Nehemiah 4:1-23 WHEN THE PEOPLE HAVE A MIND TO WORK: - Nehemiah 4:6 So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work. I. GIANT OBSTACLES WILL ARISE Nehemiah 4:1-3
A. The Devil Matthew 13:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. B. The Deceived. (John 8:44), Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. C. The Deniers we can't do what we are trying to do for the Lord. a) The Feebleness of The People - 4:1,2a 1 But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews. 2 And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews
b) The Futility of Their Task - 4:2b will they fortify themselves? c) The Foolishness of Their Faith -:2 will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day?
d) The Frailty of Their Work - 4:3 will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned? D. The Distracters People will try to get us to quit The Church Exists :- (a) to Exalt the Saviour 2 Cor 10:17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. The Glory of Christ Was :-
7a) Possessed before the Foundation of the World John 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
7b) Revealed in the Incarnation John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
7c) Beheld upon the Mount Luke 9:32 But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
7d) Will Be Manifested at His Second Coming Matthew 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works
7e) Shared by his Believers Matthew 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
7f) Ascribed by the Heavenly Host Revelation 5:12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. (b) to Evangelize the Sinner Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (c) and to Edify the Saint Jude 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. E. The Doubters Mat 13:58 He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief F. The Deserters Disciples Mark 14:50 And they all forsook him, and fled.
Demas 2 Timothy 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. G. The Difficulties Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
H. The Discouragements and Disappointments Brother & Sister The Obstacles are what you step on II. GREAT OPPORTUNITIES WILL APPEAR
Neh 4:14 And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses. Neh 6:3 And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?
Blessed is the man who turns his stumbling blocks into stepping stones!
The Israelites thought that the giant, Goliath, was too big to fight! David thought that he was too big to MISS (with his sling and stones)! When the people get a mind to work, there are opportunities to: A. Believe God together Matthew 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. B. Beseech God together Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. C. Build with God together (1 Corinthians 3:9) For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. A. They Were United In The Process Of The Work -V. 6 So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work. (Phil. 1:27) Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; B. United In The Protection Of The Work - V. 9 Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them. The Great Wall of China was penetrated by enemies at least three times, and each time the guards were bribed. C. United In The Progress Of The Work - V. 6 So built we the wall; D. Bring glory to God together * John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. III. A GOOD OUTCOME WILL BE ASSURED 6 So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work. Nehemiah 6:15 So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days. A. If we Send the Word, the Spirit will work it is the sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:17). * The word of God will do the WORK of God! B. If we Supply the Witness, souls will be won * Psalms 126:5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. C. If we Surrender the Will, success will be wonderful * Heavenly success is finding the will of God and doing it.
