Oct. 16, 2022

NEHEMIAH – FAMILY MATTERS

THE PRINCIPLE OF COOPERATION

(REALIZE WE’RE BETTER TOGETHER)

Nehemiah 3:1–32 2 The men of Jericho built the adjoining section, and Zakkur…built next to them… 4 Next to him Meshullam… made repairs, and next to him Zadok…also made repairs. 7 Next to them, repairs were made by men from Gibeon… 8 and Hananiah…made repairs next to that... 11 and Hattush…made repairs next to him... 17 Next to him, the repairs were made by the Levites...18 Next to him, the repairs were made by their fellow Levites... 19 Next to him, Ezer…repaired another section... 20 Next to him, Baruch…zealously repaired another section… 21 Next to him, Meremoth…repaired another section… 22 The repairs next to him were made by the priests... 23 next to them, Azariah…made repairs... 24 Next to him, Binnui repaired another section… 25 Next to him, Pedaiah… 27 Next to them, the men of Tekoa repaired another section… 29 Next to them, Zadok…made repair... Next to him, Shemaiah made repairs. 30 Next to him, Hananiah…repaired another section. Next to them, Meshullam…made repairs... 31 Next to him, Malkijah…made repairs...

Ephesians 4:16 “From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

Nehemiah 4:16 From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. (i.e. We’ve got each other’s backs!)

Nehemiah 4:19–20 19 Then I said… “The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. 20 Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!”

THE PRINCIPLE OF EXPECTATION

(RATIONALLY DEAL WITH OPPOSITION)

Nehemiah 4:1 When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews.

Nehemiah 4:7–9 7 But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. 8 They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. 9 But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.

- “Pray as if it ALL Depends on God, and Work as if it ALL Depends on You!”

Nehemiah 4:17 Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other.

 - “God’s Part we CANNOT Do, Our Part He WILL NOT Do!”

Nehemiah 4:13–14 13 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. 14 After I looked things over, I stood up and said… “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”

THE PRINCIPLE OF MOTIVATION

(FIGHT FOR YOUR FAMILY)

Nehemiah Chapter 3: 10 Jedaiah made repairs opposite his house…  23 “Benjamin made repairs in front of his house… 28 “The priests made repairs, each in front of his own house…  29 Zadok made repairs opposite his house... 30 Meshullam made repairs opposite his living quarters... 12 Shallum repaired the next section with the help of his daughter.

Nehemiah 3:1  Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate.          

Nehemiah 4:14 “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”

- “If you Don’t stand for Something, you’ll fall for Anything!”

Nehemiah 4:14 “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”

Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.