Living Grace Foursquare Church

When Nehemiah returned to Judah, he faced his greatest leadership challenge; a task that in some respects must have been even more difficult than rebuilding the wall.

“But after they had rest”….Compromise can set in when we are at rest.

They read from the Book of Moses

a. And it was found written.
b. The revival continues as a revival of the Word of God!

However, God turned the curse into a blessing:

Numbers 24: “I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel, And [a]batter the brow of Moab, And destroy all the sons of [b]tumult.18 “And Edom shall be a possession; Seir also, his enemies, shall be a possession, While Israel does [c]valiantly.

They separated themselves from the mixed multitude.

i. There might be people in your life in which you need to create space.

ii. Not a value statement, it’s just for you to move on with God you must move on from that part of your past.

iii. Distinction. Our witness to those who don’t know Jesus will be weak if we live no different than them.

The real test of revival, or renewal is long-term change!

The Flow of compromise:

a. First I’m in the mix with Tobiahs.
b. Then he’s present in the assembly
c. Then he’s renting a room in the temple court

Psalm1:1. Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord

Walks, stands, sits, see the progression.

Compromise doesn't happen overnight. it's a progression.

Tobiah is an Ammorite. He should have never been in the assembly!

a. You cannot reengage with Tobiah.

b. Tobiah has not changed over some 10-12 years! He’s not going to change.

c. But what did change? Eliashib’s acceptance of him! Even though he never entered into covenant with the people of God

d. You cannot negotiate with Tobiah

e. You cannot enter covenant with Tobiah

Jesus’ anger was ignited by the misuse of the temple and the injustice taking place within it.

There are appropriate times to not be “nice.”

a. I threw all the household goods of Tobiah out of the room.
i. Throw it all away.
ii. Cut off the relationships

b. I commanded them.

i. If you want to deal with the Tobiahs in your life, you must decide you’re worth it. It’s your decision. Nobody can do that for you.

1. Nobody could get the prodigal son back on the road home till he made the first step.

2. There’s plenty of help. From above and from below, but you need to make that first move.

c. BTW, God will help you take the step. It’s the most important one.

d. Cleanse the rooms!
i. How do we do that?

1. Confession
2. Repentance
3. Forgiveness
4. Washing with the Word of God
5. Accountability

e. Fill your rooms with the things of God