Transcript Slide 1

Sermon
By
Rev. Dr. F. K. Oladele
TOPIC:
REBUILDING THE
BROKEN WALLS
TEXT:
NEHEMIAH 1:1 – 11; 2:11 – 20.
I. INTRODUCTION
I thank God for another Sunday in
the land of the living. We give
glory to Him for the journey thus
far, by His grace He will see us
through the remaining 19days of
the year in Jesus name, amen.
I remain eternally grateful to
God for the grace to be His
mouthpiece. By His grace, He
will speak through me in Jesus
name, amen.
What the Lord laid on my heart
for today is about broken walls in
the lives of people. The Lord is
saying that many people are
wounded as a result of broken
relationships which could be
regarded as broken walls. We
need to rebuild such broken
walls and the Lord will rebuild
such walls today in Jesus name,
amen..
II. WHAT ARE WALLS?
Walls are structures that limit areas
whether in building or for defence.
 Throughout most of the biblical period,
cities were surrounded by a system of
fortifications that consisted of walls,
towers and gates; populations that lived
in unwalled settlements were exposed to
great risk (Eze. 38:11 NIV. Num. 13:28b).
City walls had to be high enough and thick
enough and constructed on solid foundations
that the fortifications and their defenders
could deter enemy attack (Deut. 3:5).
Some earliest city walls were over
25ft tall and over 15ft thick and were
built of solid stones. Much attention
was given to the construction of deep
and wide foundations.
Nowadays, cities are not walled
but houses are walled. Today, we
see fences that are as high as
prison wall, apart from walls,
people put barb wires to forestall
the activities of the men of the
under-world.
Beloved, when such walls collapse
for one reason or the other,
immediate steps are taken to
rebuild them since it will expose
us to attacks.
Today, as earlier stated, walls
represent relationships among
people and as such we want to
examine broken relationships.
Strong walls that represent strong
love between husbands and wives
have been broken. Couples that
used to eat together, go out
together, sleep together can no
longer see each other.
They don’t see anything good in
each other. Indeed some are living
together under the same roofs like
tenants; some only communicate
by writing note to each other or
using
their
children
as
intermediaries.
Some couple have not slept
together for months. Yet see what
the Bible says in 1Cor. 7:5.
Couples that do not talk together
cannot plan their future to talk
less of the future of their children.
Relationship among siblings have
been broken, some have vowed
never to have anything to do with
each other.
Relationship between parents and
children; friends; workers and
employers have been broken.
The Church of God is not left out,
some brethren cannot see
themselves
and
exchange
greetings like they used to do.
Beloved, when the wall of love is
broken, wounds are created which
only God can heal.
If there are such people here
today, such walls will be re – built
and such wounds will be healed in
the name of Jesus.
Today’s Passage
The passage of today depicts
what happens when walls of
love are broken.
Vs.1-2.
Hanani,
one
of
Nehemiah’s brothers came from
Judah with some men and he
asked about the Jewish remnants
and about Jerusalem. Just like
people will inquire from people
from their villages or cities.
V3: They responded: “Those who
survived the exile and are back in
the province are in great trouble
and disgrace. The wall of
Jerusalem is broken down and its
gates have been burned with
fire”.
Despite the fact that the returned
exiles had been in Jerusalem for
many years, the walls of the city
remained unrepaired, leaving it
people
defenceless
and
vulnerable.
Beloved, despite the fact that
many people had intervened and
much more been a Christian and
hearing the word of God, the wall
of love remains unrepaired and
leaving you miserable and
vulnerable to sin.
Nehemiah’s response (V4) “When
I heard these things, I sat down
and wept. For some days I
mourned and fasted and prayed
before God”.
Brethren, this is usually the
situation of people when strong
love is broken, such people are
dejected,
discouraged,
disappointed, sad, some at times
feel like committing suicide.
Beloved, I thank God that after
all, Nehemiah fasted and prayed
because sitting down, weeping
and mourning will only worsen the
matter.
Praying to God of heaven is the
best preparation for great and
difficult undertakings and is the
surest means of securing complete
and final victory. (Neh. 2:4 – 8; Ezr.
7:6).
His prayer verses 5 – 11 consist of
praise V5 and confession of his sin
and the sins of his people.
He interceded for his people day
and night and also made his
petition known to God.
Beloved, it is only through God’s
supernatural power that broken
relationship can be restored.
Brothers and Sisters, it is not
enough to pray but we must take a
step of faith, we must act and
promptly too.
Nehemiah 2: 11 – 16 talk about
actions taken by Nehemiah V11 –
He travelled to Jerusalem. If you
too need to travel please do.
It costs him sleepless nights, you
too can have vigils before and
during the time of reconciliation.
He carefully inspected the
damages done as a result of the
broken wall. You too should do the
same and reconsider your stand.
He was resolute in his decision to rebuild
the walls of Jerusalem. You too must be
resolute in your decision to rebuild the
relationship. Hear Nehemiah in verse 17,
“Then I said to them, “You see the
trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins,
and its gates have been burn with fire.
Come, let us rebuild the wall of
Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in
disgrace”.
Beloved, why not say the same thing to
your husband/wife; brother/sister;
cousins; uncle/auntie; friends see the
trouble and mess we are in because of
this broken wall between us. Let’s
forget it and rebuild our broken wall so
that we can have peace; so that we can
move forward and plan our future.
The people relied Nehemiah in verse
18, “Let’s start rebuilding”. So they
began the good work”.
Whosoever starts reconciliation has
begun a good work.
Our God is our perfect example in
reconciliation, when man fell (Gen.
3:6). He sent his only begotten son to
come and reconcile us to Him. (John
3:16, 2 Cor. 5:18 – 21).
Mt. 5:9 says, “Blessed are the
peacemakers: for they shall be called
the children of God”.
Be the child of your Father by
taking the path of reconciliation
especially this time that we are
celebrating the birth of Jesus
Christ our perfect example.
• This is the best time to take this
step, give a call or send a text
message, send Christmas cards to
such people during this Christmas
season.
Don’t mind the ridicule, or insult,
Nehemiah did not pay attention to
Tobia and Sambalat’s ridicule
when they declared, in Nehemiah
4:3 that “Even that which they
build, if a fox go up, he shall even
break down their stone wall”.
CONCLUSION
• Today, please do not harden
your hearts, take a step of
faith and the Lord will help
you because you are doing
what pleases Him.
• Also
remember
that
Nehemiah did not look or talk
about the people that broke
the walls. Don’t look for scape
goat or find who is at fault.
•Also, remember Psalm
66:18, “If I regard
iniquity in my heart, the
Lord will not hear me”.
•Matt. 5:23 – 24 says,
“Therefore if thou bring
thy gift to the altar, and
there rememberest that
thy brother hath ought
against thee;
• leave there thy gift before
the altar, and go thy way;
first be reconciled to thy
brother, and then come and
offer thy gift”.
• LET’S PRAY.