Sermon by: Dr. Todd Morris
Text: Nehemiah 2:17-18; 4:6
Title: Let Us Rise Up and Build
Date: January 5, 2003 Ground Breaking Abney Baptist Church
Introduction: There is a plague in an old English Church that reads, “In the year 1653 when all things sacred throughout the land were demolished or profaned, Sir Robert Shirley built this church, whose singular praise is this, to have done the best of things in the worst of times.”
Those middle years of the seventeenth century in England were, indeed, very trying times. Charles I had been beheaded after a mockery of a trial in which his witnesses were locked out of the building. Anglican churches were being closed and Presbyterians were being harassed and persecuted. Yet in the midst of that…in the worst of times, Sir Robert Shirley did the best of things…he built a church!
A church is a physical monument to the spiritual presence of God. It is a place where God and people come together for a special and holy purpose. To build a church, then, is to do the best of things regardless of the times. As worthy a task as it is, I confess that it is not a task I have sought. I have jokingly said through the years, “God deliver me from churches with cemeteries, softball teams, and building programs.” And here I find myself in my most beloved church with all three. I have not sought this hour; this hour has come to me. It has fallen to us, to you and me, to do the best of things in this hour. It is for us to build a church.
So, let us focus on the ingredients needed to make such a task a success. Amazingly the Bible has much to say on the matter. There are several entire books in the Bible devoted to the subject of building, and there are large segments of other books that are devoted to building. It is obvious that building a house of worship is important to God since He devoted so much space to it in the Bible.
Nehemiah is one of the books dedicated to a building campaign. Nehemiah was a Jewish layman and a high government official in the court of the king of Persia. He had an intense love for his homeland even though he had never seen it. He learned through relatives of the need of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, and God laid on his heart that he was to lead in the effort. When the time was right he went to the king and asked permission to take a leave of absence to perform the task that God had called him to. Not only did the king grant his request, but gave him papers to guarantee his safe passage, a requisition for lumber, and a military escort.
When Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem he called together the leaders of Israel, told them how God had led him and how the king had helped him, and challenged them to join in in rebuilding the walls. Their response was immediate and enthusiastic, “Let us rise up and build,” they said.
That beloved, is the spirit we need! That is the resolve that we must have. We must have “a mind to work,” we must say in our hearts as well as with our mouths, “let us rise up and build.”
It will not be easy! It will take faith. It will take commitment, and make no mistake, IT WILL TAKE SACRIFICE! We must be willing to take the criticism as well as the risks. BUT THE END RESULT WILL BE THE GLORY OF GOD!
What then are the ingredients to a successful building campaign?
I IT WILL REQUIRE AN UNFALTERING TRUST IN GOD (20)
A. The enormity of the task and the uncertainty of the times should drive us to our knees.
B. The question is not, “Are the times right?” it is not, “Is this too big for us?” THE ONLY QUESTION FOR US IS, “IS IT OF GOD?”
C. If it is of God, then our of recourse is to obey, and He is responsible for the outcome!
D. WE MUST TRUST GOD!
II IT WILL REQUIRE COMMITMENT TO THE TASK (4:21-23)
A. Wherever and whenever people attempt a great undertaking the will be opposition and criticism. It can be expected.
B. Dr. W.A. Criswell tells in his autobiography of the time when he pastured the Devil’s Bend Baptist Church. There he found a group of people he called the “ginners,” for they opposed everything. One day when the church was in a business meeting someone purposed that they place a fence around the cemetery. One of the “ginners” stood and said, “I’m ‘agin’ it. No one in the cemetery is trying to get out, and I can’t think of anyone that is outside it that wants to get in.”
C. Listen beloved! We respect honest differences! We honor those who have sincere doubts! BUT THOSE WHO HAVE NO VISION AND WHO ARE OPPOSED TO ALL PROGRESS WILL NOT DETER US!
D. Those who would simply say that there is no need for additional room, or that we should not seek more convenience or comfort are living in the height of hypocrisy if they seek to be surrounded by beauty, convenience and comfort in their own homes.
E. But some people are that way. Sam Williams, a former member of mine in Lenior, North Carolina used to say, “Preacher some people are born again, and some people are just born-aginners.”
F. We will not be deterred in our God given task by “born-aginners.”
III IT WILL REQUIRE AN UNDIVIDED SPIRIT OF COOPERATION
A. One man did not do the work of rebuilding the walls, but Nehemiah said, “All the people had a mind to work.”
B. Unity and cooperation is always a hallmark of God’s people. There is power in unity.
C. For any of our brethren that have had doubts, we honor your sincerity. We value and defend your right to your opinion. We love you for the spirit, which you have shown. BUT WE HAVE VOTED TO PROCEED, AND TODAY AS A CHURCH FAMILY WE BREAK GROUND FOR THIS NEW EDIFICE TO THE GLORY OF GOD, AND IT IS TIME FOR ALL OPINIONS TO CEASE AND FOR THE BODY TO WORK TOGETHER IN UNITY TO GLORY OF GOD!
Conclusion: There is a sense in which, “to God alone be the glory,” could be the ending of the book of Nehemiah. And it is in that spirit that we labor also. We undertake and we will complete this building for His glory.
A building program that does not glorify God and lead His people to a closer walk with Him, does not deepen their commitment to Him, is not accomplishing its true purpose.
Hear me and hear me well! Let the word go forth from this place for all to hear. Our purpose is not just to raise money, IT IS TO RAISE AN EDIFICE TO THE GLORY OF GOD, AND AS WE DO SO TO RAISE THE SPIRITUAL LEVEL OF OUR PEOPLE!
On the day before President John F. Kennedy was killed he spoke to a group of space scientist in Texas about his dreams for the space program. “The US has tossed its cap over the wall,” Kennedy said; “Now we will climb the wall and explore the wonders of the other side.”
Beloved, in a very real sense that is what we are about to do. We shall enthusiastically throw our hats over the wall, and then by the grace of God we shall climb it for His honor and His glory!
Come let us work together, let us rise up and build!
