READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary l In this chapter, the people of Jerusalem came together to rebuild the city walls. Though God’s name isn’t mentioned, He was deeply involved, using different people in the rebuilding efforts.
- Purposeful Work Carried Out in Unity (Nehemiah 3:1-32)
Nehemiah gathered everyone with a common purpose – to rebuild the walls. In this chapter, he outlined the rebuilding plan, dividing the task based on the number and wealth of those recruited. God used all kinds of people and there was a job for everyone. They worked for God’s glory. It was purposeful work done in unity.
The Hebrew word banah meaning built or rebuilt appears eight times while the Hebrew word chazaq meaning repaired appears 38 times. Chazaq has a deeper meaning of “to make strong and firm”.
The Hebrew word for consecrate, qadash, means “set something aside for a unique task” and is related to the word holy. The high priest set the tone of the rebuilding work (v1) by consecrating the gate, signifying that the work was set aside for and belonged to God. That gave the work its purpose. Similarly, we should set apart our lives for Christ as we work for God.
Discipleship Lesson 1:
Purposeful work is setting apart our lives for Christ to work for God, to glorify Him!
Apostle Paul reminds us in Colossians 3:23 to do all our work for God, making it purposeful. We should strive to live a holy life like Christ, set apart in this world.
- Partnership in Serving Alongside One Another (Nehemiah 3:1-32)
The people rebuilt the walls side by side. “next to” (ESV) appeared 15 times in Chapter 3. Similarly, our service to God should be a partnership. In our discipleship journey, everyone has a part to play. Each contributes to the community’s health and growth with gifts and talents, sharing the common goal of doing God’s kingdom work in kingdom partnership.
Discipleship Lesson 2:
Our service to God should be a partnership, next to one another.
- Persevering Commitment to the Task (Nehemiah 3:1-32)
Nehemiah 3 details the rebuilding work, showing a unified effort with each person assigned a specific task. While most put in effort, the nobles “would not stoop” (v5). Similarly, in our lives, some would avoid tasks they deem unimportant. Baruch and others did more work than others, setting an example with their spirit of excellence. Instead of striving for perfection through human effort, we should cultivate a spirit of excellence, aiming to please God rather than others.
The repeated expression “… they rebuilt it and set its door, its bolts, and its bars” (Nehemiah 3:3, 6, 13-15) highlights the vulnerability of gates in a city’s fortification. In Nehemiah’s time, Jerusalem had nine gates. If one failed, the entire city could be taken.
Eric Mason, in Nehemiah For You, notes that the Sheep Gate was unique because it had no bolts and bars, symbolising that the door to salvation is open to sinners. The Sheep Gate to the temple represents the door to God’s throne of grace. As Jesus said, He is the gate and whoever enters through Him will be saved (John 10:9). Do we remember our central task as Christians? Do we take responsibility for building a Sheep Gate for those around us, leading them to salvation?
Discipleship Lesson 3:
Persevere in our commitment to the task of being a Christian witness to others.
Let us be a church with open doors, where anyone can experience the love and joy of Jesus Christ.
- Prayerful Overcomers in Challenges (Nehemiah 4:1-9)
Nehemiah and his team faced ridicule and threats (Nehemiah 4:2-3) but remained focused on rebuilding the wall (Nehemiah 4:6), demonstrating their dedication and faith.
Distractions and opposition are inevitable, but we must stay focused on God’s task. Even when overwhelmed, we should trust that God is in control and will see us through. In such times, do we look to the Lord to guide our response, as Nehemiah did?
Discipleship Lesson 4:
Turn to God in prayer when challenges or opposition come.
Eric Mason reminds us of how big our God is
“God is bigger than your opposition.
God is bigger than your broken-ness.
God is bigger than your frustration.
God is bigger than your past.
God is bigger than your pain.
God is bigger than your hurt.
God is bigger than death.
God is bigger than people who talked about you.
God is bigger than the people who wrote you off.
God is bigger than your loss.
God is bigger than your sickness.
God is bigger than you.
So stay focused on him.”
Whatever challenges we face, let us stay focused and remember that God is greater than any circumstance. By turning to Him and committing our struggles in prayer, we can be prayerful overcomers.
(Sermon notes by Joy Lim)
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- What is one key takeaway for you from this message?
- In what ways are you setting apart your lives to work for God and to glorify Him?
- Share about your experiences in serving alongside others. If you are not serving anywhere currently, are there ministry opportunities you can consider serving in?
- How can we stay committed to the task of witnessing to others? Are there practical ways we can take responsibility in building a “Sheep Gate” (Neh 3:1) so that we can be an open door to others to hear the gospel? (This is in reference to Eric Mason observation of the Sheep Gate being the only gate without “bolts & bars”)
- Share of a time when you faced opposition or challenges and you turned to God in prayer.
