The 5th century BC proved to be a tough period for the people of God. They had previously returned from exile under the decree of Cyrus The Great (in 538 BC), yet despite the great joy of returning home to Jerusalem, things had not gone as they had planned or dreamed. Many Jews had not made the journey back but remained far from Jerusalem, the community was small, their local enemies made life hard, the rebuilt temple did not resemble its former glory (Ezra 3:12) and whilst they were back in their homeland, they were still controlled by the dominant world empire, Persia. They were vulnerable. They lacked confidence and corporate identity, and they were spiritually compromised in their belief and practice. It was a discouraging and unstable time for Israelites.
All this weakness and vulnerability was represented by the city walls. Nearly 100 years after the first exiles returned, they were still broken down. Nehemiah 1:3 reads
Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.’
Into this context God stirred up the heart of a leader, Nehemiah (alongside Ezra) to rebuild the city walls and reform the people’s ways. God used Nehemiah to re-galvanise the people. He mobilised them into action and prayer. He reminded them of their history, their heritage, their identity and their destiny, all revealed in God’s word. He reassured the people that God had not abandoned them and was still at work, and that none of what had happened previously had been outside of his control or plan. And so over time the confidence & zeal of the people returned, corporate worship & community life was re-established, and the mission & purpose of the people was re-energised.
The Church
Whilst our context is in no way as significant or prolonged as the those living in Nehemiah’s times, there are great lessons for us to learn after 18+ months of lockdown, restrictions, separation and online church. Here are just a few of them that we read about in the books of Ezra & Nehemiah:
- The spiritual skill of adapting
- A vision of God’s greater purposes in history – what does it means to a small Christian community in the context of major world events, seeking opportunities for the gospel?
- Patience and perseverance in mundane days, remaining dependent on the Lord and content in him.
- The importance of leadership, prayer & planning
- The priority of focussing on the renewal of hearts not the rebuilding of structures
As we emerge from the effects of COVID, things are still not quite what we had dreamed or planned, and we don’t know how long it will take for things to return back to normal – or if there are more challenges ahead. The book of Nehemiah gives us some wonderful assurances for times such as ours:
- God is at work in his people in times of political uncertainty
- God is at work restoring his people who have been scattered and isolated
- God is at work through his people to restore the city, rebuilding what is broken.
The City
May Nehemiah help us rebuild as church, to recommit to one another and God’s purposes, to be renewed in our vision and refreshed in our spirits, and to be remobilised and re-galvanised for the mission God has for us in this city. And that is always why God brings renewal to his people – so that they might represent him among the nations.
So for our day, God wants us to love our city, much of which is still in disrepair. As in Nehemiah’s day people are lacking confidence, there is great uncertainty. People are isolated and lonely, and it will take a long time to see the city of Dublin restored and vibrant again. Our role as God’s people is to be salt and light in this city, loving Dublin in word and deed. We are to seek to win the city through evangelism and serve the city through acts of mercy and justice.
As we seek God’s help to rebuild and renew us as a church after a tough 18 months, we ask that he would do this so that’d be the kind of church that makes a positive impact on the city spiritually (seeing people come to know Jesus), socially (loving the poor and needy) and culturally (flavouring our communities, workplaces and homes with the values of the kingdom). May God strengthen us as we seek to love our great city.
Sermon Series, Renew & Belong
Here is an outline for our series:
- 5th Sept – A city in ruins (Nehemiah 1)
- 12th Sept – A man of prayer & action (Nehemiah 2)
- 19th Sept – Team work (Nehemiah 3)
- 26th Sept – Under attack (Nehemiah 4-5)
- 3rd Oct – The wall was completed (Nehemiah 6) *Renew
- 10th Oct – Finding your place in the big story (Nehemiah 8-10)
In line with this theme of rebuild and renew, we’re going to holding a vision Sunday (called *’renew‘) on Sunday 3rd October, and series of seminars called ‘belong’ where we can consider together what it means to be God’s people at this time.
Belong will run twice on four consecutive Sundays in October (10th, 17th, 24th and 31st, both 3-4pm and 6-7pm). We encourage everyone who calls CCC their home church to come along to one session. Together we want to consider what it means to rebuild and renew.