Rebuild the wall – Men's Breakfast April 2024
Well, good morning, men. Some of you are wondering if this was the big announcement. No, it does not come at the end of this message. It is excellent for us at newlife to have over 100 men at our breakfasts. It has been good to see that we men, even though our schedules are hectic, can come together and sit under the word of God and do some community together. I love seeing today that we can do a new life together.
You know, Mthoko and I were speaking yesterday about men's breakfast, and we somehow connected the dots that he talked about the same person and story I am using today; it was the same passage and story he spoke about a year ago. It reminded me that the bible is not a storybook, but it is alive and that if we spend time in the word, the same story can have many different life applications to us as Godly men.
So, I want to look at Nehemiah and the wall rebuilding. Mthoko spoke about the sword and hammer, but I want to look at a different aspect. I wish to talk about the wall and how it still applies to us today. Let me first give you some context and background for those who do not know the story.
Around 445 BC, Nehemiah receives distressing news that the city of Jerusalem lies in devastation—its walls crumbled and gates destroyed by fire (Nehemiah 1:3). We read this in Nehemiah 1:3 (HCSB)
3 They said, “The remnant in the province, who survived the exile, are in great trouble and disgrace. Jerusalem’s wall has been broken down, and its gates have been burned down.”
This report fills him with deep sorrow, prompting a profound response. So Nehemiah feels sorrow but decides he cannot sit and do nothing about this. It was too big not to do something. Moved by the plight of his people, Nehemiah turns to God in fasting and prayer, seeking guidance and courage (Nehemiah 1:4). His prayers lay the foundation for what becomes a defining mission for him and all of Israel.
So Nehemiah had to make a courageous request to the King; he needed to go and ask the King to leave for Jerusalem. Nehemiah 2:4-5 (HCSB) Then the king asked me, “What is your request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven 5 and answered the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor with you, send me to Judah and to the city where my ancestors are buried, so that I may rebuild it.”
Now, you need to understand why this was a courageous request because, in this context, you will see that it took a lot of guts for him to do so. 1. Risk of Royal Displeasure
Nehemiah was serving as the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, a position of significant trust and responsibility. The cupbearer served wine and was trusted to protect the king from poisoning, making him a close and trusted advisor. Nehemiah risked displeasing him by asking the king's permission to leave his service. Disfavor from the king could lead to severe consequences, including imprisonment or death.
2. Personal Sacrifice
Leaving a secure position at the palace for the ruins of Jerusalem meant a drastic change in Nehemiah's living conditions and personal safety. He was moving from a position of comfort and relative safety to one of hardship and potential danger, reflecting a significant personal sacrifice.
4. Logistical and Financial Support
Nehemiah’s courage is further highlighted by his request for letters to ensure safe passage through territories and for timber from the royal forest to use in the reconstruction (Nehemiah 2:7-8). Asking for these resources required him to justify his project and its benefits to Jerusalem and how it would not adversely affect the king's interests.
6. Facing Opposition
Nehemiah knew that the project would face opposition from local adversaries like Sanballat and Tobiah and potentially from others within the empire who might see the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls as a threat. Proceeding with full knowledge of these challenges required initial courage and ongoing resilience.
Therefore, Nehemiah’s request to leave his position and lead the effort in Jerusalem was not just a simple request for a leave of absence; it was a complex decision fraught with personal risk, political ramifications, and a test of his faith and leadership abilities. This bravery sets the tone for the entire book of Nehemiah, illustrating his dedication and the providence of God in the affairs of His people.
So now he is granted permission by the king, and he can go now. So off he went to rebuild the wall, and now he knew this was a daunting task. He knew it was not going to be an easy job to do, but he trusted God, and he went. He had to rebuild a wall 4km long and up to 12 meters high. No easy task. We read this in Nehemiah 2:18-20 (HCSB). I told them how the gracious hand of my God had been on me and what the king had said to me. They said, “Let’s start rebuilding,” and they were encouraged to do this good work. 19 When Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about this, they mocked and despised us and said, “What is this you’re doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” 20 I gave them this reply, “The God of heaven is the One who will grant us success. We, His servants, will start building, but you have no share, right, or historic claim in Jerusalem.”
So even in the planning, he had opposition; even before a stone was put in place, there were already issues. They already called him a rebel. They already started to stir and cause trouble. Can you imagine the story of this rebel already? Wanting to build this wall.
You see Nehamiah's initial reaction to the news of Jerusalem, which sets the stage and a call to action. You know, it took time to reflect on what's happening. He sat down and wept, but in that season, he also fasted and prayed.
It brings me to my first practical point. It is this. We need to understand our mission. You need to understand what is at stake and what your mission here is on earth. What is the reason you were born?
We read in Nehemiah 2:17-18 (HCSB), So I told them, “You see the trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned down. Come, let’s rebuild Jerusalem’s wall, so that we will no longer be a disgrace.” 18 I told them how the gracious hand of my God had been on me, and what the king had said to me.
He understood the mission. He understood that Jerusalem was in ruins, that something needed to be done, and that he took action, not only action. He took Godly action. I want to ask you today: What is your wall that needs to be rebuilt? We all have these walls that we must rebuild, and some construction and repairs are required. Cause when you are a Christian, the devil comes like a wrecking ball and knocks walls down. And I want to tell you the more mature you become in the faith. The wrecking ball gets more substantial, and yes, we humans, the wall will be coming down, or in some of your lives, the wall is already broken down.
How is your marriage wall looking, your relationship wall looking, how is your integrity wall looking, how is your prayer life wall looking, how is your friendship wall looking, and how is your work or job wall looking? Cause the devil is there to confuse us as men, by pride by saying I do not have a broken wall; I am ok. My marriage wall is fine, but you sleep in different bedrooms; my relationship wall is fine, but you have spoken to certain family members in years. You might say my family wall is fine, but you are not spending time leading and being the priest in your home.
It is so easy for the devil to break down these walls these days. We do not know how to be a Godly man cause we are too prideful; we do not want to be weird or rebellious in the workplace or the family. We do not know what it is to be a man anymore. Cause out there; it is shouting anyone can be a man. Really ?????
We need to rebuild some walls; maybe it is rebuilding trust or restoring a relationship, but when we do this, we need to understand the mission.
When we understand the mission that we need to rebuild the wall, we can see Nehemiah did it with God’s help, but boy, did he need some help. Chapter 3 in Nehemiah speaks about what happened and how this wall was rebuilt, but one thing that jumped out this time is how the collective worked together. You can read it, but different families and groups are rebuilding the wall. It shows that there was unity in diversity.
For example, we saw about ten different groups of people rebuilding the wall. We see the priests being the first to build and set an example of leadership and dedication. They did the sheep gate first because it was a significant cause, and that is where they brought the sacrificial animals. What I love about this peace is that the leaders jumped in with Nehemiah. The Priests started, and it means for us today, we need to set an example for our kids, our families, and our work colleagues. We need to get into building the wall, but it means you need to allow people to speak into your life, you start helping you build the wall, and if you are the mature one in the room, you need to set the example and help.
We also saw Levites jump in. They were in charge of religious aspects, but they jumped in also; they physically built the wall. We see Goldsmiths and perfumers helping. It shows us that it does not matter what you are in life. You play a part in building and helping build the wall. When another man needs help to build his wall, you cannot say what can I do? I am just a mechanic, a carpenter, an electrician, and an accountant. No, you are first a man of God, and under his guidance, you can help build the wall because the Holy Spirit helps you, and all he needs is willing vessels.
We see merchants, government officials, guards, temple servants, ordinary citizens and families. All helping. Men, it means you need to rebuild your wall; you need other men in your life. It would help if you were in a circle. Some of you guys here are already called to lead circles. You know God has called you like Nehemiah, but you must take a step of faith and trust that God will provide. If I look at the unity in diversity, you need to know no matter what you do for a living or what you can contribute, that can make a difference. You need to give your little and allow God to use that.
It might be insignificant for you, but it might lead to the completion of a larger goal. Some of you invited men to this breakfast. That was your goal, and that is good cause we do not know how God will take this further, but we keep building, we keep building, we keep building.
And when you have the men around you that can help you build the wall, or you’re helping another man to build his wall, it will make the process easier. Why, well, where two or more are gathered, three corded strands are not easily broken, etc. We also see it playing out in building the wall:
Nehemiah 4:6-9 (HCSB) So we rebuilt the wall until it was joined up to half its height, for the people had the will to keep working.
7 When Sanballat, Tobiah, and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the repair to the walls of Jerusalem was progressing and that the gaps were being closed, they became furious. 8 They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and throw it into confusion. 9 So we prayed to our God and stationed a guard because of their day and night.
These are significant theories, and they are still the same with us. There are two reasons why this was significant.
Direct Threats: They planned attacks and fostered alliances with the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the people of Ashdod, indicating a coordinated regional effort against Jerusalem (Nehemiah 4:7-8).
Propaganda and Misinformation: They tried to lure Nehemiah into meetings with the intent to harm him (Nehemiah 6:1-2), and they spread rumours and false allegations to frighten him and the builders (Nehemiah 6:5-7).
Have you noticed the world today is still the same? We see the world trying to align them with someone else to attack us. We see it in the workplace, where they try to work out people who do not fit into their culture. We see it in government, we see it in business, we see it even in families. The difference is that Nehemiah and the team, even though under direct threat of death, carried on; what do we see in our world? And I am honestly speaking for myself here. We give in too quickly. Because if the direct thread does not happen, the devil will come and sell you propaganda and false information:
Nehemiah 6:5-7 (HCSB) Sanballat sent me this same message a fifth time by his aide, who had an open letter in his hand. 6 In it was written:
It is reported among the nations — and Geshem agrees — that you and the Jews plan to rebel. This is the reason you are building the wall. According to these reports, you are to become their king seven, and you have even set up the prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim on your behalf, “There is a king in Judah.” The king will hear these rumours. So come, let’s confer together.
People will lie about you and call you something you are not, which is okay. We are not people pleasers; we are God pleasers, and when that mind-shift happens, people can spread false info and threaten you, but because you are building a wall with God on your side, it will not distract you; it is the distraction that kills you. Ask Peter in the New Testament. He was not killed, but when his focus was off Jesus, and he looked at the storm, he started to sink.
Men, we need to stop being distracted by half-truths and worldly standards. We must stop focusing on what the world is trying to distract us and keep building. Four times, they wanted to distract Nehemiah to the point that they told false information to people, but Nehemiah did not budge. He had a mission, a purpose, and it was to do one thing. To build this wall.
Men, you need to have a mission, you need to have a purpose, and you need to cut out the distractions. To do that, you will need to know your mission, you will need help, and you need to overcome, which means you will need leadership and fellowship.
Nehemiah's relationship with God guided him; it helped him achieve the goal of the wall, and it helped him to inspire others; as they built, the workers supported each other not just physically but emotionally and spiritually.
Nehemiah’s leadership ensured that the morale remained high, and when the threats of attack grew, they organised themselves so that half worked while the other half stood guard (Nehemiah 4:16).
The dedication to service united the builders. Their commitment was to a common good, surpassing personal gain, a fundamental aspect of solid fellowship. We need to grow to become men like Nehemiah. To inspire others, to keep morale high. To speak life.
We do not need more men who complain about things; we need men who inspire men to build their walls, to help them build their walls. We need more men to be open and honest about their faith so that we can live a life where even if the wall is totally on the floor and there is no hope, with God, we can give that hope and lay down the first rock, the first brick.
This has a new meaning for me: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (HCSB): Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. 10 For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm? 12 And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
May we become more like Nehemiah if we need to start rebuilding a wall or helping someone else build a wall? May we start understanding our mission as men, may we look for fellow men to create a diverse unity that allows us to speak into our lives, may we begin to allow Jesus to lead us and we follow, and may we interact with more men and grow together.
May we do newlife together?
Let us pray.
