Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
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is a long list of those who built the wall and their alloted sections.
This may very well be the list that Nehemiah drew up as he planned the project.
It moves us around the walls of Jerusalem in a counter-clock-wise direction.
Section by section, beginning and ending at the Sheep Gate.
The account isn’t simply a list of builders that long dead and gone,
but of those who built the wall
to outlast their own time and to commemorate to us
God’s past faithfulness,
His present help, and
assurance of His future blessing.
The point of this account is to show that the people as a whole
responded to Nehemiah’s challenge and
believed God would give them success.
Suddenly, we find ourselves on a building site.
No sooner have we been roused by Nehemiah’s stirring call to build—“Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem” ()—
than we find priests and lay folk, trowel in hand, hard at work building the “Sheep Gate” (3:1).
You can almost hear the sound of tools hammering at stone, and saws cutting huge beams of wood.
Let’s be honest: this chapter, with its list of builders,
looks like something that belongs in an appendix
at the back of a book!
But this is the Bible, where things are done differently.
We therefore need to pause before examining this chapter to ask:
What possible interest,
except to civil engineers with a fixation for detail,
does this chapter hold for us?
We know what the NT says about the OT
— For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
Just as we have been doing lately Paul in 1 Corinthians, applies the events in Israel’s early history to the Corinthian Christians (v. 6).
Paul alludes to four episodes from the exodus account when he exhorts them
not to be idolaters (v.
7),
not to be sexually immoral (v.
8),
not to put Christ to the test (v.
9), and
not to complain (v.
10).
— Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
The Corinthian Christians must make sure they do not repeat Israel’s mistakes.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
So we draw comfort from the OT Scriptures, we
learn by the OT Scriptures.
We are warned of certain examples of who not to emulate in the OT Scriptures.
We are warned of certain examples, of who not to emulate in the OT Scriptures.
There are doctrines, and reproof, and correction, and instruction in righteousness in the OT Scriptures
There are doctrines, and reproof, and correction, and instruction in righteousness in the OT Scriptures
so that we can be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
So let’s look at this chapter in the OT the way that the NT instructs us to.
This part of Nehemiah’s account is a glimpse into God’s Old Testament church in action, and
Christians who love God’s church (and all Christians should love God’s church)
find this chapter exciting and suggestive:
Exciting because here we see an example of what the church can be,
a powerful and united force
attempting and accomplishing great things for God;
Suggestive because it tells us that this should not be an isolated incident in the life of the church
but a powerful incentive to learn from the example shown here and
be equally active fulfilling God’s call for us in our own time.
The title of the message is: We are Partner’s in the Work of God.
Let’s look first of all at
Co- Ordination in the Work of God...
There are certain expressions used by Nehemiah over and over again which may serve as a key enabling us to enter into the spiritual principles of this chapter.
For example, such phrases as
‘next to him’ (3:4 [twice], 10, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 29, 30, 31),
‘next to them’ (3:2, 7, 27, 29, 30),
‘beyond him’ (3:16),
‘beyond them’ (3:23) and
‘beside him’ (3:17) are used over twenty times in all.
Each man and every group had a definite place of work assigned to them.
Each person knew where he belonged and what was expected of him.
Some laborers had to rebuild their section of the wall from scratch;
others only needed to make repairs.
Another set of recurring phrases are
‘in front of their house’ (3:23),
‘each in front of his own house’ (3:28),
‘opposite his house’ (3:29),
‘opposite his living quarters’ (3:30) and
‘beside his house’ (3:23).
The builders did not waste valuable time commuting from one end of Jerusalem to the other.
This practical arrangement meant that it was easy for the workers to be fed and also that in the event of attack each man was at hand to protect his own family.
Thus each person was relieved from undue anxiety and pressure and was free to give of his best to the task appointed to him by Nehemiah.
It is beneficial if each laborer sets himself goals towards which he strives rather than working without any clear direction.
It is beneficial if each laborer sets himself goals towards which he strives rather than working without any clear direction.
Spiritual leaders ought to anticipate potential problems and diffuse any possible causes of disunity,
so that every member can channel all his efforts into the ministry of the local church.
How does someone do that here?
Well, we know that our mission is the Great Commission, which to to make disciples.
Our church carries out the Great Commission through our Vision (which is on the front of the Bulletin)
We want every believer to be coordinated to Exalt Christ, Equip the Saints, and Extend Christ to those with out hope!
The way to make progress in the building of God’s city is for every worker to know precisely the undertaking assigned to him by God’s Word.
Every worker for Christ has his/her marching orders from Scripture: So we position ourselves to intentionally live out
Love one another ()
Be joined to one another ()
Be joined to one another ()
4. Be devoted to one another ()
Be devoted to one another ()
5. Honor one another ()
Honor one another ()
6. Rejoice with one another ()
Rejoice with one another ()
Weep with one another ()
7. Weep with one another ()
Care for one another ()
Serve one another ()
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