Building a City

We are currently doing a study through the book of Nehemiah. Nehemiah was the wine-taster to the king of Persia and had a fairly good job. But he heard some bad news about the hometown of his people and was convicted to do something to help. The walls of their city were broken down and the influence and control of the surrounding people groups were pulling the people of GOD to 'great distress and reproach'.

He humbled himself in prayer for about 4 months and then went before his king to ask for help.

GOD blessed his request and so Nehemiah left to rebuild the walls and the people.

The Bible tells us that Christians are also referred to as saints. Not because of an outward perfection to be held over non-believers but because we are saved by a gracious GOD!

The greek word for saint is hagios. This means one who is set apart. We are to be set apart from the unsaved around us. No this does not mean we are to lock ourselves in our homes and hide. It means we are to live our lives in such a way that the world around us notices a difference and GOD is glorified.

Christians are supposed to be different. We should 'do life' differently. We should 'do family' diferently. We should be a light. Why is it that the divorce rate of Christians is the same as the divorce rate of unbelievers? Why is it that the problems of the world have come into the people of GOD?

I believe it is because most Christians live in the world and let the world influence their lives. Again, I am not advocating a life in a vacuum.

We are to be in the world but not of the world.

Nehemiah went to Jerusalem and built the wall around the city of GOD. But the wall had gates. The church should be the same way. We are set apart but we go out of the 'gates' to do business and have influence. The gates are there so others can come in. But we have control of the gates. What are we letting in our city? Is it things that will bring us down?

Home Town Community Church will be a 'City Within a City'. We are a group of believers that values the things of GOD and love those around us enough to tell them about JESUS.

Join us Tuesday nights at 7 at Roots Coffeehouse at 9101 Blvd.26 (Grapevine Hwy.), Ste.101, just north of NRH2o between Firehouse Subs and Chipotle across from TCC. We will save you a seat!