Chico Alliance Church
"Arise and Build"
REVIEW
The book of Nehemiah is the journal or an ordinary person who became a significant leader because he had a passion to pray for the burdens of others. We have been tracing the tracks recorded by Nehemiah in his journal.
Nehemiah is a book in which we can find many parallels to our own life and church even now. We join the historical scene somewhere around 446 B.C. in the Palace in Susa occupied by Artaxerxes I. Nehemiah, a Hebrew servant had been trained as cupbearer to the king. The king had previously, because of much opposition and false accusation, ordered all restoration of Jerusalem stopped until further word from him. When Nehemiah's brother visited Susa, Nehemiah grilled him as to the welfare of God's special people and God's special place.
When Nehemiah heard that things were in n rough shape he went immediately to intense prayer and fasting. His entry into prayer is dated by him in the month Chislev (Nov/Dec). When God answers Nehemiah's prayer he dates his journal the month Nisan (Mar/Apr). That calculates to be four months of intense intercession for the welfare of people he had probably never met and a place that he had never been. You see it didn't matter. Nehemiah felt compassion on the people because they were on God's heart.
As we observed last week, Nehemiah did more than simply pray during those four months. He prepared his own mind and heart for the time that God would bring an answer to his prayer.
We found in chapter two that when God did answer, Nehemiah was ready. Nehemiah remained faithful to his mundane job under a pagan king until God moved upon the heart of the king to address the issue. No manipulation or pleading or pushing, just a calm confidence in the supernatural direction of God.
Nehemiah was ready not only with a clear statement of his convictions
"May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?" Nehemiah 2:3
But also with the specific details of a plan to rebuild the city.
Notice the appeal
Appeal for permission
Appeal for protection
Appeal for provisions
Because Nehemiah was a faithful servant. Because the good hand of God was upon Him. The king granted Nehemiah all that he asked.
INTRODUCTION
Recognizing problems is three-fourths of their solution. Often we do not even realize we have a problem. Continual exposure to sin brings numbness to sin as sure as continual exposure to a particular odor soon deadens the ability to distinguish that odor. The more longer we remain ignorant as to the critical condition of our walls, the longer it will be before God can bring true revival to the heart. The people of Israel had become used to the rubble.
They knew that it was there, they knew they were miserable, but they had grown weary of doing anything about it.
Hebrews exhorts believers to exhort one another on a continual basis least any become hardened, deadened by the deceitfulness of sin.
Let us follow Nehemiah's next steps toward rebuilding a people for God that followed awareness of burdens, passion to bear those burdens, intense intercession and faithful waiting upon God for permission to move one, protection along the way, and provisions to rebuild.
I. Rebuilding the walls
A. Recognizing Needs
B. Responding to Needs
1. Demonstrating Pity
2. Depending on Prayer
C. Resolving Needs
1. Journey to Jerusalem vs 9
Nehemiah packs his bag and starts the 800 mile mission with the permission, protection, and provisions of the king. Remember the letters (hall pass) to get permission to pass through the territories. Well Nehemiah needed them and used them. Nehemiah arrives safe and sound in Jerusalem the kings protection and endorsement much to the displeasure of two opposing people Sanballat and Tobiah. From these two, plus one other later, we will observe 6 attempts to derail and disrupt the dedication of Nehemiah to pull things together. We will look at these men in greater detail later.
For now it is important to observe that whenever we seek the welfare of others we will run into opposition from those who seek the destruction of those we are called to help. The attacks and schemes of Sanballet whose name means "may sin give him life" are not unlike the kind of things that satan throws our way to derail us from moving meaningfully into the lives of others. Sanballet had a great deal to lose from the erection of the wall of Jerusalem. He presently enjoyed unlimited and unhindered access to the city and was vying for its control. Verse 10 tells us that these two were stirred up because someone had come to seek the welfare of the people. When we begin to rebuild the broken walls in the lives of the people, satan does everything he can to stop it.
Let us follow Nehemiah's next steps.
2. Intercession 11
Nehemiah was there three days before he ever did anything. I would guess that time was spent in prayer before God as to what was the next step.
3. Inspection 12-16
WE cannot formulate a plan until we know the extent and scope of the problem. Therefore Nehemiah assesses the need even before he announces his plan to anyone.
Notice two things here about Nehemiah.
1--His Attitude of humility.
Nehemiah did not come in with his press agents and fanfare and tell everyone what a great work he was about to accomplish for God.
I set out during the night with a few men. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. Nehemiah 2:12
2--His Acknowledgement of God's control.
"God was putting in my mind to do."
Nehemiah is not operating on his own agenda. When did God put this in Nehemiah's mind. In prayer, in meditation. It had become a part of his life.
Let's follow his inspection tour.
Valley gate
Refuse Gate
Fountain Gate
King's pool
Valley Gate
Why hadn't something been done before? Didn't the people know the condition of the walls and gates? Sometimes it takes someone from the outside to point out where things have deteriorated because we have become so accustomed to the mess. We can often continue on in the midst of chaos because we have become callous to the conditions around us. Sin dulls the senses. Hebrews laments the inability to teach deeper truth because the people had regressed to babyhood when they should have been teaching others.
4. Inspiration
a) Recognize the problem is serious
"See how bad the situation is."
Nehemiah had to draw their attention to just how serious a situation they were in. We are people who learn to adapt. Sometimes that is a good thing, other times it is not so good. We can learn to minimized the seriousness of our condition by focusing on people who are worse. We need at times to be shown the standard in order to see just how bad the situation has become.
b) Refocus on the goal
The goal ahead of them is to no longer be a reproach. They are encouraged to visualize victory and security.
c) Realize God's hand
We often need testimonies of God's working among us. It is good to share with one another the blessings of God.
5. Instigation
"Let us arise and build!"
On the basis of Nehemiah's inspiration the people rally to do something about the situation. Things may really be bad, but there is victory and success because God's had is working among us.
IMPLICATIONS FOR CHICO FAMILY
Intercession
Prayer is the tool to cultivate and prepare the soil in which the seed is sown through which god brings lasting fruit.
We must continually be conscious that we are moving in the same direction the God is leading.
Inspection
Let's take an inspection tour around the walls of Chico. Walls protect against persecution. Walls protect from pollution. Spiritual walls are built and maintained by obedience to the principles of Scripture. When we fail to follow the clear principles of Scripture breaches appear in the walls.
Breaches in the wall because of sin allow beachheads in the life for satan's binding influence.
"with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. 2Tim 2:25-26
Sin brings consequences! We cannot expect God's protection when we continually and deliberately poke holes in our wall through which the enemy sends his infiltrators to bring further bondage.
Let's run an inspection of some gates.
THE COMMITMENT GATE
The commitment to find our water of life at the well of Jesus Christ. Not as the Israelites who were committed to find their own living water through any other means.
DEVOTION GATE
Love the Lord with ALL your heart, ALL your soul, ALL your strength, ALL your mind. In other words, love God with all your being. Do we really love God like that? How would that kind of love be evidenced?
Just look on a human level. How do you know that someone loves his wife.
He spends a whole hour once each week telling her he loves her.
He gives her part of his income.
He talks to her occasionally but sometimes falls asleep while talking.
Generally he is expressing a list of things he wants her to do the next week.
Sometimes he may go for a few days without talking.
Many times there are other things he would rather be doing than spending time with her.
When he is lonely he usually finds comfort in other things first.
When it comes down to it he could take or leave the relationship.
He has stopped trying to learn much more about her.
If that is the extent of loving God -- our walls are down the devotion gate is burned with fire.
THOUGHT GATE
Would we be comfortable in having our thought projected and illustrated on the overhead this morning?
MORAL GATE
It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit. 1Thessalonians 4
What are we allowing to bombard our soul?
What words and images are allowed to mold our thinking and feeling?
Just how sanctified is our sexuality?
Are you having trouble with anger? Anger is related to a conscience that has been defiled by sensuality.
I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder. I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged. 2Corinthians 12:21
RELATIONSHIP GATE
"Love one another as Christ has loved you."
Bitterness, jealousy, envy, unforgivingness, dissension.
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1John 4:8 If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 1John 4:20
FAMILY GATE
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her Eph 5:25. Husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way and grant them honor as fellow heirs of the grace of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. 1Peter 3:7
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. Ephesians 5:22
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother" - which is the first commandment with a promise - "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." Ephesians 6:3
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4
MINISTRY GATE
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen 1Pet 4:7-11
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4
MONEY GATE
People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 1Timothy 6:11
"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own? "No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Luke 16:13
MOTIVE GATE
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17
Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God. 1Corinthians 4:5
Why do you do what you do? Every behavior has a purpose!
Two basic motives.
1- Selfishness of man
2- Truth of God
Too often we fail to conduct a proper inspection of our actual condition. In true Pharisaical form, we develop our own system and standard of righteousness by which we can feel good about ourselves and our spirituality. The problem is that standard does not correspond to the full truth of God and falls pathetically short of His absolute standard of living that embrace though, word and deed and heart motive. We must come to the realization that apart from supernatural faith, it is impossible to please God.
Whatever is not of faith is SIN. An inspection of our walls must drive us to hopelessness and helplessness before God and cry with Nehemiah, "See how bad is the situation. Let us arise and build!" Yet it is possible to be totally unaware of the real condition of our life. We focus on the external behaviors God focuses on the internal motives behind the behavior.
Revelation 3:14-21
We will only appreciate God's amazing grace as we come to realize the extent of our need. It is only as we recognize the totality of our need that God offers the totality of His grace. What is going on in your life?
What is the condition of your walls and gates? Admit your need. With the walls in place we no longer need to be a reproach.
The good hand of our God is upon us. We have seen Him work! Will you join me and arise and build? We will look at some details and methods later. For now we must commit to build. We may begin by running an honest inspection and admit to God how far off I have been and the sinfulness of my selfish pride and rebellion against Him by running my own show.
