Building Faith and Walls: Lessons from Nehemiah

Today’s gathering was a call to rebuild—both within ourselves and in the world around us. The journey began with a reminder of the vital ministry of Prison Fellowship, inviting us to pray, give, or even go and serve those behind bars, echoing the truth that no one is beyond God’s reach. We are the body of Christ, and part of our body is waiting for hope and love to be brought into dark places.

The heart of the message centered on the story of Nehemiah, a man who was not a builder by trade but a cupbearer, yet God used him to restore the broken walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah’s journey began not with action, but with a burden—a heart broken for what was broken. Before he lifted a stone, he knelt in prayer, confessing, interceding, and seeking God’s favor. This is where true faith is born: in the quiet moments when God stirs our hearts with compassion, conviction, or holy dissatisfaction.

Nehemiah’s story teaches that faith moves from prayer to purpose. He didn’t just pray; he acted, rallying others to join in the work. Yet, as soon as the rebuilding began, opposition arose. Nehemiah and his people faced ridicule and threats, but they responded not with argument, but with perseverance—praying, posting guards, and continuing the work with a sword in one hand and a trowel in the other. The wall was rebuilt in just 52 days, a testament to faith, unity, and perseverance.

This is a picture of the church: each person has a section of the wall to repair, whether through prayer, service, teaching, or guarding. When we stop competing and start collaborating, the kingdom advances. Building faith is like laying bricks—one layer at a time, often in obscurity, but always with purpose. Jesus promised, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail.” Every act of faith, every prayer, every step of obedience adds another brick to God’s kingdom.

The invitation is clear: What is God asking you to rebuild? Is it your prayer life, your family, your faith, or unity? The same God who strengthened Nehemiah’s hands will strengthen yours. Pick up your trowel of faith and your sword of the Spirit, and let’s build together.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Faith Begins with a Burden: True faith is not born out of mere activity, but from a heart that is moved by what breaks God’s heart. Nehemiah wept and prayed before he ever lifted a stone, showing us that spiritual renewal starts with honest prayer and a willingness to let God’s concerns become our own. When we allow ourselves to be stirred by compassion or holy dissatisfaction, we open the door for God to move through us. [64:40]
• 2. Prayer Precedes Purpose: Before any outward building can happen, there must be an inward rebuilding through prayer. Nehemiah’s first response to brokenness was to confess, intercede, and seek God’s favor. Revival and renewal in our lives and communities begin when we kneel before God and ask Him to break our hearts for what breaks His. [68:40]
• 3. Faith Requires Action and Responsibility: It is not enough to pray for change; faith compels us to rise up and build. Nehemiah moved from prayer to purposeful action, taking responsibility for the work God placed before him. Sometimes we wait for God to fix things He’s already called us to address, reminding us that faith without works is incomplete. [69:22]
• 4. Opposition is Inevitable, Perseverance is Essential: Whenever we step out to build or rebuild, we should expect resistance. Nehemiah faced ridicule and threats, but he did not argue with his critics; instead, he kept stacking stones, prayed, and posted guards. Faith is strengthened, not diminished, in the face of opposition, and perseverance through trials produces maturity and completeness. [70:48]
• 5. Building Together Advances the Kingdom: The work of restoration is not a solo endeavor. Just as every family, priest, and merchant took a section of the wall, so too does each member of the church have a unique role. When we collaborate rather than compete, the walls rise, and the kingdom of God is built one faithful act at a time. [01:12:16]
  ** [72:16]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [52:46] - How to Support Prison Fellowship
• [53:25] - The Body of Christ Behind Bars
• [54:02] - Invitation to Get Involved
• [55:03] - Church’s Commitment to Prison Ministry
• [56:18] - Introduction of Guest Speaker
• [57:16] - The Builder’s Tools: Sword and Trowel
• [58:40] - Personal Story: Building a Wall
• [63:22] - Everyone Has a Wall to Build
• [64:03] - Nehemiah’s Burden and Prayer
• [66:02] - Faith Catches Fire: The People Respond
• [67:21] - Opposition and Perseverance
• [72:16] - Building Together as the Church
• [74:58] - Building Spiritual Walls
• [76:18] - God’s Call to Rebuild
• [77:31] - Invitation to Salvation
• [80:12] - Worship and Declaration of Faith

Bible Reading

Nehemiah 1:1-11 (ESV) — > The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the citadel, that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.” As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned. We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses. Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’ They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” Now I was cupbearer to the king.

Nehemiah 4:1-9 (ESV) — > Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews. And he said in the presence of his brothers and of the army of Samaria, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burned ones at that?” Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Yes, what they are building—if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!” Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. Do not cover their guilt, and let not their sin be blotted out from your sight, for they have provoked you to anger in the presence of the builders. So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and that the breaches were beginning to be closed, they were very angry. And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.

James 1:2-4 (ESV) — > Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Observation Questions

1. What was Nehemiah’s first response when he heard about the broken walls of Jerusalem? ([01:04:03])
2. According to the sermon, what did Nehemiah do before he started rebuilding the wall? ([01:04:40])
3. What kind of opposition did Nehemiah and the people face as they began to rebuild? ([01:10:10])
4. In the story, what roles did different people play in rebuilding the wall? ([01:12:16])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Nehemiah’s journey began with a burden and prayer rather than immediate action? What does this reveal about the foundation of faith? ([01:04:40])
2. The sermon says, “Faith without action is just good intention.” How does Nehemiah’s story challenge the idea that prayer alone is enough? ([01:09:22])
3. When opposition came, Nehemiah didn’t argue but kept working and praying. What does this teach about handling criticism or resistance in our own lives? ([01:10:48])
4. The sermon describes the rebuilding as a team effort, with everyone taking a section of the wall. What does this suggest about the way God wants the church to function? ([01:12:16])

Application Questions

1. The sermon asks, “What is God asking you to rebuild?” Is there an area in your life—prayer, family, faith, or unity—that feels broken or neglected? What is one step you could take this week to begin rebuilding? ([01:14:58])
2. Nehemiah’s heart was broken for what was broken. Is there something in your community, church, or world that breaks your heart? How might God be calling you to respond? ([01:04:40])
3. Before Nehemiah acted, he prayed and confessed. How is your prayer life right now? Is there a specific way you need to rebuild your connection with God before taking action? ([01:08:40])
4. The people faced ridicule and threats but kept building. Can you think of a time when you faced opposition while trying to do something good or right? How did you respond, and what would you do differently now? ([01:10:48])
5. The sermon says, “When we stop competing and start collaborating, the kingdom advances.” Are there ways you can better work together with others in your church or family instead of trying to do things alone? ([01:12:16])
6. The image of building with a trowel in one hand and a sword in the other is powerful. What does it look like for you to balance working for God and standing firm in faith at the same time? ([57:16])
7. The message ended with an invitation to pick up your “trowel of faith and sword of the Spirit.” What practical action can you take this week to build up your faith or serve others, even if it feels small or unseen? ([01:16:18])