It took William Wilberforce forty-five years of struggle, ridicule and lost votes to bring down the slave trade, even though his cause was plainly right. This sermon takes us to the walls of Jerusalem, where Nehemiah rebuilds the city despite the mockery, threats and schemes of his enemies (Nehemiah 4-6). His answer, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down”, becomes a lesson for anyone rebuilding a life, a marriage or a relationship with God while being told it is not worth it. Listen and learn how to defend the good work you have begun.
Discussion questions
For your small group or for personal reflection after the sermon.
- What obstacles did Nehemiah face while rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem in chapters 4-6, and how did the threats from outside differ from the problems within the people?
- Why was the exploitation of the poor by wealthy Jews in Nehemiah 5 such a serious problem, and what does it reveal about how far the people had drifted from respect for God's law?
- Nehemiah had people work with a tool in one hand and a weapon in the other. What in your spiritual life needs not only building today, but also protecting?
- Nehemiah's answer was: I am doing a great work and cannot come down. What distractions, pressures or false accusations most often pull you away from what God has entrusted to you?
- The wall was finished in 52 days without spectacular miracles, yet the surrounding nations recognized that God had done it. How do you recognize God's hand in ordinary, faithful everyday life?
- What good work in your life, such as your relationship with God, your marriage, family or job, needs perseverance this week, and what concrete step can you take so you don't give it up?
