Growing in Sanctification and Holiness in Secular World Nehemiah 13:1-14

Growing in sanctification and holiness by: Hearing and obeying God’s Word Separating from worldly influences Keeping the church pure and holy Giving to the Lord’s work

Nehemiah 13:1-14 13:1 – “On that day they read from the Book of Moses in the hearing of the people. And in it was found written that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God,” 13:2 – “for they did not meet the people of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them – yet our God turned the curse into a blessing.” 13:3 – “As soon as the people heard the law, they separated from Israel all those of foreign descent.”

Nehemiah 13:1-14 13:4 – “Now before this, Eliashib the priest, who was appointed over the chambers of the house of our God, and who was related to Tobiah,” 13:5 – “prepared for Tobiah a large chamber where they had previously put the grain offering, the frankincense, the vessels, and the tithes of grain, wine, and oil, which were given by commandment to the Levites, singers, and gatekeepers, and the contributions for the priests.” 13:6 – “While this was taking place, I was not in Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I went to the king. And after some time asked leave of the king”

Nehemiah 13:1-14 13:7 – “and came to Jerusalem, and I then discovered the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiah, preparing for him a chamber in the courts of the house of God.” 13:8 – “And I was very angry, and I threw all the household furniture of Tobiah out of the chamber.” 13:9 – “Then I gave orders , and they cleansed the chambers, and I brought back the vessels of the house of God, with the grain offering and the frankincense.”

Nehemiah 13:1-14 13:10 – “I also found out that the portions of the Levites had not been given to them, so that the Levites and the singers , who did the work, had fled each to his field.” 13:11 – “so I confronted the officials and said, “Why is the house of God forsaken?” and I gathered them together and set them in their stations.” 13:12 – Then all Judah brought the tithe of the grain, wine, and oil into the storehouses.”

Nehemiah 13:1-14 13:13 – “And I appointed as treasurers over the storehouses Shelemaih the priest, Zadok the scribe, and Pedaiah of the Levites, and as their assistant Hanan the son of Zaccur, son of Mattaniah, for they were considered reliable, and their duty was to distribute to the brothers.” 13:14 – “Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds which I have done for the house of my God and for his service.”

Believers Grow in Sanctification and Holiness by Hearing and Obeying God’s Word Verse 1, verse 3 Nehemiah, after 12 years as governor in Jerusalem, returned to Persia. Verse 6 – after some time, Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem Verse 3 – as soon as the people heard the law, they…. TOOK ACTION

Believers Grow in Sanctification and Holiness by Hearing and Obeying God’s Word 4 times in Nehemiah God’s Word had an effect on the people 8:1-6, 8:13-17, 9:3, 13:3 Each time God’s Word did two things: Identify a problem area – sin, ungodly influence, something not pleasing to God. Led to people taking corrective action – conviction of sin and repentance God’s Word (the Law) is like a mirror Shows us God’s holiness Shows us our sinfulness Let God’s Word work in your life

Believers Grow in Sanctification and Holiness by Separating from Worldly Influences Verses 1-3 Ammonites and Moabites had entered God’s assembly Deuteronomy 23:3-6 forbid this Moabites didn’t give Israelites bread and water – Numbers 22-24 Examples of OT foreigners included in Israel Rahab Ruth – a Moabite Believers could be included Is there an Ammonite or Moabite in your Christian life?

Believers Grow in Sanctification and Holiness when the Church Stays Pure and Holy. Verses 4-9 Tobiah was living in the house of God He was an Ammonite He had opposed Nehemiah’s work on rebuilding the walls and Jerusalem His influence was spreading to other chambers (rooms, people) in God’s house Verse 8 – Nehemiah becomes angry and throws Tobiah and his furniture out

Believers Grow in Sanctification and Holiness When the Church Stays Pure and Holy Oswald Chambers – “Today the world has taken so many things out of the church, and the church has taken so many things out of the world, it is difficult to know where you are.” Vance Hafner – “Today the world has so infiltrated the church, that we are more beset by traitors within than foes without. Satan is not fighting churches – he is joining them!!! Sometimes preaching is not enough

Believers Grow in Sanctification and Holiness by Giving to God’s Work Verses 10-14 The people stopped giving, so those who worked in the house of God had to stop serving and work in fields Believers give to the Lord Time, labor, money, energy, using spiritual gifts When believes don’t support God’s work, God’s work is hindered When believers support God’s work, God’s work grows and increases

Conclusion Grow in sanctification and holiness: Read, hear, follow God’s Word Separate from those influences that draw us away from God Keep the church pure and free from worldly influences Giving to the Lord’s Work