TEXT: Nehemiah 3

SUBJECT: Studies in Nehemiah #3: Everyone Involved

This afternoon brings us to the third sermon in our study of Nehemiah. The chapter is a list of names and places. Unknown people working in obscure places. How do we interpret it?

We can take the historical approach. Find out who everyone is, how each is related to the other, and why they worked at the places they did. A Mormon would love it, as fascinated as he is by genealogies. But I can't see how it would profit us.

We can take the mystical approach. Some Jews and Christians have looked for secret meanings in every word or letter of Scripture. Some of their findings are ingenious, but few are edifying.

It is best to approach the chapter in a Christ-centered way. Not by making silly connections between the Lord as "the sheep gate", Christ as "the tower of Hananeel"; Jesus as "the door"; and so on. Rather, we're to ask ourselves: What is our Lord doing in the chapter? He's doing something. Of that we can be sure. The whole of Scripture "testifies of Him"--Nehemiah 3 no less than John 3.

What is He doing? He is working in Nehemiah, of course. How? He is giving all of God's people a part in His work.

Nehemiah did this. In one sense, rebuilding the wall was all his work. He planned it; he got permission to undertake it; he obtained the materials needed to complete it; he organized the work force; he provided security; he supervised it all, from start to finish. It was "a one man operation".

In another sense, rebuilding the wall was everyone's job. By my count, 46 families were employed in the work. No one was asked to do everything. But everyone was asked to do something. Working with Nehemiah, the families soon put up the wall, hung the gates, and regained some respect for the city of God.

Jesus Christ gives us a part in His greater work. Unlike Nehemiah, our Lord could have done it all by Himself. But He chose to do otherwise. He chose to employ His people.

He did this in the Gospels. He was a tireless preacher, of course, but He didn't do all of the preaching Himself. Luke 10 has Him sending out "seventy others" to say "The kingdom of God has come near to you". No one ever performed more miracles than He. Yet He didn't do it all. Mark 3 finds Him sharing this "power to heal and cast out devils" with the Apostles.

It is also needful to observe: He didn't limit His work to a handful of trusted aides. He gave everyone something to do. New converts were told, "Go and tell what great things God has done for you". Women were assigned a crucial role in His ministry: Mary, Joanna, Suzanna, and other devout ladies underwrote Him and His disciples, see Luke 8:1-3. Not even children were excluded; Did He now allow them to proclaim Him "King of Israel"?

In the days of His flesh, everyone was welcome in His service!

But what about now?

At Pentecost, He "poured out His Spirit on all flesh"--young and old, male and female, professional and blue-collar. Why were they given the Spirit? To provide a thrill? Of course not! He was given to equip them for serving Christ.

This means all believers--then and now--have a part in the work of Jesus Christ. We all have something to do for Him. We all have a little place on the wall. Jesus Christ urges you to take out the trowel and get to work.

You needn't be someone special. Who is Zaccur? Who is Meletiah? Who is Ezer? Who is Zadok? Like you and me, they were "nobodies". But they had something to do for Christ. And so do you.

What is it? I can't tell you. No one can. Pastors are not told to assign everyone his God-given tasks in life (though some think they are). Do you want to know? Truly want to know? And, if you know what it is, will you do it? If you are "willing to do His will, you will know..." Your interests, abilities, and opportunities will decide your calling in life.

Don't think your job is any less important than anyone else's. One gap in the wall leaves the whole city open to attack. The "men of Gibeon and Mizpah" got to work on the "Governor's mansion" (v.7). Poor Hanum got stuck with "the Refuse Gate" (v.13). Yet his stinking job was no less important than the prestigious work on the Governor's home. Don't let anyone belittle your work for Christ. Including yourself.

If everyone has something to do for Christ, let's encourage them in their work. How do we do this? Not by nitpicking them!

We must allow them the freedom to serve Christ as He directs. Unless what they're doing is clearly against the teaching of Scripture, we mustn't impede them in it. And I mean clearly against Scripture--not an implication, drawn from an inference, taken out of an extrapolation on Scripture.

We must also pay attention to what they're doing, ask about it, and lend a helping hand, if needed. And, of course, we're to pray for each other.

In doing these things, we become "laborers together with God". And there is no better labor than His. And so, find something to do. And do it. Do it heartily. Unto the Lord. May God direct us in the service of His Son. Amen.