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Message Notes:
Nehemiah 1:1-2
These are the memoirs of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah. In late autumn, in the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign, I was at the fortress of Susa. Hanani, one of my brothers, came to visit me with some other men who had just arrived from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had returned there from captivity and about how things were going in Jerusalem. NLT
Nehemiah 1:3
They said to me, “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.” NLT
Modern Day City Walls = Boundaries for Living a Healthy, Godly Life
1. Family devotions & Personal prayer time
2. Face time with friends/family without screens
3. Getting in church and serving together
4. Guarding our hearts and minds with what we watch and listen to
5. Fleeing the appearance of evil
6. Family mission statements and mottos
MAIN IDEA:
God gives us the plan, the people and tools we need to build the walls that keep us safe from the enemy.
1. Mourned, Prayed and Fasted
Nehemiah 1:4
When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. ’ NLT
2. Repented
Nehemiah 1:6-7
Listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel. I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned! We have sinned terribly by not obeying the commands, decrees, and regulations that you gave us through your servant Moses. NLT
3. Waited on the Right Time
Nehemiah 2:1
Early the following spring, in the month of Nisan, during the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign, I was serving the king his wine. I had never before appeared sad in his presence. NLT
4. Made a Plan & Used His Influence
Nehemiah 2: 5-8
I replied, “If it please the king, and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.” The king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked, “How long will you be gone? When will you return?” After I told him how long I would be gone, the king agreed to my request. I also said to the king, “If it please the king, let me have letters addressed to the governors of the province west of the Euphrates River, instructing them to let me travel safely through their territories on my way to Judah. And please give me a letter addressed to Asaph, the manager of the king’s forest, instructing him to give me timber. I will need it to make beams for the gates of the Temple fortress, for the city walls, and for a house for myself.” And the king granted these requests, because the gracious hand of God was on me. NLT
5. Formed a Team
All of Nehemiah 3
6. Focused on the Task at Hand and Let God Take Care of the Haters
Nehemiah 4:1-3
Sanballat was very angry when he learned that we were rebuilding the wall. He flew into a rage and mocked the Jews, saying in front of his friends and the Samarian army officers, “What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they’re doing? Do they think they can build the wall in a single day by just offering a few sacrifices? Do they actually think they can make something of stones from a rubbish heap—and charred ones at that?” Tobiah the Ammonite, who was standing beside him, remarked, “That stone wall would collapse if even a fox walked along the top of it!”
7. Got It Done (completed the wall rebuild in 52 days!)
Nehemiah 6:15
Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies found out that I had finished rebuilding the wall and that no gaps remained—though we had not yet set up the doors in the gates. So on October 2 the wall was finished—just fifty-two days after we had begun. NLT
MAIN IDEA:
We are responsible to build the walls that provide protection and let the world know the STRENGTH of our God.
Practical Ways to Fortify Your Walls
- Pray
- Repent
- Wait on God’s timing
- Be prepared (In A Pit Book)
- Get in community
- Remind yourself who you are in Christ
- Celebrate some wins
Challenge Question:
How are your walls looking? What do you need to do to rebuild?
If you prayed the prayer to start fresh with God today text “startagain” (one word) to 97000 so we can connect with you and help you take the next steps in this amazing decision.
My Notes:
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