Nehemiah 3:1-32

1. saying and doing are often two different things

1. many are ready to say let us rise and work, but then never go
2. that cannot be said of these, when they decided to build they lost no time

2. this chapter give us an account of two things

1. the names of the builders, which are recorded where for their honor
2. the order of the building

1. some general observations about those doing the work
1. the priest were involved in the work - 1
1. ministers should be involved in every good work
2. their office requires that they teach doctrine, and also lead by example
2. those doing the work were many, and each had his own share
1. united forces will conquer that which no individual would dare to attempt
2. many hand will make light work
3. what is done for the good of all, should be assisted by all
3. skilled tradesmen were involved in the work - 8
1. they closed their shops to help in the work
2. they trusted that the lost business would be made up by the blessing of God
3. though not accustom to this kind of work, they did not avoid it
4. some of the women got involved in the work - 12
1. there are plenty of opportunities for women to serve
2. being in subjection does not mean to do nothing
5. it is noted that one earnestly labored - 20
1. it is not that others were cold & indifferent, but he was the most vigorous of them all
2. his effort brought special honor to him
3. his zeal probably provoked others to do likewise
6. those that were done first, helped others - 4&21, 5&27
7. reproach was laid upon the nobles of Tekoa - 5
1. no one should consider themselves to good for any job
2. what a shame it must be to have your name eternally recorded as a "do nothing"
3. unfortunately their are many people like these nobles today
8. one of the builders was the sixth son of his father - 30
1. it would appear that the five elder sons did not lay their hands to the work
2. this one did not let his family influence his actions
2. the meaning of the ten gates (the story of the gospel)
1. the sheep gate - 1
1. this was priestly work indeed, for this was the gate through which the sheep were brought for sacrifice
2. those sacrificial sheep were a picture of Christ ("Behold the Lamb of God…")
3. the sheep gate clearly speaks to us of the cross
4. the cross of Christ is were we start with God
5. men from Jericho built next to the priest - 2
1. Jericho is the place of the curse, and its men worked right next to the sheep gate
2. we live in a world that is cursed because of sin
3. only the death of Christ on the cross can remove the judgment of sin
4. these happy men from Jericho are now in the place of blessing & are serving in newness of spirit
2. the fish gate - 3
1. this gate brings to mind the words of Jesus, "follow Me, And I will make you fishers of men"
2. the great business of those already saved should be to bring others to Christ
1. there are many ways to be involved in this work
2. we all are to have a part in getting the Word of God out
3. the nobles thought they were too good for this type of work - 5
1. it is interesting to note that the nobles were close to the fish gate
2. these men were not witnesses for God at all
3. far to many Christians are unconcerned about the work of God
4. far to many Christians are not doing anything
3. the old gate - 6
1. the old gate was one that was there from the very beginning
2. the old gate would be the port of entry for the old path
1. we live in a day where people are interested in things that are new
2. this constant search for something new is leading us to frustration
3. we need to seek the "old paths" because their we will find rest for our souls
3. the old gate speaks to us of submission to God
1. any other way but God’s way is a new way
2. God is constantly having to call man back to His ways (the old way)
4. the valley gate - 13
1. this is the gate that leads out of the city and down into the valley
2. the valley gate is one that many of us need to go through
1. it is the gate of humility and the gate of humbleness
2. it is a willingness to take a lowly place so that Christ may be exalted
3. unfortunately it is a gate not often used by the majority today
3. pride is a characteristic of fallen creatures, who have nothing to be proud of
1. what do we have that has not been given to us?
2. sometimes God has to lead us through trials & difficulties in order to teach us the value of this gate
5. the dung gate - 14
1. the dung gate was the port where they carried forth the filth
1. humbling work for a ruler
2. this is an important gate for the health of the city
2. real blessings cannot be had if this gate is neglected
1. as saints we are called to holiness, not uncleanness
2. we are to cleanse ourselves (confess our sins)
3. if we have truly learned the lesson of the valley gate, the dung gate will be no difficulty
6. the gate of the fountain - 15
1. to the woman at the well, Jesus spoke of a fountain of living water
2. the fountain of living water is a symbol of the Holy Spirit who indwells all believers
3. this gate reminds us of our need to be filled with the Spirit
4. when a believer is filled with the Spirit, he is not just a well, but a fountain of living water that gushes out to be a blessing to all people
7. the water gate - 26
1. the water gate was used to bring water into the city
2. water is a symbol of God’s Word
3. the Word of God gives the servant everything they need (II Tim 3:16-17)
1. the Word of God is to dwell in us richly
2. the Word of God will keep the workman from becoming ashamed
3. this alone will enable us to overcome the wicked one
4. the amazing thing about the water gate is that it needed no repairs
1. all of man’s assaults upon the Word of God has left it uninjured & unchanged
2. the Word of God does not need any repairs
3. we are called to defend it, but it is impossible to improve it
5. later in the book all the people come together to hear the Word of God read by Ezra - 8:1-3
1. the place of this event was no accident
2. the water gate symbolizes the Word of God
8. the horse gate - 28
1. the horse was an animal ridden by a warrior
1. men road horses during times of war
2. the horse was a symbol of war, while the donkey was a symbol of peace
3. Jesus road into Jerusalem on a donkey
4. when He comes to judge He will be riding a horse
2. the horse gate speaks of being a soldier in a world opposed to God and His truth
1. there is a real battle to be fought, it is a spiritual battle
2. if we are not in the battle, we are not standing for the Lord
3. our duty is to earnestly contend for the faith
3. the truth has been given to us at great cost, will we fail to pass it on
9. the east gate - 29
1. this is the gate that points to the rising sun
1. it is the first gate opened in the morning
2. it is a gate that is filled with anticipation and excitement (a new day has come forth)
2. are not all believers waiting for the new day to begin when Christ shall come for His own
1. weary saints throughout all history have been waiting and longing for that day to begin
2. for many it will be the beginning of the darkest night that earth has ever known
3. we should be gathering at the east gate looking for the Son of God to arise
10. the gate Miphkad - 31
1. Miphkad means a review or appointment for judgment
2. one day our life will be reviewed before the judgment seat of Christ
3. the prospect of this should cause us to examine our lives more closely
11. the sheep gate - 32
1. we begin with the cross of Christ and we end with the cross of Christ
2. it is the cross of Christ that is all important to us
3. the cross will be the theme of our praises throughout all eternity