REBUILDING THE WALLS

REBUILDING THE WALLS

Nehemiah 1:4-11; 2:17-20

Nehemiah is a great example of someone whose desire was to please God and glorify Him.  His intentions were God-focused rather than self-focused.  God defined his dominant purpose.  When he heard that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down and God's people were living in distress, that driving purpose kicked in.  Nehemiah prayed a profound prayer of praise, adoration, submission, and request.

Who Was Nehemiah? 

1.  He was a contemporary of Ezra, another rebuilder

      A.  Both lived at the end of the captivity

     B.  Both were getting ready to return home

2.  There were three returns:  under Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah

Nehemiah Was the Rebuilder 

1.  He was brokenhearted over the ruined walls of Jerusalem

2.  He left an important position with the king to rebuild them

3.  Churches need rebuilding after spiritual decline

4.  Christians need rebuilding after backsliding and defeat

How Can We Rebuild Walls?

I.  WE CAN REBUILD THROUGH PRAYER v. 1:4-5

     A.  "Every great work of God can be traced to a kneeling figure" (Moody)

     B.  Nehemiah weeps, fasts, and prays

          1.  He praises God for His love and power (v. 4)

           2.  He Acknowledged who God was (v. 5)

                a.  God’s supremacy

                b.  God’s power and majesty

                c.  God’s faithfulness

          3.  He cries out for God's help in rebuilding

     C.  Plans for rebuilding may fail, but prayer prevails

     D. Believing prayer places success within our reach in spite of the obstacles

     E.  We should move quick to God Who can still the seas.

1.  We Can Rebuild Through Prayer

II.  WE CAN REBUILD THROUGH CONFESSION OF SIN v. 1:6-11

     A.  Nehemiah confessed his sins and those of his people

          1.  Note how specific he was in confessing (v. 6-7)

               a.  He was an intercessor:  Asked God to forgive the sins of Israel and

                     those of his own family (v. 6)

               b.  He was a repentant sinner himself, identifying with the people: 

               Asked God to forgive him as well (v.6)

             c.  He spelled out all of their sins (v. 7)

                 * Had lived corrupt, depraved and appalling lives

                 * Had disobeyed God’s Word 

          2.  Sins confessed are sins forgiven (1 John 1:9)

     B.  Confession of sin is the result of the conviction of the Holy Spirit

     C.  Confession of sin puts away all self-righteousness

     D.  Confession of sin recognizes God's love and grace

     E.  When cleansed by confession of sin, Nehemiah claimed God's promises

     F.  Like Isaiah after his confession, Nehemiah was ready to serve (Isa. 6:1-8)

1.  We Can Rebuild Through Prayer

2.  We Can Rebuild Through Confession of Sin

III.  WE CAN BUILD THROUGH MAKING NEW COMMITMENTS v. 2:18-19

A.     "Let us rise up and rebuild"

B.     Nehemiah gave his personal testimony: He assured them of God’s presence and guidance (v. 18)

C.     Nehemiah achieved the desired result: The people made a commitment to rebuild

               1.  This was a commitment linked to a challenge

               2.  This was a commitment that demanded their best

               3.  This was a commitment that disregarded their critics

          B.  This would be a good time to make a new commitment to Christ

                1.  Have you failed to carry through in the past?

                2.  Confess that failure and rededicate your life to Him

Conclusion

WHEN OUR HEARTS ARE RIGHT, WE CAN REBUILD WITH CONFIDENCE

     1.  "THE GOD Of HEAVEN, HE WILL PROSPER US" (v. 2:20)

           A.  THE LORD WILL HELP US SUCCEED

          B.  THEY WILL START REBUILDING---NO MATTER WHAT

          C.   THE OPPONENTS HAD NO CLAIM IN JERUSALEM

     2.  NO DOUBTERS WERE THERE; THEY BELIEVED GOD AND MOVED AHEAD

     3.  GOD IS ALWAYS UP TO THE OCCASION

Responsive Reading: Nehemiah 1:1-9