3: Rebuild – Fulfilling Our Sacred Calling Together

Isaiah 40:31 NCV

But the people who trust the Lord will become strong again. They will rise up as an eagle in the sky; they will run and not need rest; they will walk and not become tired.

Series Introduction

Two weeks ago we began the discussion on where we go from here.

Let’s review our journey thus far in our series: Return. Restore. Rebuild. :

RETURN: Answering God’s Call to Come Back - Ezra 1:1-6

Our first week we focused on the biblical account of the Jews returning to Jerusalem after 70 years in Babylon, as described in Ezra 1:1-6. God stirred King Cyrus to allow the Israelites to return and rebuild the temple, fulfilling His promise and demonstrating His faithfulness. The exiles' willingness to leave their settled lives and undertake the arduous 900 mile journey home showed their deep trust in God.

We emphasized that spiritual renewal begins with returning to God wholeheartedly, turning away from sin and complacency, and re-engaging with the church community. We highlighted the importance of trusting God's plan and His readiness to receive His people back, just as He prepared the way for the Jews' return to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon.

RESTORE: Rekindling Worship and Honoring Our Legacy - Ezra 3:10-13

Last week, our second sermon focused on the Israelites' efforts to restore their worship and spiritual foundations after returning from exile. The key passage is Ezra 3:10-13, where the Israelites rebuild the altar and lay the foundation of the new temple. This act of restoration is both a physical and spiritual renewal, as it rekindles their relationship with God. The moment is bittersweet, with younger people celebrating the new beginning while older ones weep, remembering the former Temple of Solomon.

We emphasized that restoration honors the past but is not limited by it. It involves repentance, gratitude, and hope for future glory. For the church, restoring worship means returning to core practices like prayer, authentic worship, and obedience to God's Word. Legacy plays a role, as the Israelites used what they remembered and what was left to rebuild. True restoration aligns with God's instructions and involves both preserving the past and embracing new work. God's presence and love are the foundation of this restoration process, leading to a renewed and vibrant community

History

Our story today takes a jump forward in the historical timeline. Our story today will begin about 60 years after where we left off last week, the temple has been completed already in our timeline. So, Let’s take a quick look about what occurred between last weeks story and where we will pickup today.

The Red Heifer

Before the Temple construction could begin there was need to sacrifice and burn a perfect Red Heifer as prescribed in Numbers 19. Those of you that have attended Wednesday Bible Studies will recall various our discussions about them.

The Mosaic Law specified that the red heifer was to be “without defect or blemish” and to have never borne a yoke ( Numbers 19:2). The sacrifice of the red heifer was unique in the law in that it used a female animal, it was sacrificed away from the entrance to the tabernacle, and it was the only sacrifice in which the color of the animal was specified.

According to rabbinical tradition, there have been nine red heifers sacrificed since Moses’ time. Since the destruction of the second temple (which is the one being built in our previous study from Ezra and Nehemiah), no red heifers had been slaughtered. The time frame of the second temple is 516 BC (over 2-thousand 5-hundred years ago now).

But some exciting things have been happening of late in Israel these days. In early July of this year, a perfect Red Heifer was sacrificed.

Red Heifer Sacrifice Video

The sacrifice and collection of the ashes of a perfect Red Heifer is a necessary and a required step before the third temple predicted in the book of Revelation can occur. I bring this to your attention because this recent sacrifice on July 1, 2025; is an important event in the convergence of predictions that lead us toward the End Times. It is also a requirement before the next Temple can be built. While the sacrifice itself is not a trigger point for the Lord’s return, it does reflect a step towards Israel’s intent to begin construction on that third temple. I should also point out that no date is set by the Jews, nor is there an expiration on the ashes collected just over a month ago. It is simply a preparatory step. That being said, as I have mentioned before, I believe that the end times could happen any day now, and this sacrifice further solidifies my belief.

Timeline of Jews Return to Jerusalem, Rebuilding the Temple & Jerusalem Wall

The timeline of the Jews' return to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the Jerusalem Walls is marked by several significant events, which are: (Just a reminder that dates BC (Before Christ) count down, thus, a smaller number is a closer date to today.)

539 BC: King Cyrus issues a decree for the Jews to go to Jerusalem & rebuild.

538 BC: The Jews begin their return.

535 BC: Work on the temple began but halted for 15 years. The Jews stopped rebuilding the temple due to opposition from the neighboring Samaritans.

520 BC: The work renewed by Haggai & Zechariah.

516 BC: The temple was completed & dedicated.

457 BC: Ezra begins rebuilding the Jerusalem Walls.

Our story today will begin with events in 445 BC.

445 BC: In April Nehemiah prays for 4 mouths. In September, after just 52 days, the Jerusalem Wall is completed.

We will now continue with our third theme of the Return, Restore and Rebuild series:

REBUILD: Fulfilling Our Sacred Calling Together - Nehemiah 2:17-20

With that said let’s continue our discussion today with these words from Nehemiah 2.

Core Verses:

The speaker here is Nehemiah, who serves as the king's cupbearer. He is a high official in the royal household, responsible for choosing and tasting the wine to ensure it is not poisoned. Nehemiah's interactions with King Artaxerxes and the queen highlight his significant role in the royal court and his influence as a trusted advisor. With that let’s go to the Scripture:

Nehemiah 2:17 NLT

But now I said to them, “You know very well what trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire. Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and end this disgrace!”

Nehemiah 2:18 NLT

Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me, and about my conversation with the king. They replied at once, “Yes, let’s rebuild the wall!” So they began the good work.

Nehemiah 2:19 NLT

But when Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem the Arab heard of our plan, they scoffed contemptuously. “What are you doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” they asked.

Nehemiah 2:20 NLT

I replied, “The God of heaven will help us succeed. We, his servants, will start rebuilding this wall. But you have no share, legal right, or historic claim in Jerusalem.”

Core Message:

Finishing the Unfinished:

A friend of mine started building a treehouse for his kids, but halfway through, life got busy, and the project stalled. Years later, he found the half-finished structure still standing. Inspired, he rallied his kids, and a weekend project turned into a bonding experience. Together, they painted, reinforced it, and added furniture. The treehouse became a place of adventure and laughter, proving that sometimes a little elbow grease can turn an unfinished project into a cherished family memory.

This reminds us of how Nehemiah picked up where others left off – previous attempts to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls had failed (as mentioned in Ezra 4: earlier builders gave up). Nehemiah stepped in to finish the “unfinished task.”

Likewise, in church life, we might have ministries or missions left unfinished – maybe due to past discouragement or external opposition. Our story today will encourage us that with God’s guidance, we can pick up those tasks again and, working together, bring them to completion. It underlines the need for perseverance and faithfulness to God’s vision over the long haul.

When Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem and found broken walls and burned gates, he didn’t merely see piles of debris – he saw a holy mission. God had put it on his heart to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. This was about more than physical security; it was about restoring God’s people to wholeness and honor. Nehemiah gathered the leaders and cast the vision: “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins… Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace. ”They replied, “Let us start rebuilding,” and they strengthened their hands for the good work (Nehemiah 2:17-18). Nehemiah encouraged them by testifying how God’s gracious hand was with him. This passage illustrates that rebuilding is a sacred calling initiated by God – it’s God who places the burden and provides the favor and strength.

The Three Bricklayers – Vision of Calling: Remember the 4 Kids video we just saw: About The Three Bricklayers working on a cathedral. When asked, “What are you doing?” the first man says, “I’m laying bricks,” the second says, “I’m building a wall,” but the third smiles and replies, “I’m building a great cathedral to the Almighty.” All three did the same basic work, but only one saw the higher purpose – he saw his labor as part of something sacred and magnificent.

This story beautifully illustrates the concept of a sacred calling. We can apply it to how we view our efforts in the church: Are we just doing tasks, or are we “cathedral builders,” understanding that every act of service (no matter how small) contributes to God’s grand building of His kingdom? It challenges us to adopt the third bricklayer’s perspective – to see ministry not as mere duty or routine, but as holy purpose. This shift in mindset can transform our motivation and joy in serving.

We learn from Nehemiah that rebuilding the community required everyone’s participation, steadfast prayer, and courageous leadership. Nehemiah 3 lists goldsmiths, perfumers, merchants, priests, sons and daughters – all kinds of people – each repairing the section of wall by their own house. In our context, rebuilding the church (whether numerically, spiritually, or in influence) is not a solo effort but a collective calling.

As I have said before:

We are each responsible for the future of Curry’s. No one of us alone can change the current course we are on. It will take the concerted efforts of everyone one of us, it will take all of this faith community. And we must not do this without consulting with and following the leadings of the Holy Spirit.

Every person here has a proverbial “section of the wall” to work on. It might be your own family, your neighborhood, a ministry in the church, or some broken aspect of church life that you notice and can help mend. When each person responds to God’s call in their area of gifting, the whole community rises. This is why the New Testament (in several verses) likens the church to a body with many parts working together, or a spiritual house built with “living stones.” (1 Peter 2:5)

Nehemiah also shows us that rebuilding won’t be without opposition or discouragement. Enemies like Sanballat and Tobiah mocked, saying the wall would fail. They plotted attacks and tried to frighten the builders (Nehemiah 4-6). The workers grew tired; at one point half stood guard while half worked. Yet Nehemiah led them to pray and persevere: “We prayed to our God and posted a guard” (Nehemiah 4:9). He reminded them of the Lord’s greatness and urged them to fight for their families and homes (Nehemiah 4:14). In perhaps the most iconic image, “the builders, each wore his sword at his side as he worked” (Nehemiah 4:18). They literally built with one hand and held a weapon in the other – symbolizing vigilance and dependence on God’s protection. For us, the spiritual warfare is real when we attempt to rebuild God’s work. We have an enemy (Satan) who opposes the renewal of our church. We must be armed with prayer and God’s Word even as we labor in practical ways. “The work of God gets done when there is a good heart for God… and radical dependence on Him”. So, rebuilding the church must be covered in prayer, done in God’s strength, and merely human effort.

Crucially, Nehemiah kept pointing to God’s guidance and glory. When challenged, he declared, “The God of heaven will give us success. We His servants will start rebuilding”. He understood this was God’s project, not just his own ambition. And when the wall was miraculously completed in 52 days, even the enemies “realized this work had been done with the help of God” (Nehemiah 6:16).

As a side note here:

The Jerusalem Wall stood over 2.5 miles long with an average height of 39 feet, it had 10 gates and was built by volunteers

In comparison, over the 2019 Memorial Day weekend, 1-mile of "weathered steel" bollard fence near El Paso was built on private land adjoining the U.S.–Mexico border using $6–8 million of donated funds. The height varies between 18-27 feet tall.

Rebuilding glorifies God when it’s done by faith. In the end, the physical rebuilding led to a renewed covenant and strengthened community bound together by their collective accomplishment under God. They dedicated the wall with thanksgiving, and the choirs’ rejoicing “could be heard far away” (Nehemiah 12:43). In parallel, when we fulfill our sacred calling to build up the church – whether restoring its unity, outreach, or spiritual depth – the result will be joy and a witness that echoes far beyond our walls.

Community Rebuilds after Disaster:

After Hurricane Harvey devastated Houston on August 25, 2017, the community rallied together in incredible ways. Neighbors who hadn’t spoken before jumped into action, offering to shelter those in need or help clear debris. Local businesses opened their doors as shelters, volunteers filled the streets distributing food and supplies. They faced setbacks (another storm and lack of supplies) but pressed on. Over time, houses were repaired and the town was even improved with better infrastructure. This real-life scenario mirrors the book of Nehemiah. It shows how unity, hard work, and shared vision can rebuild a community. This heartbreaking yet beautiful example of humanity reminds us of the strength that comes from unity.

It highlights the Biblical principle of coming together as a body of Christ, showing that in our darkest moments, we can shine the light of hope through our actions. Each volunteer had a role (just as each Israelite built a section of the wall). The sense of shared mission gave them strength. We can be inspired by this: if a small town can rally to rebuild physically, how much more should God’s people rally to rebuild spiritually and relationally within the church?

This final message underscores that we are called to be “builders” in God’s kingdom, not just spectators. As one writer noted, Nehemiah was “a church builder… the restoration of the walls was a means to an end – being the restoration of the people of God”.

Reflection Prompts:

Here are some questions that I ask you to ponder, and be prepared to discuss this Wednesday at 6:30PM. I encourage each of you to attend: Curry’s needs each of you to have input, please, come.

Embracing Your Role:

What “section of the wall” is nearest to you? In other words, what aspect of the church’s ministry or mission do you feel most burdened for or most able to contribute to? (Teaching children, caring for the needy, prayer ministry, evangelism, maintenance, encouraging others, etc.)

How might God be calling you, like Nehemiah’s builders, to take responsibility for that part and work on it with all your heart?

Overcoming Opposition:

Identify the forms of “opposition” you face when you try to do God’s work.

Is it discouraging thoughts, criticism from others, spiritual doubt, fatigue, lack of resources? How can Nehemiah’s strategy help you? (Think of prayer as your first resort, enlisting others to help or pray with you, recalling God’s promises when afraid, etc.)

What Scriptural “weapon” (a specific Bible promise or truth) can you keep in hand to confront that opposition?

Community and Unity:

Rebuilding the church is a team effort.

Are there fellow “builders” you need to partner with more closely?

Perhaps you’ve been laboring alone and feeling burned out. Who can you invite to join you, or whose effort can you support?

Conversely, are you hesitant to join in somewhere because you feel your contribution is small?

Reflect on how every person’s work was vital to Jerusalem’s wall – what might God do through your willing hands if you step up?

Sacred Perspective:

Consider the bricklayer parable – do you see your service in church (or your everyday work) as a meaningless chore, a mere duty, or as a calling from God?

Ask God to renew your vision so you can say, “I’m building a cathedral for God,” about whatever task you do. Write down one or two ways your work (in church or in your vocation) actually contributes to God’s larger plan. How does seeing that bigger picture affect your attitude and motivation?

Faith and Expectation:

Nehemiah believed the “God of heaven” would give them success.

Do you truly expect God to prosper the work you do for Him? Sometimes we labor with low expectations or out of habit. Instead, pray boldly for God to make our efforts fruitful.

What is one God-sized outcome you long to see as we rebuild our church? (e.g., a wave of new people coming to Christ, a reputation in the community as a light, deeper unity across generations.) Take a moment to actually ask God for that in prayer.

Remember, the wall was completed in 52 days – an achievement that proved God’s power. What “impossible” thing might He do in our midst if we trust and pursue this calling together?

Conclusion

The ultimate goal of rebuilding is not the brick and mortar, but the people – strengthening God’s people and helping individuals find security and identity in Christ. Our calling is sacred because it aligns with God’s heart: He wants to restore and build up His church so that it can be a light to the world. Each of us has a role and a purpose in this. Whether you see yourself as a small bricklayer or not, in God’s eyes your work has a higher purpose in His grand “building project.”

Prayer