Sermons

  Nehemiah: Rebuild, Restore, Renew Life Behind Walls Welcome: When I was a kid, we lived in Troy, Alabama.  I can remember the layout of my childhood home.  I had a bedroom.  Just across the hall was my brothers room.  Down the hall and to the right was a bathroom and then there was a guest room on the left and my Mom and Dad’s room was on the right.  We had a large den and a adjoining kitchen.  My Dad finished our garage and turned in into a game room.  That’s where I learned how to play ping pong.   It was a great house.   Yet, there was one place in the house that me and my brother could not go.  It was basically off limits.  Do you know what room I am talking about? That’s right, the living room! No one was allow to live in the living room.  If you, me or my brother lived in the living room, my mother might kill us.  The carpet was always vacuumed.  Everything was always dusted.  It was exactly the way my Mom wanted it to be.  Perfect.  It was so perfect that no one co

  Nehemiah: Renew, Restore, Rebuild   Handling Conflict Opening Illustration: I’d Drink It I heard a story about an old man who was having an argument with an old bitter lady in his church.  They got mad at each other and they began to shout at one another.  The old lady said “if you were my husband, I would put poison in your coffee.” Quickly the old man responded “if you were my wife, I’d drink it!” Friends, conflict is everywhere.  It is in our homes.  It is at work.  Its on the ball field.  Yet, not all conflict is bad.  Conflict, if handled appropriately can lead to some very positive outcomes.   That is where we are today.  We see Nehemiah confronted with conflict.  The Scripture even tells us that he was angry in the midst of the conflict.  Yet, even in his anger, Nehemiah chooses the high road.  He uses the conflict to bring about an encouraging result.  So, how do you handle conflict?  How do you handle conflict at home, at work or even here at church? How Do You