Rise Up & Build

Introduction:

A.     Due to sin, idolatry and infidelity to God the Jews were taken into captivity in three deportations (606, 597, 586) by Nebuchadnezzar, according to the will of God (Jer. 25:9ff, 29:11ff).

B.     During the last deportation of the Jews in 586 much of the city of Jerusalem, the temple of Solomon and the walls around the city were destroyed (see 2 Kings 25).

C.     However, in 539 Persia took over Babylon and Nebuchadnezzar was forced out of control.  In 536 Cyrus the king of Persia signed a decree allowing the Jews to return to their land and rebuild the city and temple according to the word of the Lord (Isa. 45:1, Ezra 1:1).

D.     Just as the Jews left in three deportations, so they returned in three waves. 

Ø      Zerubbabel and the people---------city & temple restored.

Ø      Ezra and the people-----------------Law and morality restored.

Ø      Nehemiah and the people----------wall and gates restored.

E.      For Nehemiah to lead the people to do in days what they had not done in 13 years he followed five important steps to leadership.

F.      For leaders today to motivate and challenge us to work toward the goals of Christianity and for all of us to be fortified in the faith we must follow these same five principles.

True Leadership must possess…

I.  Diligent, Constant prayer to God.

A.     For Nehemiah to complete the building of the wall he had to depend upon prayer to God asking Him for his help.  In every situation, regardless of circumstances, Nehemiah immediately says a sudden and short prayer to God.  Notice 5 things Nehemiah prayed for:

1.      Nehemiah prays for help and confesses sins (1:5-11).

2.      Nehemiah prays in times of fear (2:4).

3.      Nehemiah prays concerning His enemies (4:4-5).

4.      Prays for protection against his enemies (4:9, 6:14).

5.      Prays for strength (6:9).

B.     Like Nehemiah, we must depend upon the power of prayer and not ourselves (James 5:16).  Notice how these same 5 requests Nehemiah made are requests we need to make today:

1.      We must confess our sins to God before He will help us (1 Jn. 1:8, Ps. 51:3-4, Ps. 66:18, Prov. 28:9).

2.      We must pray to God in times of fear (Lk. 18:1, Acts 16:25, Acts 7:60, Heb. 4:16, Heb. 5:7, on the Cross).

3.      We must pray for our enemies (Acts 7:58, Matt. 5:44, Lk. 23:34, your enemies might just become your friends).

4.      Pray for protection against your enemies (Matt. 6:13, Lk 22:31, Ps. 23:1).

5.      Pray for strength.

II.  Organize properly & Work diligently (2:18, 20; 4:6, 6:15-16).

A.     Nehemiah and his group had to work very diligently to rebuild the wall.  As a leader Nehemiah realized the value of an organized plan of approach.  Notice Nehemiah’s 4 steps to progress:

1.      Nehemiah observed what needed to be done and where (2:13-15).

2.      Nehemiah set a time and made a plan of approach (2:6).

3.      Nehemiah gathered and used the proper tools (2:7-8).

4.      Nehemiah and  his group worked hard (2:18; 4:6).

B.     To become the spiritual leaders that God wants us to be we must use this same pattern of organization and work.

1.      Observe what needs to be done and where:

·        Maybe we need more benevolence (James 1:27; Gal 6:10).

·        Maybe there are ways we could improve our Bible study (2 Tim. 2:15).

·        Maybe we could improve our edification of one another (Heb. 3:12-13, Heb. 10:24).

2.      Set a time and make a plan

3.      Gather and use the proper tools and manpower.

4.      Work hard to finish the project.

III.  Be Aware of the Enemies & Critics of the work (Neh. 2:10,19; 4:1-3).

A.     For Nehemiah to complete the work he had begun had had to be aware of the enemies of the work and deal with their criticisms.  Notice what these enemies said and did:

1.      They were disturbed by the work (2:10).

2.      This work was like a crime to them (2:19).

3.      They mocked and made fun of  the work (4:1-3).

4.      They tried to frustrate the work (4:7-8).

5.      They lied about the work to stop it (6:5-9).

B.     Any leader who is trying to do a good work will have critics and enemies of the work.  You must know how to deal with them to overcome their criticisms.  The key to overcoming their criticism is to realize that you are doing a good work for God and cannot be stopped (Neh 6:3).

IV.  Work with your sword in your hand (Neh. 4:17, Eph. 6:17).

A.     For Nehemiah and the people to succeed they had to work with one hand and defend themselves with the other.  What an amazing example!  They worked with their sword in their hand.  So, must we.

B.     For leaders and Christians to be successful we must have the word of God in mind, on hand at all times.  Notice several reasons why:

1.      So it will guide us (Ps. 119:105).

2.      So it will help us make decisions (Heb. 4:12).

3.      So it will help us not to sin (Ps. 119:11).

4.      So it will help us be prepared for battle  (Eph. 6:17).

5.      To overcome Satan (Rev. 12:11).