- Think of some of our distractions
- Distractions effect our work
Example
- Driving we slow at a Gaper Delay
- Internet – Go down bunny trails
- Against Joseph, Potiphar's Wife – Ge 39:7-20
- Against Moses, Korah – Nu. 16:3, 13
- Against Elijah, Ahab – 1 Ki 18:17-18
- Against Jesus, Trial – Mt 26:59-61
- Against Paul & Silas – Ac 16:20-21
- Churches get distracted from doing what God wants them to do
- Nehemiah had is distracters – Neh 6
Distracted by Deception – v.1-4
- Deception of Sanballat & Geshem – v.2
- Joshua & Gibeon – Jos. 9:3-13
- Both groups wanted to be friends
- Nehemiah's focus – v.3
Distracted By Threats – v.5-9
- Open letter to the King
- Yield by arm twisting
Distracted By Fear – v.10-14
- Assassins at work
Nehemiah actions
• Nehemiah denied the rumor
• Nehemiah Prayed
• Nehemiah stayed at the work
• Wall was finished in 52 days - v. 15
How Nehemiah Dealt with the Problems -- And how we must as well:
A. He kept working!
He had his answer right there in front of him; when they asked him to meet on the plains of Ono, the answer was simple: “O no!”
1.) His Priorities were right.
“What we are doing here is a great work, because it is God’s work!”
2.) His Insight was wise.
3.) He understood their real motive -v.3
- They were out to get him
4.) Threats Were Fear-Inducing
- Nehemiah had stood before the King
- Ch. 2:4
- Once again he prays for strength – 6:9
- He can't do it alone.
- v.14 - He trusted God
A concert violinist who was asked the secret of her mastery of the instrument. This is what she said, “There are many things that used to demand my time. When I went to my room after breakfast, I made my bed, straightened the room, dusted, and did whatever seemed necessary. When I finished my work, I turned to my violin practice. That system prevented me from accomplishing what I should on the violin. So I reversed things. I deliberately planned to neglect everything else until my practice period was complete. And that program of planned neglect is the secret to my success.”
- Give Christ first place
Joshua 1:8 (AV)
8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
