Untitled Sermon (2)

Building on a Burden

Nehemiah 1:1-3, 1:4, 2:4-5

In 445 b.c. the Persian King Artaxerxes sent Nehemiah, an Israelite who was a trusted official, to help rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. With Nehemiah went the third wave of returning Jewish exiles. There was intense opposition from the other peoples in the land and disunity within Jerusalem. Despite this opposition, Nehemiah rebuilt the walls. He overcame these threats by taking wise defensive measures, by personal example, and by his obvious courage. Nehemiah did what God had put into his heart (2:12; 7:5) and found that the joy of the Lord was his strength (8:10).[1]

Intro: We currently live in a world that is plagued by a viruses. From Covid to social justice, to religious turmoil. It won’t get fixed unless God has a vessel willing to start to repair it. We all have a part to Play.

Nehemiah didn’t rebuild the wall himself, he got people to see the need and build.

1. Heard (Neh. 1:1-3)- What do you know not just in your life but in the kingdom of God that needs fixing?

- He asked a question? He was concerned about more than just him He showed concern!

2. Hurt (Neh 1:4)-What irritates you or upsets you in church or the world?

He had a burden. Understand the burden.

Nehemiah Prayed and fasted.

Pray and ask God for guidance and opportunity

3. Heed (Neh 2:4-5)- Where do you need to ask God to send you to? Where

the month of Nisan is the first month of the Hebrew calendar roughly corresponding to March,

Which mean he heard the news in Nov and didn’t get the opportunity until March. He sat with the burden for months

Possibly because he didn’t ask.

When the opportunity came to serve he took it.

Take the opportunity to serve.

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ne). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.