WHERE ARE WE?

“The times, they are a’changin”—a song from the 60’s, still true today—60’s—50 years ago.

“You’re not in Kansas anymore Virginia”—saying from maybe 30-40 years ago.  And all the time with the changes in technology and mobility and belief—the world right around us is so different today—even from 10 years ago.

Nehemiah 2:11-20

Nehemiah arrives in Jerusalem.  After three days, he, in the night, so as not to draw too much attention, inspects the walls around the city.  And they are bad—very bad.  Text says “ruins”—“destroyed”—“broken down—and “disgraced.”

You have to know where you are in order to get where you want to go. 

After inspecting the bad situation—THEN Nehemiah reminds them of the ruins around them—challenges them to rebuild the wall—and tells them the provisions the King has already provided for this task to be accomplished.

The Jews had been back in Jerusalem for several years—they had built their homes—they had rebuilt a Temple (though not one nearly as beautiful and impressive as the one before).  And then they had settled in their homes, challenged by Ezra the priest, to live their lives for God again—but many had been changed by the experiences in Babylon.  Some who had not gone to Babylon had intermarried with unbelievers—even idol worshippers—who had come to inhabit the Holy Land during that time.  Life was different—religion was different—families and their beliefs were different.

Ezra was leading the people to a revival of living for God.  And Nehemiah was coming to aid in that effort but also to help get their wall of protection back in place.

Two of the great questions of life:

1.      Who am I?

2.      Why am I here?

The same questions seem to keep being asked, whether of believers or unbelievers—men or women—young or old—and regardless of the time in history that people live.

Who were they?  Jews—God’s chosen people.

Who are we?  Christians—followers of Christ and God—disciples—the saved.

When you know who you are—it should lead you to why you are here.  The Bible seems to imply that one following God will live as God desires—as God is.  Yes because of sin, the Bible shows that people have always struggled with the “doing” side—the living righteous lives side of faith—Jews and Christians as well.  Instead they are more people of their culture—people of this world—than they are people of God.

You have to know who you are—and you have to know where you are going—before you live as God expects.  This applies to individuals and to churches as well.

Who are we?  What is the purpose of a church?  Why were people called together to form the church in the first place? 

And from who you are, how do you live?  When one knows their purposes—who they are—then they know how to live and when they are not living out their purposes?

What are the roots, the purposes, the reasons to exist?

And if these are the reasons to exist, the purposes—are we living them out today as they were lived earlier in the church’s life?

But so many Christian churches today have forgotten why they exist—and don’t then know how to live in the new culture that is around us.

“No absolutes”—right for you—not for me—let me live my way and I will let you live your way—toleration of most everything.  Is that biblical?  Is that God’s way?  God had lots of “right and wrong” in His Word.

80% of high school graduates will drop out of church and not return—even those in good youth groups.

1/3 of people will live together together today before marriage—that includes Christians.

People are more influenced by culture than by the church or Word of God!

We could give up—just minister to the elderly and sick—meet together for a nice service and potluck—and ignore the world around us.  Or we could get back to “who we are” as a church—and living His way to impact society and community more than they impact us and others around.

What choice did Nehemiah make and challenge the people to?  Sam—it is just a wall.  But Nehemiah said they were living without safety and in disgrace.

How do we impact others again?  Nehemiah first prayed—ongoing prayer.  Then he asked to be allowed to go.  Then he inspected the real situation.  And then he challenged those around him who believed to change the situation.

Not everyone has the energy and strength to rebuild a wall.  But without some who do stepping up—the wall will remain down—and the ruins will remain.

And sometimes, to have enough who “can do”, you must join with others who are stronger to help rebuild the wall. 

Remember Nehemiah’s reminder as he challenged them to rebuild  a wall—“the gracious hand of God”—what has God done for success already.

God still supplies when He calls today.  How are we to "rebuild the walls"--a seemingly impossible task in the world we live in now?