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Sermon Title: The People Had a Mind to Work

Text: Nehemiah 4:6

“So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.”

🔰 Introduction: Nehemiah—A Man on a Mission

Nehemiah was not a priest, a prophet, or a preacher—he was a cupbearer. He had a government job in a pagan land, serving King Artaxerxes in Persia. But when he heard about the broken walls and burned gates of Jerusalem, something broke in his spirit. He wept, prayed, and fasted. God gave him a burden, and then a vision.

Who Was Nehemiah?

🧔🏽‍♂️ Nehemiah’s Background

• Name meaning: “The LORD comforts” (Hebrew: Neḥemyah)
• Occupation: He served as the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia (Nehemiah 1:11). This role involved close access to the king, as he would test the king's wine to prevent poisoning. It was a position of trust, honor, and influence.
• Nationality: Though he lived in Persia, Nehemiah was a Jew in exile, part of the scattered remnants of Israel.

🛠️ Nehemiah’s Mission: Rebuilding Broken Walls and Restoring Broken People

📍 Historical Context:

• The walls of Jerusalem had been destroyed for nearly 150 years.
• Though Zerubbabel had rebuilt the temple and Ezra had restored the law, the city walls were still in ruins, leaving the people vulnerable, discouraged, and ashamed.

🔥 Nehemiah’s Burden (Nehemiah 1):

• When he heard of Jerusalem’s condition, he was broken in spirit—he wept, mourned, fasted, and prayed (Nehemiah 1:4).
• His burden turned into a vision and then into action.
• He prayed to God before he made any move (Nehemiah 1:5–11).

📝 Nehemiah’s Permission:

• God moved the heart of King Artaxerxes, who not only released Nehemiah but provided letters for safe travel, timber, and official authority (Nehemiah 2:1–8).

👑 Nehemiah as a God-Fearing Leader

✨ Key Leadership Qualities:

1. Prayerful – Nehemiah prayed constantly, before every major move (Nehemiah 1:4; 2:4; 4:9; 6:9).
2. Strategic – He carefully inspected the walls before revealing his plans (Nehemiah 2:11–16).
3. Visionary – He cast a clear vision that motivated others: “Come, let us build” (Nehemiah 2:17).
4. Team-builder – He mobilized priests, merchants, women, and rulers to each take a section of the wall (Nehemiah 3).
5. Courageous – He faced opposition from Sanballat, Tobiah, and others without backing down (Nehemiah 4–6).
6. Selfless – Though he was entitled to wealth and food as governor, he refused it, leading by example (Nehemiah 5:14–19).
7. Revival-minded – He partnered with Ezra the scribe to lead a spiritual revival, calling people back to God and His Word (Nehemiah 8).

🧱 Major Accomplishments

• Rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem in just 52 days (Nehemiah 6:15) — despite threats, mockery, and internal strife.
• Restored order, justice, and worship in Jerusalem.
• Led a national repentance and covenant renewal (Nehemiah 9–10).
• Reinforced Sabbath observance, temple support, and moral living (Nehemiah 13).

🕯️ Spiritual Lessons from Nehemiah

1. A burden can become a blessing when handed to God.
2. God can use ordina

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