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Sermon Title: The People Had a Mind to Work

Text: Nehemiah 4:6

“So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.”

🔰 Introduction: Nehemiah—A Man on a Mission

Nehemiah was not a priest, a prophet, or a preacher—he was a cupbearer. He had a government job in a pagan land, serving King Artaxerxes in Persia. But when he heard about the broken walls and burned gates of Jerusalem, something broke in his spirit. He wept, prayed, and fasted. God gave him a burden, and then a vision.

Who Was Nehemiah?

🧔🏽‍♂️ Nehemiah’s Background

• Name meaning: “The LORD comforts” (Hebrew: Neḥemyah)
• Occupation: He served as the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia (Nehemiah 1:11). This role involved close access to the king, as he would test the king's wine to prevent poisoning. It was a position of trust, honor, and influence.
• Nationality: Though he lived in Persia, Nehemiah was a Jew in exile, part of the scattered remnants of Israel.

🛠️ Nehemiah’s Mission: Rebuilding Broken Walls and Restoring Broken People

📍 Historical Context:

• The walls of Jerusalem had been destroyed for nearly 150 years.
• Though Zerubbabel had rebuilt the temple and Ezra had restored the law, the city walls were still in ruins, leaving the people vulnerable, discouraged, and ashamed.

🔥 Nehemiah’s Burden (Nehemiah 1):

• When he heard of Jerusalem’s condition, he was broken in spirit—he wept, mourned, fasted, and prayed (Nehemiah 1:4).
• His burden turned into a vision and then into action.
• He prayed to God before he made any move (Nehemiah 1:5–11).

📝 Nehemiah’s Permission:

• God moved the heart of King Artaxerxes, who not only released Nehemiah but provided letters for safe travel, timber, and official authority (Nehemiah 2:1–8).

👑 Nehemiah as a God-Fearing Leader

✨ Key Leadership Qualities:

1. Prayerful – Nehemiah prayed constantly, before every major move (Nehemiah 1:4; 2:4; 4:9; 6:9).
2. Strategic – He carefully inspected the walls before revealing his plans (Nehemiah 2:11–16).
3. Visionary – He cast a clear vision that motivated others: “Come, let us build” (Nehemiah 2:17).
4. Team-builder – He mobilized priests, merchants, women, and rulers to each take a section of the wall (Nehemiah 3).
5. Courageous – He faced opposition from Sanballat, Tobiah, and others without backing down (Nehemiah 4–6).
6. Selfless – Though he was entitled to wealth and food as governor, he refused it, leading by example (Nehemiah 5:14–19).
7. Revival-minded – He partnered with Ezra the scribe to lead a spiritual revival, calling people back to God and His Word (Nehemiah 8).

🧱 Major Accomplishments

• Rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem in just 52 days (Nehemiah 6:15) — despite threats, mockery, and internal strife.
• Restored order, justice, and worship in Jerusalem.
• Led a national repentance and covenant renewal (Nehemiah 9–10).
• Reinforced Sabbath observance, temple support, and moral living (Nehemiah 13).

🕯️ Spiritual Lessons from Nehemiah

1. A burden can become a blessing when handed to God.
2. God can use ordina

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Sermon Title: Don’t Forget

Theme: Remembering what truly matters in the midst of preparation and life’s excitement
Key Text: Deuteronomy 8:11 – “Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God…”

I. Introduction: The Excitement of the Journey

They were well-prepared for their third annual camping trip—gear, clothes, checklists, even the dog was accounted for. But in all their planning, they forgot the most essential items—the food.

Transition:
Like the Johnsons, we often prepare extensively for life—jobs, relationships, education, retirement—but forget the most essential spiritual necessities.

II. Spiritual Parallels: What Have You Left in the "Fridge"?

A. The Danger of Forgetfulness

• Life can be so full of activity that we forget spiritual priorities.
• “Don’t forget…” is a frequent command in Scripture because God knows our tendency to get distracted.

Deuteronomy 6:12 – “Then beware, lest you forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt...”

B. Their Checklist Was Thorough—But Missing the Main Thing

• They had chairs, a grill, insect repellent—but no food.
• You can have the job, the house, the family… but forget your daily bread—the Word of God, prayer, relationship with Christ.

Matthew 4:4 – “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”

C. They Were Intentional… Just Not About the Essentials

• Just like they intentionally pre-cooled the cooler but forgot the contents, we sometimes build a life with structure but no substance.
• A faith that looks organized but lacks intimacy.

III. What Are You Forgetting in Your Spiritual Life?

1. Don’t Forget to Spend Time with God Daily

Psalm 63:1 – “O God, you are my God; early will I seek you...”

2. Don’t Forget the Word

James 1:25 – “But whoever looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it… he will be blessed in what he does.”

3. Don’t Forget the People God Gave You

Hebrews 10:25 – “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together…”

4. Don’t Forget God’s Past Faithfulness

Deuteronomy 8:2 – “And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way…”

IV. Life Application & Short Illustrations

Story Connection:
They didn’t starve—but they didn’t feast either. Peanut butter sandwiches are fine in a pinch, but they aren't what was planned or prepared.
Spiritual Application:

• Some Christians are living on spiritual peanut butter because they forgot the meat of the Word.
• When you forget the essentials, your worship, service, and spiritual joy become dry and lacking.

V. Don’t Forget… Jesus

Luke 22:19 – “Do this in remembrance of Me.”

• Even Jesus knew we’d be tempted to forget.
• Communion is not just ritual—it’s a reminder of who we are and what He’s done.
• Don’t forget His sacrifice, His promises, His soon return.

VI. Conclusion: It’s Not Too Late to Go Back

Even though the Johnsons forgot the food, they could regroup the next day.
You may have forgotten something spiritually… but it’s not too late to return to it.

Final Challenge:

• What’s still in the “spiritual refrigerator”

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Title: “Living a Life That’s Full”

Theme Statement:

In a world that is often empty—of purpose, peace, and power—God calls His people to live full lives: filled with His Spirit, light, joy, power, good works, and glory. Fullness in Christ leads to fruitfulness in life.

Introduction:

Have you ever tried using your phone at just 1% battery? It barely functions and is bound to shut down. Many believers are walking around spiritually drained, living on empty—empty of power, joy, direction, and good works. But God has a better plan: He wants us full!

In this lesson, we’ll explore six things God wants us to be full of—each one a vital part of living the victorious Christian life.

1. Full of the Spirit – Ephesians 5:18

“Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.”

Explanation:

Being filled with the Spirit is not a one-time event but a daily choice. It's about being led, empowered, and transformed by God.

Illustration:

Just as a car can’t run without fuel, a believer can’t function without the Holy Spirit. A pastor once said, “We leak, so we must be refilled daily!”

Short Story:

A woman once said, “I don’t need the Holy Spirit to go to heaven—I need Him to go to Walmart!” She was talking about how the Spirit helps her deal with everyday frustrations, people, and challenges. Being Spirit-filled isn’t just for church—it’s for life.

2. Full of Light – Matthew 6:22

“The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.”

Explanation:

Light speaks of clarity, direction, and purity. When our eyes are fixed on Christ, His light fills our entire life.

Illustration:

Imagine walking through a dark room with a flashlight that only flickers now and then. It’s frustrating and dangerous. But when the light is full, the path becomes clear.

Short Story:

During a blackout, a boy lit one candle in the room. His father smiled and said, “That little light just changed everything.” Even a small amount of God’s light in us can make a major difference in a dark world.

3. Full of Joy – John 15:11

“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”

Explanation:

Joy is not just happiness. It’s deeper—it’s the inner gladness that comes from abiding in Jesus.

Illustration:

A thermometer measures temperature; a thermostat sets it. Joy-filled believers don’t just reflect the world’s atmosphere—they change it.

Short Story:

Corrie ten Boom, who survived a Nazi concentration camp, once said, “Joy runs deeper than despair.” Even in suffering, her heart overflowed with the joy of the Lord.

4. Full of Good Works – Acts 9:36

“Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha… this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.”

Explanation:

True faith always leads to action. Tabitha (Dorcas) was so full of good works that when she died, the widows cried over the clothes she had made them.

Illustration:

Think of your life as a sponge. When squeezed, whatever you're full of will come out. Are we full of kindness? Service? Or just self?

Short Story:

A man once said, “The only Jesus my neighbor may ever see is the Jesus in me.” He began mowing her lawn, checking on her, and eventually led her to Christ—not by preaching, but by doing good works.

5. Full of Power – Micah 3:8

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