日期: 02/03/08

題目: 一位僕人的技巧

經文: 尼希米記二章九到廿節

經文： 9 於是我到了河西那邊的省長那裡去，把王的詔書交給他們；王又派了軍長和馬兵護送我。 10 和倫人參巴拉和作臣僕的亞捫人多比雅聽見有人來到，要為以色列求利益，他們就非常惱怒。 11 我到了耶路撒冷，在那裡停留了三天。 12 我在夜間起來，和幾個人一起出去，我沒有告訴任何人我的神使我定意要為耶路撒冷作的事，除了我所騎的一頭牲口以外，沒有帶著別的牲口。 13 我夜間出了谷門，向著龍泉走去，到了糞門，視察耶路撒冷破壞了的城牆和被火焚毀的城門。 14 我又往前走，到了泉門和王池，因為地方不夠讓我騎著牲口過去， 15 我只得在夜間沿溪而上，視察城牆，然後轉回，經過谷門，回到城裡。 16 沒有一個官長知道我去過甚麼地方，作了甚麼事。我也一直沒有告訴猶大人、或祭司、或貴胄、或官長，或其餘作工的人。 17 後來我對他們說：「你們都看見我們遭遇的患難：耶路撒冷成了荒蕪之地，城門被火焚毀，你們都來吧！讓我們重建耶路撒冷的城牆，免得我們再受凌辱。」 18 我告訴他們，我的神施恩的手怎樣幫助我，以及王對我所說的話；他們就說：「我們要起來建造！」 於是他們奮勇著手作這善工。 19 但和倫人參巴拉和作臣僕的亞捫人多比雅，以及阿拉伯人基善聽見了，就譏笑我們，藐視我們，說：「你們在幹甚麼？你們要背叛王嗎？」 20 我回答他們說：「天上的神必使我們成功；我們是祂的僕人，我們要起來建造，但你們在耶路撒冷無分、無權、無人記念。」

這個主日是超級盃的主日。二天之後是美國今年總統選票的超級禮拜二，在這一個國家的公民，在這幾天和未來的幾個月的挑戰，在聽見這些競選人的豪言壯語，要知道這些話語的後面，有沒有那一個要做總統該有的領導能力，豪言壯語來了也會去的，但是這些競選人的領導能力不但是會影響到這個國家也會影響到全球的政治。

當我們研讀尼希米的時候，我們都體會到尼希米是位超越的領導者，他在重建耶路撒冷的城牆、牆門，表現他那超越的領袖的才幹。上個禮拜看到他是個有耐心的領袖、他的忠誠和他的透明、技巧，他也是一個禱告並且仔細計劃的領導。

今天我們從他的身上來看他一些領袖的才能，在第一和第二章看到耶路撒冷的狀況，他的城牆被毀掉，城門被火焚燒，因為這一狀況，所以他和他的居民在一個很可憐的狀況，被人欺負，雖然尼希米是生長在異國之地，他從小就知道在耶路撒冷是神的城，耶路撒冷是神居住的地方。正如詩篇所說的，耶路撒冷是大君王的城，眾民所喜悅的，但是現在城牆的破裂、焚燒、被人凌虐，是不應該這樣的、是錯誤的，這是一個悲慘的處境，尼希米也清楚的知道要重建耶路撒冷的使命。既知道耶路撒冷是神居住的地方，我們也就體會到在新約的聖經裡，教會就是神所居住的地方，不但如此，我們認識了基督之後，神就進到我們的心中，所以我們這一個身體，就成為神居住的地方，當我們看一下四周圍的教會，在這裡在各個國家，也包括了我們的教會，我們是否也看見我們教會的城牆破壞、被焚燒的狀況呢？很多時候我們觀看教會，我們的心中有一個感嘆，教會和社會差別也模糊不清了、也看到信徒與不信的人之間也不明顯了，當我們看自己的生命，就似一個破壞的城牆一樣！輕易的被人家欺負、輕易的被人家影響。

今天早上，藉用尼希米作為一面借鏡，來鞏固神為我們所建的居所，不單是我們的教會也包括我們自己的生命。

I .    僕人確知神是祂居所的建造者 。

在第二章，看到尼希說因為我神恩手幫助我就賜給我這一切，因為有神的手在我身上，所以王就將我所要的給了我，尼希米到達了耶路撒冷之後，他對當地的領袖說：我的神賜恩的手幫助我及王所說的話，尼希米體會到王對他的幫助，他更加的知道因為神有那滿有恩典的手，神那一個好的手在他的身上，他有一個重建耶路撒冷城牆的使命，但神是那一位建造者，就像尼希米知道詩篇一廿七篇的那裡所說：「如果不是耶和華建造， 建造的人就枉然勞力．若不是耶和華看守城池、看守的人就枉然儆醒。」他知道是神要在那裡建造他的居所、城池，尼希米也知道他的使命。在這裡我們看到神的主權與人的責任的平衡。在這個觀念上，我要來做幾個觀察：

1 •  當神的手在我們的身上時，是怎麼樣的一回事呢？我們當中有許多有這樣的經歷，我們對教會裡的事工非常投入，有很重很大的負擔，所以我們就自己投入去做，然後我們又尋找人來幫助我們，但是覺得又沒有人來回應，經過了一段的時間，可能是幾個禮拜、一兩個月，我們非常灰心的停止了！我們在這裡看見尼希米身上，尼希米有一個很強烈的使命，要來重建耶路撒冷的城牆和城門，他為重建的這個工作，然後我們看見波斯王怎麼樣的支持他，然後看見他叫當地人做這件事的時候，他的回應是什麼？在十八節裡所看見的，是合一的回應，尼希米看到王的支持，得到百姓領袖的肯定，神感動了尼希米、祂也動了王的心及民眾的心。

這裡有一個我多年來一直持守的一個原則，如果為了這個和另一個教會的好處，神給了我一些思念，覺得要做某一些事情，我就相信，如果神給我這個思念，如果神感動我的話，神也一定會感動你，你也會感動教會領袖，因此我會儘我所能的去解釋，但是我會抗阻所有的試探去說服你一起來做這件事，因我深深的相信，如果神感動我的話，神也一定會感動你。如果只有我一個人有感動，其他的人都無動於衷，那我就要好好的檢討一下，這個感動是從那裡來？有時候，在講道的時候，會感覺到聖靈的感動在我裡面，我自己也覺得蠻感動的，但我覺得更重要的是你們有沒有這種感動？如果我在上面講道感動得不得了，而你們在打瞌睡，那我這個感動就有問題！我深深的相信，如果神推動了我的心、觸摸了我的心，也一定要觸摸了你的心！因此我也會求神如果這是 祢 的旨意，也求 祢 一樣感動其他弟兄姊妹和領袖的心。

2 •  勇於面對抗拒

不但如此，在這裡的觀察，這個使命、感動從神來的時候，神會給我們勇氣去面對那些抗拒我們的人。尼希米都還沒有開始這一個工程，他就要面對可能得罪這個一個皇帝的可能性，他要求皇帝允許重建這個城牆，意思就是要這王收回在十四年前所發出的一個命令，就是禁止耶路撒冷城牆的重建，如果尼希米向王說，我要去重建耶路撒冷的城牆的話，就是公開向皇帝的挑戰，可以導致死亡。

在第十節： 和倫人參巴拉和作臣僕的亞捫人多比雅聽見有人來到，要為以色列求利益，他們就非常惱怒。等尼希米還沒有到達猶太地的時候，參巴拉和多比雅已經在那裡很不高興，然後在十九節尼希米到達了猶大，這裡又提到參巴拉和多比雅，這裡又加多了一個人阿拉伯人基善，他們聽見了就譏笑尼希米，就看不起他，說：「你們在幹甚麼？你們要背叛王嗎？」當我們讀歷史的時候，我們知道參巴拉是在北邊的，多比雅是在東邊，基善是在南邊，你看！尼希米還沒有開始在那裡工作，就三面被敵人包圍。參巴拉和多比雅的名會在尼希米書中不斷的出現，當尼希米面對這幾位的時候，他沒有因他們威嚇而害怕，在廿節時他回答他們說：「天上的神必使我們成功；我們是祂的僕人，我們要起來建造，但你們在耶路撒冷無分、無權、無人記念。」是一段何等雄壯的話語！在這段話說完之後四百年，使徒保羅在腓立比書 1:6: 我深信那中間開始了那美好工作的，到了耶穌基督的日子必成全。是神開始的這工作，神建造這教會，神就會完全。尼希米知道他後邊有神同在！

我們有一個負擔要開始一個工作！也得到人的肯定！是神所喜悅的！但是往往當我們一把它公開了，我們馬上就得到了很多的評論，很多人就開始在那邊分析，分析完了就開始下結論，說我們人力不夠、財源也不夠。我時常感覺到，很多會分析的人，這是北美華人教會的一個特點！任何的一個事拿出來，我們都會分析，有時候我們會感覺到，過份的分析，就會導致癱軟。當我們分析完了之後，就什麼都不能做了。

但是在這裡我們看見，每當我們要做工作的時候，一定會有抗拒，因為這樣的衝突、抗拒，在創世記三章十五節一早就這樣說：「 女人的後裔和蛇的後裔要傷你的頭，你要傷牠的腳跟。 」神的子民要和那撒旦不停的抗拒。但是我們要記得這是神的工作，因為神在那裡工作，所以我們不要以為有人在對抗我們覺得害怕，因為這是神的工作，所以我們有人的肯定，我們也能在敵人的面前站立的穩！

II. 僕人確知 需要鑒定的重要性 。

然後我們再看第十一到十六節：當尼希米到了猶大地的時候，這是十二到十六節，他沒有跟任何的人講話，他到了之後，三天之後的晚上，夜晚起身在那裡視察。在開始之前，他沒有跟人說，他一直都沒有跟人說他要做什麼！這跟我們有一點不一樣是嗎？往往我們工作還沒有開始，就跟人講，這個雷聲好響啊！結果沒有什麼雨水。但尼希米沒有跟人說，在這裡看見什麼？尼希米是一個很仔細計劃的人，他視察一下這個城。

我們來看一下耶路撒冷的這個城，尼希米夜晚從這一個 谷門到南邊走，經過了糞門、然後到這一邊，因為這裡有一個很傾斜的山谷，然後他就步行，然後他又沿著原路回來，從谷門進入城裡，這個距離大約是一點零到二點零的，尼希米在他開始任何一個工作前，首先他先視察一下情況如何？他要知道一下他的需要是什麼？

我們每一個都很容易看見教會各樣的需要，如果我問你一下這個教會有什麼特別的需要？我問廿個人就有廿個不同的答案，而且每一個人都覺得他所看見的需要是天這一邊為最重要的事，如果這個需要沒有滿足，這個問題得不到解決，那這個教會就沒有辦法生存下去了，每個人都有看見的一點，但是尼希米不是這樣，他第一件事情沒有多講話，他一個人就視察城牆的情況，看那大圖畫 。 我想這都是我們要學習的。

在今天的大綱後面，我儘量例了教會一些需要，當然不是所有的需要都在這裡，但是我選了一些寫在上面，幫助您整體的看一下有不同的需要，我們當中也有人看見個人生命裡的城牆破壞了，但是我們知不知道自己的狀況倒底如何？或許需要找一些專業的人，幫助您整體的認識自己。多年來我都用一個工具，叫做詹士性向測驗，這個工具可以幫助我對自己有一個全面性的認識，當我看到自己的狀況，就知道要從那裡開始。

III.    僕人確知如何去推動人 。

當尼希米視察了以後，看見城的情況，然後他將他的使命與當地的領袖來分享，因為他要把他們帶進來，與他一起同工。在這裡我們也學會怎樣去推動別人？如果沒有正確的推動，任何的工作、事都不能持久下去！我們可以開始的時候非常熱鬧，慢慢就無聲的結束了！但這裡讓我們看見，尼希米在怎麼樣的推動他面前的領袖們？在十七節中他說你都看見了我們的遭遇！耶路撒冷成了荒蕪之地，城門被火焚毀，你們都來吧！讓我們重建耶路撒冷的城牆，免得我們再受凌辱。

1 •  清晰可行的目標 （ SMART ）

在這裡我們首先注意尼希米清楚地告訴他們，耶路撒冷的狀況。他沒有任何的誇張、減輕這個狀況。他們遭遇的患難 : 耶路撒冷的荒蕪之地、城門被火焚燒，這是何等的可憐啊！當尼希米告訴了他們這個狀況，他又叫他們要有行動，他說讓我們要建耶路撒冷這個城牆，他有一個非常清的目 楆 ，我們都知道任何的目標，都要用這幾個英文字母來代表 (SMART) ： S 要簡單、 M 要可以衡量、 A 可以完成的、 R 是有意義的、然後 T 要有時間性，如果你要把這個標誌記住，每一次要想到目標時，可以以此為標準。要簡單、要可以衡量、可以完成的、是有意義的、然後要有時間之內可以做好！

在事工籌劃的時候，我時常的提醒我自己、也提醒我們的同工，這一個目標清不清楚？尖不尖銳？清楚的目標可以給你清楚的後果，不清楚的目標，導致你一事無成！一個不清楚的目標，如：要我們這個教會有更多的愛心。一個清楚的目標 : 願這教會可以伸出手來幫助非洲貧乏和愛滋病的受害者的人、。另一個清楚的目標 : 我希望這個教會能幫助中國那些這次雪災所帶來的經濟、房子的損失。要有清楚的目標。

2 •  明顯有效的結果

尼希米不但是有清楚的目標 : 讓我們來重建耶路撒冷城牆！並且也告訴當這一個目標完成達成這個目標之後的情況。清楚的告訴他們，當這個城牆被建之後，對人民影響的是什麼？就不會再被人羞辱，不但要清楚的說出目標，並且我們在目標完成之後憧景也要畫給人看，譬如說，教會需要在早上九點到十一點有二位老師教一、三年級的學生，當您投入這個事工的時候，就能幫助這些孩子，與耶穌基督建立一個持久的關係，使他們到老也不會忘記！當教會伸出他的手，去幫助那些貧窮的人、幫助那些受害者、貧窮與愛滋病的受害者，他們就知道沒有被神忘記！

在個人的層面，我也時常說，我幫助您，不是要來解決您的問題，仍是希望您成為一位剛強、成熟的人，可以去做您該做的事情。我們的目標要清楚！我們的結果也要清楚說明出來！

3 •  認同別人的需要

第三個觀察：第十七節：「勉得我們再受凌辱」我回答他們 : 天上的神必使我們是祂的僕人，我們要起來建造。這裡我們所看到的是什麼？我們！我們！我們！尼希米雖然生長在異國之地，在耶路撒冷所發生的事情跟他是毫無關係的，就好像我們多少人注意到中國所發生的雪災帶來的影響？那場大雪影響、停頓了鐵路的運作，廣州的車站就滯留了五十多萬人。

耶路撒冷這個問題，成為了他的負擔，他與當地的人的認同。當然在我們讀第一章的時候，在他的禱告裡，尼希米是如何的認罪，說我們犯了罪，尼希米與那裡的人完全的認同。

對我們來說有什麼意義？有時我聽見人說：不管是這個教會或是那個教會也好，有人說：這一個教會啊有這樣的問題，這一個教會應該多做一點這，多做一點那！所聽見的是什麼？這個教會有問題！那個教會有那個問題！但這不是的，這是神的教會，這也是我們的教會，這是我們的團契，這是我們的小組。但您知道嗎？當您說這裡多做一點、那裡多做一點，那個團契應該怎麼樣？您只不過是一個旁觀者，只有旁者才說要做這個、要做那個。下一次試試看，當您看到團契、教會有需要的時候，您試試看說，我們的教會、團契、小組。當我可以說，我們的教會、團契、小組有問題的時候，在您們的心裡的態度就已經改變了！這是神的教會、也是我的教會！

當我們在讀尼希米記我們再三的強調要重建耶路撒冷的城牆、城門，而且，這一個重建的工程，是在預表新約教會的重建 , 同時也是重建鞏固個人的生命。

結論 :

從這本書裡，我們看見用尼希米做我們的領袖，來重建神的居所，好叫神的子民不再受凌辱、不再被人欺負，當我們這樣說的時候，我們就想到以色列的歷史，在過去有另一位的領袖，詩篇七十八篇七十節：「 祂又揀選他的僕人大衛、從羊圈中將他召來． 叫他不再跟從那些帶奶的母羊、為要牧養自己的百姓雅各、和自己的產業以色列。於是大衛按心中的純正、牧養他們、用手中的巧妙、引導他們。」大衛和他的兒子所羅門建立了耶路撒冷，也使成為當時的文化和宗教中心。正如詩篇所說，是君王所在的城，是萬民所歡喜的！大衛就是那一位有技巧的領袖，在那裡帶領、牧養神的子民。但是他在與別示拔的淫亂事上就完全失敗了，在大衛死了以後，接著他上來做王的，都沒有太多好好帶領、有技巧的領導的皇帝，加上這些王背逆最終導致這個國家滅亡，也包括耶路撒冷的滅亡！在國家毀滅的七十年之後，神興起尼希米，做成為了另一個有技巧的王、好好的帶領他的百姓重建耶路撒冷，當他這個工程結束了之後，那時候的榮耀，也遠遠比不上在大衛時候的榮耀。到了公元七十年，耶路撒冷再一次被羅馬帝國國所滅。

雖然大衛、尼希米是有技巧的領導，但都沒有持久下去，這都指向著需要另一位更有技巧的領導出現，在尼希米出現的四百年之後，耶穌來到世上，當祂在世上的時候，祂說：我要在這磐石上建立我的教會。祂以祂的身體建立教會、祂以祂的身體建立了地上的居所、祂滿有耐心的領導、祂知道祂的目標，完成祂的使命！祂沒被祂的敵人所嚇住，祂也知道祂的百姓，祂也完全與他們認同，二千多年前建立了祂的教會，祂仍然在重建、鞏固祂的教會，這一個教會不會被敵人所勝過，這一個教會，永遠的存留下去！

在未來的幾個月，我們繼續的來看尼希米記，看一下建立神的城牆，需要的是什麼？同時我們要記住，不要停在尼希米，尼希米不是我們的終點，尼希米仍是告訴我們那一位更大的領導，祂乃是耶穌基督！耶穌基督要建立祂的教會、耶穌基督要鞏固祂的教會，這是我們要看見的！這是我們要跟隨的，當我們一同的參與來建立祂的教會、鞏固祂的教會、祂的榮耀、祂的美麗、祂的恩典就從這裡向四方流放出去。

Date:   02/03/08

Text:   Nehemiah 2:9-20

Title:   A Skillful Servant

Theme: God uses human responsibility to build and strengthen His dwelling place.

Introduction:

  Today is Super Bowl Sunday. Two days later it will be Super Tuesday for this Election year. The challenge for every citizen of this country is to listen beyond the rhetoric and to know the candidates’ character and ability to serve as the president of this country. Rhetoric will come and go, but the candidates’ ability to lead will affect this country and the world we live in.

In the book of Nehemiah, we recognize him as an effective leader in the rebuilding of Jerusalem ’s city walls and gates. He was a man of patience, transparency, tact, prayer and careful planning. Today, we want to identify some of his leadership skills.

In chapters 1 and 2, we were repeatedly reminded of the condition of Jerusalem . It was a city with ruined walls and burned gates. Because of this condition, its citizens lived in desolate conditions. It was disgraceful. Even though he had grown up in a foreign land, he knew that Jerusalem was the city of God , God’s dwelling place. It was the city of the great king, joy of all the earth (ps.48:2). But now, it lay in ruins and its people were harassed and living in disgrace. It’s not supposed to be like this. Facing this travesty, Nehemiah was also certain of his mission/calling to rebuild this city.

When we see Jerusalem as God’s dwelling place, we recognize that in the NT, the church has now become God’s dwelling place. Moreover, when we come to know Christ, our body has become his dwelling place. Isn’t this true that as we look around us, in this and many other countries, we often notice the broken walls and burnt gates in God’s churches. It is more and more difficult to clearly see the distinction between the church and the society, between the believers and non believers. Some of our lives are like cities without walls, we are vulnerable and easily affected and manipulated by others.

This morning we want to use Nehemiah as a mirror to see how we are to build God’s dwelling place, both in his church and also in our personal lives.

I.   A servant knows that God is the builder of His house.

  In 2:8, “….. And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me.” After his arrival at Jerusalem , he told the leaders: 2:18, “ 18 And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me.” Nehemiah recognized the king’s help, but he knew that hand of God was upon him. Yes, he knew his mission was to rebuild the city, but he also knew that ultimately God was the builder. He was familiar with Psalm 127:1, “ 1 Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” He knew it was God who would rebuild the city, and he also knew his mission, his calling. Here we see a perfect balance of divine sovereignty and human responsibility. I would like to share two observations regarding God’s work and human responsibility. What happens when God’s hand is on us?

1 •  Conviction affirmed by others.

Many of us have this experience. We feel strongly about a certain project or ministry at church. We worked hard and tried hard to solicit other’s help and there was no response. We then quit with great disappointment. How about Nehemiah? Nehemiah had the strong sense of mission to rebuild the city walls and its gates. He prayed about it and the king gave him wholehearted support. When he later explained to the people living in Judah , in vs.18, “….And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work.”; it was an unified response. He had the support of the king and the people. When God moved Nehemiah, he also moved the king and the people’s hearts.

A principle that I have held onto for many years is this: if God gave me a certain idea/thought for the good of this church, he will also touch others’ hearts so they, too, will agree that it is the right thing to do. Yes, I will do my best to explain but I will resist any effort on my part to impose my thoughts and ideas on you. If it is from God, he will also work in your heart. If I am the only one with such an idea or even the conviction that it is from the lord, but no one else feels this way, then I better watch out. If I think God has moved me, I’ll pray that God will also move others’ hearts.

2 •  Courage to face opposition.

There is more to this. The second observation is this: When it is from God, he will also give us the courage to face opposition. Even before Nehemiah started this project, he had to face the possibility of offending the king. His request to rebuild the city walls was an attempt to ask the king to reverse a previous order. In those days, such a request could result in death. And then in Vs.10, “ 10 But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah, the Ammonite servant, heard this, it displeased them greatly that someone had come to seek the welfare of the people of Israel .” Before Nehemiah arrived at Jerusalem , Sanballat and Tobiah were unhappy about such a project. After arrival, vs.19, “ 19 But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” Now, besides, Sanballat, Tobiah, there is now a third person, Geshem. From history, we learn that Sanballat was from the North, Tobiah from the East and Geshem, south. So, Nehemiah faced enemies on 3 sides. These individuals would continue to appear in Nehemiah’s rebuilding effort. He was not shaken or intimidated by them. He boldly responded to them, vs.20, “ 20 Then I replied to them, “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem .” Some 400 years later, apostle Paul wrote, Phil 1:6, “ 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” It is God who started the work and he will also make sure it is completed. Nehemiah stood firm before his enemies for he knew God was behind all this.

Don’t we also face this from time to time? We want to start a project or ministry. The moment we share it with the group, we hear comments such as: no, there is no way we can do this; it is too complicated; it is too costly; we don’t have the people or resources to do this. I often feel that we are all good at analyzing projects and proposals, and often by the time we’re done with analysis, we become paralyzed into doing nothing. Whenever we do God’s work, there will be oppositions. However, since it is God’s work, plus God is the one who is at work, thus we don’t have to be intimidated by the oppositions. Because God is at work, therefore we can be certain of people’s affirmation, standing firm before oppositions.

II.    A servant knows the importance of assessing needs.

  Vs.11-16, “ 11 So I went to Jerusalem and was there three days. 12 Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. And I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem . There was no animal with me but the one on which I rode. 13 I went out by night by the Valley Gate to the Dragon Spring and to the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire. 14 Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but there was no room for the animal that was under me to pass. 15 Then I went up in the night by the valley and inspected the wall, and I turned back and entered by the Valley Gate, and so returned. 16 And the officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, and I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, and the rest who were to do the work.” What is happening here? Nehemiah was a careful planner. In vs.12 and 16 we learn that he did not rush to action or talk about what was in his heart. The first thing he did was to get up at night and tour the city wall. Most likely this was the trip he took, anywhere from 1 ½ to 2 ½ miles. In any planning, the first thing is to assess the needs of the situation.

  It is easy for us to just notice things that are of interest. If I am to ask you what some of this church’s needs are? I probably will get 20 or more different answers and each person will think his/her concern is the most important thing on this side of heaven. Sometimes I feel that this and other churches are full of special interest groups, each claiming theirs is the key to the church’s survival. Its like the government in Washington . Each senator may have his or her pet project. For example: the Big Dig in Boston , Massachusetts . The Big Dig was a project to take a pre-existing 3.5 mile interstate highway and relocate it underground. It ended up costing $14.6 billion or over $4 billion per mile .

  Not Nehemiah. Instead he took a trip to take a look at the whole picture. This is something we certainly can learn from. At the back of the outline is a listing of some of the needs we have at HCC. Definitely this is not a complete list, but this gives us a picture of where we are.

  Some of us may also need to assess where we are personally. We can seek the help of counselors or in recent years, there are many assessment tools available that will help us take a more objective view of self. One tool I have used for many years is called Taylor Johnson Temperament Analysis. This gives us a fairly balanced perspective of some of our strengths and weaknesses in our temperaments.

  Once we see the entire picture, then we can decide on what to focus on.

III.   A servant knows how to motivate the people.

  After assessing the need, Nehemiah proceeded to share this mission with the leaders. He needed to bring them on board. There is something here we can learn about how to motivate people in ministry. Without proper motivation, ministries and projects will not last long. We may begin with a big bang, but finish with a whim. Let’s see how Nehemiah motivated the people in that land. Vs.17, “ 17 Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem , that we may no longer suffer derision.” We notice first,

1 •  Clear Objectives

Nehemiah told them clearly about the condition of the walls and gates. Then he called them to action: let us build the wall of Jerusalem . He had a crystal clear objective. We learn that every objective must be Simple, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time. In ministry planning I often remind myself and the staff to have clear objectives. Clear objectives will yield clear results. Fuzzy objectives will take us nowhere.

One example of fuzzy objective: “I want this church to be more loving.” A clear objective will be: “I want this church to reach out to those with special needs.” Or “I want to see this church help relieve the poverty and AIDS crisis in Africa . Or to offer help to those affected in recent snow storm in China .”

2 •  Clear results.

Nehemiah not only spelled out the objective, but he also said, “……..that we may no longer suffer derision.” Nehemiah clearly explained to the people what would happen when the walls were built. The people will no longer live in disgrace. We not only need to articulate our objectives clearly, but also need to help people see the picture when the objective is accomplished. For example, “we need 2 Sunday school teachers for the 1 st to 3 rd graders.” When you step up to teach, you will help the children develop a closer relationship with Jesus Christ which will last a life time.

When the church reaches out to help the poor and the victims of AIDS in this and other countries, people will know that they are not forgotten by God.

At the personal level, I often say this: I want to help you to be stronger and mature, so that you will make the right decisions. When you take these steps to be strong, you will not be codependent on the other person.

The objectives have to be specific and the end result clearly expressed. The 3 rd ob,

3 •  Identifying with others.

In Vs.17, “…that we may no longer be disgraced.” Vs.20, “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build….” What do we have here? We, we. As we have studied, Nehemiah grew up in that foreign land. What happened in Jerusalem was really the least of his concerns. Just like how many of us are really concerned about the snow storm in china that shut down their railroad system, with over 500K people stranded in the Canton station alone? A total of 80 million people were affected. To many of us, it is just a news item, nothing personal. But not so with Nehemiah. The problems at Jerusalem were his problem. He completely identified himself with the people there. In his prayer in the 1 st chapter, we already noticed how he used the term ‘we’ when he confessed the sins to God.

What does it mean to us? Often I hear people say, this church needs to do more of this. You should spend more attention on this matter. It’s you who have the problem. No, it’s God’s church, it’s our church, it’s our fellowship, our small groups. You know what? As long as we say this church needs to be more…… this fellowship or small group needs more …… we are a bystander. Next time when we see a problem, try to say our church, my church needs…. I feel the moment you utter “our church, my church” you will notice an attitude change taking place.

Conclusion:

  As we begin our study of the book of Nehemiah, we recognize that the rebuilding of Jerusalem city walls and gates is foretelling of the building and strengthening of the NT church. And we can take it one step further, it is also about the rebuilding and strengthening of our personal and inner lives. From this book we also learn how God used Nehemiah as the leader to rebuild his dwelling place so that God’s people will no longer live in disgrace. Even as we are reading this, it brings to our mind another leader in the history of Israel . Psalm 78:70, “ 70 He chose David his servant and took him from the sheepfolds; 71 from following the nursing ewes he brought him to shepherd Jacob his people, ……. 72 With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand.” David and his son Solomon established Jerusalem as the center of culture and religion. David was the skillful shepherd/leader that led and guided God’s people. Yet he failed miserably in his adulterous relationship with Beersheba . After David died, most of the succeeding kings constantly failed to lead and shepherd God’s people. Their rebellion against God eventually led to the destruction of the nation and Jerusalem .

  So now, almost 70 years later, God raised Nehemiah to be another skillful shepherd and leader of His people. Nehemiah was skillful in leading the people to rebuild the city walls and the gates. However, even after the completion of the project, the glory of the city was a far cry from what it was in David and Solomon’s day. Finally in AD 70, the city of Jerusalem was destroyed.

  Though David and Nehemiah were skillful shepherds leading God’s people; their work did not last forever. All this points to the need of another skillful leader. About 400 years after Nehemiah, Jesus Christ came. He claimed that He would build His church. He established his church, his dwelling place on earth. He was the leader who was patient. He knew his objectives and finished well. He was never intimidated by his enemy. He knows our needs and completely identified with us. He established his church 2k years ago, and he is still in the process of building and strengthening his church. This church will not be defeated by her enemy, and it will last into eternity.

In the coming months, we will learn from Nehemiah what it takes to rebuild and strengthen God’s dwelling place. We are to remember not to stop at Nehemiah, but through him, to follow our Lord Jesus Christ, as he builds and strengthen this church. So that as we join him in this process of rebuilding, His glory, beauty and grace will radiate from us to the people around us.