TO CHANGE MY LEGACY, I MUST:
ASSESS THE DAMAGE QUIETLY
11 So I arrived in Jerusalem. Three days later, 12 I slipped out during the night, taking only a few others with me. I had not told anyone about the plans God had put in my heart for Jerusalem. We took no pack animals with us except the donkey I was riding. 13 After dark I went out through the Valley Gate, past the Jackal’s Well, and over to the Dung Gate to inspect the broken walls and burned gates. 14 Then I went to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but my donkey couldn’t get through the rubble. 15 So, though it was still dark, I went up the Kidron Valley instead, inspecting the wall before I turned back and entered again at the Valley Gate. NEHEMIAH 2:11-15 NLT
16 The city officials did not know I had been out there or what I was doing, for I had not yet said anything to anyone about my plans. I had not yet spoken to the Jewish leaders—the priests, the nobles, the officials, or anyone else in the administration. NEHEMIAH 2:16 NLT
Men, before you can build anything that lasts you have to look at what’s broken.
OWN THE PROBLEM PERSONALLY
17 But now I said to them, “You know very well what trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire. NEHEMIAH 2:17 NLT
“You are not a failure until you start blaming others for your mistakes.” Coach John Wooden
“And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? 4 How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye. MATTHEW 7:3-5 NLT
Owning the problem begins by asking:
- What’s my part?
- What might I be missing?
- Where might they be right?
- Who could I ask to help me see a potential blind spot?
SURROUND MYSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO WILL HELP ME CHANGE
17 Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and end this disgrace!” 18 Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me, and about my conversation with the king. They replied at once, “Yes, let’s rebuild the wall!” So they began the good work. NEHEMIAH 2:17-18 NLT
Real change comes when I:
- Get clear about my vision for the future
- Own my past without blaming others
- Start small, but stay consistent
TRUST GOD AND STAND FIRM AGAINST OPPOSITION
More than half the battle is not giving up.
19 But when Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem the Arab heard of our plan, they scoffed contemptuously. “What are you doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” they asked. NEHEMIAH 2:19 NLT
20 I replied, “The God of heaven will help us succeed. We, his servants, will start rebuilding this wall. But you have no share, legal right, or historic claim in Jerusalem.” NEHEMIAH 2:20 NLT
Five barriers to manhood:
- The man-up mask
- Father wounds
- Blame game
- Addiction
- Immaturity
My Notes
Discussion Questions
Use the following questions to reflect on the sermon. Choose a couple from each section to discuss as a group:
- START HERE: When you hear the phrase “changing your legacy,” what comes to mind? Whose life has left a positive impact on yours or on others you know? Why?
- KEEP GOING: Is there an area of your life that feels unfinished, broken, or in need of attention? What would help you face that honestly?
- KEEP GOING: Read Nehemiah 2:11-16 NLT. Nehemiah quietly assessed the damage before making a move. Why would he take time to look carefully before taking action? Is there anything “broken” in your life that you avoid looking at because it’s uncomfortable or overwhelming?
- KEEP GOING: Read Matthew 7:3-5 NLT. When it comes to owning a problem, which of these questions is hardest for you to ask: “What’s my part?”, “What might I be missing?”, “Where might they be right?”, or “Who could help me see a blind spot?” Why?
- KEEP GOING: Read Nehemiah 2:17-18 NLT. Nehemiah didn’t try to rebuild alone. Who in your life helps you grow, tells you the truth, and encourages you to keep going? How do you need continued support or more accountability?
- KEEP GOING: Read Nehemiah 2:19-20 NLT. Opposition came as soon as the work began. What kind of resistance tends to discourage you most—criticism, fear, failure, temptation, old wounds, or something else? How can trusting God help you stand firm instead of giving up?
- LIVE IT OUT: Thinking about your future legacy, what’s one area God is inviting you to rebuild or change? What small, consistent step can you take this week, and who will you invite into that process with you?
