Audio Sermons

Building up the Church of Christ:

Let Us Rise Up and Build!

Life B-P Church Worship Service, 23^rd April 2023

Text: Nehemiah 1:1 - 2:18

• The Book of Nehemiah provides a historical account of the rebuilding of the broken walls of Jerusalem. By the combined effort and zeal of all those involved in the rebuilding work, the broken walls and burnt gates were quickly and wonderfully rebuilt in 52 days. 3 important qualities in doing God’s work:

1. A Concern for God’s People

• Nehemiah had a great burden for God’s people.

- Nehemiah’s first thought was to inquire about the Jews living in Jerusalem (1:2). His own comfort in the king’s palace in Persia did not render him indifferent to the needs and distress of his brethren in Jerusalem (Jeremiah 51:50; Galatians 6:2).

- Nehemiah understood that God’s people were in trouble, for the broken walls were symptomatic of the defeat and disgrace of God’s people.

- When Nehemiah heard the dire news about Jerusalem, he sat down, wept, mourned, fasted, and prayed (1:4). He was deeply concerned for God’s people.

• Nehemiah was saddened in part by the nonchalance of his fellow Jews.

- The Jews in Jerusalem were living among the ruins and rubble, and they had accepted it.

- Other Jews living in Persia also knew about the conditions in Jerusalem, but they were not burdened by the distress of God’s people in the land.

• Nehemiah showed genuine concern for the well-being of God’s people, a concern that even their enemies took notice and were intimidated by it (2:10). Other examples: Esther (Esther 4:16); Moses (Acts 7:23-24).

2. A Dependence Upon God

• Nehemiah was a man of action; but even more crucial was his deep dependence on God.

- The 1^st thing that Nehemiah did when he received the news about Jerusalem was to bring the whole matter before God (1:5-11). It reflects his complete dependence on the Lord.

- Nehemiah’s quick prayer before the Persian king (2:4) was backed up by 4 months of praying and waiting upon the Lord (cf 1:1; 2:1).

• Nehemiah had a well-developed plan for rebuilding the walls (2:11-13). But he knew that without the Lord’s enabling, all their endeavours would fail (2:8,18). When the work was finally completed, even the enemies of Israel acknowledged God’s enabling (6:15-16). God is the Builder; we are merely His labourers (Psalm 127:1).
• As a Body of Christ, we must do God’s work in God’s way and by His strength. Pray for Life Church that we will always honour God, and that His Word will always be the standard of our faith and practice. Christ is the Head of Life Church; we are His unprofitable servants.

3. A Commitment to God’s Work

• Nehemiah did not just weep, fast and pray when he heard about the distress of the Jews. He immediately did what he knew he could do – he was going to be personally involved.

- Nehemiah was not content merely to get answers to prayer; he wanted to be a part of the answer to prayer! He gave himself to the work (2:5,11).

- Nehemiah invited immediate action and commitment from his fellow Jews (2:17). The people responded enthusiastically and zealously to his challenge (2:18). The work was underway!

• The task was difficult and overwhelming. But Nehemiah and his fellow workers soldiered on. They were committed to the task. The walls had laid in ruin for more than 140 years, but they were finally rebuilt in 52 days!
• Nehemiah was not a priest, a scribe, a theologian, or someone holding a high office or position. He was a cupbearer! The whole Jewish community that was involved comprised people from all kinds of professions and trades - priests, pharmacists, rulers, women, Levites, gatekeepers, goldsmiths, merchants, etc. God uses ordinary men and women who are willing to make their lives count for Him.

Thoughts for Reflection: Are you burdened for God’s work and His people in Life Church? Will you be a part of the building process in Life Church? If not you, who? If not now, when? If not here, where?