MOVING FORWARD IN THE CHRISTIAN WALK

Nehemiah 2:13-16

Introduction: 

To be able to move forward in his walk with God, a believer needs to know:

1.  Where he stands with God in Christ (The Valley Gate)

2.  That he has been given dominion over the devil in Jesus’ Name (The    Serpent Well)

I.  DEALING WITH SIN (The Refuse or Dung Gate)

A.  A picture of a daily purging and cleansing process

B.  Being sensitive to sin, obedient in life, and conscientious to confess    

1 John 1:7, 9

The Holy Spirit does not point out sin to us to condemn us; He reveals it so we will repent, confess and be brought to a new place in the light. Where sin is surfaced, confession is required.

Confession means “to speak the same thing.”

Daily purging is no shame; it’s healthy. When we confess, the position we have gained in Christ is not threatened.

II. BEING IN THE WORD (The Fountain Gate)

  

A.  This gate depicts the Word of God.

*John 15:3

The Bible describes itself as: bread, milk, gold, honey, mirror, hammer and water.

B.  The believer feeds daily on the Word

*Colossians 3:16

*Joshua 1:8

As the people needed daily to get fresh, life-sustaining water at the Fountain Gate, so it is impossible for a believer to survive apart from continuous feeding on the Word.

III.           WALKING IN THE SPIRIT (The King’s Pool)

A.  Hezekiah’s water system in history

About 300 years before Nehemiah, Hezekiah built a tunnel that served as Jerusalem’s water supply system. The source was Gihon Spring; the reservoir was the King’s Pool. Workers started at opposite ends and cut their way through the rock to within one foot of a precise contact.

B.  A continuous supply of life-sustaining water was now within the city of Jerusalem

*Ephesians 5:18

C.  In N.T. times, the King’s Pool was known as the Pool of Siloam

*John 9:7

Conclusion:

At the Refuse/Dung and Fountain Gates, we learn of the analogies of confession and growth in the Word.   At the King’s Pool, we need to discover  the flowing streams of living water.

*John 7:37

*Revelation 22:17

The Holy Spirit is a miracle supply of power, flowing from a source that never ends. With praise in your heart and on your lips, come into His presence and by faith receive His promise. The become an overflow to others.

Questions for Home/Care Group Sharing & Discussion:

1.  Read Psalms 32:1-5.  Let members of the group share what happens when sin is confessed.

What are some of the effects of unconfessed sin?

2.  “You can only give out what you have taken in.”  How is this saying applicable to Bible

Reading?

3.  Share a testimony on how the Holy Spirit has brought a refreshing in your own life.