Didaskalos Ministries Studying Through Nehemiah

These Sermon outlines were written and submitted by: Joseph M. Willmouth, Pastor of Trinity Bible Church in Biloxi, Mississippi 39532. This contributed article is copyright protected, and the sole property of the contributing author. It may be freely copied and used provided the above credits are included. Document expiration: indefinite.

Teaching Through Nehemiah

Twelve Sermon/Teaching Outlines
by Pastor Joseph M. Willmouth
Trinity Bible Church, Biloxi Mississippi, in the Book of Nehemiah

"Joyous Giving"
Nehemiah 11 & 12

Introduction: Nehemiah knew that the nation of Israel could never be strong as long as Jerusalem was weak. But Jerusalem could not be strong unless the people were willing to sacrifice. Nehemiah calls on the people to present three sacrifices to the Lord for the sake of their city; sacrifices that God still calls His people to give for the sake of the church He is building in this world.

I. Giving Of Ourselves (11:1-12:26)

1. The walls and gates of Jerusalem were restored, and now it was time to inhabit the city.
A. God needed people...live bodies...in the holy city, as a witness to the skeptical Gentiles around them.
- Romans 12:1, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service."

Application: Never underestimate the importance of simply being physically present in the place where God wants you. You may not be asked to perform some dramatic ministry, but simply being there is a ministry.

2. Some of these people volunteered to live in the city and some had to be drafted. (Notice that Nehemiah decided to tithe the people, v.1).
A. 11:4-9, The people of Judah and Benjamin are listed first.
B. 11:10-36, The priests, levites, and temple workers are named next.
C. 12:1-26, Nehemiah lists others, (v.23) the king of Persia, (v.24) the king's agent.
D. 12:25-36, Nehemiah name the villages where the Jews were living.

Application: This lists of names gives evidence of Nehemiah's sincere appreciation for each individual who assisted in the work. It also reminds us that our Father sees and records what His children do as they serve Him. Even if others don't recognize or appreciate your ministry, you can be sure that God knows all about it and will reward you accordingly.

II. Giving Our Praises To God (12:27-42)

1. The Jews were accustomed to having workers and watchers on the walls of Jerusalem, but now Nehemiah and Ezra assigned the people to be Worshipers on the walls.
A. They conducted a dedication service with such enthusiasm that their shouts and songs were heard "Even afar off" (v.43)
B. The people had been dedicated in chapters 8-10, and now it was time to dedicate the work that the people had done.
2. The people offered Praise in the following ways as they walked around the wall,
A. Thankfully (vv.24, 27, 31, 38, 46)
B. Joyfully (vv.27, 43-44)
C. Loudly (vv.42-43)
D. It was accompanied by various instruments (vv.27, 35-36)
E. It was not a time for muted meditative worship. It was a time for "pulling out all the stops" and praising the Lord enthusiastically.

Application: So great was the people's praise that "the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off." The shout from Jerusalem during this dedication service was full of joy to the glory of God; and because of this record in the Word of God, that shout has been heard around the world. The most important thing about this dedication service was not the march around the walls. It was the expression of joyful praise that came from the choirs and the people. Hebrews 13:15, "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." Psalms 69:30-32, "I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs. The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God."

III. Giving Our Gifts To God's Service (12:44-47)

1. These Tithes and Offering supported the temple workers so that they could serve the Lord.
2. They "Rejoiced" in giving to those who were serving (v.44)
A. When believers have a godly ministry that exalts the Lord and obeys the Word, they are only too glad to bring their tithes and offerings to support it.
B. A worldly ministry that seeks only to fulfill its own ambitions does not deserve the support of God's people.
3. Our material gifts are really spiritual sacrifices to the Lord if they are given in the right spirit.

Application: Before we can bring our material gifts to the Lord, we must first give ourselves to Him. Paul commended the churches of Macedonia because they "first gave themselves to the Lord" (2 Cor.8:5), before they shared in the missionary offering he was receiving for the needy believers in Jerusalem. Our gifts cannot be a substitute for ourselves.

On Your Own: Review this chapter at a later time and ask yourself the following questions to see if there are other applications for us to apply in our walk with the Lord. Is there an example for me to follow? Is there a sin for me to avoid? Is there a command for me to obey? Is there a promise for me to claim? Is there a difficulty here for me to explore (more research needed)? Is there something in this passage that I should pray about today? What does this passage teach me about God, Jesus, and/or the Holy Spirit? ("How To Give Away Your Faith" by Paul E. Little, InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL., pp.126-27, 1980)

"Restoring Our Promises To God"
Nehemiah 13:1-31

Introduction: Sin has a way of repeating itself. Nehemiah discovered that the fires of devotion had gone out in Jerusalem. His first term as Governor lasted 12 years (5:14), after which he returned to the palace to report to the king (13:6). When He returned about 1 or 2 years later he discovered that the people were not living up to their promises.

I. Restoring The Worship Place (vv.4-9)

1. Nehemiah had found that a Gentile had set up living quarters in the temple (vv.5, 7).
- All this happened while Nehemiah was away which means that those he appointed to lead in his absence had failed in their oversight.
2. Nehemiah had to cleanse the temple; and it appeared that he had to do it alone (vv.8-9).

Application: It doesn't take long for the enemy to capture leadership, and too often the people will blindly follow their leaders in the path of compromise and disobedience. It's a sad thing when the servants of God compromise with the enemies of God. We must always be on guard, because our churches are always one generation from closing the doors.

II. Restoring The Stewardship (vv.10-14)

1. Another sin was the failure of the people to support their spiritual servants (v.10).
- The people had promised to support the temple ministry but had not been faithful to bring the required tithes and offerings

Application: Decreased giving is often a sign of diminished spiritual vitality.

III. Restoring The Worship Day (vv.15-22)

1. Nehemiah's rebuke
A. He rebuked the Jews who were working and selling on the Sabbath and made them stop (v.15).
1) God gave them six days for work and business and asked for only one day for Himself.
2) Some of the people robbed Him of that.
3) They were actually robbing themselves of blessing and of the opportunity to witness to the pagans around them.
B. He rebuked the nobles for allowing business to take place on the Sabbath and reminded them that their nation's violation of the Sabbath was one cause for their captivity (vv.16-18).
2. Nehemiah's solution
A. He ordered the city gates shut on the Sabbath and he put some of his own servants on duty (v.19).
B. He ordered the Levites to set a good example on the Sabbath and minster to the people (v.22).

Application: While Christians are not commanded to observe the Jewish Sabbath, we too are to set a good example to the unbelieving world around us. There should be more to our faith than just people seeing us going to church on Sunday.

IV. Restoring Godly Separation (vv.23-28)

1. The walls of the city were still strong, but the spiritual walls of separation were crumbling.
2. In his survey of Jerusalem, Nehemiah saw women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab married to Jewish Men (vv.23-24).
A. He also heard their children speaking in foreign languages
1) If these children did not know the language of Israel, how could they read the Law or participate in the holy services?
2) If a generation was lost to faith, what was the future of the nation?

3. Nehemiah dealt with the problem by first expressing his horror that such a thing should be done in Israel (vv.25-28).
A. He cursed and struck some of them!
B. He plucked the hair of some of the offenders!
C. He even chased one of them away!

4. Nehemiah made sure that everything was put back in order (vv.29-31).

Application: Nehemiah was resolute and the secret of his courage was prayer. God's people and the people of the world can be identified by their speech and especially by their behavior. Very few churches today would be willing to chase off people who are destroying God's work. These last few verses should challenge us to stand firm upon God's word, and to keep the things of God in spiritual order. Are you willing to be different from others to the glory of God?

Bibliography

Be Determined: Standing Firm in the Face of Opposition, by Warren W. Wiersbe, Chariot Victor Publishing, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1993

Believer's Bible Commentary, by William MacDonald, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville Tennessee, 1995

The Bible Knowledge Commentary, by John F. Walvoord & Roy B. Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1985

Ezra, Nehemiah, & Esther, by J. Vernon McGee, Vol.11, Thru The Bible Books, Pasadena, California, 1983

How To Give Away Your Faith, by Paul E. Little, InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL.,1980

Nehemiah: And The Dynamics Of Effective Leadership, by Cyril J. Barber, Loizeaux Brothers Publishers, Neptune NJ, 1991

Wiersbe's Expository Outlines On the Old Testament, by Warren W. Wiersbe, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1993