Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 3:26–30
Introduction
A. Nehemiah had heard about the pitiful condition of Jerusalem, but nothing could have prepared for what he found when he got there.
B. Fortifying Jerusalem was no easy task, but it was too dangerous to leave this job undone any longer.
Discussion
I. If you can’t save the world, at least save your family.
A. Noah was successful in this point (Hebrews 11:7).
B. Joshua saw this as his ultimate goal (Joshua 24:15).
C. It appears that David learned this lesson too late (2 Samuel 12:10–11).
II. How often do you work on your home?
A. Like houses, marriage requires a lot of maintenance (Deuteronomy 24:5; 1 Peter 3:6–7).
B. Raising children requires a lot of work and sacrifice (Ephesians 6:4; Titus 2:4–5; Proverbs 29:15; 1 Timothy 5:8).
III. Is your house protected from threats against it?
A. We will do whatever it takes to protect our families from physical threats.
B. We need to protect our families from outside threats (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:12–17).
C. We also need to protect our families from threats than come from within (Luke 11:17, cf. Acts 20:28–30).
Conclusion
A. The place to start fixing the problems in this world is our own homes.
B. If you were to survey your defense walls, what do you think they would look like? Is your home secure? Does it need some work?
C. Maybe it’s time to make some repairs. With God’s help and a mind to work, we can do anything (Nehemiah 4:6; Philippians 4:13).