[Verse 1]
You’re the God of this City
You’re the King of these people
You’re the Lord of this nation
You are
[Verse 2]
You’re the Light in this darkness
You’re the Hope to the hopeless
You’re the Peace to the restless
You are
There is no one like our God
There is no one like our God
[Chorus]
For greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this City
Greater thing have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this City
If the above is true, how might we join God in what He is doing in the city?
Today is the first anniversary of the most deadly earthquakes on record in Sichuan China, killing over 80000 people and rendering millions homeless. … After one year, there are still thousands and thousands of survivors who grieve badly for their loss. Mosaic people had responded promptly to the needs of the earthquake victims by raising money for them through The Canadian Red Cross last year. I think the survivors still need our support in rebuilding their city as well as their well being. I was so touched to hear the sharing of our brothers and sisters last Sunday on their coming mission trip to Sichuan. It will be another opportunity for us to serve humanity. I will certainly pray for their passion to the survivors and the safety of the trip. I will also support them financially. Let’s help the brothers of the least in the name of Jesus.
Cornelius – gave alms generously and prayed constantly to God without knowing his name was Jesus
What does this say about how we interact with those around us?
Indwelling in the grace of God has nothing to do with your ‘works’ but how do you help introduce someone to the King, who already seems well acquainted with the kingdom?
v36 The message God sent to his people – peace by Jesus christ – he is Lord of all.
How was the collaborative whiteboarding session of Nehemiah 2:1-8? Hard? Awkward? Not your thing?
Just so you know drawing thoughts isn’t quite my thing either, here’s my first draft verse by verse as I experimented with it first (just so you don’t feel bad)
Here’s my 2nd try with more reflection and synthesizing of thoughts
2nd one’s not the greatest either, but visually working with things definitely helped me grapple the text more and reflect upon my own life.
I’m really trying to find all means possible to bring the scriptures as close to you as possible each gathering. I hope we can become really familiar with the story of Nehemiah this year, but even more so be shaped by it as individuals and as a community.
Things to keep in mind, especially if you weren’t there
- Nehemiah’s concern was for those on the ‘outside’ and it led him to attempt rebuilding a city
- Context – this city had been plundered multiple times, and there were already two unsuccessful attempts at rebuilding it.
- What would it be like to hope and pray and persevere for months for a single concern?
- Nehemiah’s prayer and preparation led him to be able to discern an opportunity, and not be at a loss for words when that opportunity came
- This was a massive request by Nehemiah – but don’t assume on behalf of others that they’d say no
- What does this story show you about how to engage our surrounding culture?
v4 “Saul, why do you persecute me?” – He was actually persecuting his followers, but this speaks of Christ’s high association with his followers.
What if we interacted with one another as if we were speaking to Christ himself? Or as the ‘bride of Christ’, as people near and dear to the heart of God? How would that change our tone or even critiques?
v16 “I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name” – Paul’s gonna get it.
It’s also interesting how that suffering works itself out in such a profoundly beautiful way. In what ways has God been showing you himself through suffering for his name?
