Sermon Tone Analysis

Nehemiah 11:1-12:47

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen Caswell © 2000

Commitment  -  The Mule And The Ox

 

For many days an old farmer had been plowing with an ox and a mule together and working them pretty hard.

The ox said to the mule, let's play sick today and rest a little while.

But the old mule said , no we need to get the work done, for the season is short.

But the ox played sick, and the farmer brought him fresh hay and corn and made him comfortable.

When the mule came in from plowing, the ox asked how he made out.

We didn't get as much done, but we made it all right, answered the mule.

The ox asked, what did the old man say about me? nothing said the mule.

The next day the ox, thinking he had a good thing going, played sick again.

When the mule came in again very tired, the ox asked, how did it go?

The mule said, all right, I guess, but we didn't get much done.

Then the ox asked, what did the old man say about me?

Nothing to me, was the reply, but he did stop to have a long talk with the butcher.

Introduction

 

Last Sunday we saw Israel renew their covenant.

Their actions proved that their repentance and recommitment were sincere.

They /Submitted To God's Word, Separated As God's People/ and they /Supported God's House/.

After the people had dedicated themselves to God they dedicated their city to him as well.

/John F. Kennedy said, We will neglect our cities to our peril, for in neglecting them we neglect the nation.

/Nehemiah followed the same philosophy.

He knew that the nation of Israel could never be strong as long as Jerusalem was weak.

But Jerusalem could not be strong unless the people were willing to sacrifice.

Nehemiah called on the people to present three sacrifices to the Lord for the sake of their city, sacrifices that God still calls His people to give for the sake of the church He is building today.

I.

We Must Offer Ourselves To God

II.

We Must Offer Our Praise To God

III.

We Must Offer Our Gifts To God

 

/Firstly/      We Must Offer Ourselves To God

 

/a.

Population/

 

Now that the walls and gates of Jerusalem were restored, it was important that the Jews inhabit their capital city and make the population grow.

For one thing, people were needed to protect the city; for they never knew when the enemy might decide to attack.

It may have been safer for the people to live in the small outlying villages that were no threat to the Gentile society, but somebody had to take the risk and move into the big city.

But most of all, God had brought the remnant back home because He had a special job for them to do; and to abandon the restored city was to obstruct the working out of God’s will through Israel.

In other words, God needed people, live bodies, in the holy city.

/Never underestimate the importance of simply being physically present in the place where God wants you./

You may not be asked to perform some dramatic ministry, but simply /being there/ is a ministry.

The men, women, and children who helped to populate the city of Jerusalem were serving God, their nation, and future generations by their step of faith.

/b.

Obligation/

 

/Now the leaders of the people dwelt at Jerusalem; the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to dwell in Jerusalem, the holy city, and nine-tenths were to dwell in other cities./

The nation's leaders dwelt in Jerusalem.

But this wasn't enough for the city to function properly.

The people had promised to tithe their produce, so Nehemiah decided to tithe the people; and 10 percent were chosen by lot to move from their villages into Jerusalem.

By casting lots the people recognized that God would overrule the outcome.

Since there were few residents in the city and since the housing situation was bad, it isn’t surprising that many of the Jews were unwilling to move.

However they obeyed the call to move there.

/c.

Consecration/

 

*Nehemiah 11:2* /And the people blessed all the men who willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem./

Some folk volunteered to live in Jerusalem.

They were committed to God's work there and willingly offered themselves to move there.

What joy these men must have brought to Nehemiah.

Just imagine how much more joy  we bring to God when we willingly serve Him rather than doing it because of obligation or duty.

The people blessed these men for their dedication to the Lord.

Their heart was in the right place.

Let us follow their example.

/d.

Vocation/

 

We have grown accustomed to Nehemiah’s practice of listing the names of the people involved in his projects.

In listing these names, Nehemiah was giving evidence of his sincere appreciation for each individual who assisted in the work.

It also reminds us that our Father sees and records what His children do as they serve Him.

Even if others don’t appreciate your ministry, you can be sure God knows about it and He will reward you accordingly.

A variety of people were needed for the temple ministry that was so important to the Jewish nation.

The priests officiated at the altar, and the Levites assisted them.

Some supervised the maintenance of the building while others ministered with prayer and praise; and both were important.

There were nearly 300 men appointed to guard the temple.

Since the tithes and offerings were stored in the temple, it was important that the building be protected.

Some folk served as gatekeepers and watchmen.

All had an important part to play.

It took many people, with many skills, to maintain the ministry in Jerusalem.

Pastor Weirbse's Ministry Team

 

When Pastor Warren Weirsbe ministered at Calvary Baptist Church in Covington, he listed the people, seen and unseen, who helped make his pulpit ministry possible.

Whilst preaching there were three technicians running the controls in the radio room, half a dozen men patrolling the parking lots, ushers at the doors and walking through the buildings to see that all was well, maintenance personnel keeping the equipment going, and an efficient pastoral staff backing him up.

The musicians led the congregation in praise and helped prepare them to hear the Word.

During the previous week, scores of Sunday School workers had contacted hundreds of people, church members had invited many visitors to the services, the office crew had kept the organizational machinery running smoothly, church officers had encouraged and counseled, people had prayed — and all of this so that the pastor might be able to glorify Christ by proclaiming the Word of God!

He said it was a humbling experience that made him want to do his best for the Lord and for these wonderful people.

God uses many people with different gifts and skills to get His work done in this world.

The important thing is that we give our bodies to the Lord so that He can use us as His tools to accomplish His work.

Each person is important and each task is significant.

Application

 

At West Orange Baptist many people serve the Lord.

Musicians help us praise the Lord.

Others prepare bulletins, work the P.A. system, clean the Church, or serve as door stewards.

Some folk help with cleaning, preparing communion and mowing the lawns.

All of these things are important.

Yet there is always a need for more workers.

There is a need for leaders to help with the Young People's work.

A number of people have suggested that an Adult Sunday School class would be a blessing.

But at present there is no one to lead it.

Prayer is vital to the Church ministry and is not limited to any one age group.

I would love to see a Kids Club ministry or Awana start up after school.

Perhaps you could serve the Lord in one of these areas.

In today's world everyone is busy.

/But are we busy in the Lord's work or our own?/

/Do you have a gift to offer to the Lord?