MAN DOWN

MAN DOWN!

Nehemiah 1:4-6

TYPE- Expository I

THESIS- We will be looking closer at Nehemiah 1:4-6, so that we may all learn how to react when we see brothers and sister in Christ failing spiritually.

INTRODUCTION- I once heard it said that “the true measure of a man is not how he falls, but how he picks himself up.”

1. That may be true.

2. But it is a truer measure of those around him, of how THEY react.

3. Brother marines ILLUSTRATION—

4. Today, we see how our reaction should be.

I. THERE SHOULD BE A GRIEVING- (Nehemiah 1:4)

A. Their affliction should grieve us (Psalm 119:136,158).

B. Their brokenness should grieve us. —ILLUSTRATION

C. Their injuries should grieve us (Ezra 10:6).

II. THERE SHOULD BE A GENUFLECTING- (Nehemiah 1:5)

A. We should genuflect out of gratitude (Psalm 95:6,7).

B. We should genuflect out of fear. —ILLUSTRATION—

C. We should genuflect out awe (Mark 1:40).

III. THERE SHOULD BE A GRAVITATING- (Nehemiah 1:6)

A. We should gravitate to help (1 Chronicles 16:10-11: 2 Chronicles 7:14).

B. We should gravitate to safety. —ILLUSTRATION—

C. We should gravitate to God (Psalm 42:2).

CONCLUSION- If we are honest with ourselves today, how do we respond when we see our brothers and sisters in Christ fall?

1. It should grieve our hearts.

2. And if it does not, that my brothers and sisters, is a sign we may have to look at ourselves.