Distractions To The Work

- Think of some of our distractions

- Distractions effect our work

Example

- Driving we slow at a Gaper Delay

- Internet – Go down bunny trails

- Against Joseph, Potiphar's Wife – Ge 39:7-20

- Against Moses, Korah – Nu. 16:3, 13

- Against Elijah, Ahab – 1 Ki 18:17-18

- Against Jesus, Trial – Mt 26:59-61

- Against Paul & Silas – Ac 16:20-21

- Churches get distracted from doing what God wants them to do

- Nehemiah had is distracters – Neh 6

Distracted by Deception – v.1-4

- Deception of Sanballat & Geshem – v.2

- Joshua & Gibeon – Jos. 9:3-13

- Both groups wanted to be friends

- Nehemiah's focus – v.3

Distracted By Threats – v.5-9

- Open letter to the King

- Yield by arm twisting

Distracted By Fear – v.10-14

- Assassins at work

Nehemiah actions

• Nehemiah denied the rumor

• Nehemiah Prayed

• Nehemiah stayed at the work

• Wall was finished in 52 days - v. 15

How Nehemiah Dealt with the Problems -- And how we must as well:

A. He kept working!

He had his answer right there in front of him; when they asked him to meet on the plains of Ono, the answer was simple: “O no!”

1.) His Priorities were right.

“What we are doing here is a great work, because it is God’s work!”

2.) His Insight was wise.

3.) He understood their real motive -v.3

- They were out to get him

4.) Threats Were Fear-Inducing

- Nehemiah had stood before the King

- Ch. 2:4

- Once again he prays for strength – 6:9

- He can't do it alone.

- v.14 - He trusted God

A concert violinist who was asked the secret of her mastery of the instrument. This is what she said, “There are many things that used to demand my time. When I went to my room after breakfast, I made my bed, straightened the room, dusted, and did whatever seemed necessary. When I finished my work, I turned to my violin practice. That system prevented me from accomplishing what I should on the violin. So I reversed things. I deliberately planned to neglect everything else until my practice period was complete. And that program of planned neglect is the secret to my success.”

- Give Christ first place

Joshua 1:8 (AV)

8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.