NEHEMIAH ‘REBUILDING OUR FAITH’: Pt 1 – The Need
Who is Nehemiah?
- He was a high-ranking official in the Persian king’s court.
- Through the leadership of Nehemiah, God rebuilt the wall around Jerusalem, allowing the leaders to bring both social reform and spiritual awakening.
- At the beginning of the book of Nehemiah, the people of God had been restored to their land in 538 B.C. under the leadership of Zerubbabel (Sheshbazzar).
- The temple had been rebuilt in 515 B.C.
- Ezra had returned in 458 B.C. to restore the law to its rightful place among the people of God.
- Yet to be restored was Jerusalem, the Holy City.
Main Theme: REBUILDING OUR FAITH
A) DEVOTION TO GOD’S MISSION (Chapters 1-6)
B) DEDICATION TO SPIRITUAL RENEWAL (Chapters 7-13)
PART 1 — THE NEED
#1) BAD NEWS (1:1-3)
Nehemiah 1:1-3
1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the citadel,
2 that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem.
3 And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.”
Luke 19:41-44 NLT
But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes. Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you from every side. They will crush you into the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not accept your opportunity for salvation.”
#2) BROKEN RESPONSE (1:4-11)
Nehemiah 1:4-11
4 As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
A Remnant’s Response: Brokenness | Fasting | Prayer
P — Praise God (1:5)
5 And I said, “O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments,
- Don’t start with problems. Start with praises.
Matthew 6:9 ESV
Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
R — Repent of sin (1:6-7)
6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned. 7 We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses.
- Humble yourself.
- Confess.
- Sins.
Matthew 6:12-13 ESV
and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
A — Agree with God’s promises (1:8-9)
8 Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, 9 but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’
Matthew 6:11 ESV
Give us this day our daily bread,
Y — Yearn for God’s blessing (1:10-11)
10 They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. 11 O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.”
- Do you fear His Name above everything else?
Matthew 6:10 ESV
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
CONCLUSION
In the book of Nehemiah, God’s children were in need. History continues to repeat. God’s children are still in need. It is up to the Remnant to respond! What breaks your heart?
Whether you believe in having a physical wall or not, the enemy is using the open borders…
- To infiltrate our society
- To kill our children with fentanyl
- To enslave our children
- To destroy our economy
Truth builds | Lies destroy
Truth reveals| Lies hide
Truth strengthens | Lies weaken
Truth secures | Lies falsify security
Truth frees | Lies enslave
Truth heals | Lies harm
- The Remnant Pray & Plan.
- Pray — Talk to God
- Plan —Respond to God
How’s your prayer life?