The Situation Nehemiah 1:3 4

1
The Situation (Nehemiah 13 4)

• "The remnant there in the province who survived
  the captivity are in great distress and reproach,
  and the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its
  gates are burned with fire."
• When I heard these words, I sat down and wept and
  mourned for days and I was fasting and praying
  before the God of heaven.

2
Nehemiah

• Had a good job with influence and perks.
• Personally knew the most powerful people of the
  day.
• Was very established in life.
• Lived far away from Jewish problems in the old
  Homeland.

Yet... He walked away from all of this because
there was a need for leadership elsewhere.
3
Results of Nehemiahs New Life

• He had some success
• Helped the Jewish people learn to defend
  themselves.
• Rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem.
• Helped lead people back to Gods Law.

• He had problems
• The people often ignored the Law.
• When he arrived his 2nd time, he found much of
  the progress had evaporated.
• Struggled with discouragement and frustration.

4
The Situation (Exodus 1 2)

• The Israelites have been enslaved by the
  Egyptians for generations.
• During a slaughter of Israelite babies Moses had
  come to be adopted by an Egyptian princess.
• Moses killed an Egyptian, thinking the Hebrews
  would join him. They did not, and he was forced
  to flee the country.

5
Moses

• His devotion to Israel had already cost him a
  life of security, comfort and influence.
• After being forced to flee, he built a new life
  with a wife, children and a close-knit community.
• He was far away from the Israelites and their
  problems.

Yet... He walked away from all of this (though
reluctantly) because there was a need for
leadership elsewhere.
6
Results of Moses New Life

• He had some success
• Led Israel out of Egypt in a mighty display of
  Gods power.
• Delivered Gods Law and Covenant to the people.

• He had problems
• Often frustrated by a stubborn and rebellious
  people.
• Provoked by them to an angry outburst that cost
  him entrance into the Promised Land he had
  awaited for long.

7
These People had built Secure, Normal Lives for
themselves.

• They gave up those lives because their influence
  was needed in another arena.

8
Paul Left an Established Life in order to Serve
where there was a Need

• If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in
  the flesh, I far more circumcised the eighth
  day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of
  Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews as to the Law, a
  Pharisee as to zeal, a persecutor of the church
  as to the righteousness which is in the Law,
  found blameless.
• But whatever things were gain to me, those things
  I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
  More than that, I count all things to be loss in
  view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ
  Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss
  of all things, and count them but rubbish so that
  I may gain Christ. (Philippians 34-8)

9
Larry

• Had a stable, successful career from which he
  eventually retired.
• After retirement, he moved to Florida and learned
  Spanish so he could become involved with
  Spanish-speaking Christians.
• He has since made several trips to Central
  America to visit and encourage brethren there.

10
Roland

• Earned a PhD. and had a full career as an
  Educator and Administrator.
• After retirement, he remained highly active in
  the church where he worshiped.
• At age 78, he traveled to Budapest, Hungary for
  1-1/2 weeks to distribute Bibles to a people
  newly liberated from Communism.
• Actively encouraged other non-preachers to
  involve themselves in the Lords work in other
  countries.

11
A Situation for Us

• Classes needing good, dedicated teachers.
• Young People with skills and talents that must be
  developed to serve the Lord.

• Visitors, struggling brethren needing exhortation
  encouragement.
• Home Bible studies to be organized and taught.

A church can only grow and prosper even survive
if everyday leaders step up from among its own
members.