Lesson 3: Attitudes For Wall Building

A. PRINCIPLES OF WALL BUILDING

WHAT IS YOUR WALL

In this series, a wall is a symbol, i.e., word that stands for the

task God has called you to do.

1. A wall protects more than you and your family, it is for many others.

Therefore never be a wall builder for narrow or selfish reasons.

2. But when you build a wall first for your family, you will also help

others. "Repaired . . . over against his house" (Nehemiah 3:10).

3. Build the wall well because it will give confidence to you and your

family, "made repairs by his house" (3:10, 23-24).

4. You must build walls for those who can’t help themselves. "Made repairs in front of his house. And next to them . . ." (3:23).

5. There will be opposition when you begin to build walls, (2:10) as you are building (4:1-3) and when you have finished building the wall (6:127-19). Principle: eternal vigilance.

6. Your first reaction to opposition is prayer. "Hear, O our God, for we are despised" (4:4).

7. God needs all kinds of people to be wall builders. "Priest"¨ (3:1), ruler of half Jerusalem (3:9), perfume makers (3:8), goldsmiths (3:8),

Levites (3:17), servants (3:31) merchants (3:31).

8. The work of God is done by delegation of responsibility.

„« Job identification = pride of craftsmanship.

„« In front of house = pride of artistry.

„« Recognition = pride of completion.

9. Attention was given to details. "Who laid the foundation, hung the doors, installed the locks and handles" (3:3, ELT).

10. Not everyone will buy into the vision and help build the walls. "Their nobles did not put their shoulders to the work" (3:5).

11. Even upper class or high positioned people will help build the wall. "Leader of half the district of Jerusalem made repairs" (3:9).

12. Those who worked in the Temple helped repair the wall that protected the Temple. "After him the Levites . . . made repairs" (3:17).

13. Some people were recognized from working extremely well. "Baruch the son of Zabbai carefully repaired the other section" (3:20).

14. Yet all the people were recognized for their diligent work. "For the people had a mind to work" (4:6).

„« Everyone can contribute.

„« The young are physically strong.

„« Some are wise administrators.

„« Some minister to those doing hard work.

15. They were careful to measure their accomplishments. "We rebuilt the wall until it was half way up" (4:6).

„« Spurs you to keep working.

„« Encourages you when the end is in sight.

„« Takes away discouragement.

16. No matter how motivated, everyone needs some R&R rest and relaxation. "The strength of the laborers is giving out" (4:10, ELT).

17. Some of the workers complained, but kept on wall building. "There is so much rubble that we can’t rebuild the wall" (4:10).

18. Some quit because of fear or other reasons. "One day I went to the house of Shemaiah . . . who was shut up in his house and he said . . . "because men are coming to kill me" (6:10, ELT).

19. What should be our attitude when we face complaints, or opposition? "That we return all of us to the wall, every one unto his work" (4:15).

20. The principle of building and battling. "Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition." "Every one of the builders had his sword girded at his side as he built" (4:18).

21. If the wall is worth building, it is a 24/7 job. "So we continued working . . . from the first light of day until the stars came out" (4:21).

22. There are amazing results when many work together. "So the wall was finished on the 25th of September, in fifty two days" (6:15, ELT).

„« They began working immediately.

„« Worked in summer¡¦s hottest days.

„« There was opposition from without.

„« There were a few quitters.

„« There were a few complainers.

23. When you get your wall built, make sure you give credit to God who did it through you. "Because they recognized that the wall was built with the help of God" (6:16, ELT).

„« God didn’t do it miraculously, He used people.

„« God didn’t drop money in their mail box.

„« God didn’t supernaturally supply material, was at their feet.

„« The greatest miracle is that people worked together.

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.