Overview
The sermon examines Nehemiah 6:15–7:4, highlighting God's faithfulness in the success of rebuilding Jerusalem's wall, the persistent opposition from enemies, and the importance of protecting and building upon what God has accomplished. Practical applications are drawn for the church community at Foundry, focusing on vigilance, leadership, and shared responsibility.
God's Plan Was Successful
- The wall around Jerusalem was completed in 52 days, a seemingly impossible feat, clearly attributed to God's help.
- The scale of the work emphasized its miraculous nature, especially since the workers were not professional builders.
- Enemies recognized the work as a result of divine intervention, leading to fear and loss of self-confidence among them.
- Biblical examples demonstrate that God's plans always succeed, even when adversity and fear threaten to derail His people.
- Success in following God's plan is defined by faithful obedience rather than comfort, ease, or visible prosperity.
The Enemy Never Rests
- Although the wall was completed, internal threats emerged as nobles aligned themselves with Tobiah, an adversary of God's work.
- Tobiah leveraged family and financial ties to infiltrate and undermine the Jewish community with subversive words and alliances.
- The nobles' desire for worldly benefits over spiritual separation compromised the community's integrity.
- Christians are warned to remain vigilant after victory, guarding against compromise and unhealthy worldly connections that undermine spiritual progress.
- Practical exhortations include evaluating personal ties and influences that may open doors for the enemy.
Protect What God Has Done
- Completion of the wall marked a new phase: protecting and advancing what had been accomplished spiritually and physically.
- Nehemiah appointed responsibilities (gatekeepers, singers, Levites, guards) and distributed authority to trustworthy, God-fearing leaders.
- Effective leadership in the church requires a heart for God's people, faithfulness, and the fear of the Lord.
- Ongoing growth and health of the church depend on sharing leadership and responsibility among committed members.
- Foundry is encouraged to raise up new leaders through partnership and shared service to sustain and protect the work God has begun.
Action Items
- TBD – Congregation: Pray for the Lord to raise up and appoint new leadership within Foundry.
- By end of summer – Leadership Team: Implement a "dine and define" process to move people into partnership and identify new leaders.
- TBD – Members: Evaluate personal connections and commitments to ensure they align with godly separation and purpose.
Recommendations / Advice
- Remain spiritually vigilant even after visible successes to guard against new forms of opposition.
- Distribute both responsibility and authority within the church to ensure healthy growth and sustained ministry impact.
- Measure success by faithfulness to God’s plan rather than worldly standards or immediate ease.