First Baptist Church of Hoquiam
Sunday Worship, April 12, 2026

      • Psalm 119ESV

  • First things first

    What happens when we forget to do things in the right order?
    What is the right order for the Christian?
    Today, we begin the book of Nehemiah which is the continuation and likely the final section of the original book of Ezra. This book records three returns of the Jewish people from captivity in Babylon to Jerusalem and to their homeland.
    As we look at chapter one of Nehemiah, we will be encouraged to follow his example as he keeps first things first.
    Before we move to our text I just wanted to share a brief timeline with you of what we have walked through so far in the book of Ezra and take a brief glimpse of where we are going.

    Recap:

    Timeline image
    Our key verse for the series:
    Ezra 1:3 ESV
    3 Whoever is among you of all his people, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel—he is the God who is in Jerusalem.
    Today’s passage:
    Nehemiah 1:1–11 ESV
    1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the citadel, 2 that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. 3 And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.” 4 As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. 5 And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned. 7 We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses. 8 Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, 9 but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’ 10 They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. 11 O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” Now I was cupbearer to the king.

    Important News

    Nehemiah 1:1–3 ESV
    1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the citadel, 2 that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. 3 And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.”
    When: Chislev - winter - November/December
    Where: Susa - Southwest Iran
    Who: Hanani - Nehemiah’s brother who just returned from Judah
    Topic: the Jews who were in Judah
    Report: Great trouble - walls destroyed - Gates burned

    Perfect Response

    Nehemiah went to God

    Nehemiah 1:4 ESV
    4 As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

    Nehemiah Prays

    Worship and praise

    Nehemiah 1:5 ESV
    5 And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments,

    He Confessed

    Nehemiah 1:6–7 ESV
    6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned. 7 We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses.

    He remembered and trusted in the promises of God

    Nehemiah 1:8–9 ESV
    8 Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, 9 but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’
    Deuteronomy 30:1–5 ESV
    1 “And when all these things come upon you, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before you, and you call them to mind among all the nations where the Lord your God has driven you, 2 and return to the Lord your God, you and your children, and obey his voice in all that I command you today, with all your heart and with all your soul, 3 then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have mercy on you, and he will gather you again from all the peoples where the Lord your God has scattered you. 4 If your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there the Lord your God will gather you, and from there he will take you. 5 And the Lord your God will bring you into the land that your fathers possessed, that you may possess it. And he will make you more prosperous and numerous than your fathers.

    He made his request in humility

    Nehemiah 1:10–11 ESV
    10 They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. 11 O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” Now I was cupbearer to the king.

    How do we approach God?

    When faced with overwhelming obstacles, deep hurts, and life’s challenges . . . do we make first things first?
    Notice the similar pattern in the way Jesus taught his disciples to pray:
    Matthew 6:5–13 ESV
    5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

    How then will you keep first things first in your life?

      • Ezra 1:3ESV

      • Nehemiah 1:1–11ESV

      • Nehemiah 1:1–3ESV

      • Nehemiah 1:4ESV

      • Nehemiah 1:5ESV

      • Nehemiah 1:6–7ESV

      • Nehemiah 1:8–9ESV

      • Deuteronomy 30:1–5ESV

      • Nehemiah 1:10–11ESV

      • Matthew 6:5–13ESV

First Baptist Church of Hoquiam
fbchoquiam@outlook.com
3605324887
http://fbchoquiam.com
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