Men s Meeting. October 24, 2012

Transcription

1 Men s Meeting October 24, 2012

2 Nehemiah Rebuilding Jerusalem

3 Nehemiah Handpicks Men 1 Now it came to pass, when the wall was built, and I had set up the doors, and the porters and the singers and the Levites were appointed,

4 Nehemiah Handpicks Men 1 Now it came to pass, when the wall was built, and I had set up the doors, and the porters and the singers and the Levites were appointed, 2 That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many.

5 Nehemiah Handpicks Men 3 And I said unto them, Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun be hot; and while they stand by, let them shut the doors, and bar them: and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, every one in his watch, and every one to be over against his house.

6 Nehemiah Handpicks Men 3 And I said unto them, Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun be hot; and while they stand by, let them shut the doors, and bar them: and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, every one in his watch, and every one to be over against his house. 4 Now the city was large and great: but the people were few therein, and the houses were not builded. Nehemiah 7:1-4

7 Nehemiah Handpicks Men 2 That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many.

8 Nehemiah Handpicks Men 2 That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many.

9 Nehemiah Handpicks Men Hanani = a brother of Nehemiah and a zealous man with godly character that had gone with the Jews to Judah and brought word to Nehemiah of the state of affairs there (Neh 1:1-3).

10 Nehemiah Handpicks Men Hanani = a brother of Nehemiah and a zealous man with godly character that had gone with the Jews to Judah and brought word to Nehemiah of the state of affairs there (Neh 1:1-3). Hananiah = already had charge of the royal palace being built adjacent to the temple of God (Neh 2:8).

11 Nehemiah Handpicks Men Hanani = a brother of Nehemiah and a zealous man with godly character that had gone with the Jews to Judah and brought word to Nehemiah of the state of affairs there (Neh 1:1-3). Hananiah = already had charge of the royal palace being built adjacent to the temple of God (Neh 2:8). Hananiah = a faithful man, and feared God above many.

12 Nehemiah Handpicks Men Hanani = a brother of Nehemiah and a zealous man with godly character that had gone with the Jews to Judah and brought word to Nehemiah of the state of affairs there (Neh 1:1-3). Hananiah = already had charge of the royal palace being built adjacent to the temple of God (Neh 2:8). Hananiah = a faithful man, and feared God above many. Hananiah = Jehovah is gracious.

13 Hananiah = a faithful man

14 Hananiah = a faithful man Doing what is right

15 Hananiah = a faithful man Doing what is right In the sight of God

16 Hananiah = a faithful man Doing what is right In the sight of God All the time

17 Hananiah = a faithful man Doing what is right In the sight of God All the time Ignoring circumstances

18 Hananiah = a faithful man Doing what is right In the sight of God All the time Ignoring circumstances Ignoring others.

19 Are You a Faithful Man? Spiritual duties Marital duties Parental duties Church duties Family duties Professional duties Financial duties Social duties Personal duties Civil duties

20 Hananiah = feared God above many

21 Hananiah = feared God above many A reverent view of God

22 Hananiah = feared God above many A reverent view of God And love toward Him

23 Hananiah = feared God above many A reverent view of God And love toward Him That governs all choices

24 Hananiah = feared God above many A reverent view of God And love toward Him That governs all choices To keep His commandments

25 Hananiah = feared God above many A reverent view of God And love toward Him That governs all choices To keep His commandments And never displease Him.

26 Do You Fear God Above Many? In walking with Him In praying to Him In reading from Him In picking your friends In your entertainment In your priorities In your thoughts In your time In your zeal In your service

27 Thanksgiving Day

28 Thanksgiving Day We have a national holiday worth celebrating. You can build a major family tradition out of it. We deny pagan days we can show godly days. Feasting to God is Biblical (Deut 14:26; etc.). God deserves and demands thanksgiving. Christians can celebrate this one big time. Americans must have a Thanksgiving Day. Christian Americans are most blessed. We are blessed above Christian Americans. You have four weeks.

29 Thanksgiving Day Ideas Thanksgivings (led by father but all participating) Prayers (for God s continued mercies in all ways) Feast (whatsoever thy soul lusteth after; Deut 14:26) Gifts (some cost makes it real to God and men) Commendations Concentrated family time above others Fireworks (Guy Fawkes Day/Night is Nov 5) Presidential Proclamations Pilgrim/Jamestown/Squanto histories Godly or character-driven movie together

30 Voting Thoughts God gave us the means, we ought to use it, lest we tempt Him. Prudence trumps principle, or you should vote for yourself. We live in a two-party system, a third-party vote is opposite. Those who voted Ross Perot gave us 8 years of Bill Clinton. Muslim or Mormon? Who cares. Vote the most conservative. No difference? Every pagan pervert in USA wants Obama. Who wants Obama? Abortionists, media, sodomites, Hollywood, unions, Chavez, illegals, Putin, Castro, NOW, NEA, EPA, PTA, PETA, etc., etc. A short outline drawing some Bible principles is available.

31 Lessons from Jehoshaphat David Solomon Rehoboam (lost ten tribes by following foolish advice to be hard) Abijah (reigned three years, killed 500k, but followed sins of Rehoboam) Asa (reigned 41 years, good, defeated Ethiopians, trusted Syria, gout, etc.) Jehoshaphat Jehoram (married Athaliah; killed brothers; God killed his wives and kids) Ahaziah (one year; wicked; Baal; killed by Jehu!) Athaliah (see above; killed all royal descendants except Joash) Joash (little guy became king but forgot Jehoiada s kindness)

32 Lessons from Jehoshaphat Jehoshaphat = Jeho (Jehovah) + shaphat (judges). Father was good king Asa. Saw father s revival, great victory, compromise, judgment. Began to reign at 35 and reigned 25 years. One of Judah s four great kings with David, Hezekiah, Josiah.

33 Faith of our Fathers He continued his father s course to oppose Israel (17:1-2). Jehoshaphat began like David/Asa seeking God (17:3-4). God was with him for rejecting Baal, unlike Ahab (17:3-4). Judah brought him presents, and he had great honor (17:5). Men with godly fathers should follow for followers (I Ch 28:9).

34 Heart Lifted Up Jehoshaphat s heart was lifted up in the LORD s ways (17:6). He loved the LORD and His ways and got excited about them. As a consequence he took away high places and groves. He loved preaching, so he sent preachers to all Judah (17:7-9). How lifted up is your heart? Why not? It is your choice!

35 Ways Pleasing the LORD God was pleased with Jehoshaphat, so no war by fear (17:10). Philistines brought him presents and tribute silver (17:11). Arabians gave him flocks: 7700 rams; 7700 he goats (17:11). He waxed great exceedingly in store and military (17:12-19). Do your ways please the LORD? Get your heart right and up!

36 First Compromise (1) Jehoshaphat was very rich beware of prosperity (18:1). He joined affinity with Ahab Jehoram and Athaliah (18:1). Ahab wined and dined him contrary to Proverbs (Prov 23:1-8). He went and joined Ahab, not the other way around (18:2-3). Fathers, do you hate affinity? Sons, do you hate affinity?

37 First Compromise (2) He had a little conviction asking for a true prophet (18:3-6). He had a little conviction rebuking Ahab (18:7). He became quiet as Ahab abused Micaiah (18:8-27). He went into battle in spite of that day s prophecy (18:28-34). Do you grasp evil friends and communications (I Cor 15:33)?

38 First Compromise (3) Jehoshaphat got home safe after seeing Ahab killed (19:1). God hates the wicked and you should hate them also (19:2). God s wrath was gently upon him for his compromise (19:2). He should have known better by his father s failure (16:1-14). Godliness can help, but you must hate the world (James 4:4).

39 First Revival Jehoshaphat went out again to bring Judah back (19:4). What in the world happened? His example and diversion cost. The rule for ministers applies to any leader (I Tim 4:16). Jehoshaphat went out and undid the damage he had caused. If or rather when you fail, recover those under you.

40 Fear of the LORD Jehoshaphat put godly leaders / teachers in Judah (19:5-11). Fearing God allows no compromise to God or man (19:6-7). He charged them to faithfulness and perfect hearts (19:8-10). He charged them to courage and promised God s help (19:11). He, passing his father, defined great leaders! Are you one?

41 Facing Great Enemies God allowed a large enemy force to approach Judah (20:1-2). Even in obedience God may send trials for your perfection. In his fear, he fasted and committed himself to God (20:3-5). Instead of the armory, he went to the temple (Ps 127:1; Pr 21:31). Do you grasp reasonable effort then prayer and sleep?

42 An Example Prayer (1) He proclaimed a fast for all those under him (20:3). He led the prayer meeting he did more than sit (20:4-5). He appealed to His omnipotent power as God (20:6). He reasoned that this was Judah s land by God s word (20:7). Are you the spiritual leader in your home and friends?

43 An Example Prayer (2) He reasoned with God about the evil of the enemies (20:10-11). He reminded God again that the land was Judah s (20:11). He told God they had no power or wisdom in the fight (20:12). He committed the whole nation to wait on the LORD (20:12-13). Do you know how to pray? How to reason with God in prayer?

44 Rewards for the Righteous He was righteous, so he prayed for a big victory (20:3-13). God gave him an answer from heaven (20:14-17). Glory! When God blesses, you had better give great praise (20:18-21). The victory was astounding and the spoil greater (20:22-26). Do you lead in mirth to God (20:27-30)? Will you in four weeks?

45 Mercy for the Righteous The epitaph of his reign is outstanding (20:31-32). He walked in the good way of his father Asa (20:32). He did what was right in the sight of the LORD (20:32). Like Asa, he missed some high places, but was okay (20:33). Only the righteous get this kind of mercy e.g. David, Asa, etc.

46 Second Compromise After this, Jehoshaphat joined Ahab s son Ahaziah (20:35). Ahaziah of Israel was very wicked like Ahab his father (20:35). Jehoshaphat joined Ahaziah to build ships for gold (20:35-36). Men have weaknesses, and you can see Jehoshaphat s. Do you know your weaknesses? Are you fighting them hard?

47 Second Revival God sent a prophet to warn Jehoshaphat of his sin (20:37). God destroyed the ships while sitting in harbor (I Kings 22:48). Ahaziah asked Jehoshaphat for another campaign (I Kgs 22:49). Jehoshaphat would not (I Kgs 22:49)! He learned his lesson. Learn your lesson before trouble! Repent after trouble!

48 Fifteen Lessons (1) 1. Men with godly fathers must follow, for followers (I Chr 28:9). 2. How lifted up is your heart? Why not? It is your choice! 3. Do your ways please the LORD? Get your heart right & up! 4. Fathers, do you hate affinity? Sons, do you hate affinity? 5. Do you grasp evil friends and communications (I Cor 15:33)?

49 Fifteen Lessons (2) 6. Godliness can help, but you must hate the world (James 4:4). 7. If or rather when you fail, recover those under you. 8. He, passing his father, defined great leaders! Are you one? 9. Do you grasp reasonable effort then prayer and sleep? 10. Are you the spiritual leader in your home and with friends?

50 Fifteen Lessons (3) 11. Do you know how to pray? How to reason with God in prayer? 12. Do you lead mirth to God (20:27-30)? Will you in four weeks? 13. Only the righteous get this kind of mercy e.g. David, Asa, etc. 14. Do you know your weaknesses? Are you fighting them? 15. Learn your lesson before trouble! Repent after trouble!

51 For Further Study Managing Your Life A Mighty Man s Life Measuring Your Life... Marriage Only in the Lord Evil Communications