Burdened to Build

Recap: In the first chapter we are introduced to Nehemiah, a cup bearer to the King of Persia, Artaxerxes. Awaiting a response from his brethren regarding the state of Jerusalem, his home and hope, he has built up an anticipation. Only to be told of the wretched state of Jerusalem: walls broken down, gates burning, and people in turmoil. Crushed by this news, he took to his knees in prayer, repenting and asking for God to remember His people and remember His promise. 

After four mouths, during the cold of the winter, in the time which the fruit-bearing plants would lay dormant. Four months of waiting and praying and fasting wondering: God what are we to do now?!??! 

In the month of Nisan, the festival of the new year, the time of year that the plants begin to blossom, Nehemiah would be in a position where he would be face-to-face with his moment of clarity and moment of the response for his praying and seeking the LORD: “What are you asking Nehemiah?” King Artaxerxes asks. 

The king who declared that Jerusalem would never be rebuilt and had a long bloodlust trail. Killing anyone who would get in his way. And there Nehemiah was standing face-to-face with his response from the LORD…what did Nehemiah receive from the LORD? Permission and Provision! Nehemiah was met with the affirmation of the burden on his heart for the people of Jerusalem, the people of his fathers. His people. His heritage and identity. 

Not only was Nehemiah given passage and the creed necessary by King Artaxerxes but God would provide him with all the supplies to complete his task through the King who stated that there would no longer a Jerusalem…talk about God’s faithfulness and providence!

Where we find ourselves this morning is Nehemiah becoming active in the burden of his heart to go and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. He prayed. God responded. God provided. Now, Nehemiah is engaged in the call on his life. 

READ CHAPTER 2:9-20

Nehemiah has made it Beyond the River. He has made the long journey to the place where his heart, burdened by the LORD, had called him. To the place where God moved in his life to cause him a burden for these people. To the ones he had been praying for for months. 

This is the call of God upon Nehemiah’s life coming to fruition. 

Notice that it doesn’t say “The LORD told me.” It said over and over that Nehemiah had a “burden on his heart.”

We are going to be talking about the Call of God on your lives. We are going to see how God moved upon a man, a cupbearer, whose heart became burdened by the news of his people and the turmoil they are experiencing. 

We are going to be looking the life of Nehemiah in this moment as he responds in obedience to the burden upon his heart to Jerusalem and the what it means for our lives.

Because, friends, we are NOT called to be an idle people. We are not supposed to receive the news of our wretched state, become awakened to our sinful nature and our death in sin, to repent and believe upon the LORD Jesus Christ, so we can sit and continue sipping the cup for another king. We are the BODY of Christ!

1 Corinthians 12:12–27

One Body with Many Members

[12] For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. [13] For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

[14] For the body does not consist of one member but of many. [15] If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. [16] And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. [17] If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? [18] But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. [19] If all were a single member, where would the body be? [20] As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.

[21] The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” [22] On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, [23] and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, [24] which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, [25] that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. [26] If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

[27] Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. (ESV)

WE HAVE BEEN CALLED TO MOVE AND HAVE OUR BEING IN CHRIST.

WE ARE NOT AN IDLE PEOPLE. WE ARE SOJOURNERS and EXILES, MOVING TO DECLARE TO THE WORLD THE KINGDOM OF GOD. We are not an idle people.

Sermon Statement: God has called Nehemiah to declare the Glory of the LORD in the rebuilding of Israel in fulfillment of His faithful promise to return the people back to their land.

God has chosen, for His good pleasure, to use a cupbearer from the empire to whom God used for judgment upon Israel to bring about His faithful word to redeem the people of Israel back to their land. 

In God’s governance and good will, He chooses us to fulfill incredible and eternal glory to the King who has drawn us into His kingdom. He calls us with a beautiful invitation to be a part of His redeeming works upon the Earth for the Eternal Kingdom. How can you not be moved by that?

That’s you. That’s me. 

Undeserving but chosen by the only One who deserves honor and praise. 

——Pause a moment——

Let’s observe Nehemiah as he steps into the call that the LORD has placed upon him and what the Call of God upon our lives looks like when we go from the time of prayer to the call blossoming in our lives…

ONE: The Call Requires Preparation (2:11-16)

Nehemiah did not receive the call of God to take on such a task only to dive into it as if it will all work itself out. 

Before Nehemiah did or said anything…he rested for three days.

He took some time to recover from his journey. A journey that was met with opposition from the start. We will get into that in a bit. But, he took a few days to rest, get restored, and prepare for what he was about to embark upon.

HOW MANY OF YOU COULD USE SOME REST FROM THE JOURNEY?

How many of you have been toiling in prayer about your life, carrying heavy weights on what seems a long desert?

How many of you have been met with opposition along your journey?

Does this opposition wear on you? Wearing you down? 

How can we give when we have barely anything left to give?

The Call of God on your life sometimes requires rest. 

There are times when the journey has been exhausting and draining.

It may be time for you to take some time to rest and get restored and strengthened for the task ahead.

Pastors get burnt out. Did you know that? 

Pastoral depression. And sometimes Pastoral suicide.

The Call of God is not void of rest.

There comes a time when it requires ti take a timeout for a bit. And that is OK.

Nehemiah 2:12

[12] Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. And I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. There was no animal with me but the one on which I rode. (ESV)

Notice that Nehemiah went at night.

He did not tell anyone what God put into his heart. 

He did not roll in hot with a massive parade of all the horses his men had.

He did not come in adorned with a title and a disposition to rule over people with it. 

THIS IS NOT A MAN WHO SAW HIMSELF HIGH AND LIFTED UP, BUT DID WHAT WAS REQUIRED OF HIM FOR THE CALL THAT WOULD NOT BRING GLORY TO HIMSELF.

He did not roll into Jerusalem saying: “HEY PEOPLE, HERE COMES YOUR GODSEND!”

He did not go around telling everyone of his call. 

HOW MANY OF THE CALLED LOVE TO HEAR THEIR OWN PRAISE?

HOW MANY TAKE THE CALL AND USES IT AS A SYMBOL OF THEIR SPIRITUALITY?

OH HOW LONG THE TASSELS OF THE PHARISEES DRAG…

When God places the burden on your heart and calls you to a particular place, to a particular people, with a particular task, DO NOT USE IT AS A MEANS OF LIFTING YOURSELF UP.

Philippians 2:1–13

Christ’s Example of Humility

[1] So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, [2] complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. [3] Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. [4] Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. [5] Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, [6] who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. [9] Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

[12] Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, [13] for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (ESV)

Remember Who it is who called you, and how you are to conduct yourselves.

Nehemiah 2:13–16

[13] I went out by night by the Valley Gate to the Dragon Spring and to the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire. [14] Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but there was no room for the animal that was under me to pass. [15] Then I went up in the night by the valley and inspected the wall, and I turned back and entered by the Valley Gate, and so returned. [16] And the officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, and I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, and the rest who were to do the work. (ESV)

Nehemiah did what he needed to do to prepare for what was ahead of him. He took the time and energy for the assessment and the examination for what lies ahead. And he did it all without telling the “important people.” The priests were not told, the noble were not told, and the officials were not told. But he did what he needed to do to prepare to approach them later. 

When God calls you, there is a time of preparation. Working late at night. Giving up free time. Taking from what you have to the glory of God for His Kingdom and offering it regardless of the recognition. 

Sometimes it means going to college or seminary. 

Sometimes it means learning to speak another language.

Sometimes it means taking the experiences of your life that was painful and scary and sharing them with people who are experiencing them right now. 

And doing it all without the desire and push for personal recognition. 

It is hard. 

I will tell you.

Going to seminary at the age of 35 with a full-time job, a supportive wife, and 3 kids is hard.

Moving away from your family is hard.

But…THERE IS A BURDEN WITHIN US THAT WE CANNOT IGNORE.

That may be some of you today.

TWO: The Call Deserves Proclamation and Action (2:17-18)

Nehemiah 2:17–18

[17] Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.” [18] And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work. (ESV)

Once all the preparation, evaluation, and assessment had been completed, it was time to speak to the people about the condition they are in.

Nehemiah was able to approach the people and inform them because he took the time to put in the work.

He knew what he was talking about.

And it was his heart that would bear witness to the people for their state.

Taking the time to speak to the people, making them realize the state they were living in. 

He may have told them of the gates that had been destroyed. 

He may have told them Valley Gate and the Fountain Gate and the King’s Pool. 

He may have declared to the people: “LOOK HOW YOU ARE LIVING!”

He had the Call of God and the credentials to achieve the task, now it is time to do something about it.

Let’s do something about it…LET US RISE UP AND BUILD.

PULL YOURSELF UP AND LET US GET TO WORK.

The Call of God on your life means that you are aware of the needs of those whom you have been called to serve.

(SLOW)

You know their state. 

You know their circumstances. 

You know their pain and hurt. 

You know why they feel trapped and alone.

But you know the Hope to which they seek.

And you know the One who restores the soul and brings life to the dead.

You know the One who heals the blind. Brings hearing to the deaf. Who sets the prisoners free!

And you are the one who has been called to them to bring good news. 

You are the called to feed the hungry.

You are the called to clothe the homeless.

You are the called to move to a hostile country to proclaim the Gospel to the lost sheep.

But this call goes beyond knowing…beyond knowing all the right words to say and beyond the timing being just right and beyond your current circumstances. It requires ACTION.

Let us rise up and build. 

Let us build into the lives of those who have been broken down, whose walls bear witness of the turmoil they have experienced. 

God has called you to not only know but to do!

(SLOW)

Maybe that is you right now…maybe it is time for you to go from knowing to acting and working.

It may be time for you to rise up and build.

And lastly…

THREE: The Call Comes with Opposition (2:19-20)

Nehemiah 2:19–20

[19] But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” [20] Then I replied to them, “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem.” (ESV)

Friends…when you answer the call of God on your life, you will be met with opposition.

There will be people who will think you are being unwise to move your family.

There will be some who will jeer at you for wanting to sell your home and move to a town to work in a ministry who helps those considering abortion. 

There will be those who think that you are not called to what you are doing.

And then there will be those who will just not like you.

When a child of God moves into responding to the burden placed upon their heart for God’s good pleasure in the redemption of His people and building the Kingdom, the Adversary will not like that.

(SLOW)

Spiritual warfare will be an opposition.

World circumstances will be an opposition.

Finances will be an opposition. 

Even fear and anxiety will plague you in opposition.

When Sapphire experienced the flipping of the 4Runner while we were on our way here in Canada, we sat in the hotel room, looked at each other and asked:

“Should we just go home?

Are we doing the right thing?

Seems to be a lot of opposition…”

But look at verse 20: “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build…”

We are here and we know that the God of Heaven has us here for a time and a purpose and He will make us prosper for His good pleasure in calling us here to Alaska.

Let me tell you…look at verse 9 and 10…

The opposition happened before he even arrived to rest. 

If the call and burden is not met with opposition, what manner of faith does it take to achieve the task set before you?

If you can achieve that which is on your heart by your own means…who gets the glory in that? God or You?

Nehemiah had opposition before he could even get started. 

Nehemiah had opposition even though he was cleared to do the work.

Nehemiah had opposition when he did all the preparation and engaged with the people.

And Nehemiah is going to have opposition during his campaign that started as a burden upon the heart.

THREE words to remember as we consider the Call of God on your life:

ONE: PREPARATION

The Call of God on your life will require preparation.

TWO: ACTION

The Call of God requires action. You have been called to do good works.

THREE: OPPOSITION

The Call of God on your life will be hard and it will be even harder when there is opposition and an Adversary who does not want you to succeed.

(SLOW to end)

So where are you at right now?

Some of you may be back in Chapter 1…

Some of you may be in a place where you are holding onto a hope that the life you have built will be good enough only to learn that the VERY BEST we can offer a Holy and Righteous and Gracious God is rubble and tattered memories of what resembled something good.

It may require you, like Nehemiah, to hear of the destruction we have to offer, which is nothing, and pray to God for repentance. Place our Hope in the God of Restoration. Who restores our lives from death to life. That Jesus Christ took upon himself the curse of death that we deserved, and by grace through faith, we are justified when we believe and confess.

Some of you may be in the dormant season…

You are praying and seeking the LORD knowing that you have a burden placed upon your heart and you wait upon the LORD. You have been praying and seeking for what seems like a very long time. Awaiting the moment when God calls you to go and do.

Some of you may find yourself like we see Nehemiah today…

You have felt the burden for a long time, prayed for God to provide for that burden, and He has asked you to go.

He has called you to prepare. So are you preparing?

He has called you to move to action. So are you doing the work?

He has called you to declare that it is time to Rise and Build.

Are you faithful in that call?

Some of you may need rest…

The opposition has been coming at you for a while now.

And you need to rest and be restored. 

Wherever you are, take this with you this week. 

Pray that the LORD would prepare you, strength you, or give you rest. 

Pray that the LORD will burden you, because we are all called.

We all have been burdened to build.

Let’s pray.