Dream Team Series

They are remembered forever for their failure.

And it is a lesson to us as well…

God records the goof-offs.

So we must remember that pride is a cruel enemy.

It inflates our self-importance, makes holiness impossible and, thus, we are unable to fulfill God’s plan for us.

VI. The sixth approach is RESPONSIBILITY.

[28] Above the Horse Gate the priests repaired, each one opposite his own house. [29] After them Zadok the son of Immer repaired opposite his own house… [30] …After him Meshullam the son of Berechiah repaired opposite his chamber.

Work is done by those that are determined to give their best.

Nehemiah made assignments wisely.

He encouraged people to work opposite of their residences.

Interestingly, it was an opportunity to protect ones’ own reputation.

Their work would have a direct impact on their own homes, so it had better be good.

No one would want his or her present work to bring future embarrassment.

Sometimes, our search for a ministry opportunity is not so far away.

It is the wall right in front of our homes.

It is the people that God has already brought into our life.

It is our family.

It is the people we live around.

It is the people that we work with or go to school with.

So be careful not to be looking elsewhere when the wall in front of you is in disrepair.

Be responsible for what God has already given you to do.

VII. The seventh approach is INTENSITY.

[20] Next to him, Baruch son of Zabbai zealously repaired another section, from the angle to the entrance of the house of Eliashib the high priest. (NIV)

[27] After him the Tekoites repaired another section opposite the great projecting tower as far as the wall of Ophel.

Now note that the…

Work is finished by those that are willing to go the extra mile.

In this chapter, we see that Meremoth, Meshullam and the Tekoans all finished one part of the wall.

What they didn’t do at this point was brush off their hands and clothes and say, “We’re done.”

No, they looked for more opportunity.

They were eager to do God’s work and went the second mile.

In verse 20, Baruch is also mentioned as one that is zealous to accomplish the building of the wall.

He was enthusiastic.

He was on fire.

As many of you know, I coach soccer.

My latest assignment by the Amherst Soccer Association is a travel team of 13 and 14 year old girls.

The characteristic that I value the most in a soccer player is not skill.

It is passion.

I will pick passion over skill every time in soccer.

Let me switch categories for a second.

Imagine for a moment, men especially, when you asked your future wife that special question.

You asked, “Will you marry me?”

And, of course, you are looking for that passionate and enthusiastic answer of “Yes.”

Yet, what you hear is “Maybe.”

Wait a second, that’s sound vaguely familiar.

Perhaps I should move on…

Let me tell you this…

The church still needs people with passion of every age.

The church is looking for people that look to see what needs to be done and are willing to put feet on it.

The church needs people that will not settle for what has been, but for what needs to be!