Nehemiah's Purging Nehemiah 13 I. Introduction. A. Review "Tobiah's Chamber." 1. Nehemiah cleansed the temple. 2. Why? To honor and do service to God. 3. Imagine how Nehemiah felt as he observed the neglect of God's order. B. God's creations must be kept free of pollution. 1. Nehemiah was a reformer and a dedicated servant of God. 2. He was a leader, providing proper guidance to God's people. 3. One cannot underestimate the power of one faithful man or woman. C. Nehemiah's efforts included purging those practices of defiance found among the people of God.(Purge: To free from impurities; purify.) D. The attitude of Nehemiah: 13:8. E. How his heart ached when he saw the conditions among the Hebrews. II. Body. A. Nehemiah purged "foreigners": 13:3. 1. The Israelites were a people dedicated to God. 2. Those who were not servants of God were excluded from the "assembly of God." 3. The toleration of non-Israelites perverted that which belonged to God. 4. For Christians: II Corinthians 6:14. a. Note: Ephesians 5:11. b. Choose those who will build up your faith, not those who would tear it down! 5. For the church: cannot allow denominational practices and ideas to invade the Lord's family. B. Nehemiah purged the lack of dedication from the Levites: 13:11-12. 1. Restoration of God's way is always right. 2. The type of men Nehemiah chose(reliable): 10:13. 3. Nehemiah's prayer: 13:14. 4. Jesus action: Matthew 21:12. C. Nehemiah purged the lack of respect for the Sabbath: 13:15. 1. Led to a reprimand: 13:17. 2. They had profaned a holy day: 13:18. a. "Treat that which is holy as common"(Holman) b. Literally defiling something belonging to God. 3. What belongs to God is not to be misused by men: 13:20-22. D. Nehemiah purged a marriage problem: 13:23. 1. Confrontation: 13:25. a. One deals with iniquity by exposing and rebuking. b. The New Testament: I Timothy 5:20. 2. Even Solomon had a problem! 3. Note: 13:26. 4. Hence: 13:27, 28b. E. Nehemiah purged all that was "foreign" from the worship of God: 13:30. 1. If you do not let unscriptural practices in, you will not have to purge them later. a. Choirs, choruses, instrumental music, "fellowship" halls, women assuming responsibility given to men, error on divorce & remarriage, etc. b. Note: I Timothy 5:22. 2. Proper leadership was needed: Nehemiah provided such. a. Most problems among the Lord' s people come from the lack of such. b. Requires periodic purging. III. Conclusion. A. Nehemiah 13:14. B. Hence: Nehemiah 13:30, 31b. C. Nehemiah wanted to invest them with the power to do good.-jy