Nehemiah Materials for Ascension Presbyterian Church Small-Community Groups

Nehemiah Materials for Ascension Presbyterian Church Small Community Groups

In anticipation of Pastor Nate Hitchcock's Sermons at Ascension Presbyterian Church Fall 2011 – Winter 2012 The following pages have portions of the text of Nehemiah (English Standard Version - ESV) along with some stimulating questions and background information prepared by Barry McWilliams. Because the various Small Community Groups are meeting every other week, some of the pages will have text and materials for the following two weeks.

They are not intended for a detailed study of the texts, but to introduce the texts in anticipation of hearing the Word proclaimed at Ascension Presbyterian Church.

Following these pages are some additional materials, including A Chart of the Historical Background of Ezra-Nehemiah which is hot linked to numerous Wikipedia pages on the Kings, Kingdoms, Bible Books, etc.; A Diagram of the Themes of Ezra-Nehemiah: God's good hand restores His Covenant People; A Bibliography of further reading, including popular studies, commentaries, and web study resources found on the internet, also hotlinked.

Sermons are available to be listened to, or downloaded in mp3 format on Ascension's Audio Web site on pages 19 and 18.

Nehemiah 1:1-11

Sermon 1: Nehemiah 1:1-4 "First Things First" Where are we in God's Story? Who was Nehemiah? What can we learn from this account?

Nehemiah 2:1-11

Sermon 2: Nehemiah 1:5-2:9 "The Walk of Faith" God will provide the man. God's work begins on our knees. God calls you to walk in faith.
Sermon 3: Nehemiah 2:10-20 "The Nuts and Bolts of God's Work" God's Work begins with God; requires a God centered vision; prayerful planning; and both risk and faith.

Nehemiah 3:1-32

Sermon 4: Nehemiah 3 "Profiles of God's Work" God's Work needs Everybody - From leaders like Eliashib the High Priest and Malchijah Son of Rechab to the common people of Tekoa; from men like Uzziel, a goldsmith, and Hannaniah, a perfumer; to town officials like Rephaiah and Shallum and his daughters; even repentant sinners like Malchijah, Son of Harim - to willing humble themselves and shoulder the tasks of building.

Nehemiah 4:1-5:15

Sermon 5: Nehemiah 4 "When You Hit A Wall" God's work can expect opposition, which God's people must meet with both prayer and preparations - because God's work is God's work.
Sermon 6: Nehemiah 5 "The Threat Within" God's Work must proclaim and live mercy and grace.

Nehemiah 6:1-7:4

Sermon 7: Nehemiah 6 "Know Your Enemy" Know the enemy of God's work uses distraction, slander and rationalizes sin, but God's Work will prevail.

Nehemiah 7:1-73 and 11:1-12:26

Sermon 8: Nehemiah 7:1-73 (the problem) and 11:1-46 (the solution). "Location, Location, Location" God has the right to direct your steps. Remember what God has done, is doing, and will do.

Nehemiah 7:73b-8:18:

Sermon 9: Nehemiah 8:1-12 "God Has Spoken" When God speaks, we must listen and we must be changed.
Sermon 10: Nehemiah 8:13-18 "Who Has The Right?" When God Speaks, we must respond; for God has spoken this for joy.

Nehemiah 9:1-10:39

Sermon 11: Nehemiah 9:1-37 "His Mercy is More" Pray that God's will at times will bring you low for God's grace is greater than our sin, and we can have boldness approaching Him in the midst of our brokeness.
Sermon 12: Nehemiah 9:38-10:31 "In View of God's Mercy: Part 1" In view of God's mercy, commit yourselves to obedience, being distinctive - in your marriage and relationships and in your schedule.
Sermon 13: Nehemiah 9:38; 10:32-39 "In View of God's Mercy: Part 2" In view of God's mercy, commit yourselves to His work - with a raised standard of giving of your treasure and gifts, giving what is needed and of your best.

Nehemiah 12:1-47

Sermon 14: Nehemiah 12 "Keeping the Neighbors Up" Worship is at the heart of life for God's people: its necessity, purpose, nature and witness.

Nehemiah 13:1-31

Sermon 15: Nehemiah 13 "Comfortable Compromise" Be Vigilant because the enemy never quits, nor underestinate your weakness - faithfulness must be both passionate and prayerful.

Bibliography

A Chart of Nehemiah in its Biblical / Historical Context

A Chart of The Narrative Themes of Ezra - Nehemiah

All the Questions and Charts in one pdf file