Sermon Series on Nehemiah in 2023 from Week 16 (April 16th) to Week 21 (May 21).
Commentaries ordered for series: Ezra & Nehemiah (Asia Bible Commentary Series) 2007 by Joseph Too Shao & Rosa Ching Shao and Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (New International Biblical Commentary, 9) 2003 by Leslie C. Allen. Also used Robert Alter’s The Hebrew Bible, translation and commentary.

Weekly Summary:
16 – Nehemiah 1 – Building a Passion
17 – Nehemiah 2 – Building a Path Forward
18 – Nehemiah 4:1-23 – Building With Opposition
19 – Nehemiah 5 – Building With Equity
20 – Nehemiah 6:1 – 7:3 – Building With Courageous Resolve
21 – Nehemiah 8 & 9 – Building Disciples

Week & Date: 16 – 2023 04 16 – Nehemiah 1
Sermon Title: Building a Passion
Call to Worship: Leviticus 26:40-45
Main Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 1:1-11
Benediction: Hebrews‬ ‭13‬:‭14‬-‭21‬
Response Category: Lament
Big Idea: A passion for Gods goodness in our world drives us to prayer.
OR BI: We need God to hear us, to forgive us, to lead us, and to show us our role.

Preliminary exegetical outline:

1. Intro to Ezra / Nehemiah
2. Intro to Nehemiah: trouble and disgrace
3. Nehemiah’s prayer:
   • Great God & Covenant of Love
   • Confession for the people
   • Promise of restoration / redemption
   • His role in it

Online Sermon: https://youtube.com/live/yKd2c9HZwiI

Week & Date: 17 – 2023 04 23 – Nehemiah 2
Sermon Title: Building a Path Forward
Call to Worship: Ephesians 2:19-22
Main Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 2:1-10
Benediction: ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬-‭13‬, ‭16‬
Response Category: Submission
Big Idea: Building Gods kingdom: realistic planning with hope and vision.

Preliminary Exegetical Outline:

1. The Request
2. Expecting Opposition
3. Inspecting The Situation
4. Overcoming Inertia

Week & Date: 18 – 2023 04 30 – Nehemiah 4
Sermon Title: Building With Opposition
Call to Worship: 2 Cor 4:7-12
Main Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 4:1-15
Benediction: Galatians 6:7-10
Response Category: Affirmation
Big Idea: As God fights spiritual battles for us, we are prepared to join him in his work.

Exegetical outline:

1. Curses turned to prayer
2. Plotting turned to plans
3. Prepared to fight through challenge

Online Sermon: https://youtu.be/MzlxGcNN6SQ

Week & Date: 19 – 2023 05 07 – Nehemiah 5
Sermon Title: Building With Equity
Call to Worship: Communion, before the fellowship time.
Main Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 5:1-13
Benediction: Matthew 6:19-21
Response Category: Confession
Big Idea: Working in God’s kingdom can not ignore the physical needs of God’s people

Exegetical Outline:

1. Hearing the cry of the poor
2. Taking time to understand the situation
3. Using our position and resources to bring justice
   • Confronting broken systems
   • Taking responsibility for our blessedness to live generously

Online Sermon: https://youtube.com/live/w2Avqpnsx30

Week & Date: 20 – 2023 05 14 – Nehemiah 6 & 7a
Sermon Title: Building With Courageous Resolve
Call to Worship: Matthew 10:16-20
Main Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 6:1-15
Benediction: 2 Corinthians 13:11-14
Response Category: Praise
Big Idea: BI: Power without God is fearful, Power under God is careful.
Online Sermon: https://youtube.com/live/4zbO696UnVI

Week & Date: 21 – 2023 05 21 – Nehemiah 8 & 9
Sermon Title: Building Disciples
Call to Worship: Romans 10:10-15
Main Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 7:73b – 8:12
Benediction: 2 John 1:3-6
Response Category: Praise
Big Idea: Big Idea: Every season of returning to God’s word is a cause for rejoicing
Online Sermon: https://youtu.be/XKezhlBVeNo