INTRODUCTION:

 Nehemiah was certainly a valiant man of God.  His character and conduct serve as examples for all to 
 imitate.
B. A thorough study of Nehemiah will challenge and encourage Christians to utilize their talents in service to  God.
C. Let us observe some of the things that made Nehemiah valiant.

DISCUSSION:  VALIANT CHARACTERISTICS OF NEHEMIAH.

I. NEHEMIAH WAS VALIANT BECAUSE OF HIS COMPASSION (Nehemiah 1:1-2:8).

 A. He was concerned about his brethren (1:1-3).
 B. He carried his concern to God (1:4-11; 2:4).
  1. His prayer was sincere (1:4).
  2. His prayer stressed the covenant of Jehovah (1:5).
  3. His prayer showed his disdain for sin (1:6,7).
  4. His prayer signified an understanding of repentance and redemption (1:8-11).
 C. His concern was seen in his face (2:1-4).
 D. His concern caused him to volunteer to become active in their behalf (2:5-8).

II. NEHEMIAH WAS VALIANT BECAUSE OF HIS COMPETENCE (Nehemiah 2:9-16).

 A. He acted under the protection of authority (2:9,10).
 B. He acted prudently (2:11-16).
 
III. NEHEMIAH WAS VALIANT BECAUSE OF HIS COMMUNICATION SKILLS   (Nehemiah 2:17-20).
 
 A. He informed the people of their present situation (2:17).
 B. He informed the people of the powers they had on their side (2:18).
 C. He informed the people of the preciousness of unity (2:17,18,20). 
 D. He informed the enemy of the prosperity available to  God's people (2:19,20).
IV. NEHEMIAH WAS VALIANT BECAUSE OF THE CREDIT HE GAVE TO OTHERS    (Nehemiah 3:1-4:6).

 A. He gave honor to whom honor was due (3:1-32; 4:6).
 B. He gave blame to whom blame was due (3:5; 4:1-5).

V. NEHEMIAH WAS VALIANT BECAUSE OF HIS COURAGE (Nehemiah 4:7- 6:19).
 A. He had the courage to stand against the enemy (4:7-23).
  1. His courage came from knowing that God would protect them (4:9,14,15,20).
  2. His courage came from the willingness of the people to perform the work (4:15-23).
 B. He had the courage to stand against his brethren (5:1-19).
  1. He despised the mistreatment of his brethren (5:1-13).
  2. He dedicated himself to walking in the fear of God (5:9,15).
  3. He demonstrated his reliance upon Jehovah (5:14-19).
 C. He had the courage to say, "no," and really mean it (6:1-19).
  1. The enemy was subtle (6:2), persistent (6:4), intimidating (6:5-7), and working from    within (6:17-19).
  2. Nehemiah showed discernment (6:2), industry (6:3), determination (6:4), courage (6:8),    reliance on Jehovah (6:9), and a knowledge of the Bible (6:10-14).
VI. NEHEMIAH WAS VALIANT BECAUSE HE COUNTED ON OTHERS TO DO THEIR PART  (Nehemiah 7:1-12:47).

 A. He delegated authority (7:1-4).
 B. He demonstrated obedience to Jehovah (7:5-73).
 C. He deferred to those who were able to do the necessary work (8:1-12:47).
  1. They were guided by God's law (8:1-9:37).
  2. They guaranteed their loyalty to God with a covenant (10:1-39).
  3. They gathered sufficient numbers to live in Jerusalem (11:1-36).
  4. They gave thanks to God (12:1-47).
VII. NEHEMIAH WAS VALIANT BECAUSE HE WAS WILLING TO MAKE CORRECTIONS 
 (Nehemiah 13:1-30).

 A. The corrections were based on God's law (13:1).
 B. He made corrections concerning those who could enter the assembly (13:1-3).
 C. He made corrections concerning the courts of the house of God (13:4-9).
 D. He made corrections concerning the portions of the Levites (13:10-14).
 E. He made corrections concerning the Sabbath (13:15-22).
 F. He made corrections concerning marriage (13:23-27).
G. He made corrections that would honor the priesthood (13:28-31).

CONCLUSION: 

A. Nehemiah is a great Old Testament example of a valiant man.
B. Let us encourage all men to imitate the good characteristics of Nehemiah.
 Today, one needs to obey the gospel plan of salvation and grow as a faithful Christian in order to be 
 valiant.
 1. Ephesians 6:10-20.
 2. II Peter 1-3.
 
 

         James Rogers
         82231 Sharp Road
         Powell, TN 37849