Introduction

Good morning, Church family! We've got a powerful message to share with you today, and I'm excited to dive in together.

You know, Desiderius Erasmus once said, “By a Carpenter mankind was made, and only by that Carpenter can mankind be remade.” Now ain't that the truth? We're all works in progress, and it's in this spirit of ongoing growth and rebuilding that we turn to Nehemiah 2:11-19.

Let’s read it now:

“So I arrived in Jerusalem. Three days later, I slipped out during the night, taking only a few others with me. I had not told anyone about the plans God had put in my heart for Jerusalem. We took no pack animals with us except the donkey I was riding. After dark I went out through the Valley Gate, past the Jackal’s Well, and over to the Dung Gate to inspect the broken walls and burned gates. Then I went to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but my donkey couldn’t get through the rubble. So, though it was still dark, I went up the Kidron Valley instead, inspecting the wall before I turned back and entered again at the Valley Gate. The city officials did not know I had been out there or what I was doing, for I had not yet said anything to anyone about my plans. I had not yet spoken to the Jewish leaders—the priests, the nobles, the officials, or anyone else in the administration. But now I said to them, “You know very well what trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire. Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and end this disgrace!” Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me, and about my conversation with the king. They replied at once, “Yes, let’s rebuild the wall!” So they began the good work. But when Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem the Arab heard of our plan, they scoffed contemptuously. “What are you doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” they asked.”

The Need for Rebuilding

The need for rebuilding is a theme that resonates deeply with all of us. We see it in the physical world around us, in the crumbling infrastructure of our cities, the dilapidated buildings that have seen better days, and even in the natural world, where wildfires ravage forests only for them to regrow stronger and more vibrant than before. But more than that, we see the need for rebuilding in our personal lives, in our relationships, our careers, our faith, and our very souls.

It’s stark and immediate: Jerusalem, the beloved city, lies in ruins. Its walls, once a symbol of strength and protection, are now nothing more than a pile of rubble. The gates, once bustling with traders and travelers, are charred and useless. The city is a shadow of its former glory, and the need for rebuilding is painfully obvious.

What about when the need for rebuilding isn't so obvious?: What about when the walls of our lives seem to be standing strong, but in reality, they're weak and crumbling? What about when the gates of our hearts are closed off, not because of some external threat, but because of internal fear and pain?

Often comes after a period of destruction or decay: It's easy to see the need for rebuilding after a natural disaster or a catastrophic event. But often, the need for rebuilding comes not from a single, devastating event, but from a slow process of neglect and decay. Just like the walls of Jerusalem didn't crumble in a day, the walls of our lives don't fall apart all at once. It's a slow process, one that can be easy to ignore until it's too late.

That's where the danger lies: Because when we ignore the need for rebuilding, we leave ourselves vulnerable. Just like a city without walls is open to attack, a life without healthy boundaries and structures is open to all sorts of harm. We leave ourselves open to the attacks of the enemy, to the temptations of the world, and to the destructive patterns of our own sinful nature.

About purpose: The walls and gates of Jerusalem weren't just there to keep people out. They were there to provide a safe space for the people of God to worship and serve Him. In the same way, the structures and boundaries in our lives aren't just about keeping harm out. They're about creating a space where we can live out our God-given purpose.

How do we recognize the need for rebuilding in our own lives?: It starts with honest self-examination. It starts with asking ourselves hard questions and being willing to face the answers. Are there areas of our lives that are in ruins? Are there structures that are crumbling? Are there gates that have been burned by the fires of past mistakes and regrets?

We must be willing to take action: Just like Nehemiah didn't just lament the state of Jerusalem, but took concrete steps to rebuild, we too must be willing to roll up our sleeves and do the hard work of rebuilding.

Pastor, here would be a good place to share a personal story about a time when you recognized a need for rebuilding in your own life, and how you went about addressing it. This could also be a story about someone you know.

The Process of Rebuilding

The process of rebuilding is a significant aspect of our spiritual journey ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO