Hand Me Another Brick

1. Hand Me Another Brick Lessons From The Book Of Nehemiah

2. “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." 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 2:17-18)

4. Builder Principles From Nehemiah • Nehemiah was a builder who cared: • A closer look at Nehemiah’s situation (1:1, 11) • Two waves of returns – Zerubbabel rebuilt the temple and Ezra restored worship. He is still in captivity in Persia working as the king’s cupbearer • Not just a butler or waiter. He tasted food to prevent poisoning. If its poisoned… bye-bye Nehemiah! • Not seen as a slave – A close personal relationship. Often an advisor to the king. An important man! • Much work has gone on in Israel and life was returning to normal, but the walls were still broken & burned

5. Builder Principles From Nehemiah • Nehemiah was a builder who cared: • Nehemiah receives news about Jerusalem that breaks his heart & crushes his spirit (1:2-4) • He didn’t succumb to promotion erosion and get lost in pride… He still cared and had a selfless love • Nehemiah asks what’s going on… Truly concerned • Two bits of bad news (1) Walls are down, so no protection (2) People are in distress & reproach • Nehemiah deep care is visible – He sits down, weeps, and fasts for many days. Possibly for 3 months!

6. Builder Principles From Nehemiah • Nehemiah was a builder who cared: • His care and thoughtfulness is consistent throughout this work effort: • Some were upset because they knew he was there to seek the well being of the people (2:10) • His passion was contagious… others cared (2:17-18) • He moves among the people working with them (3) • He armed people when they were afraid (4:15-18) • He got involved in helping needy people (5) • He cared about truth and righteousness, getting personally involved in enforcing it (13) • He was no super-Jew, he wasn’t a prophet, and he didn’t work miracles. He was a normal guy. His power came from his love for God & others!

7. Builder Principles From Nehemiah • Nehemiah was a builder who cared: • When the walls of our spiritual lives, our relationships with others, and this church are in need of repair, do we care? (2 Cor 11:38; Rev 3:16) • Are we too preoccupied to see problems? • Are we broken to the point of taking any action?

8. Hand Me Another Brick Lessons From The Book Of Nehemiah

9. Builder Principles From Nehemiah • Nehemiah was a builder from the knees up: • Another way he showed his care was by hitting his knees in prayer (Neh. 1:4, 11) • Vs 5ff records a prayer of his, but he didn’t pray once and be done. He “continued fasting and praying” • This goes on for months – he is a very prayerful man • When prayer and fasting are put together, we can know it’s a more intense and focused time of prayer • He believes in prayer… he knows its power. The way he prays immediately shows it was a habit in his life.

10. Builder Principles From Nehemiah • Nehemiah was a builder from the knees up: • Powerful prayer! Notice how he prayed (1:5-11) • He praises God and recognizes God’s faithfulness… The problem wasn’t God’s, God kept His covenant! • He takes personal responsibility for the problem… He includes himself in his confession. No blame. • He embraces the promises of God and lays claim to them. He bases his hope and his action on them. • He finishes his prayer by taking personal responsibility for the solution as well. He was God’s man.

11. Builder Principles From Nehemiah • Nehemiah was a builder from the knees up: • Prayer continued to play a central in his work. Most were short “in the moment prayers” • Before making his request of the king (2:4-5) • When being taunted – protection & justice (4:4-5) • When “The Three Stinkbugs” caused problems, he fought back with prayer (4:9) • When some frightened him with false accusations to the king, he prayed for strength (6:9) • Prayed for God’s vengeance against those who purposefully defiled their religion (13:29) • Often prayed “God remember me” (5:9; 13:14, 22, 31)

12. Builder Principles From Nehemiah • Nehemiah was a builder from the knees up: • God’s spiritual brick masons understand all the bricks are held together by prayer! (1 Th 5:16-18) • In order to be a builder, we have to be people of prayer • Prayer permeates all aspects of our lives and all the moments of our days. • Four things prayer will do for us: • Makes me wait for God, increasing my patience • Clears my vision, so I see things as they really are • Quiets my heart, replacing anxiety with peace • Activates my faith, putting my trust into action

13. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7)

14. Builder Principles From Nehemiah • He was a builder who arose to action: • His concern & prayers mattered, but he matched that by being willing to get involved (1:11) • Took personal responsibility for the problem… now he’s taking personal responsibility for the solution • Was Nehemiah doubting God’s power to fix things? No! Why not just leave the matter in God’s hands? • No doubt in what God could do, in fact, even greater faith is shown by his willingness to volunteer • He understood that God often used men and women to carry out His will and answer prayers… people who are willing to be God’s vessels

15. Builder Principles From Nehemiah • He was a builder who arose to action: • While Nehemiah was praying, he was also meditating, preparing, & planning (2:4-8) • What if Nehemiah expected God to do it without his involvement? Just had prayed, waited, & watched • We know he didn’t do that because he looked for the opportunity and was ready when it came • There’s no indication that God told him how all of this would go down… He prayed for God to use him! • He was ready for the king to open the door, he knew what he wanted, he knew what he needed, and he even knew how long he would be gone. Ready! • Nehemiah was very active while he was praying!

16. Builder Principles From Nehemiah • He was a builder who arose to action: • He shows he understood there were two sides to the work being done (Nehemiah 2:17-18) • He spoke of it being God’s work & gave God the glory • He realized that God worked through the people and they needed to be motivated to build • Equation: God’s work + Man’s work = Successful work • He was consistently a man of action (5:16) • His motivation was contagious, but it wouldn’t have been if he wasn’t personally involved himself • His “diary” of wall repair is action packed • He shows us that a praying man is an active man

17. Builder Principles From Nehemiah • He was a builder who arose to action: • God’s builders today are people who pray with action… see themselves as vessels of God for His service (Col 4:2-4; 1 Cor. 15:58; 2 Pet 1:5,10) • Why should we expect God to do great things among us if we aren’t willing to get involved ourselves? • Some people don’t know what’s happening, some watch what’s happening, and some make things happen. Which one are you? • Have you ever seen a builder, construction worker, with clean clothes? No! • Can’t say, “I hope…” or “I wish…” if we won’t! • Have you been praying for change and nothing is happening? Perhaps it’s because you aren’t happening!

18. Will You Be A Builder? “They said, "Let us rise up and build." So they strengthened their hands for the good work.” (Nehemiah 2:18)

19. Hand Me Another Brick Lessons From The Book Of Nehemiah

20. Builder Principles From Nehemiah • …A builder who laid everything on the line: • Remember Nehemiah’s work and position within the Persian Empire (Nehemiah 1:11) • An important man – Stood between the king & his death • A trusted man – Close relationship to the king, more like an advisor than a servant, a place of power • Yet this was also a position filled with great risks: • These kings were difficult men – Proud & Stubborn • Not just a risk of being poisoned, but of not being pleasing to the king – The death penalty! • These kings often acted on a whim which left those in close position to them getting hurt. • Consider Esther’s situation (Esther 4:16-17) – She is the queen yet has to resolve, “If I die, I die”

21. Builder Principles From Nehemiah • …A builder who laid everything on the line: • When Nehemiah gets the opportunity he was praying for, he is still full of fear (Neh 2:1-3) • For three to four months, he had been going before the king with his emotions in check, but not this time • Nehemiah isn’t just afraid… He is very much afraid. • Afraid of what? The king’s response? The work ahead? Likely the result of what the king had just said • See, Nehemiah was just like us… He prayed for this moment. He planned for this moment. He dreamed of this moment. Yet he is scared in this moment!

22. Builder Principles From Nehemiah • …A builder who laid everything on the line: • He faces his fear with faith & takes on personal sacrifices & risks for God’s cause (Neh. 2:4-5) • His willingness to get involved was going to cost him. He could lose his job, get exiled, or lose his life! • He had already counted this cost and was prepared • He laid other things on the line: A place of power and prominence, a place of wealth and ease, comfort zone, friends and family, lifestyle, dreams, etc. • Sacrifice & risk when so much was still unknown. Why do it? God’s work needed to be done! • Courage came by his faith in God & persistent prayer • Risk & sacrifice continued… Faced opposition, personal attacks, gave up pleasures, worked long hours, did what was uncomfortable

23. Builder Principles From Nehemiah • …A builder who laid everything on the line: • Today God’s builders are people of sacrifice and risk. Lay everything on the line (Luke 14:25-30) • Satan knows what we treasure and what we will put ahead of our faith. He will exploit it, making us choose between it and our walls. • Real progress always comes with risk and sacrifice… We cannot allow the fear to control us, but faith! • We won’t always have to lay everything on the line, but are we willing to? Deciding in the moment does not work, we have to give it all to Jesus now! • What if we faced choosing between our life and our faith? How do you hold back a builder who is willing to die for his faith? (Revelation 12:11)

24. Hand Me Another Brick Lessons From The Book Of Nehemiah

25. Builder Principles From Nehemiah • …A builder with a specific plan for success: • When Artaxerxes questions Nehemiah, he “set for him a time” – Time conscious (Neh. 2:6) • When praying, he was also planning and preparing. He didn’t act impulsively but was a man with a plan! • His thoughtfulness shows his seriousness & motives • Notice that it was when Nehemiah gave the king a specific time that the king approved the plan • From this point we see a focused Nehemiah who wouldn’t let anything derail the plan. • We see his great character – Not only did the king approve the plan, but the king wanted him back!

26. Builder Principles From Nehemiah • …A builder with a specific plan for success: • Nehemiah had all of the practical details for his success worked out (Nehemiah 2:7-9) • He knew it wouldn’t be cheap – he requests timber • He knew access would be difficult – he requests letters • The king knew safety would be an issue – sends army • Real graciousness reigns… He was direct yet kind – “If it pleases the king” – then “It pleased the king” • Finally, he arrives in Jerusalem. He spends the first three days surveying & planning (2:11-16) • Many may have thought he was doing nothing, but this was some of the most important work he did! • Why in the middle of the night? Minimizes opinions! • When he finally speaks he can say, “Here’s the plan, here’s your place, now let’s get started!”

27. Builder Principles From Nehemiah • …A builder with a specific plan for success: • Successful builders purposefully plan for success and prepare for it (Eph. 5:14-16) • Some say, “Just jump out in faith” as if faith excludes all planning & purpose. But real faith plans. • Too often works are taken on and commitments made without envisioning how it will be accomplished • Plans need to be specific and practical. Big things happen through smaller thoughtful steps.

28. Baby Steps

29. Builder Principles From Nehemiah • …Motivated Builders With A Mind To Work: • Walls have been surveyed & a plan formed, so the next step is to motivate the people (2:17-20) • He could not accomplish this alone… He had a vision, but his dream had to become their dream • He motivates by causing them to identify themselves with the problem & the solution – see “we” & “us” • He motivates by identifying himself with them… He was not an outsider, but an insider. Not pointing the finger with blame saying, “Your mess, your work!” • He motivates by focusing them on their condition and work ahead… needed good & genuine motives • He motivates them by showing God’s hand in all of this • Their response: A unified voice of motivation and commitment to work ahead… Prepared personally

30. Builder Principles From Nehemiah • …Motivated Builders With A Mind To Work: • We see in Nehemiah the same infectious spirit David had in facing Goliath (I Sam 17:29 – NKJV) • The army of Israel, trained fighters, fled at his sight • David goes to meet the giant… He is young, he is not trained in war, he has no army, his weapon is small • What motivated David? There was something, there was a cause, worth fighting for!

31. Is There Not A Cause?

32. Builder Principles From Nehemiah • …Motivated Builders With A Mind To Work: • We see in Nehemiah the same infectious spirit David had in facing Goliath (I Sam 17:29 – NKJV) • The army of Israel, trained fighters, fled at his sight • David goes to meet the giant… He is young, he is not trained in war, he has no army, his weapon is small • What motivated David? There was something, there was a cause, worth fighting for! • From this point we see a people with incredible zeal, focus, & determination (4:6; 6:15-16)

33. “So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.” “So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.”

34. Builder Principles From Nehemiah • …Motivated Builders With A Mind To Work: • God’s builders today are still a people who are motivated with a mind to work (Romans 12:3-8) • We too have a cause! There is a cause to stand for, fight for, sacrifice for, work for, and live for! • In most local churches 90% of people want the church to grow, but only 10-20% will do the work it takes. What would happen if the other 70-80% got busy? • Good leadership means nothing without driven and determined people following them. • Good leadership understands so they encourage and motivate those around them.

35. Hand Me Another Brick Lessons From The Book Of Nehemiah

36. Builder Principles From Nehemiah • A Builder Who Actively Encouraged Others: • His encouragement factor was first seen in how he motivated others (Nehemiah 2:17-18) • A great leader, but good leadership alone wouldn’t get this work done. It took their hands & strength • “Let us build… Let us rise and build…” – He’s telling them that he will work alongside them • Nehemiah was a leader who wasn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. He led by example. • He encouraged them by bringing them to see their real condition, but helps them turn their focus from their shambled state to a rebuilt future

37. Builder Principles From Nehemiah • A Builder Who Actively Encouraged Others: • Practically, he encouraged the people by personally getting to know each one (Neh. 3) • Notice how he calls out each builder by name (vs. 1-4). He mentions about 75 names… its not pointless! • He seems to be moving around the wall and get to know each builder individually… learns personal details about their lives (vs. 8-9) • He takes special notice of the work done… Some built diligently and some built lousy (vs. 5, 20) • He learns where people live, their family life, and more • He is moving around the wall working side by side… A fellow brick mason personally involved (Neh. 5:16)

38. Builder Principles From Nehemiah • A Builder Who Actively Encouraged Others: • The encouragement factor continues… building, motivating, admonishing, supporting others: • When discouraged he focused people on God & prayed • When others faced financial hardship he sacrificed • When the law was read and people were repenting, he went among them encouraging revival • What drastic measures were needed, he took difficult action to ensure righteousness and purity • Builders purposefully encourage (I Ths 5:11, 14) • They understand the need for mutual edification • They try to bring others in and get them involved • To truly encourage, we have to get to know each other! • Paul focused on building others up and surrounded himself with others who did the same! (Acts 14:22, etc)

39. Builder Principles From Nehemiah • …Refused To Let Criticism Stop The Work: • From the start he had to face negative criticism from Tobiah, Sanballat, & Geshem (Neh 2:19-20) • They had been “concerned” because someone came seeking the welfare of the people • They mocked God’s people – “Jeered” and “Despised” • The belittled God’s people – “What is this THING…” • They scared God’s people – You are rebelling! • Nehemiah speaks with directness & boldness… This is God’s work and you have no place here!

40. Builder Principles From Nehemiah • …Refused To Let Criticism Stop The Work: • When the wall is halfway done, criticism brings the work to a screeching halt (Nehemiah 4) • Vs. 1-3: Belittled calling them feeble… Shift their focus to the rubble… mock the work saying a fox could break it down Destroying the morale! • Nehemiah handles this criticism with prayer… The people keep working – “mind to work” (vs. 6) • Vs. 10-12: Enemies gather allies and threaten war… the people are scared stiff! The words of the critics take root in their hearts and they believe it! • Nehemiah says, “Remember the Lord!” – He puts their faith and focus back. He gets them working again & makes a practical plan that settles fears (13-16)

41. Builder Principles From Nehemiah • …Refused To Let Criticism Stop The Work: • Next they turn to personally attack Nehemiah by discrediting him with criticism (Neh. 6:6-7) • Especially painful due to the personal nature – This is dangers because if he’s gone the work ends • The “Ono Conference” would take him away from the work and provide them a chance to destroy him • They then spread rumors with an open letter – This means anyone and everyone can read it! • They attack his motives and work – He’s building for an insurrection, he wants to be king himself, he has his own agenda – Personal & devastating! • He handles it with openness and blunt honesty – He testifies of the false nature of the rumors and where they really originate. His character backed him up. He gets back to work! (vs. 8-9)

42. Builder Principles From Nehemiah • …Refused To Let Criticism Stop The Work: • God’s builders must be realistic… We will face criticism and we must handle it (I Pet 2:12, 3:16) • As a builder you will be criticized and often it will be unfair. Your motives will be attacked, work belittled, effectiveness doubted. It will be personal, painful, and discouraging! • Think about Jesus – His teaching, relationships, and works were constantly under fire unjustly. • Sadly, sometimes criticism will come from within… even our own brethren. Friendly fire hurts most! • Sometimes we can ignore it and it go away, but often it must be met and handled with frank open honesty • Note: Sometimes it may be unfair, but still carry a morsel of truth. We need to identify that if its there and use it as motivation (Prov. 29:1)

43. Hand Me Another Brick Lessons From The Book Of Nehemiah

44. Builder Principles From Nehemiah • A Builder Who Remembered The Lord: • It would have been easy for the builders in Jerusalem to become obsessed with Nehemiah: • The King’s Cupbearer – an important man in the empire • He was very motivational, inspiring people around him • He showed courage in standing up to their enemies • Did he realize this? Maybe, maybe not, but we never find him drawing attention to himself • This book is only 13 chapters, yet Nehemiah refers to God over 75 times. He was a God-focused man! • He focused people on God by prayer (4:4, 9) • Whether people heard all his prayers or not, people certainly heard and saw him praying often • 11 prayers spoken of… “A builder from the knees up” • When battles arise, first step is prayer… prayer warrior • Says, “We prayed…” – Discouraged & disheartened, he refocused them on God by praying together

45. Builder Principles From Nehemiah • A Builder Who Remembered The Lord: • Simple but powerful encouragement: “Remember the Lord, great and awesome” (4:14-15) • The work started with a focus on God – “I told them of the hand of my God…” (Neh. 2:18). But fear and mocking shifted that focus. Distracted hearts! • Nehemiah brought them to think about God’s nature… their vision of God wasn’t “big” enough and so their trust and confidence was lacking • “Remember the Lord” brought up many images – David and Goliath, walls of Jericho, Mount Sinai, Red Sea crossing, 10 plagues, flood, the creation… WOW! • God had not changed! They were serving the same God! No reason for fear, timidity, or dismay!

46. Builder Principles From Nehemiah • A Builder Who Remembered The Lord: • As we seek to build, we must stay focus on God. Always remembering our Lord! (Is 40:38-41) • He is the same God… Our God is GREAT and AWESOME! • Trials too strong? Temptations too powerful? Work too difficult? Discouragement too deep? REMEMBER! • Many times when the work on our walls slows down or ceases, our focus has shifted away from God. We aren’t “God-centered” – other things steal us away • As we have opportunity to help struggling people, we must not fail to help them focus on God’s nature!

47. Hand Me Another Brick Lessons From The Book Of Nehemiah

48. Builder Principles From Nehemiah • A Builder Who Resisted Complacency: • If there was a time for Nehemiah to grow satisfied in the work & effort, this was it: • Half way done… less left to do. Many slow down here. • A major spiritual & physical battle had been fought, he was likely tired, and thus very susceptible • Enemies plans were defeated… a great morale booster • On the other side, threats and opposition remained and it could have been an excuse to slow down or stop • He increases the activity & intensity (4:19-23) • He prepares in case of war, but is also pushing ahead in the work. Seems to be working even harder • Why arm them? May have been as much about their confidence level… energizing the work base! • He stays in work clothes all the time… only changing to bathe. Great determination and focus!

49. Builder Principles From Nehemiah • A Builder Who Resisted Complacency: • The book of Nehemiah is action packed. He is persistent. Why? He cared about the work! • Successful builders are not super humans in faith. They accomplish much because they are relentless in their faith! (Mt 5:6; Phil 3:12-14) • We must never allow ourselves to grow complacent or careless… always room for greater growth and service. Guard against satisfaction! • Where’s the line for what’s enough in our serving the Lord? No line is drawn. We show our level of love and devotion by how much we do. • Guard against allowing our awareness of our failures and weakness to be an excuse for lukewarmness • When we become satisfied, we quit growing! The pursuit of “just enough” will always leave us shy of “just enough” – Seek to excel! Seek the 2nd mile!

50. Builder Principles From Nehemiah • …Who Immediately Addresses His Problems • From the start it was clear battles would be a reality, but these were exterior (2:10, 19) • Tobiah, Sanballat, & Geshem – They weren’t Jews, but gained power. They needed Jerusalem in disrepair • They try to discourage and dishearten the people • Nehemiah never lets this slide, addresses it directly. • Now problems start arising from within… Their difficulties multiplied upon each other (5:1-5) • A famine in the land – Fears & anxieties compounded • Heavy taxes levied by Artexerxes – Frustration & anger • Borrowed money at high interest – Despair • Sell themselves into slavery – Hopelessness