ARISE AND BUILD
Nehemiah 2:11-20
I. HE FIXED HIS FOCUS v.12 "And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem: neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon."
Nehemiah had a mandate from God. He knew how to get alone with God – remember he wept, fasted, and prayed and God told him what to do.
Phil 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Illus. D. L. Moody, “This one thing I do instead of these many things I dabble in.”) Nehemiah fixed his focus. I challenge you to get alone with God and fix your focus on finding the will of God for your life!
HE FOCUSED ON THE:-
THE PRIORITY OF THE WORK. "And I arose in the night," God had told Him to Build Matt 16 v 24 "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"
THE PURPOSE FOR THE WORK.
Look at 2:17 “..let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.” The purpose of all ministry is the glory of God! And Paul said, Eph 3 v 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
THE PROMISE IN THE WORK. "neither told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem:" See Nehemiah's
Resolve, "to do at Jerusalem" ie. He wanted to do something
Resources, "God had put in my heart to do"
Reasoning "neither told I any man" why? God's Call is Personal, Powerful, Purposeful.
Gal ch 1 v 15 "But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, 16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus."
THE PRIZE THROUGH THE WORK
Heb 12 v 1 "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds."
II. HE FOUND THE FACTS V. 13 "And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon well, and to the dung port, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire."
What were the facts? Walls in Ruin - Gates Destroyed. I want you to look around and get the facts.
A. Walls Of Prayer
B. Walls Of Participation
C. Walls of Purity
D.Walls Of Protection Isa 60 v 18 "Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise."
E. Walls of Praise Ps 126 v1 "When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. 2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. 3 The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad."
III. THEY FORMED A FELLOWSHIP (V. 17) "Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach."
(1 Cor 3:9) "For we are labourers together with God…" (Illus. Henry Ford, “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; thinking together is unity; working together is success!”)
How can we build for the Lord? Ch 3
I. WE MUST FOCUS ON THE PURPOSE FOR THE WORK.
II. WE MUST FOLLOW THE PATTERN OF THE WORK.
Notice- “Builded or build” means- rebuild or repair. In all the debris of ruined wall was all the masonry materials needed to rebuild!
“Repair” means- to make strong, fortify or establish. Nehemiah wasn’t interested in a quick fix, a wall that wouldn’t stand up to the enemy- In fact, Jesus said, “The gates of Hell shall not prevail against His church!”
III. WE MUST BE FAITHFUL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WORK.
IV. WE MUST FIND OUR PLACE TO DO THE WORK.
I believe the primary purpose for Nehemiah to mention who worked on what was for official records. However, everyplace he mentions is significant. We don’t have time to mention all but look at v.1 again. The priests worked on the sheep gate. That was their place to work because that was where the sheep would be brought into the city for the sacrifices. (This gate also reminds us of Jesus Christ the spotless Lamb that was sacrificed for our sin!)
Rom 12 v 4 "For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. 9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;"
IV. THEY FORTIFIED THEIR FAITH (V.18) " Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king’s words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work."
They were:
· Stirred by the Spirit of God "Then I told them"
· Supported with the Word of God "the king’s words"
· Strengthened in the Work of God – “So they strengthened their hands for this good work."
V. THEY FACED THE FOE (VV.19-20) 19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king? 20 Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.
Any time God’s people say that they will arise up and build, all the host of hell will say let us rise up and stop them.
(1 Cor 16:9) "For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries."
VI. THEY FULFILLED THEIR FUNCTION (Chapter 3)
A. The Principle
Everyone did what they could do. It was not equal gifts, but equal sacrifice.
B. The People
There was a job for everyone. They were all doing their part. We’ll never get 100% (v.5). "And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord."
C. The Places
Each one started at their home and stretched out.
D. The Plaudits
Ch 3 Lists The Work & The Workers & The Worthies
