How do you make a family mission statement?: Nehemiah 10

2 ways to seek cultural change

1. Top-Down – elections, politicians, laws, pressure
2. In-Out – new nature, heart, desires, power

-Generations of lip-service but not lifestyle = Lukewarm

The men gather to form a mission statement minority countercultural subculture

1).Men (10:1-27)

-Nehemiah, other leaders, priests/pastors, 44 prominent extended families, all

-HUGE encouragement A. Wives B. Kids

2). Mission – statement e.g. nation founding docs, sports rulebook

3). Minority – countercultural subculture

4:Meahing: School of Pub. Health – Higher Purpose = Longer Life (21% lower mortality)

https://www.bu.edu/sph/news/articles/2022/sense-of-purpose-in-life-may-be-linked-to-mortality-risk/

#1. We will obey Scripture (Nehemiah 10:29)

“enter into a curse & an oath to walk in God’s Law that was given by Moses…& to observe & do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord & his rules and his statutes.”

1. To have unity requires everyone is under the same authority
2. Jesus’ Lordship extends to all of life (not sacred/secular)

Back to the Bible 400k ppl survey. 3X & less week Bible = little change. 4+ X week

407% more likely to memorize Scripture

228% more likely to share faith with others

59% less likely to view pornography

30% less likely to struggle with loneliness

#2. We will lead our families (Nehemiah 10:1-29)

“join with their brothers”

10:1-27 list of names of heads of households publicly vowing

If the husband does not lovingly lead here’s the options:

1. A battle
2. Strongest personality dominates
3. Everyone works around the least healthy family member
4. Eventually, Satan takes over the family & everyone suffers

=Good men form a fraternity to build one another up to bless women & children

#3. We will worship our God (Nehemiah 10:1-39)

1. Bible teacher – Ezra – 6 hour sermon, 1 week Bible/worship conference
2. Church staff – “priests & Levites”
3. Worship leaders – “singers”
4. Group Leaders – “gatekeepers”

-Why men not worship in church?

-? MEN – own their faith & lead their family in worship? Brad. Wilcox. SONS/DAUG

#4. We will only marry believers (Nehemiah 10:30)

“We will not give our daughters to the peoples of the land or take their daughters for our sons.”

2 MOST important decisions

1. Your God
2. Your Spouse

Lowest divorce rate & highest marital satisfaction = 2 active believers

Highest divorce rate & lowest marital satisfaction – 2 active diff’t religions

=Kids in a divided house – confused, spiritual warfare, divided

#5. We will conduct business ethically (Nehemiah 10:31)

if the peoples of the land bring in goods or any grain on the Sabbath day to sell, we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or on a holy day.

• Sabbath is a grace not a law (breathe out vs in)
• You can work 6 days a week w/God’s blessing, or 7 days a week w/o God’s blessing

= Witness

#6. We will give generously (10:32-38)

We obligate ourselves to bring the firstfruits…to the house of the LORD

God FIRST

1. Most people are funding darkness, and God’s people fund the light
2. Acts 20:35 “Jesus…said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

% & RECURRING

1. Christianity has a pay it forward plan

= e.g. 2 days 3600 people

#7. We will make church a priority (Nehemiah 10:35)

We will not neglect the house of our God.

• True revival inside out = crime & social unrest DOWN, peace & prosperity up

YOU & YOUR FAMILY

• If Church is last, it will never happen (sports, tire, hobbies, distractions)
• This is a good time of year to make your personal/family mission statement.

1. Write it down
2. Share it for accountability

OUR CHURCH FAMILY

1. Remnant & Revival
2. Missionary (Real Faith) vs Monastery (Trinity)
3. Invite people into a diff’t culture

Real Men photo

PRAY & Invite Band Up

Rebuilding Home Update

1. Pray for continued health, unity, joy, and momentum in our church family.
2. Give your pledge to the Rebuilding Home Campaign
3. Fulfill your pledge to the Rebuilding Home Campaign by December 31^st
4. Continue giving to the General Fund and set up Recurring Giving for 2022