Nehemiah
Neh_1:4 - Nehemiah, being a cup-bearer, had all the pleasures and comforts in his life that came with being part of the kingdom. In the first few verses, Nehemiah is
informed of the spiritual and the physical condition of the Jews. In verse 4, we see the great burden and concern that Nehemiah has. After he heard "these words" (these
words being that his people were in great affliction and the wall was broken down) he sat down and wept and mourned "certain days" (not just for a church service during a
missionary presentation) and fasted and prayed before the God of Heaven. I wonder what our response is when we hear of the condition of the people all around us with little chance of hearing the gospel. Do we take thought of their condition, or do we continue in our own realm of life. Nehemiah had a deep concern that later lead him to go himself. JAA
Neh_2:1-10
I'm Sad
I. The Reasons he was sad
A. Conditions of the city 1:3, 2:3, 2:17
B. Character of his God was disgraced 1:3, 2:17, 4:4
1. Reproach means disapproval, embarrassment, shame
C. Condition of the world today
1. Lieth in darkness--sin rampant
2. Church weak--name of God slandered
D. Lack of Concern on the part of God’s people
II. The Godly man repents 1:6-7
A. Personally
1. of his corruption
2. for breaking the commandments
B. Collectively
1. for their corruption
2. for their breaking the commandments
III. His Personal Responsibility
A. Personally
1. uses the word I in Chapters 1 and 2 36 times
2. uses the word me in Chapters 1 and 2 18 times
B. To find out the need 1:2
C. to pray 1:4-6
D. to feel the burden 2:1-2
E. to ask for help 2:7-8
F. to go 2:5
IV. His Request
A. to God first 2:4
1. Forgiveness 1:5-11
2. Favor 1:11, 2:8, 18
B. to man 2:5-6
1. To go personally
2. To have help to go
V. The response of the King
A. pleased 2:6-8
B. positive (he ask only for letters 2:7-8--but the king even sends soldiers 2:9)
C. king has a personal interest
D. What will be your response?
VI. The Rival 1:10
A. were grieved exceedingly that relief was coming
B. Satan is grieved today as then
C. we have many rivals today--self, religion, apathy, comfort, laziness, materialism, carnality, culture
VII. Relief --the welfare of the people
A. Reconcile them to God
II Cor 5:18-19
B. let them hear Rom 10:13-17
C. It's what God wants II Peter 3:9, I Tim 2:4, Heb. 2:9
WAG
Neh_2:12
What has God put in your heart to do for him and his people? Have you asked him to put something in your heart for others or is your heart consumed with yourself to not have time to have something else in your heart... how much time do you spend in the word of God seeking what he might put in your heart. Sports get into our hearts very easily, boys and girls get into our hearts, money gets into our hearts and we do plenty to cultivate that heart throb. What are you doing right now to get something in your heart that you can do with your life? WAG | 
