The Sword and The Trowel

Ask people to stand for the reading of the Word:

Nehemiah 4:15–23 LSB

Now it happened that when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had thwarted their counsel, then all of us returned to the wall, each one to his work. And it happened that from that day on, half of my young men carried on the work while half of them took hold of the spears, the shields, the bows, and the breastplates; and the commanders were behind the whole house of Judah. Those who were rebuilding the wall and those who carried burdens took their load with one hand doing the work and the other holding a weapon. As for the builders, each wore his sword girded at his side as he built, while the trumpeter stood near me. I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “The work is great and extensive, and we are separated on the wall far from one another. “At whatever place you hear the sound of the trumpet, there gather together to us. Our God will fight for us.” So we kept doing the work with half of them holding spears from dawn until the stars came out. At that time I also said to the people, “Let each man with his young man spend the night within Jerusalem so that they may be a guard for us by night and a worker by day.” So neither I, my brothers, my young men, nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us removed our clothes, each took his weapon even to the water.

Open with a Pastoral Prayer

Father, what we know not, teach us; What we have not, give us; What we are not, make us. This we pray in the LORD Jesus’ name. Amen

—Old Anglican Prayer

Sanballat, Tobiah, the Samarians belittle the workers and the work of rebuilding and repairing the wall. Vv. 1-3.

Nehemiah prays in light of the threat to the work. Vv. 4-5.

The people press on and close the gaps, building it up to half the height. God leads them on. V. 6.

The enemies of God’s people plan to intimidate and attack the city and halt the work. Vv. 7-8.

Nehemiah prays once more. V. 9.

Nehemiah arrays the people to fight for more than land; to fight for their loved ones. Vv. 10-14.

What drives us as we think of God’s work among us?

I. We Focus on the Work and Plan Accordingly.

It is absolutely essential that a church perceive itself as an institution established for the glory of God. I fear that the church in America has descended from that lofty purpose and focused instead on humanity.

John F. MacArthur

The people turn to the work as God thwarts the enemies of the people.

Seeing God working among them, Nehemiah comes to do more than rejoicing; he plans.

As God leads the people, Nehemiah prepares ahead of an attack.

Nehemiah shows the right focus as he prays; His prayer leads to Godly wisdom and caution against the enemy. The New Testament shows us this from Peter’s letters:

1 Peter 5:8 LSB

Be of sober spirit, be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

II. God’s People Focus on the Their Calling and Task.

God’s people are called to be part of a timeless mission—The redemption of Humanity through Calvary’s cross and the empty tomb.

The people are set to focus on areas that are close and hold near to their hearts.

The people’s care translate to their aptitude to have the tools ready for the work.

Ephesians 6:11 LSB

Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

Are we acting out of love for one another, or are we acting out of selfishness and pride? What unites us?

III. The People Are United by A Common Call.

The “layman” need never think of his humbler task as being inferior to that of his minister. Let every man abide in the calling wherein he is called and his work will be as sacred as the work of the ministry.

A. W. Tozer

Nehemiah was faithful to lead as the LORD led him to serve His people.

The people were faithful to serve one another as God leads them through His servant, Nehemiah.

The Common call for the people, the nobles, and Nehemiah is that of consecrated service to worship God.

This is similar to the words we read in the New Testament:

1 Timothy 6:20 LSB

O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, turning aside from godless and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called knowledge—

IV. The People Stand Ready to Build and Defend.

Consider the words spoken by Charles Haddon Spurgeon:

Not only do we now spend our strength for nought without Jehovah, but all who have ever laboured apart from him come under the same sentence. Trowel and hammer, saw and plane are instruments of vanity unless the Lord be the Master-builder.

Charles Spurgeon

Consider Stan Evers’ words:

Nehemiah would not allow the Hebrews to sit around licking their wounds. He urged them to pick up their trowels and start building again. So today busy Christians will not have time to fret about the taunts of the ungodly.

Stan K. Evers

The people do not stop their work, either building or ready for the fight for their families and their inheritance.

The people’s readiness for the work or the fight was not only at their busy times, but at all times.

From the people who are leading, to the little ones who are helping with the light work, the people are ready for the instance of attacks.

We hear God speaking through the New Testament:

2 Timothy 4:1–2 LSB

I solemnly 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: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and teaching.

God, the unchanging LORD and master of the universe, calls His servants to build and defend; to serve selflessly and to glorify Him.

Let’s consider it again:

What drives us as we think of God’s work among us?

GOD leads His People to Act According to The Faith They Profess in Him.

We must remind ourselves that the work is God’s.

God invites us to work alongside Him as we see a glimpse of His glory.

An expression of God’s grace is to see Him at work among us.

We are called to be faithful in spite of any opposition and threat.

We are called to be faithful in our preparation to edify the church and to defend our faith and the household of faith.

We are called to ready ourselves to do the will of God, both individually and collectively.

Ephesians 6:11 LSB

Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

Let God’s love and faith drive you to see His name proclaimed among our neighbors in the East Mountains, New Mexico, The US, and the World. Yet, it all starts with our repentance of sins and confession of Jesus Christ as LORD and Savior. I compel you to repent and confess Jesus today, if you have not already done so.

Invite the congregation to stand for the second worship set and closing.