Nehemiah a Servant Of The Lord
NEHEMUAH, A SERVANT OF THE LORD Text: Nehemiah 1:3-~1 Intro: Nehemiah had been carried away in the 70 year captivity of the Jewish people. In captivity the Lord honored him and he served the king. When his b ethren came and told him of the condition of Jerusalem, it movedJim to do something about it. He wanted to go back to the city and ~elp restore it for the honor and glory of God. God used him in a rntghty way to get this job done. Lets notice what kind of man Ne emiah was. Lets notice five things about him. I. NEHEMIAH WlIAS A LOVING MAN. A. He loved his place-Jerusalem. 1. Nehemiaf was told about the condition of the city of Jerusale~. 2. The walls of this beloved city were broken down and the gat~eumed with fire. 3. This m sat down, wept, and mourned certain days and fasted or id without food. B. He loved hi~ people-the Jews. 1. The Jewish people left in Jerusalem or around it were in great afll. ction and reproach. 2. These w re the ones who were not taken into captivity. 3. Nehemi was in captivity, but he was doing better than those w~o were not carried away. C. He loved hiS potentate-Jesus. 1. The condition of Jerusalem often reflected the condition of the P90ple before God. 2. Nehemir loved God. He loved God's people. He loved God's city. 3. A deep love for the people of God and the place of God is an evidence that a person loves God. 4. Nehemiah prayed to the Lord for forgiveness for the Lord's ~eople. He confessed his and their sins. H. NEHEMIAH WAS A LEAVING MAN. 1A. He left his comfort. 1. Nehemiah wak the cup bearer for the king. He would taste the wine to make sure no one was trying to poison the king. 2. The Lord had blessed him even in captivity. The king noticed his sad condition. 3. This man wa willing to leave the palace to go to a burned downt,and destroyed city. B. He left his caree . 1. He had respe t and honor in the palace. He had a career. 2. He could hav~ made it fine through the captivity. He had been exa~ted. 3. He was willing to leave the king and his career and go and do whatJhe Lord had burdened him to do. C. He left his com anions. 1. He enjoyed the presence of the king and his friends and servants. 2. He was part fthe in crowd in captivity. What an honor to be a servant of the king during captivity. 3. He was williag to leave these companions to serve the Lord with t* people ofthe Lord who lived in a city whose wallsi were broken down and gates burned. III. NEHEMIAH WAS A LEADING MAN. A. The viewing I1. Nehemiah went out by night and viewed the condition of the gates in the blessed city. 2. Nehemiah anted to see with his own eyes the condition 0 the city so he could determine what needed to be done. 3. Ifpeople do not view the condition that exists, they will not be movrl d in a cause. B. The vision 1. What Nehe iah saw was a broken down burned city. This was t~e present condition of the city. 2. This man s w more than that. He saw what that city 2could beJrne and he wanted to have part in it. 3. We need people in our church that can see the condition,j but also see what we could become. 4. We need I eople who want to make it happen and be a part of it. C. The vexing 1. In captivity, Nehemiah mourned the condition of his people an& Jerusalem. 2. It troubled him to see the city of God existing in such a condition I 3. Our trou~~e today is people are not moved and troubled by what t~ey see. 4. People are more concerned about their own lives than the work hf the Lord. IV. NEHEMIAH 'iAS A LABORING MAN. A. The conditi~n of the city 1. Nehemiaf, did not look at the city and say there is no use. 2. He wasn' willing to let it continue in that condition. 3. He was a man of action and work. He knew what needed t~ be done and he was willing to do it. B. The challenge to the people 1. He challenged them to build for the Lord. There always must be someone who challenges others. 2. We need more builders. We need more people who are willing t labor and work for the Lord. I 3. He waSili't willing for the people to live in and under this kind of reproach. C. The consol .on from the king 1. The kin gave letters to Nehemiah to give to the keeper 2. ~~:h~i~0~t~~u~~8permit Nehemiah to use tImber from his fores s to build the gates and walls. 3. The Lor always provides the needs for His work. We must be willing to do the work and take the challenge. 3D. The conviction 11hC people 1. The people S~id, Let us rise up and build. 2: 18 2. They strengthened their hands to do this work. The Lord gives thb grace and strength to do the work. 3. This was a gclod work. The people were convicted the work needed ~o be done and they did it. E. The companionship of God 1. Nehemiah to~d them of the good hand of God upon him. I 2. Long ago Mo[ses said, If thy presence goes not with me, carry me not hence. 3. The Lord has told His churches that He is with them always as the do His work. Matthew 28: 19,20 v. NEHEMIAH WAS A LOYAL MAN. A. The obedience t God 1. The -Lord bu klened his heart to do this work. 2. He left all to do what the Lord moved on him to do. B. The OPPOSitionirom man 1. The Lord's ork will always face opposition from mankind. 2. Sometimes t e opposition comes from within and sometimes itlcomes from without. 3. The Devil assaults the messenger, attacks the message, and agitates the membership. C. The obligation to God 1. Loyal people! feel a great obligation to the Lord and His service. I 2. We have a job to do and may we not allow family, friends, finabces, or foes to take us away from our obligation. I D. The opportunity for the servant 1. God can usel anyone and everyone in His holy service. 2. We are to bjlaborers together with God. I Cor. 3:9 3. We are to sgek His kingdom and righteousness first. Matthew 6: 3
