Ministry Matters

Nehemiah 11:1–2 NASB95

1 Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem, but the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while nine-tenths remained in the other cities. 2 And the people blessed all the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 12:27–47 NASB95

27 Now at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought out the Levites from all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem so that they might celebrate the dedication with gladness, with hymns of thanksgiving and with songs to the accompaniment of cymbals, harps and lyres. 28 So the sons of the singers were assembled from the district around Jerusalem, and from the villages of the Netophathites, 29 from Beth-gilgal and from their fields in Geba and Azmaveth, for the singers had built themselves villages around Jerusalem. 30 The priests and the Levites purified themselves; they also purified the people, the gates and the wall. 31 Then I had the leaders of Judah come up on top of the wall, and I appointed two great choirs, the first proceeding to the right on top of the wall toward the Refuse Gate. 32 Hoshaiah and half of the leaders of Judah followed them, 33 with Azariah, Ezra, Meshullam, 34 Judah, Benjamin, Shemaiah, Jeremiah, 35 and some of the sons of the priests with trumpets; and Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph, 36 and his kinsmen, Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah and Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God. And Ezra the scribe went before them. 37 At the Fountain Gate they went directly up the steps of the city of David by the stairway of the wall above the house of David to the Water Gate on the east. 38 The second choir proceeded to the left, while I followed them with half of the people on the wall, above the Tower of Furnaces, to the Broad Wall, 39 and above the Gate of Ephraim, by the Old Gate, by the Fish Gate, the Tower of Hananel and the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Sheep Gate; and they stopped at the Gate of the Guard. 40 Then the two choirs took their stand in the house of God. So did I and half of the officials with me; 41 and the priests, Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah and Hananiah, with the trumpets; 42 and Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malchijah, Elam and Ezer. And the singers sang, with Jezrahiah their leader, 43 and on that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced because God had given them great joy, even the women and children rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard from afar. 44 On that day men were also appointed over the chambers for the stores, the contributions, the first fruits and the tithes, to gather into them from the fields of the cities the portions required by the law for the priests and Levites; for Judah rejoiced over the priests and Levites who served. 45 For they performed the worship of their God and the service of purification, together with the singers and the gatekeepers in accordance with the command of David and of his son Solomon. 46 For in the days of David and Asaph, in ancient times, there were leaders of the singers, songs of praise and hymns of thanksgiving to God. 47 So all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel and Nehemiah gave the portions due the singers and the gatekeepers as each day required, and set apart the consecrated portion for the Levites, and the Levites set apart the consecrated portion for the sons of Aaron.

If someone asked you, “Why are you a part of the church?”, what would you say?

Some might say to worship or learn. Others may say to serve or feel good about giving back. You might say it’s tradition or because you feel obligated.

Now, ultimately, you and I need to understand that church is not to be simply a social group or event. Instead, church is a gathered group of Christians whose life is radically different than the secular culture. We live into this calling every day and come together to keep central our identity and belonging in Christ.

Now, if you are listening, chances are that you believe the church is important- that there is significance in the gathered saints, in the proclamation of God’s word, the serving, the worship. You are likely here because you have some level of commitment to the worship of Almighty God.

Looking back to Nehemiah- as we concluded chapter 10, we made note that the leaders and all the people in Jerusalem had made a commitment to the worship of God. This commitment is directly tied to the support of the temple and those who ministered in it.

In fact, we even noted a signed document that we likened to our church covenants in that we are saying we solemnly pledge our allegiance to God and His church and to the support thereof.

But, a document of intent was not enough. There was a need for leadership… in this case, leadership through administration. Now, admittedly, administration does not sound all that exciting to most people… especially if you are not gifted in that way- maybe you can’t keep a schedule, you are unorganized, or your head explodes at the thought of a spreadsheet.

But, administration is necessary. And, because ministry matters, it is important that we administrate the matters of ministry. Nehemiah gives us a model in these two chapters. What is exciting is that even those who are not gifted in administration benefit when leaders are able and allowed to tend to the matters of ministry.

The message is entitled “Ministry Matters” and in our time together, we are going to see how administrative leadership is leveraged for the glory of God. As I benefitted from the study of this passage, I pray you will as well. Grab your sermon guide, and let’s dive in.

The first thing we see is Nehemiah’s leadership through:

Parsing the Population (11:1-12:26)

From 11:1-12:26, we have an extensive list of hard-to-pronounce names. We might wonder why God would allow for all this space to be used for such an unexciting list. I will contend that God always has a purpose… we just have to be willing to look and listen.

If you remember, in chapter 7, Nehemiah noted that Jerusalem was underpopulated. Indeed, the walls had been broken down for well over 100 years— it was not a safe place to live. Many of the people had settled in the country where they could farm and live in relative peace.

ILL: Many of you feel the same way- that’s why you live here in the valley and not in an apartment in downtown Brevard. We like our privacy and security that we have.

But God was in the midst of fulfilling His promise to restore Jerusalem- a city that was intended to glorify His name. The whole reason the walls were rebuilt were for His glory.

Yet, as we look at the first verse of chapter 11, we see that the only folks living in the city were the leaders. As strong and wise as these leaders may have been, it takes the whole of God’s people engaged in God’s work in order to glorify His name.

And so we see that the first order was to repopulate the city. (READ v. 1-2)

Those who would move into Jerusalem would have to make a sacrifice- leave their land, their comfort, their country living, and move into the big city. You see, the call to be God’s people is more than attending a religious festival- the city was to be a beacon to the nations of God’s might and mercy.

This required that the city become stable- they had to have order- guards, gatekeepers, blacksmiths, political representatives, merchants, etc.

They needed people who would live every day of their life as a citizen of Jerusalem, willing, when necessary, to bear the brunt of the enemy nations who would attempt attacks. There needed to be those who would stand firm and fight for the glory of the Lord. And so they cast lots and sought volunteers to respond to the need.

Look at v. 14-part of the crowd repopulating the city included 128 valiant warriors! These were men who were willing to give their life for the sake of God’s glory.

Those who remained outside (90%) would provide necessary support for the city. They are allies on the outside of the wall; friends that partner with those in the city, upholding and blessing them for the sake of the name of our God.

Thinking back upon this long list of names- some people are named, but we know nothing about them. Others are clumped into a kinsmen grouping. When we move from this passage, it is unlikely that you or I will remember any of these names…

But, you see, God knows them intimately. Those that went to live in the city didn’t do it to have their name recorded or to impress anyone, but God elevated their names in his glory. They didn’t seek affirmation or laud for their sacrifice… They simply sought God’s glory.

In God’s kingdom, you and I must recognize that the call to God’s ministry is for all Christians. We are all called to “die to ourselves daily, take up our cross, and follow Jesus”

The mission and ministry of the church cannot be accomplished by a handful of people, no matter how strong or capable they may be. A church that is underpopulated with workers for God’s glory is vulnerable to attack and destruction.

Some of you are like the 10%- called to sacrifice your comfort for a mission field. Perhaps a call to full-time ministry or a call to leverage your talents for the sake of taking the Gospel to unreached peoples. It is my duty to compel you to respond to that calling.

ILL: The pioneer American missionary William Carey was a cobbler before he left for the mission field. (shoe repair, not a baker) He would keep a map of India before him in his shop, stopping every so often to study it. He longed to go there and preach the gospel.

He did a lot of preaching and teaching on the side, with the result that his trade dwindled. One day a friend admonished him for neglecting his business. I love how Carey responded:

“Neglecting my business?” he said. “My business is to extend the kingdom of God. I only cobble shoes to pay expenses.”

That should be the mindset of every believer. As Nehemiah parsed the population, he was able to record who God’s people were and where they were serving so that God’s glory would be sought.

Folks, as you reflect upon your place in this church and God’s Kingdom, how are you leveraging your life for His glory? Have you found your place to serve and grow?

Leading in ministry matters means first parsing the population. Having established who God’s people are and where they are to serve, the next leadership task demonstrated is:

Planning the Programs (27-43)

Primarily in view here is the dedication ceremony for the completed wall. Let’s read this together (READ)

This took place at this time because the wall was not just about the physical structure- otherwise this dedication would be in chapter 7. Instead, it was about restoring a city. Again, the purpose for all of this is God’s glory.

This dedication was a program that served as an invitation for the people to gather and worship God and focus on the joy that He gives. (READ 43)

Of course, there is always more going on behind the scenes than people see.

ILL: If you’ve been following the series on Nehemiah, you know this man is a planner; a gifted administrator- he planned his talk with the King, the materials and strategy for rebuilding the wall, and no doubt the involvement of Ezra to bring God’s word out after the wall was complete. Planning under the direction of the Holy Spirit is important because it allows for us to engage in God’s Work. After all, it wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.

Nehemiah’s dedication service was meticulously planned. Picture this:

The choirs would march to the top of the wall, split and go opposite ways, singing, playing the music, rejoicing in harmonious rhythm.

The music was choreographed so that at a certain point, the choirs united at the temple, they sang and the attention of the crowd would be drawn to the priests as trumpets heralded and sacrifices were offered.

The whole city was engaged and rejoiced so loudly that people could hear them from a distance. (We should try that!)

The programs of the church have a similar purpose- to invite God’s people into unified worship. It takes lots of planning to coordinate schedules, choirs, curriculum, and all the rest so that God’s people would know that He alone is worthy. So that our attention would be drawn to His glorious light and that the noise of the world would be drowned out by the celebration inside!

All of this takes work- it takes dedication, determination… it’s work before the program, it’s work behind the scenes, and it’s work that is intended for God’s glory, not our own.

VBS is coming up and our directors are hard at work planning, soliciting volunteers, etc. The youth have a mission trip upcoming- this also takes considerable planning that our youth leaders are doing. All kinds of programs that need gifted administrators planning so that people’s attention is drawn to God’s glory.

Nehemiah seemed to understand that old adage, “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well.” Church, as we seek to give God glory, let us leverage our programs so that every thing we do points to Christ.

Ministry matters involve parsing the population and planning programs. Finally, Nehemiah demonstrates his leadership through administration in:

Preparing the Portions (44-47)

(READ)

How would God’s people keep their commitment not to neglect God’s house?The reality is that we all need direction- we need to be taught, reminded of God’s word, and exhorted in doing good.

In Jerusalem, they knew this meant ensuring the temple was functional and consistent. There needed to be regular sacrifices, regular offerings, symbols of God’s presence in the city as a reminder of who the people are.

But the temple is not the only reminder. Let’s lean in here:

Nehemiah basically appointed a Budget & Finance Committee to collect the tithes and offerings of the people and to disperse them to the workers in the temple and to providing resources such as food, wood, etc. for the ongoing acts of worship in the temple.

So, it was not just that the people talked about supporting God’s house, there was a process put in place for that support. Now, this support was to ensure the activities of the temple were not interrupted, but also to bind the people to the worship through their giving.

Jesus said in Matt. 6:21

Matthew 6:21 NASB95

21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The Jews- even those who might not be in the city regularly, would be conscious of their commitment to the Lord with every harvest, every first born calf, every tenth of their earnings.

The command to tithe is two-fold in this way:

To uphold the glory of God for one another and for the nations as we give to support the testimony of the church,

And to give thanks for the joy and reminder that we are God’s people and thus have received the gift of eternal grace. The tithe we give reminds us that we have received much- we will always keep more that we give.

The ministry of the church matters. As the witness of the American church weakens, we can see the plundering and destruction brought on by our secular culture. The call to the saints of God is to re-calibrate our priorities.

Today, we are gathered for God’s glory. Tomorrow, we will live into our calling in different contexts. To the saints I ask, What is your ministry? Your place in declaring God’s glory?

To those who are not part of God’s Kingdom, I invite you to repent and believe. Jesus Christ alone is worthy - One day, every knee will bow before Him as Lord and God- Why not let it be today?

[PRAY}

Let us declare God’s glory in our final song:

Discuss: Why is it important to know how people are gifted and where they are serving?

Discuss: When you think about the work that goes into ministry programs, where has God gifted you to take part?

Discuss: How does our giving connect us to the ministry?