The Work That Counts
From Ruins to Revival • Sermon • Submitted
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· 3 viewsThough the work was complete the real work was ongoing. The work that matters still needed to be done. The walls were a work to be done, but they werent THE work God wanted done. The walls began the work of the revival of the people and rebuilding the walls was a tool to begin the revival of the people's worship and devotion to God. This cahpeter of Nehemiah helps us to see what work really matters to God.
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Introduction
Introduction
The first 6 chapters of Nehemiah have focused on the building of the walls
Ever read the book of Ecclesiastes?
What a huge undertaking
What a bummer of a book right?
A massive work that needed to be done
It hard to imagine that 6 chapters of work was done in 52 days
It sheer goal is to reveal the transcendence of life - impermanence of it all - under the sun
Walls that lay in ruins for years - rebuilt in less than 2 months
Ever felt that way about work or working?
Chapter 7 begins the next miraculous and bigger work that God wanted to do in Israel
You spend much time into doing something that will just have to be done again and again
You see, yes the walls have been fixed, but that is really only one small part of the work God was doing among the Israelites
Making the bed, laundry, cleaning - building, repairing, maintaining
As people in the finite and physical world - we sometimes get caught up in the things that take up our senses
There is always more to be done as soon as we finish
Walls that were visibly in disarray and lay in ruins - now built and strong
God who is infinite - saw something else in ruin that needed fixing
God was not only interested in rebuilding walls - He was rebuilding people!
God truly miraculous work is the Revival of the People
This theme continues throughout the rest of Nehemiah
God wasnt really building walls - He was rebuilding people
As we read - I want us to focus on the idea that God was doing a work in the people through the work - the work was needed, but the work in the people is what really counted!
As we enter this theme of Revival lets looks at the work that counts to God
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1 Then it was, when the wall was built and I had hung the doors, when the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed, 2 that I gave the charge of Jerusalem to my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the leader of the citadel, for he was a faithful man and feared God more than many. 3 And I said to them, “Do not let the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot; and while they stand guard, let them shut and bar the doors; and appoint guards from among the inhabitants of Jerusalem, one at his watch station and another in front of his own house.”
Nehemiah 7:1-
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4 Now the city was large and spacious, but the people in it were few, and the houses were not rebuilt. 5 Then my God put it into my heart to gather the nobles, the rulers, and the people, that they might be registered by genealogy. And I found a register of the genealogy of those who had come up in the first return, and found written in it:
Nehemiah 7:4-
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70 And some of the heads of the fathers’ houses gave to the work. The governor gave to the treasury one thousand gold drachmas, fifty basins, and five hundred and thirty priestly garments. 71 Some of the heads of the fathers’ houses gave to the treasury of the work twenty thousand gold drachmas, and two thousand two hundred silver minas. 72 And that which the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand gold drachmas, two thousand silver minas, and sixty-seven priestly garments. 73 So the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, some of the people, the Nethinim, and all Israel dwelt in their cities. When the seventh month came, the children of Israel were in their cities.
Nehemiah 7:70-73
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Worship
Worship
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1 Then it was, when the wall was built and I had hung the doors, when the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed,
Nehemiah 7:1
The wall being built and complete now although a huge accomplishment was not the end of the work Nehemiah had come to do
The walls were a necessary work, but there was a bigger work that still needed to be done
The appointment of singers and Levites starts the next work
The real work to be done was to return the people to the proper worship of God
The walls provided a physical representation of the security and safety - that they actually had in God
The true safety and security came not from the walls but from God - who protected them and brought about the finishing of the walls
Who was it who protected them when the walls were broken down and their enemies came with thoughts to harm them?
The walls were not done yet - they had to rely on God
They continued working all through the difficulty - but they were able to come through the difficulty because of God
The appointment of singers and Levites signify a return to worship and praise of God
Through the victory Israel was able to deepen their worship and praise
Is your praise deepening with each work or trial that you come through?
If you are coming through trials with more bitterness and sourness you are not experiencing victory
Are you just making it through tough times?
Is your praise dependent on circumstance and situations?
God’s victory leads us to sweeter praise and sweeter spirits
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Every victory in life should bring us deeper praise
Every victory in our life should bring us deeper into praise
Your situations you find yourself in are one of three places, rut rot or revival
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Character
Character
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2 that I gave the charge of Jerusalem to my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the leader of the citadel, for he was a faithful man and feared God more than many.
2 that I gave the charge of Jerusalem to my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the leader of the citadel, for he was a faithful man and feared God more than many. 3 And I said to them, “Do not let the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot; and while they stand guard, let them shut and bar the doors; and appoint guards from among the inhabitants of Jerusalem, one at his watch station and another in front of his own house.”
Nehemiah 7:2
Nehemiah was used by God to bring about the work to restore and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem
Nehemiah 7:2
Once this work was completed Nehemiah understood it was time for things to change in order for the work that God wanted to do for revival to continue
Nehemiah called on two people to take over what he was doing
Hanani - Nehemiah’s brother - who if you remember was the one who brought the news of the state of Jerusalem to Nehemiah in the first place
Charge of Jerusalem means that Nehemiah set him as governor/mayor over Jerusalem (not to be confused with the governorship that Nehemiah would exercise over the land for 12 years
Hanani and his concern for the state of affairs made him quite qualified for the position
Hananiah - leader of the citadel (Captain of the guard or military leader) charged with the security and protection of Jerusalem
What character is it that makes you qualified to serve God?
Faithfulness (trustworthy, upright) and having a fear of God
Many folks who may not be as talented or gifted can serve God well just by being faithful and fearing God
On the other hand - there are magnificently gifted people who are unable to serve God because they are not faithful and do not fear God
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Your heart for God matters more than your talents He has given you
Are you one whom the work can be handed to and trusted with?
Are you faithful in the things you have charge over?
Do you have a fear of God as your serve and discharge your duties?
This is not a fearful cowering before God afraid of punishment
This is a fear of pleasing God in what you are doing
Are you able to let go of the work and allow God to use you in other things too
Maybe God has used you to finish or accomplish some work but now you must allow that work to continue through someone else - in order for God to use you in other ways
It can be tough to let go - sometimes we think we are necessary to the work being done - but truthfully we are just faithful and have a fear of God and in that He accomplishes what He wants with us
We have had that example for us - Jesus to the apostles to their disciples and to us down the lines of history
Good character must remain vigilant
Nehemiah set these two on a path of remaining vigilant - especially since the walls were built
The walls are up but keep watch - secure the gates appoint a guard
We too must remain vigilant to protect our character and walk and the work God is doing
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How many times has a victory been won in our lives — and later “lost” because there was no guard? An enemy comes in because we are not watching. Walls can be climbed if there is no one there to stop the enemy, but an enemy is easily turned back from a wall by a guard.
Do not be deceived - not until heaven will there truly be peace.
If you are doing something for God there will always be a battle
We have a tendency to live by this phrase “if I can just get through this...”
The truth is when you get through “that” there will be something else
God’s people must protect what they have accomplished in the Lord, otherwise the enemy will come and take it over
Guards at the gates (our own doors) and watchers on the walls - to keep the enemy out
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People
People
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6 These are the people of the province who came back from the captivity, of those who had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and who returned to Jerusalem and Judah, everyone to his city. 7 Those who came with Zerubbabel were Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, and Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel: 8 the sons of Parosh, two thousand one hundred and seventy-two;
Nehemiah 7:6
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9 the sons of Shephatiah, three hundred and seventy-two; 10 the sons of Arah, six hundred and fifty-two; 11 the sons of Pahath-Moab, of the sons of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand eight hundred and eighteen; 12 the sons of Elam, one thousand two hundred and fifty-four; 13 the sons of Zattu, eight hundred and forty-five; 14 the sons of Zaccai, seven hundred and sixty; 15 the sons of Binnui, six hundred and forty-eight; 16 the sons of Bebai, six hundred and twenty-eight; 17 the sons of Azgad, two thousand three hundred and twenty-two; 18 the sons of Adonikam, six hundred and sixty-seven;
Nehemiah 7:9-
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19 the sons of Bigvai, two thousand and sixty-seven; 20 the sons of Adin, six hundred and fifty-five; 21 the sons of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety-eight; 22 the sons of Hashum, three hundred and twenty-eight; 23 the sons of Bezai, three hundred and twenty-four; 24 the sons of Hariph, one hundred and twelve; 25 the sons of Gibeon, ninety-five;
Nehemiah 7:19-
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26 the men of Bethlehem and Netophah, one hundred and eighty-eight; 27 the men of Anathoth, one hundred and twenty-eight; 28 the men of Beth Azmaveth, forty-two; 29 the men of Kirjath Jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred and forty-three; 30 the men of Ramah and Geba, six hundred and twenty-one; 31 the men of Michmas, one hundred and twenty-two; 32 the men of Bethel and Ai, one hundred and twenty-three;
Nehemiah 7:26-
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33 the men of the other Nebo, fifty-two; 34 the sons of the other Elam, one thousand two hundred and fifty-four; 35 the sons of Harim, three hundred and twenty; 36 the sons of Jericho, three hundred and forty-five; 37 the sons of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred and twenty-one; 38 the sons of Senaah, three thousand nine hundred and thirty. 39 The priests: the sons of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred and seventy-three; 40 the sons of Immer, one thousand and fifty-two;
Nehemiah 7:33-
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41 the sons of Pashhur, one thousand two hundred and forty-seven; 42 the sons of Harim, one thousand and seventeen. 43 The Levites: the sons of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, and of the sons of Hodevah, seventy-four. 44 The singers: the sons of Asaph, one hundred and forty-eight. 45 The gatekeepers: the sons of Shallum, the sons of Ater, the sons of Talmon, the sons of Akkub, the sons of Hatita, the sons of Shobai, one hundred and thirty-eight.
Nehemiah 7:41-
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46 The Nethinim: the sons of Ziha, the sons of Hasupha, the sons of Tabbaoth, 47 the sons of Keros, the sons of Sia, the sons of Padon, 48 the sons of Lebana, the sons of Hagaba, the sons of Salmai, 49 the sons of Hanan, the sons of Giddel, the sons of Gahar, 50 the sons of Reaiah, the sons of Rezin, the sons of Nekoda, 51 the sons of Gazzam, the sons of Uzza, the sons of Paseah, 52 the sons of Besai, the sons of Meunim, the sons of Nephishesim, 53 the sons of Bakbuk, the sons of Hakupha, the sons of Harhur, 54 the sons of Bazlith, the sons of Mehida, the sons of Harsha, 55 the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Tamah, 56 the sons of Neziah, and the sons of Hatipha.
Nehemiah 7:46-56
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57 The sons of Solomon’s servants: the sons of Sotai, the sons of Sophereth, the sons of Perida, 58 the sons of Jaala, the sons of Darkon, the sons of Giddel, 59 the sons of Shephatiah, the sons of Hattil, the sons of Pochereth of Zebaim, and the children of Amon. 60 All the Nethinim, and the sons of Solomon’s servants, were three hundred and ninety-two.
Nehemiah 7:57-
Nehemiah led by God took a census of the people
He made a list and also compared the list of Ezra
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Family
Family
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61 And these were the ones who came up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer, but they could not identify their father’s house nor their lineage, whether they were of Israel: 62 the sons of Delaiah, the sons of Tobiah, the sons of Nekoda, six hundred and forty-two; 63 and of the priests: the sons of Habaiah, the sons of Koz, the sons of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called by their name. 64 These sought their listing among those who were registered by genealogy, but it was not found; therefore they were excluded from the priesthood as defiled. 65 And the governor said to them that they should not eat of the most holy things till a priest could consult with the Urim and Thummim.
Nehemiah 7:61-65
Nehemiah led by God to count the people and list them
Why is this list important?
Same reason for the list in rebuilding the walls
The name were important to God — the PEOPLE were important to God
SLIDE - reading this census remember one thing
Don’t count the people but recognize that these people COUNTED
These people numbered had done what so few of their people had done
They risked it all to return to the promise of God
Put their lives on the altar and risked everything to obey God
It is the faith of the people being recognized here
These people were about 2% of the total that went into exile
They came back and were worthy to be counted — TWICE
Despite 70 years of roots in Babylon - they returned to Jerusalem
The PROMISED LAND
They desired still - the promise of God that was sweeter to them than any life in Babylon
These people had the pioneer/pilgrim/planting spirit
They knew they would endure hardship - but it was worth it for the promises of God
The hardship and discomfort was worth it to answer the call from God — the call was more important than their own comfort
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Life was EASIER in Babylon, but it was BETTER in Jerusalem
The work of the walls was really about the people mentioned here
The walls were not really that important — who was their real security?
The building work wasnt that important - the benefits from the building work was
Practicing hard work
working together
working through adversity and attacks
seeing the work finished — persevering together to the end of the work
God has this census here for the same reason He has Hebrews chapter 11
The work should be
Inspire His people and provoke them to greater faith
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Charity
Charity
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66 Altogether the whole assembly was forty-two thousand three hundred and sixty, 67 besides their male and female servants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred and thirty-seven; and they had two hundred and forty-five men and women singers. 68 Their horses were seven hundred and thirty-six, their mules two hundred and forty-five, 69 their camels four hundred and thirty-five, and donkeys six thousand seven hundred and twenty.
Nehemiah 7:66-
66 Altogether the whole assembly was forty-two thousand three hundred and sixty, 67 besides their male and female servants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred and thirty-seven; and they had two hundred and forty-five men and women singers. 68 Their horses were seven hundred and thirty-six, their mules two hundred and forty-five, 69 their camels four hundred and thirty-five, and donkeys six thousand seven hundred and twenty. 70 And some of the heads of the fathers’ houses gave to the work. The governor gave to the treasury one thousand gold drachmas, fifty basins, and five hundred and thirty priestly garments. 71 Some of the heads of the fathers’ houses gave to the treasury of the work twenty thousand gold drachmas, and two thousand two hundred silver minas. 72 And that which the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand gold drachmas, two thousand silver minas, and sixty-seven priestly garments.
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70 And some of the heads of the fathers’ houses gave to the work. The governor gave to the treasury one thousand gold drachmas, fifty basins, and five hundred and thirty priestly garments. 71 Some of the heads of the fathers’ houses gave to the treasury of the work twenty thousand gold drachmas, and two thousand two hundred silver minas. 72 And that which the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand gold drachmas, two thousand silver minas, and sixty-seven priestly garments.
Nehemiah 7:70-73
Here we read about the whole assembly who would be doing the work of the Lord being provided for
Nehemiah knew that the work of the Lord must be provided for by the people of the Lord
This amount given comes to more than $5 million in today’s money
The heads gave - AND the REST of the people
As the work of the revival of the people of God begins - the people must support the work
Do you long for revival and a return of the worship of God?
Do you support that work?
Charity is defined as Christian Love
Conclusion
Conclusion
Government and citizenship together make a nation - but it is worship that makes a nation Godly
Every one whom the Lord would use - recognizes it is not them, but God doing the work
Unless the LORD builds the house its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain
Another key lesson we can learn from this long chapter is that people are important to God. When God wanted to take the next step in His great plan of redemption, He called a group of Jews to leave the place of exile and return to their own land. He gave them encouragement from the prophets and leadership from people who feared God and wanted to honor Him. The Lord didn’t send a band of angels to do the job; He used common people who were willing to risk their futures on the promises of God.
Today, God is still calling people to leave their personal “Babylons” and follow Him by faith.
If you think that an enemy victory is final, then you have lost your faith in God’s promises. There is always a new beginning for those who are willing to pay the price.
This chapter also reminds us that God keeps accounts of His servants. He knows where we came from, what family we belong to, how much we gave, and how much we did for Him. When we stand before the Lord, we will have to give an accounting of our lives before we can receive our rewards (); and we want to be able to give a good account.
Finally, and most important, we must all be sure that we know we are in the family of God.
The only ones whom Nehemiah wanted dwelling in the city were the Jewish families - so they had to found among the census
No matter how much they argued or protested, the priests without legitimate genealogies could not enter the temple precincts and minister at the altar. God is not impressed with our first birth; what He wants is that we experience a second birth and become His children. If you are not certain of your spiritual genealogy, read and and make sure that your name is written down in heaven ().