Characteristics of a Wall-builder: Nehemiah #1
An exposition of Nehemiah 1:1-11. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, October 18, 2015.
Intro:
The city lies in ruin. Everywhere you look there are signs of devastation and shame. This once proud city now bears the marks of neglect and judgment. The walls that once provided protection, strength and stability are reduced to a pile a rubble. The city gates, once the seat of justice are now twisted iron and charred remains. The people in the streets and in the market seek to reestablish order as strangers in their native land. 140 years before the Babylonians swept across the city of Jerusalem like a prairie fire destroying everything in its path. The ornate temple built for the worship of the Living God was leveled, the people of Judah were carried to a distant land where they would live in exile because of their stubborn rebellion against the God of Heaven.
After 70 years of captivity the first group of exiles returned under the leadership of Zerubbabel. Some 80 years later another group under the leadership of Ezra the scribe returned to rebuild the temple. Now the temple has been rebuilt. Worship has been restored but the broken wall and the burned gates stand as a silent reminder of the shame and disgrace borne by the people. A thousand miles away, in the palace of king Artaxerxes, God was preparing the heart of the man who would be His instrument in rebuilding the walls and thus beginning the restoration of the city of Jerusalem. He was a man of courage, conviction and perseverance. His name was Nehemiah.
This evening we begin a series of messages from the Old Testament book of Nehemiah. We will discover that these Old Testament writings provide great insight into contemporary issues. From Nehemiah we will learn the power of one individual, directed by the hand of God, to impact the world. We will learn principles of effective leadership and the power of clear vision. This evening we will consider Nehemiah 1 of Nehemiah. If you need some help go to Psalms and turn left. You will pass Job and Esther and then you will arrive at Nehemiah.
Text: Nehemiah 1:1-11
The year was 445 BC.
The setting is the fortress of Susa home of the winter palace of Artaxerxes, king of Persia.
The Jews have been returning to Jerusalem for many years.
As we read…
In exploring the first chapter we discover that…
Thesis: God calls upon believers to faithfully rebuild the walls of a broken society.
We don’t think about city walls. That is no longer a concern for us. We hear that the walls were broken and we wonder, “What’s the big deal?” To us it may seem a cosmetic issue. But in the ancient world the walls were arguably more important than an army. Without walls a city would be at the mercy of whatever band of marauders came through. Walls were a source of encouragement and comfort for the people. They provided stability and strength. The walls of Jerusalem were gone. Thus the city was unprotected and vulnerable.
The city gate was the seat of justice.
The gates of Jerusalem charred remains.
Impotent symbols of justice and restraint.
Thus Jerusalem in our text serves as a picture of modern day America. The walls of morality, decency and justice lie in ruins while our nation reminds vulnerable to the attack of the enemy. What do we do about it? We rebuild the walls! Precept upon precept. Truth upon truth. We strive to rebuild the wall of morality, decency and justice.
In our text the biblical writer gives us some insight into wall building.
I want to point out three characteristics of a godly wall builder from our text.
- A godly wall builder accurately assesses the damage. (1:1-4)
- A godly wall builder accepts responsibility for the situation. (1:4-7)
- A godly wall builder seeks the hand of God in rebuilding the wall. (1:8-11)
Conclusion:
Take a good look around
Survey the damage.
Let’s hit our knees in repentance and confession.
Let’s plead the mercy and power of God.
Then let’s rise and say, “Hand me a brick, we’ve a wall to build!”