GateWay Church of Visalia
Win the Future! A Study in Nehemiah
Pastor Ed Kemp May 11 & 14, 2023
Locations & Times
GateWay Church
1100 S Sowell St, Visalia, CA 93277, USA
Thursday 6:45 PM
Sunday 8:30 AM
Sunday 10:30 AM
Introduction
Nehemiah’s principles of teamwork:
#1. A Compelling Purpose
Then I said to them, “You see the bad situation we are in, that Jerusalem is desolate and its gates burned by fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that we will no longer be a reproach.” 18 I told them how the hand of my God had been favorable to me and also about the king’s words which he had spoken to me. Then they said, “Let us arise and build.” So they put their hands to the good work. 2:17-18
#1. A Compelling Purpose
Then I said to them, “You see the bad situation we are in, that Jerusalem is desolate and its gates burned by fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that we will no longer be a reproach.” 18 I told them how the hand of my God had been favorable to me and also about the king’s words which he had spoken to me. Then they said, “Let us arise and build.” So they put their hands to the good work. 2:17-18
#2. Intrinsic Motivation
After him Meremoth the son of Uriah the son of Hakkoz repaired another section, from the doorway of Eliashib’s house even as far as the end of his house. 3:21
After him Meremoth the son of Uriah the son of Hakkoz repaired another section, from the doorway of Eliashib’s house even as far as the end of his house. 3:21
#3. Achievable Goal
Next to them Meremoth the son of Uriah the son of Hakkoz made repairs. And next to him Meshullam the son of Berechiah the son of Meshezabel made repairs. And next to him Zadok the son of Baana also made repairs. 3:4
Next to them Meremoth the son of Uriah the son of Hakkoz made repairs. And next to him Meshullam the son of Berechiah the son of Meshezabel made repairs. And next to him Zadok the son of Baana also made repairs. 3:4
#4. Positive Affirmation
75 individuals & 15 groups named in Nehemiah 3!
75 individuals & 15 groups named in Nehemiah 3!
Sanballat’s principles of Team Busting:
#1. Contagious Ridicule
But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard it, they mocked us and despised us and said, “What is this thing you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” 2:19
But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard it, they mocked us and despised us and said, “What is this thing you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” 2:19
#2. Group Resistance
Now when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repair of the walls of Jerusalem went on, and that the breaches began to be closed, they were very angry. 8 All of them conspired together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause a disturbance in it. 4:7-8
Now when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repair of the walls of Jerusalem went on, and that the breaches began to be closed, they were very angry. 8 All of them conspired together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause a disturbance in it. 4:7-8
#3. Spreading Exaggeration
Our enemies said, “They will not know or see until we come among them, kill them and put a stop to the work.” 12 When the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times, “They will come up against us from every place where you may turn,” 4:11-12
Our enemies said, “They will not know or see until we come among them, kill them and put a stop to the work.” 12 When the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times, “They will come up against us from every place where you may turn,” 4:11-12
So What?!
“Lord, how do we remain a committed team?”
#1. Tell God on them!
Hear, O our God, how we are despised! Return their reproach on their own heads and give them up for plunder in a land of captivity. 5 Do not forgive their iniquity and let not their sin be blotted out before You, for they have demoralized the builders.
4:4-5
Hear, O our God, how we are despised! Return their reproach on their own heads and give them up for plunder in a land of captivity. 5 Do not forgive their iniquity and let not their sin be blotted out before You, for they have demoralized the builders.
4:4-5
#2. Prepare for battle but continue building
But we prayed to our God, and because of them we set up a guard against them day and night. 4:9
…then I stationed men in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, the exposed places, and I stationed the people in families with their swords, spears and bows. 4:13
Those who were rebuilding the wall and those who carried burdens took their load with one hand doing the work and the other holding a weapon. 18 As for the builders, each wore his sword girded at his side as he built, while the trumpeter stood near me. 4:17-18
But we prayed to our God, and because of them we set up a guard against them day and night. 4:9
…then I stationed men in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, the exposed places, and I stationed the people in families with their swords, spears and bows. 4:13
Those who were rebuilding the wall and those who carried burdens took their load with one hand doing the work and the other holding a weapon. 18 As for the builders, each wore his sword girded at his side as he built, while the trumpeter stood near me. 4:17-18
#3. Remember God’s powerWhen I saw their fear, I rose and spoke to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people: “Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your houses.” 4:14
#4. Refuse to quit
When our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had frustrated their plan, then all of us returned to the wall, each one to his work. 16 From that day on, half of my servants carried on the work while half of them held the spears, the shields, the bows and the breastplates; and the captains were behind the whole house of Judah. 4:15-16
When our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had frustrated their plan, then all of us returned to the wall, each one to his work. 16 From that day on, half of my servants carried on the work while half of them held the spears, the shields, the bows and the breastplates; and the captains were behind the whole house of Judah. 4:15-16
Theme: “The God of heaven will give us success, therefore we His servants will arise and build.” Nehemiah 2:20
“Win the Future!” A study of Nehemiah #2. A Committed Team
Pastor Ed Kemp, May 11 & 14, 2023
Prayer Requests:
Group Discussion: Describe a positive team on which you’ve served.
Read: Nehemiah 3-4 (Every time you come across a name that’s difficult to pronounce just say “Judy.”)
Nehemiah’s principles of committed teamwork:
#1. Compelling purpose,18…The hand of my God had been favorable to me… 2:17-18. Do you sense God’s favor on your life? How?
#2. Intrinsic motivation, …repaired…from the doorway of Eliashib’s even as far as the end of his house. 3:21. What motivates you? Is it getting a raise at work, accomplishing something tangible, spending time with family, creating safety or stability?
#3. Achievable goal,Next to them…next to him…made repairs. And next to him…made repairs. vs4. What home project have you accomplished together as a family that you felt drew you all closer together?
#4. Positive affirmation, 75 individuals & 15 groups named in Nehemiah 3! Who do you need to affirm? How will you do it?
Sanballat’s principles of Team Busting:
#1. Contagious ridicule, …they mocked us and despised us and said, “What is this thing you are doing? 2:19. Have you ever been ridiculed at work? Did it hurt and anger you? How did you respond, could you have responded better?
#2. Group resistance, All of them conspired together to come and fight against Jerusalem, 4:7-8. Has anyone ever caused disturbance and created chaos when you were trying to accomplish a particular goal?
#3. Spreading exaggeration, When the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times, “They will come up against us… 4:11-12. Ever heard, “A lot of people think.”
“Lord, how do we remain an committed team?”
#1. Tell God on them!
Hear, O our God, how we are despised! 5 Do not forgive their iniquity…. Have you ever had to report someone to God?
#2. Prepare for battle but continue building. But we prayed to our God, and because of them we set up a guard against them day and night. 4:9. When you’re in a battle, with your kids, at work, in your marriage, do you continue building while in the battle or do you shut down? Is your goal building or just winning an argument?
#3. Remember God’s power. I rose and spoke to them, “Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your houses.” Do you go to God in prayer daily in order to strengthen yourself to serve your spouse, family, employer in the very best way you can?
#4. Refuse to quit. Do you ever renew your vows of marriage, or your vow to serve Christ? Write a letter to someone renewing your relationship.
Family Time: Do something fun with your kids and talk about how great it is to work together as a team. Tell them about Nehemiah and how they worked together as a team to build the whole wall around Jerusalem.
Pastor Ed Kemp, May 11 & 14, 2023
Prayer Requests:
Group Discussion: Describe a positive team on which you’ve served.
Read: Nehemiah 3-4 (Every time you come across a name that’s difficult to pronounce just say “Judy.”)
Nehemiah’s principles of committed teamwork:
#1. Compelling purpose,18…The hand of my God had been favorable to me… 2:17-18. Do you sense God’s favor on your life? How?
#2. Intrinsic motivation, …repaired…from the doorway of Eliashib’s even as far as the end of his house. 3:21. What motivates you? Is it getting a raise at work, accomplishing something tangible, spending time with family, creating safety or stability?
#3. Achievable goal,Next to them…next to him…made repairs. And next to him…made repairs. vs4. What home project have you accomplished together as a family that you felt drew you all closer together?
#4. Positive affirmation, 75 individuals & 15 groups named in Nehemiah 3! Who do you need to affirm? How will you do it?
Sanballat’s principles of Team Busting:
#1. Contagious ridicule, …they mocked us and despised us and said, “What is this thing you are doing? 2:19. Have you ever been ridiculed at work? Did it hurt and anger you? How did you respond, could you have responded better?
#2. Group resistance, All of them conspired together to come and fight against Jerusalem, 4:7-8. Has anyone ever caused disturbance and created chaos when you were trying to accomplish a particular goal?
#3. Spreading exaggeration, When the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times, “They will come up against us… 4:11-12. Ever heard, “A lot of people think.”
“Lord, how do we remain an committed team?”
#1. Tell God on them!
Hear, O our God, how we are despised! 5 Do not forgive their iniquity…. Have you ever had to report someone to God?
#2. Prepare for battle but continue building. But we prayed to our God, and because of them we set up a guard against them day and night. 4:9. When you’re in a battle, with your kids, at work, in your marriage, do you continue building while in the battle or do you shut down? Is your goal building or just winning an argument?
#3. Remember God’s power. I rose and spoke to them, “Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your houses.” Do you go to God in prayer daily in order to strengthen yourself to serve your spouse, family, employer in the very best way you can?
#4. Refuse to quit. Do you ever renew your vows of marriage, or your vow to serve Christ? Write a letter to someone renewing your relationship.
Family Time: Do something fun with your kids and talk about how great it is to work together as a team. Tell them about Nehemiah and how they worked together as a team to build the whole wall around Jerusalem.