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“such
a man as i”
TEXT: Neh 6:11 And I said,
Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being
as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? I will
not go in.
BIBLE READING:
Neh 6:1 - 15
INTRODUCTION:
It has always stood out to
me in reading about great men, that they all held a certain
type of belief concerning their actions and conduct. The
common thread between all of them has been one of a sense of
purpose, principle and prestige.
Nehemiah is just such a
man. When you begin to read about this man’s life it is
easy to see these three qualities propelling him on to great
heights. Though he faced great trials, tribulation and at
times out right oppression he never wavered from his
calling. He stood his ground, dug in his heels, rolled up
his sleeves and went to work rebuilding what sin had torn
down. We all can learn a lesson from this great man of God.
I. HIS PURPOSE:
A.
Our text finds our hero stating “Shall such a man
as I flee?” or in other words can someone like me run? Why?
1. Sanbalad had bribed Shemaiah the son of Delaiah to
council Nehemiah to run into the sanctuary of God’s house
and shut the door for protection.
a. This young man was a son of the High Priest and
claimed to be a prophet.
1. There are many of these so called son’s of the
prophets that are out there to tell us we need to run that
we can not stand up to sin and win
a. The purpose of this man was to get Nehemiah to
abandon his post, leave the people without their leader when
the enemy attacked and put his government to an end.
1. But Nehemiah said “Shall such a man as I flee?
a. He knew he had a purpose which went above and beyond that
of natural men.
1. They build for their own comfort – but he was
building for God.
a. He remembered what he felt like when he first
heard about the condition of Jerusalem and God’s people.
i. How he wept – how he prayed – even begged God to
take away their reproach.
a. He also remembered the joy that filled his heart when God
said “Go, build the walls of Jerusalem”
ii. He had a purpose!
a. Often the devil come along sending his imps and
emissaries to try to get you to come down off of your walls
(your work for God)
i. But if you have a strong sense of purpose – you
will not come down.
i. Neh 1:4 And it came to pass, when I heard these
words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days,
and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,
a. He sat down and wept – he thought about the
situation.
i. This only brought a sense of dread and fear
a. He prayed – talked to God about it
i. This brought a sense of purpose.
i. God wants this more than I do.
1. We want a church here in our local city but God
wants it even more.
a. People can call and say “Take a night off, lets go do
this or that” but we know “This is God’s house and we’re
doing a great work”
1. Shall such a man as I flee? I’m a person of
conviction and purpose – a man sold out to God’s will and
God’s work – there is nowhere else I want to be – there is
nothing else I want to do.
a. Purpose gives us a reason why
i. A man working to provide for his family or to pay
for his sick son’s medical expenses works harder than a man
trying to get money to party on Friday night.
a. Man needs a purpose – a noble purpose to bring out the
very best in his abilities.
II. HIS PRINCIPLES:
B. Principles are “rules for conduct”. While purpose gives
us a reason for working principles govern the way that we
work.
1. A drug dealer can work very hard at his trade to provide
for his family – but a man of principles would not allow
himself to sink to this means of income.
a. Principles are internal standards – their morals –
ethics…. And they govern how we live our life.
1. Nehemiah would not run to preserve his own life while his
brethren were in danger of theirs. His principles would not
allow this.
a. It was this same internal compass which kept Uriah
from being able to enjoy a night of pleasure with Bathsheba
while God’s army was out on the battle field.
a. It’s this same principle in men and women like
us! Can such a man as I sit at home while souls are dying
and going to hell?
a. Can such a man as I allow my brothers and sisters
to go to war for God while I sit home?
1. No! my principles will not allow this.
B. People who simply work for purpose will cut any
corner to get the job done – sacrificing quality and safety
to accomplish their goal. People who mix purpose with
principle will not half step or seek short cuts that cost in
these areas.
1. Principles are like the needle on a compass they
keep people going in the right direction.
a. Principles keep our relationships right with each
other
a. Principles keep our motives right
b. Principles keep us thinking right, talking right,
acting right.
1. Can such a man as I – a Christian – a child of a
King – a Man of God – sin against my principles and run from
my responsibilities?
II. HIS POSITION;
B. He was a leader!
1. A child of a King is a prince or a princess – they
are royalty.
a .How can a man such as I live like a pauper? Or a
peasant?
1. King’s don’t run from their enemy! And neither do
their children.
a. The greatest kings of history, those that are
remembered are those who stood and fought.
i. I have a position to maintain. People are
watching to see what I do!
1. Nehemiah knew that to run meant sending a signal
to the people that he did not have confidence in their
purpose. That he did not trust or believe that God was
truly on their side.
a. Shall such a man as I run to Master Card or Visa in the
face of my enemies in light of my position?
1. Shall I tell people by my actions that I don’t
believe that God will supply all of my needs according to
his riches in glory?
1. We have a responsibility to the position we are in
– and the more responsibility we are given – the more grace
that has been bestowed the more we must be mindful of our
position and it’s importance.
CONCLUSION:
Because he was such a man Nehemiah was entrusted with such
an important job and it was because he was such a man that
he held to his purpose, principles and position and it is
because he was such a man that we read Neh 6:15 So the wall
was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul,
in fifty and two days.
And it was because he was such a man that we also read:
Neh 6:16 And it came to
pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the
heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much
cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this
work was wrought of our God.
By adhering to his
purpose, principles and position he actually discouraged his
enemies and proved that his mission was truly sanctified and
ordained of God.
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