Nehemiah 7:1-73

1. rulers appointed - 7:1-4
1. those appointed to protect the city - 1
1. what Nehemiah did, the church should also
2. watchmen were appointed - "porters"
1. they watched for the approach of the enemy
2. if the enemy approached they sounded the alarm
3. this was a twenty-four hour a day job
4. the guards were not to be indifferent to who came and went in the city
5. as believers we are to be on guard constantly
1. both doctrine and conduct are important
2. if either is wrong, fellowship should be broken
3. "eternal vigilance is the price of liberty"
3. singers were appointed
1. the joy of the Lord is our strength
2. joy is often absent from many churches today
3. some will laugh at a good story or enjoy a banquet, but Bible study is not a joy to them
4. the spirit of praise is the spirit of power
5. a rejoicing assembly is one that God can use to be a blessing to those without
4. ministers were appointed - "Levites
1. they had a special responsibility placed upon them, and they were gifted accordingly
2. they themselves were a gift given to the assembly for edification of the body
3. this service is to be exercised with direct accountability to God
4. the church does not appoint ministers, but Christ as the Head does
5. the church is to test those who come as ministers
6. the message of the minister is to be tested by the Word of God
7. to serve as a minister, one must be in living touch with God; otherwise his ministry will be profitless
2. those who were to rule in Nehemiah’s place - 2
1. those he appointed were spiritually qualified - ‘faithful…feared God"
1. these are two fundamental requirements of leadership
2. they did not receive this position because of their education
3. education is good, but God is looking for faithfulness
4. fools can be educated, there are many educated fools in this world today
2. this testimony was certainly a great honor for these men
3. commandments given to the new rulers - 3
1. the gates were not to be opened until late morning
1. entrance into the city was to be in broad daylight
2. everything is to be done openly and above board, nothing done in secret should be tolerated
2. watchfulness was required of all
1. all were to be watchmen for the good of all
2. everyone was to watch at least their own household
3. God holds us responsible for our own household
4. there is never a time that we are to be off guard
4. the city is large, the people are few, and much work still remains - 4
2. a register of those that had returned from captivity - 7:5-73 (same as Ezra 2)
1. these may be just names to us, but God remembers each person
2. God knows these folk, and He wants us to know that He knows
3. this is just a page out of God’s memorial book (the Lamb’s Book of Life)