Leadership & Service

Voluntary Leaders Commended

Today we celebrate Pentecost Sunday. It was on this day, 50 days after Easter Sunday, that God's promise came true. “I am going to send you what my Father has promised,” Jesus told his disciples, “but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power on high” (). “…You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” ()

While they waited for the Holy Spirit, they cast lots to replace Judas. Two men met the criteria necessary for apostolic witness: they had to have been present with Jesus ever since John’s baptism to the time Jesus ascended. The two men were Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. The lot fell to Matthias.

On the day of Pentecost, the disciples (120) were all together. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them.

Those who were in Jerusalem for the feast were amazed. There were people from all over the world, and each person heard the disciples teaching them in their native languages. The first work of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost was to tell everyone there all about Jesus.

That’s the fundamental task of Christians, of churches today. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are to tell everyone about Jesus. As we turn to our text this morning, we see a couple of similar themes: the choosing of persons by lot, and the witness of God’s power and faithfulness.

Even though the walls and gates were restored, not everyone wanted to live in Jerusalem. The leaders settled there, but out of the rest of the people, one in ten had to be chosen by lot.

It begs the question, doesn’t it? Why not live in the city? Why not live in Jerusalem, the Holy city of God? We need to keep in mind that because the city was considered holy—it alone was set apart for the Lord’s Temple location—there were certain expectations for living there. A holy city requires holy residents. But not everyone wants to watch what they say, what they do, and be held accountable for it.

Additionally, Jerusalem was hated among the unbelieving people surrounding Jerusalem. This is why they attacked it so many times. It was a dangerous place to live. So people who were afraid of persecution or reproach, didn't want to live there.

Another possible reason is that living in the country was more economically advantageous. The accumulation of wealth, credit, pleasure, ease and security appeal to all people. And it is difficult to sacrifice those things for God’s glory, and everyone else’s good.

Indeed, there wasn’t much income generation happening in the city. The leaders and the people depended upon the generosity of the nation to survive in Jerusalem. Not everyone was up for sacrificing their wealth, their drive, their entrepreneurship and instead live at the mercy of others’ donations.

That’s why the people commended those who volunteered to live in the city. They recognised their own unwillingness to do what these volunteers signed up to do. Being unwilling to live holy lives, they were grateful for those who were willing. Being unwilling to sacrifice, they encouraged those who did. Being unwilling to be in danger, they blessed those who put themselves in harms way to serve others.

These three things still cause people to hesitate. Upon hearing what God requires in living for Jesus, people turn away, unwilling to sacrifice their own desires, ambitions and goals for the sake of Christ. Still others fear persecution, “What will my friends think?” And others would rather continue living life the way they want to live it, according to their own wisdom. And yet, we know that true life, true joy, true satisfaction comes from being wholly committed to Christ.

What follows in the rest of chapter 11 and much of chapter 12 is the record of the families, the priests and the Levites.

What follows in the rest of chapter 11 and much of chapter 12 is the record of the families, the priests and the Levites.

Then, finally, they dedicated the walls of Jerusalem. With great praise and thanksgiving they celebrated through the singing of two large choirs, accompanied by all the musical instruments prescribed by King David.

They gave great sacrifices and they rejoiced, the women and children as well as the men, praised God for his faithfulness.

Today is a day worthy of similar thanksgiving and praise. We all are gathered here because of God’s faithfulness, God’s love, God’s grace, God’s power. On the men and women, the young and the old, God’s Holy Spirit is poured out.

Consider the great deeds done by Nehemiah, who was filled with the Holy Spirit, and by that power accomplished so much for God’s people. He gave them hope. He gave them proof of God’s favour upon them.

That we are here this morning is proof of God’s favour upon us! Consider the sacrifices required to live as God’s Holy people. We live for Jesus, not for ourselves. We give up financial gain in order to be honourable and true, in order to bless others in addition to ourselves. We give up precious time to be with God’s people, to ascribe praise to our great God who has rescued us from sin and death.

The people of Nehemiah’s day did a great work in rebuilding a wall to keep out danger. Today, the Holy Spirit himself guards us and protects us. As we read in , “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Isn’t that amazing? We are here today because of God’s work in us, faithfully working in our hearts and minds to conform us to be more and more like Christ.

And just as the people of Israel, through prayers, choirs, songs of thanksgiving dedicated themselves to the Lord, let us also dedicate ourselves to Christ and his work through the reading . “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God,

Who, being in very nature God,

did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,

but made himself nothing,

taking the very nature of a servant,

being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man,

he humbled himself

and became obedient to death—

even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

and gave him the name that is above every name,

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Shining as Stars

12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.”

Let us all, together, dedicate ourselves to the Lord, letting him take our lives, and let them be consecrated to Him, giving him all our moments, all our days, letting them flow in endless praise! Amen.