When God establishes a vision, effective leadership is necessary to communicate that vision clearly and practically to those whose efforts will bring it to fruition. In this study of Nehemiah 2:11–20, Alistair Begg examines the aspects of Nehemiah’s leadership that helped to plant his vision to rebuild the Jerusalem wall in the hearts of God’s people, even in the face of apathy and opposition. If a vision is God-given and humbly presented, then God will earth it in people’s hearts and move them to respond.
Nehemiah Sent to Judah
1In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence. 2And the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of the heart.” Then I was very much afraid. 3I said to the king, “Let the king live forever! Why should not my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' graves, lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” 4Then the king said to me, “What are you requesting?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' graves, that I may rebuild it.” 6And the king said to me (the queen sitting beside him), “How long will you be gone, and when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me when I had given him a time. 7And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let letters be given me to the governors of the province Beyond the River, that they may let me pass through until I come to Judah, 8and a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the fortress of the temple, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall occupy.” And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me.
Nehemiah Inspects Jerusalem's Walls
9Then I came to the governors of the province Beyond the River and gave them the king's letters. Now the king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen. 10But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant heard this, it displeased them greatly that someone had come to seek the welfare of the people of Israel.
11So I went to Jerusalem and was there three days. 12Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. And I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. There was no animal with me but the one on which I rode. 13I went out by night by the Valley Gate to the Dragon Spring and to the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire. 14Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and to the King's Pool, but there was no room for the animal that was under me to pass. 15Then I went up in the night by the valley and inspected the wall, and I turned back and entered by the Valley Gate, and so returned. 16And the officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, and I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, and the rest who were to do the work.
17Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.” 18And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work. 19But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” 20Then I replied to them, “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim1 in Jerusalem.”
Series: The Pastor's Study, Volume 1
Other messages in: The Pastor's Study, Volume 1
Martyn Lloyd-Jones once said that "the work of preaching is the highest and greatest and most glorious calling to which anyone can ever be called." Such a high calling, however, comes with a high level of responsibility: As a pastor places his confidence in the Gospel’s power, the task of proclamation must be his chief concern. In the Pastor’s Study, we present a collection of sermons designed to help and encourage the Gospel-centered pastor as he evangelizes faithfully and establishes believers in the sound doctrine essential to spiritual growth.
In volume one of this series, Alistair Begg looks to Scripture for examples of biblical leadership. In Nehemiah’s efforts to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls and Paul’s work to establish the New Testament Church, today’s pastors find patterns of God-centered leadership worthy of imitation. True leadership, the Bible reminds us, is about submitting oneself to God’s vision for His people.
Other messages in: The Pastor's Study, Volume 2
Martyn Lloyd-Jones once said that "the work of preaching is the highest and greatest and most glorious calling to which anyone can ever be called." Such a high calling, however, comes with a high level of responsibility: As a pastor places his confidence in the Gospel’s power, the task of proclamation must be his chief concern. In the Pastor’s Study, we present a collection of sermons designed to help and encourage the Gospel-centered pastor as he evangelizes faithfully and establishes believers in the sound doctrine essential to spiritual growth.
In volume two of this series, Alistair Begg addresses practical aspects of preaching common to every pastor. Throughout Scripture and Christian history, we see God using biblical preaching to build His Church and save the lost. While methods vary and styles differ, a pastor’s practice in the pulpit should reflect his careful stewardship of God’s Word and point hearers to the cross.
Other messages in: The Pastor's Study, Volume 3
Martyn Lloyd-Jones once said that "the work of preaching is the highest and greatest and most glorious calling to which anyone can ever be called." Such a high calling, however, comes with a high level of responsibility: As a pastor places his confidence in the Gospel’s power, the task of proclamation must be his chief concern. In the Pastor’s Study, we present a collection of sermons designed to help and encourage the Gospel-centered pastor as he evangelizes faithfully and establishes believers in the sound doctrine essential to spiritual growth.
In volume three of this series, Alistair Begg reminds pastors to stay focused on God’s Word as the source of inerrant truth. Preachers should teach the Bible in a manner that glorifies God, since He alone can change people’s hearts and draw new worshipers to Himself. Regardless of the challenges or changes that may come, a good leader places his trust in God’s strength, not his own.
Other messages in: The Pastor's Study, Volume 4
Martyn Lloyd-Jones once said that "the work of preaching is the highest and greatest and most glorious calling to which anyone can ever be called." Such a high calling, however, comes with a high level of responsibility: As a pastor places his confidence in the Gospel’s power, the task of proclamation must be his chief concern. In the Pastor’s Study, we present a collection of sermons designed to help and encourage the Gospel-centered pastor as he evangelizes faithfully and establishes believers in the sound doctrine essential to spiritual growth.
Volume four of this series addresses the value of evangelistic preaching for the modern pulpit. Drawing on biblical figures, personal experience, and known theologians, Alistair Begg explores the merits of biblical preaching that draws listeners to Christ. When pastors and congregations depend on God for strength and victory, His word is proclaimed and His name glorified.
Other messages in: The Pastor's Study, Volume 5
Martyn Lloyd-Jones once said that "the work of preaching is the highest and greatest and most glorious calling to which anyone can ever be called." Such a high calling, however, comes with a high level of responsibility: As a pastor places his confidence in the Gospel’s power, the task of proclamation must be his chief concern. In the Pastor’s Study, we present a collection of sermons designed to help and encourage the Gospel-centered pastor as he evangelizes faithfully and establishes believers in the sound doctrine essential to spiritual growth.
In volume five of this series, Alistair Begg explores the Gospel’s central role in the pastor’s preaching ministry. If a preacher isn’t watchful, his pulpit can easily become a platform for chasing fame or sharing worldly wisdom that leaves the hearer without real hope. Only the Good News of God’s grace can truly kindle belief in the lost and ignite the Church for its holy mission.
Other messages in: The Pastor's Study, Volume 6
Martyn Lloyd-Jones once said that "the work of preaching is the highest and greatest and most glorious calling to which anyone can ever be called." Such a high calling, however, comes with a high level of responsibility: As a pastor places his confidence in the Gospel’s power, the task of proclamation must be his chief concern. In the Pastor’s Study, we present a collection of sermons designed to help and encourage the Gospel-centered pastor as he evangelizes faithfully and establishes believers in the sound doctrine essential to spiritual growth.
In volume six of this series, Alistair Begg examines the Bible’s instruction on pastoral priorities. Scripture teaches that the pastor must give himself wholeheartedly to the preaching of the Gospel—a duty built on prayer and personal holiness. With this priority in view, pastors can equip their congregations in the confidence that God Himself empowers their work.
Other messages in: The Pastor's Study, Volume 7
Martyn Lloyd-Jones once said that "the work of preaching is the highest and greatest and most glorious calling to which anyone can ever be called." Such a high calling, however, comes with a high level of responsibility: As a pastor places his confidence in the Gospel’s power, the task of proclamation must be his chief concern. In the Pastor’s Study, we present a collection of sermons designed to help and encourage the Gospel-centered pastor as he evangelizes faithfully and establishes believers in the sound doctrine essential to spiritual growth.
In volume seven of this series, Alistair Begg emphasizes the sufficiency of Scripture in the pastor’s work. When pastors compromise the Bible’s truths or doubt its power, their ministry crumbles: God’s Word must be preached faithfully, regardless of the cultural climate. Pastors will be strengthened by these messages as they fulfill their callings and faithfully exposit Scripture.
