The Life and Times of Nehemiah #4. Tribute to the Faithful
Categories: Sermon Outlines, Textual Sermon Outlines Tags: Sermons on FaithfulnessINTRODUCTION:
A. God has always honored those who were willing to go against all odds, or render an extraordinary service.
1. The name Moses is a household word for millions still today, but the name Pharaoh who opposed him is a matter of much speculation, even among scholars (Exodus 5:1-2)
2. We know well Elijah who stood against the 450 prophets of Baal, but we know not a single name among those false prophets (1 Kings. 18:20-40).
3. A woman broke an expensive alabaster box of ointment to anoint Jesus’ head: wherever the gospel is preacher, her story is still told (Mark 14:3-9)
4. Hebrews 11, sometimes called “God’s Hall of Fame,” pays tribute to those of whom the world was not worthy
B. Nehemiah 3 may seem like dull reading for us, but we must realize that it is a tribute to those sincere souls who braved hardships and the sword to restore and fortify the City of God.
C. In this lesson we are going to consider some reasons why these were worthy of God’s tribute. These are attributes that will help us even today.
DISCUSSION:
A. THEY FOLLOWED A WELL DEVISED PLAN
1. Each group had its assigned section of labor, and each individual labored in the craft best suited to his ability.
2. Back in Nehemiah 2:12ff, Nehemiah surveyed the work and by this was able to come with a game plan
3. Many a work has failed because there was not enough planning or preparation involved.
4. Today, in the Lord’s church, there needs to be well devised plans as we go about doing the Lord’s work
a. There must be planning
1) Proverbs 13:16, in other words there needs to be planning ahead
2) Ezekiel drew plans for a battle (Ezekiel 4:1-3)
3) Paul planned his efforts for the Lord (2 Corinthians 1:15-17)
4) What are our goals, when do we want these goals accomplished, and how are we going to accomplish our goals? – this is true individually as well as congregationally
5) There has to be something to reach for or strive for before we can improve or grow
b. There must be preparation
1) If you are going to plant a garden you must prepare the soil
2) If you are going to build a parking lot – you must put a good base down
3) If we are going to perform well in the Lord’s service,we must lay a good foundation
4) This is one of the reasons that our Bible classes are so vitally important … laying the ground work/preparation!
5) Psalm 119:1-8
c. We must use and develop our personal talents
1) The parable of the Talents … Matthew 25:14-30
2) Those faithful not only used their talents, but gained others as well
B. THEY WORKED AS A DETERMINED BODY
1. They were determined not to allow mockery, intimidation, nor violence, to stop them from their appointed task.
2. We will see this especially beginning in chapter 4
3. We must be a determined people
a. Numbers 23:24 … relentless determination
b. 2 Chronicles 15:7 … Don’t give up
c. Psalm 44:18 … consistent determination
d. Psalm 119:10 … wholehearted determination
e. 1 Corinthians 15:58
4. We must be determined not to allow persecution, gossip, difficulty, failures, or anything – to keep us from accomplishing much for the Lord
C. THEY WORKED AS A UNIFIED BODY
1. They worked as a unified body – the men working with their hands, the guards who placed their lives between them and the enemy, and the rulers backing the work in every way.
2. They achieved a common goal – working together, and not against each other
3. The Bible is replete with passages that discuss our need to be unified as we work in the Lord’s cause
a. Genesis 13:8
b. 1 Samuel 14:6-7
c. Nehemiah 8:1
d. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
e. Amos 3:3
4. We can never live up to our full potential until we work together as a unified body.
D. THEY LOOK ON THEIR WORK AS SERVICE TO GOD
1. These mentioned in Nehemiah 3 looked on the work – not as a menial task, not as a project of Nehemiah – but as service to God.
2. Remember Nehemiah 2:18-20 … they realized that this was the Lord’s work
3. Colossians 3:23
4. 2 Chronicles 31:20-21
5. Ecclesiastes 9:10
6. How do we view our labors as Christians?
CONCLUSION:
A. Sadly, in every congregation, there are the shirkers who tarnish the scroll of the faithful.
1. Many say and do not … Matthew 23:1-4
2. With many, they only labor they set forth is trying to hinder others … Matthew 23:13
B. The nobles of the Tekoites were this way
1. Nehemiah 3:5
2. They would gladly enjoy the protection of the refurbished wall, but they would not lift a finger to get the job done.
3. Their record mars the continuity of this honor roll, but inspiration will not ignore their neglect
4. They have gone down in infamy as men who would dirty their hands on one of the truly great triumphs of divine history
C. Where do we stand, with the nobles of the Tekoites, or with those to whom God gives tribute as hard workers in His cause?