Subject – What to Do Once the Gates are in Place
by Rick Welborne
Proverbs 22:28 (NKJV)
28 Do not remove the ancient landmark Which your fathers have set.
Nehemiah 7:1-3 (NLT)
1 After the wall was finished and I had set up the doors in the gates, the gatekeepers, singers, and Levites were appointed.
2 I gave the responsibility of governing Jerusalem to my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah, the commander of the fortress, for he was a faithful man who feared God more than most.
3 I said to them, “Do not leave the gates open during the hottest part of the day. And even while the gatekeepers are on duty, have them shut and bar the doors. Appoint the residents of Jerusalem to act as guards, everyone on a regular watch. Some will serve at sentry posts and some in front of their own homes.”
1 After the wall was finished and I had set up the doors in the gates, the gatekeepers, singers, and Levites were appointed.
2 I gave the responsibility of governing Jerusalem to my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah, the commander of the fortress, for he was a faithful man who feared God more than most.
3 I said to them, “Do not leave the gates open during the hottest part of the day. And even while the gatekeepers are on duty, have them shut and bar the doors. Appoint the residents of Jerusalem to act as guards, everyone on a regular watch. Some will serve at sentry posts and some in front of their own homes.”
--A couple of weeks ago we looked at the importance of completing the wall but also making sure that the gates were in place to guard what came in or went out.
--As we stated we cannot afford to leave any opening for the enemy to come in because he will take advantage of every opportunity.
Ephesians 4:27 (NIV)
27 and do not give the devil a foothold.
27 and do not give the devil a foothold.
--The most important thing to remember about the gate or the door is that Jesus is not only the Keeper of the door or the gate, He is the Door or the Gate.
John 10:7-10 (NKJV)
7 Then Jesus said to them again, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.
9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
7 Then Jesus said to them again, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.
9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
--Nehemiah built the walls and he set up the doors in the gate…what’s next? Maybe you say I have asked Jesus to forgive and to save me…I have boundaries thru His Word and Jesus is my Door…what’s next?
1. We must keep a close eye on the Gate (on Jesus) if we will live within the boundaries in safety.
--Building a wall and installing doors is not a once and your done proposition…I believe somewhere in the Word it says for us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. It takes maintenance.
--People were appointed by Nehemiah to watch the gates around the clock…to stand on the walls and to even stand in front of their homes…now that will preach!
Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
--Here is another one of those sermons in a sermon…Realize many are watching…Realize what hinders you and get rid of it…Realize you have to run with perseverance…Realize your eyes must be on Jesus…Realize what Jesus went through so that you do not give up.
--What Nehemiah was saying was that the only way you will remain safe within the boundaries of the city is to keep your eyes focused on the gates and to make sure they are maintained and guarded.
--What the writer of Hebrews was saying was for you to maintain a consistent walk with Jesus is to keep your eyes on Him…lay aside the other junk and live in safety.
--Many Christians today want to know how much junk can we pick up and try to carry and still be a Christian?
Just how worldly can I be and still be a Christian? What else can I fix my eyes on?
--Keeping your eyes on Jesus or on the gate signifies to us that we should try to be as close to Him as we can be and to forsake the other junk. Listen, I know sin is fun…I used to be a professional at it.
--I have used hundreds of times, I’m sure, the verse that talks about Moses choosing to suffer with the children of Israel than to enjoy sin for a season. The question arises, Am I a friend of God or a friend of this world?
--What you do not realize, or you do realize and refuse to acknowledge, is that whatever seems to be so cool, so joyful, so fulfilling, so wonderful now can turn in a moment or turn gradually…almost un-noticed.
--Do you think the person who takes there first drink ever believes they will be an alcoholic some day? The person who smokes…addicted with lung cancer…marrying an unbeliever…going to church alone or not at all.
--Here’s a test for all of us today…if you could choose one thing in this life, what would it be? David says:
Psalm 27:4-14 (NKJV)
4 One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple.
5 For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.
6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.
7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
8 When You said, "Seek My face," My heart said to You, "Your face, LORD, I will seek."
9 Do not hide Your face from me; Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation.
10 When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the LORD will take care of me.
11 Teach me Your way, O LORD, And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.
12 Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; For false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence.
13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.
14 Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!
4 One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple.
5 For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.
6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.
7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
8 When You said, "Seek My face," My heart said to You, "Your face, LORD, I will seek."
9 Do not hide Your face from me; Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation.
10 When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the LORD will take care of me.
11 Teach me Your way, O LORD, And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.
12 Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; For false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence.
13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.
14 Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!
2. Once the Gate is in place, we must look to the Word of God.
Nehemiah 8:1-6 (NLT)
1 all the people assembled with a unified purpose at the square just inside the Water Gate. They asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had given for Israel to obey.
2 So on October 8 Ezra the priest brought the Book of the Law before the assembly, which included the men and women and all the children old enough to understand.
3 He faced the square just inside the Water Gate from early morning until noon and read aloud to everyone who could understand. All the people listened closely to the Book of the Law.
4 Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform that had been made for the occasion. To his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah. To his left stood Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
5 Ezra stood on the platform in full view of all the people. When they saw him open the book, they all rose to their feet.
6 Then Ezra praised the LORD, the great God, and all the people chanted, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.
1 all the people assembled with a unified purpose at the square just inside the Water Gate. They asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had given for Israel to obey.
2 So on October 8 Ezra the priest brought the Book of the Law before the assembly, which included the men and women and all the children old enough to understand.
3 He faced the square just inside the Water Gate from early morning until noon and read aloud to everyone who could understand. All the people listened closely to the Book of the Law.
4 Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform that had been made for the occasion. To his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah. To his left stood Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
5 Ezra stood on the platform in full view of all the people. When they saw him open the book, they all rose to their feet.
6 Then Ezra praised the LORD, the great God, and all the people chanted, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.
--Isn’t it amazing that the first thing that the people asked for (what they desired) after the walls were built, the gates were in place and secured, they wanted to hear the Word of God. God, what are you saying to us?
--Do we love the Word of God? A few years ago a man approached me and asked me did I realize that in that one sermon I had read 50+ Scriptures…obviously thinking that it was a little overkill.
--Because I am a man of few words, I quickly thanked him that he felt he should keep a count of how many verses I read. Because I am a man of few words I quickly told him nothing I said was more important than the Word of God I was reading!
--Because I am a man of few words, I told him that I thought this was a Christian church and that the Word of God is our book that should be read and obeyed. I also thanked him for being a future sermon illustration!
--The people of Jerusalem stood for the Word, they listened for hours to the Word, the said Amen to the Word, and they bowed down and worshiped as the Word was read…God help us love the Word.
--If you do not like biblical preaching or biblical teaching or biblical counseling do not come to us because the Word of God is our standard.
--A lady sat in my office several years ago, living in blatant sin, and I showed her the verses in the Word that told her of her sin…She said…I see what is in the Bible but I also know what God told me to do.
--Let me get this right…God told you to do something that is contrary to His Word…Yes! One of you in this situation is very wrong and I do not believe it is God…His voice never contradicts His Word.
--If you are living contrary to God’s Word, it is all on you, Honey! Don’t blame God! Sermon illustration.
--His Word is transforming and it brings peace, direction, and comfort like nothing else.
Psalm 19:7-14 (NIV)
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.
11 By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.
14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
--May we find with the psalmist the value and great worth of the Word of God. See where the Word of God led:
Nehemiah 9:2-3 (NLT)
2 Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all foreigners as they confessed their own sins and the sins of their ancestors.
3 They remained standing in place for three hours while the Book of the Law of the LORD their God was read aloud to them. Then for three more hours they confessed their sins and worshiped the LORD their God.
2 Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all foreigners as they confessed their own sins and the sins of their ancestors.
3 They remained standing in place for three hours while the Book of the Law of the LORD their God was read aloud to them. Then for three more hours they confessed their sins and worshiped the LORD their God.
Nehemiah 10:35 (NLT)
35 “We promise to bring the first part of every harvest to the LORD’s Temple year after year—whether it be a crop from the soil or from our fruit trees.
35 “We promise to bring the first part of every harvest to the LORD’s Temple year after year—whether it be a crop from the soil or from our fruit trees.
Nehemiah 10:39 (NLT)
39 …“We promise together not to neglect the Temple of our God.”
39 …“We promise together not to neglect the Temple of our God.”
3. The next priority was to invite and bring into the safe city of Jerusalem more people.
--Nehemiah came and built the wall, he restored the gates, he led the people in repentance, and he began the mission of getting people inside the gates of protection. Kind of like what Jesus told us.
Matthew 22:8-10 (NKJV)
8 Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy.
9 Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.'
10 So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests.
8 Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy.
9 Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.'
10 So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests.
--The Lord again this week has strongly laid on my heart to see us grow to one thousand plus and I truly believe the thousand is to be the core team of the church.
--We must go and compel them to come in…we catch the fish but we let God clean them.
--If every family can win a family we can easily be past one thousand in less than a year.
--Yippee, you are saved, you are in God’s Kingdom, your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, but what of those who are unsaved? We must get them in the boundaries of God’s protection.
--Here is an exciting thought…imagine 151 missionaries all around the globe and here in the US and think of all who they are leading to Christ…see how the Church is growing thru your efforts!
--Jesus said that all of those who call on the Name of the Lord will be saved…let’s give them that chance.
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