SERMON NOTES (Sept 25, 2016): Family Business - Neh 5:1-13

Family Business

Neh 5:1-13

I.                   The Way a Family Complains (5:1-5)

          A.    EXP. Hunger (vv. 1-3): “Great Outcry”, “Eat & Live”, “Famine”

ILL. Spiritual Hunger – unsaved loved ones; physical hunger among church family.

          APP. When family is hurting, we should hear (Ps 37:25)

          B.     EXP. Bondage (vv. 4-5): “borrowed money”, “forced into bondage”, “belong to              others”

           ILL. Spiritual Bondage – sin in the camp; financial bondage to debt in church                 family.

           APP. When family is enslaved, we should free (Luke 4:18)

II.                 The Way a Family Contends (5:6-11)

          A.    Anger (vv. 6-8): Righteous Indignation?

1.     Internal Consultation – lit. my heart consulted in me

2.     Interpersonal Contention – rebuke

ILL. Cf. Ps. 69:9; John 2:17

APP. What do you do about anger between brothers?

          B.     Assembly (vv. 8-11): Biblical Confrontation?

1.     Sayings – two questions: Practical & Theological

2.     Silence – no answers

APP. How do you confront sin in the family?

III.              The Way a Family Covenants (vv. 12-13)

A.    The Goal of Restoration (vs. 12) –       The Promise

B.     The Ceremony of Restoration (vs. 12) – The Oath

C.     The Accountability of Restoration (vs. 13) – The Amen/ Witness