Rebuilding (Part 1)

[ Preached by Pastor Kenneth Chin at Acts Church Malaysia on 3 December 2017 ]

Acts Church 2018 Theme was centred on “Building and Rebuilding”.

Nehemiah 2:17-18 depicts a leader rising up and challenging the people to rebuild and restore.

Nehemiah was deeply moved and passionate about rebuilding Jerusalem. He was not only passionate, he prayed and pursued the promises of God to see the torn down walls of Jerusalem rebuilt.

This is the Acts Church spirit – passionate, prayerful and pursuant. We will not give up unless it means giving in to the Lord. 

For the process of rebuilding and restoration, we need to:

1. Know the Problem

Hanani informed Nehemiah of the state of Jerusalem and how the walls and gates of Jerusalem were broken down and burnt ( Nehemiah 1:3 ).

Walls could also be equated to identity. The broken walls in Jerusalem represented broken identities – the people there were broken and ashamed.
 

Most times, we lose hope because we lose confidence in ourselves.

Do not let these discouragements keep us down because the Lord will pick us up again. The walls can be rebuilt but we have to work with God!

2. Pray according to God’s Promises

Read | Nehemiah 1:4-9

Nehemiah did not just simply pray, he held on to the promises of God. Nehemiah knew what God had promised and prayed according to those promises.

God’s Word is the light that shines on our path.

In Nehemiah 1:9, God promised that if the people of Jerusalem turned to Him, He would once again gather them.

Although we may fail, we can always find hope in God if we turn to Him. God is big on second chances.

3. Seek God’s Pleasure

Pleasure can be equated to favour, but favour can only come by living to please God.

Nehemiah was granted all that he asked of the king not because he pleased the king but more importantly, because the good hand of God was upon him (Nehemiah 2:5-8).

We must find favour with God first then favour with men, not the other way around. If we please the Lord, even our enemies will be at peace with us (Proverbs 16:7).

Reflection:
In seeking rebuilding, do we know the problems in our lives, pray God’s promises over them and live to please Him constantly?

Written by: Writer’s Ink
Edited by: Ivy Wambaa & Hailey Chung