There Came A Man
By Senior Pastor Dr. Bill Rains | January 18, 2026
Father, thank You for this tremendous book on rebuilding. Thank You for the sick, the struggling, the weather-battered. Help the unsaved come to Christ today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
On January 18, 2026, Pastor Bill Rains continues the 2026 theme “The Need For Nehemiahs” with a stirring message titled “There Came A Man” from Nehemiah 2:1–20. From luxury in Persia’s palace to broken walls in Jerusalem—Nehemiah hears the report, weeps, prays, and petitions the king. God grants favor “according to the good hand of my God upon me.” Enemies grieve: “There came a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.” The world, families, wives, children need men (and women) like Nehemiah—exceptional, burdened, prayerful, purposeful, powerful—concerned enough to do something.
1. Nehemiah was an Exceptional Man
Nehemiah stood out. He was not “just another guy in the woods.” He was exceptional because he was:
- A man of prayer — He prayed to a great God, acknowledged His mercy, confessed sin (his and the nation’s), and claimed promises (Neh. 1:4–11). Pastor Rains: “He’s a man of prayer to a great God.”
- A man of purpose — He decided before leaving the king: “I will rebuild.” God put the burden in his heart. “Concerned enough to do something.”
- A man of power — The king granted letters, timber, protection—“according to the good hand of my God upon me.” Pastor Rains: “There’s nothing like the hand of God on your life.” He testifies: “I could be nothing without God. I’m amazed how He answers prayer.”
When a man has God’s hand on him, he becomes exceptional—and the devil notices.
2. Nehemiah Made Some Enemies
As soon as Nehemiah surrendered to God’s call and received the king’s favor, enemies appeared. Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite “grieved exceedingly that there came a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.” Their first attack: laughter, scorn, ridicule, false accusation (“Will you rebel against the king?”). Pastor Rains: “You make enemies when you get God’s hand on you.” The devil attacks the mind first—scorn, doubt, resistance. “The battlefield of the devil is the human mind.” But Nehemiah pressed on. Enemies grieve when a man arrives to rebuild.
3. Nehemiah Had Exemplary Co-workers
Nehemiah shared the vision: “The hand of my God… the king’s words.” The people answered: “Let us rise up and build.” They strengthened their hands for the good work. Pastor Rains: “I’m thankful for every co-worker—Danny, Cynthia’s mom, Wayne, so many who cared enough to do something.” Rebuilding takes teamwork. “Let us rise up and build.” The church’s victories—souls saved, lives rebuilt—are not because of one man, but because God put His hand on many who said, “I want in on what God’s doing.”
There came a man—
exceptional in prayer, purpose, and power.
He made enemies—but he also raised co-workers.
The walls are broken.
Will you rise up and build?
Pastor Rains closes: “Love the little ones. Hound the teens. Do something the world can’t do.” In a world of broken walls, God needs men (and women) like Nehemiah. Will you answer?
