NEHEMIAH: GOD'S TRIUMPHANT WATERBOY

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  1. Nehemiah- the man

    1. He was a lowly cupbearer (1:11)

    2. A member of a rejected and despised race (1:3; 2:17) Jews "in great affliction and reproach"

    3. A man of great faith who had the resolve and courage to act, and to rally others around the Lord's cause, regardless of his present circumstances (2:18)

  2. Rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem

    1. Ridicule and scorn before the work begins

      1. Sandballat, Tobiah, Geshem (1:19)

      2. Nehemiah answers (1:20)

    2. Nehemiah surveys the damage, rallies the people, and the work begins (chapters 2 & 3).

    3. The opposition, ridicule grows stronger (4:1-3); the result (4:6)

    4. The threat turns deadly (4:7-22) S & T threaten violence; the Jews- ½ work, ½ guard

    5. The threat from within (5:1-13) complainers & extortioners

    6. Threats to undo the nearly completed work (6:1-14)

      1. S & T: "Come let us meet together" (4 times) a trap to kill Nehemiah. Nehemiah's response: "I am doing a great work, so that I can not come down." (vv. 1-4)

      2. S & T: "You are rebuilding so you can be king, and have appointed a prophet to spread the word that there is a king in Israel. We're gonna tell the king, but let's together and talk." (vv. 4-9)

    7. VICTORY! The walls were completed in 52 days! (6:15)

    8. Protecting and maintaining the completed work (7:3)

    9. Helpers included: priests, goldsmiths, gov’t officials, merchants, and farmers (ch. 3)

  3. Lessons to learn from Nehemiah- Romans 15:4

    1. There is a proper time for joy and sorrow- Ecc 3:4 A time to weep/laugh; mourn/dance

      1. Neh 1:2-4; 2:1-3 Nehemiah wept & fasted for Jerusalem's sake

      2. What is the greatest source of contentment or sorrow in your life? What moves you most?

    2. Some will stop at nothing to stop you- expect to be opposed. Nehemiah was opposed through ridicule, lies, & the threat of death.

      1. Christ was opposed by Satan himself- Matt 4; ridiculed by unbelievers- Luke 8:52-53 (Jarius' daughter); 22:63-65 (trial); threatened by Pilate- John 19:10, and finally murdered

      2. the Apostles were opposed, ridiculed, threatened, and murdered

      3. the disciples were opposed, ridiculed, threatened, and murdered

      4. Are we better than they?

    3. Never underestimate the power and extent of your influence. Peer pressure can work both ways- 1 Cor 15:33; James 4:7-8

    4. All glory and honor belong to God. When the walls were completed, the word of God was read publicly and the goodness of God was proclaimed (ch. 8).

    5. Some will not work- Neh 3:5 Tekoite nobles- did they think the work beneath them?

      1. Some Christians will not work- no matter the encouragement or the need

      2. The Lord will light an everlasting fire under them one day!

    6. Those who don't know history are bound to repeat it. The Israelites were reminded of the power and majesty of God (9:5-38). The same is happening in the church today.

    7. Only when God's House is properly constructed and secured can people be reconciled unto Him.

      1. For us today, that House of God is the church of the living God, the pillar and the ground of the truth- 1 Tim 3:15.

      2. We can be reconciled to God only by the blood of Jesus Christ which was shed at His death on the cross- Eph 2:14-16. We contact that blood through baptism- Romans 6:3-4

    8. Finish what you start

      1. Ezra 4- the foundation of the Temple was laid, but the builders were discouraged by the opposition and ceased to build.

      2. Matthew 10:22

      3. Revelation 3:7-13 "Hold fast what you have."

 

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