Nehemiah 4:4-6
The People Had a Mind to Work
I. Their work reached the goal despite fierce opposition, and that for one reason – The people had a mind to work.
II. Nehemiah 2:18 – So they strengthened their hands for this good work.
A. The work of rebuilding the wall of the city of God
B. This they did when they knew the mission of Nehemiah, God & the king.
III. Nehemiah 3:10, 28 – against his own house – Are you repairing against your spiritual house?
A. What work is there for me to do?
B. How can I do it on my schedule & without special training?
DISCUSSION:
I. Do good works.
A. Titus 2:7 – In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity...
B. I Timothy 2:9,10 – Women adorn themselves ... with good works
C. Titus 3:1 – Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work.
D. Hebrews 10:24 – And let us consider one another to provoke unto love & to good works.
E. Titus 3:8 – This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
F. Titus 3:14 – And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, THAT they be not unfruitful.
G. Colossians 1:10 – That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.
H. Matthew 5:16 – Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
II. Too many people are idle today in the kingdom of God. There is work enough for everyone. Why stand ye here all day idle? – Matt. 20:6
A. No man has hired us – Matt. 20:7
1. This is not true in Christ’s Kingdom – every citizen has been commissioned, & is promised payment beyond his service
B. “If I could do a big work, I would” – but they neglect the things that they can do
1. He that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much – Luke 16:10
2. Our responsibility is only proportionate to our talents – Matt. 25:14-30
C. “I have lost interest” – In what?
1. Are you interested in your own soul? – Mark 8:36-37 – What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
a. ...in the souls of others?
(1) I Cor. 1:21 – ...it pleased God... to save them that believe
(2) I John 2:2 – he is the propitiation for our sins, & not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world
(3) II Peter 3:9 – ...not willing that any should perish, but that all whould come to repentance
(4) Heb. 2:9 – ...that he ... should taste death for every man
b. ...in grace of God that has appeared? – Titus 2:11-12
c. ...in the church? – Ephesians...
(1) 3:10-11 – ...might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God
(2) 20-21 – Unto him be glory in the church by Jesus Christ... without end
(3) 5:25 – Christ is the head of the church, and he is the savior of the body
d. ...in Lord’s work? – I Cor. 15:58 – ...my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord
2. If you are interested in these, how can you say that you have lost interest? – Rev. 2:4-5 – Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
D. “The Lord can’t use me in his work”
1. He used two mites to teach a lesson on generosity – Mark 12:41-44
2. He used a stone & a shepherd boy to overcome a giant who had defied the army of God – I Sam. 17:38-50
3. He used a man slow of speech to lead the Israelites – Exod. 4:10
4. He used a donkey to carry His Son to shouts of praise – Matt. 21:1-3
5. He used a boy’s lunch to feed multitudes – John 6:9
6. He can use you, if you want to be used. He never used anyone who did not want to be – There are no draftees in the Lord’s service.
III. Does your life show the fruit of the Spirit – Gal. 5:22?
A. Love – I John 4:19 – John 14:15 – if you love me, keep my commandments
B. Joy – Php. 4:4 – Rejoice in the Lord always, & again I say rejoice
C. Peace – Col. 3:15 – let the peace of God rule in your hearts...
D. Longsuffering – Eph. 4:2 – ...walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with... longsuffering...
E. Gentleness – II Tim. 2:24 – the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle
F. Goodness – Rom. 15:14 – ...ye are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge...
G. Faith – I Thess. 1:3 – ...remembering without ceasing your work of faith, your labor of love
H. Meekness – Titus 3:2 – ...speak evil of no man, to be no brawler, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men
I. Temperance – I Cor. 9:25 – every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things
J. Romans 6:22-23 – But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
CONCLUSION:
I. Why do not all do their part?
A. Some are lazy, as was the 1-talent man – Matt. 25:26
B. Some are ignorant, as was Paul, until he learned better – I Tim. 1:13
C. Some are indifferent, as those lukewarm Christians in Laodicea – Rev. 3:15-16
D. Some have selfish interests, as those who excused themselves from the wedding feast – Luke 14:18-20
E. Some are too proud, as the servant who was ashamed to beg – Luke 16:3
F. ...And all were condemned by the Lord
II. Find a gap in the wall of your salvation, and fill it; don’t wait to be asked or told
A. It’s your wall
B. It’s behind your house
C. It’s your enemy trying to come in