Sermon Tone Analysis
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ME (INTRO)
I think we as a society have a focus crisis.
Shannon and I one time were watching a TED-Ed on Youtube which grabbed our interest.
I think it had to do with why cats act so weird.
Okay, cute enough, and its only 5 minutes.
But then right at the end of the video there’s the clickbait.
Here’s two more videos on something really interesting.
Same thing happened the other day with cute babies escaping their crib, and 5 minutes becomes 10, and then pretty soon half an hour is gone.
What was our focus?
Why cats are weird and babies escaping their cribs.
But how did we end up where we are 30 minutes after?
WE (TENSION)
So I think we at least have a focus crisis.
Have you ever had the experience where you wanted to do so many things, but you don’t know how to choose which one to do first.
Or, so many things are on your to-do-list, and you become paralyzed because of the seemingly unlimited choices you have?
You may choose to do what you like, but at the expense of not having time to do what you need to do.
Or if you do what you need to do, then you can’t enjoy what you like.
Or worse, if you are the type A who wants to do it perfectly, needing the perfect time and setting and lighting to do something.
You just sit there, unable to choose, waiting for the perfect moment.
Or just when you suddenly come to a decision, your whatsapp message app buzzes, and you have to go through the cycle all over again.
Focus is REALLY hard.
But what we focus on matters a great deal!
GOD
We’ve been talking about returning.
And we have established by now that “normal” isn’t what we are aiming for, but something better.
Normal would be this sanctuary packed with people.
Normal would be not wearing a mask, giving each other a hug, or a high five.
Normal would be the foyer filled with us chatting to our hearts content before the Cantonese ushers shoo us to go down to the new basement for chit chat time.
Now, I still believe that day can happen.
But in this limbo state of seeing a destination, and no longer in lockdown, what things do we need to let go of, and what things do we need to recover?
We’ve been looking at the Book of Ezra-Nehemiah, and we are today in Nehemiah 6.
And for those who want a refresher, this book is about the Jewish people restoring the temple and building as a sign of covenant faithfulness to their God.
The Jews had previously been in exile because they had abandoned the LORD their God, along with his justice, mercy, and his sole worship.
This week, we are almost at the end of the rebuilding of the wall.
As we will see, his enemies Sanballat and Tobiah will make one final attempt to prevent God’s plan to come to fruition.
Here’s what we can learn from Nehemiah, the big idea:
When Returning is Uncertain, Focus on God
The structure is actually pretty simple to notice.
There are three sets of challenges and obstacles, and each one is followed by two answers from Nehemiah, and then his petition to God on that matter.
In all three challenges, you can see Nehemiah’s focus is on God: God’s task, God’s voice, and God’s remnant.
Our first point:
I. Focus on God’s Task (1-9)
There’s major progression between chapter 4, when we last heard of the status of the wall, until now.
If you recall, there were gaps left in order for Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem, the enemies, to see armed builders there and discourage them from advancing violently.
Nehemiah bluffed and it paid off!
Now even those gaps are not necessary, and the only things left are the doors and gates.
Seeing military advance as no longer an option, the enemies devise a new strategy.
First they divided their tactics.
Sanballat and Geshem teamed up and we will see later Tobiah starts another fire.
The request is a simple one.
Sanballat and Geshem ask Nehemiah to meet at Hakkerphirim in the plain of Ono, which is half way between Jerusalem and Samaria.
It’s about a day’s journey.
But Nehemiah saw the threat immediately.
He will be well away in the Northwest surrounded by Samaria and Ashdod.
Either they could waste his time as it will take another day to return after the meeting, or someone will kill him.
Knowing the ploy, Nehemiah replies:
Nehemiah sends his messengers and says basically my priority is on the finishing of the wall, the wall the LORD God.
Nehemiah is probably thinking back to when he first learned about the ruins from his kinsman, Hanani, and of the pivotal role he now has in making sure that the construction is completed.
What could be more important than this work which I prayed and fasted and inspected and oversaw, Nehemiah is in effect saying to them.
In someways, Sanballat and Geshem could, if it’s of urgency, come to Jerusalem instead.
Plus, it’s already quite obvious they weren’t the best of friends.
And so the enemies requested his presence four times, and each time he places God’s work above all else.
This determination to place God’s work above all else, is that our attitude?
Now I am not saying we need to become a workaholic until we burn out, but the key is knowing the magnitude of the work, who it is for and to de-prioritize any distractions we have.
For some, the great work could be time with God in devotion and prayer.
Being in God’s presence most certainly is a great work, so that he can transform us to be more Christ-like through allowing the word to read and study us.
Or small groups or fellowship, another great work of being in community with brothers and sisters in order for us to be discipled and make disciples.
But are there habits in your way which prevent you from this great work?
Is it oversleeping?
Is it well-intentioned friends who want you to go out to watch a movie or have bubble tea?
I appreciate how last week Rev. Ho said at the end of the service that in-person worship is the preferred way of worshipping.
It is a great work, and it mobilizes many of us from registration to AV to musicians to bring back the corporate aspect of worship.
In a few moments we will also be taking the communion.
It has been 19 months since we were last able to eat together in the same place.
That too is a great work we ought not to ignore, especially if the only reason we aren’t coming is because we get to sleep-in.
Of course, without children’s ministry, we totally understand why some of you would find it hard to return.
Others began joining us during the pandemic and actually do not live anywhere near York Region.
But those situations aside, I encourage you to come and be part of this great work of what it means to be a body, a community, a church.
After four rejections, Sanballat and co.
turned up the heat:
The context is easy to understand enough.
Sanballat is using hearsay and rumours to justify why meeting together is paramount.
After all, we wouldn’t want there to be any misunderstanding about your motives, Nehemiah.
People might think you want to make yourself king, and that’s why the wall is being rebuilt.
And who else but Geshem is also saying this, and undoubtedly it will reach King Artaxerxes, so let’s clarify the matter face-to-face.
Sanballlat is almost making himself seen as doing Nehemiah a favour!
The gall!
But his intentions could not be more sinister.
I didn’t know at first what the signficiance is of an open letter.
But apparently an open letter, not sealed, and delivered to Nehemiah only means anyone can read this letter.
The rumour of war and rebellion will spread whereever the letter travels.
The enemies are trying to force Nehemiah’s hand to have to come and defend his innocence.
Nehemiah dismissed the whole charade:
Nehemiah doesn’t even try to get into an argument with Sanballat and Geshem or anybody else.
He just says it’s not true and you’ve made it all up.
Two lines, that’s it.
Because Nehemiah knows it’s all about the great work they wanted to stop.
By connecting the wall to rebellion, the way to prove your innocence would be to stop building the wall.
However, Nehemiah has gone through much to get to this point, from prayer and then requesting Artaxerxes to send him back to Jerusalem.
God’s hand has been with him.
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