05 May Nehemiah | Part Thirteen – “Four Battles Every Christian Must Fight” – All Locations
Check the Events Page for What is Happening (not everything is listed here) (waterschurch.org/events)
Forge Night Tuesday, May 6 to to waterschurch.org/events to register.
First Tuesday is May 13.
Parking: North Attleboro – we are growing – and so is the need for parking! Please prayerfully consider giving toward this vital project. Your generosity will make it easier for people to attend services, hear the Gospel, and encounter the life-changing love of Jesus.
Missions: For the first time in history, Peru has its Bible in its language. Jeff and his crew can put this Bible into their hands thanks to all the tithers.
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LIFE GROUP LEADER TRAINING: MAY 7 USING GOOGLE MEET. IF YOU HAVE AN APPRENTICE READY TO LEAD, PLEASE HAVE THEM REGISTER USING LINK BELOW:
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ALL LOCATIONS – MEALS FOR ALPHA CLASS
NEW ENGLAND: UPCOMING CONCERT – TAYA (of Hillsong UNITED, singer of Oceans (Where Feet May Fall))
EVENT INFO:
Join TAYA on May 4th at North Attleboro for the Come Into The Light Tour, a transformative worship experience featuring her latest single by the same name, as well as other new songs from her upcoming record. “This tour is something I felt God drop in my heart over 2 years ago to do here in the United States, but for different reasons, it never eventuated…until now. I believe God’s timing and His alignment is perfect — and without either, I wouldn’t be walking into these nights with the stories and songs I now am.” Each night will be an invitation to pause and lay your life before God — every good, messy, broken, and sweet piece — and allow Him to have it all. You won’t want to miss these powerful nights of surrender in the Presence of Jesus, where we can Come Into The Light together and rediscover that He truly is everything He promised to be.
Reminders:
✳ Please regularly check your Planning Center profiles for requests to join your life groups, remove members from the list that no longer attend, or add members not listed. Please ensure that you have added no-reply@churchcenter.com to your email contacts so that you do not miss an email from Planning Center and encourage your members to do so as well. This will ensure you do not miss a member request or any emails that come from the Planning Center site. Thank you!
Waters Class Schedule:
- 1st Sunday: Discover Waters – after 1st service
- 2nd Sunday: NO CLASSES
- 3rd Sunday: Connect Class – after 1st service
- 4th Sunday: Baptism Class – after 1st service
Waters Help: Need marriage and family care or have a group member in need of marriage and family care? Click here: help resources page or visit waterschurch.org/help
Location Text Alerts:
| North Attleboro | Text “subscribe” to 508 695-1300 | |
| Norwood | Text “subscribe” to 781 762-3357 | |
| Apollo Beach | Text “subscribe” to 813 642-6979 | |
| Woonsocket | Text “subscribe” to 833 241-4837 | |
| Southcoast | Text “subscribe” to 508 809-3490 | |
Check the Events Page for What is Happening (not everything is listed here) (waterschurch.org/events)
Key Verse: Nehemiah 13
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Ice Breaker Question:
If your week were a battle, what would the title of that battle be?
(Examples: “The War of the Calendar,” “Battle of the Inbox,” “The Sleep Struggle”)
Invite a few people to share in a light-hearted way before diving in.
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Opening Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word and Nehemiah’s example. As we meet, open our hearts to hear what You’re speaking to us personally. Help us be honest with ourselves and each other as we explore the battles we face in our walk with You. Strengthen us through this time of fellowship and study so we can stand firm in Your truth. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Context:
Twelve years earlier, before Nehemiah chapter 13, Nehemiah had taken leave from his position to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. In Nehemiah 12:1-6, he fills the space, and in 12:7-12, he rebuilds the space.
The mission of the Gospel is rebuilding spaces and places to hear God’s Word.
In Nehemiah chapter 13, he returns to his home post and finds the Israelites completely backslidden and defeated.
Like ancient Israel, God’s people will always have to struggle and fight.
If you are failing, defeated, or backslidden, don’t quit.
Four Battles You Need To Fight:
1. The Battle for Your TEMPLE.
Broken Promise #1:
Nehemiah 10:39 – They promised not to neglect the house of God.
But…
Nehemiah 13:4–5; Nehemiah 4:3; Nehemiah 4:8
Tobiah was a sworn enemy of the Jews. He came to fight and cause confusion among the Israelites, and they put him in a posh apartment in the temple!
Hebrews 12:15; Nehemiah 13:8–9; 2 Corinthians 10:5.
Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. The enemy wants to take up space in that temple—not just in our physical bodies but also our minds, spirits, and souls.
What or who takes up space in your body, mind, or heart that does not belong (food, alcohol, drugs, approval of others, or bitterness)?
2 Corinthians 10:5 (ESV) – We must learn to take every thought captive.
Truth: My TEMPLE is for GOD, not the ENEMY.
Q. In what ways might we unknowingly allow “Tobiahs” into our lives—things or people that take up space in our hearts, minds, or habits and don’t belong there? What does it look like to “clean house” and reclaim that space for God?
Practical Application:
Identify one unhealthy influence, habit, or thought pattern occupying space in your life (have someone share if they would like to) and replace it with intentional time in prayer or Scripture this week.
2. The battle for your FINANCES
Broken Promise #2:
Nehemiah 10:37 – They were going to bring God His offerings.
But…
Nehemiah 13:10 (ESV)
Money can captivate your life.
Matthew 6:24 (ESV)
Proverbs 22:7 (ESV) – Debt enslaves you.
We must put God first financially and trust His way, not ours.
Nehemiah 13:11-12 (ESV) – Bring God your first fruits and manage the rest diligently.
Is your money serving you or mastering you?
When you prioritize God’s house, He provides for your needs.
Q. How can financial stress, debt, or misplaced priorities affect our spiritual lives today? What steps can we take to put God first in our finances and live with greater trust and freedom?
Practical Application:
Look at your budget or spending this week and take one step toward honoring God first, whether by giving, saving, or reducing debt.
3. The battle for your TIME
Broken Promise #3:
Nehemiah 10:31 (ESV) – They promised to keep the Sabbath holy.
But…
Nehemiah 13:15-21 (ESV) – Working on the Sabbath day is evil. The Sabbath is time that should be reserved for them to meet with God.
Anything that separates you from time with the Father is evil.
Isaiah 30:15 (ESV)
Truth: When we REST with God, we are STRONGER in LIFE.
Q. What competes for your time with the Father, and how can you protect that time better?
Practical Application:
Choose a specific time this week to pause and rest with God (Sabbath), even for an hour, and treat it as sacred.
4. The battle for your FAMILY
The battle for family is the most crucial battle, but you cannot fight this one until you have the other three down.
Broken Promise #4:
Nehemiah 10:30 (ESV) – In the ancient world, interfaith marriages often meant combining the worship of different gods. The Israelites were commanded not to intermarry with those of other faiths because it would lead their children to adopt foreign languages, values, and ultimately, false worship.
But…
Nehemiah 13:23-24 (ESV)
Do your children speak the language of the world?
Nehemiah 13:25–26 (ESV); Nehemiah 13:30-31 (ESV)
You have the TRUE Nehemiah in heaven ready to fight for you and cleanse everything foreign inside your life – His name is JESUS!
Hebrews 7:23–25 (ESV)
The enemy is taking this battle seriously, and you need to fight.
Fight for your family’s spiritual language and legacy.
Q. Where do you see cultural compromise influencing your family, and how can you confront it?
Practical Application:
This week, initiate a conversation or prayer time with a family member to refocus your home on God’s truth and purpose.
Series in a Sentence:
COME to the TRUE Nehemiah, Jesus Christ, who REBUILDS your life, FILLS it with His GOODNESS, and NEVER EVER gives up on you.
Key Takeaways:
Name 2 or 3 key takeaways you received from this message.
Closing Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for showing us the areas where we’ve let our guard down. We invite you to rebuild what has been broken, restore what has been compromised, and renew our hearts to follow you wholeheartedly. Please give us the strength to fight these battles with your wisdom and grace. Help us to lead our families, steward our time and money, and guard our hearts in a way that brings You glory. In Your name, we pray, amen.
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