The Bible App is completely free, with no advertising and no in-app purchases. Get the app
Birmingham City Church
Nehemiah 1: Foundations to Rebuilding
A very warm welcome to BCC! If you are hoping to find a church in Birmingham, look no further! We invite you to join us online for live worship, uplifting prayer and fresh messages. Today, we have one single service live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube, at 10:30am, with Pastor Mark as he begins our new series for 2021 called 'Rebuild'. During this series we will be exploring the book of Nehemiah. If you'd like to access our sermon notes and passages for this week, simply scroll down.
Locations & Times
Birmingham City Church
Parade, Birmingham B1 3QQ, UK
Sunday 10:30 AM
Nehemiah 1: Foundations to Rebuilding
At some point we all have to rebuild.
As we enter the book of Nehemiah, we enter a low point in the history of Israel. They are in exile, everything they had built up is broken down.
It is 440 BC, their society is in ruins.
It is 440 BC, their society is in ruins.
Rebuilding, recycling and resetting is a normal part of life.
All lives need a refresh from time to time.
All lives need a refresh from time to time.
The hardest thing about rebuilding and re-adjusting our lives is accepting the need for it.
In this first chapter of Nehemiah we learn that:
1) He cared enough to ask about Israel and how they were doing.
2) He cared enough to weep – who are you mourning for?
3) He cared enough to pray – the first response for us is to bathe our church, city and lives in prayer.
4) He cared enough to volunteer – eventually this will come for all of us.
1) He cared enough to ask about Israel and how they were doing.
2) He cared enough to weep – who are you mourning for?
3) He cared enough to pray – the first response for us is to bathe our church, city and lives in prayer.
4) He cared enough to volunteer – eventually this will come for all of us.
It is important to see that Nehemiah and Hanani were prepared to talk honestly about the situation and act – we should do the same.
In their distress they trusted God. It was a time of grace and faith.
Rebuilding may have looked harder at first, but they were about to enter into a great season.
It was to be one of the most exciting times in their history. They would see God do amazing things and they would come together stronger than the previous generations.
Rebuilding may have looked harder at first, but they were about to enter into a great season.
It was to be one of the most exciting times in their history. They would see God do amazing things and they would come together stronger than the previous generations.
The temptation to deny the need.
When Nehemiah heard about the need back home, several temptations could have come to him...
1) ‘Let’s just keep things convenient'
We could say the same but the New Testament lays out a different pattern of church.
When Nehemiah heard about the need back home, several temptations could have come to him...
1) ‘Let’s just keep things convenient'
We could say the same but the New Testament lays out a different pattern of church.
This is a picture of a connected fellowshipping church – humans need contact!
2) Nehemiah could have said ‘my current position is more useful, I will just stay in my comfort zone. I will do this bit as and when I can.’
But if he had said this he would have missed out on how God wanted to use him. He would have missed out on becoming all that he could be.
Jesus Himself chose to move from the comfort zone of heaven to be with us.
But if he had said this he would have missed out on how God wanted to use him. He would have missed out on becoming all that he could be.
Jesus Himself chose to move from the comfort zone of heaven to be with us.
3) Nehemiah could have said ‘The king will never go for this so I am not going to bother trying.’
There is always a temptation against any rebuilding to blame external factors or people for not moving forward.
You could say ‘those around you are holding you back’, but are you willing to make a plan? Listen to the wisdom of James.
There is always a temptation against any rebuilding to blame external factors or people for not moving forward.
You could say ‘those around you are holding you back’, but are you willing to make a plan? Listen to the wisdom of James.
The bottom line here is that our lives have been interrupted. Some things may be better, some things may be worse but all of us will have things that need to be rebuilt in our lives.
What have you let go?
Even if you can’t do everything right now, can you prepare yourself mentally to rebuild into your life?
Even if you can’t do everything right now, can you prepare yourself mentally to rebuild into your life?
What do you need to face?
Rebuild your personal life – come out of survival mode and into your dreams.
Rebuild your compassion – we have been locked in and focussed on ourselves. Ask God to show you your mission field.
Rebuild your church – be ready to connect and be a part of things.
Rebuild your personal life – come out of survival mode and into your dreams.
Rebuild your compassion – we have been locked in and focussed on ourselves. Ask God to show you your mission field.
Rebuild your church – be ready to connect and be a part of things.
Let’s lay the foundation now to rebuild our hearts and lives firmly on what God is calling us to.
God is still looking for people who care. People who care enough to ask for the facts and weep over the needs.
Pray for God’s help and then volunteer to get things done.
God is still looking for people who care. People who care enough to ask for the facts and weep over the needs.
Pray for God’s help and then volunteer to get things done.
Zoom Coffee Link
Join us for a coffee via Zoom after the service! It would be great to see you all. Just click the link and join in:
http://bit.ly/BCC-Coffee-271220