Nehemiah, the Builder

Nehemiah 4:1-6

Introduction

1.      Life is all about setting priorities – priorities are the things that get done – everything else falls by the wayside

2.      Nehemiah is the story of a man whose priority was good wine for the king, but whose life was turned upside down by news from Jerusalem

3.      The impossible became a matter of a work completed in 52 days  

Discussion

1.      Nehemiah’s program for rebuilding the wall

a.       Awareness of the need – 1:1-3  

b.      Grief – 1:4; 2:1-2  

c.       Fasting and prayer – 1:4; 2:4  

d.      A plan and a schedule – 2:4-6  

e.       Informed people who will do the work – 2:17-18  

f.       Acceptance of particular responsibilities by those who did the work – 3:1-32  

2.      Nehemiah’s leadership in rebuilding the wall

a.       Refusal to be deterred by ridicule – 4:2  

b.      Refusal to be deterred by threats – 4:7-8  

c.       Refusal to be diverted into “meetings” – 6:1-2  

d.  Refusal to be diverted by false rumors - 6:6-9

3.      The need for a wall

a.       Protection from enemies  

b.      Security for the citizens within  

c.       The need for gates in the wall (see Jesus description of himself as the “door” of the sheepfold – John 10:1-10)

                                                            i.      Provides limited access for those outside

                                                          ii.      Provides access for those within whose primary place of work is outside the wall – “He will go in and out and find pasture”  

Conclusion

1.       Nehemiah found a work to do for God

2.      The Bible is filled with examples of people who found something that they could do for God

3.      That which you do for yourself will come to nothing (consider the men who built the tower of Babel)

4.      That which you do for God will endure forever