A Blueprint for Success

Nehemiah 2:9–20 (ESV)

9 Then I came to the governors of the province Beyond the River and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen. 10 But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant heard this, it displeased them greatly that someone had come to seek the welfare of the people of Israel. 11 So I went to Jerusalem and was there three days. 12 Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. And I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. There was no animal with me but the one on which I rode. 13 I went out by night by the Valley Gate to the Dragon Spring and to the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire. 14 Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but there was no room for the animal that was under me to pass. 15 Then I went up in the night by the valley and inspected the wall, and I turned back and entered by the Valley Gate, and so returned. 16 And the officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, and I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, and the rest who were to do the work. 17 Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.” 18 And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work. 19 But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” 20 Then I replied to them, “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem.”

DT: This sermon encourages believers to emulate Nehemiah's purposeful work, perseverance in adversity, and prevailing spirit in fulfilling God's will, despite opposition.

Introduction

The esteemed Charles Spurgeon, once said, "By perseverance, the snail reached the ark." This quote is a potent reminder that the journey of faith is not always swift or effortless. Sometimes, it's slow and arduous, filled with obstacles that demand our unwavering perseverance. But, like the snail, we too can reach our divine destination if we remain steadfast in our pursuit of God's will.

Transition: Today our text encourages us to accomplish all that God has for us in three ways, the first of which is . . .

Embrace Your Purpose in God’s Plan

Nehemiah 2:9–10 (ESV)

9 Then I came to the governors of the province Beyond the River and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen. 10 But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant heard this, it displeased them greatly that someone had come to seek the welfare of the people of Israel.

In the heart of Nehemiah, we witness a man driven by divine purpose. He transcended his role as a mere cupbearer to the king; he was a servant of the Most High God, called to a mission far greater than himself. This mission wasn't self-appointed; it was imprinted on his heart by God. It consumed him, robbed him of sleep, compelled him to risk his life before the king, and face the ridicule of his enemies.

This divine purpose wasn't haphazard; it was intricately woven into Nehemiah's life, perfectly aligned with God's plan for His people. It demanded Nehemiah's unique skills, position, and passion.

Beyond rebuilding a wall, Nehemiah's purpose was to restore a people, revive a nation, and rekindle hope. The wall symbolized the restoration of their spiritual identity and covenant relationship with their Creator.

Nehemiah's purpose wasn't solitary; it was communal. He couldn't rebuild the wall alone; he needed the people to share his vision and partake in the task. It united them, fostering community and camaraderie.

Likewise, each of us is purposed by God for a task intricately woven into our lives and aligned with His plan. Our purpose isn't isolated but communal, requiring the collaboration and support of others.

Amidst daunting challenges and relentless opposition, Nehemiah remained steadfast, resolute in his determination to rebuild Jerusalem's walls.

In the face of scorn and derision from adversaries like Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, Nehemiah's response radiated unwavering faith: "The God of heaven will give us success. We, His servants, will start rebuilding" (Nehemiah 2:20). His steadfastness in the midst of adversity offers a profound lesson for us today. When we commit to God's work, we may encounter ridicule and opposition. Yet, like Nehemiah, we are called to stand firm, trusting in God's promise of triumph.

Our divine purpose isn't static but dynamic, evolving as we grow and mature. It's a joyous privilege, not a burdensome duty. As we reflect on Nehemiah's life, let's introspect: What is my divine purpose? How does it align with God's plan? How can I joyfully embrace it and collaborate with others in fulfilling it?

Transition: Nehemiah demonstrates for us a second method for success. . .

Persevere in Your Work for God

Nehemiah 2:11–18 (ESV)

11 So I went to Jerusalem and was there three days. 12 Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. And I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. There was no animal with me but the one on which I rode. 13 I went out by night by the Valley Gate to the Dragon Spring and to the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire. 14 Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but there was no room for the animal that was under me to pass. 15 Then I went up in the night by the valley and inspected the wall, and I turned back and entered by the Valley Gate, and so returned. 16 And the officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, and I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, and the rest who were to do the work. 17 Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.” 18 And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work.

Nehemiah is a man uniquely purposed by God, whose unwavering perseverance in fulfilling God's call serves as a beacon of inspiration.

Nehemiah's perseverance takes on a tangible form. He personally surveyed the dilapidated walls of Jerusalem, demonstrating a hands-on commitment to God's work. Nehemiah's example underscores the reality that perseverance in God's work often entails laborious effort and personal sacrifice. Despite the toil and challenges, Nehemiah pressed on, fully embracing his role in God's plan.

Again, Nehemiah's perseverance was not a solitary endeavor. He rallied the people of Jerusalem, inspiring collective action towards the city's restoration. His rallying cry, "Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem,"(v.17) encapsulates the spirit of communal effort and shared responsibility in God's work. Nehemiah recognized the power of unity, understanding that God's work flourishes within a community of believers.

In Nehemiah's story, the Hebrew word for "rebuild," "banah," conveys not just construction, but creative, purposeful action—echoing God's own creative work in Scripture. This word underscores the active, intentional nature of perseverance in God's work.

Reflecting on Nehemiah's perseverance, we're reminded to stand firm in the face of opposition, to toil diligently, and to foster unity within the body of believers. Yet, our perseverance is not self-sustained; it draws strength from God's provision. Like Nehemiah, we declare, "The God of heaven will give us success" (Nehemiah 2:20), recognizing that our ability to persevere stems from His empowering grace.

Let us, therefore, draw inspiration from Nehemiah's example as we persevere in God's work. In the face of opposition, let us stand firm, labor diligently, unite in purpose, and rely on God's strength. For it is through such perseverance that we fulfill our divine purpose and bring glory to God.

Transition: Lastly, Success is possible when we . . .

Prevail over Your Detractors

Nehemiah 2:19–20 (ESV)

19 But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” 20 Then I replied to them, “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem.”

Nehemiah confronts his detractors with confidence and determination, affirming his trust in God's provision and his commitment to fulfilling God's purpose. Despite facing ridicule and accusations, Nehemiah remains steadfast in his resolve to press forward with the rebuilding project, emphasizing that the success of their endeavor ultimately depends on God's favor, not on the opinions or opposition of their detractors.

Nehemiah's response serves as a powerful example of prevailing over detractors by maintaining faith in God's strength and staying focused on His purposes. It underscores the importance of refusing to be deterred or intimidated by external opposition, trusting instead in God's ability to bring about success and vindication in the face of adversity.

Look Y’all, fulfilling God's purpose isn't a leisurely stroll but a rigorous ascent up a rugged mountain, beset with obstacles and detractors. Yet, as Nehemiah's life illustrates, overcoming these challenges and fulfilling God's purpose is indeed achievable.

The foremost lesson in prevailing over detractors is unwavering commitment to God's purpose. Nehemiah's resolve in the face of opposition from Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem serves as a beacon. He remained resolute, undeterred by mockery and ridicule, firmly committed to rebuilding Jerusalem's walls and honoring God.

C.S. Lewis aptly captures this sentiment, urging us to view life's challenges not as interruptions but as integral components of the journey appointed by God. Just as Nehemiah embraced opposition as part of his divine calling, we too must confront detractors as opportunities to fulfill God's purpose.

Here is something else to consider, prevailing over detractors necessitates reliance on God's strength. Nehemiah didn't rely on his own prowess but trusted in God's provision and promises. His reliance on divine strength empowered him to overcome adversaries and accomplish God's will.

Here is a challenge, let's confront our detractors and interruptions with steadfast determination and trust in God's strength. By God's grace, we can overcome opposition and fulfill His purpose for our lives.

Let's as a church internalize this message and embody it daily. Let's emulate Nehemiah's unwavering commitment and reliance on God's strength, prevailing over detractors, and ultimately fulfilling God's purpose in our lives.

Conclusion

Look at Nehemiah as we close the message—a man who, like us, faced brokenness and challenges but chose to step forward in faith. Nehemiah's story echoes the greater narrative of Jesus, who saw the brokenness of humanity and willingly stepped into our world to bring restoration and redemption.

Just as Nehemiah didn't wait for others to initiate change or allow obstacles to deter him, Jesus didn't shrink back from His mission despite the magnitude of the task before Him. He endured ridicule, opposition, and ultimately gave His life so that we might experience true restoration and wholeness.

As we depart from this gathering, beloved, let's remember that we are called to be co-laborers with Christ, participating in His ongoing work of redemption in the world. Let's stand firm in the face of opposition, persevere amidst adversity, and place our full trust in the guidance and provision of our Savior.

No matter how daunting the challenges may seem, let's fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, whose love never fails, whose grace sustains us, and whose faithfulness endures through every generation. With Christ as our cornerstone, we can step forward boldly, empowered by His Spirit to bring His light and love to a world in need of restoration.

As we go forth, let's carry the assurance that it is through Jesus, the ultimate Builder, that we find strength, hope, and purpose. May His transformative love compel us to be agents of change, bringing His kingdom to earth as it is in heaven.