Nehemiah 4:1-6

Introduction:

1. Having pondered several key elements to prepare each of us individually to evangelize our community, we shift our focus now to preparing the congregation.

2. There is strength in numbers, so we are seeking to maximize our efforts by deploying what many call total congregational evangelism (Ephesians 4:15-16).

3. We will use Nehemiah’s rebuilding of the walls in Jerusalem as a template.

Discussion:

I. Building for the Lord

A. Nehemiah came to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and secure the city of God (1:1-2:8).

B. Having assessed the work, Nehemiah and Eliashib the high priest began the work of reconstructing the walls, and they were making good progress (2:9-3-32).

II. Challenges Threaten the Work

A. When faithful people go about doing the work of the Lord, opposition is sure to come.

B. Nehemiah and company faced opposition from many foreign enemies (4:1-3, 7-8, 11).

C. Our efforts to evangelize the lost are sure to bring opposition as well; though the ways they oppose us may differ, the mindset necessary to succeed has not changed.

III. A Mind to Work

A. In the face of threats like they faced, it would be easy to cower in fear and give up on the building project the Lord assigned them (cf. Ezra 4).

B. But, under Nehemiah’s leadership, they built the walls in the face of great pressure by:

1. First, taking the issue to the Lord to seek His protection (4:4-5, 14).

2. Then, dividing the workforce into two, placing half at the ground level to guard those working on the walls until the work was completed (4:13-23).

C. The diligence and perseverance needed to work in such high-pressure circumstances flows out of the fact that “…the people had a mind to work” (4:6).

Conclusion:

1. The work the Lord has laid upon us has risks, challenges, and discomfort (John 15:18ff).

2. To succeed in our building project (1 Corinthians 3:9-13), we too must have a mind to work.

Further Food for Thought

1. Just between you and God, how would you grade yourself in having a mind to work?

2. What hindrances do you face that you need to remove to increase your mind to work?

3. How can we as a congregation facilitate this effort at total congregational evangelism?