The Builders of the Wall
In this 5th message on Nehemiah, we examine how Nehemiah led numerous people groups through positive change, in rebuilding Jerusalem's wall.
Click here for the recording of this 1/11/26 Service, and you can fast-forward to 26:39 to get to the start of the sermon. We had no heat in the main sanctuary this morning, so we had church in the ‘fellowship hall’ which was actually the original church sanctuary, back in the 90’s. So the video is from a handheld phone.
Our text is the entire Chapter 3 of Nehemiah
• Since this is the entirety of chapter 3, I will ask you to read on your own time
Intro…
There are times in the life of God’s people that it is time to build, and foster the measured change needed to do so
I am not talking about a building per se, although that is sometimes called for
I am talking about anticipating future needs, staffing those needs with ministry workers, and setting up best practices
This does not happen by accident, but prayerfully
Setting the stage for chapter 3
Nehemiah has received word that Jerusalem was in ruins
His first reaction is to pray and fast; God’s response-
“but if you return to Me and keep My commandments and do them, though those of you who have been scattered were in the most remote part of the heavens, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place where I have chosen to have My name dwell.” (1.9)he reminds God that these are His people; “give me favor”
He asked, and received permission from the King, to return to Jerusalem with a letter for repair provisions- timber
Nehemiah gave the King ”a definite time”
He is provided security by the King’s army
He encounters the first of many oppositions- this, from Sanballat and Tobiah
He inspects the walls at night via horseback
He tells the Hebrew leaders the truth of their condition- “a bad situation”
He is mocked by Sanballat and Tobiah
His response- “God will make us successful; you have no part, right, or memorial in Jerusalem”
Those who built, ch3
Eliashib the priest/brothers - built - The sheep gate
Sons of Hassenaah - built - The fish gate
Joiada and Meshullam - built - The ancient gate
Hanun - built - The valley gate
Malchijah - built - The dung gate
Shallum - built - The fountain gate
Servants of ophel - built - The water gate
The priests - built - The horse gate
Shemaiah - built - The east gate
Malchijah - built - The inspection gate
Nehemiah’s 10 gates - Details of ch3
The gates were consecrated, qa.dash- made holy for a special purpose
They installed bolts and bars- they needed security
There was opposition by the nobles- never be surprised by opposition; expect it
Approx 54 people groups, both men and women, worked on repairs; progress involves many people
Leadership principles in ch3
Nehemiah’s leadership was crucial
He prayed into Jerusalem’s reality
God gave him a word of reassurance
He was truthful about the people’s situation
God gave him favor with the right people
He had a plan
He encountered opposition, to which he responded
He knew success was up to God, not him
How this applies to cornerstone
We need to evaluate who we are as a church, and what our values are- Word centered, Christocentric worship, discipleship, leadership development, evangelism, missions…
Now is the time for us to move forward as a church, by increasing our footprint on the 30 corridor, and growing with the right people
We have to want to grow- if we don’t want it, it won’t happen
We have to prep for this growth by building and staffing systems to support the people the Lord gives- nursery, SS, youth ministry, Wed nite Bible Study, music ministry, visitation, security…and on and on…
With new people, and growth, will inevitably come change, which must be managed
Whatever happens in future, we must remain true to Scripture, which does not change, and who we are, which might change, over time
