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[0:00] So Nehemiah, he was a man used by the Lord to rebuild a city.! And Nehemiah the book records the building of a city, the rebuilding of a city.

[0:10] Nehemiah, his name means the compassion of Jehovah, God's compassion. And Nehemiah the book begins in crisis.

[0:23] Begins with a crisis. And I was looking on the internet for a word or a picture about crisis. Now Michael and Sherry and Justin and Kathy might know what this means in Chinese.

[0:35] It's a Chinese word for crisis. And it's made out of two words that form the meaning crisis. Chinese is a beautiful language.

[0:46] It's got lots of meanings in the different characters. I know Michael was telling me at one time how he has a character for man and various things in relation to the man and what he goes through in his life.

[0:57] And the Chinese character for the word crisis is this word here. So I'm sure you all know what that means. And it stands for two, there's two English words that you could relate to the word crisis in Chinese.

[1:11] And number one is danger. The first of the two characters for crisis is the word danger. And the second word is opportunity. Because for every crisis, whilst it might represent a danger, it also can represent an opportunity.

[1:28] Something that we can grow by and strengthen ourselves in. And Nehemiah heard of the great crisis of his hometown of Jerusalem. It had lain in ruins for over a hundred years.

[1:40] And the report reached him in verse 3 of chapter 1. Nehemiah 1 verse 3. The report reaches the ears of Nehemiah, who is the cup bearer of the Persian king.

[1:52] A position of great responsibility and influence. He was the one who tasted the food, the drink, before the king partook to ensure that the king was safe.

[2:02] And so it was certainly a very responsible position. A cushy job, you might say. And he got word from his hometown of Jerusalem in verse 3 of chapter 1.

[2:13] It says, And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction. And reproach the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burnt with fire.

[2:29] He heard this terrible report. An awful disaster had occurred, and the nation, the town, the city, the great city of Jerusalem was broken down and burnt with fire.

[2:43] God touched Nehemiah's heart. God touched his heart to see the great name. The great name prompted him to pray to seek God's face. In verse 4, it says what Nehemiah did.

[2:54] He was in constant prayer.

[3:06] In verse 6 there it tells us that he confessed the great need, the spiritual need of the people. Much more really telling than the physical need from the broken down walls and gates.

[3:17] In Nehemiah 1 verse 7, in his prayer, Nehemiah cried out to God, We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments which thou commandest thy servant Moses.

[3:31] Nehemiah cried out in his prayer, Lord, we've blown it. We've done everything wrong. We've not been faithful. We've not kept your word. And no wonder we're in such a strain.

[3:42] When need came, Nehemiah brought it to the Lord. He humbled himself. He made himself available to do something about it. Jerusalem was a city with its walls broken down, its gates burnt with fire.

[3:59] The walls had a very important role in protecting the city and bringing it peace. From them, its watchmen helped to defend the city.

[4:09] There was a great disaster and distress for its people. At the gates of the city, the elders would sit. And here they would make the important decisions and judgments.

[4:20] Jerusalem, without its walls, it was lacking protection. Without its gates, it was lacking real leadership. How did Nehemiah handle this shocking report? The first thing that he did was that he sought the Lord, he fasted, and he prayed before the God of heaven.

[4:36] It's like someone put it, better to start out on my face before the Lord than to fall on it of my own doing. And Nehemiah, then he approached the king.

[4:47] Here he was in this responsible role as the cupbearer. He was able to speak to the king. It was a dangerous step for him to show himself as uneasy and unhappy before the king.

[5:00] Because people generally, when they came to see a king, they had to display a joy and an honour and goodwill. And for him to appear before the king as dismayed and unhappy was itself a very dangerous step.

[5:15] And yet the king responded to Nehemiah's feelings and he actually commissioned Nehemiah to go. To go back to his city and do something about it.

[5:26] The Lord gave him favour with the king to go and manage the situation. And ultimately, this man Nehemiah, the cupbearer, was to become the governor of the city.

[5:37] He made that great journey from the Persian capital of Susa to Jerusalem. It was over a thousand kilometres. The very journey was dangerous.

[5:47] But he was accompanied by the soldiers of the king who sent him. So the Lord undertook for him and provided for him in a safe journey to the destination.

[6:00] And as he got there, while others slept, this is chapter 2 and from verse 11. While others slept, Nehemiah went and he surveyed the damage.

[6:11] In the secrecy of the night, under cover of darkness, from verses 11 to 16, he walked around the city. He had a careful look and checked out what was going on.

[6:22] While others complained and found fault, Nehemiah did something to solve the problem. In 2 verse 12 of Nehemiah, Here he was in the dark of night with a few men.

[6:47] It seems that the minority accomplishes the majority of the work. It's still true today. In church circles, the minority realised the need and do something.

[7:00] He faced the crisis with courage. He faced the crisis with courage. He harnessed the energies of the people. He shared the vision with them.

[7:12] In Nehemiah chapter 2, verses 17 to 18. Courage, courage. You could simply define it as doing something even if you are afraid. Nehemiah shared the vision with the people of Jerusalem.

[7:25] From verses 17 to 18 of Nehemiah 2. Then said I unto them, You see the distress that we are in, How Jerusalem lies waste and the gates thereof are burned with fire.

[7:37] Come and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, That we be no more a reproach. Verse 18, Then I told them of the hand of my God, Which was good upon me, As also the king's words that he had spoken unto me.

[7:52] And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work. The people caught the vision. The people caught the vision. They got involved.

[8:03] Some were there as an alarm holding a horn to warn of danger. Some were there with spears and swords, Ready to protect and defend the workers. Others were there with trowels and machines and equipment, To build the wall and to put the bricks and mortar together, To make the construction work.

[8:23] The people caught the vision. In chapter 3, There's a variety of workers recorded there, That were mobilised, That were activated, That took an active part in the work of building that wall.

[8:37] We see in chapter 3, Priests, Rulers, Women, Craftsmen, Jews from other cities as well. Some were willing to do extra work. Some did their work at home.

[8:50] Some were more zealous than others. And even some backsliders joined in the work. It was a massive community effort, As the people were mobilised and made active.

[9:03] Chapter 4, Verse 6, It says, So built me the wall, And all the wall was joined together unto the heart thereof, For the people had a mind to work. God's people had a mind to work.

[9:16] They had a mind, They had a heart, And they put their hands to the plough. But it was not all plain sailing, As with any work for the Lord. You can expect to face opposition.

[9:26] When you serve the Lord, You can expect opposition to come your way. In chapter 3, Verse 5, It tells us some that they refused to help. Even though the great need was there, Some will refuse to help.

[9:41] It was really a construction zone. You could call it a bit like some of the places Michael and his workers might work, In the building concern that he takes part in. It was a hard hat area.

[9:53] This was a construction zone. How to watch out for danger in the construction zone. Caution. Hard hat area. You might have seen a warning like that on a construction site.

[10:05] And like that too, In Nehemiah's construction site, There was dangers all about him. Even when our work is directed by God Almighty. Even though we might have the vision, We might have the leading of the Holy Spirit, We might have everything pointing, That God's telling me to do something.

[10:23] Friends, you can expect opposition. You can expect it to come hard and fast and constant. To encounter danger and opposition, As you choose to serve the Lord.

[10:33] And for Nehemiah, Even those that were with him, Alongside, Some of them grew discouraged, And doubtful and despondent at times. Nehemiah faced it, From both within the camp, Within the workers, And from without, Those outside of the work.

[10:49] Negative people, Mocking, Criticising God's work. Some wanting to distract him, From the work. And when faced with the danger, What did Nehemiah do? He turned to the Lord.

[11:01] He turned to the Lord in prayer. Prayer is a constant theme through the book. His faith and his vision did not falter. Nehemiah chapter 2, Verse 20, When he was challenged, Then answered I them, And said unto them, The God of heaven, He will prosper us.

[11:21] Therefore we, His servants, Will arise and build. But ye have no portion, Nor right, Nor memorial, In Jerusalem. Some tried to get Nehemiah off the wall.

[11:33] They said, Nehemiah, Let's come down and have a little tour. Let's have some dialogue. They just wanted to deter him, And have a conversation with him. But he recognised who they were, What they were about.

[11:46] He wasn't about to mess around, With negative people. He says, I'm doing too great a work to come down. There's a work to do. I can't afford to come to a standstill, To come and talk to you.

[11:58] He realised that they were just gainsayers, That they were negative and critical ones. As you serve the Lord in your life, As you take a stand for Christ, In your workplace, In your home life, Obstacles and opposition, Will come against you.

[12:13] But they can strengthen you. They can build you, And give you an increased resolve. An increased resolve, To accomplish God's will. He not only prayed, But he stayed at the task.

[12:27] He persisted. He said, Rise up and build. What a sight it would have been, As there was rubble all around. Some of the places of the wall, Were quite deteriorated. It would have meant a lot of hard work, Shifting as bold as that rubble.

[12:40] But he persisted. He kept on keeping on. Friends, where will you sit? Where will you stand? Will you be one of the critics? Or will you be one of the construction crew?

[12:54] Who will you be? Will you rise up and build? Or will you be like them? Oh, some it says, That they didn't put their necks into it. They didn't put their oomph into it.

[13:05] They were slackers. Friends, let's be about the work of God. The work of building his church. You could compare it to. The work of building the kingdom of God In our community.

[13:16] The work of building up your spiritual life. Your spiritual strength. The very life of God within you. You could use Nehemiah as an illustration To compare it to.

[13:28] Will you be a critic or a construction worker? There's a famous quote of Teddy Roosevelt. He said, It is not the critic who counts. Not the man who points out How the strong man stumbled.

[13:39] Or where the doer of deeds could have done it better. The credit belongs to the man. Who is actually in the arena. Whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood.

[13:50] Who strives valiantly. Who errs and comes short again and again. Because there is no effort. Nor without error and shortcoming.

[14:01] Who does actually try to do the deed. Who knows the great enthusiasm. The great devotion. And spends himself in a worthy cause. Who at the worst, if he falls, At least fails whilst daring greatly.

[14:16] Far better it is to dare. Mighty things. To win glorious triumphs. Even though checkered by failure. Than to rank with those poor spirits. Who neither enjoy nor suffer much.

[14:28] Because they live in the grey twilight. That knows neither victory nor defeat. Let's be the man in the arena. Let's be the one that are faces sweating and bleeding.

[14:40] If they must. That the work be done. With the effort. With the strength that God gives to you. Rather than be the critic. Spectating. In the auditorium.

[14:50] That would sit and criticise and find fault. Many Christians find fault. It's a sad fact. It's a reality. A famous preacher once said this. If someone's kicking you in the seat of the pants.

[15:04] You know that you are in front of them. Go with God. Don't care about the kicks in the pants. Go with God. Go with him. And opposition. Was Nehemiah's daily lot.

[15:18] By ridicule. By plot. Discouragement. And fear. Chapter 4 verse 8 records. A conspiracy was against him. They plotted against him.

[15:29] And the work. And Nehemiah. What does he do? As that wall starts to take shame. Nehemiah shows us that as we step out for the Lord.

[15:40] We can expect to meet opposition. And what should we do? Like Nehemiah. Let us face it with prayer. Let us face it with faith. And join our prayer with hard work.

[15:51] They didn't just pray. They got the trowel out. They got the spears out. They got out of bed. And did what they had to do. And got the work done. Friends. We've got to join prayer with hard work.

[16:03] Nehemiah had courage. Webster defines courage as this. He says. Courage is that quality of mind. Which enables one to encounter danger. And difficulties with firmness.

[16:15] Without fear or fainting of heart. But with valour. Boldness. Resolution. Courage. What's the opposite of courage?

[16:26] Discouragement. Discouragement. Some would mock and deride and say. Is it really worth it? Is it really worth it to be a Christian when it means people are against me?

[16:41] Is it really worth it when we try to do a children's ministry? Or do a song ministry? Or help the missionary cause? Or whatever it might be in the church life that you take part in.

[16:56] Being part of the choir. Is it really worth it? When you feel like you're not progressing very far. Or it's too hard. Why should I go any further?

[17:06] Discouragement. Discouragement. The devil loves it. He'd love you to say. I can't do it. It's hopeless. Discouragement. The devil's actively doing it.

[17:19] And the people got tired. In chapter 4 verse 10. Nehemiah rallied the people. He rallied them. He unified their efforts towards the goal. And verse 14 of chapter 4.

[17:30] He says. And I looked and rose up and said unto the nobles and to the rulers. And to the rest of the people. Be not ye afraid of them. Remember the Lord which is great and terrible. And fight for your brethren.

[17:41] Your sons. Your daughters. Your wives. Your houses. Fight. Don't lose your fight. Brother or sister. When trouble comes. When discouragement faces you.

[17:54] When you get some setbacks. Fight. And keep on fighting. Fight the good fight. With all your might. He encouraged didn't he? Nehemiah encouraged the people that were discouraged.

[18:06] And we need to be that encouragement too. You can be an encourager to another. Every one of us can encourage. As the Bible says we should edify one another. We should encourage.

[18:16] End courage. Bring that courage. Bring that courage to replace the discouragement. And he imparted his courage to them. Nehemiah he faced the crisis with courage.

[18:28] And the result was a successful construction. Here was the city broken down a pile of rubble. They call it just a pile of rubbish. You know there's too much rubbish here they said.

[18:41] You know this is hopeless. You know give it up. Give it away. Start from scratch. You know this is. There's too much rubbish here they said. They got disheartened. But it went from this to this.

[18:54] A beautiful city was rebuilt. A wall was rebuilt. A construction was done. But it was more than building the wall. Nehemiah was more than just building the wall. It was restoring worship to the nation.

[19:06] It was a restoring and building up of the people. The people were built up through Nehemiah's work. Not only were the walls and gates restored. But the spiritual lives of the people was restored and rebuilt.

[19:18] As they were spiritually built up. In fasting. In prayer. In humility. In separation. In the confession of the word. They stood up for three hours. Or could it be six hours depending how you take it.

[19:30] As the word of God was read to them. They stood. As the word of God was read to them. For hours and hours. And they loved it. They loved the worship. They loved the communing. They loved the fellowship.

[19:41] They loved the constructing that was going on. On the inside of them. And God brought a wonderful receptivity. And a wonderful reviving. To spiritual things.

[19:52] As they worked together. In the common effort. In partnership. And in teamwork. Friends. That's what church should be like. Amen. That's what a church should be like.

[20:02] Where people get together. And do something. With that common faith. With that common vision. With that common energy. And enabling and equipping. Of the Holy Spirit's empowerment.

[20:13] That we can be a construction site. God's people building up one another. In the holy faith. And we can apply that courage. And that conviction. That Nehemiah had.

[20:24] In our broken down world today. Every one of them had a work to do. Every one of them. Here's a quote from a preacher called Moody. He said.

[20:35] A great many people. Have got a false idea. About the church. They have got an idea. That the church. Is a place to rest in. To get into.

[20:46] A nicely cushioned pew. And to contribute to the charities. Listen to the minister. And do their share. To keep the church out of bankruptcy. Is all they want.

[20:57] The idea of work for them. Actual work. In the church. Never enters. Their mind. Friends. There's work to be done. And it's not.

[21:07] For an isolated few. It's for every one of us. To take our place. To participate. To take an active part. As the Lord equips you to. And take your place. In building that wall.

[21:18] As though. There's different parts of the wall. Different people. Took different responsibilities. Along the breadth of that wall. And all the people. Gathered themselves together. As one man.

[21:29] It says in Nehemiah. Chapter 8. Verse 1. They gathered themselves together. As one man. Into the street. That was before the water gate. And they spoke unto Ezra the scribe.

[21:40] To bring the book of the law of Moses. Which the Lord. Had commanded to Israel. And Nehemiah. 8 verse 6. And Ezra blessed the Lord. The great God. And all the people answered.

[21:52] Amen. Amen. With lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads. And worshipped the Lord. With their faces to the ground. Here the wall was built. What a victory.

[22:03] What a celebration. What a wonderful sight. To see the wall fully constructed. And rebuilt. You know that wall was some. 4 kilometers long. It was huge.

[22:14] 4 kilometers long. Imagine. If you were faced with that. As a single individual. But it was their combined effort. Wasn't it? As they each took a little segment.

[22:25] As they each took a portion of that wall. Of Jerusalem. They each had a part to play. They each had some bricks to move. Some cement to apply. As it were. And that wall.

[22:36] Through their combined unified effort. Was rebuilt. Nehemiah. It's a book full of prayer. And courage. Prayer.

[22:47] Just want to emphasize that word. It's been said. You could paraphrase. Philippians 4 verse 6 says. Don't worry about anything. Pray about everything.

[22:57] You know. If you're anxious. Don't let that anxiety. Wear you down. Pray about everything. Bring all your needs before him.

[23:10] Bring your hearts to him. And pray about everything. Friends. Just to wrap up. Just some spiritual application. Just to close off this.

[23:22] With one more section to look at. And it's a really important application. About the truth of the gates. The gates of the city of Jerusalem.

[23:32] As I studied this. I found out some very interesting truths. About the gates of Jerusalem. And chapter 3 refers to these various gates. Each gate had a spiritual truth.

[23:47] That it represented. There's 10 gates. At this time in the city. It had 10 gates. And we're going to look through. Just quickly. These 10 gates. And what it means for you.

[23:58] For me. The application. Of the spiritual truths. That these gates represented. Chapter 3. It talks through them. Are these gates in need of repair. In our lives.

[24:08] The first gate. Was the sheep gate. The sheep gate. Here it was. Where they kept the sheep. That were to be sacrificed. In the temple courts.

[24:20] It speaks of the sacrifice. Of Christ. On the cross. This was the first gate. To be repaired. For without the sacrifice. There is no salvation.

[24:31] The sheep gate. Had no locks or bars. For the door of salvation. Is ever open to the sinner. This is the only gate. That was sanctified. It was set apart.

[24:42] As a special gate. The sheep gate. It speaks to us. Of salvation. Salvation. The second gate. Is the fish gate. The second one that they repaired.

[24:54] The fish gate. Now we know our Lord said. That we should be fishers of men. Fishers of men. It's a symbol of witnessing. Of sharing of faith. Of soul winning. Here was the gate.

[25:04] Where the fishermen brought. The fish from the coast. Into the city. Through this gate. It's a place. For witness. As a Christian.

[25:14] Once you're saved. You want to share it. You don't want to keep it to yourself. It was a place of witnessing. The third gate. Was the old gate. The old gate.

[25:26] That was the name of it. When we think of old things. We can think of the old fashioned gospel. Couldn't we? The old fashioned word of God. The old fashioned truth. The old paths.

[25:37] The old truths of God's word. It speaks to us really of a place of truth. A place for truth. And speaks of the old truths of the word of God.

[25:50] In contrast with the new ways. At times of error. The fourth gate. Was the valley gate. Now the valley in the Old Testament days.

[26:03] Speaks to us of humility. It had the symbolizing of humility. And Christ descended from the glories of heaven. To the very depths of earth.

[26:15] Into the valley of human limitations. And even death. We do not enjoy the valley. Maybe you're going through a valley even today. We do not enjoy the valley.

[26:29] But often God must take us there. To bring a blessing to our lives. There's a blessing in the valley. It's one day. You're going to climb out of it. One day. You're going to rise above it.

[26:41] It's a place of humility. Humility. And the fifth gate. Was the dung gate. Not a very pleasant name. This was the gate. Through which the waste. And the refuse of the city.

[26:51] Was taken. And brought to the dung. The valley of Hinnom. The dung. Was outside the gate. And here was where the rubbish. The dung. The waste.

[27:02] The refuse. Was brought to the dung. And it could speak to us as Christians. Of going to the place of confession. Because as a Christian. We still can't fail and falter.

[27:13] And we need to come for a daily cleansing. A daily confessing. To our saviour. To have that cleansing of our lives. As the Lord touches us.

[27:25] And uses us. And just five more gates to look at. The sixth gate. Was the fountain gate. That was the name of it. The fountain gate. It illustrates for us really.

[27:38] The ministry of the Holy Spirit. Because the Lord said in John 7. How the Holy Spirit. Would be like a fountain. Would be an overflowing within us.

[27:48] And out of us. It illustrates the ministry. And overflowing of the Holy Spirit. Isn't it interesting to note. The order of these gates. First there is the humility.

[27:59] The valley gate. Then the cleansing. The dung gate. And then the filling of the Spirit. The fountain gate. As we go through that cleansing. God can fill us. With his Holy Spirit.

[28:10] The next one. Number seven. Is the water gate. Water in the Bible. Is used as a symbol. Of God's word. And here it was. In Nehemiah chapter 8.

[28:21] Where Ezra. Read to the people. From the word of God. This is the seventh gate. Mentioned. And seven. In the Bible. Is the number. For perfection.

[28:33] For perfection. And what's perfect. God's word is perfect. You can't improve on this. There's no. No. New improved version. The Bible is complete.

[28:44] It's perfect. It's pure. It's precious. And it's preserved. And it's beautiful for us. The word of God. It's perfect. The perfect word of God.

[28:55] And it's interesting. In Nehemiah. This was the gate. It needed no repairs. This gate. It was perfect. They had damaged this one. And likewise too. The word of God.

[29:05] Is something that's pure. And great. It says in Psalm 119. Forever O Lord. Thy word is settled in heaven. The word of God.

[29:17] The eighth gate. The gate was called the horse gate. And horses in the Bible days. In the symbolism. Was used to describe battle.

[29:27] Or warfare. Horses are often a symbol. Of battle or warfare. We're not on a picnic. Or a cruise. But on a battlefield. As a Christian.

[29:39] You're on a battlefield. And certainly. There are battles. In the Christian life. The Lord Jesus never said. It was going to be smooth sailing. It's going to be all easy going. He said it's a fight.

[29:50] It's a fight. Have you ever been in a fight? I used to get in fights as a kid. I don't tend to get in too many fights these days. And you wanted to punch them in the nose. And give them a blood nose.

[30:01] You ever like that Ian? At school. But you used to get thumped a few times too. You used to get injured. And in the Christian life. Sometimes you're going to get hurt. Sometimes you're going to have some hurts.

[30:12] You're going to have some wounds. As you fight the good fight. But keep on fighting. Keep on pressing on. In that good fight. The ninth gate. Is the east gate.

[30:22] The east gate. Now. East we think of the rising sun. We think of. The hope. Of the second coming. It talks about the Lord as being a son of righteousness. With healing in his wings.

[30:34] The east gate. Is a place for hope. As a Christian. You've got a wonderful hope. An eternal blessed hope. And being a Christian. With the expectation.

[30:46] The glorious expectation. The glorious hope. That we have of Christ coming. It gives us a wonderful hope for living. Doesn't it? To know that our saviour is coming. To make everything right again.

[30:58] It reminds us of. The second coming of Christ. And in Ezekiel 10. The prophet saw God's glory. Depart. From the temple. By the east gate.

[31:09] The glory left. Through the east gate. But later. In Ezekiel 43. He saw God's glory. Return. From the way of the east. There's a wonderful hope.

[31:20] This is the gate. That our saviour will return to. The east gate. When he comes back. To his city. And lastly. The tenth gate. Is the gate of judgment.

[31:31] The gate of judgment. A place of rewards. A place of accounting. A place of an appointment. Or visitation. It carries the idea of troops.

[31:42] Showing up for a review. Or of an appointed place for a meeting. And friends. Certainly. All souls. Every one of you. One. Two. Three. However many of you.

[31:53] Are here today. Every single one of you. The Bible says that every man. Is going to give account of himself. To the Lord. That's a telling truth. And that's a fact.

[32:04] Every one of us. Will give account of himself. To the Lord. Now. There's two kinds of judgment. There's the judgment for believers. And there's the judgment for unbelievers. Now.

[32:14] If you're at the judgment for unbelievers. There's only one verdict. Guilty. But if you're at the judgment for believers. Friends. There's a wonderful hope. There's a wonderful assurance. That Christ has paid.

[32:26] The penalty for your sin. That really. There's just a judgment for rewards. It's just a judgment. For what you have done. With the stewardship. With the gifts and talents.

[32:37] And your abilities. Praise God. The Christian will never face judgment. For his sins. Because Christ has paid. Christ has already judged. And paid for.

[32:47] Our sins. I'm so grateful for that. Aren't you grateful. As a believer. As a Christian today. The Bible says. That Christ has already. Paid for your sins.

[33:00] There's no judgment. To be meted out. There's no punishment. To be meted out. Because Christ has already judged. And paid for our sins. In his own body. And it says. For us as Christians.

[33:10] There is therefore. Now. No condemnation. To them. That are in Christ Jesus. We're not going to pass into condemnation. We pass from death. Unto life.

[33:22] The question is for you. For everyone. For each one here today. Maybe it's time for you. To take a look. At your condition today. Take a look at that wall.

[33:34] If you like. Is it looking a bit like this one? Maybe a spiritual life is a bit. Like it's. A bit. Fragile. A bit. Torn. And broken down. In a bit of state of disrepair.

[33:47] As we travel around the gates of Jerusalem. Think of those different gates. The different gates. Those first five. Have you got the gate of salvation? Are you saved?

[33:57] That's the first gate. Christ sacrificed. Trusting him. And he has sacrificed for you. Are you a witnesser? Maybe that's a gate that's broken down in your Christian life.

[34:09] You're not really witnessing. You're not really speaking for the Lord. Standing for the Lord. In your life. In your workplace. In your home life. In your school life. Be a witness for Christ. The truth gate.

[34:22] Maybe you've neglected some of those old pasts. Those old truths of God's word. The truths of doctrine. Of faith. The gate of humility. We can all get proud.

[34:34] And not want to take the humble path. And do the humble things. What about the gate of confession? Is there some sin? Some need for you to cleanse your heart before him.

[34:44] And get things right. And friends. Those other gates too. The fountain gate. The Holy Spirit. Are we neglecting that? Are we neglecting the filling of the Spirit? His empowering?

[34:55] His equipping? His enabling? The word of God. Is that something that's lacking in your life? Are you neglecting that gate? You're not taking the word and taking it and feeding on it.

[35:05] What about the gate of warfare? Are you shying away when fight comes? When trouble comes? Do you just go and surrender or hide? Or will you stand and be counted? And fight the good fight of the faith?

[35:18] What about the hope of Christ's return? Are you expecting? Waiting? Working? Watching? For the coming of our Lord? And what about rewards?

[35:28] When Christ comes, will he say, Well done, that good and faithful servant. Enter now into the joy of thy Lord. Friends, what condition are your walls in?

[35:39] Are your gates in today? Are they in a state of disrepair? Are there areas of your life? Your life. That need attending to today. That need repair.

[35:50] I urge you. I pray for you. I beckon you to come again to the Saviour. And find his healing. Find his rebuilding. His restoring. His reviving.

[36:02] Revival was what happened in Nehemiah. The gates and walls were built. And the people were built. As God did a work. And I pray that will be true for you individually. And for us corporately.

[36:14] As a group of believers. For us as a church. That God will build us and grow us. And strengthen our hearts. In Psalm 31 it says, Be of good courage. And he shall strengthen your heart.

[36:27]  All ye that hope in the Lord. Be of good courage. And he shall strengthen your heart. And he shall sustain our hearts.