"A few Good People"
Chico Alliance Church
REVIEW
Nehemiah's journal recounts a two phase restoration project. Phase one was to rebuild secure walls. Walls provide protection and purity from outside enemies Spiritual walls are constructed through obedience to the truth of Scripture.
Nehemiah has followed some carefully prayed over and planned out steps to bring about the completion of phase one in a miraculously short period of time in spite of severe opposition from all sides.
E. Nehemiah Restores the walls and gates 15-19
1. Chronology 52 days
2. Consequence
When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God. Nehemiah 6:16
3. Continued conflict 17-19
Sanballat was put in his place and hindered by the construction of the walls and gates but Tobiah had infiltrated by marriage. Many had become bound to protect him by oath. Because of those oaths people were blind to his true intents and character and even spoke good of him to Nehemiah when behind the scenes Tobiah was seeking to continue fear and intimidation. He had succeeded in acquiring a place of influence within the city and eventually a special place in the temple itself. When Satan runs into walls, he seeks other ways to continue his efforts to destroy and great fear.
INTRODUCTION
Often times when there is a great project and persecution, we are able to rally together and enthusiasm is high. Once the completed enterprise stands before us and the clobbered enemy lies behind us, we seem to relax and slide into mediocrity. We tend to let our guard down and rest on our past accomplishments while resisting anything new and different in the future.
This is a very dangerous time, and Nehemiah takes steps to keep things headed into the right direction and the ultimate objective found in Phase two. Phase one was to provide secure walls. Before we can draw near to God in worship, we must learn to resist the devil. We must have on our armour and raise our shield and wield our swords. Now Phase two will be to inspire sound worship.
To keep momentum going, Nehemiah first enlists some caretakers, and workers to begin preparations for revival. Then Nehemiah draws the people all together to remind them of their mutual heritage. Then we are ready for the official beginning of Phase two with the Water Gate revival in chapter eight.
God continually seeks faithful, God-fearing disciples.
How often in history have we experience a great revival only to see it disintegrate because there were no leaders to carry on the momentum. Nehemiah seeks to eliminate that problem by appointing some key workers to get on the job.
F. Nehemiah Establishes Security and Order 7:1-73
1. By Enlisting Workers
a) Gatekeepers
Now that the walls are restored there need to be those who will guard the gates. There was a need for continual alertness and a guard to keep watch who came into the city. It is a picture of continual alertness even though the walls are secure. How often we think that because I was reading Scripture yesterday or had a great victory last week that I can kick back and relax. We must be continually on alert to danger.
Nehemiah appoints guards and gives them specific instructions.
I said to them, "The gates of Jerusalem are not to be opened until the sun is hot. While the gatekeepers are still on duty, have them shut the doors and bar them. Also appoint residents of Jerusalem as guards, some at their posts and some near their own houses." Neh 7:3
We need those who are able to be watchman at our gates and warn us of danger and sound the alert. We need those who tell us when we are straying from the truth and wandering into dangerous territory. We have an obligation to warn of danger.
But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. Heb 3:13
"But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked man does, will he live? None of the righteous things he has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness he is guilty of and because of the sins he has committed, he will die. Eze 18:24
b) Singers
Nehemiah also appointed singers. These were those who inspired worship. Good music keep the soul pliable. It soothes and inspires. It was important enough that choirs were developed and commission to provide good music. They didn't have radio and concert halls in those days. Nehemiah knows that to prepare the heart for revival music must be given critical consideration.
c) Temple Trustees
The Levites were those who cared for the temple essentials. they were the temple trustees. they made sure that everything was prepared so that the priest could carry out their functions in the sacrifices and offerings.
d) Governors
If we were to name those characteristics most important in choosing a good leader, what wold they be? Nehemiah looked for two basic characteristics.
1--A faithful man
2--A man who fears God more than many
Nehemiah appoints his brother who had already demonstrate great faithfulness and concern by traveling all the way to Susa to report to Nehemiah the conditions in Jerusalem. Nehemiah chose Hananiah because he exhibited the necessary qualifications for leadership according to God.
(1) A faithful man
Faithfulness speaks of stability, firmness, support certainty, dependability.
Help, Lord, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men. Psa 12:1
Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find? Pro 20:6
Faithfulness is a condition of the heart that results in a firm steadfast walk that remains constant in spite of outside pressure.
"You are the Lord God, who chose Abram and brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans and named him Abraham. You found his heart faithful to you. Neh 9:7-8
An unfaithful person has a heart condition that causes them to falter or fail in the face of temporal opposition or a temporal opportunity to please the flesh. Psalm 78 chronicles Israel's continual unfaithfulness. Moses was instructed to choose men who fear God and are faithful. Paul told Timothy:
And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will also be qualified to teach others. 2Ti 2:2
A FAITHFUL MAN
fervently and consistently carries out assigned responsibilities no matter how small or large using his God-given resources to their full capacity.
...Without the need for continual controls or compliments
...In spite of the temptation for immediate temporal pleasure and fulfillment
...In spite of the trial of imminent temporal pain and failure.
He gave them these orders: "You must serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the Lord. 2Ch 19:9
Let us know reflect on each of the elements of this working definition of faithfulness.
1--fervently and consistently carries out assigned responsibilities.
Faithfulness is directly related to assigned responsibilities.
We are only considered faithful if we do what we were asked. If we do our own thing, we are faithful t our own desires not God's. It is not a matter of number of accomplishments or even the intensity of our zeal, but what did God ask us to do.
For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Rom 10:2
2--No matter how small or large
It does not matter how small or large the jobs may be.
"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? Luk 16:10-11
God wants us to demonstrate that we are concerned more about pleasing Him than pleasing ourselves. It pleases Him when we complete a task and demonstrate obedience with proper motives no matter how menial or small. We are often only satisfied when we are assigned a "meaningful" task.
3--Using our God-given resources to their fullest capacity.
We are expected to use our God-given resources to their fullest. God does not require what He does not grant.
Look at a very sobering Scripture passage Matthew 25:14-30, Parable of the Talents.
Consider John the Baptist's ministry success from a human viewpoint. Then consider the evaluation of Jesus Matt 11:11.
I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Mat 11:11
We have each been specially gifted by God to work in the church.
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1Pe 4:10-11
It is required that a servant be faithful not successful great.
4--Without the need for continual controls or compliments
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Gal 6:9-10
Slaves, in all tings obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Col 3:22-24
The faithful man works to please the Lord and expects the reward from Him at the evaluation seat. If there is earthly recognition it is appreciated but not demanded in order to continue on.
5--In spite of the temptation of immediate temporal pleasure and fulfillment
The faithful follower looks to the eternal goal ahead rather and avoids becoming sidetracked by the temporal or diverted by the desirable or incapacitated by the immediate.
The faithful follower imitates the heart of Moses.
By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. Heb 11:24-25
The unfaithful follower has a heart like Demas.
Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. 2Ti 4:10
The faithful follower is motivated by faith in a a God who has promised to reward those who seek Him not by the temporal perks of this world. The faithful follower is primarily concerned about laying up treasure in heaven not here on this earth. That is the basis of faith. The conviction that God is and that He rewards those who seek Him. The faithful man is a man of faith and conviction that it pays to follow God.
We have trouble today however with holding to convictions. Conviction is something I will follow and keep under great pressure to quit. In fact a deep level conviction is something I should be willing to die for. Many of us hold many preferences but few convictions.
Are we convinced that God will supply if I put Him first?
Why are we afraid to sacrifice to Him or give Him first fruits?
A faithful follower will go out on a limb because He believes God.
Are we convinced that we are to set out mind on things above?
Why do we spend so little time actually doing it?
A faithful follower seeks to keep their focus where it should be.
Are we convinced that Jesus is the ONLY answer to life and has revealed His mind in the word?
Then why do we spend so little time and energy seeking Him in the Bible?
A faithful follower takes the time because He believes there is no other way.
Are we convinced that God is the controller of all things?
Then why do we spend so much time fretting and worrying about what might happen?
A faithful follower continually seeks to rest in God's plan for one day at a time.
A faithful follower is a follower of active faith that dares believe that is worth the suffering and loss today because tomorrow is what really counts and the God who promised is able also to perform and will come through.
6--In spite of the trial of imminent temporal pain and failure.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2Cor 4:16-18
Paul told Timothy in 2Tim 2 --
Enlist faithful men who can teach other
Suffer hardship as a totally dedicated soldier
Operate as a good athlete according to the rules
Work hard as a farmer for a harvest yet in the future
We want to be faithful servants like Jesus who came to do the will of Him who sent Him and was able at the end of His allotted time to say, "I have accomplished the work You gave me to do."
We want to be like Nehemiah who was such a man and was able to way, "Remember me and do not blot out my loyal deeds which I have performed for the house of my God."
We want to be like Paul who said,
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the source, I have kept the faith and I know that in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous judge will reward to me on that day."
We should never be satisfied to coast. We must keep on going.
Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. Heb 10:31-36
We want to be faithful servants who: Fervently and consistently carry our assigned responsibilities no matter how small or large using their God-given resources to their full capacity without the need for continual controls or compliments in spite of the temptation of immediate temporal pleasure and fulfillment in spite of the trial of present imminent pain and failure.
In short, a faithful follower is one who cheerfully does what he is asked to do with all his heart and doesn't get distracted or discouraged.
APPLICATION
Do you know what you are supposed to be doing?
How faithful are you at that task?
Are you striving for bigger and better and notoriety rather than faithfulness?
Are you using what God gifted and trained you to do to its fullest?
Have you taken a side trip of comfort and settled for temporal reward?
Has suffering and pain and trial caused you to draw back?
The faithful follower is one who is willing to
Deny self
Take up cross of sacrifice on behalf of others
Obey Christ in spite of the price.
There are many a Christian that dies at 30 and is buried at 65. We will all stand before the evaluation tribunal of Christ where God will bring to light and disclose the motives of our deed here on earth whether good or bad and our reward will come. Some will shrink away in shame. Some will suffer loss of reward as the deeds done with impure motives burn as wood, hay and stubble. On that which was done for Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit will survive the judgement. Remember, we are only asked to be faithful, not great. According to our faithfulness we long to hear those wonderful words: Well done good and faithful servant, enter into your reward.
Remember, faithfulness is the response of the heart that is motivated by faith and conviction. If I am struggling with faithfulness, I am struggling with faith. We will commit to that which we really believe.
SUGGESTIONS
1--Repent of my unfaithfulness.
2--Focus on God's faithfulness to me.
3--Start with a consistent commitment to the Word (builds faith).
4--Get the help of a good friend.
5--Ask the Spirit of God to fill you that you may bear faithfulness.
