“The Gospel of the Gates”
Nehemiah 3
By
Dr. Steven G. Cook
I. Introduction
A. In our study of Nehemiah, we learned that Nehemiah was a man who desired to make a difference for the glory of God.
B. In Ch. 1 we learned that Nehemiah was a man who knew “How to Pray”; In Ch. 2 we learned that he knew “How to Tackle a Tough Job” and “How to Get Out of God’s Way”.
C. Today, I would like to preach a message from Ch. 3 that I have entitled “The Gospel of the Gates”.
D. Let us divide this chapter into 3 Parts:
1. The Pattern
2. The People
3. The Places
II. The Pattern (Neh. 3:1-5)
A. One thing that seems to quickly arrest our attention is the use of the word “next” – it is used 14 times in Ch. 3.
B. We find that the work of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem was an “organized work” with the “leadership taking the lead”, and the people cooperating with that leadership (vs. 1).
C. There are 42 groups of people listed in this work of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.
D. Each man had an area of responsibility, and God noted each worker and put his name in Word of God.
E. While “no man can do everything”, let us remember that “all men can do something!”
F. The task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem is a wonderful object lesson for the work of the church today.
G. We too must have organization, leadership, and people willing to cooperate and get involved in the task of evangelizing the lost and edifying the saints.
H. Every child of God has been gifted by the Holy Spirit to do something – and God is much more interested in our “availability” than our “capability”.
I. Notice vs. 5b – Even in Nehemiah’s day, there were some who “refused to get involved in the work” – How sad! God makes mention of these too!
III. The People
A. Throughout Ch. 3 we find that there were a variety of workers.
B. There were priests (vs. 1), rulers (vss. 12-19), craftsmen (vss. 8; 32), and even Jews from other cities (vss. 2; 5; 7).
C. We should also note that some were willing to do extra (vss. 11; 19; 21; 24; 27; 30).
D. Some worked at home (vss. 10; 23; 28-30) – Of course, this is where our work as Christians ought to begin!
E. Some workers were the only ones from their families (vs. 30).
F. Some workers were more zealous than others (vs. 20).
G. Some were even former “backsliders” (vs. 11- compare with Ezra 10:31)
IV. The Places
A. There are definite spiritual lessons for us as we examine the rebuilding of the gates in the walls of Jerusalem.
B. It is gracious of God to record for us in His Holy Word a marvelous picture of the Christian life in these gates.
C. There are 10 gates listed by name, and each one of them is significant.
D. There are 2 other gates listed in Nehemiah making a total of 12 gates – the same number of gates which will be in the walls of New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:12-13).
E. Let us examine, by name, the significance of these gates – The Gospel of the Gates.
V. #1 - The Sheep Gate (Neh. 3:1-2)
A. The very first gate mentioned speaks of the “Sacrifice of Christ on the Cross” – for without the sacrifice, there can be no salvation!
B. John 1:29 – “Behold, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
C. John 10:1-18 – READ
D. You may notice that there were no locks or bars on the Sheep Gate – The door of salvation is ever open to ALL who will be saved!
E. Also notice that this is the only gate that was sanctified, setting it apart from all of the others as a special gate.
VI. #2 – The Fish Gate (Neh. 3:3-5)
A. The next gate which was repaired was The Fish Gate, and it speaks of the work of the believer as a “soul-winner”.
B. Mark 1:16-18 – READ
C. God has commissioned all Christians to be “fishers of men”; to communicate the Gospel of Christ to a lost and dying world.
D. There is no greater privilege in all of the world than to be an “Ambassador of Christ”.
E. Paul taught the Corinthians concerning the “ministry of reconciliation” which is bestowed upon all believers in 2 Cor. 4-5.
VII. #3 – The Old Gate (Neh. 3:6-12)
A. The 3rd gate that was repaired was The Old Gate – it speaks of the importance of “old paths & old truths of the Word of God”. (Jer. 6:16)
B. The world is ever looking for “some new way or some new thing!” (Acts 17:21)
C. My friend, there is “NO Other Way BUT Christ & His Cross!”
D. God help us…..IF we who know Christ decide that Christ IS NOT the answer to the woes of the world!
E. There is a definite need in churches today for sound, fundamental doctrine from the pulpit!
F. The world does not need more of the same thing – the world needs Truth, and the Church is the “Pillar and Ground of the Truth!”
VIII. #4 – The Valley Gate (Neh. 3:13)
A. The 4th gate repaired was The Valley Gate – it speaks of “humility before the Lord”.
B. Every child of God must realize that he or she is saved by grace through faith, and that not ourselves…..it is a gift of God!
C. Just as Christ “humbled Himself and became flesh” in order that He might save others, we should be willing to deny ourselves and minister to others.
D. Sometimes God allows us to go through the valley in order to prepare us for a future task; sometimes in order that we might be stronger now; and sometimes in order to get our attention.
E. However, we have God’s promise that “He will go through the valleys with us!”
IX. #5 – The Dung Gate (Neh. 3:14)
A. The 5th gate repaired was The Dung Gate – it speaks of the necessity for the believer to constantly examine his own life in order to rid himself of unconfessed sins!
B. It was through The Dung Gate which waste and refuse was taken and cast into a fire.
C. Imagine how difficult it would be to repair such a gate as this…..yet we have the promise of God that states, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
D. This was a very important gate to the city of Jerusalem, and it is a very important principle for believers today! (READ – 2 Cor. 7:1)
X. #6 – The Gate of the Fountain (Neh. 3:15-25)
A. The next gate repaired was The Gate of the Fountain – it illustrates the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
B. Notice the mention of the many workers united together in the work in verses 15-26.
C. Today, the Holy Spirit binds believers together in order that we might see the work accomplished.
D. It is also interesting to note the sequence of the last three gates – 1.) The Valley Gate (humility) 2.) The Dung Gate (cleansing) 3.) The Gate of the Fountain (filling of the Spirit).
E. Before we can access the power within us, we too must exercise humility; we must confess our sins; THEN we can be filled (controlled) by the Holy Spirit!
XI. #7 – The Water Gate (Neh. 3:27)
A. The 7th gate mentioned is The Water Gate – it, of course, speaks of the Word of God.
B. The water gate was used to bring water into the city – An aqueduct brought some water into the city, but not all of it. The remainder was carried in through the water gate.
C. Often God’s Word refers to itself as “water” – Eph. 5:26; Ps. 119:9
D. Note that this is the 7th gate mentioned – Number 7 is the number of perfection & completion – and the only way we might be completely perfect is to grow in God’s Word!
E. It is also important to note that this is the only gate that needed “NO REPAIRS!”
F. There are many today who try to “improve the Word of God” – They are forever trying to add to it; to make it more palatable; like adding Nestle’s Quick to milk – in order that they might better enjoy it!
G. How foolish! None of us could ever add or take away from God’s Word!
H. “Forever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled in heaven” (Ps. 119:89).
XII. #8 – The Horse Gate (Neh. 3:28)
A. The 8th gate mentioned is The Horse Gate – it speaks of the “believer’s warfare”.
B. The horse was the animal ridden by a warrior!
C. Believers are engaged in “spiritual warfare!” – READ Eph. 6:10-18; 2 Timothy 2:3-4
D. There are many adversaries of the believer, and we must be prepared for battle on a daily basis!
E. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.” (1 Cor. 16:19)
XIII. #9 – The East Gate (Neh. 3:29-30)
A. The 9th gate repaired is The East Gate – This gate is perhaps the most well-known gate of all!
B. It fills the student of God’s Word with enthusiasm and excitement because of its connection with the 2nd Coming of Christ!
C. The East Gate was the first one opened in the morning – it is sealed today, but according to prophecy, we know that one day it will again be opened for business!
D. Do not confuse the East Gate with the Golden Gate – they are not one and the same, however, most students of the Bible believe that when Christ returns, He will enter into this particular gate in order to proceed through the Golden Gate which is actually the entrance into the Temple.
E. Also, Christians today anticipate that the Lord’s Return for His Bride, the Church – We call it The Rapture!
F. READ – 1 Thess. 4:16-17
G. The Rapture & 2nd Coming of Christ are not the same event, yet believers today ought to be ever looking for the coming of the SON, just as did the watchman in Nehemiah’s day who looked eastward every morning for the rising of the SUN to open the East Gate.
XIV. #10 – The Gate Miphkad (Neh. 3:31-32)
A. The 10th gate mentioned is The Gate Miphkad – it speaks of judgment.
B. The word “Miphkad” actually means in Hebrew, “review; registry; appointment; account; census; mustering”.
C. In the days of David, the soldiers would pass through this gate “in review” before their king, who stood to greet them and express his gratitude for their unselfish loyalty and daring.
D. It was also a gate in which those who entered the city had to “register”.
E. Whether or not a person is saved, “we must ALL give an account of ourselves before the Lord” (Rom. 14:12).
F. There are two judgments in particular that this gate suggests – One for believers & one for unbelievers.
G. The Judgment of Believers is called The Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10).
H. The Judgment of Unbelievers is called The Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15).
I. My friend, YOU cannot escape the Judgment of God – Hebrews 9:27, therefore, everyone ought to give earnest heed to the words of Amos the prophet – “Prepare to MEET thy God.” (Amos 4:12)
XV. #11 – The Gate Ephraim (Neh. 8:16)
A. Though the 11th gate was not mentioned in the 3rd Chapter of Nehemiah is was a gate in the walls of Jerusalem.
B. Ezra stood at The Water Gate and read the Word of God – He spoke of the necessity of obeying God’s Word, and the people wept openly.
C. Then they made booth and celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles, just as they will at the beginning of the 1,000 yr. Reign of Christ.
D. READ – Zachariah 14:16
XVI. #12 – The Prison Gate (Neh. 12:39)
A. The 11th gate mentioned in Nehemiah is found in Nehemiah 12:39 – The Prison Gate – it speaks of the eternal damnation and imprisonment in the Lake of Fire.
B. 2 Peter 3:9 reveals that today, God is longsuffering toward usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
C. Have YOU realized that YOU are a Sinner? Have YOU realized that Christ DIED FOR YOU on the Cross of Calvary? Have YOU invited Jesus INTO YOUR HEART? Rom. 10:9-10; 10:13
D. INVITATION
