Demands of Impactful Ministry: Nehemiah #4
This is an exposition of Nehemiah 3:1-32. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, November 8, 2015.
Intro:
We live in a increasingly competitive world. A world in which only the fit will survive. Businesses are seeing the need to sharpen their competitive edge. They are discovering the need to demonstrate their relevance to a skeptical and increasingly selective public. There is no such thing as “brand loyalty” in today’s world. If you want my business you must guarantee me the best product at the best price. Plain and simple, I want what is best for me and nothing else really matters. I have to admit I don’t like that attitude but it is becoming the mindset of the culture, like it or not.
We also need to recognize that this mindset is not limited to business or consumer concerns it is also true in the church. “Brand name” has little meaning in today’s church. It’s not about whether you’re Baptist, Assembly, Methodist, Presbyterian or non-denominational it is about what are you offering me? How will you serve me? What’s in this for me? How will your church meet my needs better than that church down the street? Or even more basic what will I get from your church that I can’t get somewhere else? O more basic still, “Why do I need what you’re selling?” Gone are the days of people seeking us out because they feel pressured to be part of the church. Gone are the days of putting up a sign and people show up. Fewer and fewer know anything about who or what we are. They know very little about what we believe or what we are about.
If we are going to minister to this culture we have to understand this culture. This is not your grandmother’s community. This is not the community I grew up in. Things are very different. If we are to reach this lost culture we have to think and act differently than a generation ago. Now, I’m not saying we need to do “whatever” it takes to reach the culture. I’m not talking about lowering the standards in order to make the faith relative to folks today. The Word of God is relevant we do not have to “make” it relevant. Rather we must be faithful to declare the Word of God in its entirety. I’m not suggesting that we have to make the gospel palatable. I am saying we have to rethink some things and be willing to do some things differently if we are to impact this culture. That is the goal. To impact the culture, to make a difference. To be salt and light. To live in a way that displays the glory of God and demonstrates the transforming power of the Gospel.
From 1000 miles away God gave him a burden.
Nehemiah, living in the king’s palace, was burden for his countrymen.
They were in great trouble and disgrace.
He wasn’t – he was doing just fine.
But he chose to suffer with his people rather than live in luxury in the king’s palace.
After 4 months of mourning, praying and grieving God opened the door of opportunity.
Nehemiah swallowed hard, prayed a quick prayer and spoke to the king.
He asked for permission to go, for protection, and for provision.
God graciously worked in the heart of the pagan king and supplied everything needed for the job.
Upon arrival Nehemiah was met by opposition.
Add to that the task was overwhelming.
After being back in the land for 100 years the walls were still down and the gates still charred.
Nehemiah found a discouraged people.
Yet he pressed on.
He challenged the people then told them of all the LORD had spoken to him and what the LORD had already done and was doing. As a result the people said, “Let us rise up and build!” (2:8)
That brings us to Nehemiah 3.
Text: Nehemiah 3:1-32
It was time to roll up their sleeves and get to work.
This is what the book is about – building walls and restoring the gates.
You would think, since this is what the book is about, this chapter ought to be exciting.
Well, it’s not!
In fact, if Nehemiah 3 was your daily Bible reading and you tried to read it in bed you wouldn’t make it past Nehemiah 3:3.
It is interesting that most commentators skip it.
It’s again tempting to think Paul must have skip it before he wrote, “All Scripture is profitable…”
Yet I have to believe this is important or it wouldn’t be here.
It doesn’t really help to try and outline it because it won’t outline.
When you break it into smaller pieces it makes less sense.
What’s the point?
It is a list of names – most of which I can’t pronounce.
Then there are references to various gates.
Then I thought, the answer is not in breaking it down but in backing off. Quit looking at the details and try seeing the big picture. That’s when I began to see three things standing out in this chapter. I’ve come to see them as three demands of effectively making a difference. As we look at this ancient text I want us to note three demands for making a difference in our world.
- Making a real difference in this community demands total participation.
- Making a difference in this community demands a spirit of genuine cooperation.
- Making a difference in this community demands proper affirmation.
Conclusion:
We must all participate
Doing what we can for the glory of God.
Whether that is through praying and giving.
Or teaching a class.
Making phone calls.
Writing letters.
Speaking an encouraging word.
Serving a meal.
Baking a cake.
Speaking to your neighbor.
There must be a genuine spirit of cooperation
One agenda – His
Lay aside our egos
Catch a vision for something larger, greater
Submit to the will of the body
Give the proper affirmation
Seek God’s glory above all else
Celebrate the accomplishments of others