OWN MY OWN BROKENNESS
On October 31 the people assembled again, and this time they fasted and dressed in burlap and sprinkled dust on their heads. 2 Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all foreigners as they confessed their own sins and the sins of their ancestors. NEHEMIAH 9:1-2 NLT
To own your brokenness, you must:
- Stop confessing in general terms – name the actual thing.
- Accept what you inherited – not just what you did.
- Confess before you compare.
MAKE A BINDING COMMITMENT TO GOD
28 …all who had separated themselves from the pagan people of the land in order to obey the Law of God, together with their wives, sons, daughters, and all who were old enough to understand— 29 joined their leaders and bound themselves with an oath… They solemnly promised to carefully follow all the commands, regulations, and decrees of the LORD our Lord. NEHEMIAH 10:28-29 NLT
Commit to bind yourself to God:
- Relationally: how you treat people, starting with those closest to you
- Sexually: honoring yourself and other people as image bearers of God
- Financially: what you give, save, and how you handle money
- Vocationally: integrity at work, whether anyone’s watching or not
- Physically: how you treat your body, since it’s not just yours
39 …”We promise together not to neglect the Temple of our God.” NEHEMIAH 10:39 NLT
TAKE MY PLACE IN GOD’S HOUSE
The leaders of the people were living in Jerusalem, the holy city. A tenth of the people from the other towns of Judah and Benjamin were chosen by sacred lots to live there, too, while the rest stayed where they were. 2 And the people commended everyone who volunteered to resettle in Jerusalem. NEHEMIAH 11:1-2 NLT
CELEBRATE WHAT GOD HAS ALREADY DONE
43 Many sacrifices were offered on that joyous day, for God had given the people cause for great joy. The women and children also participated in the celebration, and the joy of the people of Jerusalem could be heard far away. NEHEMIAH 12:43 NLT
GUARD WHAT YOU HAVE WORKED SO HARD TO REBUILD
7 When I arrived back in Jerusalem, I learned about Eliashib’s evil deed in providing Tobiah with a room in the courtyards of the Temple of God. 8 I became very upset and threw all of Tobiah’s belongings out of the room. 9 Then I demanded that the rooms be purified, and I brought back the articles for God’s Temple, the grain offerings, and the frankincense. NEHEMIAH 13:7-9 NLT
TRUST THAT GOD WILL REMEMBER YOUR SACRIFICES
14 Remember this good deed, O my God, and do not forget all that I have faithfully done for the Temple of my God and its services. NEHEMIAH 13:14 NLT
9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. GALATIANS 6:9-10 NLT
My Notes
Discussion Questions
Choose a couple questions from each section to discuss and reflect on the sermon as a group:
- START HERE: What have you worked hard to build, restore, or improve that took more effort to maintain than you originally expected?
- START HERE: When you make a commitment, what helps you stay faithful after the initial excitement wears off?
- KEEP GOING: Read Nehemiah 9:1-2 and 10:28-29 NLT. What stands out to you about the people's response? Why was owning their brokenness an essential part of rebuilding?
- KEEP GOING: Which of these six practices from the sermon—confession, commitment, presence, celebration, guarding, or trust—comes most naturally to you? Which are you avoiding right now, and why?
- KEEP GOING: Where have you “rebuilt the wall” through a change in behavior or routine, but have yet to rebuild your heart? What makes the inner work of changing your heart toward someone or something more difficult for you?
- KEEP GOING: Read Galatians 6:9-10 NLT. When obedience feels unnoticed or exhausting, what do you need to believe about God to faithfully keep going?
- LIVE IT OUT: What's one specific, nameable step you can take this week in the area that's hardest for you? Who can you invite to encourage or pray for you? Who will be impacted by your willingness to take this step?
