Intro: The world often disregards the church today. They do the same that Sanballat and Tobiah did here in Nehemiah they say if God loves you so much why are you such a mess. Our church answer is we are forgiven not perfect. The world often disregards us because we focus so much on what is wrong instead of putting our energy and effectiveness into what will make it possible for us to be intentional in service, relational in our missions, and effective in our ministry.
The church the people of God was never meant to be a place for perfect people to look down their noses at others. It is instead a place for us to experience God in a community of security, protection, faith and brotherhood. Nehemiah had a burden to this place for the people so that the disgrace upon God’s name would be removed. Nehemiah 2.17 (Read)
Sam Ewing, “Hard work spotlights the character of people; some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don’t turn up at all.”
Nehemiah 4.6 “So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.” NIV
“So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.” NKJV
I. Work for the Glory of God (Read Nehemiah 2.17)
The bedrock foundation of everything we do is the glory of God. We praise personally, give sacrificially, live missionally for the glory of God!!
1Corinthians 10:31 “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
A) Do everything you do with excellence (Church facility)
B) Do everything you do with energy (Psalm 150)
C) Do everything you do with enthusiasm
Not because everything is enjoyable but because your Heavenly Father is watching you.
The word glory comes to us from the Bible from a few different Hebrew and Greek words that mean weight, worth, value, brilliance. Paul’s prayer for His ministry was not that he could give glory to God but that people from all nations would realize the beauty, value, heavy worth of Jesus Christ and that His name would become known in all the earth. Those of you that have come to know Jesus personally know what I talk about. You wouldn’t take anything to give up the value of your prayer and communion with Jesus. He is worth sacrifices, He is worth struggles, He is worth being disliked, underappreciated, misunderstood and mistreated. We recognize God’s glory by loving someone who has no family, by helping single mothers and homeless. We recognize God’s glory by serving in the food pantry, by accepting His call to foster ministry, but giving gifts to prisoners families, by supporting ministries used of God to introduce people to Jesus. That is the worship of work!! You work becomes worship when it recognizes God’s greatness, His beauty and value. That is what Nehemiah was able to lead the people of Jerusalem to do recognize God’s value. They did it because Nehemiah encouraged them that God was with them.
II. Work there is a need for workers (If God placed a burden on you it is for you to work for Him)
John 4.35 "Don't you say, 'There are still four more months, then comes the harvest'? Listen [to what] I'm telling you: Open your eyes and look at the fields, for they are ready for harvest.”
Every day I deal with people with broken lives and burned dreams. God has us positioned in a city if we open our eyes there will be a great harvest.
A) Leaders set the example (Nehemiah 3.1)
B) Some people refuse to work (Nehemiah 3.5)
Some people are not willing to stoop to Jesus’ level of the servant. The nobles didn’t want to get up and help. They were above getting their fingers dirty. They were above putting messages on the sign. They were above picking up trash from around the city and off the pews.
Matthew 23.12, 1 Peter 5.6, James 4.10
Jesus came to serve to prove the devil wrong. We come and serve each other and the city of Carlisle to provide evidence that Jesus is real and true!!
C) Some people do more work than others (Nehemiah 3.11, 19, 24, 27, 30)
Jesus gave us all the example of going the second mile, doing more than we are asked. That will never come from the heart of the proud. Second milers go beyond what they are asked because they do their work as unto Jesus Christ.
D) Some people work harder (3.20)
Baruch is the only worker recorded as working earnestly. The Hebrew word means to glow or burn. Baruch burned some energy for the people and city of Jerusalem because He was doing it for a faithful God. God has given you the breath in your lungs and the mitochondria in your cells. Burn some energy for His kingdom. “I just don’t know where I belong.” Come ask me, ask Shane, James, Larry, Donnie we will downright tell you where we need help.
Ecclesiastes 9.10 “Whatever you hand finds to do, do it will all you might.” Love God with all your might, love people with all your might.
E) Some people take the dirty jobs (Nehemiah 3.14)
III. Work there is a job for you
The fact that Nehemiah recorded the names of the people in Jerusalem makes it clear that each person has a job and each person is important. I believe that Nehemiah kept these folks name in his journal so that he could pray for them.
This chapter mentions rulers and priests, men and women, professional craftsmen, and people from outside the city. There is a place and a job for everyone who knows Jesus and each one of us will have to take up our place if the city of God is to be built in Carlisle.
IV. Work God rewards based on what you do (not what you say you do)
God takes note of our life and work for him. He writes down what we are doing in His book. Not only are our days and hair numbered but our work for His kingdom is written down. Why?
First, we were created in Christ Jesus unto good works. We are created in Christ Jesus to be involved in building the body of Christ and involvement in the lives of lost people. Second they are written down in order to reward us based on our works.
Revelation 22.12 “Yes, I'm on my way! I'll be there soon! I'm bringing my payroll with me. I'll pay all people in full for their life's work. I'm A to Z, the First and the Final, Beginning and Conclusion.” The Message
What is your life’s work based on?
Romans 3.23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Payday is not going to go well for many. Jesus is coming soon and bringing His payroll with Him. That is why we are to be used of God to build the city of God in the city of Carlisle. It involves a lot of work and sacrifice. It involves a willingness to allow God to pour you life out for His glory.
1Corinthians 15.58 “Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord's work, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
What are the signs of ignoring God’s call to work?
A) Laziness
B) Apathy
C) Ineffectiveness
What are the results of obeying God’s call?
A) Unity behind the same purpose and vision
B) A sense of community from the shared work
C) Effectiveness in the mission
Conclusion: Supermom. Sometimes this mentality appears in the church. Pastor(s) lay leaders are expected to carry impossible burdens and meet impractical schedules. The work of the Church for building God’s kingdom is meant to be a joyful experience for every member of the body.
God enlists, enables, and encourages us all to fulfill a specific role in the life of this church and city. If you don’t join in you become the one who misses out on the joy fulfillment of the work.
If we seek to please God and delight in Him we will find joy in sharing together the task of building the city of God. This is how we work together to lift up the value and worth of Jesus and pray and work for others in this church and city to recognize His great worth and beauty. There are not Super Saints, only ordinary saints citizens of Heaven by the Supernatural work and grace of God!!
