Nehemiah 1:1-3 1 The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah: In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. 3 They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”

THE DIVINE MISSION

NEHEMIAH He was a Cup Bearer of King Artaxerxes I of Persia in 445 BC He was sent to Jerusalem as Governor of Yehud (the official Persian name for Judah) Nehemiah means Yahweh has comforted.

STEPS THAT WE CAN LEARN ON NEHEMIAH’S RESPONSE : 1. A MAN OF PRAYER Nehemiah 1:4 When he heard these things, I sat down & wept. For some days I mourned & fasted & prayed before the God of heaven.

STEPS THAT WE CAN LEARN ON NEHEMIAH’S RESPONSE : 2. A MAN WHO UNDERSTOOD THE IMPORTANCE OF HIS CALL Nehemiah 2:2-8 2 so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.” I was very much afraid, 3 but I said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” 4 The king said to me, “What is it you want?” Then I prayed to the God of heaven,

Nehemiah 2:1-8 5 and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.”6 Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?” It pleased the king to send me; so I set a time.

Nehemiah 2:1-8 I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah? 8 And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the royal park, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?” And because the gracious hand of my God was on me, the king granted my requests.

Proverbs 21:1 (NLT ) The King’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; he guides it whatever he pleases Mga Kawikaan 21:1 Ang puso ng hari ay nasa kamay ng Panginoon na parang mga batis: kumikiling saan man niya ibigin.

STEPS THAT WE CAN LEARN ON NEHEMIAH’S RESPONSE : 3. ENTHUSIASTICALLY LEADING THE PEOPLE Nehemiah’s Mission began with the following realistic strategies GUIDED BY GOD : He examined how big was the damaged of the wall and surrounded area He inspected the wall that were broken down and its gates that had been destroyed He planned and began to lead the people

Nehemiah 2:17-18 (NIV) 17 Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” 18 I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work.

Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:9 The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.

The Wall had Ten (10) Different gates : 1. The Sheep gate 2. The Fish gate 3. The Old gate 4. The Valley gate 5. The Dung gate 6. The Fountain gate 7. The water gate 8. The Horse gate 9. The East gate 10. The Miphhad gate  

STEPS THAT WE CAN LEARN ON NEHEMIAH’S RESPONSE : 4. OBSTACLES IS NOT AN EXCUSE TO QUIT WHAT HE ALREADY STARTED Criticism Nehemiah 2:19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Amonite Official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. What is this you are doing? They asked “Are you rebelling against the king?

Nehemiah 2:20 I answered them saying, “ The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it. Isaiah 54:17 (MSG) But no weapon that can hurt you has ever been forged. Any accuser who takes you to court will be dismissed as a liar. This is what God's servants can expect. I'll see to it that everything works out for the best." God's Decree. Matthew 5:11  (NIV) 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

4. OBSTACLES IS NOT AN EXCUSE TO QUIT WHAT HE ALREADY STARTED B. They plotted to attack them and create confusion Nehemiah 4:6-8 6 So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. 7 Now it happened, when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the walls of Jerusalem were being restored and the [a]gaps were beginning to be closed, that they became very angry, 8 and all of them conspired together to come and attack Jerusalem and create confusion.

OBSTACLES IS NOT AN EXCUSE TO QUIT WHAT HE ALREADY STARTED : C. To Kill and Destroy Nehemiah 6:1-2 Now it happened when Sanballat, Tobiah, [a]Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall, and that there were no breaks left in it (though at that time I had not hung the doors in the gates), 2 that Sanballat and [b]Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come, let us meet together [c]among the villages in the plain of Ono.” But they thought to do me harm.

Romans 8:31 what then shall we say to these things Romans 8:31 what then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.

STEPS THAT WE CAN LEARN ON NEHEMIAH’S RESPONSE : 5. HOPES AND STEADFASTNESS In spite of all those trials/temptations , Nehemiah never gave up. They overcome the intense opposition: By Praying (Praying without ceasing) Nehemiah 6:9 B. By Encouraging his people Nehemiah 4:14

5. HOPES AND STEADFASTNESS In spite of all those trials/temptations , Nehemiah never gave up. They overcome the intense opposition: C. Godly wisdom – A steps that well guided by our God Nehemiah 4:16-20

5. HOPES AND STEADFASTNESS In spite of all those trials/temptations , Nehemiah never gave up. They overcome the intense opposition: D. By Setting an example towards his people (He showed tremendous determination & character to remain steadfast in his responsibility in spite of huge opposition)

Isaiah 40:31 But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

STEPS THAT WE CAN LEARN ON NEHEMIAH’S RESPONSE : 6. A GREAT LEADER - led his people to make a new Commitment to God Nehemiah 9:1 On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and putting dust on their heads.

A LIFE RANSOMED ON THE CROSS IS A LIFE THAT IS FREE FROM GUILT AND SHAME

Three (3) Important Gates that we can relate on Christian life: The Sheep Gate A gate where the lambs and sheep brought to the temple, in which they were offered. So it represents that Jesus is the High Priest of new covenant, who is the Lamb who was offered for our sins

Three (3) Important Gates that we can reflects in our life today : 2. The Fish Gate A gate where fishermen brought fishes for selling to Jerusalem. So it represents that after the redemption of the blood of our Lord Jesus we begins fishers of men

Three (3) Important Gates that we can reflects in our life today : 3. The Old Gate It represents the death of old man 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! The old is important because without the death of flesh, believer cannot wander in the will of God.

Conclusion : Our God is in the business of restoring broken lives – broken relationship with HIM & with others, Spiritually broken right now and He called us by name to work through us and to the lives of other people. Do not be discouraged but like Nehemiah moving on until the work will finish through YOU. If you are working right now .. Don’t stop! Never give up! Recommit yourself to God and continue working with JESUS … Focus yourself to the Author and Perfecter of our Faith!

ILLUSTRATION OF A BELIEVER ON PURSUING HIS OR HER MISSION YOU Work place

“UNSUBSCRIBE FROM THE WORK OF THIS WORLD” RATHER “SUBCRSIBED TO THE WORK OF GOD” OUR DIVINE MISSION IS TO COMMIT, REBUILD, RECONNECT PEOPLE TO “JESUS CHRIST OUR GOD”