Neh. 6:1-4 JUST STAY ON THE WALL
Intro: Ill. Notice the context of the book and the many attempts by Nehemiah’s
enemies to stop him from doing the Lord’s work. Nehemiah’s dedication and
service stand as loud witnesses of what a true servant of God is to be about. Satan,
and his crowd, are always trying to get the servant of God to come down, but when
we do, there are certain things that we can expect to lose. There are some great and
wonderful things that have to be abandoned when we come down from the place
God has called us to occupy. I would like to preach for a while on this thought: Just
Stay On The Wall. If we don’t here is what we abandon.
I. v. 3b WE ABANDON THE WORK
A. Ill. Nehemiah’s call and commission was to a “great” work. (Ill. Any work
that is for the Lord is a great work! (Ill. David’s attitude - Psa. 84:10)
B. Satan will try every trick in his arsenal to get you to come down, but you just
stay on the wall - James 4:7; 2 Pet. 3:14)
C. Ill. God’s plan and his work are just too great for us to abandon them for the
devil’s foolishness! We need to be on the job 24 hours per day! (Ill. It is hard
to quit - John 21:3 - Ill. The Apostles!)
II. v.3a WE ABANDON THE RIGHT WAY
A. Ill. It seems to have been Nehemiah’s manner of life to give himself 100% to
his work. To come down would have been to step down. He would have had
to turn his back on the right way.
B. When we step down from the Lord’s work, we are turning away from the path
of righteousness and godliness. God’s call is for us to walk straight - Pro.
4:23-27. Ill. Our duty before the Lord is to faithfully carry out His commands
and do His work efficiently, joyfully and faithfully.
C. To step down is to compromise, (Ill. Israel and the golden calf!). We must ever
hold to that which is right, even if we are standing alone when the dust settles!
III. v. 3b WE ABANDON OUR WITNESS
A. Ill. Nehemiah held a place of great authority and respect among the people. If
he had come down, the work would have stopped and may have never been
finished. All Jerusalem was watching his lead. In Jerusalem, Nehemiah was
the leader, the people watched him and emulated what they saw their leader.
His witness would have been ruined! The people would have been convinced
that there really was a greater work that the Lord’s work!
B. We need to realize that we are being watched by a growing body of younger,
impressionable believers. If you step down from the Lord’s work, they may
stumble - Matt. 18:6. God help us to walk straight before the little ones!
C. The people outside Jerusalem were looking also! One false move and
Nehemiah’s credibility would have been destroyed. (Ill. 1 Thes. 5:22 - Our
lives ought to be squeaky clean and spotless before a watching world! Ill. The
danger of a spotted testimony - Ill. Preacher and lost father)
D. What can we do? Stay on the wall for Jesus and keep on living for Him - John
6:63-69!
IV. WE ABANDON THE WELFARE OF THE HEATHEN
A. Ill. Jerusalem was known by all, Jew and heathen alike, as the place where
God was worshipped. Nehemiah loved God and wanted to rebuild the fallen
city so that God could be worshipped and the lost could be converted unto
Him. To have come down off the wall would have been equal to forgetting the
eternal danger the sinner is in.
B. Anytime God is worshipped and proclaimed in truth and sincerity, souls will
be saved. If we come down from our high calling in Him, we have abandoned
the lost and given them up to Hell.
C. You and I are the only light some people will ever see. Therefore, we must not
be dimmed by the world, but we must shine brightly. We are the only Bible
many will ever read. Therefore, we must be clear and pure! (Ill. 1 Cor. 14:7-
8)
Conc: Our duty is clear. Refuse to listen to the calls and challenges of the devil,
stay in the battle for Jesus and don’t come down for any reason! Anything other than
the prefect center of Gods’ will is not the place for you. (Ill. If Nehemiah had come
down, he would have been in danger - You will be too!) Stay on the wall, finish the
task and God will ultimately bless your life and effort.
