Grace Bible Church
Pastor Teacher
Robert R. McLaughlin
Wednesday February 28, 2018
Pastor Rick Bettez
The walls & gates noted in Nehemiah are very symbolic for the Bels soul structure. The Bels life & spiritual walk in the PPOG are reflected in that picture of Jerusalem broken down & then built back up.
Nehemiah shows 3 qualities (compassion, respect for authority, commitment) that are the result of spiritual growth that allows a Bel to rest in the power & grace of God.
When we are focused on self, overly concerned on working or keeping up with the cosmic system, we lack real peace & contentment in our life. Our relationship with God suffers, followed by human relationships failing.
1Cor 12:26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
This is the heart of Christ!
Neh 1:4 When I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
Nehemiah is genuine in his emotional response and it is a godly response.
Joh 11:33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled,
Joh 11:35 Jesus wept.
Emotions should be allowed to run their course without interfering in the Bels future plans or daily walk.
Nehemiah is going to God in prayer, with the right intent and tenacity as well as accepting the fact that sin has brought about this tragedy, not God! Nehemiah also includes himself in the failure.
Following protocol is the ability to think clearly, apply what you have learned and submit to the authority you are under. Ultimately you are submitting to God.
Rom 13:2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.
Struggling against authority is assurance that the Bel will also struggle with the PPOG.
Neh 1:7 “We have acted very corruptly against You and have not kept the commandments (doctrines), nor the statutes, nor the ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses.
Neh 1:8 Remember the word which You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful I will scatter you among the peoples;
Bels who get angry with God for following through on His words & promises are immature and destined for discipline.
Gal 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.
Ignoring God’s word has a consequence!
When the Bel recognizes and respects the authority of God’s word, he/she can rest in His power & grace because it was designed for us. Faith-rest becomes second nature for the growing Bel.
Neh 1:10 “They are Your servants and Your people whom You redeemed by Your great power and by Your strong hand.”
God’s power & grace is what sustains the Bel every day.
Neh 2:5 I said to the king, “If it please the king, and if your servant has found favor before you, send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it.”
Nehemiah is following protocol in the cosmic system, because that is where God has placed him at this point in history.
Nehemiah was a faithful Bel and had a history of respecting authority; therefore he was in a position to be used by God during a historic event.
Nehemiah would not only have the compassion, prayer and had followed protocol to help his country-men, he also went out and got involved in the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
The Bel must be ready to give more than lip service to their spiritual walk. Nehemiah is the example of a Bel who stayed the course, operated in virtue love, integrity & respect.
Jam 2:16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?
No Bel is justified by works, it happens at salvation (faith). We display our justified status as we apply BD in our lives. Abraham willing to sacrifice Isaac is an open display of powerful faith.
Human good is useless and stems from (OSN) arrogant complex in the soul. It appeases the flesh and often is related to good deeds toward humanity.
The Bel with faith but no spiritual growth has no divine production in their lives therefore they fail to fulfill the PPOG and add to the cosmic viewpoint about Christianity .
Jam 2:20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?
What good is a Bel who refuses to grow, apply or participate? This helps Satan’s narrative not God’s divine plan.
1Cor 4:9 For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.
Jam 2:22 You see that faith was working with his (Abraham) works, and as a result of the (divine) works, faith was perfected;
Faith applied brings forth fruit in your life.
Bel’s in the CA should be supporting doctrinal ministries with their time, talent & treasure. Bel’s in the CA should be focused on studying BD, praying, lifting up those in need. These are all divine works when accompanied by proper motivation & filling of HS.