Rebuilding the Walsl
Beginning of Rebuilding
• Ezra– Rebuild the temple / heart– “You are the temple” – 1 Cor 3:16,
6:19
Beginning of Rebuilding
• Nehemiah– Rebuild walls of protection• We are vulnerable without walls
Beginning of Rebuilding
• “. . . going in and going out” – Deut 28• Walls – keep in / keep out• Walls of salvation; gates of praise
– “Enter with thanksgiving in your heart; his courts with praise”
• Thoughts, emotions and will
Facing Distractions
• Distract – take attention from “your” project–Weary– Compromise• Intermarry• Tempted to serve other gods
Facing Distractions
• The world becomes friends– Cyrus, Artaxerxes and Darius–Mindful of their own interests (Luke
16:8)
Facing Distractions
• The religious become enemies– Sanballat and the Pharisees– Defensive of their errors
Walls of Salvation
• Respect God– Offer defiled sacrifices (Ro 12:1)
• Respect all vows– Violate the ones we are to protect
Walls of Salvation
• Respect God’s love–Withhold ourselves from God and
others
• Respect serving God– “What’s the point?”
God’s Story
• God is reconnecting with Judah• Moving toward the heart
Their Story
• Drawing toward the “dark side”• Vulnerable without walls• Challenged to live righteously
Our Story
• Salvation changes the heart• There will always be opposition!• Put up “walls of salvation”• We need vision – see where God is
going