Nehemiah Chapter 3 Building the Wall June 30, 2024
Pastor Tom Snyder
Nehemiah chapter 3 is a chapter mostly filled with names. These names are the most important and most valuable part of this chapter.
The Builders of the Wall
Proverbs 22: 29 says “Do you see a man who excels in his work?
He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men.”
There is no substitute for hard work, especially the work of the Lord.
The Title of my message today is “Serving Well”
Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
The Greek word for workmanship is translated poiema!
The root of the English word poem. God’s people are His handiwork, His artwork, His masterpieces. We were created for His purpose, created in Christ Jesus for good works. Good works do not give us salvation, but they are the result of salvation.
Chapter 3 Rebuilding the Wall
As we focus on the 10 Gates of Nehemiah, a journey of Spiritual Truths related to our Christian faith.
Nehemiah 3:1 “Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priest and built the Sheep Gate; they consecrated it and hung its doors. They built as far as the Tower of the Hundred, and consecrated.”
The name Eliashib means (God Restores) which is of course the message of Chapter Three. God is in the restoration business, redeeming and saving people’s lives.
In the book of Zechariah. Zechariah 3: 8 says “Hear, O Joshua, the high priest. Joshua’s name also appears as “Jeshua” and is listed as one of the first of those returning from Babylon in Nehemiah 7:7.
Let us begin our journey through the 10 gates of Nehemiah:
Map of the Gates of Nehemiah on Screen
The Sheep Gate: John 1:29 says; The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold!
The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
The Sheep Gate, was where the sacrifices were brought in. Every other gate is dependent on this one!
The Fish Gate: is not too far from the Sheep Gate. Jesus said, follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. Matthew 4:19
They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
The Old Gate: Jeremiah 6:16 says “Stand in the ways and see. And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls.” Our faith is based on historical facts recorded for us in the Word of God. He died, He was buried, and He rose again, that you might have life! And Isaiah 46: 9,10 “Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, my counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.”
The Valley Gate: The trials, the time of testing.
Everyone goes through the Valley Gate of one kind or another.
The Dung Gate: It is the gate we enter where the waste is removed.
This gate is a long distance from the Valley Gate with a sharp turning corner.
The Fountain Gate: the flowing of the Holy Spirit! Leading us to recognize our daily need of guidance and strength from Him.
Isaiah 12: 3 says “Therefore with joy, you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”
The Water Gate: This gate speaks of the Word of God
There is no physical life without water. There is no spiritual life without the Word.
Nehemiah 8:3 “Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand, and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.”
The Horse Gate: Spiritual Warfare Ephesians 6:12 Each of us are in a battle!
The East Gate or the Beautiful Gate: This gate looks over the Kidron Valley.
This gate relates to the Second Coming of Jesus! Written in Matthew 24 and Zechariah 14 and many other places in scripture.
Ezekiel 43: 1,2 says “Afterward he brought me to the gate, the gate that faces toward the east. And behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east.”
The Miphkad Gate or the Inspection Gate: This gate reminds us of the Judgment in which we all will stand before the Lord.
2 Cor. 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”
Psalm 139: 23,24 says “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
John 12:26 “If anyone serves Me, let Him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.”
How are you serving well? What “wall” is God asking you to build?
There must be a cause that is burning in our hearts if we want to accomplish great good for God. The cause of Christ, the success of His church, and the eternity of lost souls are good places to begin,