Lesson 1: Finding Your Wall To Build

A. INTRODUCTION

1. Everyone has a challenge. “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.” –Bill Bright

2. Your purpose in life is to be a Wall Builder for God. The walls you are building could be a family, a child, a business, a ministry, a reputation, a person you are mentoring, a church, a mission’s project.

Good Walls Bad Walls

Protect you

Keep out evil

Glorify God

Give peace and a good life

Isolate you

Divide people

Stigma

Make people hate you

3. Your challenge will grow from a need. “The remnant (of Israel) . . . [are] in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also [is] broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire” (1:3).

4. Is your challenge linked to God? “The remnant (of Israel) . . . are in reproach” (1:3). God’s work was criticized. Will you make God’s reputation your reputation?

5. Does your challenge demand immediate attention? Nehemiah prayed, “Now” (vv. 6, 10-11).

6. Have you linked yourself to God? “Remember” (v. 8).

• “Remember me, my God, concerning this” (13:14, 22).

• “Remember them, O my God . . .” (13:29).

• “Remember me, O my God, for good” (13:31).

B. FINDING YOUR WALL

1. Your Wall Building begins with a deep felt need. Nehemiah “wept and mourned . . . and fasted and prayed” (v. 4).

• How long have you felt?

• How deeply have you felt?

• What have you sacrificed?

• How has it gripped you?

2. You know God wants you to do something. Nehemiah prayed, “Help me get the walls rebuilt” (v. 11, ELT).

• Where can you best make a difference

• How can you best make a difference?

• When can you best make a difference?

3. Wall Building begins with a vision. “Help me get the walls rebuilt and give me an opportunity to do something when I stand in the presence of the King” (v. 11, ELT).

A WALL BUILDER

Sees first

Sees furtherest into the future

Sees most

4. Your vision of Wall Building must be tied to scripture. “Remember . . . the word that thou commandest thy servant Moses” (v. 8).

5. You have prayed deeply about your vision of Wall Building. “I wept and mourned . . . and fasted and prayed” (v. 4).

6. Your vision of Wall Building must be within the will of God. “Let now thy love be attentive and thine eyes be open” (v. 6).

7. Your vision of Wall Building comes when you are spiritually right with God. “We have sinned against thee: both I and my father’s house” (v. 6).

• You are deeply concerned with God’s reputation

• You are deeply concerned with your sin

• You are deeply concerned with other believers

8. Your vision of Wall Building is concerned with spiritual consequences.

“This is identificational repentance. Your intercession is not for the forgiveness of other’s sins. Everyone must confess personally their sins. You are praying about the consequences of their sin on the present work of God.” Healing America’s Wounds

9. Your vision of Wall Building is reinforced by other believers. “Hanani . . . and others said to me” (v. 2, ELT).

10. Make sure your motives are right. “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light” (Matt. 6:22).

11. Begin doing what you know is right. “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you can demonstrate the things that are acceptable to others, good for all, and the center of God’s will” (Rom. 12:2, ELT).

12. Face your abilities, strengths and weaknesses realistically. Nehemiah knew who he was, where he was, and what little he could do.

13. Do you have the peace of God about your decision? “Let the peace of God rule your hearts” (Col. 3:15).

14. Study circumstances to see if doors are open or closed. “Give me an opportunity to do something when I stand in the presence of the King” (v. 11, ELT).

15. When everything is right, move forward. Nehemiah prayed, “That I may build it” (v. 11).

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.