BUILDING THE KINGDOM OF GOD Nehemiah 1 3

BUILDING THE KINGDOM OF GOD Nehemiah 1 -3

Was called by God to rebuild the walls of His loved City of Jerusalem in preparation for the establishment of God’s Kingdom in Israel.

Rebuilding the Walls for the KOG Nehemiah 1

Quick History • Jeremiah had predicted a 70 -year exile (Jeremiah 25) • Babylonian Exile lasted 70 years: in punishment for sins of Judah. • Temple was destroyed in 586 BC and was rebuilt in 516 BC. • The people were carried into exile in several waves and Jews returned to Jerusalem in several waves. • A wave of Jews returned home with Ezra in 457 BC • Nehemiah comes to rebuild walls: 444 BC

Nehemiah- Chapter 1 • Nehemiah was God’s agent for rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem because he had sincere concern for Jerusalem. • Some Jews came from Jerusalem to visit Nehemiah and he heard that the people were in distress and the walls and gates were burned down. • He had a good position in the palace serving the King as a cup bearer. Yet his heart was broken when he heard the sad news about the people of God and Jerusalem.

Nehemiah- Chapter 1 • He asked about the situation, he cared about it, and he decided to do something to solve it. • The first thing he does is to pray to the Almighty God of Israel. • He confesses the sins of his people and asks God to hear his prayers. • He had a heart filled with compassion for the needy people.

Nehemiah- Chapter 1 • He cried and prayed before the Lord about the situation in Jerusalem. • Was assigned for the mission out of his compassion not out of a calling. • Was one of the key leaders in rebuilding the spiritual life of the people. • Gives us a pattern for rebuilding our personal lives and helping others in rebuilding theirs’.

Nehemiah 2: 1 -8 Rebuilding the Walls for the KOG

Nehemiah 2: 1 -8 1. During the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was set before him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had never been sad in his presence, 2. so the king said to me, "Why are you sad, when you aren't sick? This is nothing but sadness of heart. " I was overwhelmed with fear

3. and replied to the king, "May the king live forever! Why should I not be sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins and its gates have been destroyed by fire? " 4. Then the king asked me, "What is your request? " So I prayed to the God of heaven 5. and answered the king, "If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor with you, send me to Judah

and to the city where my ancestors are buried, so that I may rebuild it. " 6. The king, with the queen seated beside him, asked me, "How long will your journey take, and when will you return? " So I gave him a definite time, and it pleased the king to send me. 7. I also said to the king: "If it pleases the king, let me have letters written to the governors of the region west of the Euphrates River, so that they will grant me safe passage until I reach Judah.

8. And let me have a letter written to Asaph, keeper of the king's forest, so that he will give me timber to rebuild the gates of the temple's fortress, the city wall, and the home where I will live. " The king granted my requests, for I was graciously strengthened by my God.

Rebuilding the Walls for the KOG Chapter 3

THE LIST OF THE BUILDERS

God preserved the names of each builder who dedicated their lives and time to build the walls of Jerusalem. Their names are listed on the Bible in Nehemiah chapter 3.

In Nehemiah 3: 30: There was a special man, Baruch, who built with zealous. His name and his attitude were specially appointed by God on His Holy Book.

Six Steps to Getting Started

1. Preparation • Prayer – 1: 4 “When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for a number of days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. ”

1. Preparation Prayer is very important to: • • Hear God’s plans Wait on God for the right time Wait on God for doors to be open Build a spiritual protection around the plans • Detain the plans of the enemy

1. Preparation DON’T DO A THING WITHOUT GOOD PRAYER! WHAT IS A GOOD PRAYER?

1. Preparation • • • WHAT IS A GOOD PRAYER? Pray until you hear God’s plans and cannot hear your fear and flesh anymore Pray until God tells you its time to act Pray until doors are open by God, not forced by you

1. Preparation • • • WHAT IS A GOOD PRAYER? Pray with your brothers and sisters who work with you for the rebuilding As you pray build a spiritual protection around the plans and the people involved Pray boldly and with spiritual authority to stop the enemy

1. Preparation • Planning – Vs. 6 The king… asked me, "How long will your journey take, and when will you return? " So I gave him a definite time… time – When the opportunity came (doors opened), Nehemiah was already prepared. He had the entire strategy ready. – It is obvious that his plan came out of his time in prayer with the Lord.

1. Preparation • Planning Nehemiah covered all main areas of the mission on his plan: - The challenges and obstacles of the journey to Jerusalem - All things needed for the rebuilding - The letters of authorization to get what he would need

1. Preparation ● Planning – Vs. 7 I also said to the king: "If it pleases the king, let me have letters written to the governors of the region west of the Euphrates River, so that they will grant me safe passage until I reach Judah. – VS. 8 And let me have a letter written to Asaph, keeper of the king's forest, so that he will give me timber to rebuild the gates of the temple's fortress, the city wall, and the home where I will live. " live

1. Preparation ● Planning – The challenges and obstacles of the journey to Jerusalem: – Vs. 7 I also said to the king: "If it pleases the king, let me have letters written to the governors of the region west of the Euphrates River, so that they will grant me safe passage until I reach Judah.

1. Preparation ● Planning All things needed for the rebuilding and the letters of authorization to get what he would need – VS. 8 And let me have a letter written to Asaph, keeper of the king's forest, so that he will give me timber to rebuild the gates of the temple's fortress, the city wall, and the home where I will live. " live

SON IS REBUILDING THE WALLS WE ARE IN THE PREPARATION PHASE

SON IS REBUILDING THE WALLS PREPARATION PHASE: Fast & Prayer

PREPARATION PHASE Fast & Prayer 21 DAYS OF FAST & PRAYER OCT 18 – NOV 07/2010

Preparation Phase: Prayer to: • Hear God’s plans & strategy for the new place and the new season • Ask God for open doors in the community • Ask God to build a spiritual protection around His project for that area • Ask God to detain the plans of the enemy • Reap a great harvest for God’s kingdom • Ask God to send the resources • Ask God to make us a LIGHTHOUSE

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE • Oct 29 - FRIDAY: Prayer Wheel at New Building or Hidden Pines • Grand Opening: November 7 th