APPLICATION: Read & watch/listen to Nehemiah 13
Sermon Title: A Time for Reform

1. Recognizing the Rebellion in Their Lives  vs. 1-9
2. Restoring Responsibilities in the Temple vs. 10-143. Reclaiming Reverence for the Sabbath vs. 15-22
4. Reinforcing Righteousness in the People vs. 23-31
5. Requesting Remembrance vs. 14, 22b, 29, 31b.

Life Application:
Some of us grew up in a church environment where decisions of “rededication” were common. In many traditions, summer camp or weekend retreats for teenagers were times to surrender again your life to Christ. It involved confessing sins from last school year; symbolically, a twig was thrown on the fire to represent that you were going to yield to Christ and consecrate your life anew for the year to come.

There is some good in such reevaluation. The Scriptures encourage us to consider our lives and, when needed, restore our commitment to our Savior. But we must also know that reforms in our life are most effective when they are most specific.

People who develop general goals rarely achieve them, while those who create specific objectives usually accomplish them. Those who say, “I want to lose some weight,” have no measurable goal or any plan to succeed. But the person who says, “I want to lose ten pounds by June so I am going to walk three miles each day, drink six glasses of water, and eliminate desserts” has specific steps to keep him on course toward his goal.

In the same way, those who want to grow spiritually cannot simply “wish” for it to happen. Sentiments such as “I want to share my faith more” or “I want to love Christ more,” while commendable, are rarely enough to carry us to our desire. If you want to share your faith more, then you need to set down a specific plan that involves memorizing Scripture, scheduling more interaction with neighbors, or rethinking your use of time.

Let’s get specific, by the power of God’s indwelling Spirit.[1]
 
Digging Deeper:
The Sabbath (13:15–22)
Special regard for the seventh day of the week was established at the time of creation. God acted in works of creative energy for six days, then sanctified the seventh day as a time of rest. The word Sabbath literally means, “cessation,” and it was meant as a time to cease from labor. It had the dual purposes of restoration (physical and spiritual) and worship.

Exodus 20:8–11 provides a clear rationale for the observance of Sabbath rest. Moses specified that no one was to work on that day, not even servants, foreigners, or animals. The reason extended back to God’s creative acts and his blessing of the Sabbath. These made the day holy.[2]
 
Questions to Consider:

1. In 2 Corinthians 6:14, Paul writes that Christians should not marry unbelievers. Discuss some problems that occur when people marry outside the faith. Why is God so passionate about this issue?
   
   
2. After Nehemiah purified the temple chambers, he put men who were considered trustworthy in charge. Read 1 Timothy 3 and compile a list of qualifications for leaders in the church.
   
   
3. The Sabbath was a day of rest, set aside as holy to God. Does this apply to the church? Should Sunday be different in any way?
   
   
4. Nehemiah strictly enforced the law and its requirements. Discuss the difference between enforcement of standards and legalism.[3]

Prayer Time:

[1] Knute Larson and Kathy Dahlen, Holman Old Testament Commentary - Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, ed. Max Anders (Broadman & Holman Publishers., 2005), 277.
[2] Knute Larson and Kathy Dahlen, Holman Old Testament Commentary - Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, ed. Max Anders (Broadman & Holman Publishers., 2005), 277–278.
[3] Knute Larson and Kathy Dahlen, Holman Old Testament Commentary - Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, ed. Max Anders (Broadman & Holman Publishers., 2005), 278–279.