Nehemiah – Turning Vision into Reality I

• Why Nehemiah ?• I have always identified with

him ?• A Man of faith and action• Inspiring Leadership role model• Imagined him as a sort of ‘police

officer’

Nehemiah – Turning Vision into Reality I

• Why was Jerusalem’s wall broken down ?

• Who was Nehemiah ?

• Why did rebuilding the wall matter ?

• What happens ?

Timeline

1400 – 1200 BC

JESUSMOSES

O – 33 AD

NEHEMIAH

445 BC

EXILE

586 BC

Who was Nehemiah ?

• Jewish Persian or a Persian Jew ?

• He was a man of prayer

• Cup bearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia

Jerusalem at the time of Nehemiah

Mission

• Motivated by Love

• Purpose to point people towards Christ

• Apathy and fear can hold us back

• Prayer, exercising faith and living in the Spirit will take us forward

Nehemiah – Prayer, Spirit & Lifestyle

• His life characterises qualities which we as Christians need:

• Leadership• Priestly• Prophet

Nehemiah – A Regal Enterprise

Nehemiah – Prayer, Spirit & Lifestyle

• His life characterises qualities which we as Christians need:

• Leadership• Priestly• Prophet

A lifestyle of Prayer Vital

• Take it to the Lord in Prayer• Nehemia:

• Identified himself• Was Passionate – he wept• Was penitent • Open to the benefit of immediacy

• Chapter 1 and 2:• Prayer• Planning• Petition• Performance

Chapter 3 – ‘We’re all in this together’

• Leading by example

• Unity

• Giving the work priority

• Unselfishness

• Commitment and enthusiasm

In Summary

• Prayer critical – either seasons or immediate prayer

• Being willing to have a go critical

 • Living by the power of the Spirit

critical