WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.600 Good morning, church. 00:00:03.560 --> 00:00:04.719 It's good to see you this morning. 00:00:04.960 --> 00:00:09.099 Our sermon passage today is Nehemiah, chapters 3 and 4. 00:00:10.060 --> 00:00:12.740 That's page 371 in the Pew Bible. 00:00:12.880 --> 00:00:14.839 Let me invite you to turn there with me. 00:00:15.960 --> 00:00:17.539 Nehemiah, chapters 3 and 4. 00:00:17.539 --> 00:00:34.599 Now, to set the stage for our text, I want to begin by reading the end of actually Nehemiah, chapter 2, verses 17 through 20. 00:00:35.259 --> 00:00:41.579 So let me read verses 17 through 20 of chapter 2 for us, and then I'll pray, and then we'll dive in. 00:00:41.579 --> 00:00:48.939 So this is Nehemiah speaking to the returned exiles in Jerusalem. 00:01:11.579 --> 00:01:16.200 And they said, 00:01:16.200 --> 00:01:17.960 Let us rise up and build. 00:01:18.579 --> 00:01:20.719 So they strengthened their hands for the good work. 00:01:21.879 --> 00:01:27.760 But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite's servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, 00:01:28.240 --> 00:01:32.599 they jeered at us and despised us and said, 00:01:33.079 --> 00:01:35.240 What is this thing that you are doing? 00:01:35.840 --> 00:01:37.560 Are you rebelling against the king? 00:01:37.560 --> 00:01:40.280 Then I replied to them, 00:01:40.920 --> 00:01:43.180 The God of heaven will make us prosper, 00:01:43.920 --> 00:01:46.520 and we his servants will arise and build. 00:01:47.200 --> 00:01:49.879 But you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem. 00:01:50.960 --> 00:01:52.000 Let's pray together. 00:01:53.920 --> 00:02:00.260 Father, we do ask for your blessing upon this time that we spend in these moments attending to your word. 00:02:00.260 --> 00:02:07.260 God, with the psalmists, we cry out that if you remain silent to us, God, 00:02:07.320 --> 00:02:09.240 we are like those who go down to the grave. 00:02:10.360 --> 00:02:15.040 Hearing your word spoken, hearing your voice coming to us through your word, 00:02:15.280 --> 00:02:17.159 God, these are our only hope of life. 00:02:18.700 --> 00:02:23.599 So we sit before you this morning, God, hungry to hear your words. 00:02:24.960 --> 00:02:28.759 God, would you help me as I unpack this passage and preach this word? 00:02:28.759 --> 00:02:32.639 Lord, would my human words be swept up into the words of your spirit 00:02:32.639 --> 00:02:37.039 to faithfully proclaim what is here and what you are saying to your church? 00:02:37.959 --> 00:02:39.819 We pray all this, Father, in Jesus' name. 00:02:40.000 --> 00:02:40.219 Amen. 00:02:43.099 --> 00:02:47.120 Well, it must have seemed like an impossible task. 00:02:48.340 --> 00:02:51.099 Build a wall around Jerusalem. 00:02:52.479 --> 00:02:55.299 The year is 445 B.C., 00:02:55.299 --> 00:02:58.479 90 years after the first group of Jews returned to the land of Judah 00:02:58.479 --> 00:02:59.759 after the exile to Babylon. 00:03:00.780 --> 00:03:03.000 At this point in history, the temple has been rebuilt. 00:03:03.479 --> 00:03:05.019 The word of God is being taught, 00:03:05.560 --> 00:03:09.459 but the city itself is still largely in ruins. 00:03:11.099 --> 00:03:13.120 And Nehemiah has just arrived in Jerusalem 00:03:13.120 --> 00:03:15.259 from the Persian imperial capital of Susa, 00:03:15.419 --> 00:03:17.479 and he's gathered together the people, 00:03:17.599 --> 00:03:19.000 and he's told them of his plan 00:03:19.000 --> 00:03:21.259 to restore the dignity of the city 00:03:21.259 --> 00:03:22.719 and rebuild its walls. 00:03:22.719 --> 00:03:29.759 Now, this was a huge task, a huge task. 00:03:30.680 --> 00:03:34.079 It was roughly 2,300 meters around the city. 00:03:35.740 --> 00:03:38.719 That's about the length of 250 football fields. 00:03:40.599 --> 00:03:42.680 How many football fields would you take up 00:03:42.680 --> 00:03:44.280 if this was the project before us? 00:03:44.740 --> 00:03:46.180 We'd each have to take about one. 00:03:46.879 --> 00:03:48.599 100 yards, each of us. 00:03:48.900 --> 00:03:49.379 Build a wall. 00:03:49.379 --> 00:03:52.060 And what was left of the original wall 00:03:52.060 --> 00:03:54.240 was nothing but charred remains and rubble, 00:03:54.379 --> 00:03:57.500 which was utterly unusable for the reconstruction. 00:03:58.659 --> 00:04:01.019 But, you know, it wasn't just a huge task. 00:04:01.400 --> 00:04:03.900 It was a despised task. 00:04:05.280 --> 00:04:07.139 The surrounding people, their neighbors, 00:04:07.280 --> 00:04:09.719 hear about it, and they ridicule them. 00:04:10.280 --> 00:04:11.280 They despise them. 00:04:11.280 --> 00:04:17.040 So how would this small band of returned Jewish exiles 00:04:17.040 --> 00:04:20.100 be any match on the one hand 00:04:20.100 --> 00:04:21.939 for the magnitude of such a task? 00:04:23.399 --> 00:04:24.339 But not just that. 00:04:24.360 --> 00:04:24.839 On the other hand, 00:04:24.899 --> 00:04:26.420 how would they be any match 00:04:26.420 --> 00:04:29.040 for the opposition to the task? 00:04:31.680 --> 00:04:34.060 You know, we might ask the same question of ourselves, 00:04:34.600 --> 00:04:35.379 the church, today. 00:04:37.480 --> 00:04:39.139 Of course, now that Christ has come 00:04:39.139 --> 00:04:41.060 and poured out his spirit at Pentecost, 00:04:41.180 --> 00:04:43.519 God's people are no longer a physical city 00:04:43.519 --> 00:04:45.659 amidst the nations of Palestine. 00:04:45.879 --> 00:04:47.819 Rather, we are a spiritual city 00:04:47.819 --> 00:04:49.939 amidst the nations of the whole world. 00:04:51.180 --> 00:04:53.339 We're not building physical walls anymore. 00:04:53.560 --> 00:04:55.079 We're building spiritual communities 00:04:55.079 --> 00:04:57.060 of faith and hope and love. 00:04:58.360 --> 00:05:00.459 And yet, the task before us 00:05:00.459 --> 00:05:01.860 to build the church, 00:05:02.300 --> 00:05:03.439 to advance God's kingdom, 00:05:03.620 --> 00:05:05.959 is equally daunting, if not more so. 00:05:05.959 --> 00:05:09.599 Just like in Nehemiah's day, 00:05:09.699 --> 00:05:11.759 there is much work to be done. 00:05:11.859 --> 00:05:13.560 The magnitude of the task is great. 00:05:13.659 --> 00:05:14.919 And just like in Nehemiah's day, 00:05:15.060 --> 00:05:17.779 there's opposition that we need to withstand. 00:05:20.599 --> 00:05:22.599 Think about the magnitude of our task. 00:05:23.939 --> 00:05:26.199 There are about 860,000 people 00:05:26.199 --> 00:05:27.479 who live in New Haven County, 00:05:28.179 --> 00:05:30.479 many of whom have never heard the gospel, 00:05:31.219 --> 00:05:32.399 many of whom have actually had 00:05:32.399 --> 00:05:34.039 terrible experiences with the church 00:05:34.039 --> 00:05:35.759 and frankly want nothing to do with Jesus. 00:05:35.959 --> 00:05:40.479 Statistics about addiction, poverty, 00:05:40.699 --> 00:05:41.799 mental health, abuse, 00:05:41.859 --> 00:05:43.039 are at staggering levels. 00:05:44.719 --> 00:05:46.299 Not just outside the church, 00:05:46.379 --> 00:05:47.439 but inside the church. 00:05:49.000 --> 00:05:50.639 And rather than being communities 00:05:50.639 --> 00:05:52.199 of faith and hope and love, 00:05:52.279 --> 00:05:53.759 churches can often deteriorate 00:05:53.759 --> 00:05:55.060 into places of cynicism 00:05:55.060 --> 00:05:56.659 and bitterness and burnout. 00:05:58.959 --> 00:06:01.199 The task of building up the church 00:06:01.199 --> 00:06:02.759 and advancing God's kingdom 00:06:02.759 --> 00:06:03.659 is staggering. 00:06:03.660 --> 00:06:06.040 The magnitude of the task before us is great. 00:06:09.300 --> 00:06:10.680 But think about the opposition 00:06:10.680 --> 00:06:11.860 to the task as well. 00:06:13.580 --> 00:06:15.040 Christianity is often ridiculed 00:06:15.040 --> 00:06:16.940 as sort of an outdated, 00:06:17.420 --> 00:06:19.000 antiquated thing, isn't it? 00:06:20.060 --> 00:06:21.680 Too old, too prescriptive, 00:06:21.780 --> 00:06:23.560 too narrow to be of any real use. 00:06:24.260 --> 00:06:25.360 Besides, some think, 00:06:25.420 --> 00:06:26.500 haven't we tried it already? 00:06:26.500 --> 00:06:28.980 What makes us think it's going to work now? 00:06:30.259 --> 00:06:31.480 What good has it done? 00:06:34.120 --> 00:06:34.740 But you know, 00:06:34.779 --> 00:06:36.339 the opposition isn't just ridicule 00:06:36.339 --> 00:06:37.759 or unbelief from the world. 00:06:38.639 --> 00:06:40.060 We also have to contend 00:06:40.060 --> 00:06:41.339 with our own sinful natures, 00:06:41.439 --> 00:06:41.800 don't we? 00:06:43.720 --> 00:06:44.959 Our selfish pride 00:06:44.959 --> 00:06:46.379 that wants to be made up of, 00:06:46.459 --> 00:06:47.180 made much of. 00:06:48.519 --> 00:06:49.740 Our sinful desires 00:06:49.740 --> 00:06:51.759 that want to gratify ourselves 00:06:51.759 --> 00:06:53.120 rather than glorify God. 00:06:53.120 --> 00:06:56.139 Our self-justifying spirits 00:06:56.139 --> 00:06:58.040 that would rather fester over a wrong 00:06:58.040 --> 00:06:59.939 than overlook an offense. 00:07:03.000 --> 00:07:04.199 Oftentimes the enemy 00:07:04.199 --> 00:07:05.860 is ourselves, isn't it? 00:07:07.939 --> 00:07:10.079 But if that's not opposition enough 00:07:10.079 --> 00:07:10.740 from the world 00:07:10.740 --> 00:07:12.000 and from our own sinful natures, 00:07:12.079 --> 00:07:13.120 there's also the one 00:07:13.120 --> 00:07:15.160 that Jesus calls the accuser. 00:07:16.280 --> 00:07:17.600 A spiritual enemy 00:07:17.600 --> 00:07:18.680 whose main weapon 00:07:18.680 --> 00:07:20.040 is the lie. 00:07:20.040 --> 00:07:23.260 The lie that God 00:07:23.260 --> 00:07:24.480 is neither good enough 00:07:24.480 --> 00:07:25.740 nor powerful enough 00:07:25.740 --> 00:07:26.900 to make any difference. 00:07:27.920 --> 00:07:29.780 The lie that we don't need a Savior. 00:07:31.300 --> 00:07:33.340 The lie that even if there was a Savior, 00:07:34.040 --> 00:07:36.259 God couldn't possibly love someone like me 00:07:36.259 --> 00:07:37.640 and want to save me. 00:07:41.660 --> 00:07:42.939 And so it's easy, 00:07:43.259 --> 00:07:44.360 isn't it, 00:07:44.379 --> 00:07:45.520 to grow discouraged 00:07:45.520 --> 00:07:46.620 as a church 00:07:46.620 --> 00:07:49.439 when we see the magnitude 00:07:49.439 --> 00:07:50.800 of the task, 00:07:50.860 --> 00:07:51.780 when we see the opposition 00:07:51.780 --> 00:07:52.860 to the task. 00:07:52.899 --> 00:07:53.399 It's easy 00:07:53.399 --> 00:07:54.620 to get discouraged 00:07:54.620 --> 00:07:55.519 and it's easy 00:07:55.519 --> 00:07:56.519 to grow afraid. 00:07:59.819 --> 00:08:01.840 But what Nehemiah chapters 3 and 4 00:08:01.840 --> 00:08:02.920 show us is hope. 00:08:05.060 --> 00:08:07.340 God has made a way for us 00:08:07.340 --> 00:08:08.519 to meet 00:08:08.519 --> 00:08:09.139 both 00:08:09.139 --> 00:08:11.120 the magnitude of the task 00:08:11.120 --> 00:08:12.879 and the opposition 00:08:12.879 --> 00:08:13.879 to the task. 00:08:13.879 --> 00:08:16.699 We see the magnitude 00:08:16.699 --> 00:08:17.579 of the task 00:08:17.579 --> 00:08:18.219 being faced 00:08:18.219 --> 00:08:19.219 in chapter 3 00:08:19.219 --> 00:08:20.959 and the opposition 00:08:20.959 --> 00:08:21.959 in chapter 4. 00:08:22.819 --> 00:08:23.319 So first, 00:08:23.399 --> 00:08:23.879 let's think about 00:08:23.879 --> 00:08:24.540 the magnitude. 00:08:26.159 --> 00:08:27.259 In chapter 3, 00:08:27.319 --> 00:08:28.060 to sum it up, 00:08:28.420 --> 00:08:29.439 we see the magnitude 00:08:29.439 --> 00:08:31.000 of the church's task 00:08:31.000 --> 00:08:32.779 is no match 00:08:32.779 --> 00:08:34.820 for a ministry-minded 00:08:34.820 --> 00:08:35.740 membership. 00:08:36.559 --> 00:08:37.559 The magnitude 00:08:37.559 --> 00:08:38.700 of the church's task 00:08:38.700 --> 00:08:39.659 is no match 00:08:39.659 --> 00:08:41.200 for a ministry-minded 00:08:41.200 --> 00:08:41.679 membership. 00:08:41.820 --> 00:08:41.919 Now, 00:08:42.000 --> 00:08:42.600 at first glance, 00:08:42.940 --> 00:08:43.519 chapter 3, 00:08:43.519 --> 00:08:44.279 just looks like 00:08:44.279 --> 00:08:44.899 a long list 00:08:44.899 --> 00:08:45.699 of obscure names 00:08:45.699 --> 00:08:46.120 and places 00:08:46.120 --> 00:08:46.860 around Jerusalem, 00:08:46.980 --> 00:08:47.220 right? 00:08:47.899 --> 00:08:48.559 Look down there. 00:08:49.079 --> 00:08:49.480 You're like, 00:08:49.539 --> 00:08:49.699 man, 00:08:49.740 --> 00:08:50.439 I'm glad he's not 00:08:50.439 --> 00:08:50.819 going to read 00:08:50.819 --> 00:08:51.519 that whole chapter. 00:08:53.360 --> 00:08:54.439 And I'd be making up 00:08:54.439 --> 00:08:54.960 how to pronounce 00:08:54.960 --> 00:08:55.980 about half of those names. 00:08:56.259 --> 00:08:56.899 True confessions. 00:08:59.379 --> 00:08:59.960 But you know, 00:09:00.019 --> 00:09:00.460 actually, 00:09:01.299 --> 00:09:03.600 as we take a breath 00:09:03.600 --> 00:09:04.199 and glance over 00:09:04.199 --> 00:09:04.799 that chapter, 00:09:05.539 --> 00:09:06.220 what it is, 00:09:06.259 --> 00:09:06.699 it's actually 00:09:06.699 --> 00:09:07.279 a description 00:09:07.279 --> 00:09:08.559 of the work 00:09:08.559 --> 00:09:09.799 and the workers 00:09:09.799 --> 00:09:10.939 who took up 00:09:10.939 --> 00:09:12.299 the daunting task 00:09:12.299 --> 00:09:13.179 of rebuilding 00:09:13.179 --> 00:09:13.699 the walls. 00:09:15.179 --> 00:09:16.299 It's quite a heroic 00:09:16.299 --> 00:09:18.119 and courageous list. 00:09:19.479 --> 00:09:20.359 The description 00:09:20.359 --> 00:09:20.819 of the work 00:09:20.819 --> 00:09:21.439 begins 00:09:21.439 --> 00:09:23.239 in the north end 00:09:23.239 --> 00:09:23.979 of the city 00:09:23.979 --> 00:09:24.939 at what's called 00:09:24.939 --> 00:09:25.659 the Sheep Gate 00:09:25.659 --> 00:09:26.459 in verse 1. 00:09:26.959 --> 00:09:27.479 And then, 00:09:27.659 --> 00:09:28.639 we're going to move 00:09:28.639 --> 00:09:30.099 kind of counterclockwise 00:09:30.099 --> 00:09:31.879 around the city's perimeter, 00:09:32.099 --> 00:09:33.419 naming the various gates 00:09:33.419 --> 00:09:34.259 and landmarks 00:09:34.259 --> 00:09:34.899 along the way. 00:09:35.679 --> 00:09:36.319 And the gates 00:09:36.319 --> 00:09:36.840 of the city 00:09:36.840 --> 00:09:37.819 become the sort 00:09:37.819 --> 00:09:38.779 of major landmarks 00:09:38.779 --> 00:09:39.819 that divide up the work. 00:09:40.059 --> 00:09:40.980 From the Sheep Gate 00:09:40.980 --> 00:09:41.679 in verse 1, 00:09:41.720 --> 00:09:42.319 you see that there, 00:09:42.419 --> 00:09:43.759 we go west 00:09:43.759 --> 00:09:44.740 to the Fish Gate 00:09:44.740 --> 00:09:45.419 in verse 3, 00:09:45.799 --> 00:09:46.779 slightly south 00:09:46.779 --> 00:09:47.720 to the Gate of Yeshna 00:09:47.720 --> 00:09:48.340 in verse, 00:09:48.779 --> 00:09:49.679 is it verse 6? 00:09:50.419 --> 00:09:50.959 Then from there, 00:09:51.039 --> 00:09:53.000 we take a steep turn south 00:09:53.000 --> 00:09:54.240 down to the Valley Gate 00:09:54.240 --> 00:09:54.679 in 13 00:09:54.679 --> 00:09:55.679 until we reach 00:09:55.679 --> 00:09:56.699 the southernmost part 00:09:56.699 --> 00:09:57.139 of the city, 00:09:57.399 --> 00:09:57.699 what's called 00:09:57.699 --> 00:09:58.480 the Dung Gate 00:09:58.480 --> 00:09:59.259 in verse 14. 00:10:00.600 --> 00:10:00.919 Okay, 00:10:00.960 --> 00:10:01.840 you had to really feel 00:10:01.840 --> 00:10:02.460 for the guys 00:10:02.460 --> 00:10:03.059 who were building 00:10:03.059 --> 00:10:04.059 the Dung Gate, 00:10:04.179 --> 00:10:04.419 right? 00:10:04.899 --> 00:10:06.459 Not the most glamorous job, 00:10:07.179 --> 00:10:08.019 but there you go. 00:10:08.099 --> 00:10:09.039 They drew the short sticks. 00:10:09.139 --> 00:10:09.599 They had to build 00:10:09.599 --> 00:10:10.120 the Dung Gate. 00:10:10.559 --> 00:10:11.419 But anyway, 00:10:11.519 --> 00:10:11.899 keep going. 00:10:12.039 --> 00:10:12.479 From there, 00:10:12.539 --> 00:10:13.699 the wall shoots north again 00:10:13.699 --> 00:10:14.819 up to the Fountain Gate, 00:10:15.019 --> 00:10:15.699 the Water Gate, 00:10:15.919 --> 00:10:16.479 the Horse Gate 00:10:16.479 --> 00:10:17.099 in verse 28, 00:10:17.219 --> 00:10:17.699 the East Gate, 00:10:17.759 --> 00:10:18.240 the Mustard Gate 00:10:18.240 --> 00:10:19.139 until back to the 00:10:19.139 --> 00:10:19.759 northernmost part 00:10:19.759 --> 00:10:20.139 of the city 00:10:20.139 --> 00:10:21.219 where the work began 00:10:21.219 --> 00:10:22.219 at the Sheep Gate 00:10:22.219 --> 00:10:23.039 in verse 32, 00:10:23.339 --> 00:10:24.360 right near the temple 00:10:24.360 --> 00:10:25.219 in the northernmost part 00:10:25.219 --> 00:10:25.659 of the city, 00:10:26.399 --> 00:10:27.279 probably named 00:10:27.279 --> 00:10:27.919 the Sheep Gate 00:10:27.919 --> 00:10:28.699 because that's where 00:10:28.699 --> 00:10:29.439 the sacrifices 00:10:29.439 --> 00:10:30.579 were brought into the city 00:10:30.579 --> 00:10:31.959 for worship at the temple. 00:10:31.960 --> 00:10:34.680 And so we see 00:10:34.680 --> 00:10:35.379 that the people 00:10:35.379 --> 00:10:36.540 actually tackle 00:10:36.540 --> 00:10:37.500 the whole project 00:10:37.500 --> 00:10:38.040 at once, 00:10:38.340 --> 00:10:39.120 every member 00:10:39.120 --> 00:10:39.740 of the community 00:10:39.740 --> 00:10:40.560 finding their place, 00:10:40.660 --> 00:10:41.240 doing their part, 00:10:41.560 --> 00:10:42.700 joining in the great work. 00:10:43.180 --> 00:10:43.980 And the priests 00:10:43.980 --> 00:10:44.720 in verse 1, 00:10:44.720 --> 00:10:45.540 in verse 1, 00:10:45.639 --> 00:10:46.780 they consecrated, 00:10:47.440 --> 00:10:48.780 they set it apart, 00:10:49.560 --> 00:10:51.100 not just the Sheep Gate, 00:10:51.320 --> 00:10:52.660 but by relationship 00:10:52.660 --> 00:10:53.620 to the whole task, 00:10:53.740 --> 00:10:54.519 they consecrated, 00:10:54.639 --> 00:10:55.320 they set it apart 00:10:55.320 --> 00:10:56.500 as devoted to the Lord. 00:10:56.500 --> 00:11:00.700 Now it's hard not 00:11:00.700 --> 00:11:01.500 to think here 00:11:01.500 --> 00:11:03.539 as we see the community 00:11:03.539 --> 00:11:05.080 taking up this project 00:11:05.080 --> 00:11:05.700 together. 00:11:06.000 --> 00:11:07.240 It's hard not to think here 00:11:07.240 --> 00:11:07.840 of the description 00:11:07.840 --> 00:11:08.460 of the church 00:11:08.460 --> 00:11:09.159 in the New Testament, 00:11:09.360 --> 00:11:09.639 isn't it? 00:11:10.779 --> 00:11:11.559 Think of what Paul 00:11:11.559 --> 00:11:12.080 has to say 00:11:12.080 --> 00:11:13.240 in Ephesians chapter 4. 00:11:14.399 --> 00:11:15.279 Speaking of the church, 00:11:15.360 --> 00:11:15.919 he says, 00:11:16.059 --> 00:11:16.960 and we heard this earlier, 00:11:17.139 --> 00:11:18.120 speaking the truth 00:11:18.120 --> 00:11:18.620 in love, 00:11:18.720 --> 00:11:19.639 we are to grow up 00:11:19.639 --> 00:11:20.500 in every way 00:11:20.500 --> 00:11:21.059 into Him 00:11:21.059 --> 00:11:21.740 who is the head 00:11:21.740 --> 00:11:22.460 into Christ, 00:11:22.940 --> 00:11:24.480 from whom the whole body 00:11:24.480 --> 00:11:26.220 joined and held together 00:11:26.220 --> 00:11:27.040 by every joint 00:11:27.040 --> 00:11:28.060 with which it is equipped. 00:11:28.500 --> 00:11:29.399 When each part 00:11:29.399 --> 00:11:30.660 is working properly, 00:11:31.360 --> 00:11:32.300 makes the body grow 00:11:32.300 --> 00:11:33.600 so that it builds 00:11:33.600 --> 00:11:34.540 itself up in love. 00:11:35.660 --> 00:11:37.000 When each part 00:11:37.000 --> 00:11:38.480 is working properly, 00:11:38.639 --> 00:11:39.680 the body grows, 00:11:39.879 --> 00:11:41.139 building itself up 00:11:41.139 --> 00:11:41.940 in love. 00:11:42.240 --> 00:11:42.600 You see, 00:11:42.639 --> 00:11:44.080 in the body of Christ, 00:11:44.500 --> 00:11:45.620 our membership 00:11:45.620 --> 00:11:48.480 means ministry, 00:11:49.580 --> 00:11:51.440 a call to serve 00:11:51.440 --> 00:11:52.240 and love 00:11:52.240 --> 00:11:53.460 and to find your place 00:11:53.460 --> 00:11:54.379 in this great work 00:11:54.379 --> 00:11:55.160 of building 00:11:55.160 --> 00:11:56.080 the spiritual city 00:11:56.080 --> 00:11:56.580 of God. 00:11:59.360 --> 00:12:00.060 Let me make 00:12:00.060 --> 00:12:00.840 a couple observations 00:12:00.840 --> 00:12:02.400 from Nehemiah chapter 3 00:12:02.400 --> 00:12:03.000 about this 00:12:03.000 --> 00:12:04.360 every member ministry. 00:12:04.540 --> 00:12:04.820 First, 00:12:05.460 --> 00:12:06.100 what we see here 00:12:06.100 --> 00:12:06.720 is that the workers 00:12:06.720 --> 00:12:07.320 on the wall 00:12:07.320 --> 00:12:08.540 come from all 00:12:08.540 --> 00:12:09.400 the social levels 00:12:09.400 --> 00:12:10.420 of the community. 00:12:10.980 --> 00:12:11.620 If you scan 00:12:11.620 --> 00:12:12.320 throughout this chapter, 00:12:12.440 --> 00:12:13.080 you'll come across 00:12:13.080 --> 00:12:13.680 priests, 00:12:14.720 --> 00:12:15.300 Levites, 00:12:16.000 --> 00:12:16.759 temple servants, 00:12:17.379 --> 00:12:18.080 civic rulers, 00:12:18.620 --> 00:12:19.259 craftsmen, 00:12:19.580 --> 00:12:20.000 merchants, 00:12:20.280 --> 00:12:20.620 men, 00:12:20.759 --> 00:12:21.180 and women. 00:12:21.360 --> 00:12:22.100 No one 00:12:22.100 --> 00:12:23.060 is excluded 00:12:23.060 --> 00:12:23.720 from the work. 00:12:24.259 --> 00:12:25.160 Everyone finds 00:12:25.159 --> 00:12:25.799 their place. 00:12:27.559 --> 00:12:27.959 Now, 00:12:27.980 --> 00:12:28.299 I think there's 00:12:28.299 --> 00:12:29.139 a two-fold lesson 00:12:29.139 --> 00:12:29.799 for us there. 00:12:30.679 --> 00:12:31.539 On the one hand, 00:12:31.620 --> 00:12:32.339 don't think 00:12:32.339 --> 00:12:33.459 that there's no place 00:12:33.459 --> 00:12:34.219 for you 00:12:34.219 --> 00:12:35.139 in the work 00:12:35.139 --> 00:12:35.620 of the church 00:12:35.620 --> 00:12:35.980 and the work 00:12:35.980 --> 00:12:36.439 of the kingdom. 00:12:38.100 --> 00:12:39.199 You may not think 00:12:39.199 --> 00:12:39.839 that you have much 00:12:39.839 --> 00:12:40.459 to contribute, 00:12:41.500 --> 00:12:43.699 but friend, 00:12:43.700 --> 00:12:45.300 Jesus made you 00:12:45.300 --> 00:12:46.560 a part of His body, 00:12:46.660 --> 00:12:47.620 a part of His city 00:12:47.620 --> 00:12:48.400 for a reason. 00:12:49.960 --> 00:12:51.340 There are no accidents. 00:12:52.460 --> 00:12:53.400 For the sake 00:12:53.400 --> 00:12:54.080 of the kingdom, 00:12:54.340 --> 00:12:55.480 you do have a role 00:12:55.480 --> 00:12:55.940 to play. 00:12:56.020 --> 00:12:56.460 In fact, 00:12:56.740 --> 00:12:58.540 you're a needed member. 00:12:58.759 --> 00:12:59.640 Remember what Paul says? 00:12:59.720 --> 00:13:01.140 Only when each part 00:13:01.140 --> 00:13:02.220 is working properly, 00:13:02.360 --> 00:13:03.320 each and every part, 00:13:03.500 --> 00:13:04.220 do we grow 00:13:04.220 --> 00:13:05.259 the way God intends. 00:13:05.820 --> 00:13:07.080 You have a place. 00:13:07.080 --> 00:13:08.860 We actually need you 00:13:08.860 --> 00:13:09.879 on the wall, 00:13:09.960 --> 00:13:10.400 as it were. 00:13:10.399 --> 00:13:14.639 On the other hand, 00:13:14.980 --> 00:13:15.559 if some people 00:13:15.559 --> 00:13:16.519 think they're no good 00:13:16.519 --> 00:13:17.679 to minister in the church, 00:13:17.779 --> 00:13:18.340 don't fall into 00:13:18.340 --> 00:13:19.139 the opposite trap 00:13:19.139 --> 00:13:20.240 of thinking you're too good. 00:13:21.699 --> 00:13:22.740 Notice verse 5. 00:13:23.139 --> 00:13:23.579 Look at the end 00:13:23.579 --> 00:13:24.279 of verse 5. 00:13:25.360 --> 00:13:26.100 And next to them, 00:13:26.779 --> 00:13:27.819 the Techoites repaired, 00:13:28.360 --> 00:13:30.079 but their nobles 00:13:30.079 --> 00:13:31.500 would not stoop 00:13:31.500 --> 00:13:32.939 to serve their Lord. 00:13:34.259 --> 00:13:36.199 The nobles of Techoa, 00:13:36.939 --> 00:13:37.679 a region I think 00:13:37.679 --> 00:13:38.639 south of Jerusalem, 00:13:38.639 --> 00:13:40.600 were a bit too proud 00:13:40.600 --> 00:13:42.220 to get their hands dirty 00:13:42.220 --> 00:13:43.519 and build a wall. 00:13:45.699 --> 00:13:46.100 Friend, 00:13:46.159 --> 00:13:47.039 don't let that be you. 00:13:49.179 --> 00:13:49.860 Consider rather 00:13:49.860 --> 00:13:50.340 the example 00:13:50.340 --> 00:13:51.000 of verse 9. 00:13:51.759 --> 00:13:52.319 Next to them, 00:13:52.699 --> 00:13:53.179 Rephiah, 00:13:53.240 --> 00:13:54.019 the son of Hur, 00:13:54.519 --> 00:13:55.699 ruler of half 00:13:55.699 --> 00:13:56.220 the district 00:13:56.220 --> 00:13:57.240 of Jerusalem repaired. 00:13:57.500 --> 00:13:58.240 Or verse 12. 00:13:58.679 --> 00:13:59.259 Next to him, 00:13:59.639 --> 00:13:59.980 Shalom, 00:14:00.120 --> 00:14:01.059 the son of Halahesh, 00:14:01.379 --> 00:14:02.019 ruler of half 00:14:02.019 --> 00:14:02.439 the district 00:14:02.439 --> 00:14:03.279 of Jerusalem repaired. 00:14:03.379 --> 00:14:04.460 He and his daughters. 00:14:05.779 --> 00:14:06.620 Who are these two men? 00:14:06.679 --> 00:14:07.360 They were basically 00:14:07.360 --> 00:14:08.840 what we might call mayors 00:14:08.840 --> 00:14:09.899 of half of the city 00:14:09.899 --> 00:14:11.820 and half of the surrounding district. 00:14:13.200 --> 00:14:14.320 But they didn't think 00:14:14.320 --> 00:14:14.840 that the work 00:14:14.840 --> 00:14:15.840 of rebuilding the wall 00:14:15.840 --> 00:14:16.740 was too mundane 00:14:16.740 --> 00:14:18.000 for them. 00:14:19.080 --> 00:14:19.519 No, 00:14:19.620 --> 00:14:20.720 it was an honor 00:14:20.720 --> 00:14:22.200 to serve God's kingdom 00:14:22.200 --> 00:14:22.759 in this way. 00:14:22.800 --> 00:14:24.120 It was a privilege to them. 00:14:24.259 --> 00:14:25.360 No matter how great 00:14:25.360 --> 00:14:26.320 their social standing 00:14:26.320 --> 00:14:26.899 in the world, 00:14:27.100 --> 00:14:27.800 they were willing 00:14:27.800 --> 00:14:28.960 to be servants 00:14:28.960 --> 00:14:30.360 in the church. 00:14:30.360 --> 00:14:35.440 another observation 00:14:35.440 --> 00:14:37.279 about every member 00:14:37.279 --> 00:14:37.740 ministry 00:14:37.740 --> 00:14:38.680 that we see here. 00:14:39.919 --> 00:14:41.060 Consider that many people 00:14:41.060 --> 00:14:41.779 built the wall 00:14:41.779 --> 00:14:43.220 even though it wasn't 00:14:43.220 --> 00:14:43.899 necessarily 00:14:43.899 --> 00:14:44.940 what we might call 00:14:44.940 --> 00:14:45.620 their gifting. 00:14:48.180 --> 00:14:49.259 In verse 8, 00:14:50.279 --> 00:14:51.139 who do we see there? 00:14:51.240 --> 00:14:52.539 There are goldsmiths 00:14:52.539 --> 00:14:53.940 and perfumers 00:14:53.940 --> 00:14:55.060 who are working 00:14:55.060 --> 00:14:56.320 on the construction project. 00:14:56.320 --> 00:14:58.000 In verse 32, 00:14:58.100 --> 00:14:58.960 there are merchants. 00:15:00.140 --> 00:15:01.100 In verse 26, 00:15:01.220 --> 00:15:02.379 there are temple servants. 00:15:03.740 --> 00:15:04.900 And not one of them 00:15:04.900 --> 00:15:06.080 seemingly said, 00:15:06.860 --> 00:15:07.900 sorry, Nehemiah, 00:15:08.400 --> 00:15:09.480 this isn't really 00:15:09.480 --> 00:15:10.580 my spiritual gift, 00:15:10.780 --> 00:15:11.120 you know. 00:15:11.879 --> 00:15:13.500 I took a spiritual gift survey 00:15:13.500 --> 00:15:15.280 when Ezra came into town. 00:15:15.820 --> 00:15:16.760 It showed that I was 00:15:16.760 --> 00:15:17.620 something very different, 00:15:17.740 --> 00:15:18.540 not bricklaying, 00:15:19.080 --> 00:15:19.840 not masonry, 00:15:19.920 --> 00:15:20.880 not carrying stuff. 00:15:21.060 --> 00:15:21.680 So I'm going to sit 00:15:21.680 --> 00:15:22.180 this one out. 00:15:22.520 --> 00:15:22.940 But hey, 00:15:22.940 --> 00:15:24.160 when we start 00:15:24.160 --> 00:15:25.580 the perfume ministry, 00:15:26.300 --> 00:15:27.400 let me know. 00:15:27.960 --> 00:15:28.740 I'm on it. 00:15:28.820 --> 00:15:29.520 I'm in there. 00:15:29.860 --> 00:15:30.440 In the meantime, 00:15:30.660 --> 00:15:31.060 I'm going to sit 00:15:31.060 --> 00:15:31.500 this one out. 00:15:34.760 --> 00:15:35.160 Now, 00:15:35.380 --> 00:15:36.100 of course, 00:15:36.220 --> 00:15:37.060 it is okay 00:15:37.060 --> 00:15:38.500 to want to serve 00:15:38.500 --> 00:15:39.520 out of your strengths, 00:15:39.640 --> 00:15:39.920 right? 00:15:39.980 --> 00:15:41.000 That's a good principle. 00:15:42.960 --> 00:15:43.620 But friends, 00:15:43.700 --> 00:15:44.660 if a perfumer 00:15:44.660 --> 00:15:46.160 can lay bricks, 00:15:46.900 --> 00:15:47.880 how much more 00:15:47.880 --> 00:15:48.680 can you and I 00:15:48.680 --> 00:15:49.740 take up a ministry 00:15:49.740 --> 00:15:51.580 that might not necessarily 00:15:51.580 --> 00:15:52.820 be a perfect match 00:15:52.820 --> 00:15:53.580 for our skills 00:15:53.580 --> 00:15:54.480 for the sake 00:15:54.480 --> 00:15:56.200 of loving Christ's church. 00:15:58.200 --> 00:15:59.259 If the real need 00:15:59.259 --> 00:15:59.759 is there, 00:16:00.300 --> 00:16:01.160 ministry-mindedness 00:16:01.160 --> 00:16:02.220 means that we gladly 00:16:02.220 --> 00:16:03.160 engage in the task 00:16:03.160 --> 00:16:03.900 wholeheartedly. 00:16:04.420 --> 00:16:05.600 We take up our place 00:16:05.600 --> 00:16:06.060 on the wall 00:16:06.060 --> 00:16:07.020 for the good of the whole 00:16:07.020 --> 00:16:08.200 and count it a privilege 00:16:08.200 --> 00:16:09.680 to be a part 00:16:09.680 --> 00:16:11.000 of beautifying God's city 00:16:11.000 --> 00:16:12.860 and restoring its dignity. 00:16:16.220 --> 00:16:17.280 And so what's the result 00:16:17.280 --> 00:16:18.340 of this every-member ministry? 00:16:18.480 --> 00:16:18.920 Jump down 00:16:18.920 --> 00:16:19.980 into chapter 4, 00:16:20.060 --> 00:16:20.600 verse 6. 00:16:21.580 --> 00:16:22.560 Look at chapter 4, 00:16:22.620 --> 00:16:22.980 verse 6. 00:16:23.060 --> 00:16:23.280 It says, 00:16:23.400 --> 00:16:25.080 And so we built the wall, 00:16:25.259 --> 00:16:26.180 and all the wall 00:16:26.180 --> 00:16:27.100 was joined together 00:16:27.100 --> 00:16:28.420 to half its height, 00:16:28.800 --> 00:16:29.379 for the people 00:16:29.379 --> 00:16:30.780 had a mind to work. 00:16:32.600 --> 00:16:33.500 Isn't that awesome? 00:16:33.820 --> 00:16:34.780 When everyone 00:16:34.780 --> 00:16:35.500 joined the work, 00:16:35.680 --> 00:16:36.879 the wall came together, 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:37.820 and pretty soon 00:16:37.820 --> 00:16:38.700 they were halfway done. 00:16:39.879 --> 00:16:41.080 They started to actually 00:16:41.080 --> 00:16:41.680 turn the corner. 00:16:41.780 --> 00:16:43.340 This impossible task 00:16:43.340 --> 00:16:44.520 suddenly looked 00:16:44.520 --> 00:16:45.480 pretty possible. 00:16:45.480 --> 00:16:49.740 So let me make 00:16:49.740 --> 00:16:50.680 a very simple application 00:16:50.680 --> 00:16:51.680 to our life here at Trinity. 00:16:53.200 --> 00:16:54.060 And this is going to feel 00:16:54.060 --> 00:16:55.200 really mundane, I know, 00:16:55.320 --> 00:16:56.440 but let's just go there. 00:16:56.700 --> 00:16:58.000 If every member 00:16:58.000 --> 00:16:59.220 of our church 00:16:59.220 --> 00:17:00.779 served on a ministry team 00:17:00.779 --> 00:17:01.259 on Sunday 00:17:01.259 --> 00:17:02.539 just once or twice a month, 00:17:02.800 --> 00:17:03.000 friends, 00:17:03.080 --> 00:17:04.640 we'd almost never have to ask 00:17:04.640 --> 00:17:05.299 for volunteers. 00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:08.819 If every member 00:17:08.819 --> 00:17:09.819 served in some ministry 00:17:09.819 --> 00:17:11.140 just once or twice a month, 00:17:11.360 --> 00:17:12.700 we'd have more than enough 00:17:12.700 --> 00:17:13.960 to do the work before us 00:17:13.960 --> 00:17:14.559 and more. 00:17:16.860 --> 00:17:17.299 Now, 00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:19.720 I know we don't do 00:17:19.720 --> 00:17:20.440 a lot of volunteer 00:17:20.440 --> 00:17:21.420 asking at Trinity, 00:17:22.319 --> 00:17:24.720 but imagine that. 00:17:25.360 --> 00:17:26.259 Think of how much 00:17:26.259 --> 00:17:26.960 encouraging, 00:17:27.440 --> 00:17:28.480 life-giving energy 00:17:28.480 --> 00:17:29.259 would be released 00:17:29.259 --> 00:17:29.840 in our midst 00:17:29.840 --> 00:17:31.100 if we loved one another 00:17:31.100 --> 00:17:32.360 in just that simple way 00:17:32.360 --> 00:17:33.600 to serve in some ministry 00:17:33.600 --> 00:17:34.200 just once or twice 00:17:34.200 --> 00:17:35.880 a month around here. 00:17:36.980 --> 00:17:38.299 And as our church grows, 00:17:38.600 --> 00:17:40.059 imagine how we'd be able 00:17:40.059 --> 00:17:41.259 to welcome more people, 00:17:41.799 --> 00:17:42.960 serve more newcomers, 00:17:42.960 --> 00:17:44.460 allow our body 00:17:44.460 --> 00:17:45.079 to grow 00:17:45.079 --> 00:17:46.720 into the full measure 00:17:46.720 --> 00:17:48.140 of the stature 00:17:48.140 --> 00:17:49.340 of Christ, 00:17:49.400 --> 00:17:50.160 as Paul says. 00:17:53.360 --> 00:17:54.539 So where's your place 00:17:54.539 --> 00:17:55.039 on the wall? 00:17:56.680 --> 00:17:57.640 Do you have one? 00:18:01.079 --> 00:18:01.799 If you don't know 00:18:01.799 --> 00:18:02.759 where you should join in, 00:18:03.019 --> 00:18:03.759 you can talk to me 00:18:03.759 --> 00:18:04.480 after the service. 00:18:04.680 --> 00:18:05.160 I can point you 00:18:05.160 --> 00:18:05.860 in the right direction. 00:18:07.200 --> 00:18:07.920 Or you can email 00:18:07.920 --> 00:18:08.660 the church office 00:18:08.660 --> 00:18:09.400 through the website. 00:18:09.579 --> 00:18:10.160 The staff would be 00:18:10.160 --> 00:18:10.640 more than happy 00:18:10.640 --> 00:18:11.180 to connect you 00:18:11.180 --> 00:18:11.740 with the ministry. 00:18:12.680 --> 00:18:13.840 You can talk to someone 00:18:13.840 --> 00:18:14.900 who's doing something 00:18:14.900 --> 00:18:15.400 around here 00:18:15.400 --> 00:18:15.900 that looks like 00:18:15.900 --> 00:18:17.000 you might be interested in. 00:18:20.400 --> 00:18:21.000 Do that 00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:21.560 so you can take 00:18:21.560 --> 00:18:22.460 an active part 00:18:22.460 --> 00:18:23.420 in the good work 00:18:23.420 --> 00:18:24.060 that's going on 00:18:24.060 --> 00:18:24.560 around here. 00:18:27.600 --> 00:18:28.400 But let me apply 00:18:28.400 --> 00:18:28.920 this principle 00:18:28.920 --> 00:18:30.660 to our evangelistic task 00:18:30.660 --> 00:18:31.220 as well, 00:18:31.320 --> 00:18:32.019 our call 00:18:32.019 --> 00:18:33.340 to make disciples 00:18:33.340 --> 00:18:34.220 and be salt and light 00:18:34.220 --> 00:18:34.779 in the world. 00:18:36.340 --> 00:18:36.519 You know, 00:18:36.620 --> 00:18:37.519 providentially, 00:18:37.519 --> 00:18:39.019 providentially, 00:18:39.660 --> 00:18:40.960 God has placed 00:18:40.960 --> 00:18:42.139 each one of us 00:18:42.139 --> 00:18:44.139 in our particular context 00:18:44.139 --> 00:18:45.139 in our city, 00:18:45.240 --> 00:18:45.960 in our communities. 00:18:47.200 --> 00:18:48.639 Whether it's your job 00:18:48.639 --> 00:18:49.920 or your neighborhood 00:18:49.920 --> 00:18:51.240 or your campus 00:18:51.240 --> 00:18:53.180 or your kayaking club, 00:18:53.319 --> 00:18:53.639 whatever, 00:18:54.359 --> 00:18:56.119 when you look down 00:18:56.119 --> 00:18:57.480 through this list 00:18:57.480 --> 00:18:58.319 in chapter 3, 00:18:58.960 --> 00:19:00.859 a lot of people 00:19:00.859 --> 00:19:02.500 start rebuilding the wall 00:19:02.500 --> 00:19:03.980 right across the street 00:19:03.980 --> 00:19:04.700 from their house. 00:19:04.700 --> 00:19:06.920 It's no mistake 00:19:06.920 --> 00:19:07.640 that you are 00:19:07.640 --> 00:19:08.519 where you are. 00:19:10.519 --> 00:19:11.500 And in this list 00:19:11.500 --> 00:19:12.299 from Nehemiah, 00:19:12.380 --> 00:19:13.019 we see that people 00:19:13.019 --> 00:19:14.340 are taking up the work 00:19:14.340 --> 00:19:15.180 right before them. 00:19:15.220 --> 00:19:16.140 Look at verse 23. 00:19:17.580 --> 00:19:18.080 After them, 00:19:18.340 --> 00:19:19.220 Benjamin and Hashab 00:19:19.220 --> 00:19:19.860 repaired opposite 00:19:19.860 --> 00:19:20.440 their house. 00:19:21.120 --> 00:19:21.759 And after them, 00:19:21.960 --> 00:19:22.480 Azariah, 00:19:22.759 --> 00:19:23.640 the son of Maseah, 00:19:24.059 --> 00:19:24.840 son of Ananiah, 00:19:25.180 --> 00:19:25.720 repaired beside 00:19:25.720 --> 00:19:26.380 his own house. 00:19:29.600 --> 00:19:30.700 Where do you belong 00:19:30.700 --> 00:19:31.279 in the work 00:19:31.279 --> 00:19:31.799 of the kingdom? 00:19:31.799 --> 00:19:35.720 Right where you are. 00:19:37.259 --> 00:19:38.460 God's placed you there 00:19:38.460 --> 00:19:39.079 for a reason. 00:19:42.059 --> 00:19:43.500 If each of us 00:19:43.500 --> 00:19:44.799 viewed our lives this way 00:19:44.799 --> 00:19:46.579 and began praying, 00:19:47.240 --> 00:19:48.799 God, use me right here. 00:19:49.599 --> 00:19:50.539 Open my eyes 00:19:50.539 --> 00:19:51.259 to how you're going 00:19:51.259 --> 00:19:51.720 to use me 00:19:51.720 --> 00:19:52.619 in these relationships, 00:19:52.980 --> 00:19:53.980 in this workplace, 00:19:54.399 --> 00:19:55.399 on this street, 00:19:55.460 --> 00:19:56.059 in this neighborhood, 00:19:56.559 --> 00:19:57.639 in this residence hall, 00:19:57.859 --> 00:19:59.059 in this apartment building. 00:19:59.579 --> 00:20:00.680 Just imagine 00:20:00.680 --> 00:20:01.680 what could happen. 00:20:01.799 --> 00:20:02.839 Yes, 00:20:04.220 --> 00:20:05.059 the task 00:20:05.059 --> 00:20:07.119 would still be great, 00:20:07.259 --> 00:20:08.240 but it would not 00:20:08.240 --> 00:20:09.500 be impossible. 00:20:11.019 --> 00:20:11.960 The wall 00:20:11.960 --> 00:20:12.440 would start 00:20:12.440 --> 00:20:13.359 to come together. 00:20:13.759 --> 00:20:14.599 People will come 00:20:14.599 --> 00:20:15.419 to know Christ 00:20:15.419 --> 00:20:16.299 and the kingdom 00:20:16.299 --> 00:20:17.159 will advance. 00:20:19.680 --> 00:20:21.119 How can we be so sure? 00:20:23.819 --> 00:20:24.559 I'm speaking 00:20:24.559 --> 00:20:25.240 pretty confidently, 00:20:25.399 --> 00:20:25.700 aren't I? 00:20:28.180 --> 00:20:28.619 Friends, 00:20:29.180 --> 00:20:30.879 as we heard this morning 00:20:30.880 --> 00:20:31.560 in Sunday school, 00:20:31.560 --> 00:20:32.340 it's not because 00:20:32.340 --> 00:20:33.180 I have a lot of faith 00:20:33.180 --> 00:20:33.760 in humanity. 00:20:34.500 --> 00:20:35.380 It's because I have 00:20:35.380 --> 00:20:36.020 a lot of faith 00:20:36.020 --> 00:20:36.560 in the Lord. 00:20:37.680 --> 00:20:38.740 Isn't this the message 00:20:38.740 --> 00:20:39.440 of Christianity? 00:20:40.540 --> 00:20:41.840 That God loved 00:20:41.840 --> 00:20:42.740 the fallen world 00:20:42.740 --> 00:20:43.640 so much 00:20:43.640 --> 00:20:44.500 that he gave 00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:45.380 his only son 00:20:45.380 --> 00:20:46.660 to die on a cross 00:20:46.660 --> 00:20:47.380 for our sins, 00:20:47.580 --> 00:20:48.420 to rise again 00:20:48.420 --> 00:20:49.120 on the third day, 00:20:49.300 --> 00:20:50.260 to ascending glory 00:20:50.260 --> 00:20:50.860 to the Father, 00:20:51.140 --> 00:20:52.260 to pour out his Spirit 00:20:52.260 --> 00:20:53.480 so that he might draw 00:20:53.480 --> 00:20:54.460 men and women 00:20:54.460 --> 00:20:55.100 to himself 00:20:55.100 --> 00:20:56.180 from every tribe, 00:20:56.460 --> 00:20:57.120 every tongue, 00:20:57.380 --> 00:20:58.100 every culture, 00:20:58.099 --> 00:20:58.879 every city 00:20:58.879 --> 00:20:59.480 so that he might 00:20:59.480 --> 00:21:00.339 reconcile us 00:21:00.339 --> 00:21:00.659 to God 00:21:00.659 --> 00:21:01.259 and one another. 00:21:02.740 --> 00:21:03.839 Did Christ die 00:21:03.839 --> 00:21:04.439 on the cross? 00:21:04.659 --> 00:21:05.719 Did he rise again? 00:21:05.819 --> 00:21:06.519 If yes, 00:21:06.719 --> 00:21:07.579 then our mission 00:21:07.579 --> 00:21:08.679 cannot fail. 00:21:11.639 --> 00:21:12.579 And he's inviting 00:21:12.579 --> 00:21:13.599 all of us 00:21:13.599 --> 00:21:14.899 to join in the work, 00:21:15.240 --> 00:21:16.159 to take your place 00:21:16.159 --> 00:21:16.639 on the wall 00:21:16.639 --> 00:21:17.859 and see the city 00:21:17.859 --> 00:21:18.859 come alive again. 00:21:24.779 --> 00:21:25.799 But that doesn't mean 00:21:25.799 --> 00:21:26.699 it's going to be easy. 00:21:26.700 --> 00:21:29.799 The work gets off 00:21:29.799 --> 00:21:31.100 to an incredible start 00:21:31.100 --> 00:21:31.799 in chapter 3. 00:21:32.240 --> 00:21:32.980 The people say 00:21:32.980 --> 00:21:33.539 they're going to do it 00:21:33.539 --> 00:21:34.180 in chapter 2 00:21:34.180 --> 00:21:35.100 and then they do it 00:21:35.100 --> 00:21:35.759 in chapter 3. 00:21:35.960 --> 00:21:36.600 It's wonderful. 00:21:37.940 --> 00:21:38.720 But soon, 00:21:40.100 --> 00:21:41.160 opposition comes. 00:21:43.259 --> 00:21:44.299 Let's pick up the story 00:21:44.299 --> 00:21:45.440 in chapter 4, verse 1. 00:21:45.500 --> 00:21:46.400 Let me read chapter 4 00:21:46.400 --> 00:21:46.900 for us. 00:21:48.200 --> 00:21:49.360 Now, when Sanballat, 00:21:49.640 --> 00:21:50.539 he's one of the local 00:21:50.539 --> 00:21:51.620 non-Jewish officials 00:21:51.620 --> 00:21:53.000 sort of of the neighboring 00:21:53.000 --> 00:21:53.840 surrounding people. 00:21:54.360 --> 00:21:55.620 Now, when Sanballat heard 00:21:55.619 --> 00:21:56.879 that we were building 00:21:56.879 --> 00:21:57.399 the wall, 00:21:57.899 --> 00:21:58.639 he was angry 00:21:58.639 --> 00:22:00.679 and greatly enraged 00:22:00.679 --> 00:22:02.099 and he jeered 00:22:02.099 --> 00:22:02.939 at the Jews. 00:22:03.899 --> 00:22:04.639 And he said 00:22:04.639 --> 00:22:05.059 in the presence 00:22:05.059 --> 00:22:05.739 of his brothers 00:22:05.739 --> 00:22:06.579 and of the army 00:22:06.579 --> 00:22:07.259 of Samaria, 00:22:07.419 --> 00:22:08.159 Samaria is sort of 00:22:08.159 --> 00:22:09.279 the district just north 00:22:09.279 --> 00:22:10.219 of Judea and Jerusalem, 00:22:10.719 --> 00:22:11.839 what are these 00:22:11.839 --> 00:22:12.899 feeble Jews doing? 00:22:13.479 --> 00:22:14.379 Will they restore it 00:22:14.379 --> 00:22:14.919 for themselves? 00:22:15.399 --> 00:22:16.219 Will they sacrifice? 00:22:16.719 --> 00:22:17.459 Will they finish up 00:22:17.459 --> 00:22:17.959 in a day? 00:22:18.500 --> 00:22:19.379 Will they revive 00:22:19.379 --> 00:22:20.079 the stones 00:22:20.079 --> 00:22:20.799 out of the heaps 00:22:20.799 --> 00:22:21.379 of rubbish 00:22:21.379 --> 00:22:22.159 and burned ones 00:22:22.159 --> 00:22:22.559 at that? 00:22:22.559 --> 00:22:25.399 Tobiah the Ammonite 00:22:25.399 --> 00:22:26.099 was beside him 00:22:26.099 --> 00:22:27.059 and he said, 00:22:27.339 --> 00:22:28.759 yeah, what they're building, 00:22:29.019 --> 00:22:30.279 if a fox goes up on it, 00:22:30.319 --> 00:22:30.859 he'll break down 00:22:30.859 --> 00:22:31.579 their stone wall. 00:22:33.940 --> 00:22:35.220 And then Nehemiah prays, 00:22:35.259 --> 00:22:35.799 Hear, O God, 00:22:35.859 --> 00:22:36.839 for we are despised. 00:22:37.579 --> 00:22:38.460 Turn back their taunt 00:22:38.460 --> 00:22:39.159 on their own heads 00:22:39.159 --> 00:22:40.440 and give them up 00:22:40.440 --> 00:22:41.019 to be blundered 00:22:41.019 --> 00:22:41.399 in a land 00:22:41.399 --> 00:22:42.279 where they're captives. 00:22:43.240 --> 00:22:44.279 Do not cover their guilt 00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:45.179 and let not their sin 00:22:45.179 --> 00:22:45.799 be blotted out 00:22:45.799 --> 00:22:46.379 from your sight, 00:22:46.419 --> 00:22:47.539 for they've provoked you 00:22:47.539 --> 00:22:48.240 to anger 00:22:48.240 --> 00:22:48.919 in the presence 00:22:48.919 --> 00:22:49.519 of the builders. 00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:52.660 So we built the wall 00:22:52.660 --> 00:22:54.960 and all the wall 00:22:54.960 --> 00:22:55.740 was joined together 00:22:55.740 --> 00:22:56.579 to half its height 00:22:56.579 --> 00:22:57.220 for the people 00:22:57.220 --> 00:22:58.660 had a mind to work. 00:22:59.400 --> 00:23:01.379 But when Sanballat 00:23:01.379 --> 00:23:02.220 and Tobiah 00:23:02.220 --> 00:23:02.879 and the Arabs 00:23:02.879 --> 00:23:03.579 and the Ammonites 00:23:03.579 --> 00:23:04.359 and the Ashdodites 00:23:04.359 --> 00:23:05.559 heard that the repairing 00:23:05.559 --> 00:23:06.519 of the walls of Jerusalem 00:23:06.519 --> 00:23:07.440 was going forward 00:23:07.440 --> 00:23:08.440 and that the breaches 00:23:08.440 --> 00:23:09.519 were beginning to be closed, 00:23:09.619 --> 00:23:10.759 they were very angry. 00:23:11.900 --> 00:23:12.859 And they plotted, 00:23:13.299 --> 00:23:14.759 they all plotted together 00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:16.299 to come and fight 00:23:16.299 --> 00:23:17.259 against Jerusalem 00:23:17.259 --> 00:23:19.619 and to cause confusion in it. 00:23:20.339 --> 00:23:21.759 And we prayed to our God 00:23:21.759 --> 00:23:23.000 and said a guard 00:23:23.000 --> 00:23:23.660 is a protection 00:23:23.660 --> 00:23:24.759 against them day and night. 00:23:25.740 --> 00:23:26.279 In Judah, 00:23:26.379 --> 00:23:26.920 it was said, 00:23:27.279 --> 00:23:28.339 the strength of those 00:23:28.339 --> 00:23:29.259 who bear the burdens 00:23:29.259 --> 00:23:30.019 is failing. 00:23:30.379 --> 00:23:31.920 There's too much rubble. 00:23:32.099 --> 00:23:32.920 By ourselves, 00:23:33.000 --> 00:23:33.859 we will not be able 00:23:33.859 --> 00:23:34.759 to rebuild the wall. 00:23:35.059 --> 00:23:36.240 And our enemies said, 00:23:36.519 --> 00:23:37.359 they will not know 00:23:37.359 --> 00:23:37.900 or see 00:23:37.900 --> 00:23:38.960 till we come among them 00:23:38.960 --> 00:23:39.720 and kill them 00:23:39.720 --> 00:23:40.579 and stop the work. 00:23:41.299 --> 00:23:41.900 At that time, 00:23:41.940 --> 00:23:43.000 the Jews who lived near them 00:23:43.000 --> 00:23:43.799 from all directions 00:23:43.799 --> 00:23:45.420 came and said to us 00:23:45.420 --> 00:23:45.920 ten times, 00:23:46.019 --> 00:23:47.019 you must return to us. 00:23:47.259 --> 00:23:49.240 So, 00:23:49.879 --> 00:23:50.980 in the lowest parts 00:23:50.980 --> 00:23:51.440 of the space 00:23:51.440 --> 00:23:52.039 behind the wall 00:23:52.039 --> 00:23:52.740 and open places, 00:23:52.839 --> 00:23:53.740 I stationed the people 00:23:53.740 --> 00:23:54.519 by their clans 00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:55.660 with their swords, 00:23:55.980 --> 00:23:56.599 their spears, 00:23:56.779 --> 00:23:57.500 and their bows. 00:23:58.079 --> 00:23:58.960 And I looked 00:23:58.960 --> 00:23:59.960 and arose 00:23:59.960 --> 00:24:01.119 and said to the nobles 00:24:01.119 --> 00:24:01.779 and to the officials 00:24:01.779 --> 00:24:02.759 and to the rest of the people, 00:24:02.879 --> 00:24:04.680 do not be afraid of them. 00:24:05.480 --> 00:24:07.059 Remember the Lord 00:24:07.059 --> 00:24:08.140 who is great 00:24:08.140 --> 00:24:09.079 and awesome 00:24:09.079 --> 00:24:10.779 and fight for your brothers, 00:24:11.220 --> 00:24:11.819 your sons, 00:24:12.200 --> 00:24:12.700 your daughters, 00:24:13.079 --> 00:24:13.700 your wives, 00:24:13.859 --> 00:24:14.700 and your homes. 00:24:14.700 --> 00:24:17.980 When our enemies heard 00:24:17.980 --> 00:24:19.100 that it was known to us 00:24:19.100 --> 00:24:20.279 and that God 00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:21.620 had frustrated their plan, 00:24:22.140 --> 00:24:23.600 we all returned to the wall, 00:24:23.720 --> 00:24:24.539 each to his work. 00:24:25.799 --> 00:24:26.759 From that day on, 00:24:26.840 --> 00:24:27.740 half of my servants 00:24:27.740 --> 00:24:28.700 worked on construction 00:24:28.700 --> 00:24:30.580 and half held the spears, 00:24:30.880 --> 00:24:31.640 shields, bows, 00:24:31.740 --> 00:24:32.440 and coats of mail. 00:24:33.160 --> 00:24:33.940 And the leaders stood 00:24:33.940 --> 00:24:35.059 behind the whole house of Judah 00:24:35.059 --> 00:24:35.900 who were building the wall. 00:24:36.620 --> 00:24:37.700 Those who carried burdens 00:24:37.700 --> 00:24:38.920 were loaded in such a way 00:24:38.920 --> 00:24:40.000 that each labored 00:24:40.000 --> 00:24:41.279 on the work with one hand 00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:42.539 and held his weapon 00:24:42.539 --> 00:24:43.200 with the other. 00:24:43.920 --> 00:24:44.819 And each of the builders 00:24:44.819 --> 00:24:45.700 had his sword 00:24:45.700 --> 00:24:46.779 strapped at his side 00:24:46.779 --> 00:24:47.720 while he built. 00:24:48.920 --> 00:24:49.559 The man who sounded 00:24:49.559 --> 00:24:49.980 the trumpet 00:24:49.980 --> 00:24:50.740 was beside me 00:24:50.740 --> 00:24:52.200 and I said to the nobles 00:24:52.200 --> 00:24:52.839 and to the officials 00:24:52.839 --> 00:24:53.980 and to the rest of the people, 00:24:54.399 --> 00:24:55.139 the work is great 00:24:55.139 --> 00:24:56.039 and widely spread 00:24:56.039 --> 00:24:57.180 and we are separated 00:24:57.180 --> 00:24:57.720 on the wall 00:24:57.720 --> 00:24:58.619 far from one another. 00:24:58.960 --> 00:24:59.619 In the place 00:24:59.619 --> 00:25:00.160 where you hear 00:25:00.160 --> 00:25:01.220 the sound of the trumpet, 00:25:01.440 --> 00:25:02.599 rally to us there, 00:25:03.259 --> 00:25:04.660 our God will fight for us. 00:25:05.899 --> 00:25:07.299 So we labored at the work 00:25:07.299 --> 00:25:08.619 and half of them 00:25:08.619 --> 00:25:09.399 held the spears. 00:25:09.400 --> 00:25:11.140 From the break of dawn 00:25:11.140 --> 00:25:12.860 until the stars came out. 00:25:14.060 --> 00:25:15.300 I also said to the people 00:25:15.300 --> 00:25:15.759 at that time, 00:25:15.840 --> 00:25:16.800 let every man and his servant 00:25:16.800 --> 00:25:17.380 pass the night 00:25:17.380 --> 00:25:18.160 within Jerusalem 00:25:18.160 --> 00:25:19.560 that they may be a guard 00:25:19.560 --> 00:25:20.480 for us by night 00:25:20.480 --> 00:25:21.600 and may labor by day. 00:25:22.519 --> 00:25:23.380 So neither I 00:25:23.380 --> 00:25:24.320 nor my brothers 00:25:24.320 --> 00:25:25.360 nor my servants 00:25:25.360 --> 00:25:26.660 nor the men of the guard 00:25:26.660 --> 00:25:27.259 who followed me, 00:25:27.320 --> 00:25:28.480 none of us took off our clothes, 00:25:28.620 --> 00:25:29.660 each kept his weapon 00:25:29.660 --> 00:25:31.259 at his right hand. 00:25:34.000 --> 00:25:34.840 So what do we see? 00:25:34.900 --> 00:25:36.060 By the end of chapter 4, 00:25:36.800 --> 00:25:38.040 this construction site 00:25:38.040 --> 00:25:38.940 around Jerusalem 00:25:38.940 --> 00:25:41.080 has turned into a battleground. 00:25:43.600 --> 00:25:44.440 Brothers and sisters, 00:25:44.580 --> 00:25:45.420 let us not think 00:25:45.420 --> 00:25:46.620 that the task 00:25:46.620 --> 00:25:47.559 of building the church, 00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:49.400 of seeing God's kingdom advance, 00:25:49.480 --> 00:25:50.960 will happen without a fight. 00:25:54.120 --> 00:25:54.940 In this chapter, 00:25:55.039 --> 00:25:56.000 notice how the taunts 00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:57.279 of verses 1 and 3 00:25:57.279 --> 00:25:59.320 become threats 00:25:59.320 --> 00:26:00.700 in verses 7 and 8. 00:26:03.279 --> 00:26:04.519 As the work progresses, 00:26:04.660 --> 00:26:05.360 the opposition 00:26:05.360 --> 00:26:06.880 doesn't get less and less, 00:26:06.880 --> 00:26:08.500 it gets more and more. 00:26:08.740 --> 00:26:10.380 The higher the wall becomes, 00:26:10.440 --> 00:26:12.380 the fiercer the opposition grows. 00:26:12.860 --> 00:26:13.480 In verse 7, 00:26:13.480 --> 00:26:14.420 in verse 7, 00:26:14.740 --> 00:26:16.320 the city is now actually 00:26:16.320 --> 00:26:17.080 sort of surrounded 00:26:17.080 --> 00:26:17.600 with enemies. 00:26:17.780 --> 00:26:19.020 Sanballat from Samaria 00:26:19.020 --> 00:26:19.840 in the north, 00:26:20.280 --> 00:26:21.080 Arabs in the south, 00:26:21.960 --> 00:26:22.820 Ammonites in the east, 00:26:23.380 --> 00:26:24.520 the Ashdodites in the west, 00:26:24.660 --> 00:26:25.820 they are literally surrounded 00:26:25.820 --> 00:26:26.640 by their opponents. 00:26:26.640 --> 00:26:32.000 And the people get discouraged 00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:33.400 in verse 10. 00:26:34.200 --> 00:26:35.440 Seeing the opposition 00:26:35.440 --> 00:26:36.259 growing, 00:26:36.700 --> 00:26:37.660 their work songs 00:26:37.660 --> 00:26:38.720 actually turn into 00:26:38.720 --> 00:26:40.240 sort of songs of despair. 00:26:40.900 --> 00:26:42.160 What they say in verse 10 00:26:42.160 --> 00:26:43.080 actually sort of has 00:26:43.080 --> 00:26:44.780 a kind of meter to it 00:26:44.780 --> 00:26:45.259 in the Hebrew. 00:26:45.420 --> 00:26:46.380 One translator rendered 00:26:46.380 --> 00:26:47.220 verse 10 this way, 00:26:47.220 --> 00:26:48.740 the builders are pooped, 00:26:48.980 --> 00:26:50.180 the rubbish piles up, 00:26:50.440 --> 00:26:51.700 we're in over our heads, 00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:53.180 we can't build this wall. 00:26:57.960 --> 00:26:58.960 And yet by the end 00:26:58.960 --> 00:26:59.539 of the chapter, 00:27:00.500 --> 00:27:01.880 the discouragement 00:27:01.880 --> 00:27:03.360 and fear of verse 10 00:27:03.360 --> 00:27:05.799 has given way 00:27:05.799 --> 00:27:08.360 to renewed energy 00:27:08.360 --> 00:27:09.839 and courage to work 00:27:09.839 --> 00:27:10.940 in verse 21, 00:27:11.420 --> 00:27:12.860 from the break of dawn 00:27:12.860 --> 00:27:14.519 until the stars come out. 00:27:14.519 --> 00:27:17.500 So what happened? 00:27:18.079 --> 00:27:18.879 What changed? 00:27:22.319 --> 00:27:23.460 Well, what we see 00:27:23.460 --> 00:27:24.279 in Nehemiah 4 00:27:24.279 --> 00:27:26.059 is that the opposition 00:27:26.059 --> 00:27:27.079 to the task 00:27:27.079 --> 00:27:28.539 is no match 00:27:28.539 --> 00:27:29.819 for a great 00:27:29.819 --> 00:27:31.099 and awesome God. 00:27:32.200 --> 00:27:32.879 The opposition 00:27:32.879 --> 00:27:34.279 to our task 00:27:34.279 --> 00:27:35.079 is no match 00:27:35.079 --> 00:27:35.900 for a great 00:27:35.900 --> 00:27:37.639 and awesome God. 00:27:38.759 --> 00:27:39.779 Verse 14 00:27:39.779 --> 00:27:40.579 is the turning point. 00:27:40.720 --> 00:27:41.440 Nehemiah says, 00:27:42.019 --> 00:27:43.200 do not be afraid 00:27:43.200 --> 00:27:43.720 of them. 00:27:43.720 --> 00:27:45.380 Remember the Lord 00:27:45.380 --> 00:27:46.240 who is great 00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:47.100 and awesome 00:27:47.100 --> 00:27:48.059 and fight. 00:27:51.720 --> 00:27:53.039 Now as Paul says 00:27:53.039 --> 00:27:54.100 in Ephesians 6, 00:27:54.539 --> 00:27:55.579 today the church 00:27:55.579 --> 00:27:56.660 is not waging war 00:27:56.660 --> 00:27:57.660 against flesh and blood. 00:27:58.579 --> 00:27:59.140 This is now 00:27:59.140 --> 00:28:00.100 a spiritual battle 00:28:00.100 --> 00:28:00.680 we are in. 00:28:02.160 --> 00:28:03.480 The people of Nehemiah's day 00:28:03.480 --> 00:28:04.339 had one hand 00:28:04.339 --> 00:28:04.860 on the work 00:28:04.860 --> 00:28:05.880 and one hand 00:28:05.880 --> 00:28:06.420 on the weapon, 00:28:06.759 --> 00:28:07.380 the sword 00:28:07.380 --> 00:28:08.640 and the trowel 00:28:08.640 --> 00:28:09.720 as Charles Spurgeon 00:28:09.720 --> 00:28:10.819 so famously put it. 00:28:11.740 --> 00:28:12.420 But the armor 00:28:12.420 --> 00:28:13.420 that we take up today 00:28:13.420 --> 00:28:14.279 is not the literal 00:28:14.279 --> 00:28:15.820 steel of a sword. 00:28:16.000 --> 00:28:16.900 No, today we actually 00:28:16.900 --> 00:28:18.420 reject that kind of violence 00:28:18.420 --> 00:28:19.519 for the way of the cross. 00:28:19.740 --> 00:28:20.440 Rather today 00:28:20.440 --> 00:28:21.220 what we take up 00:28:21.220 --> 00:28:22.360 is the spiritual armor 00:28:22.360 --> 00:28:22.860 of God, 00:28:23.100 --> 00:28:24.420 the sword of the spirit 00:28:24.420 --> 00:28:26.080 to fight discouragement, 00:28:26.400 --> 00:28:27.060 to withstand 00:28:27.060 --> 00:28:28.400 even physical threats, 00:28:28.560 --> 00:28:30.039 to overcome our fears. 00:28:32.039 --> 00:28:32.800 Paul says 00:28:32.800 --> 00:28:33.940 it's the belt of truth 00:28:33.940 --> 00:28:35.279 that we fasten on 00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:36.360 when the lies 00:28:36.360 --> 00:28:37.360 come streaming in. 00:28:37.359 --> 00:28:39.279 and it's a breastplate 00:28:39.279 --> 00:28:40.019 of righteousness 00:28:40.019 --> 00:28:40.879 that we put on 00:28:40.879 --> 00:28:42.179 when the accuser says 00:28:42.179 --> 00:28:43.139 we're not worthy 00:28:43.139 --> 00:28:44.079 of God's acceptance 00:28:44.079 --> 00:28:44.979 in God's people. 00:28:45.619 --> 00:28:46.519 And it's the gospel 00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:47.119 of peace 00:28:47.119 --> 00:28:47.959 that becomes shoes 00:28:47.959 --> 00:28:48.579 for our feet 00:28:48.579 --> 00:28:49.219 when our doubts 00:28:49.219 --> 00:28:50.279 begin to trip us up. 00:28:51.159 --> 00:28:52.039 And it's the shield 00:28:52.039 --> 00:28:52.519 of faith 00:28:52.519 --> 00:28:53.059 and it's a helmet 00:28:53.059 --> 00:28:53.799 of salvation 00:28:53.799 --> 00:28:54.539 that allows us 00:28:54.539 --> 00:28:55.000 to withstand, 00:28:55.179 --> 00:28:55.319 yes, 00:28:55.379 --> 00:28:56.519 even threats of violence 00:28:56.519 --> 00:28:57.359 that may come our way. 00:28:59.539 --> 00:29:00.339 And it's the word 00:29:00.339 --> 00:29:00.879 of God 00:29:00.879 --> 00:29:02.379 that is the sword, 00:29:02.639 --> 00:29:03.639 the sword of the spirit. 00:29:03.640 --> 00:29:05.580 That word, 00:29:05.660 --> 00:29:06.240 as Hebrew says, 00:29:06.300 --> 00:29:06.960 that is sharper 00:29:06.960 --> 00:29:08.420 than any two-edged sword, 00:29:09.120 --> 00:29:10.840 piercing to the division 00:29:10.840 --> 00:29:12.180 of soul and spirit, 00:29:12.360 --> 00:29:13.380 discerning the thoughts 00:29:13.380 --> 00:29:14.500 and intentions of the heart, 00:29:14.900 --> 00:29:16.600 engaging even our enemies 00:29:16.600 --> 00:29:17.160 with the grace 00:29:17.160 --> 00:29:17.800 of the gospel. 00:29:21.620 --> 00:29:23.240 Now, I know this battle, 00:29:23.380 --> 00:29:24.280 this warfare language 00:29:24.280 --> 00:29:25.280 can sometimes make us 00:29:25.280 --> 00:29:25.720 uncomfortable. 00:29:25.880 --> 00:29:26.380 I get it. 00:29:27.440 --> 00:29:28.120 But friends, 00:29:28.160 --> 00:29:30.140 we are in a spiritual fight. 00:29:31.420 --> 00:29:32.240 The church 00:29:32.240 --> 00:29:34.539 is a liberation movement 00:29:34.539 --> 00:29:36.319 behind our great 00:29:36.319 --> 00:29:37.120 liberator, Jesus. 00:29:37.839 --> 00:29:39.099 And he has stationed us 00:29:39.099 --> 00:29:40.380 behind enemy lines 00:29:40.380 --> 00:29:42.079 to get about the work 00:29:42.079 --> 00:29:43.259 of setting captives free. 00:29:45.099 --> 00:29:46.339 Free from sin 00:29:46.339 --> 00:29:47.500 and guilt 00:29:47.500 --> 00:29:48.599 and shame 00:29:48.599 --> 00:29:50.059 and condemnation 00:29:50.059 --> 00:29:51.079 and dread 00:29:51.079 --> 00:29:51.900 and addiction 00:29:51.900 --> 00:29:53.160 and self-pity 00:29:53.160 --> 00:29:54.160 and pride 00:29:54.160 --> 00:29:55.059 and fear. 00:29:57.819 --> 00:29:58.880 But these enemies 00:29:58.880 --> 00:29:59.740 don't go down 00:29:59.740 --> 00:30:00.839 without a fight, friends. 00:30:02.240 --> 00:30:03.579 The work of the kingdom 00:30:03.579 --> 00:30:04.640 means one hand 00:30:04.640 --> 00:30:05.299 on the shovel 00:30:05.299 --> 00:30:06.579 and one hand 00:30:06.579 --> 00:30:07.259 on the sword. 00:30:09.039 --> 00:30:10.579 Are you taking up 00:30:10.579 --> 00:30:11.779 the resources 00:30:11.779 --> 00:30:12.779 for this fight 00:30:12.779 --> 00:30:13.980 in the word of God 00:30:13.980 --> 00:30:14.799 and in the gospel? 00:30:19.440 --> 00:30:20.279 But notice, 00:30:20.380 --> 00:30:21.200 Nehemiah doesn't just 00:30:21.200 --> 00:30:22.200 tell the people to fight. 00:30:22.900 --> 00:30:24.359 They have their responsibility 00:30:24.359 --> 00:30:25.160 to take up 00:30:25.160 --> 00:30:26.259 their defenses, yes. 00:30:26.579 --> 00:30:27.279 But underneath 00:30:27.279 --> 00:30:28.019 and around 00:30:28.019 --> 00:30:28.500 and over 00:30:28.500 --> 00:30:29.539 their human responsibility 00:30:29.539 --> 00:30:30.279 to fight 00:30:30.279 --> 00:30:31.779 is the sovereignty 00:30:31.779 --> 00:30:32.319 of God 00:30:32.319 --> 00:30:33.399 who fights for us. 00:30:35.200 --> 00:30:36.500 Remember the Lord 00:30:36.500 --> 00:30:37.819 who is great 00:30:37.819 --> 00:30:38.940 and awesome. 00:30:40.379 --> 00:30:41.519 At the head 00:30:41.519 --> 00:30:42.319 of the church 00:30:42.319 --> 00:30:42.960 then 00:30:42.960 --> 00:30:44.099 and now 00:30:44.099 --> 00:30:45.180 is a great 00:30:45.180 --> 00:30:46.779 and awesome God. 00:30:48.779 --> 00:30:49.519 But friends, 00:30:49.599 --> 00:30:50.079 don't you see 00:30:50.079 --> 00:30:50.680 how God 00:30:50.680 --> 00:30:51.819 has revealed himself 00:30:51.819 --> 00:30:52.619 even further 00:30:52.619 --> 00:30:53.319 in the gospel? 00:30:53.319 --> 00:30:55.720 that we have 00:30:55.720 --> 00:30:56.319 a captain 00:30:56.319 --> 00:30:57.399 who took the field 00:30:57.399 --> 00:30:58.419 on our behalf 00:30:58.419 --> 00:30:59.899 and who strode 00:30:59.899 --> 00:31:00.579 into battle 00:31:00.579 --> 00:31:01.839 against our greatest foe 00:31:01.839 --> 00:31:03.099 sin and death 00:31:03.099 --> 00:31:03.799 and hell 00:31:03.799 --> 00:31:04.779 and who triumphed 00:31:04.779 --> 00:31:05.579 not with the sword 00:31:05.579 --> 00:31:06.579 but with a cross 00:31:06.579 --> 00:31:07.500 by laying down 00:31:07.500 --> 00:31:08.359 his own life 00:31:08.359 --> 00:31:09.359 so that you and I 00:31:09.359 --> 00:31:09.899 might live. 00:31:12.819 --> 00:31:13.319 Do you remember 00:31:13.319 --> 00:31:13.740 when Jesus 00:31:13.740 --> 00:31:14.460 was in the Garden 00:31:14.460 --> 00:31:14.980 of Gethsemane 00:31:14.980 --> 00:31:15.379 praying 00:31:15.379 --> 00:31:17.339 and the soldiers 00:31:17.339 --> 00:31:18.200 came for him 00:31:18.200 --> 00:31:19.359 and for his disciples 00:31:19.359 --> 00:31:21.460 and he said, 00:31:21.599 --> 00:31:22.419 who are you seeking? 00:31:22.420 --> 00:31:22.880 And they said, 00:31:22.940 --> 00:31:23.740 Jesus of Nazareth 00:31:23.740 --> 00:31:24.680 and what did Jesus do? 00:31:25.400 --> 00:31:26.500 Did he shrink back? 00:31:27.720 --> 00:31:28.500 Did he sort of 00:31:28.500 --> 00:31:29.160 lose himself 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.680 in the crowd 00:31:29.680 --> 00:31:30.220 of disciples? 00:31:31.480 --> 00:31:31.920 No, 00:31:32.000 --> 00:31:32.759 just the opposite. 00:31:33.420 --> 00:31:34.720 He steps forward 00:31:34.720 --> 00:31:35.440 to meet them 00:31:35.440 --> 00:31:36.180 putting himself 00:31:36.180 --> 00:31:37.019 in between 00:31:37.019 --> 00:31:37.759 their enemies 00:31:37.759 --> 00:31:39.060 and his people 00:31:39.060 --> 00:31:39.740 and says, 00:31:39.980 --> 00:31:40.539 I'm the one 00:31:40.539 --> 00:31:41.340 you're looking for. 00:31:42.320 --> 00:31:43.300 Let them go free. 00:31:45.400 --> 00:31:46.100 Don't you see, 00:31:46.200 --> 00:31:46.300 friends, 00:31:46.380 --> 00:31:47.440 in our place 00:31:47.440 --> 00:31:48.180 Jesus meets 00:31:48.180 --> 00:31:49.060 his accusers 00:31:49.060 --> 00:31:49.740 and ours 00:31:49.740 --> 00:31:50.779 so that we can go free. 00:31:50.860 --> 00:31:51.720 In our place 00:31:51.720 --> 00:31:52.460 Jesus bears 00:31:52.460 --> 00:31:53.220 our sin 00:31:53.220 --> 00:31:53.559 and guilt 00:31:53.559 --> 00:31:54.380 so that we 00:31:54.380 --> 00:31:55.059 can go free. 00:31:55.980 --> 00:31:56.559 That's how 00:31:56.559 --> 00:31:57.120 the battle's 00:31:57.120 --> 00:31:57.539 been won. 00:31:58.519 --> 00:31:59.240 So that whatever 00:31:59.240 --> 00:31:59.980 the world throws 00:31:59.980 --> 00:32:00.279 at us, 00:32:00.299 --> 00:32:00.620 so whatever 00:32:00.620 --> 00:32:01.220 the evil one 00:32:01.220 --> 00:32:02.100 threatens us with, 00:32:02.180 --> 00:32:03.220 they're no match 00:32:03.220 --> 00:32:04.380 for our great 00:32:04.380 --> 00:32:05.180 and awesome God, 00:32:05.259 --> 00:32:06.360 the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:32:08.860 --> 00:32:09.259 Friends, 00:32:09.319 --> 00:32:09.900 have you come 00:32:09.900 --> 00:32:10.620 to trust 00:32:10.620 --> 00:32:11.380 in this 00:32:11.380 --> 00:32:12.079 captain 00:32:12.079 --> 00:32:13.220 of souls, 00:32:13.360 --> 00:32:13.960 this loving 00:32:13.960 --> 00:32:14.400 Lord 00:32:14.400 --> 00:32:16.000 who will always 00:32:16.000 --> 00:32:16.600 protect you 00:32:16.600 --> 00:32:17.180 and never 00:32:17.180 --> 00:32:18.039 lead you astray? 00:32:18.039 --> 00:32:21.920 If so, 00:32:22.879 --> 00:32:24.220 then do not fear. 00:32:26.119 --> 00:32:27.000 Do not fear 00:32:27.000 --> 00:32:27.680 the magnitude 00:32:27.680 --> 00:32:28.579 of our task. 00:32:28.680 --> 00:32:29.339 It is great, 00:32:29.579 --> 00:32:30.359 but he's made us 00:32:30.359 --> 00:32:30.960 one body 00:32:30.960 --> 00:32:31.720 in himself, 00:32:31.920 --> 00:32:33.200 every member 00:32:33.200 --> 00:32:33.779 a minister 00:32:33.779 --> 00:32:34.319 to complete 00:32:34.319 --> 00:32:35.139 the work before us 00:32:35.139 --> 00:32:36.519 and do not fear 00:32:36.519 --> 00:32:37.079 the opposition 00:32:37.079 --> 00:32:37.940 to the task. 00:32:38.940 --> 00:32:39.920 It will be fierce 00:32:39.920 --> 00:32:40.460 at times. 00:32:40.539 --> 00:32:41.539 Do not be surprised. 00:32:41.680 --> 00:32:42.480 It may grow 00:32:42.480 --> 00:32:43.960 as the work continues, 00:32:45.099 --> 00:32:46.539 but remember the Lord 00:32:46.539 --> 00:32:47.039 who is great 00:32:47.039 --> 00:32:47.440 and awesome. 00:32:47.899 --> 00:32:48.639 He has already 00:32:48.639 --> 00:32:49.420 won the battle 00:32:49.420 --> 00:32:50.779 and we can stand 00:32:50.779 --> 00:32:52.139 strong in the Lord 00:32:52.139 --> 00:32:53.059 Jesus and in the 00:32:53.059 --> 00:32:53.899 strength of his might 00:32:53.899 --> 00:32:54.559 to withstand 00:32:54.559 --> 00:32:55.779 whatever may come. 00:32:58.200 --> 00:32:59.079 It may seem 00:32:59.079 --> 00:32:59.859 like an impossible 00:32:59.859 --> 00:33:01.059 task before us, 00:33:01.159 --> 00:33:01.319 church, 00:33:01.359 --> 00:33:02.259 but what is impossible 00:33:02.259 --> 00:33:02.920 for us 00:33:02.920 --> 00:33:04.200 is much more 00:33:04.200 --> 00:33:04.720 than possible 00:33:04.720 --> 00:33:05.299 with God. 00:33:07.039 --> 00:33:07.619 And so, 00:33:07.720 --> 00:33:08.259 brothers and sisters, 00:33:08.359 --> 00:33:09.059 to him who is able 00:33:09.059 --> 00:33:10.180 to do far more 00:33:10.180 --> 00:33:10.740 abundantly 00:33:10.740 --> 00:33:11.920 than all we ask 00:33:11.920 --> 00:33:12.359 or think 00:33:12.359 --> 00:33:13.619 according to the power 00:33:13.619 --> 00:33:14.480 at work within us, 00:33:14.700 --> 00:33:15.480 to him be glory 00:33:15.480 --> 00:33:16.059 in the church 00:33:16.059 --> 00:33:17.339 and in Jesus Christ 00:33:17.339 --> 00:33:18.639 throughout all generations 00:33:18.639 --> 00:33:19.500 forever and ever. 00:33:21.200 --> 00:33:21.599 Amen. 00:33:22.559 --> 00:33:23.139 Let's pray. 00:33:23.139 --> 00:33:23.200 Amen. 00:33:32.200 --> 00:33:32.940 Father, we pray 00:33:32.940 --> 00:33:33.440 that you would send 00:33:33.440 --> 00:33:34.059 out your spirit 00:33:34.059 --> 00:33:34.899 upon us now. 00:33:36.899 --> 00:33:37.639 Cause the seed 00:33:37.639 --> 00:33:38.079 of your word 00:33:38.079 --> 00:33:39.159 to take deep root 00:33:39.159 --> 00:33:39.639 in the soil 00:33:39.639 --> 00:33:40.319 of our hearts. 00:33:42.740 --> 00:33:43.399 God, we know 00:33:43.399 --> 00:33:43.879 that as soon as 00:33:43.879 --> 00:33:44.359 we step out 00:33:44.359 --> 00:33:44.919 those doors, 00:33:45.059 --> 00:33:45.379 there's going 00:33:45.379 --> 00:33:48.500 to be birds 00:33:48.500 --> 00:33:48.879 that want to 00:33:48.879 --> 00:33:49.899 snatch this seed away. 00:33:50.019 --> 00:33:50.319 There are going 00:33:50.319 --> 00:33:51.539 to be cares 00:33:51.539 --> 00:33:52.119 and concerns 00:33:52.119 --> 00:33:52.559 that want to 00:33:52.559 --> 00:33:53.079 choke it out. 00:33:53.159 --> 00:33:53.419 There's going 00:33:53.419 --> 00:33:54.359 to be rocky soil 00:33:54.359 --> 00:33:54.959 that wants it 00:33:54.959 --> 00:33:56.559 to just stay shallow, 00:33:56.740 --> 00:33:57.259 but God, 00:33:57.319 --> 00:33:57.719 would you do 00:33:57.719 --> 00:33:58.579 a sovereign work 00:33:58.579 --> 00:34:00.199 and bury this word 00:34:00.199 --> 00:34:01.019 deep in our hearts 00:34:01.019 --> 00:34:01.579 and change us 00:34:01.579 --> 00:34:02.500 from the inside out. 00:34:05.319 --> 00:34:05.839 Clothe us 00:34:05.839 --> 00:34:06.500 with your gospel, 00:34:06.639 --> 00:34:07.039 we pray, 00:34:07.159 --> 00:34:07.579 Lord Jesus, 00:34:07.699 --> 00:34:08.319 as we go out 00:34:08.319 --> 00:34:09.279 into the world today. 00:34:11.259 --> 00:34:11.619 Lord, 00:34:11.659 --> 00:34:12.059 help us not 00:34:12.059 --> 00:34:12.519 to fear 00:34:12.519 --> 00:34:13.340 or grow discouraged 00:34:13.340 --> 00:34:14.199 when the task 00:34:14.199 --> 00:34:14.900 seems big 00:34:14.900 --> 00:34:15.940 and the opposition 00:34:15.940 --> 00:34:16.759 seems great. 00:34:18.340 --> 00:34:18.840 Help us 00:34:18.840 --> 00:34:19.599 to keep our eyes 00:34:19.599 --> 00:34:20.079 on you, 00:34:20.259 --> 00:34:20.659 Lord Jesus, 00:34:20.780 --> 00:34:21.219 the captain 00:34:21.219 --> 00:34:21.920 of our souls. 00:34:22.099 --> 00:34:23.219 You will hold us fast. 00:34:25.239 --> 00:34:26.219 You will allow us 00:34:26.219 --> 00:34:27.039 to rise up 00:34:27.039 --> 00:34:29.079 and do the work 00:34:29.079 --> 00:34:29.860 that you've called 00:34:29.860 --> 00:34:30.380 us to do. 00:34:32.780 --> 00:34:33.320 Oh God, 00:34:33.360 --> 00:34:33.659 help us 00:34:33.659 --> 00:34:34.900 to keep in step 00:34:34.900 --> 00:34:35.599 with your spirit 00:34:35.599 --> 00:34:36.400 as we do so. 00:34:37.179 --> 00:34:38.039 In Jesus' name 00:34:38.039 --> 00:34:38.420 we pray, 00:34:38.559 --> 00:34:38.780 Father. 00:34:39.280 --> 00:34:39.519 Amen. 00:34:41.300 --> 00:34:41.659 Well, 00:34:41.679 --> 00:34:41.820 friends, 00:34:41.820 --> 00:34:42.280 in response, 00:34:42.360 --> 00:34:43.080 let's stand 00:34:43.080 --> 00:34:43.920 and we're going 00:34:43.920 --> 00:34:44.620 to sing a song, 00:34:44.720 --> 00:34:45.780 Oh Church Arise, 00:34:45.820 --> 00:34:46.240 which is about 00:34:46.240 --> 00:34:47.180 taking up the armor 00:34:47.180 --> 00:34:47.720 of God 00:34:47.720 --> 00:34:48.640 for this spiritual 00:34:48.640 --> 00:34:49.440 calling that he's 00:34:49.440 --> 00:34:50.120 given us as a church. 00:34:50.180 --> 00:34:50.680 So let's sing 00:34:50.680 --> 00:34:51.400 this song together. 00:34:51.400 --> 00:34:51.500 Amen.