Rebuilding the Walsl

Beginning of Rebuilding

• Ezra– Rebuild the temple / heart– “You are the temple” – 1 Cor 3:16,

6:19

Beginning of Rebuilding

• Nehemiah– Rebuild walls of protection• We are vulnerable without walls

Beginning of Rebuilding

• “. . . going in and going out” – Deut 28• Walls – keep in / keep out• Walls of salvation; gates of praise

– “Enter with thanksgiving in your heart; his courts with praise”

• Thoughts, emotions and will

Facing Distractions

• Distract – take attention from “your” project–Weary– Compromise• Intermarry• Tempted to serve other gods

Facing Distractions

• The world becomes friends– Cyrus, Artaxerxes and Darius–Mindful of their own interests (Luke

16:8)

Facing Distractions

• The religious become enemies– Sanballat and the Pharisees– Defensive of their errors

Walls of Salvation

• Respect God– Offer defiled sacrifices (Ro 12:1)

• Respect all vows– Violate the ones we are to protect

Walls of Salvation

• Respect God’s love–Withhold ourselves from God and

others

• Respect serving God– “What’s the point?”

God’s Story

• God is reconnecting with Judah• Moving toward the heart

Their Story

• Drawing toward the “dark side”• Vulnerable without walls• Challenged to live righteously

Our Story

• Salvation changes the heart• There will always be opposition!• Put up “walls of salvation”• We need vision – see where God is

going