StoneBridge Community Church
Nehemiah - A Well Built, Rebuilt Life: A Surprising Finish
Pastor Neal Nybo
Locations & Times
StoneBridge Community Church
4832 Cochran St, Simi Valley, CA 93063, USA
Saturday 5:00 PM
Sunday 8:30 AM
Sunday 10:00 AM
Online Connection Card
Thanks for joining us today! Follow this link to our online Connection Card where you can let us know you were here and share any prayer concerns.
http://bit.ly/2z61WwiWe love a good surprise in movies and books. From the last few seconds of Planet of the Apes to every Agatha Christy novel, surprises can change everything we think about a story. This is also true for the book of Nehemiah. There are several surprises that change what we thought Nehemiah and these surprises help us see God at work in our lives, during the times we live in.
Planet of the Apes Plot Twist
Here is one of the biggest surprises in movie history from the original Planet of the Apes. Spoiler alert- this is a huge surprise!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvuM3DjvYf0Agatha Christie Plot Twists
Here's ten of Agatha Christie's biggest plot twists.
https://www.flavorwire.com/537670/agatha-christies-10-best-plot-twistsBackground on Nehemiah
The story of Nehemiah is part of the much larger saga of the nation of Israel taken into exile and captivity. Here is some additional material on those events.
https://bit.ly/2P7Oz9S1. Surprise, the wall only took 52 days to rebuild.
From the time Nehemiah arrived with a Godly vision, to the time the wall was rebuilt, it took the people of God 52 days. Just 52 days! The wall was two and a half miles long, forty feet tall and eight feet wide.
GROWTH GROUP / PERSONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. What is a project you have had that took longer than you expected?
2. How about one that took shorter than you anticipated?
3. Have you ever completed a project that led to something significant in your life?
4. Is there a project you think God has put on your heart right now? What are your next steps? How can others help?
1. What is a project you have had that took longer than you expected?
2. How about one that took shorter than you anticipated?
3. Have you ever completed a project that led to something significant in your life?
4. Is there a project you think God has put on your heart right now? What are your next steps? How can others help?
2. God gets the credit.
Enemies saw what had been accomplished and they recognized God had been at work through his people.
GROWTH GROUP / PERSONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. Can you think of a project, program or ministry that people outside the church have given God credit for?
2. Can you think of someone who demonstrates Jesus’ instruction in Matthew 5:16, "...live your life in such a way that others see your good works and glorify your heavenly Father."?
3. What does it take for others to see us do something well and for them to say “praise God” rather than “good job.”
4. What is one thing you can do differently or change that can help you live out this verse?
1. Can you think of a project, program or ministry that people outside the church have given God credit for?
2. Can you think of someone who demonstrates Jesus’ instruction in Matthew 5:16, "...live your life in such a way that others see your good works and glorify your heavenly Father."?
3. What does it take for others to see us do something well and for them to say “praise God” rather than “good job.”
4. What is one thing you can do differently or change that can help you live out this verse?
3. Remember the goodness and faithfulness of God.
The priests go on to recite the ways God has been with the nation throughout their history. This is a common practice mostly in the Psalms (See Psalm 78, 105, 106, 135, 136) and here in Nehemiah.
More about Nehemiah 9:5 and the goodness of God
There is much written about God's people remembering God's goodness and faithfulness.
https://biblehub.com/commentaries/nehemiah/9-5.htmSurprise! The real point of Nehemiah
The big surprise of Nehemiah is that the book is not about rebuilding the wall but about exiles returning to Jerusalem.
https://israelmyglory.org/article/the-exiles-return/GROWTH GROUP / PERSONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. Leaders in Nehemiah’s day, and throughout the Psalms, reminded the people of the good things God had done in the past. What are some good things God has done in your past?
2. During this time, who do you know who needs reassurance of God’s goodness and faithfulness?
3. Is there a way you can encourage them or help reassure them?
4. How can others or the church help reassure you? Would you be willing to send a brief email to the church and tell us? Email info@stonebridgesimi.com
1. Leaders in Nehemiah’s day, and throughout the Psalms, reminded the people of the good things God had done in the past. What are some good things God has done in your past?
2. During this time, who do you know who needs reassurance of God’s goodness and faithfulness?
3. Is there a way you can encourage them or help reassure them?
4. How can others or the church help reassure you? Would you be willing to send a brief email to the church and tell us? Email info@stonebridgesimi.com
Next Step
IM or post an encouraging word to at least one person on a social media site this week.
Pre-Register link
Click here to pre-register for the Family Scavenger Hunt!
https://stonebridgesimi.com/events-news/family-scavenger-hunt
Join a virtual Growth Group by contacting Barbara Waite. You can also contact Barbara if you are interested in hosting a virtual group. Not familiar with the process? Barbara will help you!
Join us this Monday night in support of our global missions partners in Uganda by ordering take out from Topper’s Pizza. You can order online or call in take out and delivery orders only. Please mention StoneBridge Fundraiser.
Social Media @ StoneBridge
We encourage you to use Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other social media to share images, quotes, links, or what you've learned from this week's message and YouVersion message notes. Social media can also be a great way of inviting your friends to worship and special events.
https://www.facebook.com/stonebridgesimi/Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on Instagram for up to date information and inspirational messages.
https://www.instagram.com/stonebridgesimi/Secure online giving
Thanks for partnering with us in our mission to reach people with the good news of God's love, to make disciples, and to send them out. Secure online giving via PayPal.
http://bit.ly/2glYW8EWatch us on YouTube
While there is no substitute for worshipping God with others, if you happen to miss a message you can always catch us on YouTube. We invite you to subscribe to our channel.
http://bit.ly/22uE939