Rise and Build Nehemiah 6: Focus and Finish

Pray and Commit

Pray and Commit We got 2!

PK

What are your New Year’s Resolutions?

What were your New Year’s Resolutions?

We got distracted And forgot the Greatness of the Goal And the Power of our God

What if there was hope? What if we really could change? What if we could be different A year from now?

Nehemiah is doing a Great work In the Power of his God What can stop him? Becoming Distracted

Nehemiah - Jewish Servant to a Persian King - Never acts without praying. Never prays without acting on it

Review - Hears a report from his homeland - Prays for 4 months, then asks the King - Building walls with great opposition

Nehemiah is resolved: To build a wall And change the course of a nation

Distraction is one of the Greatest Tools of the Enemy Unless we understand… The Greatness of our Work And the Power of our God

Chapter 6

When word came to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it—though up to that time I had not set the doors in the gates—

Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.”

Anything suspicious here?

So far - Opposition from outside - Discouragement inside - Appeals from beside - Exploitation by fellow Jews

“Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.” But they were scheming to harm me; “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.” But they were scheming to harm me;

The Greater the Calling The Greater the Potential Impact = The Greater the Opposition

The Greater the Calling The Greater the Potential Impact = The Greater the Opposition Jesus faced it

Distraction is the one of the Greatest Tools of the Enemy Focus comes from Understanding The Greatness of your Work And the Power of your God

When your life is about Something Great Distractions are seen For what they are

…they were scheming to harm me; so I sent messengers to them with this reply: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?” …they were scheming to harm me; so I sent messengers to them with this reply: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?”

Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them the same answer. Isn't Nehemiah building a wall?

Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them the same answer. Isn't Nehemiah building a wall? He’s rebuilding a people

Isn't Nehemiah building a wall? He’s rebuilding a people How does that Vision Contribute to strength and resolve?

Then, the fifth time, Sanballat sent his aide to me with the same message, and in his hand was an unsealed letter… Meaning…?

…in which was written: “It is reported among the nations— and Geshem says it is true—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and therefore you are building the wall.

Moreover, according to these reports you are about to become their king and have even appointed prophets to make this proclamation about you in Jerusalem: ‘There is a king in Judah!’

Now this report will get back to the king; so come, let us confer together.”

Plausible… But Nehemiah isn't concerned with his rights, but doing what is right How great is the threat?

Distraction: Fear and Intimidation

Temptation: Respond Emotionally- "Why me?"

Distracting Temptation: Respond Emotionally- "Why me?" Truth: It’s not about Nehemiah It’s about the Work

Respond Emotionally = - Standstill - Everything Falls Apart

Distraction is the one of the Greatest Tools of the Enemy Unless we understand The Greatness of our Work And the Power of our God

Distraction is the one of the Greatest Tools of the Enemy Unless we understand The Greatness of our Work And the Power of our God It's about God, not Nehemiah

How should he Respond?

I sent him this reply: “Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.” I sent him this reply: “Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.”

They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.” But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.”

1- Give it the depth that it deserves 2- Pray, Trust and Continue the Work

One day I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was shut in at his home. Chill Time!

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

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

Plausible…

Plausible… Temptation: Let Fear Dictate Actions

Plausible… Temptation: Let Fear Dictate Actions If so, he sins Disqualifies himself and it ends

Distraction is the one of the Greatest Tools of the Enemy Focus comes from Understanding The Greatness of the Work And the Power of God

Decision: Do I protect me? Or protect the Work and Trust that God will protect me?

Decision: Do I protect me? Or protect the Work and Trust that God will protect me? Focus: Understanding the Power of God

But I said, “Should a man like me run away? Or should one like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go!”

I realized that God had not sent him, but that he had prophesied against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. I realized that God had not sent him, but that he had prophesied against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.

He had been hired to intimidate me so that I would commit a sin by doing this, and then they would give me a bad name to discredit me.

Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, because of what they have done; remember also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who have been trying to intimidate me.

Some of his own people, whom he is trying to help, are actively working against him

Some of his own people, whom he is trying to help, are actively working against him How would you feel?

What has kept him from Going Postal And Busting a Cap?

He understands… The Greatness of the Work And the Power of his God The work is greater than the people

Focus comes from Understanding The Greatness of the Work And the Power of God What can focused work for God do?

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

141 Years- Can’t Be Done!

141 Years- Can’t Be Done! 52 Days- Done!

141 Years- Can’t Be Done! 52 Days- Done! 1= man who got broken, got prayerful, got bold and never backed down

When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God. God is glorified in his people

…we will reap in due season IF we do not give up- Gal. 6:9 Either we will lose heart and give up Or our enemies will We are the deciding factor

Also, in those days the nobles of Judah were sending many letters to Tobiah, and replies from Tobiah kept coming to them. Also, in those days the nobles of Judah were sending many letters to Tobiah, and replies from Tobiah kept coming to them.

For many in Judah were under oath to him, since he was son-in-law to Shecaniah son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berekiah.

Moreover, they kept reporting to me his good deeds and then telling him what I said. And Tobiah sent letters to intimidate me.

Yet the wall is built A nation is physically restored

Focus: The Greatness of our Work The Power of our God

Epic Fail: not understanding The Greatness of the Work "It's just a little lie… I'll talk to him about it if it happens again"

The Greatness of Your Work "So we don't get along real well… So what?"

The Greatness of Your Work "It's a J O B… What's the big deal?"

The Greatness of Your Work "She's a backstabber- why should I care about her?"

The Greatness of Your Work "I like shopping sprees… What difference does it make?"

The Greatness of Your Work There is potential in everything we do to glorify God IT'S ALL SPIRITUAL

Until we Realize the Greatness of our Work We'll be easily distracted And miss the opportunities That come from our God

Focus: The Power of Your God If your work is great God's power is there

Focus: The Power of Your God "But I'm too tired to parent…" "I don't know how to be married…" "I can't love him…" I can't serve her…"

What am you taking for granted- Wishing you could change, But continually distracted And rationalizing it?

What am I taking for granted- Wishing I could change, But continually distracted? Where's the greatness?

What if there was hope? What if we really could change? What if we could be different A year from now?

Our work is great Our God is powerful

I'm not making my marriage great for me But for God…

20 Saved Next Year Missionaries supported Pastor paid 200 calling Layman Home in three years Disciples who put Christ first And quit making excuses For not living the truth

Do I know Jesus?