I.Nehemiah’s Concern for the Things of God (1:1-3) II.Nehemiah’s Compassion for the Things of God (1:4) III. Nehemiah’s Constant Conversation with God (1:5-11)

I.Nehemiah’s Focus: Re-building the People by Rebuilding the Walls (2:11-3:32) A.The People embrace the Vision (2:11-20) B.The People engage the Work (3:1-32) II. Nehemiah’s Foes: Overcoming Obstacles (4:1- 6:19)

The Challenge The Response 1. RidiculeNehemiah Prayed 2. ThreatsNehemiah Prayed and set up Protection

10 Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, "The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall." 11 Also our enemies said, "Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work." 11 Also our enemies said, "Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work." 12 Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, "Wherever you turn, they will attack us." 12 Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, "Wherever you turn, they will attack us."

14 After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows.... and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes... and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” Nehemiah 4:13-14

15 When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to his own work.

The Challenge The Response 1. RidiculeNehemiah Prayed 2. ThreatsNehemiah Prayed and set up Protection 3. Discouragement

The Challenge The Response 1. RidiculeNehemiah Prayed 2. ThreatsNehemiah Prayed and set up Protection 3. DiscouragementNehemiah increased the protection and pointed to God

"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again...

“... but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat." Theodore Roosevelt “Citizenship in a Republic," Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910

> Are concerned for the things of God > Are passionate for the things of God >Are constantly communicating with God >Anticipate God’s leading to a vision >Dream big but prepare for anything >Use projects to develop people >Focus on the development of the individual >Anticipate and prepare for obstacles >Respond to challenges appropriately >Remind the people of the Big Picture True Leaders...

> Determine: How do I respond when I am discouraged? > Find out: What am I inputting and how does it affect my discouragement? What am I outputting to help others in their discouragement? > Decide: I will keep doing what I am supposed to do and keep my eyes and mind on Christ. Principles for Leadership and Service