GUARD THE GATES, WATCH THE WALLSNehemiah 7:3 - And I said to them, “Do not let the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot; and while they stand guard, let them shut and bar the doors; and appoint watches from among the inhabitants of Jerusalem, one at his watch station and another in front of his own house.”
THE WALLS = THE CHURCH (PEOPLE OF GOD)
THE GATES = THE MINISTRIES (POINTS OF ACCESS)
THE TEMPLE = THE SANCTUARY (PLACE OF WORSHIP)
WITHOUT WALLS, THE GATES ARE INEFFECTIVE. WITHOUT GATES, THE WALLS ARE UNWELCOMING. THE CHURCH NEEDS BOTH—STRONG WALLS TO PROTECT AND STRONG GATES TO WELCOME.
GATES OF DEATHMatthew 16:15-18 -{Jesus} asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
JUST AS THE CHURCH HAS “GATES” THAT LEAD TO LIFE, THE ENEMY HAS "GATES" THAT LEAD TO DEATH.
IDLE FAITH OFTEN LEADS TO IDOL WORSHIP.
TRUTH: SIN LEADS TO DEATH.Romans 6:23 - Wages of Sin is death…
GREATER TRUTH: JESUS LEADS TO RESURRECTION LIFE.Romans 6:23 – the Gift of God is eternal life in Jesus.
