Subject: Circle the Wagons
by Rick Welborne
Nehemiah 4:14-23 (NLT)
14 Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!”
15 When our enemies heard that we knew of their plans and that God had frustrated them, we all returned to our work on the wall.
16 But from then on, only half my men worked while the other half stood guard with spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. The leaders stationed themselves behind the people of Judah
17 who were building the wall. The laborers carried on their work with one hand supporting their load and one hand holding a weapon.
18 All the builders had a sword belted to their side. The trumpeter stayed with me to sound the alarm.
19 Then I explained to the nobles and officials and all the people, “The work is very spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall.
20 When you hear the blast of the trumpet, rush to wherever it is sounding. Then our God will fight for us!”
21 We worked early and late, from sunrise to sunset. And half the men were always on guard.
22 I also told everyone living outside the walls to stay in Jerusalem. That way they and their servants could help with guard duty at night and work during the day.
23 During this time, none of us—not I, nor my relatives, nor my servants, nor the guards who were with me—ever took off our clothes. We carried our weapons with us at all times, even when we went for water.
14 Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!”
15 When our enemies heard that we knew of their plans and that God had frustrated them, we all returned to our work on the wall.
16 But from then on, only half my men worked while the other half stood guard with spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. The leaders stationed themselves behind the people of Judah
17 who were building the wall. The laborers carried on their work with one hand supporting their load and one hand holding a weapon.
18 All the builders had a sword belted to their side. The trumpeter stayed with me to sound the alarm.
19 Then I explained to the nobles and officials and all the people, “The work is very spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall.
20 When you hear the blast of the trumpet, rush to wherever it is sounding. Then our God will fight for us!”
21 We worked early and late, from sunrise to sunset. And half the men were always on guard.
22 I also told everyone living outside the walls to stay in Jerusalem. That way they and their servants could help with guard duty at night and work during the day.
23 During this time, none of us—not I, nor my relatives, nor my servants, nor the guards who were with me—ever took off our clothes. We carried our weapons with us at all times, even when we went for water.
--How many of you remember the old westerns where the people on the wagon train would be under attack by the Indians and someone would shout! Circle the wagons! Get ready to fight!
--Their survival depended on everyone being engaged…everyone fighting or at least re-loading the guns for the ones who were…it was intense and there could be no gaps in the circle.
--Nehemiah was basically saying to Jerusalem and all the people to circle the wagons…to circle the city with walls of protection to save our families and all our possessions. The walls had been broken down, gates burned.
--Today, with our parade of ministries, we are saying to everyone who calls Life Church your church, to circle the wagons for your families and for your church family…everyone needs to be engaged…no gaps.
--Because I have just a short time, let me cut through the chase…What does it mean to circle the wagons in light of our Parade of Ministries?
1. To circle the wagons everyone needs to be willing to fight!
2. To circle the wagons everyone needs to be willing to put on the full armor of God!
3. To circle the wagons everyone needs to be willing to work for the protection of our families and church!
4. To circle the wagons everyone needs to be willing to be skilled with the sword…the Word of God!
5. To circle the wagons everyone needs to be willing to rush to where there is need!
6. To circle the wagons everyone needs to be willing to get in the walls of protection! No lone rangers!
7. To circle the wagons everyone needs to be willing to keep your clothes on…clothe yourself with Jesus!
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