This week, Pastor Chris taught from Nehemiah, encouraging us to see that God’s work of rebuilding begins when a burden for brokenness moves His people to prayer and action. After hearing about the ruined condition of Jerusalem, Nehemiah carefully assessed the situation, received God’s vision for restoration, and invited others to join the work. Together, ordinary people with different roles and gifts united to rebuild the wall, reminding us that God accomplishes great things when His people commit themselves to a shared mission.
Building Together…
Starts with a Burden
Nehemiah 1:1–3 (ESV)
1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the citadel, 2 that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. 3 And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.”
Nehemiah 1:4 (ESV)
4 As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
Nehemiah 2:4–5 (ESV)
4 Then the king said to me, “What are you requesting?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5 And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ graves, that I may rebuild it.”
Building Together…
Assesses the Condition
Nehemiah 2:11–12 (ESV)
11 So I went to Jerusalem and was there three days. 12 Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. And I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. There was no animal with me but the one on which I rode.
Building Together…
Receives the Vision
Nehemiah 2:17 (ESV)
17 Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.”
Building Together…
Builds as a Team
Nehemiah 2:18 (ESV)
18 And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work.
Nehemiah 3:1–2 (ESV)
1 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set its doors. They consecrated it as far as the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Tower of Hananel. 2 And next to him the men of Jericho built. And next to them Zaccur the son of Imri built.
“Individual commitment to a group effort—that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.” Vince Lombardi
Nehemiah 3:4 (ESV)
4 And next to them Meremoth the son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz repaired. And next to them Meshullam the son of Berechiah, son of Meshezabel repaired. And next to them Zadok the son of Baana repaired.
Nehemiah 3:7–8 (ESV)
7 And next to them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon and of Mizpah, the seat of the governor of the province Beyond the River. 8 Next to them Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, goldsmiths, repaired. Next to him Hananiah, one of the perfumers, repaired, and they restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall.
“Talent wins games, teamwork wins championships.” Michael Jordan
Nehemiah 3:12 (ESV)
12 Next to him Shallum the son of Hallohesh, ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, repaired, he and his daughters.
1 Corinthians 12:4–7 (ESV)
4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
Not equal gifts but equal sacrifice.
Discussion Questions:
- Nehemiah’s first response was prayer rather than immediate action. Why do you think prayer is an important starting point when responding to a need?
- Can you think of a time when someone else’s faith or vision inspired you to step into something meaningful?
- Nehemiah 3 shows many different people working side by side to rebuild the wall. What does this teach us about how God accomplishes His work?
Application Question:
- Where might God be inviting you to contribute your gifts, time, or effort to help “build” something for His kingdom right now?