| Introduction If the Bible had no intention of being about real life, the book of Nehemiah would have ended after chapter 12. Starting with chapter 8, Nehemiah describes a time of great revival, a time when the Word of God was rediscovered and the worship of God was purified. The Holy Spirit brought repentance from long standing sins. The people had a great sense of holiness. If the book ended here, we could even append to it the familiar "they lived happily ever after." But the book doesn't end after chapter 12. Chapter 13 is here to show us that the Christian experience is a mixed experience. There are highs and there are lows. The brothers and sisters of Nehemiah's did not live happily ever after, which is good because we call stories that end that way fairy tales, not real life. What we see happening to God's people during Nehemiah's time is something that is very natural and very dangerous. They became complacent in their walk with the Lord. Complacency is "self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers and difficulties" (Merriam-Webster). I want us to see today that complacency is a natural inclination of our hearts; therefore, we must be always aware of it and combat it through radical obedience and satisfaction in Christ. I. Complacency Flows from Lack of Accountability, 6. A. After 12 years on the job as governor of Judea, Nehemiah had to back to the Persian court. 1. There is no indication of why he had to back to the court, which seems to be now in the city of Babylon. 2. There is no indication of how long he was gone. 3. It is only clear that while he was gone, the people of God lost some of the fervor for the Lord that we had seen in chpts. 8-12. B. We often need the proverbial "kick in the pants" in order to keep pressing toward the mark of our high calling in Jesus Christ. 1. We need people to help us in our faithfulness to Christ. 2. We need people surrounding us so that together we can move toward Christ. Heb. 10:24-25– And let us consider one anotherin order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as isthe manner of some, but exhorting one another,and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Heb. 3:12-14– Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today,"lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end…. Gal. 5:13-15– For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not useliberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, evenin this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! 3. The moment we stop listening to another and remove the accountability God placed in our lives as members of his body, complacency will set in and full rebellion is soon to follow. II. Complacency Leads to Compromise with Sin, 4-5, 7, 10. A. For reasons that are not explained at all, an ammonite is invited to live in the temple, 4-5, 7. 1. We just saw in vv. 1-3 that an Ammonite is not supposed to be part of the congregation of God, and now in their complacency, they invite one to live in the temple itself! 2. The space that was supposed to support he worship of God was being used to benefit an enemy of God. 3. Tobiah was not only an Ammonite, but also a fierce opponent of all things God. Neh. 2:10– When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard of it,they were deeply disturbed that a man had come to seek the well-being of the children of Israel. Neh. 4:3– Now Tobiah the Ammonite wasbeside him, and he said, "Whatever they build, if even a fox goes up on it,he will break down their stone wall." Neh. 6:14– My God, remember Tobiah and Sanballat, according to these their works, and the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who would have made me afraid. B. The officers of the land also stopped providing for the Levites who kept the temple going, 10. 1. The priest likely got their share of the sacrifices, but the Levites's livelihood came from the tithes of the people. 2. One of two things happened: the people either stopped giving their tithes or the tithes weren't being distributed. 3. Either way, it was the fault of the leaders of the people. 4. They quickly forgotten the commitment they had made a couple chapters ago. Neh. 10:39– For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the grain, of the new wine and the oil, to the storerooms where the articles of the sanctuary are, wherethe priests who minister and the gatekeepers and the singers are;and we will not neglect the house of our God. C. These compromises are the result of complacency in their faith – "self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers and difficulties" (Merriam-Webster). 1. Self-righteousness, arrogance, self-sufficiency – they are all signs of complacency that will invariably lead to compromise with sin. 2. It is when someone is in a state of complacency that the lies of Satan will make sense – "Has God really said?" Gal. 6:7-10– Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. 3. We have to be careful that in our complacency we don't become hardened toward God – again we need one another for this one. Heb. 3:13– but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today,"lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. III. Radical Obedience Combats Complacency, 8-9, 11-13. A. As soon as Nehemiah became aware of Tobiah's living arrangements, he went to the temple and threw him out, 8-9. 1. Noticed first how sin bothered Nehemiah. b. The ESV – he was very angry. c. That has to be our reaction to sin, especially our sin – Mt. 7. 2. Noticed second that there was no negotiation with sin. a. He threw Tobiah's stuff out of the temple. b. It was a progressive thing in which Tobiah got to stay till he found another place to rent – he was out. c. That is the sort of radical obedience God calls us to. Rom. 13:11-13– And dothis, knowing the time, that now it ishigh time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation isnearer than when we firstbelieved. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill itslusts. B. Nehemiah did what needed to be done to get rid of sin, but also did whatever needed to do be done to establish what is right, 11-13. 1. He called out the leaders who should have made sure that all the provisions for the worship of God were in place, 12. 2. He, then, made sure that the Levites were provided for either by having the people pay their tithes or by distributing the tithes that had already been collected. C. We deal with complacency, not only by believing and doing what the Bible says about our sin, but also by actively pursuing what is righteous. 1. Put ons and put offs of Eph. 4. 3. The filling of the Spirit of Eph. 5. IV. Satisfaction with God Eradicates Complacency, 14. A. The reason Nehemiah is able to deal with sin the way he does here is because he is seeking God and his approval, not men's. 1. Three times in this chapter he prays a similar prayer, 14, 22, 31). 2. "Remember me, Lord, because that's all I need" – remember = keep me in your thoughts, keep me close to you, keep me before you. 3. Nehemiah's prayer is the shortened version of Asaph's prayer. Ps. 73:25-26, 28– Whom have I in heaven but You? Andthere isnone upon earth thatI desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail;butGod isthe strength of my heart and my portion forever…. Butit isgood for me to draw near to God;I have put my trust in the Lord God,that I may declare all Your works. B. Complacency is at its root satisfaction with the mediocre. Rev. 3:5– I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 1. Hot or cold – we tend to think that hot is good and cold is bad. a. So we conclude that Jesus is saying that he would prefer that the Laodiceans would be either on fire for the Gospel or completely opposed to it. b. But that is not what he means. b. Jesus is not ok with people being cold to the Gospel. c. Hot water is useful and cold water is useful. a. Hot water has medicinal purposes. b. Cold water is so refreshing. c. Lukewarm water is disgusting 1) The Laodiceans would know exactly what Jesus is talking about. 2) The site where Laodicea once stood includes an elaborate fountain and a water tower supplied by an aqueduct from hot springs four miles south of the city. 3) By the time the water got to the city, it was no longer hot. 4) The aqueduct was exposed to the sun, so the water didn't become cold either. 5) So, if a Laodicean opened the proverbial faucet at home, lukewarm water would come out – have you ever drunk lukewarm water, especially when you were expecting either hot or cold? 2. What does that mean? The Laodiceans had become numb to the gospel. c. Perhaps because of wealth, comfort, lack of persecution, lack of the use of the means of grace. 1) Do you fell yourself going through the motions without much thought? 2) Do you do things because they are comfortable or because they bring glory to God? 3) Complacency is deadly! d. The solution for this lukewarmness is receiving Christ. Rev. 3:20– Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. C. Christ is the one who satisfies! Mt. 11:28-30– Come to Me, all youwho labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke iseasy and My burden is light. Jn. 4:13-14– Jesus answered and said to her, "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." Is. 55:2-3– Why do you spend money for what isnot bread, and your wages for whatdoes not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what isgood, and let your soul delight itself in abundance. Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you—the sure mercies of David. Complacency is a natural inclination of our hearts; therefore, we must be always aware of it and combat it through radical obedience and satisfaction in Christ.
Where are you? Are you satisfied with Christ? Is he your pearl of great price? Is he that treasure that is worth more than everything you have? Is he ahead of your family, your job, your hobbies in your life? Are you satisfied with Christ? If you are, complacency will stay at bay.
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