March 1, 2014 - Church at Worship

Sermon: "The Shaking-Part 5 - Nehemiah: Of Bricks and Prayers" - Randy Roberts

Pastoral Welcome: Joelle Reuer

Baptism: Aiden Nathaniel Walls - Ron Carter

Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 5:1–6 -  Erik Harty, Linda Harty

Note: Child Dedications and Baptisms are on the extras section of the dvd.

Sermon Notes:

A friend of mine has a passionate heart for the poor. And he doesn’t just talk! He puts his money where his mouth is—he is involved in significant ways in ministries that make a profound difference in the lives of many disadvantaged people. My friend has said to me: “In the future, I believe that generations will look back at us and ask, ‘How could your generation not do more for the poor?’ In fact, I think they will ask this question in the same way we ask a similar question about slavery.”

I wonder if my friend is right. I do know this: Nehemiah was concerned about the poor. The poor of his day were being mistreated and financially abused, and Nehemiah heard about it. “When I heard their outcry and these charges, I was very angry” (Neh. 5:6, TNIV). And he continued: “What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God?” (Neh. 5:9, TNIV). He confronted the issue and rectified the wrong.

Let’s linger with Nehemiah today, considering what we might learn from him about treatment of the poor in our day.

Randy Roberts
Senior Pastor