Nehemiah Chapter 3 Ordinary Folks Accomplishing an Extraordinary Task Ordinary Folks Accomplishing an Extraordinary Task

Nehemiah 3 Background –Captivity –Return from Captivity –Nehemiah’s Return Background –Captivity –Return from Captivity –Nehemiah’s Return

Why Was the Wall Important? Starts God’s Prophetic Time Clock Confirms God’s Faithfulness Provides Protection & Freedom to Worship Re-establishes the Jewish Nation Separates from the Surrounding Heathen Peoples Starts God’s Prophetic Time Clock Confirms God’s Faithfulness Provides Protection & Freedom to Worship Re-establishes the Jewish Nation Separates from the Surrounding Heathen Peoples

First Wall David Solomon Second Wall Uzziah Jotham Hezekiah Manasseh Nehemiah Third Wall Herod Agrippa Fourth Wall

Minimalist View: Wall = 2 miles Area = 90 Acres Maximalist View Wall = 2.5 Miles Area = 220 Acres

Nehemiah’s Wall – Found in November, 2007

Nehemiah 3 Overview The Plan Promote the Vision Recruit the People Assign the Tasks Provide Oversight Overview The Plan Promote the Vision Recruit the People Assign the Tasks Provide Oversight

Nehemiah 3 The People Why All the Names? People God Uses A Job For Everyone Differing Gifts & Abilities The People Why All the Names? People God Uses A Job For Everyone Differing Gifts & Abilities

Nehemiah 3 The Leadership Nehemiah’s Qualifications Nehemiah’s Insightful Choices Nehemiah’s Leadership Characteristics The Leadership Nehemiah’s Qualifications Nehemiah’s Insightful Choices Nehemiah’s Leadership Characteristics

Nehemiah’s Leadership He had a sense of mission He was willing to get involved He rearranged his priorities in order to accomplish his goal He patiently waited for God's timing He showed respect to his superior He prayed at crucial times He made his request with tact and graciousness He was well prepared and thought of his needs in advance He went through proper channels He took time (three days) to rest, pray, and plan He investigated the situation firsthand He informed others only after he knew the size of the problem He identified himself as one with the people He set before them a reasonable and attainable goal He assured them God was in the project He displayed self-confidence in facing obstacles He displayed God's confidence in facing obstacles He did not argue with opponents He was not discouraged by opposition He courageously used the authority of his position."36 He had a sense of mission He was willing to get involved He rearranged his priorities in order to accomplish his goal He patiently waited for God's timing He showed respect to his superior He prayed at crucial times He made his request with tact and graciousness He was well prepared and thought of his needs in advance He went through proper channels He took time (three days) to rest, pray, and plan He investigated the situation firsthand He informed others only after he knew the size of the problem He identified himself as one with the people He set before them a reasonable and attainable goal He assured them God was in the project He displayed self-confidence in facing obstacles He displayed God's confidence in facing obstacles He did not argue with opponents He was not discouraged by opposition He courageously used the authority of his position."36

Nehemiah 3 Application for us: Power Through Unity A Negative Example The Purpose of Ministry Unity is Indispensable It’s Unity; Not Uniformity Application for us: Power Through Unity A Negative Example The Purpose of Ministry Unity is Indispensable It’s Unity; Not Uniformity

Nehemiah 3 Conclusion Key Question: “Where are we (individually and corporately) working on God’s wall today?” Know the vision, Own the vision, Accomplish the vision! Conclusion Key Question: “Where are we (individually and corporately) working on God’s wall today?” Know the vision, Own the vision, Accomplish the vision!

GBC VISION 1. EVANGELIZE THE LOST 2. DISCIPLE BELIEVERS 3. EQUIP LEADERS 4. MULTIPLY CHURCHES