[The late evening program included a special book workshop/presentation by Missionary John Baik of El Camino. He also gave the staff member a special gift - a book he got published on Nehemiah.]
Introduction:
After the 50th year anniversary celebration of UBF ministry a while ago in Seoul Korea, missionaries from Kyung-sung UBF met together and studied the Book of Nehemiah. At that time Missionary John Baik led English Bible study on Nehemiah in six lessons. He came back to LA, and served sunday messages on Nehemiah in six lessons, for he realized that this book is good for disciple-making.
Key Point:
Key Verse is 2:17. At that time the Jerusalem temple was built, but walls remained in ruins, so God's people remained in disgrace.
The Jerusalem walls serve to keep the people of God from secular influence. Fighting against the enemies' interference and working to build God's walls serve their own good as well as the good of their children and children's children. And there are challenges inside and challenges outside. The book teaches us how to resolve internal conflicts. Examples include rich shepherds like medical doctors in Kyung-sung UBF who make a lot of money having been challenged to use their rich material resources to serving God, just as Nehemiah rebuked the rich not to charge their borrowers usury, but rather cancel principle for the poor.
In 52 days despite challenges the walls were completed, and the construction period was hottest time in Israel. It was thanks to the zealous leadership of Nehemiah. We need to work hard following the example to build the kingdom of God. These days the situation is difficult. But when we really mean we can go and find sheep. Changing the spiritual condition of college campus may take 52 days or 70 years depending on our zeal.
Four days after they completed the walls, they studied the word of God intensively from daybreak to noon about seven hours under the guidance of Ezra. Building itself is not the substance; it is the word of God that makes man to have the sense of fulfillment, for the real word of God brings about the real revival. Through studying the Bible they wept because of their sins. Then they kept the Feast of Tabernacle, still studying the word of God intensively. They then gathered again, weeping and crying becoming those who are poor in spirit. The message is that when we seek God earnestly instead of becoming proud we become poor in spirit and receive God's blessings. Thereafter they entered into a binding agreement: not to intermarry, keeping purity; keep Sabbath holy (worship); not neglect the house of God establishing a tax law on tithing to support the Levites, which in turn taught all the Bible students how to take responsibilities for the house of God through tithing as well as bringing first-fruits.
Ten years after Nehemiah came back and saw one of the top leaders Tobiah staying in the store room. But Nehemiah kicked all of Tobiah's stuff out of the store room. This shows us the constant need for reformation.
Conclusion: this book is useful for it deals with practical issues in the real Christian life.
Questions and Answers session followed. Andrew Hwang asked, "Why and how are we to study the Old Testament Scriptures?" - John answered, "We adopt historical approach." Mark Vucekovich recommended a book called "How to read the bible for all its worth" by Gordan Fee. Also consider the saying, "Scripture interprets Scripture."
It was already close to midnight.
Pastor Mark Moran made an announcement by reciting 2Ti 2:15. He said, "Let us pray that each would become a great Bible preacher who correctly handles the word of truth, not wasting the time of people coming to the messages, so they would be moved to repent of their sins. Let us pray to learn from Jesus how to serve one to one ministry. May God bless Missionary Andrew Hwang' prayer topic for Stanford UBF, that is, to raise 7 global Christian leaders beginning with Dr. Christine Leo. Essence of discipleship is keeping the Wall of God, so the disciples would be sanctified and built up. Pray for personal discernment, courage of God like Nehemiah."
We all stood up sang Hymn 11 v. 2 and finished the meeting with two by two prayer.
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