Backyard Maintenance

Notes: Backyard Maintenance

Nehemiah 4

November 7, 2017

Pastor Tim Harding

Unconditional love exist. Jesus calls us with that kind of love.

Ephesians 5:25 NKJV

[25] Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,

As Jesus’ people we are called.

No triumphs without troubles.

Nehemiah 4:1-3 NKJV

[1] But it so happened, when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, that he was furious and very indignant, and mocked the Jews. [2] And he spoke before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, "What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they fortify themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Will they revive the stones from the heaps of rubbish-stones that are burned?" [3] Now Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, "Whatever they build, if even a fox goes up on it, he will break down their stone wall."

People were mocking them, but Nehemiah was called by God.

1. Curb appeal over calling.

Step out to your calling, because you are not stepping out alone.

We all want to look good outwardly, but at what cost.

Study done by UCI found that the number one reason for alcoholism in OC was Keeping up with the Jones.

Nehemiah 4:4-6 NKJV

[4] Hear, O our God, for we are despised; turn their reproach on their own heads, and give them as plunder to a land of captivity! [5] Do not cover their iniquity, and do not let their sin be blotted out from before You; for they have provoked You to anger before the builders. [6] So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.

Friendship formula=Proximity + frequency + duration + intensity 

As intensity grows with others the impact is greater.

If we are too busy to build our kingdom, then our calling will crumble.

2.  Pirates and Vikings 

Nehemiah 4:7-12 NKJV

[7] Now it happened, when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the walls of Jerusalem were being restored and the gaps were beginning to be closed, that they became very angry, [8] and all of them conspired together to come and attack Jerusalem and create confusion. [9] Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God, and because of them we set a watch against them day and night. [10] Then Judah said, "The strength of the laborers is failing, and there is so much rubbish that we are not able to build the wall." [11] And our adversaries said, "They will neither know nor see anything, till we come into their midst and kill them and cause the work to cease." [12] So it was, when the Jews who dwelt near them came, that they told us ten times, "From whatever place you turn, they will be upon us."

Where did the problems come from? Within the group.

Big problems, originally were small problems unattended.

Nehemiah 4:13-14 NKJV

[13] Therefore I positioned men behind the lower parts of the wall, at the openings; and I set the people according to their families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. [14] And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, "Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses."

We are not fighting battles alone.

Isaiah 43:2-3 NKJV

[2] When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. [3] For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place.

Remember God is with us and He is for us.

No job cam competed with the responsibility of shaping and moulding a new human being. - James Dobson

3. We have the cheat code.

Nehemiah 4:20 NKJV

[20] Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us."

Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV

[28] Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. [29] Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

You don’t have to fight your battles alone. Give your battles to God.

God will fight for you!!!: