The Call to Work with a Spear and a Shovel

The Bold Request

Our story begins today in Nehemiah chapter 2. We ended last week with Nehemiah’s taking time to mourn and weep over the sins of Israel that led to the current state of the Jerusalem wall, which was now in fire and ashes.

‌King Artaxerxes noted that Nehemiah seemed down in the dumps. As a cupbearer, he would have the great trust of the king. 

Nehemiah was afraid to tell the king what he really wanted, so he did the smart thing and shared what had become of his ancestral land. 

When asked what Nehemiah wanted to do, he gave a short ‘Arrow Prayer’ to God.

Nehemiah made the bold request that he be allowed to return to Jerusalem among his kinsmen to help in the rebuilding of the wall.

Artaxerxes was inclined to grant his request only if he could give a time frame for his return.

We should note that wherein. Ezra 8:22-23 Ezra had refused the protection of the king's troops for his journey because he trusted God’s hand. Nehemiah accepted the king’s protection because the gracious hand of God was on him.

The king granted all that he requested and it is of great note that it was because the Lord's hand was on Nehemiah.

The Surveying of the Task at Hand

Now by this time, word had reached Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite, who were extremely displeased that anyone would help the Israelite people.

Once arriving in Jerusalem Nehemiah took 3 days to survey the damage. Nehemiah did not share with those officials in the city what he was doing. Nehemiah hoped to persuade them by opening their eyes to the dire situation they found themselves in.

“Come let us rebuild the wall that we may no longer suffer derision.” (means ridicule and mocking)

The wall of any great city showed legitimacy among the people and protection for their prosperity. Israel had become a laughing stock among the other nations. “I recall this is much like when David went out to meet Goliath, who had been mocking and ridiculing the armies of God.”

“And they said let us rise up and build the wall.”

‌The Building project begins

Like any great project you have ever been a part of, people are excited and engaged at the very beginning. But what happens when the project drags on and obstacles start to be thrown in your way?

‌This reminds me of coming to plant the Journey in Killeen. I had many well meaning believers try to persuade me to plant anywhere else but Killeen. In fact one older gentlemen told me that people would say you are crazy for entering such a task in one of the most difficult places in Texas to grow a church.

A good lesson for us to learn from Chapter 2 is found in Hebrews 11 “Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the presence of things not yet seen.” God has shared with us the story of Nehemiah so that we will understand more fully how God works in the world and how God preserves his people as examples of enduring faith.

Big Idea: How deep does your passion Run for the people of God?

‌I hear it all the time. People come into fellowship at the Journey Church and say pastor I’m here to serve the Lord. When I ask where they would like to serve they immediately tell me where they will not serve. I’m all in pastor but, I will not do that.......‌So, what your telling me is that you have put an addendum on what and how God will use you. You know what an addendum is right? Its something usually added at the end of book or document, typically to correct or clarify, or supplement something. ‌So, when you place an addendum on God you are in essence clarifying with God how you will allow him to use you.

‌Reepicheep is a chivalrous and courageous chief mouse in C.S. Lewis’s “Prince Caspian.” ‌More than anything even life itself Reepicheep’s sole goal is to serve and lay down his live for Alsan and Aslan’s prince. After valiantly fighting Reepicheep is almost killed, Reepicheep leaps to his feet after being brought from death to life by Lucy’s ability to heal bowing before the lion, Alsan, only now to realize that his tail had been cut off in the battle.

Reepicheep pleads with Aslan to restore his tail, before answering his request Alsan notices what his fellow mice are doing: ‌“Why have your followers all drawn their swords, may I ask?” said Aslan.“May it please your High Majesty,” said the second Mouse, whose name was Peepiceek, “we are all waiting to cut off our own tails if our Chief must go without his. We will not bear the shame of wearing an honor which is denied to the High Mouse.”‌“Ah!” roared Aslan. “You have conquered me. You have great hearts. Not for the sake of your dignity, Reepicheep, but for the love that is between you and your people … you shall have your tail again.” (Lewis, Prince Caspian, 220–24)‌Reepicheep was ready to protect those whom he loved with his life.

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The Need

If we are going to live for something more than our trivial agendas to make our own names great, we must be convinced of the truth, goodness, and beauty of God on display in the gospel of Jesus Christ and advanced in the work of the church.

What are you willing to do for the sake of the Gospel of Christ?

Builders of the Gates and Wall

Nehemiah 3

moves through the people's response to Nehemiah’s call to action. This chapter is organized around the rebuilding of the gates and the references to those who worked next to those rebuilding gates.

Think of what this construction project must have entailed: wood, tools, labor - and we read of bolts and bars and beams in verse 3.

These city gates would have encircled the city of Jerusalem, beginning from the north of the temple and moving counterclockwise around the entire city, as can be seen from the following map.

God Values Our Work

The people had a mind to work. We are reminded in Revelation 2:2 where Jesus tells churches that he knows what they do for him. For example, to the church at Ephesus, he says: ‘I know your deeds, your hard work, and your perseverance.’

Nehemiah 4:1–6 ESV

1 Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews. 2 And he said in the presence of his brothers and of the army of Samaria, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burned ones at that?” 3 Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Yes, what they are building—if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!” 4 Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. 5 Do not cover their guilt, and let not their sin be blotted out from your sight, for they have provoked you to anger in the presence of the builders. 6 So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.

‌Nehemiah has come to protect and seek the welfare of the son’s of Israel. ‌Rebuilding the walls will protect the people and create a safe place in which the law of Yaweh can be enforced, a place where justice and goodness can be upheld. This would fly in the face of Sanballat and Tobiahs agenda. They are not interested in justice and goodness. Rather, they seek to exploit the weaknesses and vulnerability of the Israelites for their own profit. ‌

These two agendas cannot co-exist together.

1. Prayer that Leads to Action

Note: vs. 4 “Hear oh God for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be; plundered in a land where they are captive.”

“They have provoked the anger of God in the presence of His workers.”

vs. 6 “So we built the wall.”

Opposition to the Work - But the Work Continues!

Look at the Pattern of Nehemiah 4.

Ridicule by enemies (vv.1-3)Prayer (vv.4-5) “vengeance of God on their enemies."

Romans 12:19 “Vengeance is mine, says the Lord.”

action (v.6) “So we built the wall” planned attack by enemies (vv.7-8)

Nehemiah 4:7–8 ESV

7 But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and that the breaches were beginning to be closed, they were very angry. 8 And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it.

‌Prayer (v.9) “And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.

Nehemiah 4:9 ESV

9 And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.

discouragement at lack of resources (vv.10-12)

Nehemiah 4:10–12 ESV

10 In Judah it was said, “The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall.” 11 And our enemies said, “They will not know or see till we come among them and kill them and stop the work.” 12 At that time the Jews who lived near them came from all directions and said to us ten times, “You must return to us.”

wise planning (vv. 13-15) “divided the forces to cover the rebuild project, reminded them not to be afraid, God fights for us.”

Nehemiah 4:13–15 ESV

13 So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed the people by their clans, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. 14 And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.” 15 When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work.

action (vv.16-23)

Nehemiah 4:16–23 ESV

16 From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, 17 who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. 18 And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me. 19 And I said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another. 20 In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.” 21 So we labored at the work, and half of them held the spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out. 22 I also said to the people at that time, “Let every man and his servant pass the night within Jerusalem, that they may be a guard for us by night and may labor by day.” 23 So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes; each kept his weapon at his right hand.

*Be a Cog, not a Hindrance

In chapters 3 and 4, we are reminded of the joy Christians have in being fellow workers in the gospel ministry. The workers in

Nehemiah 3 was furthering God’s great plan to bring his Son into the world to be our Savior.

Every cog in the wheel of God’s great plan is working for His Glory and to further His kingdom alone.

(Look at the gears in this watch mechanism)

‌Cog’ ‌a wheel or bar with a series of projections on its edge, which transfers motion by engaging with projections on another wheel or bar. Each projection on a cog works together to create motion. ‌So, to be a cog means a person who plays a minor part in a much larger organization or activity.

‌We have the privilege of being fellow workers in the gospel ministry today.

1 Corinthians 3:9 ESV

9 For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.

You are all co-laborers working toward the same goal of glorifying God by spreading the good news of the gospel to every tribe, tongue, and nation. You are a cog in the greater plan that God has for His church.

‌The call to Build the Kingdom of God, One brick at a time.

‌The call to the Harvest is a common biblical theme associated with the kingdom of God. After Jesus ministered to the woman at Jacobs well, the townspeople heard the incredible testimony of salvation and began coming out in droves to investigate her claims about Jesus for themselves. ‌The disciples were concerned about the Lord’s physical state, thinking he must be hungry.

Jesus told them that serving the Father by fulfilling His mission was more satisfying than physical food: “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. Do not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’?

Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.” ‌When the fields are “white” for harvest, it means they are “ripe” or “ready” to be harvested. When grain is fully sprouted and in peak condition for gathering, it approaches a color of white. A ripe grainfield looks like a sea of white. ‌Jesus wanted His disciples to sense the urgency, and immediacy of His mission.

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Cultural Problem Today

I believe that the greatest enemy of the church today is Complacency.

We have become complacent as a people. We have failed to see the urgency of the harvest that is in front of us every day. Even in this building this morning. Jesus was more concerned with the more urgent and gratifying mission of winning souls for His Father’s kingdom. He urged His disciples to open their eyes, too, and see the crowd of villagers streaming toward them like a ripened field of white, eager and ready to hear the gospel and be gathered into God’s eternal kingdom.

God is the Lord of the harvest and chooses the time and right moment of His work of salvation in the hearts of men and women.

Luke 10:2 ESV

2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.

2 Timothy 4:1–2 ESV

1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

In the agricultural world, farmers must wait between the sowing and reaping seasons. In the spiritual realm, the time for gathering in the harvest is now - whenever and wherever a crop of white-ripe souls exists.

PEOPLE PLOT IN VEIN

We can expect anytime God moves in His people, there will always be those who will come against us.

Nehemiah responds to the mockers in 2:20, but he does not respond to their mocking in 4:1-3. Rather than speak to them directly, he speaks to God. Basically, praying that God gives them what they deserve.

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for people to do physical violence against those who would protect the vulnerable. (i.e. abortion)

Note: Those coming against them are trying to make those in Jerusalem rebuild the wall and gate to flee from the danger of the city.

Are There Things in Your Life that You Fear? Take Action!

Are there doubts in your mind about Your Ability to do what God has called you to do? Take your eyes off of your inability and fix them on the one for whom nothing is Impossible.

ACTION STEP: As you contemplate the greatness of God, do the next thing. Look at the weak points and reinforce them, and when you reinforce them, do so with the recognition that you need armed defenders.

2. God Loves Builders Today!

Now you may not have a mechanical bone in your body. Every wood or craft project you have ever tried has failed. However, all of those called by God as His children are Builders of the Kingdom of God.

‌Paul Description of being a Builder

‌Paul uses the description of being a builder to describe our ministries of the word to each other. God values builders, and God wants every member of the church body to be a builder! ‌Paul writes in:

1 Corinthians 3:10, ‘by the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care.’ ‌He warns the church to show love; while knowledge puffs up while love builds up.’ He wants us to value gifts of speaking and encouraging each other. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.’ Notice Paul’s vision for building up the church:

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Ephesians 4:11–16 ESV

11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

* Be a Builder, not a Slacker

Slacker: A person who shirks work or obligation, especially: one who evades military service during a time of war. A young person who is perceived to be disaffected, apathetic, cynical, or lacking ambition.

We Benefit from Others' Examples

‌I have been considering deeply lately all of the people that God has used to teach me over the years: parents; teachers; college professors; authors; mentors; other pastors; church members. ‌These are those who have taught me practical skills; and of course we never stop gaining skills and learning from others examples. ‌Most of what I have learned over the years I do not even remember learning, though there are very specific times and moments of learning that are vividly imprinted on my brain. I am so grateful to God for each of these countless gifts and for those who have contributed so generously to me and enriched my life - whether you knew it or not at the time. ‌One moment 9 years ago sticks out vividly in my ministry: (Story of getting the building ready for our first Worship Service)

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We have benefited from those who rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem in the days of Nehemiah, from Eliashab to Malkijah, and the goldsmiths and merchants (3:1, 31, 32) so long ago. Their actions have encouraged us and warmed our hearts. Praise God for Nehemiah 3-4!

3. If God is For Us Who Can Be Against Us?

How soon we forget that if God is for us, nothing can be against us.

This is the battle cry of those standing guard in Jerusalem with a sword or spear in one hand and a trowel and Shovel in the other.

When it comes to Christian theology it's as if all roads lead through Romans, just like in ancient times, all road lead to Rome.

Paul’s letter to the Romans is arguably one of the single greatest pieces of literature in the history of the world. And chapter 8 is perhaps the greatest section. Romans 8:31-39 is the climax of the gospel message. It is actually the culmination of everything that Paul has been trying to teach the church from Romans 5:1-8:30. It is the glorious results of our justification.

Proofs that God is for you

Proof #1 Romans 8:32: “He who did not spare His own Son but gave him up for us all, How will He not graciously give us all things?

Proof #2 Romans 8:33: “Who will bring a charge against God’s elect.” No one can take us to court before God, and win a case against us, because God himself is the one who has declared us righteous.”

Proof #3 Romans 8:34: “Who is to condemn you, no one can condemn us to hell on judgment day because Jesus himself died for us, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father interceding on our behalf.

Proof #4: Romans 8:35-39: “Nothing will separate us from the love of Christ.” Christ loves us, and no enemy or weapon formed against us can stand.

Neither: TRIBULATION, DISTRESS, PERSECUTION, FAMINE, NAKEDNESS, DANGER, SWORD, DEATH, LIFE, ANGELS, THINGS PRESENT, THINGS TO COME, POWERS, HEIGHT, DEPTH, ANYTHING IN ALL OF the CREATION (Just in case He left anything out).

‌Nehemiah knew the great promises of God to fulfill His greater purpose through the nation of Israel and that it would all begin with the return to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the wall. ‌Even though there was some 600+ years between the return from the exile and Jesus birth and another 4-7 years before Paul came on the scene, it was as if Nehemiah knew the words that Paul wrote to the Church at Rome. ‌

Nehemiah 4:14

“Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your home.”

‌Nehemiah 4:20

“In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.”

*Be a Living Testimony, not a Dead Participant

‌So, you have heard my rant before about the participation ribbon. Well, you are going to hear it one more time. We live in a culture where everyone gets rewarded for just showing up.

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This happens in the Church as well. What would have happened if the people that Nehemiah was leading just showed up and chose not to put any effort in to the work. The results would have been catastrophic. However, we read in Nehemiah that the people had a mind to work. They were not there merely showing up to get a participation ribbon or trophy. Remember we read in

Revelation 12:11 that we have conquered that snake, the evil one, Satan, by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. ‌We are victorious when we are not merely participants but are actively in the fight verbalizing our testimony, meaning that we must open our mouths speaking boldly without fear or shame.

Romans 1:16 ESV

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

‌A life dedicated to Christ is a powerful testimony to the world. When our actions of godly living match the words coming out of our mouth, our testimony will be seen as true. You want to know why the early church had so much success. Because they saw lives matching up to what was coming out of their mouths. Unfortunately we have so many people whose lives do not match up with what they are saying. ‌

For example: We have a neighbor behind us who likes to come out on the porch and talk loudly on the phone for all to hear. I was out smoking a brisket on Tuesday and she was swearing up a storm using God’s name in vain several times in her conversation and spewing hateful things out of her mouth. Then I heard a pause and she said, ‘girl, you just need to pray to God about that,’ He will give you the strength to overcome. ‌Now, how am I to believe her testimony when her life does not match up with what she is professing to believe.

Cultural Problem

The problem we experience in the life of the church today is that many are merely showing up to get their felt needs met and have failed to become a living testimony but, instead, have become dead participants who are just hanging around doing nothing for the kingdom of God.

CONCLUSION

Remember that I asked you at the beginning of this morning “How deep does your passion for the people of God run.” Look at the end of our text this morning at how deep the commitment Nehemiah and those who are a part of the rebuilding project had for the people of God.

‌Do you live for a cause greater than yourself? Do you lay your life down for those whom you love? Do you fix your mind on Christ, the perfect man? Do you lead by Example? ‌What enables people to do this? It is when you have truly experienced God’s truth, goodness, and beauty, magnificently on display in the Gospel. Only then can you rise outside of yourself and do the seemingly impossible for the kingdom of God.

There is a famous story of Adoniram Judson, the pioneer missionary to Burma (now called Myanmar), who was about to be killed by those who opposed his evangelism. He was asked by his captor how he faced his future.

He replied: ‘The future is as bright as the promises of God’. His captors were so shocked they let him go! I can’t guarantee the same response if you or I face death for Christ, but his words are still worth remembering, whatever our situation!

Let us, like Nehemiah, obey God, pray to him, do the good works he gives us to do, stand fast against our enemies, and trust God as we serve him and walk in his words.

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