INTRO:

• In part 1 (Ch 1), we see Nehemiah, a man of prayer.
• In part 2 (Ch 2), we see Nehemiah, a man of action.
• In part 3 (Ch 3-6), we are now going to see how Nehemiah inspired God’s people into action to rebuild the walls.

#1) WORKING IN UNITY (Chapter 3)

• The chapter begins with the people rising up to begin the rebuilding of the gates, then the towers and the walls.

Nehemiah 3:1a ESV

Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set its doors…

Observation #1: All Classes

• God’s work is for everyone! Both men & women.

Nehemiah 3:12 ESV

Next to him Shallum the son of Hallohesh, ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, repaired, he and his daughters.

Observation #2: Primary Identity

• It’s important to understand our identity in Christ.

• Who are you?

            ◦ You are a child of God.

            ◦ You are part of the body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:12-13 ESV

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

Observation #3: “Next To”

1 Corinthians 12:25-27 ESV

that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

Observation #4: Names Written

• We may have not seen their work but God sees them and He sees their work! Not only does God see their work… He keeps a record of it!

2 Corinthians 5:10 NLT

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

Matthew 16:27 NLT

For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.

Revelation 22:12 NLT

Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds.

• God Sees Your Work!

Observation #5: The Famous

Nehemiah 3:5 ESV

And next to them the Tekoites repaired, but their nobles would not stoop to serve their Lord.

• The nobles = the famous folks. The celebs. The rich higher class.

• Not everyone is willing to join the fight. Not everyone is willing to accept the battle we are called.

#2) OVERCOMING WITH BOLDNESS (Chapter 4)

Observation #1: Called To A Battle

Nehemiah 4:1-3 ESV

Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews. And he said in the presence of his brothers and of the army of Samaria, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burned ones at that?” Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Yes, what they are building—if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!”

• When you choose to do God’s will, you will have critics and you will have opposition.

James 1:2-4 ESV

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

• Be careful not to call those who God has placed near you to help you as critics & opposition.

Observation #2: Plot Against His People

Nehemiah 4:6-8 ESV

So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and that the breaches were beginning to be closed, they were very angry. And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it.

Two key things that happen when the enemy goes after the church:

(1) ATTACKS THE CHURCH

(2) CAUSES CONFUSION WITHIN THE CHURCH

Nehemiah 4:9 ESV

And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.

Observation #3: God Fights For His People

• Nehemiah is a man of faith & action. He believed God will fight for them.

Nehemiah 4:14 ESV

And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”

Observation #4: God Equips His People

Nehemiah 4:15-18 ESV

When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work. From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me.

• God has equipped us.

            ◦ We are called and equipped to be worshippers and to be warriors.

CONCLUSION

Nehemiah 4:20 ESV

In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.”

• God does not only fight for us… He already fought for us.

Colossians 2:15 ESV

He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

• So what can we learn from Nehemiah in these two chapters (3 & 4)?

1) We are part of the redeemed family

            ◦ You are not alone.

            ◦ God has called you into His redeemed family.

            ◦ God is with us.

            ◦ God has equipped us.

            ◦ God wants us together for good works.

2) We are in the midst of battle

            ◦ Don’t be passive. Fight the good fight of true faith.

            ◦ Be ready for whatever comes… put your spiritual armor on.

3) God has fought & will fight for us!