WHOSE POWER IS IT?

What happens when you find what God wants you to do, and then you begin doing it—and problems arise?  So often we begin to think God is not in this—or that we can’t do it—or that it is just not worth all the problems.  But what are better options? 

Nehemiah 4:1-14 

Several things we see as we read this passage: 

1.      When you work with God, there will be opposition (vv. 1-3)

a.       Sometimes that opposition is from within your own group

b.      Sometimes it comes from outside the group

c.       But it will come!  Satan is at work also. 

2.      When opposition comes, pray!  (vv. 4-5)

a.       Not the time to give up

b.      Time to be sure you understand God’s plan

c.       Time to ask God to intervene—He has the power 

3.      Just because opposition comes doesn’t mean it’s time to quit (v. 6) 

½ done—they worked on ALL the wall at one time, not just one portion—and by now they were ½ complete—1/2 the height it needed to be

4.       Why did they continue and succeed despite opposition?

 

a.       “people worked with ALL their heart.”  People had a mind to work.

b.      Heart really has to be in the task alongside the heart of God.

c.       This was God’s task—inspired by Him, not just by a man or men

d.      Remember Mt 22:37  “Love God with all your heart”

e.       Can you describe your relationship with God by sincerely saying, “I love God with all my heart”? 

5.      More opposition comes despite them working with all their heart (vv. 7-8) 

6.      Still did not give up 

a.       They got practical in what they did—organized by Nehemiah

b.      They prayed

c.       They also posted guards (v. 9) 

7.      But more problems arose—they got discouraged (v. 10)

a.       Despite all the problems—and all the answers—it is still hard work

b.      Can still easily get discouraged—results aren’t happening FAST enough

c.       What do you do when you get discouraged? 

8.      To fight discouragement, remember God and His power!  (v. 14)

a.       Who wanted this task accomplished?

b.      Who get them started in the first place

                                                              i.      God inspired Nehemiah

                                                            ii.      God provided building materials from a non believing king

                                                          iii.      God sent Nehemiah—a man with organization skills—to them

                                                          iv.      God helped them have a heart to work

                                                            v.      God helped them finish ½ the wall

                                                          vi.      The power for the project is God—not us

                                                        vii.      Men will fail or give up—God will not! 

Who wants you to succeed more than you do? 

Who is able to supply what is necessary to see the task succeed? 

Do really love God with all your heart? 

Will you pray and will you work?

BUILDING

Sometimes you have to tear down in order to rebuild.  Sometimes, tearing down just happens by others or storms, but still rebuilding is necessary.  And sometimes, Satan intervenes in tearing down.  But it takes everyone to rebuild. 

Nehemiah 2:18, 20, 3:1-12 

Nehemiah told the people what God had provided for them to rebuild the wall.  And they committed themselves to the task.  And they worked alongside one another. 

What does God provide for His work?  Whatever is needed.  He is always at work around us, Blackaby says.  God is always ahead of us in working.  We just have to pray and look for what he is doing. 

Does this apply to rebuilding a church?  Whose church is this?  Who is the Provider for His church?  Does He have enough resources to complete the task?

When the Jews realized what God had already done on their behalf, what did they do?  They committed themselves to rebuilding the wall.  They knew it was needed, but they didn’t get around to it.  They knew it was needed but they just focused on their individual lives and doing “their” things. 

But when they heard all that God had done for Nehemiah, inspiring him to come, giving him building materials, using him as an organizer, they realized this was God’s work.  So then what did they do?  They committed themselves to God’s task for them—their part. 

Notice what Nehemiah said to the naysayers and those trying to stop the work (in v. 20), “God will give us success.”  When God is in something, it will happen.  God is the difference between failure and success.  God can do anything He chooses!  Do you believe that? 

But notice the other thing Nehemiah said, “We his servants will start rebuilding,…”  What did he call them?  God’s servants—they were doing this task as a way of serving God. 

When people work together to rebuild a church that is down to almost nothing, they are being “servants” of God.  It He wants the task done, God will do His part.  But will God have willing servants, doing their part? 

Notice in chapter 3 that God used all kinds of people—priests, skilled laborers, people from other towns, some near some far, and even women were involved in the hard physical labor of rebuilding the wall around their city.  Some did small parts and others did large parts.  Some finished work in one area and then moved to another area to work more toward the task. 

God uses all kinds of people in rebuilding his church—extroverts and introverts, teachers, deacons, leaders, followers, old and young and children.  Everyone can do something. 

If all you can do is prayer (notice what I said—“all” you can do is pray”—isn’t that often our attitude about prayer—we think it really isn’t much—but it really is very important—maybe one of the most important things in being a servant of God, isn’t it?) 

Pray for God to call out laborers into His harvest field.  Pray for success.  Pray for servant hearts toward God and His work.  Pray for others to join the task.  Lots of specific things to pray for, besides just a generic prayer—God bless us and grow us. 

Nehemiah used the people’s natural inward focus to get the wall rebuilt.  Many of the people who worked on the wall worked on the section of the wall closes to their homes.  Would you want protection close to your home, your loved ones?   

But Nehemiah also found servants with an outward focus.  Some who did not live in Jerusalem came to help rebuild the wall.  Their focus was not just on themselves, but on fellow Jews in Jerusalem and their safety.  For a church to grow, there needs to be an outward focus. 

Do others need what is offered at church?  Do people need to know Christ?  Do they need to know what the Bible says about living their lives?  Do they need support and encouragement and friends? 

Fellowship meals could be times of inviting others to attend.  Or they could be just another chance for us to have fellowship among ourselves.  What would Jesus do?  What would He want? 

But on the other hand, would people want to come?  Is there anything that would encourage people to come back—real Bible study, real worship and joy in worship, real friendship and support?  Good questions for each of us to ask ourselves.  There has to be something that attracts people—why would they want to come? 

Josh Hunt, SS consultant, says to quit inviting people to SS.  He says instead, “have more parties.”  Invite people over for a meal at your house to let them get to know you in a fun environment (I hope your home is a fun environment).  Maybe invite a family from church with a family that is not churched.  Trust can be built through building friendships—real genuine relationships.  Later maybe, you can invite them to come with you to your church.  But after they are really friends. 

Why do we always try to get people to come to church for Games nights and fun things, when we could just, with a few, do these with others.  In fact, you are probably already doing some of these.  We have, at times, when we were having a birthday party or family over, also invited international friends over to celebrate with us.  Include people in your normal celebrations and activities.  Ask someone to “go along” with you for ballgames, movies, etc. 

Rebuilding a church today is about building relationships.  That’s what Josh Hunt means when he says, “Have more parties.”  If you’re fun to be with when you’re NOT in church, maybe you would be fun to be with IN church too. 

It takes everyone—servants of God—doing a task.  God provides what we need—we join Him in what He is already doing as we ask Him where, and when we see, we then act. 

Servants rebuild walls.

GIVE LIFE

I love the gospel of John--the gospel of action--the gospel of "signs" and the gospel of Jesus "I AMs."

In John 5:17-21, Jesus defends himself against those who are upset that he healed on the Sabbath (see earlier verses in John 5).

¹⁷ In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” ¹⁸ For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
¹⁹ Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. ²⁰ For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed. ²¹ For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. (NIV, biblegateway.com)

When does God work?  The implication is that God always works--God is always at work, doing what He does.  Jesus says here that He too joined God in God's work.

Even the Jewish rabbis accepted the fact that God worked on the Sabbath--otherwise, no one would live.  God provides, God heals, God births babies and spiritually births people on the Sabbath.  Jesus said He was merely joining God in God's work, God's service.

The criticizers clearly understood that Jesus was saying He was working as God was working on the Sabbath. The only One who had the right to do that was God Himself.  So Jesus was claiming His authority to heal as God had authority to heal, anytime He wanted.  Jesus then was saying He was equal with God.  And because of what Jesus said, the criticizers wanted to bring death to Him, not life.

Jesus made an astounding statement then, that He could only do what He saw the Father doing.  Even Jesus patterned His life after God the Father, just as an apprentice carpenter (Jesus' earthly job as was His earthly father) patterned his task after the one teaching him.

Interesting that Jesus said He could do ONLY what He saw His Father doing.  That is some serious patterning after--serious obedience--serious commitment to the Father and His ways!  (Reminds me also of John 15:5, an I AM statement of Jesus, "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in me and I am him, will bear much fruit.  For apart from me, you can do nothing." (NASB)

The Father showed the Son what He did because of the love He had for the Son.  Notice the tremendous love that God the Father has for Jesus.  Because of that love, God showed Jesus all that He does, so the Son could also perform those tasks.

And what was the Father doing?  He was raising the dead and giving life.  And He passed along that power to the Son--to be a life giver.  Abundant life--eternal life--life of peace and grace and love.  (John 10:10, "I came that they might have life, and have it abundantly.")

I also look back to John 1:4, where it says of Jesus, the Word, " In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. (or of men)  (NIV)

God is always at work.  Jesus worked on earth with Him always--seeking to give life--the best life--the fulfilled life--eternal life, now and forever as well.

Believers, followers of Jesus, are to pattern their lives after the Master and His Father as well.

Where is God at work around you, seeking to give life to someone--earthly life, healthier life, abundant life, eternal life?

How are you working alongside Him, cooperating with Him in the giving of life?

Some of us use words to cut down more than give life.  Some of us condemn more than encourage and give life.  What is God at work doing?

Am I, and are you, on God's work plan?  Are we cooperating with His work to give life?  Are we patterning our life after Him or after those who opposed Him in this passage?

Open your eyes--listen to your words today--evaluate what you are involved in--does it give life or condemn?  Which would please God more?

Give life!

A WOMAN WHO FEARS THE LORD

Hannah—devout Jewish woman—an example on Mother’s Day. 

1 Samuel 1:1-6, 10-17, 20-28, 2:1-2, 11-12, 18-21 

Story of rivalry over one having children and one not.  Similar to Jacob’s wives, Leah and Rachel. 

Verse in Proverbs 31  “But a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” (31:30b, NIV) 

Hannah was that—a woman who feared the Lord and believed in the Lord mightily. 

What is an example from Hannah’s life for mother’s today: 

1)      She wanted a child badly—in context of rivalry, but she seriously wanted to be a mom and have a son.  Get the impression if God answered that prayer, she would be a doting mom, a mom serious about the task of raising her son.  Is best when mom’s take the task of being a mom seriously—make it a priority—important thing over many other things in life. 

2)      She knew the child was God’s gift and belonged to God—to have a child is truly a gift of God—not everyone does/has.  So this is a blessing to be a parent. 

3)      Another aspect—child really belongs to God—Hannah dedicated her child to service of the Lord.  Nazarite vow—no razor to come on his head—serve the Lord.  Generally was made by person himself—only for a time in life—she made this for her son—for all his life. 

a.       How could a mom who desperately wanted a son do this?  She knew the child really was not hers but God’s.

b.      So she was willing to give Him to the service of the Lord.  God knew best over the mom (or dad).  Our children are really not ours—they are God’s.  He can take care of them best.

c.       Known of parents able/willing to see their children go overseas as missionaries—how can a parent do that—especially with grandchildren—believe they really belong to God, not us—and that He knows best. 

4)      Hannah’s continuing dedication to the child—continued to provide him with clothing and needs when she came yearly to the place where he served—with Eli.

a.       Robes—clothing—sacrifice of her time to make these—may have torn at her heart to bring these to him once a year.  But dedicated to him and to the Lord he served as well.

b.      Easy sometimes in busy-ness of life to forget the child and his/her needs—but Hannah’s dedication to her son showed. 

5)      Hannah made the Lord a priority over even her son—“a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” 

a.       Whenever we read this Scripture, we are reminded of Hannah’s dedication to the Lord—praise her commitment

b.      She was dedicated to her son—but even more dedicated to the Lord-

c.       Hannah supported the Lord’s work by supporting her son—robe, prayer for him. 

What happened to Hannah’s son?  Eli’s sons corrupt—rejected as priests and prophets.  Samuel became next powerful priest of God. 

Samuel lived for Lord faithfully.  Samuel anointed Israel’s first king, Saul—and most powerful king, David.  Passed his blessing along to the nation and to the leaders of Israel. 

What a blessing for Hannah.  Yes, the Lord gave her more children, but the nation was blessed through her prayer. 

When we pray for child—we never know who that child will be.  May be a mighty person of God—locally, regionally, worldwide. 

When we take care of our children with food, clothing, love—never know what plans God has for them. 

We should pray and surrender our children—again and again—to God’s service in any way He sees fit—they really are not ours—they are gifts from God—and may be our gift back to God as well—our way of blessing Him and His work. 

No guarantees in life—“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”  (Prov. 22:6)  General wise saying about doing our parenting task seriously—but not a promise of guarantee. 

But how was Hannah blessed in being a parent. 

And how are we blessed in being parents. 

·         Pray for our children

·         Take seriously our task to raise them

·         Provide for their needs—physically, emotionally, spiritually

·         Continue to love/support them even as adults

·         Seek the Lord even over the child herself/himself

·         In prayer, give them to the Lord again and again—His not ours 

Thanks Moms—“Fear the Lord, and you will be praised.”

WHERE ARE WE?

“The times, they are a’changin”—a song from the 60’s, still true today—60’s—50 years ago.

“You’re not in Kansas anymore Virginia”—saying from maybe 30-40 years ago.  And all the time with the changes in technology and mobility and belief—the world right around us is so different today—even from 10 years ago.

Nehemiah 2:11-20

Nehemiah arrives in Jerusalem.  After three days, he, in the night, so as not to draw too much attention, inspects the walls around the city.  And they are bad—very bad.  Text says “ruins”—“destroyed”—“broken down—and “disgraced.”

You have to know where you are in order to get where you want to go. 

After inspecting the bad situation—THEN Nehemiah reminds them of the ruins around them—challenges them to rebuild the wall—and tells them the provisions the King has already provided for this task to be accomplished.

The Jews had been back in Jerusalem for several years—they had built their homes—they had rebuilt a Temple (though not one nearly as beautiful and impressive as the one before).  And then they had settled in their homes, challenged by Ezra the priest, to live their lives for God again—but many had been changed by the experiences in Babylon.  Some who had not gone to Babylon had intermarried with unbelievers—even idol worshippers—who had come to inhabit the Holy Land during that time.  Life was different—religion was different—families and their beliefs were different.

Ezra was leading the people to a revival of living for God.  And Nehemiah was coming to aid in that effort but also to help get their wall of protection back in place.

Two of the great questions of life:

1.      Who am I?

2.      Why am I here?

The same questions seem to keep being asked, whether of believers or unbelievers—men or women—young or old—and regardless of the time in history that people live.

Who were they?  Jews—God’s chosen people.

Who are we?  Christians—followers of Christ and God—disciples—the saved.

When you know who you are—it should lead you to why you are here.  The Bible seems to imply that one following God will live as God desires—as God is.  Yes because of sin, the Bible shows that people have always struggled with the “doing” side—the living righteous lives side of faith—Jews and Christians as well.  Instead they are more people of their culture—people of this world—than they are people of God.

You have to know who you are—and you have to know where you are going—before you live as God expects.  This applies to individuals and to churches as well.

Who are we?  What is the purpose of a church?  Why were people called together to form the church in the first place? 

And from who you are, how do you live?  When one knows their purposes—who they are—then they know how to live and when they are not living out their purposes?

What are the roots, the purposes, the reasons to exist?

And if these are the reasons to exist, the purposes—are we living them out today as they were lived earlier in the church’s life?

But so many Christian churches today have forgotten why they exist—and don’t then know how to live in the new culture that is around us.

“No absolutes”—right for you—not for me—let me live my way and I will let you live your way—toleration of most everything.  Is that biblical?  Is that God’s way?  God had lots of “right and wrong” in His Word.

80% of high school graduates will drop out of church and not return—even those in good youth groups.

1/3 of people will live together together today before marriage—that includes Christians.

People are more influenced by culture than by the church or Word of God!

We could give up—just minister to the elderly and sick—meet together for a nice service and potluck—and ignore the world around us.  Or we could get back to “who we are” as a church—and living His way to impact society and community more than they impact us and others around.

What choice did Nehemiah make and challenge the people to?  Sam—it is just a wall.  But Nehemiah said they were living without safety and in disgrace.

How do we impact others again?  Nehemiah first prayed—ongoing prayer.  Then he asked to be allowed to go.  Then he inspected the real situation.  And then he challenged those around him who believed to change the situation.

Not everyone has the energy and strength to rebuild a wall.  But without some who do stepping up—the wall will remain down—and the ruins will remain.

And sometimes, to have enough who “can do”, you must join with others who are stronger to help rebuild the wall. 

Remember Nehemiah’s reminder as he challenged them to rebuild  a wall—“the gracious hand of God”—what has God done for success already.

God still supplies when He calls today.  How are we to "rebuild the walls"--a seemingly impossible task in the world we live in now?