BUILDING THE BUILDING THE KINGDOM OF GOD KINGDOM OF GOD

Nehemiah 1-3

Was called by God to rebuild the walls of His loved City of Jerusalem in preparation for the establishment

of God’s Kingdom in Israel.

Rebuilding the Walls for Rebuilding the Walls for the KOGthe KOG

Nehemiah 1

• Jeremiah had predicted a 70-year exile (Jeremiah 25)

• Babylonian Exile lasted 70 years: in punishment for sins of Judah.

• Temple was destroyed in 586 BC and was rebuilt in 516 BC.

• The people were carried into exile in several waves and Jews returned to Jerusalem in several waves.

• A wave of Jews returned home with Ezra in 457 BC

• Nehemiah comes to rebuild walls: 444 BC

Quick HistoryQuick History

Nehemiah- Chapter 1Nehemiah- Chapter 1• Nehemiah was God’s agent for rebuilding the

walls of Jerusalem because he had sincere concern for Jerusalem.

• Some Jews came from Jerusalem to visit Nehemiah and he heard that the people were in distress and the walls and gates were burned down.

• He had a good position in the palace serving the King as a cup bearer. Yet his heart was broken when he heard the sad news about the people of God and Jerusalem.

Nehemiah- Chapter 1Nehemiah- Chapter 1• He asked about the situation, he cared

about it, and he decided to do something to solve it.

• The first thing he does is to pray to the Almighty God of Israel.

• He confesses the sins of his people and asks God to hear his prayers.

• He had a heart filled with compassion for the needy people.

Nehemiah- Chapter 1Nehemiah- Chapter 1

• He cried and prayed before the Lord about the situation in Jerusalem.

• Was assigned for the mission out of his compassion not out of a calling.

• Was one of the key leaders in rebuilding the spiritual life of the people.

• Gives us a pattern for rebuilding our personal lives and helping others in rebuilding theirs’.

Nehemiah Nehemiah 2:1-82:1-8

Rebuilding the Walls for Rebuilding the Walls for the KOGthe KOG

Nehemiah 2:1-8Nehemiah 2:1-81.During the month of Nisan in the

twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was set before him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had never been sad in his presence,

2. so the king said to me, "Why are you sad, when you aren't sick? This is nothing but sadness of heart." I was overwhelmed with fear

3.and replied to the king, "May the king live forever! Why should I not be sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins and its gates have been destroyed by fire?"

4.Then the king asked me, "What is your request?" So I prayed to the God of heaven

5.and answered the king, "If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor with you, send me to Judah

and to the city where my ancestors are buried, so that I may rebuild it."

6.The king, with the queen seated beside him, asked me, "How long will your journey take, and when will you return?" So I gave him a definite time, and it pleased the king to send me.

7. I also said to the king: "If it pleases the king, let me have letters written to the governors of the region west of the Euphrates River, so that they will grant me safe passage until I reach Judah.

8.And let me have a letter written to Asaph, keeper of the king's forest, so that he will give me timber to rebuild the gates of the temple's fortress, the city wall, and the home where I will live." The king granted my requests, for I was graciously strengthened by my God.

8.And let me have a letter written to Asaph, keeper of the king's forest, so that he will give me timber to rebuild the gates of the temple's fortress, the city wall, and the home where I will live." The king granted my requests, for I was graciously strengthened by my God.

Rebuilding the Walls for Rebuilding the Walls for the KOGthe KOG

Chapter 3 Chapter 3

THE LIST OF THE THE LIST OF THE BUILDERS BUILDERS

God preserved the names of each God preserved the names of each builder who dedicated their lives and builder who dedicated their lives and time to build the walls of Jerusalem.time to build the walls of Jerusalem.

Their names are listed on the Bible in Their names are listed on the Bible in Nehemiah chapter 3. Nehemiah chapter 3.

In Nehemiah 3:30:In Nehemiah 3:30:

There was a special man, Baruch, who There was a special man, Baruch, who built with zealous.built with zealous.

His name and his attitude were specially His name and his attitude were specially appointed by God on His Holy Book. appointed by God on His Holy Book.

Six Steps to Six Steps to Getting Started Getting Started

1. Preparation1. Preparation• PrayerPrayer

– 1:4 “When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for a number of days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.”

1. Preparation1. Preparation

PrayerPrayer is very important to: is very important to:

• Hear God’s plansHear God’s plans

• Wait on God for the right timeWait on God for the right time

• Wait on God for doors to be openWait on God for doors to be open

• Build a spiritual protection Build a spiritual protection around the plansaround the plans

• Detain the plans of the enemyDetain the plans of the enemy

1. Preparation1. Preparation

DON’T DO A THING WITHOUT DON’T DO A THING WITHOUT GOOD PRAYER!GOOD PRAYER!

WHAT IS A GOOD PRAYER?WHAT IS A GOOD PRAYER?

1. Preparation1. Preparation

WHAT IS A GOOD PRAYER?WHAT IS A GOOD PRAYER?

• Pray until you hear God’s plans Pray until you hear God’s plans and cannot hear your fear and and cannot hear your fear and flesh anymoreflesh anymore

• Pray until God tells you its time Pray until God tells you its time to actto act

• Pray until doors are open by God, Pray until doors are open by God, not forced by younot forced by you

1. Preparation1. Preparation

WHAT IS A GOOD PRAYER?WHAT IS A GOOD PRAYER?

• Pray with your brothers and Pray with your brothers and sisters who work with you for the sisters who work with you for the rebuildingrebuilding

• As you pray build a spiritual As you pray build a spiritual protection around the plans and protection around the plans and the people involvedthe people involved

• Pray boldly and with spiritual Pray boldly and with spiritual authority to stop the enemyauthority to stop the enemy

1. Preparation1. Preparation• PlanningPlanning

– Vs. 6 The king… asked me, "How long will your journey take, and when will you return?" So I gave him a definite timedefinite time…

– When the opportunity came (doors opened), Nehemiah was already prepared. He had the entire strategy ready.

– It is obvious that his plan came out of his time in prayer with the Lord.

1. Preparation1. Preparation• PlanningPlanning

Nehemiah covered all main areas Nehemiah covered all main areas of the mission on his plan:of the mission on his plan:- The challenges and obstacles of the The challenges and obstacles of the

journey to Jerusalemjourney to Jerusalem- All things needed for the rebuildingAll things needed for the rebuilding- The letters of authorization to get The letters of authorization to get

what he would needwhat he would need

1. Preparation1. Preparation●● PlanningPlanning

– Vs. 7 I also said to the king: "If it pleases the king, let me have lettersletters written to the governors of the region west of the Euphrates River, so that they will grant grant me safe passageme safe passage until I reach Judah.

– VS. 8 And let me have a letterletter written to Asaph, keeper of the king's forest, so that he will give me timber to rebuildtimber to rebuild the gates of the temple's fortress, the city wall, andand the home where I will livethe home where I will live."

1. Preparation1. Preparation●● PlanningPlanning

– The challenges and obstacles of the The challenges and obstacles of the journey to Jerusalem:journey to Jerusalem:

– Vs. 7 I also said to the king: "If it pleases the king, let me have lettersletters written to the governors of the region west of the Euphrates River, so that they will grant me safe passagegrant me safe passage until I reach Judah.

1. Preparation1. Preparation●● PlanningPlanning

All things needed for the All things needed for the rebuilding and the letters of rebuilding and the letters of authorization to get what he would authorization to get what he would needneed

– VS. 8 And let me have a letter written to Asaph, keeper of the king's forest, so that he will give me timber timber to rebuildto rebuild the gates of the temple's fortress, the city wall, andand the home the home where I will livewhere I will live."

WE ARE IN THE WE ARE IN THE PREPARATION PHASEPREPARATION PHASE

SON IS REBUILDING SON IS REBUILDING THE WALLSTHE WALLS

PREPARATION PHASE:PREPARATION PHASE:

Fast & PrayerFast & Prayer

SON IS REBUILDING SON IS REBUILDING THE WALLSTHE WALLS

21 DAYS OF FAST & PRAYER21 DAYS OF FAST & PRAYER

OCT 18 – NOV 07/2010OCT 18 – NOV 07/2010

PREPARATION PHASEPREPARATION PHASEFast & PrayerFast & Prayer

Preparation Phase:Preparation Phase:Prayer toPrayer to::

• Hear God’s plans & strategy for the new Hear God’s plans & strategy for the new place and the new seasonplace and the new season

• Ask God for open doors in the communityAsk God for open doors in the community

• Ask God to build a spiritual protection Ask God to build a spiritual protection around His project for that areaaround His project for that area

• Ask God to detain the plans of the enemyAsk God to detain the plans of the enemy

• Reap a great harvest for God’s kingdomReap a great harvest for God’s kingdom

• Ask God to send the resourcesAsk God to send the resources

• Ask God to make us a LIGHTHOUSEAsk God to make us a LIGHTHOUSE

TENTATIVE SCHEDULETENTATIVE SCHEDULE

• Oct 29- FRIDAY: Prayer Wheel at New Oct 29- FRIDAY: Prayer Wheel at New Building or Hidden PinesBuilding or Hidden Pines

• Grand Opening: November 7thGrand Opening: November 7th