VIDEO RECORDING OF THIS SERMON

AUDIO RECORDING OF THIS SERMON

Nehemiah 4:6- “for the people had a mind to work”. The mind that Nehemiah is referring to here is a mind to work for the Lord. Vs 11.
Introduction: What are they doing? Nehemiah Chapter 1:1-4So you’ve heard the Lord speaking directly to you through his Word, Preaching, Teaching, and the Lord has given you a specific burden or a specific task to accomplish.  Something that He want’s to do through you so that He can get the glory.The Question is, have you done it? Are you working toward that thing that God has given YOU to do?Here is the REALITY, not everyone Christian has a mind to work for the Lord. BUT;
When you have a mind to work for the Lord:
I. You Will have Opposition: Nehemiah 4:1-3. Opposition will come:
A. From Without- Nehemiah 4:7-8- Notice how Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabians, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites were all very wroth. People that are not Christians don’t like what your doing for the Lord therefore they will try to hinder what your doing. They might ignore you, pot against you, attempt to physically harm you, etc.
B. From Within- Nehemiah 4:10-12- This is the brethren that begins to discourage everyone else. Friends, family, and other Christians will attempt to veer you off, why do you go to church so much, why do you always come to Sunday school, why do you always read your Bible, why. These people will not get you to your full potential for the Lord. Always afraid and concerned about what the world says and is doing.It doesn’t make a difference where the opposition comes from, Nehemiah reminds them, “Be not ye afraid of them”.“REMEMBER the Lord”- What happens when you forget a verse of scripture you already had memorized? You have to remember right?            Nehemiah has to remind them because they had obviously forgotten. FOCUS.
II. The Lord Will Be With You – Nehemiah 2:17-20. We see two things here regarding the Lord being with them.
A. To Protect You- “the hand of my God which was good upon me”. There is no doubt that Nehemiah was providentially protected from the enemy while doing the work of the Lord, Ephesians 6:10- “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might”. Make no mistake, God is in control of every single thing and person that might be used against you to do you harm.
B. To Prosper You- Nehemiah 2:20 “The God of Heaven, he will prosper us”. Nehemiah 2:8-“and the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me”. You may not get everything that you want when you have a mind to work for the Lord but, you will have everything that you NEED.
III. Your Part is Valuable – Nehemiah 4:15 “everyone unto his own work”. Remember, they are building a wall and repairing the gates and EVERYONES job in doing so is very important. What is their work? Nehemiah Chapter 3.
A. In The Body- I Corinthians 12:18- “But now hath God set the members everyone of them in the body, as it hath pleased him”. The same thing is true in the body of Christ- Everyone has a different responsibility and a different mission field. The same is true with you; the Lord has placed you where you are so that you can reach those around you with the gospel, to encourage someone, etc.
How do you know that your part is valuable? Because “You have opposition”, meaning that the enemy wants to stop the work. How do you know your part is valuable, because the “Lord is with you”, meaning God wants to see you succeed!
 Conclusion: When you set your mind to work for the Lord, like Nehemiah did, you will have opposition however, don’t fret, the Lord is with you. And remember this, your part in the Body of Christ is very valuable, every little bit counts when God is in it.