WINNERS AND LOSERS (The Book of Nehemiah)

LESSON 59

INTRODUCTION  

The book of Nehemiah is one of my favorite studies. God needed a man of courage who would take a stand against all enemies on behalf of the people of Israel. Study this book in detail and you will find your heart on fire with a new desire to make your life count for Jesus Christ. The book of Nehemiah will show you those who were winners with God and those who ended up losers. Let’s make sure we learn from their examples.

NEHEMIAH

A CALL FOR COMPASSION

1:2-6                     Nehemiah—an example of compassion for, and identification with, his

                              hurting people.

2:4                         Example of prayerful dependence on God.

2:10                       Example—Sanballat and Tobiah flesh out the heart of Satan.

3:5                         The Tekoa Jewish nobles are an example of wrong leadership.

3:20                       Baruch—an example of intense devotion.

COURAGE UNDER FIRE

4 (all)                     Nehemiah and the Jews—examples of unshakable courage and willingness 

                               to work.

5:1-6                      Nehemiah—an example of godly anger, while his wealthy fellow Jews 

                               serve as an example of the worst greed. (Note how Nehemiah is an example

                               of sacrificial living vv 14-16.)

6 (all)                      Nehemiah—an example of an immovable spirit. 

7:2                          Hananiah—an example of faithfulness.

8:1-3                      Example—an entire people seeking the face of God.

8:1-8                      Ezra—an example of faithfully communicating the Word of God.

9:6-38                    Israel’s leaders—examples of a broken heart in prayer.

GETTING RIGHT WITH GOD

10:28-32                  A community’s example of being a living sacrifice.

11:1, 2                     Example of volunteers for God’s difficult assignments.

12:43                       Example of the future fulfillment of Psalm 122:6 (God’s glory filling   

                                Jerusalem.

13 (all)                    Example of a man totally sold out to God.