1. Halfway There A Study in Nehemiah

2. “‘You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach’…Then they set their hands to do this good work” (Neh. 2:17-18) LET US BUILD

3. When Starting Something New: Excitement, Zeal, Passion, Dreams, Positive Attitudes

4. “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” Nehemiah 4:6

5. Discouragement Sets In “We are not able to build the wall” (2:10)

6. Halfway There The halfway point is often the most discouraging part

7. Are You at the Halfway Point? In your walk with God? In parenting your children? In your work with the church? Individual goals/commitments? In your marriage? Why is it so hard to push through the halfway point?

8. Causes for Discouragement at the Halfway Point Exhaustion – “The strength of the laborers is failing” (2:10) –“My spirit is overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is distressed…my spirit fails!” (Psa. 143:4,7)

9. Distracted – “there is so much rubbish” – Discouraged by looking at what has to be done instead of what has already been done –“Where no oxen are, the crib is clean, but much increase comes by the strength of the ox” (Prov. 14:4)

10. Causes for Discouragement at the Halfway Point Exhaustion – strength failing Distracted - by rubbish Hopeless – not able to build –Elijah – “It is enough! Now Lord take my life” (1 Kings 19:4) Fear – our adversaries

11. Ashdod Ammon Tobiah Samaria Sanballat Arabs Geshem

12. SOLUTION: Pushing Past the Halfway Point Remember on whom you rely – “Do not be afraid of them, remember the Lord, great and awesome” –Take eyes off distractions, rubbish, opposition and put eyes on almighty God –Peter sank when took eyes off Christ (Mt. 14:30) –“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Ro. 8:31) –“Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20)

13. SOLUTION: Pushing Past the Halfway Point Remember who you are fighting for - “fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives” –Unselfish service – serve others –Unite with fellow laborers –Build walls with faithful brethren not from brethren Return to the task – “all of us returned to the wall, everyone to his work”

14. Don’t Quit Halfway! Finish the race 2 Tim. 4:7 Count the cost & finish Lk 14:28-30 Don’t let rocks & thorns destroy your faith Mt. 13:20-23 End better than beginning Ecc. 7:8