A Case Study ofSuccessful Ministry
Intro
duct
ion The Big Picture
An Old Testament Overview.
Ezra, Nehemiah and us.
Introduction
539 515
Ezra 1-6 Cyrus the Great Cambyses
539 - Return to the Land Edict to return to land 515 - Temple completed Temple completed
482 473
Esther Xerxes 480 - War with Greece Esther story
458 Ezra 7-10 458 - 2nd Return under Ezra Second return under Ezra
445 420
Nehemiah
Artaxerxes
444 - Nehemiah & Walls Nehemiah rebuilds walls 432 - Malachi Malachi
RETURN FIRST SECOND THIRD Reference Ezra 1-6 Ezra 7-10 Nehemiah 1-
13 Date 538 B.C. 458 B.C. 444 B.C.
Leaders Sheshbazzar Zerubbabel
Ezra Nehemiah
Persian King
Cyrus Artaxerxes Longimanus
Elements of the
Decree
As many as wished could return & rebuild Temple.
As many as wished could return & complete the Temple. Allowed to have own civil magistrates.
Allowed to rebuild the walls around the city.
Related Events
Work begun but then halted until 516 B.C.
Problems with inter-marriage
Wall rebuilt in 52 days.
Prophets Zechariah Haggai
Malachi
Overview
1:1-11 2:1-10 2:11-20 3:1 - 6:19 7:1-73 8:1 - 12:47 13:1-31
Nehemiah talks to God
Nehemiah talks to the King
The work planned
The work completed
Number of the people
Covenant renewal
Further reforms
Conception Completion Consecration
Work Worship
Rebuilding the Wall Revival of the People
Cupbearer of the King Builder of the Wall Governor of the People
Key Verse299
“So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. When all our enemies heard about this and all the surrounding nations saw it, our enemies lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our
God” (Nehemiah 6:15-16)
Title 300
Ezra & Nehemiah originally formed a single book according to Josephus, Jerome, & the Talmud.
The Hebrew Bible also has the 2 books together under the title Ezra Nehemiah
However, the repetition of Ezra 2 in Nehemiah 7 may indicate that the two were originally separate works.
Nehemiah means "Yahweh comforts." Once again the names are significant in that Nehemiah functioned as God's comfort through building Jerusalem's protective wall.
AuthorshipExternal Evidence The Book of
Nehemiah has long been considered as being named after its author and chief character, Nehemiah himself.
Internal Evidence The inspired title of the book
reads, "The Words of Nehemiah, Son of Hacaliah" (1:1) & much of the content appears in the 1st person, making it clear that Nehemiah recorded this book.
Some believe the 3rd person sections (7:6–12:26; 12:44–13:2a) were written by Ezra since Nehemiah was absent for these events as he was in Babylon during this time (13:6).
Circumstances 300
Date
Nehemiah left Persia in the 20th year of Artaxerxes (445 BC)
& returned to the king in his 32th year (433 BC). "Some
time later" he came again to Jerusalem (13:6b), but the
specific time is not designated. Perhaps it was ca. 425 BC
or even 420 BC. This chronology places the writing after
425 BC, perhaps even as late as 400 BC.
This dating of approximately 425 BC makes Nehemiah a
contemporary of Malachi, which finds support in their
common descriptions of post-exilic Judaism.
RecipientsThose who 1st read Nehemiah comprised Jews who had returned from Persia with Ezra 3 or 4 decades before, as well as the grandchildren
& great-grandchildren of the returnees with Zerubbabel about 125 years earlier.
Occasion• This story continues from Ezra about 11 years after
Ezra's spiritual reforms among the remnant in Jerusalem.
• However, whereas Ezra helped the spiritual establishment of the new community, Nehemiah gave it physical, geographical, and political stability.
• Nehemiah's faith in God saw Him accomplish in 52 days what had not been done in the 93 years since the return under Zerubbabel.
• This account undoubtedly helped his original readers to see that obedient faith can accomplish God's will despite what appears impossible.
CharacteristicsA. Although Esther follows Nehemiah in our Christian
Bibles, Nehemiah actually is later chronologically. Thus it concludes the account of the historical books of the Christian Old Testament.
B. Perhaps no other book of Scripture provides a better depiction of the balance between dependence and discipline, as well as prayer and planning.
C. One difficulty in reconciling Nehemiah with Ezra concerns the walls themselves. At the beginning of the account, Nehemiah seems surprised that the walls were broken down. One clue is perhaps that the walls had begun to be rebuilt under Ezra during the reign of Artaxerxes, but the work had stopped.
D. Nehemiah is the only biblical book written mostly in the 1st person
Jerusalem of the Returning ExilesBible Visual Resource Book, 99; Gene Getz, Nehemiah,” in Bible Knowledge Commentary, 1:679
Neh
emia
h 1-
7
Jerusalem of the
Returning Exiles
PART #1
SUCCESSIN GOD’SGREAT
PROJECTSNeh
emia
h 1-
7
QUICKQUIZ
Nehemiah Chapter 1
1. What was the condition of the wall of Jerusalem and its gates? (3)
Nehemiah Chapter 1
The wall was broken down, and the gates burned with fire.
QU
IZ
2. What did Nehemiah do when he heard about the remnant that survived the exile and about the condition of Jerusalem? (4)
Nehemiah Chapter 1
He wept, mourned certain days, fasted, and prayed
QU
IZ
3. What did Nehemiah confess in his prayer? (5-7)
Nehemiah Chapter 1
The sins of the children of Israel, which they had sinned against God
QU
IZ
4. What did Nehemiah ask God to remember? (8-9)
Nehemiah Chapter 1
The words God had spoken to Moses “If you turn to me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out to the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from there, and will bring them to the place that I have chosen to set my name”
QU
IZ
5. What was Nehemiah’s position? (11)
Nehemiah Chapter 1
The king's cupbearer
QU
IZ
The
God
ly A
rt o
f B
urde
n-C
atch
ing
(1)
Phase #1 OBSESSION
How to Become Impassioned with a Ministry Project
The Success ProcessPhase #1 – OBSESSION Phase #2 – PREPARATION Phase #3 – MOTIVATION Phase #4 – MOBILIZATIONPhase #5 – FORTIFICATION Phase #6 – CORRECTIONPhase #7 – PROTECTION Phase #8 -- COMPLETION
I. Catch A Burden from God (1:1-4)
A. Catch a Burden by Investigating the Needs of Others (1:1-3)
B. Catch a Burden by Empathizing with the Needs of Others (1:4)
II. Share Your Burden with God (1:5-11)
A. Give Your Burden to God (1:5-11)1. Base Your Prayer on
God's Character2. Base Your Prayer on
God's Promises3. Base Your Prayer on
God's PowerB. Give Yourself to God (1:11)
QUICKQUIZ
Nehemiah Chapter 2
1. What did King Artaxerxes perceive about Nehemiah? (1-3)
Nehemiah Chapter 2
His countenance was sad
QU
IZ
2. For what did Nehemiah request permission? (4-5)
Nehemiah Chapter 2
To be sent to rebuild Jerusalem
QU
IZ
3. What letters did Nehemiah ask the king to write? (6-9)
Nehemiah Chapter 2
One to the governors beyond the river, that they would convey him over till he came into Judah; and another to Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he would give him timber to make beams
QU
IZ
4. Why were Sanballat and Tobiah disturbed? (10)
Nehemiah Chapter 2
That there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel
QU
IZ
5. What did Nehemiah do at night? (11-16)
Nehemiah Chapter 2
Surveyed the walls and the gates
QU
IZ
Laun
chin
g Yo
ur P
roje
ct
(1:1
1-2:
10) Phase #2 PREPARATION
How to Prepare withPrayer and Planning
The Success ProcessPhase #1 – OBSESSION Phase #2 – PREPARATION Phase #3 – MOTIVATION Phase #4 – MOBILIZATIONPhase #5 – FORTIFICATION Phase #6 – CORRECTIONPhase #7 – PROTECTION Phase #8 -- COMPLETION
I. God Prepares the Way as You Pray (1:11-2:4)
A. Pray Dependently (1:11)
B. Pray Patiently (2:1)
C. Pray Spontaneously (2:4)
II. God Prepares the Way as You Plan (2:5-9)
A. Your Plans Should Include the Approvals Needed (2:5)
B. Your Plans Should Include the Time Needed (2:5-6)
C. Your Plans Should Include the Resources Needed (2:7-
9)
The
Cou
rage
ous
Hea
rtac
he (2
:11-
20)
Phase #3 MOTIVATION
How to Recruit and Motivate Ministry Partners
The Success ProcessPhase #1 – OBSESSION Phase #2 – PREPARATION Phase #3 – MOTIVATION Phase #4 – MOBILIZATIONPhase #5 – FORTIFICATION Phase #6 – CORRECTIONPhase #7 – PROTECTION Phase #8 -- COMPLETION
How to Recruit and Motivate Ministry Partners
I. Help People Grasp the Problem that Exists.
II. Display a Plan that Will Solve the Problem.
III. Describe the Provisions that God has Supplied.
IV. Point out the Power that is Available in God.
The Success Process
Phase #1 – OBSESSION. You wrap your attention, heart and prayers around a need and allow God to turn it into a personal “burden.” Out of this grows a vision of what can be done.
The Success ProcessPhase #2 – PREPARATION.You prepare for your mission with prayer and planning. Then you wait for God to provide the resources to deal with any obstacles that might be in your path.
The Success ProcessPhase #3 – MOTIVATION. For your ministry to really take off you will need ministry partners. You can motivate them through a godly, contagious style of motivation.
The Success Process
Phase #4 – MOBILIZATION. Now it is time to organize and mobilize people for maximum productivity. Motivation without mobilization leads to frustration.
QUICKQUIZ
Nehemiah Chapter 3
1. What was repaired and rebuilt in this chapter? (1-32)
Nehemiah Chapter 3
Gates, doors, locks, bars, and towers of the wall
QU
IZ
2. We read of at least twelve gates in the book of Nehemiah, all having a specified name. Name three.
Nehemiah Chapter 3
The East Gate (3:29), Water Gate (3:26), Valley Gate (3:13), Refuse (Dung) Gate (3:14), Miphkad Gate (3:31), Fountain Gate (3:15), Sheep Gate (3:1), Fish Gate (3:3), Old Gate (3:6), Prison Gate (12:39), Horse Gate (3:28), and the Gate of Ephraim (8:16).
QU
IZ
3. Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests rebuilt which gate? (1)
Nehemiah Chapter 3
The Sheep Gate
QU
IZ
4. Which group of men would not participate in the work? (5)
Nehemiah Chapter 3
The nobles of Tekoa
QU
IZ
5. What is the importance of the often-repeated phrase "next to him/them" or "after him/them"?
Nehemiah Chapter 3
The people worked side by side, in unity, each accomplishing his/her own area of service.
QU
IZ
6. Many types of people worked on the wall, side by side. Name at least three kinds:
Nehemiah Chapter 3
Priests, goldsmiths, perfumers, district leaders, Levites, temple servants, merchants, men, women and whole families.
QU
IZ
Shou
lder
to S
houl
der
(3)
Phase #4 MOBILIZATION
How to Mobilize People for Maximum Productivity
The Success ProcessPhase #1 – OBSESSION Phase #2 – PREPARATION Phase #3 – MOTIVATION Phase #4 – MOBILIZATIONPhase #5 – FORTIFICATION Phase #6 – CORRECTIONPhase #7 – PROTECTION Phase #8 -- COMPLETION
I. Organize the Project into Achievable Tasks
A. The Tasks should be DividedB. The Tasks should be DefinedC. The Tasks should be DistributedD. The Tasks should be DesirableE. The Tasks should be Dedicated
Mount of
Olives
Walls Outlined(Neh 2–3; 12)
Sheep Gate
Tower of 100
Tower of Hananel
Fish Gate
Jeshanah (Old Gate?)
Broad Wall
Tower of the Ovens?
Valley Gate
Dung Gate
Pool of Shelah (Siloam)
Fountain Gate
The Angle
Water Gate
Great Projecting Tower
Wall of Ophel
Horse Gate
East Gate
Inspection Gate
Inspection (Neh 2)Walls Built (Neh 3)Procession (Neh 12:27-43)
II. Mobilize the People into Manageable Task Forces
A. The Task Forces should be Organized
B. The Task Forces should be Supervised
C. The Task Forces should be Recognized
QUICKQUIZ
Nehemiah Chapter 4
1. What did Tobiah say would break down their stone wall? (1-3)
Nehemiah Chapter 4
A fox
QU
IZ
2. With what attitude did the builders of the wall work? (6)
Nehemiah Chapter 4
The people had a mind to work
QU
IZ
3. What did Sanballat and Tobiah plot to do? (7-8)
Nehemiah Chapter 4
To attack Jerusalem, and hinder the building project.
QU
IZ
4. What did Nehemiah do to meet this threat? (9-14)
Nehemiah Chapter 4
He prayed, set a watch and told the people to remember the Lord and to fight for their families and houses.
QU
IZ
5. What did those who carried materials hold in one hand? (16-17)
Nehemiah Chapter 4
A weapon
QU
IZ
6. What did the builders have girded to their sides? (18)
Nehemiah Chapter 4
A sword
QU
IZ
7. How would the rest know if an attack took place at another section? (19-20)
Nehemiah Chapter 4
They would hear the sound of a trumpet
QU
IZ
8. How often did the men change their clothes? (23)
Nehemiah Chapter 4
It appears that they did not change clothes but only took them off while washing
QU
IZ
Und
er A
ttack
!(4
)Phase #5 FORTIFICATION
How to Withstand and
Counter Opposition
The Success ProcessPhase #1 – OBSESSION Phase #2 – PREPARATION Phase #3 – MOTIVATION Phase #4 – MOBILIZATIONPhase #5 – FORTIFICATION Phase #6 – CORRECTIONPhase #7 – PROTECTION Phase #8 -- COMPLETION
I. The First Attack Phase
A. The Attack: Spirit-Breaking Remarks
B. The Defense:1. Prayer2. Action
II. The Second Attack Phase
A. The Attack: Fear-Producing Threats
B. The Defense:1. Prayer2. Action
QUICKQUIZ
Nehemiah Chapter 5
1. What did Nehemiah cause to stop after hearing the cry of the poor? (10)
Nehemiah Chapter 5
Usury
QU
IZ
2. What did Nehemiah command to be given to the poor? (11-12)
Nehemiah Chapter 5
Their lands, their vineyards, their olive groves, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil
QU
IZ
3. What object lesson did Nehemiah give regarding those who kept not their promise? (13)
Nehemiah Chapter 5
He shook the cloak by his lap indicating that God would shake out every man from his house that did not perform this promise
QU
IZ
4. How did Nehemiah differ from the previous governors? (14-19)
Nehemiah Chapter 5
He did not take from them bread, wine, and silver
QU
IZ
Take
rs, C
hang
ers
and
Giv
ers
(5) Phase #6 CORRECTION
How to Repair Broken
Relationships
The Success ProcessPhase #1 – OBSESSION Phase #2 – PREPARATION Phase #3 – MOTIVATION Phase #4 – MOBILIZATIONPhase #5 – FORTIFICATION Phase #6 – CORRECTIONPhase #7 – PROTECTION Phase #8 -- COMPLETION
I. TAKERSTHE OUTCRY FROM THE POOR IN
JERUSALEM BROUGHT NEHEMIAH’S ATTENTION AWAY
FROM THE WALL TO THE PEOPLE AND HOW THEY WERE
TREATING EACH OTHER…
I. TAKERS
Those Who Take Advantage of Others (5:1-5)
• During reconstruction, a famine occurred.
• The poor mortgaged their property to get money for food and taxes.
• They borrowed money and sold themselves into slavery.
• Nehemiah rebuked the nobles for charging high interest rates.
• Returned the land and releasedthe poor from their indebtedness
II. CHANGERS Those Who Bring Transformation to
Others (5:6-13)
A. Taking on Takers (5:6-9)B. Transforming Takers (5:10-13)
III. GIVERS: Those Who Provide for Others (5:14-19)
A. Give Up Your Rights for Others (14-15)
B. Give Up Your Time for Others (16)
C. Give Up Your Finances for Others (17-18)
D. Give Up Your Self for Others (19)
QUICKQUIZ
Nehemiah Chapter 6
1. After hearing that the wall was being built, what did Sanballat request Nehemiah to do? (1-2)
Nehemiah Chapter 6
To meet together in one of the villages in the plain of Ono
QU
IZ
2. How did Nehemiah reply to Sanballat’s request? (3-4)
Nehemiah Chapter 6
I am carrying out a “great project” and won’t come. Why should the work cease while I come meet with you?
QU
IZ
3. How did Nehemiah reply to Sanballat’s accusations? (5-8)
Nehemiah Chapter 6
No such things are happening. You are just inventing them in your own mind.
QU
IZ
4. For what did Nehemiah pray? (9)
Nehemiah Chapter 6
O God, strengthen my hands
QU
IZ
5. Who did Tobiah and Sanballat hire to prophesy against Nehemiah? (10-14)
Nehemiah Chapter 6
Shemaiah
QU
IZ
6. How long did it take to complete the walls? (15)
Nehemiah Chapter 6
Fifty two days
QU
IZ
7. For what purpose did Tobiah send letters? (19)
Nehemiah Chapter 6
To put Nehemiah in fear
QU
IZ
The
Har
asse
d Le
ader
(6
:1-1
4)Phase #7 PROTECTION
How to Practice Godly
Self-Defense
The Success ProcessPhase #1 – OBSESSION Phase #2 – PREPARATION Phase #3 – MOTIVATION Phase #4 – MOBILIZATIONPhase #5 – FORTIFICATION Phase #6 – CORRECTIONPhase #7 – PROTECTION Phase #8 -- COMPLETION
I. The Strategy of the Enemy is to Attack the Leader (6:1-4)
A. The Appeal (2)
B. The Response (3-4)
II. The Strategy of the Enemy is to Attack the Leader's Courage (6:5-9)
A. The Appeal (5-7)
B. The Response (8-9)
III. The Strategy of the Enemy is to Attack the Leader's Credibility (6:10-14)
A. The Appeal (10)
B. The Response (11-14)
QUICKQUIZ
Nehemiah Chapter 7
1. Who did Nehemiah put in charge of Jerusalem? (1-2)
Nehemiah Chapter 7
His brother Hanani (along with Hananiah, the commander of the citadel)
QU
IZ
2. When were the gates to be opened and shut? (3)
Nehemiah Chapter 7
When the sun was hot, thus a little later in the day.
QU
IZ
3. How many people returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel? (6-7,66-67)
Nehemiah Chapter 7
About 40,000 (42,360 plus 7,337 man and mid servants, and 245 singing men and women)
QU
IZ
Mis
sion
Acc
ompl
ishe
d (6
:15-
7:73
) Phase #8 COMPLETION
How to Gain and Guard the Victory
The Success ProcessPhase #1 – OBSESSION Phase #2 – PREPARATION Phase #3 – MOTIVATION Phase #4 – MOBILIZATIONPhase #5 – FORTIFICATION Phase #6 – CORRECTIONPhase #7 – PROTECTION Phase #8 -- COMPLETION
The Walls Are Completed!• “So the wall was finished on
the twenty-fifth day of Elul, in fifty-two days. And it happened, when all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations around us saw these things, that they were very disheartened in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was done by our God.” {Nehemiah 6:15,16}
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
How to Gain and Guard the Victory
I. Success -- Achieving the Victory with God's Help
II. Security -- Guarding the Victory through Godly Leaders
III. Significance – Capitalizing the Victory for God's People
The Success ProcessPhase #1 – OBSESSION Phase #2 – PREPARATION Phase #3 – MOTIVATION Phase #4 – MOBILIZATIONPhase #5 – FORTIFICATION Phase #6 – CORRECTIONPhase #7 – PROTECTION Phase #8 -- COMPLETION
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