| |
|
|
|
|
Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church
|
July 9, 2017
|
|
| |
|
Questions for
Reflection
As you begin new projects, what kind of organization goes into the planning? How do you "get set" to launch a new program before it leaves the idea stage?
As you read this passage, what were some of the techniques in leadership and delegation Nehemiah utilized? Was there resistance from the inside? The outside? How was he able to defend the wall?
How are you "getting set"--preparing your heart and mind as we begin a new chapter at Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church?
|
|
Get Ready :: Get Set!
The Rev. Dr. Libby Boatwright, preaching
|
Thought to be the story that ends the history of the Old Testament, Nehemiah is the visionary who brings his people back into the city of Jerusalem after the exile in Babylon---but not without tremendous opposition. While the book of Ezra traces the restoration of the temple and the restoration of the community by following God's law, Nehemiah traces the restoration of Jerusalem and more importantly the restoration of the covenant with God. And Nehemiah points to God and his sovereignty that inspires the Persian Kings to permit the Israelites to return to their land and finance the rebuilding of their temple.
With daily prayer and honoring all the families who are brave enough to make the journey, Nehemiah organizes, delegates, inspires, and encourages leaders who have passion for the project, and they finish the wall in a mere 52 days. God is at work to fulfill his covenant and restore the people of Israel to their land.
So the question today is, how are we "getting set" for the new chapter at Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church?
I look forward to worshiping with you on Sunday at 7:50 a.m. (contemplative),
10 a.m. (traditional), or 5 p.m. (contemporary).
Blessings,
Libby
P.S. Summer Community Dinners after 5 p.m. worship continue this Sunday. Bring a neighbor, bring a friend, bring your family, and come join us in Trinity Court for a relaxing meal and time in community.
|
|
Theme for the Day
|
If your determination is fixed, I do not counsel you to despair. Few things are impossible to diligence and skill. Great works are performed not by strength but perseverance.---
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Scripture Passages
In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was served him, I carried the wine and gave it to the king. Now, I had never been sad in his presence before. So the king said to me, "Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This can only be sadness of the heart." Then I was very much afraid. I said to the king, "May the king live forever! Why should my face not be sad, when the city, the place of my ancestors' graves, lies waste, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?" Then the king said to me, "What do you request?" So I prayed to the God of heaven. Then I said to the king, "If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor with you, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my ancestors' graves, so that I may rebuild it." The king said to me (the queen also was sitting beside him), "How long will you be gone, and when will you return?" So it pleased the king to send me, and I set him a date. When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard this, it displeased them greatly that someone had come to seek the welfare of the people of Israel.
Nehemiah 4:15-20
When our enemies heard that their plot was known to us, and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to his work. From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and body-armor; and the leaders posted themselves behind the whole house of Judah, who were building the wall. The burden bearers carried their loads in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and with the other held a weapon. And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me. And I said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, "The work is great and widely spread out, and we are separated far from one another on the wall. Rally to us wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet. Our God will fight for us."
|
|
|
|
