Rise and Build Nehemiah 6: Focus and Finish. Pray and Commit

Rise and BuildRise and Build

Nehemiah 6: Nehemiah 6: Focus and FinishFocus and Finish

Pray and CommitPray and Commit

Pray and CommitPray and Commit

We got 2!We got 2!

PKPK

What are yourWhat are yourNew Year’s Resolutions?New Year’s Resolutions?

What What werewere your yourNew Year’s Resolutions?New Year’s Resolutions?

We got We got distracteddistracted

And forgot the And forgot the GreatnessGreatness of the Goal of the GoalAnd the And the PowerPower of our God of our God

What if there was hope?What if there was hope?What if we really could change?What if we really could change?

What if we could be differentWhat if we could be differentA year from now?A year from now?

Nehemiah is doing a Great workNehemiah is doing a Great workIn the Power of his GodIn the Power of his God

What can stop him?What can stop him?Becoming DistractedBecoming Distracted

NehemiahNehemiah

- Jewish Servant to a Persian King- Jewish Servant to a Persian King

- Never acts without praying. - Never acts without praying. Never prays without acting on it Never prays without acting on it

ReviewReview

- Hears a report from his homeland- Hears a report from his homeland

- Prays for 4 months, then asks the King- Prays for 4 months, then asks the King

- Building walls with great opposition- Building walls with great opposition

Nehemiah is resolved: To build a wallNehemiah is resolved: To build a wallAnd change the course of a nationAnd change the course of a nation

Distraction is one of the GreatestDistraction is one of the GreatestTools of the EnemyTools of the Enemy

Unless we understand…Unless we understand…The The GreatnessGreatness of our Work of our WorkAnd the And the PowerPower of our God of our God

Chapter 6Chapter 6

When word came to Sanballat, Tobiah, When word came to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and the rest Geshem the Arab and the rest of our of our

enemiesenemies that I had rebuilt the wall and that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it—though up to not a gap was left in it—though up to

that time I had not set the doors in the that time I had not set the doors in the gates— gates—

Sanballat and Geshem sent me this Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together message: “Come, let us meet together

in one of the villages in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.”on the plain of Ono.”

Anything suspicious here?Anything suspicious here?

So farSo far

- Opposition from outside- Opposition from outside

- Discouragement inside- Discouragement inside

- Appeals from beside- Appeals from beside

- Exploitation by fellow Jews- Exploitation by fellow Jews

““Come, let us meet together in one of Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.”the villages on the plain of Ono.”

But they were scheming to harm me;But they were scheming to harm me;

The Greater the Calling The Greater the Calling The Greater the Potential ImpactThe Greater the Potential Impact

==

The Greater the OppositionThe Greater the Opposition

The Greater the Calling The Greater the Calling The Greater the Potential ImpactThe Greater the Potential Impact

==

The Greater the OppositionThe Greater the Opposition

Jesus faced itJesus faced it

Distraction is the one of the GreatestDistraction is the one of the GreatestTools of the EnemyTools of the Enemy

Focus comes from Focus comes from UnderstandingUnderstandingThe The GreatnessGreatness of your Work of your WorkAnd the And the PowerPower of your God of your God

When your life is about When your life is about Something GreatSomething Great

Distractions are seen Distractions are seen For what they areFor what they are

… …they were scheming to harm me; they were scheming to harm me;

so I sent messengers to themso I sent messengers to themwith this reply: “I am carrying on with this reply: “I am carrying on a a

great project great project and cannot go down. Why and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it should the work stop while I leave it

and go down to you?”and go down to you?”

Four times they sent me the same Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them message, and each time I gave them

the same answer.the same answer.

Isn't Nehemiah building a wall?Isn't Nehemiah building a wall?

Four times they sent me the same Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them message, and each time I gave them

the same answer.the same answer.

Isn't Nehemiah building a wall?Isn't Nehemiah building a wall?He’s rebuilding a peopleHe’s rebuilding a people

Isn't Nehemiah building a wall?Isn't Nehemiah building a wall?He’s rebuilding a peopleHe’s rebuilding a people

How does that VisionHow does that VisionContribute to strength and resolve?Contribute to strength and resolve?

Then, the fifth time, Sanballat sent his Then, the fifth time, Sanballat sent his aide to me with the same message, and aide to me with the same message, and

in his hand was in his hand was an unsealed letter…an unsealed letter…

Meaning…?Meaning…?

……in which was written:in which was written:

“It is reported among the nations— “It is reported among the nations—and Geshem says it is true—that you and Geshem says it is true—that you

and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and therefore you are building the wall.therefore you are building the wall.

Moreover, according to these reports Moreover, according to these reports you are about to you are about to

become their king and have even become their king and have even appointed prophets to appointed prophets to

make this proclamation about you in make this proclamation about you in Jerusalem: Jerusalem:

‘There is a king in Judah!’ ‘There is a king in Judah!’

Now this report will get Now this report will get back to the king; back to the king; so come, so come,

let us confer together.”let us confer together.”

Plausible…Plausible…

But Nehemiah isn't concerned with his But Nehemiah isn't concerned with his rights, but doing what is rightrights, but doing what is right

How great is the threat?How great is the threat?

Distraction:Distraction:Fear and IntimidationFear and Intimidation

Temptation:Temptation:Respond Emotionally- "Why me?"Respond Emotionally- "Why me?"

Distracting Temptation:Distracting Temptation:Respond Emotionally- "Why me?"Respond Emotionally- "Why me?"

Truth: Truth: It’s not about NehemiahIt’s not about Nehemiah

It’s about the WorkIt’s about the Work

Respond EmotionallyRespond Emotionally

==

- Standstill- Standstill- Everything Falls Apart- Everything Falls Apart


UnlessUnless we understand we understandThe The GreatnessGreatness of our Work of our WorkAnd the And the PowerPower of our God of our God


UnlessUnless we understand we understandThe The GreatnessGreatness of our Work of our WorkAnd the And the PowerPower of our God of our God

It's about God, not NehemiahIt's about God, not Nehemiah

How should heHow should heRespond?Respond?

I sent him this reply: I sent him this reply:

“Nothing like what you are saying is “Nothing like what you are saying is happening; happening;

you are just making it up you are just making it up out of your head.”out of your head.”

They were all trying to frighten us, They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak thinking, “Their hands will get too weak

for the work, and it will not be for the work, and it will not be completed.”completed.”

But I prayed, But I prayed, “Now strengthen my “Now strengthen my hands.”hands.”

1- Give it the depth1- Give it the depththat it deservesthat it deserves

2- Pray, Trust and 2- Pray, Trust and Continue the Work Continue the Work

One day I went to the house of One day I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of

Mehetabel, who was shut in at his Mehetabel, who was shut in at his home.home.

Chill Time!Chill Time!

He said, “Let us meet in the house of He said, “Let us meet in the house of God, inside the temple…God, inside the temple…

… …and let us close the temple doors, and let us close the temple doors, because men are coming to kill you—by because men are coming to kill you—by

night they are coming to kill you.”night they are coming to kill you.”



Temptation: Let Fear Dictate ActionsTemptation: Let Fear Dictate Actions


Temptation: Let Fear Dictate ActionsTemptation: Let Fear Dictate Actions

If so, he sinsIf so, he sinsDisqualifies himself Disqualifies himself and it endsand it ends


Focus comes from UnderstandingFocus comes from UnderstandingThe The GreatnessGreatness of the Work of the Work

And the And the PowerPower of God of God

Decision:Decision:

Do I protect me?Do I protect me?

Or protect the Work and Or protect the Work and Trust that God will protect me?Trust that God will protect me?

Decision:Decision:

Do I protect me?Do I protect me?

Or protect the Work and Or protect the Work and Trust that God will protect me?Trust that God will protect me?

Focus: Focus: Understanding the Understanding the PowerPower of God of God

But I said, But I said,

“Should “Should a man like me a man like me run away? run away? Or should one like me go into the Or should one like me go into the

temple to save his life? temple to save his life? I will not go!”I will not go!”

I realized that God had not sent him, I realized that God had not sent him, but that he had prophesied but that he had prophesied

against me because against me because Tobiah and Sanballat Tobiah and Sanballat

had hired him.had hired him.

He had been hired to intimidate me so He had been hired to intimidate me so that I would commit a sin by doing this, that I would commit a sin by doing this,

and then they would give me a bad and then they would give me a bad name to discredit me.name to discredit me.

Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, O my God, because of what they have because of what they have

done; done;

remember also the prophetess Noadiah remember also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets and the rest of the prophets

who have been trying to who have been trying to intimidate me.intimidate me.

Some of his own people, whom he is Some of his own people, whom he is trying to help, trying to help,

are actively working against himare actively working against him

Some of his own people, whom he is Some of his own people, whom he is trying to help, trying to help,

are actively working against himare actively working against him

How would you feel?How would you feel?

What has kept him fromWhat has kept him fromGoing PostalGoing Postal

And Busting a Cap?And Busting a Cap?

He understands…He understands…The The GreatnessGreatness of the Work of the WorkAnd the And the PowerPower of his God of his God

The work is greater than the peopleThe work is greater than the people

Focus comes from UnderstandingFocus comes from UnderstandingThe The GreatnessGreatness of the Work of the Work

And the And the PowerPower of God of God

What can focused work for God do?What can focused work for God do?

So the wall was completed on the So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days.in fifty-two days.

141 Years- Can’t Be Done!141 Years- Can’t Be Done!


52 Days- Done!52 Days- Done!


52 Days- Done!52 Days- Done!

1= man who got broken, got prayerful, 1= man who got broken, got prayerful, got bold and never backed downgot bold and never backed down

When all our enemies heard about this, When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid all the surrounding nations were afraid

and lost their self-confidence,and lost their self-confidence,

because they realized that this work because they realized that this work had been done with the help had been done with the help

of our God.of our God.

God is glorified in his peopleGod is glorified in his people

……we will reap in due seasonwe will reap in due seasonIFIF we do not give up- Gal. 6:9 we do not give up- Gal. 6:9

Either we will lose heart and give upEither we will lose heart and give upOr our enemies willOr our enemies will

WeWe are the deciding factor are the deciding factor

Also, in those days the nobles of Judah Also, in those days the nobles of Judah were sending many letters to Tobiah, were sending many letters to Tobiah,

and replies from Tobiah kept coming to and replies from Tobiah kept coming to them.them.

For many in Judah were under oath to For many in Judah were under oath to him, since he was son-in-law to him, since he was son-in-law to

Shecaniah son of Arah, and his son Shecaniah son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Jehohanan had married the daughter of

Meshullam son of Berekiah. Meshullam son of Berekiah.

Moreover, they kept reporting to me Moreover, they kept reporting to me his his good deedsgood deeds and then telling him what I and then telling him what I

said. And Tobiah said. And Tobiah sent letters to sent letters to intimidate me.intimidate me.

Yet the wall is builtYet the wall is built

A nation is physically restoredA nation is physically restored

Focus:Focus:The The GreatnessGreatness of our Work of our Work

The The PowerPower of our God of our God

Epic Fail: not understandingEpic Fail: not understandingThe The GreatnessGreatness of the Work of the Work

"It's just a little lie…"It's just a little lie…I'll talk to him about it I'll talk to him about it

if it happens again"if it happens again"

The The GreatnessGreatness of Your Work of Your Work

"So we don't get along real well…"So we don't get along real well…So what?"So what?"


"It's a J O B…"It's a J O B…What's the big deal?"What's the big deal?"


"She's a backstabber- "She's a backstabber- why should I care about her?"why should I care about her?"


"I like shopping sprees…"I like shopping sprees…What difference does it make?"What difference does it make?"


There is potential There is potential in everything we doin everything we doto glorify Godto glorify God

IT'S IT'S ALLALL SPIRITUAL SPIRITUAL

Until we RealizeUntil we Realizethe the GreatnessGreatness of our Work of our Work

We'll be We'll be easilyeasily distracted distracted

And miss the opportunitiesAnd miss the opportunitiesThat come from our GodThat come from our God

Focus:Focus:The The PowerPower of Your God of Your God

If your work is If your work is greatgreatGod's God's powerpower is there is there

Focus:Focus:The The PowerPower of Your God of Your God

"But I'm too tired to parent…""But I'm too tired to parent…""I don't know how to be married…""I don't know how to be married…"

"I can't love him…""I can't love him…"I can't serve her…"I can't serve her…"

What am you taking for granted-What am you taking for granted-

Wishing you could change, Wishing you could change, But continually distractedBut continually distracted

And rationalizing it?And rationalizing it?

What am I taking for granted-What am I taking for granted-

Wishing I could change, Wishing I could change, But continually distracted?But continually distracted?

Where's the greatness?Where's the greatness?

What if there was hope?What if there was hope?What if we really could change?What if we really could change?

What if we could be differentWhat if we could be differentA year from now?A year from now?

Our work is greatOur work is great

Our God is powerfulOur God is powerful

I'm not making my marriage I'm not making my marriage great for megreat for me

But for God…But for God…

20 Saved Next Year20 Saved Next Year

Missionaries supportedMissionaries supportedPastor paidPastor paid

200 calling Layman Home in three years200 calling Layman Home in three years

Disciples who put Christ firstDisciples who put Christ firstAnd quit making excuses And quit making excuses

For not living the truthFor not living the truth

Do I know Jesus?Do I know Jesus?

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Rise and Build Nehemiah 6: Focus and Finish. Pray and Commit