The Servant Remains Watchful

Nehemiah 7:1–4 (ESV)

Now when the wall had been built and I had set up the doors, and the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed,

I gave my brother Hanani and Hananiah the governor of the castle charge over Jerusalem, for he was a more faithful and God-fearing man than many.

And I said to them, “Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot. And while they are still standing guard, let them shut and bar the doors. Appoint guards from among the inhabitants of Jerusalem, some at their guard posts and some in front of their own homes.”

The city was wide and large, but the people within it were few, and no houses had been rebuilt.

Nehemiah 7:70–73 (ESV)

Now some of the heads of fathers’ houses gave to the work. The governor gave to the treasury 1,000 darics of gold, 50 basins, 30 priests’ garments and 500 minas of silver.

And some of the heads of fathers’ houses gave into the treasury of the work 20,000 darics of gold and 2,200 minas of silver.

And what the rest of the people gave was 20,000 darics of gold, 2,000 minas of silver, and 67 priests’ garments.

So the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, some of the people, the temple servants, and all Israel, lived in their towns. And when the seventh month had come, the people of Israel were in their towns.

Lead in a Pastoral Prayer for the Congregation

Of all things, guard against neglecting God in the secret place of prayer.

William Wilberforce

Successes can easily become failures. All it takes is letting our guard down.

Charles Swindoll

The Quest for Character (1982)

Chuck Swindoll

Our Main Question: Am I a Watchful or a Slothful Servant?

God Delights in Ernest Faithfulness.

Hebrews 11:1–5 ESV

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God.

What is faithfulness if not living out our confidence founded on the Living God.

How can we lead a faithful life, if not by the power of the Holy Spirit.

What hope do we have if not on the finished work of Jesus Christ.

Faithful Servants Empower Others to Serve and Lead.

Nehemiah entrusts the work to more than himself.

The work of faith leads us to trust and rely on one another.

This shows Hod God would build His Church.

Matthew 28:16–20 ESV

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

The Force of God’s Work is Evidenced in His People.

In God’s wisdom Nehemiah leads the people to see their place in worshipping God.

A God-honoring community sees that the best path forward is to serve and work alongside one another.

We are called to live in a similar manner.

Galatians 6:1–5 ESV

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load.

Remember our main question:

Am I a Watchful or a Slothful Servant?

God’s Priority in Our Lives Leads to Peace.

Faithful servants who lead God’s people lead them to peace.

The peace God offers His people is from a transformed man, not from the old ways of life.

Peace comes from being surrounded by God, His people, and His will for us.

John 14:27–29 ESV

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe.

Key Takeaways:

We learn from a faithful servant what it takes to serve and lead well. Leadership is ingrained in service. We cannot attain leadership without first learning how serve well. How to love well.

How does this apply in the Lord’s Church?

Discipleship is Never Done.

The Gospel Does Not Grow Old.

Faithful Watchfulness is Expressed in Generosity.

Watchfulness Leads to Peace.