the Face of God."
It's been a particularly challenging flu season. According to health officials, the flu this year has been worse than any other over the last decade. People with the flu often battle a variety of symptoms: headache, congestion, and the like. There's another disease that manifests similar symptoms, but not in the body; they show up in the heart and soul. It's discouragement. Unlike the flu, discouragement is a disease that's universal to human beings - eventually everyone gets it. Sunday we'll look at handling this ensnaring condition. Join us!
If you've been a follower of Jesus long enough, you know that God likes to hide things. He'll hide important truths in places you wouldn't normally expect to find them. (Think of the lessons He's taught you through your children, if you're a parent). Nehemiah 3 is one of those places where He's hidden spiritual treasure. At first glance, it looks like a record of the 10 gates of Jerusalem, and those who helped to rebuild them. Yet, dig a little deeper and the chapter is filled with striking spiritual realities for God's people and Christ's church. Join us Sunday for "God's Left-Handed Power"!
The Super Bowl is around the corner. Typically it takes a great quarterback to lead a team to the big game. If you were asked to give an example of a 'real quarterback,' who comes to mind? Maybe Terry Bradshaw (if you're 45 and older). Hard to deny Tom Brady or Peyton Manning.
Any of these men provide a picture of successful quarterbacking in the NFL. Nehemiah provides us a picture of real faith. Chapter 2 of his story puts on display what it means to walk, live, and work by faith. Join us Sunday for "Faith in Action"!
When you were a teenager you dreamed of the day when you could move out and move on. Oh, the liberation to be free from your father's oversight! Finally the day came; freedom! What you didn't anticipate were the cares and responsibilities that joined the much awaited 'liberation.' Being a child in your father's house wasn't so bad after all. Relying upon your father for all your needs (and many wants) was more liberating than you realized. Do you have a care-full heart today? There's a cure that's closer than you think. Join us Sunday for "The Cure for Care".
A new year is about starting over. It's a chance to try new things and trust God more, wipe the slate clean and begin anew. The calendar flips and off we go! The book of Nehemiah is about starting over as well. It's a powerful story of rebuilding, renewing faith, and overcoming poor decisions. It's about finding God in surprising places and being found by God in surprising places. It's where we are headed next at Westminster. Sunday we kickoff Nehemiah: With the Help of Our God. Hope you will join us!