The Gospel In The Gates-Nehemiah 3
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In last weeks message we began to look at the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, specifically at some of the individuals God chose to use in the rebuilding of the gates and wall.
First we looked at Eliashib, the High Priest as well as the other priests with him. We noted that their coming alongside the common people to build, signified that God’s Hand was on this building effort. We also looked at the fact that we learn in that while there was a time Eliashib was the type of spiritual leader he was called to be, that in the end he did not finish well. The challenge for us it to realize that it matters little if we accomplish great things for Christ if in the end we don’t finish well. Not finishing well means we miss out on hearing “Well Done, good and faithful servant.”
Next we moved to the ones God called out on the pages of Scripture for all eternity. The Nobles of the Tekoites felt they were too good to join the common people in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. We were reminded through the bad example of these men that Being High in Your Own Eyes Brings You Low in the Eyes of the God of Heaven. But we also learned that just because those who are supposed to be leaders dropped the ball in their leadership, doesn’t mean that we that are under them are freed from serving God faithfully. In we find that the Tekoites basically did double duty rather than follow the lead of their nobles.
We closed out last weeks message by reviewing the specific occupations of these wall builders and discovered that there was no indication whatsoever that there was a single skilled laborer involved. Simply put, in the Christian life The Only Requirement for Building God’s Kingdom is an Available servant with a Willing Heart . You see God was not looking for qualified builders, He was looking for willing and available servants.
This morning we will continue to look at and the rebuilding effort in Jerusalem, specifically we will be looking at the gates.
As I have mentioned many times, and will continue to mention, nothing in this Book is here by accident. Every word is here for a specific purpose, even the order of the words and in this case the order of the Gates around Jerusalem as they appear in . All have a specific purpose. Many Biblical scholars believe there is very significant spiritual meaning behind each of the gates, including their order as they appear in . This morning we are going to look at, as Dr. J. Vernon McGee calls it “The Gospel in the Gates of Jerusalem”.
If you haven’t already, please turn in your copies of God’s Word to the Book of Nehemiah chapter 3. It is on page 505 in the pew Bibles.
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The Tour of the Gates.
The Tour of the Gates.
Dr. J. Vernon McGee writes: “There are ten of these gates, and they form an instrument of ten strings from which vibrates heaven’s harmony. As we stand back to better examine the massive stones of the walls, they begin to speak. They have a message for us, for you and I are building walls – spiritual walls, if you please – with the same gates and having the same message. Today God has given us a subcontract that you and I might build these walls of Jerusalem in our own hearts and lives.”
There are ten of these gates, and they form an instrument of ten strings from which vibrates heaven‟s harmony. As we stand back to better examine the massive stones of the walls, they begin to speak. They have a message for us, for you and I are building walls – spiritual walls, if you please – with the same gates and having the same message. Today God has given us a subcontract that you and I might build these walls of Jerusalem in our own hearts and lives.
Dr. J. Vernon McGee writes: There are ten of these gates, and they form an instrument of ten strings from which vibrates heaven‟s harmony. As we stand back to better examine the massive stones of the walls, they begin to speak. They have a message for us, for you and I are building walls – spiritual walls, if you please – with the same gates and having the same message. Today God has given us a subcontract that you and I might build these walls of Jerusalem in our own hearts and lives.
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Now let’s look at the gates and what each one represents. To begin with this morning, let’s start with:
The Sheep Gate Represents Christ & His Work on the Cross. ; ;
Now right from the start I want to let you know I will likely spend more time on this gate than any of the other gates, and we may not make it through all of the gates this morning. So don’t get nervous when you see all of the gates listed in your bulletin handouts, thinking this message may last until Thanksgiving!
In we read:
1 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set its doors. They consecrated it as far as the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Tower of Hananel.
Nehemiah 3:1
We mentioned the significance of this gate last week, especially as it related to the Eliashib, the Chief Priest as well as the other priests. This was the gate where the lambs for the Temple sacrifice were brought through. That, in and of itself is very significant, but that is just the beginning of what we will see this morning. By the way, I mentioned that this was the gate where the lambs were brought through for the temple sacrifice, but their was something else that needed to be done before lambs were brought to the temple for the sacrifice. Remember, these were lambs for the sacrifice, meaning they were to be spotless lambs, but on top of being spotless they also had to be cleaned. So, before they were brought in for the sacrifice, they were brought to a very special pool where they were washed. This was the: Next Slide
1 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades.
3 In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed.
5 One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years.
6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?”
7 The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.”
8 Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.”
9 And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath.
John 5:1-9
This was the:
The Pool of Bethesda.
That pool came into play in the Gospels, almost 500 years later. We read in:
1 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades.
3 In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed.
5 One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years.
6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?”
7 The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.”
8 Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.”
9 And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath.
The Fish Gate. ; ;
At the time of Christ, superstitious traditions held that there was a mysterious power in this pool. The water had a reddish tint to it and was apparently fed by an underground spring that would, from time to time stir movement in the water. They felt that anytime the water stirred, it was being stirred by an angel and that the 1st person in the water would be healed. That is why this man was there. Jesus completely ignores the superstitions held by the people and moves right to the healing.
J. Vernon McGee writes: “That act was symbolic of the fact that He came as the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world. And the poor man whom He healed is a picture of every sinner who, if willing to come to the cross of Christ, will find deliverance from sin.”
That act was symbolic of the fact that He came as the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world. And the poor man whom He healed is a picture of every sinner who, if willing to come to the cross of Christ, will find deliverance from sin.”
The key is that healing comes from Jesus and not from the pool, Jesus then entered the City of Jerusalem through the Sheep Gate. Most theologians believe that Jesus always entered Jerusalem through the Sheep Gate, except on one occasion. That occasion was the Triumphal Entry the week of the Crucifixion.
Now, perhaps you may be wondering what would be significant about Jesus always entering Jerusalem through the Sheep Gate? I believe the answer is found in , where we read:
29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
John 1:29
In other words, Jesus purposeful entrance through the Sheep Gate was His way of pointing everyone to the fact that He had come as that spotless Lamb of God, Who would take away the sins of the world.
To emphasize this in an even greater way, let me read to you from the Book of , where we read:
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.
Isaiah 53:7
So, how does this fit with the Sheep Gate. The path the Jesus was led on from His trial in front of Pilate to the place of the Crucifixion, took Jesus right through the streets of Jerusalem, past the Temple, His feet literally walking the path of the lambs that were being led to be slaughtered, and He then exited Jerusalem through the Sheep Gate. He was very literally fulfilling and at the same moment. It also fits very well with what Jesus said in :
9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.
This brings us to the homework assignment I sent out this week via the churches email list. The assignment was for you to look over the verses comparing all of the other gates to the the Sheep Gate. To see if you could find something that took place with the Sheep Gate that did not take place with any of the other gates and see if you can find a detail in all of the other gates that is not listed on the Sheep Gate.
The 1st question was, what took place with the sheep gate that did not take place with the other gates? (The Sheep Gate was the only gate that was consecrated by the priests). The priests understood from the very beginning that this gate was a very special gate. When they consecrated this gate, they were setting it apart as a very special gate. Truthfully, at the time they had no idea how really special this gate was for all of history. Only now are we beginning to understand, but even we won’t know until the day we stand face to Face with that spotless Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world.
The 2nd question was, what was the detail seen in all of the other gates that was not listed in the Sheep Gate? (Every other gate mentions that they “set it’s bolts and bars). There is a very powerful and significant lesson here that we can’t miss. The mention of the setting of the bolts and bars is specifically referring to the ability to secure and lock the other gates. There is no mention of bolts and bars on the Sheep Gate signifying that the way of salvation is open to all who will put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ, the spotless Lamb of God. As long as there is breath in our lungs and the beating in our hearts the way of salvation is open to us.
That brings us to the next gate, and by the way, I want you to notice that the listing of the gates progresses counter-clockwise. This, in and of itself is an important thing to notice, you see the things of God often go counter to what we might expect. The next gate is:
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The Fish Gate Represents Our Responsibility to be “Fishers of Men”. ; ;
When we look at the Fish Gate, we are reminded that one of the very first thing Jesus did when someone believed in Him was to give them an assignment. We see this when He called the disciples. You will recall what He said to Andrew and Peter, to James and John when these fishermen were by the Sea of Galilee, He said; “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” We also saw it when He was with the Woman at the Well. After she believed in Him he sent her away to the Samaritan town she was from to share what Jesus had done for her.
Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
We also saw Him give a similar command to the demon possessed man after He cast out the demons and the man trusted in Jesus. In we read;
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.”
19 And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”
20 And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.
He gives the same command to us in where we read:
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
J. Vernon McGee writes “But at the time of Nehemiah‟s record, the Fish Gate was in disrepair. That is like so many Christians who, day by day, month by month, year by year, make no attempt to win anyone to Christ. Though this is true, still I am encouraged. Lately I have seen more people turn to Christ because someone was “fishing” than at any time in my ministry. There are many Christians who are fishing; sometimes they do not catch anything. Half the time when I’ve gone fishing I haven‟t gotten even a bite, but there is one sure thing: You will never catch a fish until you try! He is calling us to be fishers of men. Today is the hour of the layman, it is the hour of the average believer, because all around you today there are hearts that are hungry. The child of God has a marvelous opportunity to fish.”
But at the time of Nehemiah‟s record, the Fish Gate was in disrepair. That is like so many Christians who, day by day, month by month, year by year, make no attempt to win anyone to Christ. Though this is true, still I am encouraged. Lately I have seen more people turn to Christ because someone was “fishing” than at any time in my ministry. There are many Christians who are fishing; sometimes they do not catch anything. Half the time when I‟ve gone fishing I haven‟t gotten even a bite, but there is one sure thing: You will never catch a fish until you try! He is calling us to be fishers of men. Today is the hour of the layman, it is the hour of the average believer, because all around you today there are hearts that are hungry. The child of God has a marvelous opportunity to fish. ”
How are you doing in following this command? The vast majority of people you come in contact with day in and day out will likely never set foot inside the doors of Liberty Chapel, most will never crack open the pages of a Bible. You may be their only opportunity to hear of the Spotless Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world. That One Who went to the Cross via the Sheep Gate.
Do you remember last week when we looked at the Nobles of the Tekoites? What was it that God pointed out about them for all of eternity? (He pointed out that they refused to do the work). Please don’t give Him the opportunity to write the same concerning you! We all have been called to be “Fishers of men”!
The next gate in is:
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The Old Gate Represents The Never Changing Truth of The Word of God . ; ;
. ; ;
So much has changed since the days when Scripture was recorded. People have changed, ways have changed, customs have changed, how we do things has changed, our transportation has changed, our homes have changed…so much has changed, but one thing that has never changed and never will change is the Truths of God’s Word. God’s Word remains the same and it’s truths transform life’s as much today as It did when the pages were being lived out.
We read in ;
16 Thus says the Lord: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
God’s Word is that “ancient path” and It still leads to the place where you can “find rest for your souls”. And like those whom Jeremiah was addressing, we also can chose to “not walk in it”. But that is a tragic choice that leads to destruction.
If you have already made your way through the Sheep Gate, are seeking to be used of God through the Fish Gate, next make sure you are daily grounding yourself in the Word of God, the Old Gate.
The next gate we see is:
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The Valley Gate Represents the Life of Humbleness & Humility. ; ; Phpns. 2:3;
So much of the time our greatest value in the cause of Christ comes not in our mountain top experiences, but in our times in the deep dark valleys. In we read:
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Pslam 23:4
What is it that happens in the Valley? It is in the valley that we realize that we can’t do this alone. We really have 2 choices when we are in the Valley, we either turn to God, or we turn away from God. I have done both. One leaves me in the depths of despair, the other brings me to complete dependence on God, Who according to is “with me” Whose “rod and staff…comfort me”.
It is where we learn humbleness and humility, which we learn in :
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
and ;
12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
Are absolutely key for the spirit of God to work through us.
After the mountain-top experiences of the first three gates, this gate brings us back to reality and on into a deeper cleansing. Fruit does not grow on the mountain-top. The river does not flow on the mountain-top. These things happen in the Valley - through trials that must be endured with Joy. Then we will go through the next gate, the Dung Gate, that will purify us and prepare us to be empowered for service.
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The Dung Gate Represents the Need for the Believer to Deal with Sin . ;
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The Fountain Gate Represents the Holy Spirit Indwelling the Believer. ; ; & 39
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The Water Gate Represents The Power of God’s Word. ; ; ;
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The Horse Gate Represents The Spiritual Warfare of the Believer. ; ;
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The East Gate Represents the Second Coming of Jesus. ;
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The Muster (Inspection) Gate Represents the Judgement Seat of God. ; ; ;
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Completing the Tour
The Sheep Gate Represents the Lengths God Has Gone Through to Protect Us from His Judgement Seat. ; ;
the sheep gate is also mentioned at the very end once we have come full circle. That is because everything starts and ends with Jesus' death on the cross. He is the High Priest who builds and consecrates this foundation gate in our lives.
Once you come to Christ then things begin to make sense. Jesus said you would go in and out and find pasture. I have good news! We aren't alone in finding good pasture. Jesus goes with us. When he has brought out all His own, He goes on ahead of them, and His sheep follow Him because they know His voice. () Not only do we find the shepherd but also we begin the Christian life. When one finds the shepherd one hears and recognizes His voice in His word. We know the voice of the shepherd.
He leads us into pastures that are green and healthy. We get ourselves into trouble when we search for our own pasture. The world has its pastures. They are earthly, worldly pastures. They tend to dry up and wither when the heat of trouble and adversity comes on us.
Before we can enter the green pastures the Lord has for us we must come in through the sheep gate. Have you come in by the door? There is no other gateway to glory. That comes at the cross through Jesus Christ and His work on the cross. Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
This is the plea from the sheep gate.
Jesus’s Sacrifice — Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world ()The Sheep Gate = Salvation through Jesus’ death on the crossThis gate had no bolts or bars — salvation freely available to everyone who enters through it.Built by the High Priest — Jesus is our High PriestHis death opens the way for us and restores free access to the FatherThe Sheep Gate is mentioned at the start and end of the chapter — everything starts and ends with Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. It’s all about Jesus and His finished work on the cross!Have you come in through the Sheep Gate?
A number of years ago Dr. J. Vernon McGee wrote a booklet called “The Gospel in the Gates of Jerusalem”, he, among many other Biblical scholars believe there is very significant spiritual meaning behind each of the gates, including their order as they appear in .
The Gospel in the Gates of Jerusalem
nothing really grows well on the mountain top, it grows well in the valley
book of rememberance