Be The Change You Want To See - 3

Subject:  Leading The Change In Your Family, Church, or Business
By Rick Welborne

Judges 6:12-16 (NKJV) 
12  And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him, and said to him, "The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor!" 
13  Gideon said to Him, "O my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, 'Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?' But now the LORD has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites." 
14  Then the LORD turned to him and said, "Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?" 
15  So he said to Him, "O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I amthe least in my father's house." 
16  And the LORD said to him, "Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man."

--I believe we all want to make a difference…I believe Gideon wanted to make a difference but he could not see how it would be possible…he said the world is a mess and my family is the weakest around.

--Our weaknesses may not be the same and our excuses for not doing something for God may not even come close to Gideon’s but the time to be the change you want to see is now.

Stephen Covey – The key is taking responsibility and initiative, deciding what your life is about, and prioritizing your life around the most important things.

--We all have the potential to kick up some dust and make a difference but the greatest things we do come from our actions not our words.

James 1:22-25 (NLT) 
22  But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 
23  For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 
24  You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 
25  But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

--What we do for God in our family, our church, and business should keep us moving forward not looking backward.

Philippians 3:13-14 (NKJV) 
13  Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 
14  I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

--What we need to see in these last days are believers who are people of action…our actions are what separate those who want to be leaders and those who just talk.

--People who hold back from being all in and helping the organization can obviously stir up a lot of dust but they get the group nowhere…they create no motion. 

--Kids in a sand box kick up a whole lot of dust but really do not get anywhere…people who stir up things for the greater good will be successful…God and Gideon were going to stir things up.

--Truett Cathy, founder of Chic-fil-A, died at the age of 93…He was a leader who wanted to make a difference with more than just chicken.  He taught a boys Sunday School class for more than 50 years.

--He formed to WinShape Foundation where he worked to develop leaders and academic scholarships for team members. He had homes and camps for kids who needed a chance.

--He said he was not really in the chicken business; he was in the people business. Chicken was simply a tool to accomplish his real purpose: honoring God and helping people. 

Ketterling – Those who lead with intentionality and purpose can inspire people to do more than they thought possible.

John Maxwell – A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.

--The remainder of our time let’s look at these three strategies.

1. Real leaders know the way.

John 14:6 (NLT) 
6  Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

--Before we continue our discussion on knowing the way, we must reiterate than Jesus is the way…without Him we can do nothing of lasting value.

--Sadly too many leaders have no idea where they are going so they obviously cannot lead anyone else. Reminder of the pastor friend who said he followed his people…He is not a true leader.

--Sadly many people do rise to their level of incompetence, we do not have to be those people.

--Real leaders not only see the future, they have specific strategies in place for taking themselves and their organizations into the future. Our key here at Life Church is Holy Spirit.

Proverbs 29:18 (NKJV) 
18  Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law. 

--If we are not careful in our family, our church, or business, the longer we are there the greater the tendency to lose sight of our original goals.  Husband or wife wanted their marriage to be the best. 

--Let’s be honest with ourselves…life can get busy and be extremely complicated or even very disappointing but we do not fail because of these issues…we fail because we take our eyes off the prize…we lose focus.

Hebrews 12:2 (NIV) 
2  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

--John Maxwell said that leaders know the way.  Knowing means establishing or fixing something in your mind. Some of our previous visions may need re-vision.

--This is so important to get about your plans and visions…as life unfolds, sometimes we must adjust our strategies to fit the differences between what we anticipated and reality.  That is what leaders do.

--We could learn something from Newton’s First Law of Motion – an object in motion will remain in motion and an object at rest will remain at rest unless acted upon by an outside force.

--So many in the background or on the back pew are there to remain at rest…they have no desire to move or change…They like being close to the exists…when things get tough or does not go there way they can check out quickly.

--Those who move forward to help, even if it is a little reminds me of Zig Zeigler – Inch by inch everything is a cinch! 

2. Real leaders go the way.

1 Corinthians 11:1 (NKJV) 
1  Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. 

--This is leadership by example…leaders should not be afraid to step out in faith first.  They do not ask people to do what they are not willing to do themselves. This is a review from a previous message.

A. Be excellent in everything you do.

--Excellence is not just an idea…it is a foundational principle of real leaders.

1 Corinthians 10:31 (NKJV) 
31  Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

B. Do what you say you will do.

--Don’t make promises you cannot keep or have no intention of doing.  When you do not keep your promises in the family, church, or business trust begins to erode.

James 5:12 (NIV) 
12  Above all, my brothers, do not swear--not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned.

--Don’t be careless with the words you use…people are watching for you to make a mistake…don’t give them ammunition.

C. Make people important.

--I have never regretted the time I have spent in developing relationships. Loving the people you are around will go a long way…get out of your comfort zone and touch people.

--When people know they matter to you, they will be more loyal and supportive.  

John 3:16-17 (NKJV) 
16  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 
17  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

D. Encourage cooperation.

--There is really no place for independent thinking people in the home, church, or business…the more feedback and involvement you have the greater the success. Collaboration can improve the mission of the church or team.

--When people work together, they gain a new appreciation for each other and for the success of the organization.

Psalm 133:1-3 (NIV) 
1 How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! 
2  It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes. 
3  It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore. 

D. Deal with conflict quickly.

--Everyone and every organization will have conflict…deal with it in love and do it quickly. Conflict does not have to be negative because the intent should be for reconciliation.

Matthew 18:15-17 (NKJV) 
15  "Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 
16  But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.' 
17  And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

E. Invest in others.

--We should be raising up others who could take our place if something were to happen to us.  Literally, good leaders should be working themselves out of a job.

--It is the concept of LEGACY – Leading Every Generation Adults Children Youth

3. Real leaders show the way.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (NIV) 
19  Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 
20  To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 
21  To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. 
22  To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 
23  I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

--We figure out ways of connecting people to us and to the gospel of Jesus Christ…we show the way.

--So many times our insecurity will cause us to reject or shy away from people who intimidate us instead of leading them to use all that they have for the gospel…the more you make them shine…the more you shine.

--Our job is to show people how to be connected and not to be so discouraged by the lack of constructive leadership that they leave the organization.

John Maxwell – Leadership is influence…nothing more…nothing less.

--All of us need to ask the question…Would you follow you?

Boundaries - We All Need Them - 3

Subject - Recognizing The Importance of the Gates

by Rick Welborne

Proverbs 22:28 (NKJV) 

28 Do not remove the ancient landmark Which your fathers have set. 

–The last couple of weeks we have looked at the importance of having fences, boundaries, or walls in our lives to keep us safe and to keep the enemy out.

–When we stay within the boundaries Jesus has set for us in the Word we are actually declaring two things...We are not trespassing (sinning) and ownership...We belong to Him!

–We looked at Nehemiah and his compassion for the people of Jerusalem because their walls had been broken down and their gates had been burned.

–We saw how he went before the king which was like us going before King Jesus and the King saying...What do you request?

–Nehemiah wanted to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls and the gates so that the people could again live in safety and protection within the walls.

–The point was that we have to care enough to go before the Lord and petition Him for those who are outside the set boundaries God has for them.

–We left off in Nehemiah with the families standing together with their spears, swords, and bows rebuilding the walls...the enemy saw their plot had come to nothing.

–Not for today’s message but chp. 5 Nehemiah found that there was much abuse among the Jewish people with each other and that had to be corrected...repentance happened.

–At the beginning of chp.6 we see the walls are completed but the gates had not been restored as of yet...gates are so important in God’s economy.

Nehemiah 6:13 (NKJV) 

1 Now it happened when Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall, and that there were no breaks left in it (though at that time I had not hung the doors in the gates), 

2 that Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, "Come, let us meet together among the villages in the plain of Ono." But they thought to do me harm. 

3 So I sent messengers to them, saying, "I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?" 

1. The unfinished gates represent an opening for the enemy to gain entrance and to do harm to us.

–Many of us believe we are safe once the walls are built but the enemy is always looking for any access into our lives...we must be diligent to keep him out.

Ephesians 4:27 (NIV) 

27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 

–Give no place to the devil...don’t let him get his foot in the door because once he has access and because of his strength, he will get in.

–We all need fences and boundaries in our marriages...why over half are ending in divorce. Any gate left open is an opportunity for falling and destroying your family.

–Listen to your spouse if they are warning you about someone who may have wrong intentions...God has given them intuition to protect you and your marriage.

–I am not speaking of obsessive jealousy because that is an open door or gate because it pushes the people away that you should be loving.

–Every direction I turn people are dealing with serious addictions...most of which are prescription drugs...Oh, Pastor, I just need enough to take the edge off!  Right!

–You try to take the edge off by living close to the edge...you fall off...you get hurt...you cross the fence and you end up paying consequences you never thought of.

–I can handle this...famous last words before someone messes up royally. The people speaking into your life are not your enemy...they love you more than you love yourself.

–There will always be a Sanballat or Tobiah who want to negotiate with you and give you all the reasons to come down from the wall and talk it out.

–Why negotiate with those who have your destruction in mind...It would be like the US negotiating with Iran...oh, we did do that...We won’t build nukes...you won’t be addicted. 

–Sometimes I do not think we understand what spiritual adultery is...it is saying, Lord, I love you but running around with the world the whole time...time to shut the gate.

–Years ago a man came to see me who was addicted to drugs and to alcohol...He had been in law enforcement...lost his job, lost his marriage, lost custody of his children.

–He lost his house and could not pay his bills...I said you need to come back into the safety of the boundaries God has set up for you...No, I am a self made man...I told him I agreed!

–Look what leaving those gates open for you has done...look at what you have made for yourself...unemployed, divorced, lost your children, broke, busted, and disgusted.

–If Nehemiah would have left with the walls up but the gates unfinished...it would not have taken long until the city was re-conquered...the walls would have come down quickly again!

2. We must realize that for the believer and the body of Christ, Jesus is the gate.

–Pastor Juan is always telling people he ministers to that they are either one or two decisions away from greatness or one or two decisions away from disaster.

–Why is it that we know Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life yet we keep choosing another gate or another door or another way?

–We have convinced ourselves or the devil has that God is holding out on us.

–If I choose my own path or my own gate then I will find happiness and fulfillment...it is always fool’s gold and the person is left hurt, disappointed, and lost.

–Many blame God, the church, the preacher, their spouse, the world but the truth is they have chosen the wrong gate to go thru.  God’s Word is our boundary and our fence.

John 10:110 (NIV) 

1 "I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 

2 The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. 

3 The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 

4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 

5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice." 

6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them. 

7 Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 

8 All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 

9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 

–Jesus says...I tell you the truth...He knows you are getting misinformation and out right lies from the enemy and sometimes from those who are supposed to care.

–You see, those of us who follow Jesus, He knows our names, we follow Him and we know and hear His voice...what a safe fortress it is to hear God’s voice and obey.

–They will never follow a stranger...why do we follow those who lead us contrary to Jesus teaching? Why do we follow the voice of lust, of loneliness, of greed?

–Why do we follow them and then are so surprised when we end up broken and hurting?  There is a way that seems right to a person but the end is destruction.

–Why do we just run away...run to Jesus?  We think we know what is best for us but like the party animal having so much fun now...we do not see the addiction down the road.

–Can we take Him at His Word...Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.”

–Jesus is saying to you today...I am the Way, I am the gate, I am your answer, I am that safe place, I am the One that has your future in mind.  I am your refuge and fortress.

–Oh, Pastor Rick, I know what I am doing is wrong but it feels so good right now...that is the key...it feels good now but pay day is coming.

Hebrews 11:2426 (NLT) 

24 It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 

25 He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. 

26 He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward.  

–Look at Moses exercise his will...he refused, he chose, and he thought...sadly there is very little refusing of our flesh, choosing to serve God, or thinking of the future.

–If you will succeed eternally it will be because you choose the only true gate of the sheep...Jesus.

3. The answer to staying within the boundaries, walls, or fences is to open up the gates and let the King of Glory come in.

–Let’s face it...if you invite Jesus into your world...into your life on a daily basis...if you hang out with others who do the same...you will dwell in that safe place.

–When we invite those who pretend to be Christian, when we invite those who are not Christian at all, when we invite things that we know bring bondage...asking for trouble.

Psalm 24:110 (NLT) 

1 The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. 

2 For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths. 

3 Who may climb the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? 

4 Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies. 

5 They will receive the LORD’s blessing and have a right relationship with God their savior. 

6 Such people may seek you and worship in your presence, O God of Jacob. 

7 Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter. 

8 Who is the King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty; the LORD, invincible in battle. 

9 Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter. 

10 Who is the King of glory? The LORD of Heaven’s Armies— he is the King of glory. 

–I guess it comes down to ownership...who is your master...who do you belong to...The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. 

–You belong to Him so why have you become the slave to another person or to an addiction that you can’t beat on your own.

Romans 6:16 (NLT) 

16 Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. 

–God wants you to approach Him so you can live in that safe place...approach Him with hands and hearts that are pure...don’t go after imitations...don’t lie.  His promise:  

Psalm 24:5-6 (NLT) 

5 They will receive the LORD’s blessing and have a right relationship with God their savior. 

6 Such people may seek you and worship in your presence, O God of Jacob. 

–Who does not want God’s blessing and a right relationship with their Savior!  What’s the key?

Psalm 24:710 (NLT) 

7 Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter. 

8 Who is the King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty; the LORD, invincible in battle. 

9 Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter. 

10 Who is the King of glory? The LORD of Heaven’s Armies— he is the King of glory. 

Revelation 3:20 (NLT) 

20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. 

Boundaries - We All Need Them - 2

Subject - Building The Wall That keeps Us safe

by Rick Welborne

Proverbs 22:28 (NKJV) 

28 Do not remove the ancient landmark Which your fathers have set. 

Nehemiah 1:14 (NKJV) 

1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. It came to pass in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the citadel, 

2 that Hanani one of my brethren came with men from Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped, who had survived the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. 

3 And they said to me, "The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire." 

4 So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. 

–Last week we spoke of having boundaries or fences in our lives to keep us safe and that seemed to strike a cord with so many...we all need certain limitations on our lives.

–We are overwhelmed not just because we have no walls or fences in our lives but also because the ones we do have are broken down and the gates are burned.

–We see prodigals living outside God’s fences and many friends paying the consequences of crossing boundaries because the walls were broken down.

–We need to realize as Nehemiah did that people are in great distress and reproach because the walls that used to be there to protect them are broken down. Have compassion.

–With God’s help I want to encourage you to rebuild the walls in your life that are supposed to be there to protect you and to keep the enemy out.

–Do not confuse the walls we are speaking about today with the walls in your lives that need to be broken down...insecurity, addiction, bondage, anger, fear.

–What we are speaking about today are walls, fences, boundaries that God has intended to be there to keep you safe from the enemy of your soul.

–So what was it that Nehemiah had to do to see the walls and gates restored?

1. To see the walls restored there must be sincere praying and repenting before the God of Heaven. 

Nehemiah 1:511 (NKJV) 

5 And I said: "I pray, LORD God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments, 

6 please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night, for the children of Israel Your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against You. Both my father's house and I have sinned. 

7 We have acted very corruptly against You, and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, nor the ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses. 

8 Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, 'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations; 

9 but if you return to Me, and keep My commandments and do them, though some of you were cast out to the farthest part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there, and bring them to the place which I have chosen as a dwelling for My name.' 

10 Now these are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power, and by Your strong hand. 

11 O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name; and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man." For I was the king's cupbearer. 

–Prayer and repentance to the Lord Jesus must be the foundation of the walls or fences in our lives.

–To have secure boundaries or borders in our lives there must be a strong foundation. The Bible is clear about Who that would be:

1 Corinthians 3:1011 (NKJV) 

10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 

11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 

–Hear me...we pray to Jesus...we repent to Jesus and we build on Jesus...pray in His Name

–We confess that we have sinned and have been negligent about establishing boundaries in our lives and our children’s lives.

–Because of this many have been scattered...many who have said they loved Jesus have fallen away...why?  The walls were down and the enemy came in.

–We have given the enemy access long enough and now it is time for it to stop...we have to rebuild the walls so that we and our families can be safe.

–God said...9 but if you return to Me, and keep My commandments and do them, though some of you were cast out to the farthest part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there, and bring them to the place which I have chosen as a dwelling for My name.' 

–His promise is that He will bring them back within safe boundaries...we want there to be a returning of prodigals...for them to return to the walls of safety...the church.

–Satan loves to divide, to tear down, and to conquer...it is time for us to rebuild the walls and for our sons and daughters to be more than conquerors. 

2. To see the walls restored someone has to go before the King and petition Him for the needs of the people.

–Nehemiah prayed for mercy and then went before the king...we have to do the same...we must go before King Jesus to get help to rebuild the walls. 

Nehemiah 2:25 (NKJV) 

2 Therefore the king said to me, "Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This is nothing but sorrow of heart." So I became dreadfully afraid, 

3 and said to the king, "May the king live forever! Why should my face not be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' tombs, lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire?" 

4 Then the king said to me, "What do you request?" So I prayed to the God of heaven. 

5 And I said to the king, "If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' tombs, that I may rebuild it."

–Do you just suppose God is waiting for someone to come before Him with a sincere heart to help others by rebuilding their walls.  Imagine God saying...What do you request?

–Because Nehemiah was a faithful servant with a gracious heart...the king was more than ready to bless him and to grant him his request.  This may be key for us.

–I believe...I know God is more than ready to bless and to help our children and our friends who are out of the safety of God ordained walls.

–What’s our responsibility?  Lord send me that I my rebuild it...rebuild the wall...rebuild the church...rebuild our homes.  Again God is saying...What do you request?

–There is an all out assault on the family, the church, and us as individuals but it is time for us to rise up and build the walls together.  Pastor and churches under attack.

–After expecting the walls and the gates Nehemiah met with the city officials:

Nehemiah 2:1718 (NKJV) 

17 Then I said to them, "You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach." 

18 And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king's words that he had spoken to me. So they said, "Let us rise up and build." Then they set their hands to this good work.   

–Come on, Life Church, let’s allow the hand of our God to be upon us and let’s allow the Word of the King to motivate us...What do you request?  "Let us rise up and build." 

3. Once you decide to rebuild the walls you can expect opposition from the enemy.

Nehemiah 2:19 (NKJV) 

19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they laughed at us and despised us, and said, "What is this thing that you are doing? Will you rebel against the king?" 

–There will always be those who fight against the ones who want to follow after God from without and from within.

–You will get opposition when you decide to rebuild the walls and to set boundaries.

–The enemy will mock you...You are going to do what with your family?  It’s too late to set boundaries, they are already lost.  Who do you think you are asking God for help?

–Life Church is growing to how many people...In Fruitland Park...what a joke!

Nehemiah 4:13 (NKJV) 

1 But it so happened, when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, that he was furious and very indignant, and mocked the Jews. 

2 And he spoke before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, "What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they fortify themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Will they revive the stones from the heaps of rubbishstones that are burned?" 

3 Now Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, "Whatever they build, if even a fox goes up on it, he will break down their stone wall." 

–When you tell people they can’t when God has told them they can...you sound just like Satan...be careful not to speak against what God is up to.

–It is so easy to get discouraged when we hear those who oppose God’s plan and will but somehow, someway in the middle of the chaos we have to hear what God is saying:

Nehemiah 2:20 (NKJV) 

20 So I answered them, and said to them, "The God of heaven Himself will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no heritage or right or memorial in Jerusalem." 

–Listen to Sanballat’s questions and our responses to him:

Will they fortify themselves?  Yes, we are rebuilding the walls and setting up the boundaries, of course, with God’s help.

Will they offer sacrifices?  Yes, we will give offerings and sacrifices of praise to our God!

Will they complete it in a day?  Tough question.  We know we cannot rebuild the walls in just a day but in just a day we can decide to rebuild the walls...Today is that day!

Will they revive the stones?  Yes, thru the power of God revival will come!

4. To rebuild the walls there must be a willingness to do your part and to work along side with others.

Nehemiah 3:13 (NKJV) 

1 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests and built the Sheep Gate; they consecrated it and hung its doors. They built as far as the Tower of the Hundred, and consecrated it, then as far as the Tower of Hananel. 

2 Next to Eliashib the men of Jericho built. And next to them Zaccur the son of Imri built. 

3 Also the sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate; they laid its beams and hung its doors with its bolts and bars. 

–So how do we rebuild the walls, Pastor, and how do we reset the boundaries?  We hear God say...What do you request?  We do it side by side and we do it by families.

Nehemiah 4:1315 (NKJV) 

13 Therefore I positioned men behind the lower parts of the wall, at the openings; and I set the people according to their families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. 

14 And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, "Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses." 

15 And it happened, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had brought their plot to nothing, that all of us returned to the wall, everyone to his work. 

–They stood according to their families...if you do not have family here with you we will adopt you!!  Join with a family close to you!!

–Take up you sword which is the Word of God...obedience is imperative.

–Listen to Nehemiah’s words:   "Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses." 

–What happened: God brought the enemy’s plot to nothing and gave the victory.