PROBLEMS NEHEMIAH FACED

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. Nehemiah was a godly man, and was much concerned about the
      welfare of God's people. Neh. 1:1-4
   B. Nehemiah was the cupbearer to the king, and he wanted to return
      to his homeland and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Neh. 2:1-6
      1. Notice that he prayed in the middle of a conversation. Vs. 4
      2. He obtained permission from the king of Persia, and returned
         to his homeland to begin the work of rebuilding the walls.
   C. Let's examine the book of Nehemiah and notice some of the
      problems Nehemiah faced as he undertook his work.
      1. Many of the problems he faced are the same ones we have as
         we try to build the church of our Lord.

I. RIDICULE AND CRITICISM.
   A. Those faithful Jews had to face ridicule and criticism as they
      began to rebuild the walls. Neh. 4:1-3
      1. Sanballat and Tobiah used ridicule to try to discourage the
         Jews from building the wall.
         a. Ridicule can cut deeply, causing discouragement and
            despair.
      2. Instead of trading insults, Nehemiah prayed. Vs. 4-5
      3. The work prospered because the people had set their hearts
         on accomplishing the task. Neh. 4:6
         a. They did not lose heart or give up, but persevered in the
            work.
   B. Christians will be ridiculed and criticized as they try to     
      build according to the pattern.
      1. When persecuted, the early disciples responded similarly to
         Nehemiah. They prayed. Acts 4:23-31
      2. We should never allow ridicule and criticism to keep us from
         doing God's will.
      3. If we diligently pray about the matter, we will be
         strengthened and aided by God.
      4. If we have a mind to work, much good will be accomplished.

II. OPEN WARFARE.
   A. When ridicule and criticism didn't work, the enemies began to
      threaten warfare against God's people. Neh. 4:7-12
      1. Nehemiah encouraged the people to be prepared at all times.
         Neh. 4:13-14
      2. They were to aid one another in this great work. Neh. 4:19-
         21
   B. We, too, are to wage the good warfare. 1 Tim. 1:18; 1 Tim 6:12;
      Jude 3
      1. Our warfare is not carnal but spiritual. 2 Cor. 10:3-5
      2. Evil men and seducers will grow worse and worse. 2 Tim.
         3:13
         a. False teachers soon learn that when truth and error are
            placed together, someone will see the truth. Thus,
            within time they will flee from us. Prov. 28:1
      3. When we earnestly contend for the faith, we grow            
         spiritually.
         a. It is the apathy and indifference toward God's cause that
            destroys us.
         b. There is a restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia named,
            "Church of God Grill." Someone called and asked about
            their unusual name and the reply was, "We had a little
            mission down here, and we started selling chicken
            dinners after church on Sunday to help pay the bills.
            People liked the chicken, and we did such a good
            business, that eventually we cut back on the church
            services. After a while, we just closed down the church
            altogether and kept on serving the chicken dinners. We
            kept the name we started with, and that's 'Church of
            God Grill.'"
         c. This incident is similar to many congregations and
            denominations who have, over time, drifted from their
            original purpose.
         d. Let us, as a church of our Lord, continue to be the      
            pillar and ground of the truth. Let us continue to       
            uphold, defend, and proclaim the truth that souls might  
            be saved. 1 Tim. 3:15

III. INTERNAL TROUBLES.
   A. At first, all of their problems came from outside; however, now
      the trouble was internal.  Neh. 5:1-5
      1. Many of the returned exiles were suffering at the hands of
         some of their rich countrymen.
         a. The rich would lend money and when the debtors
            missed payments, they would take over their fields.
         b. Left with no means of income, the debtors were forced
            to give up their children to slavery. 
      2. Nehemiah quickly and courageously corrected the problem.
         Neh. 5:6-12
   B. Internal problems often hinder churches from doing their God-
      ordained work.
      1. When there are internal problems, more often than not,
         members of the church go to war with each other, rather
         than teaching the gospel to the lost.
         a. Much time and energy is lost which could otherwise be
            used in leading souls to Christ.
      2. We need good leaders who courageously rise to the occasion
         and help us to quickly correct our problems. Problems, when
         quickly corrected, can be put behind us and the church can
         move forward.
         a. Let us be a united front for the cause of truth, rather
            than warring among ourselves.
         b. When bird dogs have no birds to hunt they often snap
            and growl at one another. However, when they are out
            with their owners, working the fields, they are busy
            trying to find the birds.
         c. Similarly, let us be busy in our God-given work and not
            be fighting among ourselves. Gal. 5:15

IV. COMPROMISE. Neh. 6:1-4
   A. Sanballat, Tobiah and their company were desperate. The wall
      was almost completed, and their efforts to stop its            
      construction were failing.
      1. Thus, they asked Nehemiah to come down to the plains of
         Ono and meet with them.
      2. Nehemiah was wise in seeing this plan would only harm him
         and his cause.
         a. He gave them a good reply. Vs. 3.
   B. The spirit of compromise is very dangerous.
      1. The "Liberals" are always wanting us to send a delegation to
         one of their "Unity Meetings." One of them recently wrote,
         "Why not band together in the restoration movement and
         accomplish more than we ever thought we could
         accomplish?"
         a. Why can't we equally ask, "Why don't we band together
            with the Catholics so that we can 'accomplish more than
            we ever thought we could accomplish'?"
         b. No, we dare not "band together" with any who are
            teaching or espousing error because it would cause us to
            be lost. Matt. 15:9; Titus 1:13-14
         c. We, too, are busy doing a great work, and we see no
            need to go down to the plain of Ono where concessions
            of truth are being made. Gal. 2:4-5
      2. While some of us would never compromise the truth, we
         will:
         a. Compromise our time; e.g., using it for ourselves rather
            than the Lord.
         b. Compromise with the world; e.g., in what we watch on
            TV, or in the way we dress.

Concl.
   A. In conclusion, notice a few significant verses regarding       
      Nehemiah and his work.
      1. Neh. 4:9 - Nehemiah constantly combined prayer with
         preparation and action.
         a. We show God we are serious about serving Him when
            we combine prayer with thought, preparation, and
            effort.
      2. Neh. 5:16 - Although Nehemiah, had authority from the king
         and led the entire construction project, he worked on the
         wall alongside the others.
         a. He was not a bureaucrat in a well-guarded office, but a
            leader who got involved in the day-to-day work.
         b. Those who lead best do so by setting a good example.
      3. Neh. 6:15-16 - God is the basis for our victory as well.
         a. Let us continue working as His servants, and great good
            will be accomplished to His praise, honor, and glory.