Rise Up Week 4 - Fight For Peace
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Nehemiah 5:1-19 Christian Standard Bible
5 There was a widespread outcry from the people and their wives against their Jewish countrymen. 2 Some were saying, “We, our sons, and our daughters are numerous. Let us get grain so that we can eat and live.” 3 Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, vineyards, and homes to get grain during the famine.” 4 Still others were saying, “We have borrowed money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards. 5 We and our children are just like our countrymen and their children, yet we are subjecting our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters are already enslaved, but we are powerless because our fields and vineyards belong to others.” 6 I became extremely angry when I heard their outcry and these complaints. 7 After seriously considering the matter, I accused the nobles and officials, saying to them, “Each of you is charging his countrymen interest.” So, I called a large assembly against them 8 and said, “We have done our best to buy back our Jewish countrymen who were sold to foreigners, but now you sell your own countrymen, and we have to buy them back.” They remained silent and could not say a word. 9 Then I said, “What you are doing isn’t right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God and not invite the reproach of our foreign enemies? 10 Even I, as well as my brothers and my servants, have been lending them money and grain. Please, let’s stop charging this interest.
11 Return their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and houses to them immediately, along with the percentage of the money, grain, new wine, and fresh oil that you have been assessing them.”
12 They responded, “We will return these things and require nothing more from them. We will do as you say.” So, I summoned the priests and made everyone take an oath to do this. 13 I also shook the folds of my robe and said, “May God likewise shake from his house and property everyone who doesn’t keep this promise. May he be shaken out and have nothing!” The whole assembly said, “Amen,” and they praised the Lord. Then the people did as they had promised. 14 Furthermore, from the day King Artaxerxes appointed me to be their governor in the land of Judah—from the twentieth year until his thirty-second year, twelve years—I and my associates never ate from the food allotted to the governor. 15 The governors who preceded me had heavily burdened the people, taking from them food and wine as well as a pound of silver. Their subordinates also oppressed the people, but because of the fear of God, I didn’t do this. 16 Instead, I devoted myself to the construction of this wall, and all my subordinates were gathered there for the work. We didn’t buy any land. 17 There were 150 Jews and officials, as well as guests from the surrounding nations at my table. 18 Each day, one ox, six choice sheep, and some fowl were prepared for me. An abundance of all kinds of wine was provided every ten days. But I didn’t demand the food allotted to the governor, because the burden on the people was so heavy. 19 Remember me favorably, my God, for all that I have done for this people.
Summary
Welcome back to Community Group, we are in week four of our Rise Up Series. This week’s sermon was entitled, Fight For Peace. We find ourselves in Nehemiah 5:1-19. We see that the needs of the people were not being met and that people were being insensitive towards their countrymen. Their needs were not being met causing them to fall behind on their obligations. Leaving the people feeling powerless to change their situations. The question being posed is, how do we fight for peace in divided times? Nehemiah answered that question for them.
First, EMPATHIZE WITH OTHERS PAIN. When there is division, before focusing on yourself, focus on the pain of others. In Mark 3:5 we see that Jesus is angry because the people are indifferent to the man’s need. The preferred to focus on the situation, working on the Sabbath. Jesus focused on others when He went to the cross.
Our second point is PAUSE AND THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK. In verse seven, Nehemiah seriously considered the matter before speaking to the nobles and officials. We see this practice in James 1:19-20. This a practice we should all work on.
The third point is TRY TO RESOLVE CONFLICT APPROPRIATELY. He dealt with a corporate conflict in a corporate setting. Matthew 18 spells out how we, as Christians, should address conflict. As a leader, this may mean owning the sin, even if it’s not yours to appropriately resolve it.
Our fourth point was APPEAL TO THE BEST IN PEOPLE. This begins with knowing who you represent. You can’t lift people up if you are busy putting them down. When we appeal to the best in people, we are believing the best, so that we can resolve the conflict.
Our final point is DO EVERYTHING WITH HUMILITY AND GENEROSITY. Nehemiah, as an official, was entitled to receive provisions from the people. He chose to provide for himself and devote himself to the work on the wall. He understood that this was a difficult time for the people. Jesus himself modeled this in Philippians 2:6-11.
So, what does this mean for us? We need to ask ourselves, are you seeking peace or sowing discord? We need to walk in peace and humility as we make disciples. We are to speak truth in love.
Discussion
Do you find it hard to empathize with those who oppose you?
How has speaking before thinking gotten you in trouble?
How do you resolve conflict?
Do you believe the best in others? Why? Why not?
How has Matthew 18 helped you in conflict resolution?
Announcements
Continue to pray for our CG leaders.
Help us pray for new CGs to be formed.
Our CG Leadership gathering has been scheduled for Sunday, July 17th. More information to come through Whatsapp.
Pastor Isauro Medina
Isauro.medina@bt.church
Cell: (956) 984-9380
