icon__search

Lessons From Nehemiah

Nehemiah 1-2 (8/12/21)

August 12, 2021 • Benham Brothers • Nehemiah 1, Nehemiah 2

Nehemiah 1-2 - Nehemiah, Entrepreneur * Two things I want to accomplish: * Redefine the word “entrepreneur.” * Give you five traits of a kingdom entrepreneur. * Defining the Entrepreneur * Normal definition - An entrepreneur is a “risk-taking go-getter who generates income by meeting the needs of others.” * Marks of an entrepreneur:  * They’re fiercely independent (don’t want to work for others).  * They are self-starters (highly motivated).  * They don’t need to be managed.  * They think creatively (w/a bent toward adventure).  * They embrace risk, they don’t avoid it.  * They see opportunities when others see obstacles.  * Defining the Kingdom Entrepreneur * “Entre” means “go between” / “Prende” means “to undertake.” * An entrepreneur goes between people with problems to bring solutions. * An entrepreneur’s identity is that of an intercessor (Ezekiel 22).  * Kingdom Entrepreneur - “a risk-taking go-getter who generates income by meeting needs so that he can be a bridge that connects people to God.” * A kingdom entrepreneur:  * Knows he’s a minister right where he is.  * Is fueled by a sense of mission for God.  * Understands that his work is worship.    * Sees himself as an intercessor for others.  * Example - Jesus from 18-22 years old.  * Example - Nehemiah! * He saw a niche of people with a problem and he slides in between with a solution. * He was not a “vocational minister.” He was a government leader who knew how to run a business. * Notice these five traits of Nehemiah: * 1) He was a PRAYER (vs 1:1-4). * 2) He was a PURSUER (vs 2:1-5). * 3) He was a PLANNER (vs 2:11-13). * 4) He was a PRODUCER (vs 2:17-18). * Vs 19 - Enemies showed up once he started producing. * The next several chaps has them building and battling (sword and trowel)! * 5) He was a PURIFIER (chap 13 - the final chap - is all about purification). * He used his platform to purify the nation. * It wasn’t enough for them to have a wall - they needed the presence of God, and this couldn’t happen apart from purity. * He kicked Tobiah, the Ammonite, out of the Temple (he was given a room by a corrupt priest) - Nehemiah 13:1-9. * He re-allocated finances so the Levites could come back and serve in the Temple (they hadn’t been paid so they had to leave and work) - Nehemiah 13:10-13. * He reinstituted the Sabbath and setup protocols so people wouldn’t break it - Nehemiah 13:15-22. * He dealt with their impure marriages to foreign women (he physically assaulted these guys) - Nehemiah 13:23-31. *

Nehemiah 1:3-4 (7/16/17)

July 16, 2017 • Benham Brothers

•Review 5 core human needs - Security, Identity, Belonging, Purpose, Competence. •Testimony of Competence - God told us to do something we didn’t know we were good at. •We trusted God (Security) and then discovered: We're Ministers (Identity), We're on Mission (Purpose), Our work is worship (Competence). •DEFINITIONS: •Worship - our attempt to make God smile (Trae doing lawn). •Our primary way to worship God is through our WORK. •Work - “anything you gotta do” (Ecclesiastes 9:10 - competence). •3 truths about making your work worship to God (3 R's): •1) The Requirement of work is faithfulness. •* Our MOTIVE is to make God smile. •Nehemiah 1:3-4 - his work was born out of his worship. •What, Where, When no longer matter. Why, How, and Who is what fuels you. •Action precedes motivation - just start acting like your work is worship and it will become. •* Our ATTITUDE is surrender. •John Quincy Adams - "Duty is mine. Results are God's." •Acts 20:22 - Replace yourself in this verse: •“And now I am on my way to mow that lawn, even though I’m broke and have mouths to feed.” •“And now I’m going to tell the truth, not knowing if it’s going to cost my job.” •“And now I’m going to teach my kids homeschool, not knowing if they’ll ever learn to read!” •STORY - Tori teaching homeschool. •** When your work is worship you’re blessed with ENERGY to continue doing it. If it's not then you are cursed with LETHARGY! •2) The Result of work is rest. •In the OT work and rest were separate (Sabbath). •In the NT work and rest go hand-in-hand (Jesus is our Sabbath, now honor the Sabbath). •Matthew 11:28-30 - When you enter God’s work you enter God’s rest. •STORY - Apologizing to kids / Flight back from Dallas. •3) The Result of work is that God gets glory. •John 17:4 - I have brought you glory by finishing the work….. •What does it mean to bring God glory? •Matthew 5:16 - Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good “works”……. •** KEY ** - Our work isn't complete until we've given God credit for the job we did. •The moon shines only because it properly reflects the light of the sun. •CLOSE - when your work is worship: •Nehemiah 2:7-9 - AUTHORITY & ASSETS of the king. •When we make our work worship God gives us His authority & assets to do the job. •Nehemiah wasn't a builder or governor - he was a cupbearer. •If the walls are broken down, we have the authority to rebuild them. •What is broken down in your own realm? •1) Personal life - spirit, soul, body. •2) Family - spouse, kids, extended family. •3) Community - church body, workplace, neighborhood, gym. •4) City & Nation.

Nehemiah 1:3-4 (7/16/15)

July 16, 2015 • Benham Brothers

When Nehemiah heard there was a problem how did he respond first? 1) Fasted - he denied himself something in the physical to gain something in the spiritual. 2) Prayed - he recognized God's sovereignty and gave the problem to the Lord. America has spiritual problems that are manifesting themselves physically. We need to start by doing the same thing Nehemiah did - Fast & Pray. This will lead you to do what Nehemiah did in Neh 13.

Nehemiah 2:1-9 (7/18/19)

July 18, 2019 • Benham Brothers

* Nehemiah needed the king to buy-in on his idea. * How would the king go from a passive observer to an active buyer? * What did Nehemiah do? * Foundation - he first received the call from the Lord as a burden on his heart. * A good question to ask - what breaks my heart? * This got him working from the inside-out. * You know God is leading you when you can’t stop thinking about something and it feels like you’ll fail worse if you DON’T do it than if you tried it and it didn’t work out. * Second, he proved valuable to the king. * He didn’t start the process until he had already proven to be a producer and not a consumer for the king. * This put the king in the position to want to help/buy. * Practically, here was his process: * 1) He fasted (vs 1:4) - he denied himself in the physical so he could gain something in the spiritual. He was looking for God’s favor. * 2) He prayed (vs 1:4) - he brought God into the mix. He wanted God’s mind, not his own. * 3) He repented (vs 1:6-7) - purity brings clarity. * *** Most sales process don’t start with these three things. * 4) He brought value (vs 2:1) - he was a value creator for the king before he asked the king for anything. * 5) He presented the problem (2:3) - don’t try to sell something without showing what the problem is you’re solving. * 6) He gave his story (vs 2:3) - he shared how he personally and his people were affected. * *** People buy on emotion, not logic. Your story unlocks emotion for them. * His story got the king to ask, “What do you want?” * 7) He gave a specific solution (vs 2:5) - riches are made in the niches. He didn’t paint with a broad stroke. * 8) He presented a plan (vs 2:6-8) - he outlined a solution. * 9) He gave God credit (vs 2:8b) - This kept him in the Lord’s favor.

Nehemia 2:3 (11/8/23)

November 8, 2023 • Benham Brothers • Nehemiah 2:2–3

- Nehemiah rebuilt the wall for Jerusalem.  - He was not a “vocational minister.”  - He was a business leader.  - He was a guy who showed us what a kingdom-minded entrepreneur is all about.  - He was burdened by a specific niche of people, saw a problem they had, and did something about it!  - The word “entrepreneur” has an interesting story.  - The phrase “entre” is Latin for “to go between.”  - The phrase “prende” comes from a French word that means “to undertake.”  - An entrepreneur is someone who “goes between” to bring a solution.  - And that’s exactly what an intercessor is - someone who “stands in the gap” (Ezekiel 22:30) on behalf of others to connect them with God.  - Nehemiah was more than simply and entrepreneur.  - He was an entrepreneurial intercessor who “went in between” people and their problem with a solution!  - He bridged the gap for this niche of people and connected them to God in a powerful way.  - I want to list four identity traits of a kingdom entrepreneur followed by three initiatives of a kingdom entrepreneur.  - First, the four identity traits:  1. Prayer - A kingdom entrepreneur is a prayer! They first intercede through prayer. This is the secret sauce of his/her business. They ask God to do something for the people they serve and they listen for His voice showing them the way. 2. Planner - They make plans by thinking through strategies and tactics. Strategies are what by when. Tactics are how by who. They don’t just pray, they plan - and then wait for God to approve that plan and give them the go-ahead.  3. Pursuer - Once God gives them the green-light, they pursue the opportunity like a bat out of Hades. They don’t need anyone else to push them - they jump and run fast.  4. Producer - They make things happen for those they serve. They help people by giving them true value. In return, they receive monetary value that allows them to continue producing value.  On the foundation of the identity of a kingdom entrepreneur, I want to list three initiatives of a kingdom entrepreneur. T hese three things are what every kingdom entrepreneur should do, and Nehemiah is our example:  1. Invade - Wherever God has burdened our hearts and given us the nudge, we RUN to it! We dive in feet first. We don't put our feet in the water and see what the temperature is like. If we do that we'll be like the spies who refused to take the land. A mindset of "invasion" is one that burns its boats after it lands on the shore. (we did this in REO)  2. Exert - We exert Godly influence in the place we've invaded. We now act as thermostats, not thermometers. We be salt (which enhances) and light (which shines). Neither of those talk, they just do! We don't exert our own authority, but God's. And that's what God's kingdom is all about - His comprehensive rule in every sphere of life. 3. Duplicate - We duplicate more invaders and exerters, who will duplicate themselves as well. This is what we do in response to Christ’s command to “disciple nations.”

Nehemiah 2:4 (8/14/14)

August 14, 2014 • Benham Brothers

Nehemiah was "in the spirit" while he was talking to the king. He was having a conversation with the heavenly King although he was addressing the earthly one. Just like Jesus with Peter when He called him satan. Bringing God into the conversation practically: 1) Listen for God through the other perosn. 2) Let God speak through you to the other person. You have to recognize that you're just a conduit!

Nehemiah 2:5, 18 & 3:1 (8/14/14)

August 14, 2014 • Benham Brothers

2:5 - Nehemiah needed a commission from the king granting him authority to do something about the wall. On the basis of this authority he was able to accomplish what the king gave him authority to accomplish. 2:18 - He received the king's favor on the basis of the "value" that he brought to the king. Value precedes favor - Nehemiah had served him for years and had become valueable, so when he needed something of value he got it! Jesus grew in 1) Wisdom, 2) Stature, 3) Favor with God and man. As we focus on God's favor we will earn man's favor, but if we focus on earning man's favor we'll lose God's favor. 3:1 - Every Israelite now re-built the wall around their homes and businesses, ie their "realms." Each one of us have a realm - this is the particular "garden" God has placed you in to take dominion. Dominion involves that sphere where you are to take responsibility and authority to "rule over" it. A good ruler 1) glorifies God and 2) serves the good of others. As long as you are under the authority of God then His authority is granted to you to rule your realm well. Aspects of your realm: 1) Personal - Body, Soul, Spirit. 2) Family - Spouse, Kids, Immediate family. 3) Church 4) Community - Work, Friends, Neighbors, Acquantainces (gym, grocery store, etc). 5) City 6) Nation(s)

Nehemiah 2:12 (11/29/23)

November 22, 2023 • Benham Brothers • Nehemiah 2:12

  * He knows how to paint a vision and get everyone on board.    * But what Nehemiah shows us here is the wisdom of getting your ducks in a row before you do it.    * He didn’t share what he wanted to do until he got all the information he needed to get.  * Backstory - Nehemiah was heartbroken over the plight of the Jews.    * He knew he could do something about it.    * So he started dreaming, and planning, and moving toward it.    * Finally, he got the greenlight.  * Vs 11-12 - “I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days I set out during the night with a few others. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on.”    * Too often a leader will cast a vision without fully considering what all it will entail.    * It ends up costing him and those around him more than it should have cost.      * Damaged relationships, loss of money, increased anxiety, etc.    * All because the leader didn’t let the vision marinate.      * EX: Mary - she “pondered in her heart.”   * KEY 1 - when it comes to vision, stir it up before you let it out!     * Don’t speak too soon, otherwise people will activate on your vision and you’ll end up regretting it.    * EX: King David saying he wished he could drink from a particular well.    * EX: me activating on a digital business before I fully considered everything.  * Once Nehemiah got his ducks in a row, he spoke to the people.    * Notice what he said first:  * Vs 17 - “Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.”  * KEY 2 - when it comes to vision, set it up when you let it out!    * You have to create context around your vision.    * Nehemiah first presented the problem, then he gave the solution.  * A great vision caster will paint a clear picture of the problem first.    * Then give the solution to the problem.    * EX: Jesus at the Sermon on the Mount - “You’ve heard it said…” 

Nehemiah 2:17-18 (7/13/17)

July 13, 2017 • Benham Brothers

* When Nehemiah showed up to the officials in Jerusalem he had the authority of the king on his side. * The king commissioned him to rebuild the wall of defense around Jerusalem. * It’s interesting the leaders never said, “Let’s arise and build” until after he told them about God’s favor AND the king’s favor. * They knew the wall needed to be fixed and God wanted it, but not until the king wanted it could it be done. * They could have written to the king and requested permission, but they probably would not have gotten it. * It took a man who proved valuable to the king and gained his favor in order to get the job done. * Here’s the order of how Nehemiah got this authority: Responsibility - Value - Favor - Authority. * He stayed in his place under the king, was valuable there, earned favor with the king, and was granted his authority. * Too many people just run out and try to start building walls and it fails. * Favor is earned, and it takes time. * How do we get it? By being valuable! By doing something that serves others. By bringing real, tangible value to another human being. By WORKING excellently! * We should re-think modern day missions like this. Lead with value, build with favor. * Caveat - don’t let the fear of man lead you in your effort to earn the favor of man. * As you focus on pleasing God and serving others God will handle the favor part.

Nehemiah 3:20 (7/12/18)

July 12, 2018 • Benham Brothers

* Nehemiah wrote this book, so the way he listed the workers is important. * He was considered “the boss.” * So when the boss documented the details of the work what did he say? * He gave a list of what everyone did, and nothing else. * However, for Baruch son of Zabbai, Nehemiah described HOW he did his work. * He did it “zealously.” * Baruch had done such a good job that he stood out to the boss. * He did his work without complaint and with his whole heart. * 2,500 years later we still hear of how he did his job! * Let’s be like Baruch today in our work.

Nehemiah 4:1-6 (11/29/23)

November 29, 2023 • Benham Brothers

* The war in Israel is a physical manifestation of the spiritual battle.    * The Bible is a book about Israel.      * OT - enemies attacking Israel      * NT - enemies ruling over Israel   * So why Israel? - Gotta go back to beginning (War in Heaven - Rev 12)       * God created Adam - gave him authority over the earth.      * He sinned & Satan became prince of the earth.      * God had to send His Son - He needed a nationality (ISRAEL)!  * Rev 12:13 - “When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child.”    * The Woman = Israel    * Male Child = Jesus (the OT/NT shows us this pursuit)      * Satan knew Jesus (in heaven).    * God protected both. So look what Satan did:  * Rev 12:17 - “Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.”   * Offspring = Christians    * This is why Iran chants “Death to Israel AND America.”    * Satan wants to take you out!  * So if we’re in a battle, what are we to do?    * BE FAITHFUL - just like Nehemiah! * Backstory - We read in Nehemiah 3 that the Jews began building the walls of Jerusalem.    * When we turn to Nehemiah 4 we discover that this project was carried out in the face of ruthless and unrelenting opposition.    * The instigators were three-fold:      * Sanballat - governor of Samaria.        * He was a descendant of the mixed race that settled in Samaria after the Assyrian conquest ( 2 Kings 17).     * Tobiah - an Ammonite official who was from an old and famous family that ruled Ammon for years.        * Both Sanballat and Tobiah were related to the High Priest in Jerusalem.     * Geshem - an Arab man who was even more influential and formidable than Sanballat and Tobiah.   * Satan sought to discourage the Israelites through these three guys using:      * Mockery, Threats, Fear.  * vs 1-3 - “When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?” Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, “What they are building—even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!” * How did Nehemiah respond?  * Two ways:  * 1) He brought the situation to God:    * vs 4-5 - “Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of the builders.”    * Going to God aligns your head w/your heart.      * You think in terms of “God’s got this.”      * In God’s presence, we get His power.  * 2) He stayed faithful to his work:    * vs 6 - “So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.”   * Theor response wasn't, "so we convened a meeting to figure out how to appease those who were reviling us."     * They simply continued the work.     * Why? Because they had a mind to work.   * In light of what you know to do, KEEP DOING IT!  

Nehemiah 4:6 (7/13/17)

July 13, 2017 • Benham Brothers

* Worship is our attempt to make God smile. * Our primary way to worship God is through our work. * When this is true - what, where, and when no longer matter. * How, why, and who is what defines our work as worship. * HOW - with a mind to WORK! * These people didn’t have a mind to unite, or mingle, or have coffee. They had a mind to WORK. * Unity would be the gift they would receive as a result of working with the right attitude along with other believers. * Nehemiah 6:15-16 - when we have a mind to work as unto the Lord then God gets the glory. * Our attitude in work will either push God away and bring Him into the mix. * Others will see that something is different and sometimes they’ll even recognize that only God could have done it.

Nehemiah 4:12-13 (7/13/17)

July 13, 2017 • Benham Brothers

* Building and battling goes hand-in-hand. * Observe: * 1) Opposition will come when we are doing a good work. * 2) Nehemiah stationed people at the exposed places in the wall - these were the weak areas where the enemy could easily get in. * 3) He stationed people in families - we were meant to fight that way, not alone. * 4) They repaired the section of wall in front of their own homes and businesses. * 5) When the trumpet sounded they were to rally together and go to battle - then they would return back to their place on the wall. * 6) They prayed like everything depended on God and worked like it depended on them. * 7) They had a sword in one hand and a trowel in the other.

Neh 4:13-19 (7/18/13)

July 18, 2013 • Benham Brothers

Opposition will come when we embark on God's work Nehemiah stationed guards at the weakest spots of the wall They were stationed by families in front of their homes and businesses - men are to be providers (work) and protectors (fighters) The only time they were to leave their spot on the wall was when there was a trumpet blown because the enemy was getting in - they were to fight They were not to concern themselves with their neighbors' spot on the wall - just theirs They put their faith, hope, and trust in God, but they worked as if it all depended on them They held a sword in one hand and a trowel in the other - they were to Provide & Protect their families.

Nehemiah 4:20 (12/6/23)

December 6, 2023 • Benham Brothers • Nehemiah 4:17–20

* When it comes to the Christian life, we have two responsibilities:    * BUILD & BATTLE.    * We are to hold a trowel in one hand and a sword in the other.    * We do our work and engage in warfare.    * A battle-ready mindset prepares us for the attacks of the enemy.  * Backstory - Nehemiah was leading the Jews in rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem.    * Enemies had come and tried to stop the work.    * So Nehemiah stationed the people strategically to build the wall AND protect themselves at the same time.  * vs 17 - “…Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other…”    * We’re not to hold one or the other - we’re to hold both a sword and a trowel at all times.    * A wall represents security - our core human need.    * To maintain security, you need to build and battle.  * vs 18 - “...and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me.”     * The leader is responsible to sound the alarm.    * Spiritual leaders should sound the alarm against spiritual attacks.  * vs 19 - “Then I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall.”    * Boundaries are important in relationships.    * Space is necessary to keep people thriving and not fighting.    * Everyone should do their own work.    * Take care of your spot on the wall.  * vs 20 - “Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!”    * When Nehemiah blew the trumpet, it was time to lay down the trowel and pick up the sword.    * They never chose the place of battle nor the enemy they were fighting.     * It wasn't something they could say, "I'm not called to fight that battle."     * We believe we get to choose our battles today, but nothing could be further from the truth.     * We need to go to wherever the battles are the hottest and show up there.     * Just as Jesus told "the church" to show up to the gates of hell - those places where Satan has erected a stronghold and told the people of God to stay out.   * We don't get to choose our battle, we get to fight in the battles God chooses for us.     * All we have to do is show up and then watch Him take over.  

1
2