Sermon Tone Analysis

The Trowel and The Spear

Intro

On March 23, 1775, in Virginia, the largest colony in America, a meeting of the colony's delegates was held in St. John's church in Richmond.

Resolutions were presented by Patrick Henry placing the colony of Virginia

"into a posture of defense...embodying, arming, and disciplining such a number of men as may be sufficient for that purpose."

Before the vote was taken on his resolutions, Henry delivered his most stirring speech imploring the delegates to vote in his favor.

He spoke without any notes in a voice that became louder and louder, climaxing with the now famous ending.

Following his speech, the vote was taken in which his resolutions passed by a narrow margin, and thus Virginia joined in the American Revolution.

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter.

Gentlemen may cry, "Peace!

Peace!" -- but there is no peace.

The war is actually begun!

The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms!

Our brethren are already in the field!

Why stand we here idle?

What is it that gentlemen wish?

What would they have?

Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?

Forbid it, Almighty God!

I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!

Describing the cast of characters of The Chronicles of Narnia, C. S. Lewis writes of Reepicheep,

Reepicheep is the Chief Mouse.

He is the self-appointed humble servant to Prince Caspian, and perhaps the most valiant knight in all of Narnia.

His chivalry is unsurpassed, as also are his courage and skill with the sword.

Reepicheep is chivalrous and courageous because more than anything—more even than his own life—he loves Aslan and Aslan’s prince.

In Prince Caspian, while fighting valiantly, Reepicheep is almost killed, and would have died were it not for Lucy’s ability to heal with the drops from her diamond bottle.

Practically raised from the dead, Reepicheep leaps to his feet and bows before the lion, Aslan, only to realize that he has lost his tail in battle.

Reepicheep pleads with Aslan to restore his tail, and as Aslan discusses with Reepicheep whether he thinks too highly of his own honor, represented by his tail, Aslan, noticing what Reepicheep’s fellow mice have done and asks:

“Why have your followers all drawn their swords, may I ask?” said Aslan.

“May it please your High Majesty,” said the second Mouse, whose name was Peepiceek, “we are all waiting to cut off our own tails if our Chief must go without his.

We will not bear the shame of wearing an honor which is denied to the High Mouse.”

“Ah!” roared Aslan.

“You have conquered me.

You have great hearts.

Not for the sake of your dignity, Reepicheep, but for the love that is between you and your people … you shall have your tail again.”

(Lewis, Prince Caspian, 220–24)

Reepicheep’s comrades love him because the mouse was more valiant than most men!

His great aim in life was to serve the high cause of the Aslan, Narnia, and her rightful king.

Reepicheep was ready to protect those he loved, ready to stand for truth, and justice, and ready even to lay down his life for them.

The truth, goodness, and beauty of God on display in the gospel is worth more and must be worth more to us than our own petty causes, our personal luxuries or advantages, and more than even our very lives.

Neh 3-4 =

An example of good godly leadership.

An inspiration for christians to follow.

An illustration of Jesus Christ.

Message

God wants to use ordinary people to build His kingdom.

Every single one of us has a job to do.

When we don’t do it someone else has to

Our work or lack of work will be recored and remembered

The enemies of God will seek to oppose us.

They will oppose us with words

They will encourage us to oppose ourselves

They will oppose us with actions

We can have victory in the LORD.

Remember the Lord

Fight for those whom you love

Arm yourselves for the task at hand

Labor heartily and unified

Jesus the Carpenter sent from God to restore that which is broken

He did the work that we could not do

He was opposed by the enemy even to the point of death

He has obtained victory and is now our cornerstone

good high priest who starts - completes the work - consecrates a people - stays up day and night to watch

hears the accusations of the enemy and loves us even in the face of them - is not dismayed by the rubble of our lives

leaves no stone unturned or unfinished - fights for us as sons/daughters - protects with his might and none can harm

Labors even now until that glorious day when he comes again to take us home

Close

Reepicheep and Prince Caspian are together again in C. S. Lewis’s The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

They are traveling to the edge of the world, and at one point in the story it looks as though the crew might not be willing to go any further.

The strongest desire in Reepicheep’s valiant little mouse heart is to get to the end of the world that he might enter Aslan’s country.

As the crew seems unwilling to go on, Lucy seeks help from Reepicheep:

“Aren’t you going to say anything, Reep?”

“No.

Why should your Majesty expect it?”

answered Reepicheep in a voice that most people heard.

“My own plans are made.

While I can, I sail east in the Dawn Treader.

When she fails me, I paddle east in my coracle.

When she sinks, I shall swim east with my four paws.

And when I can swim no longer, if I have not reached Aslan’s country, or shot over the edge of the world, I shall sink with my nose to the sunrise (ever facing the land of the lion which he loves) … (Voyage, 230–31)

On March 23, 1775, in Virginia = Patrick Henry

I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!

God wants to use ordinary people to build His kingdom.

The enemies of God will seek to oppose us.

We will have victory in the LORD.

Will you join me with trowel and spear?

Group Questions

Why do you think Nehemiah answered Sanballat in 2:20 but did not respond to them in chapter 4?

In Nehemiah’s day, Sanballat and Tobiah were mocking those rebuilding the wall.

Today God’s people are still striving to advance His kingdom, what form does mocking from our enemies take today?

How do you most often respond?

Nehemiah prayed that God would not allow unrepentant sin to go unpunished.

Against whom and against what would/should we pray if we were to follow Nehemiah’s example today?

How might/does grace come into play in these situations?

Nehemiah led the people to set a guard against the enemies day and night (4:9).

What should God’s people be on guard against day and night today?

What does setting a guard look like to you?

In 4:12 other Jews were discouraging those at work on the walls.

How do Christians discourage other Christians today?

Are there any ways that you yourself might discourage other Christians?