Nehemiah Sermon Series (1): Rebuilt To Build (Traditional)

READ | SERMON NOTES

Summary l In 586 B.C., the Babylonians destroyed the temple in Jerusalem and the people of Judah were exiled to Babylon. Years later, in 538 B.C., the Persian King Cyrus defeated the Babylonians and allowed the Jews to return to their land. There, Ezra and Zerubbabel were involved in the rebuilding of the temple. However, the walls remained in ruins. The book of Nehemiah begins with how God raised up this godly man to return to Jerusalem to rebuild its walls. We witness God’s faithfulness to His promises throughout this book. In chapter 1, the three discipleship lessons are:

1. A sacred and compelling burden
   Nehemiah receives bad news from his brother. The walls of Jerusalem remain broken. This came to Nehemiah as a sacred burden from God. He was completely heartbroken. His tears showed strong empathy for his fellow Jews in Jerusalem. Without walls, Jerusalem could be easily breached and was totally vulnerable. Without gates, the city faced economic deprivation. There was also a compromise of architectural integrity. Jerusalem was the city of God. It signified God’s presence with His people.
   
   Compelled due to a broken heart: Nehemiah’s heart broke as he saw that God’s glory was compromised. Similarly, our Lord Jesus showed great compassion as He saw people were lost and without hope. Have we felt such compassion and experienced broken hearts over a burden placed by God on us? Are our hearts burdened for the broken walls in our workplaces, families, church and the world? May we be like lights, shining and reflecting God’s love into our community.
   
   Sacred waiting on the Lord: For days, Nehemiah prayed and fasted (vs.4). Upon receiving his burden, Nehemiah sought God instead of rushing into action. Our impatience leads us to miss out on the process of waiting on the Lord to discern His timing and to receive strength from Him (Lam 3:25; Isa 40:31). Will we be obedient to the burdens and assignments God places on us or we turn away in apathy?
   
   
2. A humble and contrite dependence
   Calling on the character of God: God is sovereign over all. He is great (high status and miraculously significant) and awesome (to be revered and feared). We have a covenant-keeping God who fulfils all His promises. Starting our prayers with a recollection of who God is changes how we pray.
   
   Confess sins of God’s people (vs. 6-7): Nehemiah casts down or throws down the sins in utter contrition. He prays on behalf of past generations using “we” to show that he identifies with the collective sins of wickedness and disobedience. Through our contrite confession, we admit that we need God to help us carry the burdens. Without Him, we can do nothing.
   
   Cling to the promises of God (vs 8-10): Nehemiah puts his trust on God who keeps His promises. Nothing can frustrate God’s plans.
   Do our prayers reflect a humble dependence on God? Or are we presumptuous in our prayers? When we pray, let us Adore Him, Confess our sins, Thank God for His manifold blessings and then bring our Supplications before Him. May this holistic framework (ACTS) help us to pray in the correct posture before God.
   
   
3. A surrendered plan of action
   Nehemiah had a plan (vs. 11). He was a cupbearer for the king. He tasted the wine and food before the king ate. It shows that Nehemiah was highly trusted and a confidant of the king. The plan was to seek favour with the king by asking for provision and protection as he travels to Jerusalem to build the walls. He needed to change the king’s mind because the latter had earlier disallowed the rebuilding of the wall (Ezra 4:6-23). Nehemiah did not depend on his rank and position to achieve his plan. Rather, he surrendered to the King of kings for success. “In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels towards all who please him “ (Prov. 21:1). Will we act based on trusting God and surrendering our plans to Him? Will we humbly acknowledge that we need God for every plan.

Nehemiah received a burden which would have disturbed his life in the king’s court. God may similarly disrupt our comfortable lives by placing a burden on us. Will we allow God to break our hearts with all that breaks His?

(Sermon notes by Angela Goh)

PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. Why was Nehemiah so heartbroken about the situation in Jerusalem?
2. He wept, fasted and prayed for days. What does this tell you about his character?
3. Why is it important for sacred burdens to break our hearts?
4. What strikes you most about Nehemiah’s prayer? Is there anything you would like to change about your own prayer?
5. How often do you confess your sin to God? Why is it such a good and vital thing to do?
6. How can clinging on to God’s promises help us to pray?
7. How do you respond to the idea that we are redeemed to represent God in the world?
8. What brokenness do you see in your workplace, homes and in the world around you? What can you do to better represent God in these situations?
9. What is one thing you can do this week about an issue you feel passionately about?
10. Pray for each other to surrender their sacred burdens and assignments to God’s sovereign purposes and for each other to find strength in God’s promises.