Don McClain 1 W. 65th St church of Christ / April 27,2007

Almost 100 yrs. after the remnant returned from Babylonian exile (444 BC).  Nehemiah sent to Jerusalem by Artaxerxes – (Chapter 2:1-10)  The walls of Jerusalem rebuilt – (Chapters 2:11-7:3)  Ezra reads the law – (Chapter 8)  The people confess their sins – (Chapter 9)  The people separate from the people of the lands and commit to following God’s Law – (Chapter 10-13:3)  Nehemiah, on his return to Jerusalem, reforms the irregularities that had broken out during his absence. – (Chapter 13:4-31) Don McClain 2 W. 65th St church of Christ / April 27,2007

 The expulsion of Tobiah – (13:4-9)  Restored service to the House of God – (13:10-14)  Restored the observance of the Sabbath – (13:15-22)  Punished and charged those who had married pagan women – (13:23-29)  Cleansed Jerusalem of everything Pagan – (13:30,31) Don McClain 3 W. 65th St church of Christ / April 27,2007

 Eliashib, a priest, had allied himself with an enemy of God – Tobiah the Ammonite - (4, 2:10,19; 4:3,7;6:1)  Eliashib had provided Tobiah a place to stay connected with the temple – (5-7)  This grieved Nehemiah greatly – he threw out Tobiah - cleansed the rooms & restored their proper use – (8-13) Don McClain 4 W. 65th St church of Christ / April 27,2007

 The devil’s plan to infiltrate the people of God with our enemies is NOT new! - (2 Cor 11:13-15; 2 Peter 2:1)  We ARE NOT to use that which is sacred to house that which is not – (John 2:13-16; Mat 21:13)  Worldliness must be put away and worldly people must be put out – (Rom 16:17,18 ; 1 Cor 5:11; 2 Thes 3:6) Don McClain 5 W. 65th St church of Christ / April 27,2007

 Many Levites had left their post and went back to their fields - (10)  They had thus forsaken the House of God – (11)  Nehemiah restored the prescribed offices that the temple services may be properly carried out – (12-14) Don McClain 6 W. 65th St church of Christ / April 27,2007

 Too many Christians have left their post - (Preachers, elders, deacons, song leaders, Bible class teachers, workers, 1 Pet 2:5)  More than “buildings” are being forsaken – (Assembling, teaching, evangelizing, serving,...)  These need to be restored as in the N.T. Don McClain 7 W. 65th St church of Christ / April 27,2007

 The people were forsaking the Sabbath to make money - (15,16)  Nehemiah rebukes the nobles for “profaning” the Sabbath and warns them that their actions would “bring added wrath on Israel” – (17,18)  Nehemiah restores the Sabbath – (19-22) Don McClain 8 W. 65th St church of Christ / April 27,2007

 What about Christians who forsake the assembly of the church to make money?- (Heb 10:24,25; Acts 20:7)  If worldliness is your aim – be warned – (Mat 6:24; James 4:4; 2 Thes 1:7-9)  We need to restore New Testament worship – (John 4:24; Psalms 50:23) Don McClain 9 W. 65th St church of Christ / April 27,2007

 The children of Israel had intermarried with the Philistines, Ammonites & Moabites - (23)  Thus, some of their children could not speak the language of Judah – (24)  Nehemiah “struck them and pulled out their hair” for they had done “a great evil” – (25-27) Don McClain 10 W. 65th St church of Christ / April 27,2007

 Eliashib’s grandson had married a daughter of Sanballat – thus Nehemiah put him out – (28)  Nehemiah pleads with God to remember him for correcting those who had defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood – (29) Don McClain 11 W. 65th St church of Christ / April 27,2007

 We are not to be yoked together with unbelievers [note – it is NOT a sin, in and of itself, to be married to an unbeliever] - (2 Cor 6:14-7:1; 1 Cor. 7:12-16)  How can a Christian rationally justify marrying someone who is not?  What dangers do their children face? – (Eph 6:1-4) Don McClain 12 W. 65th St church of Christ / April 27,2007

 Speaking the world’s language - ( Eph 5:4-7 )  Speaking in the language of denominationalism – ( Mat 15:7-9; Titus 1:14 )  Religious titles –  “The church of Christ teaches...”  The term “Fellowship” – ( Halls; social meals, recreational activities, etc.) Don McClain 13 W. 65th St church of Christ / April 27,2007

 Speaking the world’s language - ( Eph 5:4-7 )  Speaking in the language of denominationalism – ( Mat 15:7-9; Titus 1:14 )  Today, more & more Christians do not (cannot) speak as the oracles of God because they have mingled with those in error!! – (1 Peter 4:11; 1 Tim 1:4) Don McClain 14 W. 65th St church of Christ / April 27,2007

1 Timothy 6:3 (NKJV) 3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, Don McClain 15 W. 65th St church of Christ / April 27,2007

Titus 2:8 (NKJV) 8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you. Don McClain 16 W. 65th St church of Christ / April 27,2007

 The expulsion of Tobiah – (13:4-9)  Restored service to the House of God – (13:10-14)  Restored the observance of the Sabbath – (13:15-22)  Punished and charged those who had married pagan women – (13:23-29)  Cleansed Jerusalem of everything Pagan – (13:30,31) Don McClain 17 W. 65th St church of Christ / April 27,2007

Nehemiah 13:30-31 (NKJV) 30 Thus I cleansed them of everything pagan. I also assigned duties to the priests and the Levites, each to his service, 31 and to bringing the wood offering and the firstfruits at appointed times. Remember me, O my God, for good! Don McClain 18 W. 65th St church of Christ / April 27,2007

Don McClain 19 W. 65th St church of Christ / April 27,2007