Nehemiah (Part 6)
Notes
Transcript
Intro
Last tie we spoke on, What creates a renewal of commitment ? What makes it all worth fighting for?
Today we are going through 3 chapters 6-8 - I am going to break it down into two sections
TEXT :
1. KNOW YOUR ENEMY—TRUST YOUR GOD
and
2. TAKE THE WORD OF GOD PUBLIC
KEY THOUGHT FOR THE FIRST POINT IS THIS;
Don’t allow opposition to thwart your God-given assignment!
JUST DO IT ! AMEN
OVERVIEW
After passionate prayer and careful assessment of the broken walls, it is clear to Nehemiah what he must do. As rebuilding begins, the enemies attack with lies, threats and intimidation.
He does not detour, but keeps his focus and rallies the workers while praying for strength.
7 The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.
He protects his gains by assigning worshipers and priests and by guarding the locked gates.
Text Neh 6:1-9
1 Now when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it (although up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates),
2 Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to do me harm.
3 And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?”
4 And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner.
5 In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand.
6 In it was written, “It is reported among the nations, and Geshem also says it, that you and the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall. And according to these reports you wish to become their king.
7 And you have also set up prophets to proclaim concerning you in Jerusalem, ‘There is a king in Judah.’ And now the king will hear of these reports. So now come and let us take counsel together.”
8 Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind.”
9 For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands.
1. A FINAL TASK TO ACCOMPLISH
A. The last task of the project was to hang the doors (6.1)
What does this accomplish? It keeps the enemy out and keeps you safe. What good are walls if there are no gateses on the entrances?
B. An awesome challenge to complete (6.3)
Sometimes the final stretch is the toughest. If your a runner - it is when you hit the wall. If your a jockey it is the final stretch, Nascar the final lap, Hockey last 2 minutes. Boxers the last round.
Illustration: In 1975 there was a boxing Match between Ali and Frazier it was called the triller in Manila. The most famous fight ever. Fraziers trainer threw in the towel on the 14th round. Frazier would of fought untill death if it was not for his trainer
All the pressure is on you. Many people quit on there final lap. They give up they buckle under the pressure.
Nehemiah did not give up
15 So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of the month Elul, in fifty-two days.
2. A STRATEGY TO SUCCEED
A. Recognize the enemy (6.2)
The enemy will try to get you into his camp – Don’t go !!!!!
If your an alcoholic you don’t go to the bar to minister to a friend. Satan fortifies his camp so when you go in you will not come out unscathed.
B. Keep focused on the mission (6.3)
a. Yielding to intimidation produces sin
Four times, … — We must never be overcome by the greatest importunity, to do anything ill or imprudent: but when we are attacked with the same temptation, still resist it with the same reason and resolution. Wesley
C. Don’t negotiate with evil workers (6.5-9)
a. Don’t stoop to nonsense – Useless conversations with the enemy may result in the work not getting done, fellow workers getting weiry and or killed, the opportunity for the enemy to gather strength- it takes away valuable time.
How many of you heard of a women called Margaret Thatcher. She was called the Iron Lady. Tough as nails, respected by all. she said this about terrorism
In mediation and negotiation, we often meet people who are vehemently opposed to any form of compromise with a counter party, based on moral or quasi-moral grounds. Margaret Thatcher’s Government (1979-90) had an express policy that “we do not negotiate with terrorists”.
According to the textbooks, terrorists are those who (1) use violence (2) to get political change, and (3) through affecting a larger audience than its immediate target. And the “…no negotiation” strategy is based on the premise that to deal with terrorists will in some measure legitimize violence, give credibility to unreasonable or non-negotiable demands, and (worse of all) encourage others to do the same.
D. Pray for strength to stand against enemies (6.9)
a. Don’t let fear stop you
i. You are not defined by past failures
ii. Disappointment hurts – so become an expert at releasing disappointments
iii. Encouragement – “If you wait for people to toss flowers at your feet an wish you success you might be waiting a long time
iv. Failure – is a stepping stone for success
b. Don’t let the enemy or lies and accusations stop you
c. Some in your own camp will have a lack of discernment of the enemy, don’t be surprised. The enemy will make it personal.
3. A VICTORY TO PRESERVE
1 Now when the wall was rebuilt and I had set up the doors, and the gatekeepers and the singers and the Levites were appointed,
2 then I put Hanani my brother, and Hananiah the commander of the fortress, in charge of Jerusalem, for he was a faithful man and feared God more than many.
3 Then I said to them, “Do not let the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot, and while they are standing guard, let them shut and bolt the doors. Also appoint guards from the inhabitants of Jerusalem, each at his post, and each in front of his own house.”
You Need;
A. Internal safeguards ( What did the city need )
I. Worshipers to sing (7.1)
II. Gate keepers or security
Walls are useless if Gates are not attended
III. Pastors (Spiritual leaders) appointed – faithful God fearing Men
II. Godly people to govern (7.2)
IV. Watchmen on the walls
This is Nehemiah’s care here; for dead walls, without living watchmen, are but a poor defence to a city.
B. External safeguards
I. Set the doors (7.1)
II. Lock the gates and appoint watchmen (7.3)
Romans 8.37 - 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
We are called to start with vigor and end with Joy AMEN
We have two options in live – we die at work for the Lord or we live in retreat.
What happened - people came back.
Now what? Get back to your foundation
Chapter 8 is significant
TAKING THE WORD OF GOD PUBLIC NEHEMIAH 8.1-18
All of the people came together and listened to Ezra publicly read the Law of Moses. ( first 5 books of the bible)As a response to the Scripture, Nehemiah and the other leaders encouraged the people to worship God and share their possessions with those in need. The people responded in obedience and celebrated together.
1 And all the people gathered as one man at the square which was in front of the Water Gate, and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses which the Lord had given to Israel.
2 Then Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of men, women and all who could listen with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month.
3 He read from it before the square which was in front of the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of men and women, those who could understand; and all the people were attentive to the book of the law.
4 Ezra the scribe stood at a wooden podium which they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand; and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam on his left hand.
5 Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up.
6 Then Ezra blessed the Lord the great God. And all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands; then they bowed low and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
1. READING GOD’S WORD AS A COMMUNITY MAY SERVE TO:
A. Include all people (8.1, 2)
B. Interest all people (8.3)
C. Inspire all people (8.12)
D. Instruct all people (8.13-18)
Hebrews 4:12 NIV For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
1 Timothy 4:13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. ( we are to be devoted to it)
It leads to numerical and spiritual growth.
Paul stresses that the preached word is not merely a verbal message but a dynamic power which achieves things.
Conclusion
NEHEMIAH’S CRY: GOD IS THE ANSWER (1.4-11)
I. Praise and worship (8.6)
II. Maintaining a right state of mind (8.9-12)
III. Obedience to the Word of God (8.13-18)
We must go public with the Word of God
We must read it, understand it, and apply it and share it.