Nehemiah 7
Nov 4, 2018 AM
Pastor Craig Ledbetter
Bible Baptist Church, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland
I. Introduction (Romans 15:4)
A. We are back in full swing in the Book of Nehemiah
1. As he records in something like a personal journal all that happened as he led all the Jewish people to rebuild the city of Jerusalem
2. But this is no ordinary ‘journal’ – this is part of the inspired word of God, and chapter 9 from this journal is quoted in John 6:31
3. It was written for our LEARNING – to teach us, and encourage us and give us hope!
B. In chapters 1-6, Nehemiah had focused all his efforts on rebuilding walls around Jerusalem
1. Pressed through impossible obstacles – piles and piles of ancient ruins and rubbish filling the streets
2. Faced some fierce enemies that constantly were working behind the back to demoralise and enslave all the people once again
C. But Nehemiah’s tireless efforts paid off…
1. They finished the walls and gates in 52 days! (6:15)
2. It surprised the people – so little faith!
3. It totally discouraged their enemies (6:16) that had worked so hard to hinder and stop the work
4. And the people thought all the work was done
D. But the work was NOT finished!
1. A city, and a house, is more than just brick, and stone, and glass and doors
2. It is ‘people’
3. And THEY needed some attention now!
E. So, for the remainder of the book, Nehemiah focused on the 42,060 people that had assembled in Jerusalem (7:66,67) and built them firmly on the teaching of the word of God!
F. Hence our focus on 1st Timothy 3:15 this month… on US building OUR house of God here in Ballincollig
II. Background (1Timothy 3:15)
A. The apostle Paul has written a fairly lengthy letter to a young pastor named Timothy
B. He takes the time to prepare him for the hardships and heartaches of the Gospel ministry – didn’t describe many benefits – you don’t respond to God’s call because of benefits – but because God wants to use you – period!
C. He explains what is expected of Timothy as a pastor and preacher of the Bible; and it was a lot!
D. And he reminds Timothy that the church he was pastoring in Ephesus was the very house of God – it was the ‘church of the living God’
1. We often imagine great churches have great edifices
2. And high altars
3. And sky-scraping towers and steeples
4. We imagine they must hold thousands of cheering crowds
5. And cost countless millions to build and maintain
6. Yet not according to the Bible!
a. The church of the living God can be as small as a house with just even two or three assembled!
b. Act 8:3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
c. Rom 16:5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
d. 1Co 16:19 The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
e. Col 4:15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.
f. Phm 1:2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:
E. Four Problems with People’s View of Church…
1. Most people do not understand what a church really is, that it is GOD’S house!
2. They do not know how to BEHAVE in their church – and I am not just talking about running around and knocking things over
3. They don’t know what is expected of them as the Church.
4. And EVERYONE of us from the top down need to protect the house of God, and love them and nurture them and work together to build them – not tear them down!
F. Nehemiah chapter 7 gives us a great example of building PEOPLE after the walls have been finished
III. Message – Building the People Who Built the Walls
A. Nehemiah Elevated Work First
1. There are way too many problems, and offenses, and histories and hurts amongst all the people (Neh 1:2,3)
2. He had no counsellors, and no psychologists or daytime talk-show authorities on how to be happy
3. But he had something better – a purpose – a cause –a calling
4. Called for people to come together and get organised and work on something HARD – the rebuilding of a capital city ‘Jerusalem’
5. Yes, they prayed, they believed God, but they also WORKED (Jas 2:18) Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
6. Don’t spend too much time complaining about WORK- it is good for us all!
a. 2Th 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
b. Too many people complain about their busy life and their busy schedule – I am here to tell you that most of the time, whatever you are having to do is probably very good for you
1) Raising little children?
2) Working long hours and extra time?
3) Trying to fit in 3 times a week of church?
4) Burning the midnight oil taking classes to get a better job?
5) Getting up earlier than everyone else in your house so you can read your Bible and spend time in personal prayer and worship?
6) That is not stress folks – THAT is good for us!
7) Hands on, dirty, gritty, back breaking work is good for everyone
8) I read a quote yesterday… “Sweat is just your fat crying!”
c. If you didn’t think marriage would be WORK, and soul-winning would be WORK, and friendships would be WORK, and that Bible study would always be WORK, and that prayer would usually be WORK, well… then you were sorely mistaken!
7. Getting all those 42,000 people back to work was the BEST thing Nehemiah could have done for them!
B. Nehemiah Put Key People in Charge of Key Ministries (7:1)
1. People needed something to do – called Ministries
2. An Nehemiah put some people in charge!
3. Nehemiah ‘appointed’ / assigned, designated, ordained three ministries:
a. Porters – Gatekeepers
b. Singers/Musicians in the Temple
c. Levites throughout the city and throughout the countryside to teach the Bible
4. More about these in a little while
C. His next task was to Enlist a Leadership Team with him (7:2)
1. Nehemiah knew he couldn’t do the job of governing this rebuilt city alone.
a. Nehemiah needed other people who were able to make hard decisions – not seeking men’s admiration, but interested in just doing the right thing
b. So he didn’t just ask for volunteers, but looked for people who could handle burdens and who would faithfully serve whatever they were asked to do
2. He appointed two men who would work with him to lead and protect the people in the city
a. Not LORDS… But leaders – there is a big a difference
b. Everyone wants to be the head honcho
c. But God needs especially MEN who will carry the heaviest burdens and work the hardest, and help lead others out of their rubble life
d. Put together a team of three people at the top who would work together holding all the people together under God
1) Himself as the Tirshatha – Governor (8:9)
2) His brother Hanani (see 1:2)
3) And Hananiah
3. Two Characteristics of Good Leaders (7:2)
a. What do you think are the most important qualities for a leader?
1) Most people would say… Compassion, being progressive, likeable
2) I think 99.9% of all modern leaders of every political party would be ignored by God
3) Most leaders, men and women, are weak, spineless, power-addicts who have no moral compass, and only serve themselves instead of others!
b. These two men had two powerful qualities:
1) They were faithful to God
a) They weren’t just serving people, they were doing everything for God first (Col 3:22,23)
b) It has often been said, “The greatest ability is dependability.” Faithfulness
c) And whether you admit it or not, THAT is what YOU believe too! You want a dependable Doctor don’t you? A dependable Garda force, a dependable Rubbish collection service, a dependable electricity company, a dependable grocery store?
i. Well, the internet is NOT dependable
ii. Youtubes are edited and conflicting and unreliable
iii. The news media is NOT dependable
d) But, GOD wants dependable MEN and WOMEN
2) And they feared only God (7:2)
a) THAT is a big deal
b) The fear of man enslaves you (Pro 29:25) The fear of man bringeth a snare
c) And robs you! John 12:42,43 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
c. Not everybody is called to be a Nehemiah, but SOME of us ought to be Hananis, Hananiahs who work alongside with Nehemiah’s
d. And ALL of us should work under our God-given leaders to help get evangelism done right. To do that, we need faithful, God-fearing men and women who will gladly and sacrificially serve God, come what may!
4. See Acts 6:1-7 for a real life New Testament Call for Leadership
a. The apostles were overworked
b. “Look ye out among you for seven men” (THREE character traits)
1) Of honest report – real, honest, nothing hid
2) Full of the Holy Ghost
3) Full of wisdom
c. “Whom we may appoint over this business.”
D. Next, Nehemiah then Checked People’s Genealogy (7:5-60) for Citizenship
1. Reading this long list of difficult names might be boring to the modern Christian, but these people were God's "bridge” from the defeats of the past to all the hopes of the future.
a. These Jews were the “living link” that connected their ruined historic past with their bright prophetic future and it was THIS group of people that made it possible for Jesus Christ to come into the world. Through just ONE name in the list (7:7) ‘Zerubbabel’
b. Nehemiah 7 is to the Old Testament what Hebrews 11 is to the New Testament: a listing of the people whose faith and courage made things happen.
2. These were people – they all had names, history
3. But were they supposed to be there?
a. Everyone comes from somewhere
1) Many people in our modern mobile population care little about family roots or even civic loyalty.
2) These returned exiles (ex-pats) had maintained their identification with their native towns and villages that they had been away from now for three generations. They knew where they came from and were not ashamed of it!
3) Also, in spite of their local loyalties, these Jews put the good of Jerusalem first (Ps. 137:1-6).
4) Countries and cities are melting pots of so many nationalities
5) But a church is filled with one nationality – one citizenship – Christians, born again believers in Jesus Christ
b. So Nehemiah decided to check everybody out – from the top down - to see if they truly were believing Jews
1) Not everyone in a church is born again (Mt 7:21)
2) Some people creep into church unawares (Jude 1:3,4)
c. They needed to examine themselves and see if their names are included in the list of people that had been taken away as captives and slaves 160 years earlier
d. And every person in this room needs to examine THEIR heart and see if THEY have actually believed the GOSPEL, and not just come out on a Sunday for a visit
e. Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
E. He Helped Them Find Their Gifting and Calling
1. Every one of the people were builders together, but each also had a gifting, a place of service and ministry too
2. 88 large families are listed (5-60)
a. Listed by family – some big (with 3,000 names) and some small (with 98 names)
b. Be VERY thankful that God sees your family and not just you
c. Acts 16:30,31 etc
d. If you have some or all of your family here and close by, you are very blessed!
e. A church is all about FAMILIES, not just individuals
3. Some were Leaders (7:5-7)
a. People who lead by example in their giving, and praying, and joy
b. People who made decisions for the city
c. People who understood the people they serve, and cared about their welfare and not their own
4. Some were Priests (7:39)
a. Led the worship in the Temple
b. Handled the sacrifices
c. Had compassion on the people
5. Some were Levites (7:43)
a. Taught the people the Bible
b. And helped the priests in any way needed
6. Some were Singers and musicians (Neh 7:44)
a. 148 people in charge of music were the descendants of Asaph – what a legacy!
b. Children of Asaph who was a writer of 12 of the Psalms (Neh 12:46) For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God.
7. Some were The Porters (7:45) – Gatekeepers
a. Kept control over who came in and when and what was brought in
b. Pubs call them Bouncers
c. Shopping centres call them Security Guards
d. Children call them PARENTS!
e. Like the Movie censor used to do
1) Kept some stuff out of normal watching times
2) Irish Film Classification Office now
f. Like YOU hopefully do when you decide who your children can hang around with, and what apps can be on their phones, and what kind of language is allowed in your home
g. To be a gatekeeper, or a doorkeeper was a great honour! (Psa 84:10) For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
8. The Temple maintenance crews (7:46-60)
a. There were loads of them
b. From the top to the bottom, all were needed
F. But then there were the Unlisted (7:61-65) – names were not on the list
1. This was serious! It is a scary thought
2. It was as if they were imposters – intruders – stalkers (Matt 22:9-13)
a. Mat 22:9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
b. Mat 22:10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
c. Mat 22:11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
d. Mat 22:12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
e. Mat 22:13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
3. To expect to be welcomed, but instead unknown
a. These were 642 who did not have any proof they were Jews
b. None of their names were on the carefully kept genealogies
c. Even people who claimed to be priests
d. Had no right to access into the Temple
e. Could only watch as others drew near to God
f. And hoped that someone one day could tell if they really were of Israel
4. The most miserable people are those that only HOPE they are saved, and hope their names are in the Lamb’s book of life (Rev 20:15) And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
a. Mat 25:12 But [Jesus] answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
b. 2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his.
G. Lastly, Nehemiah Rebuilt Worship (7:70-73) – More Next Week in chapter 8
1. Citizenship and leadership can make a country, but only true worship to makes it godly.
2. Worship must be Anchored to the Bible alone
a. Nehemiah determines to do everything as listed in the Bible and nothing more
b. It was the seventh month of the Jewish year
c. Time to celebrate the feast of Trumpets, the day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles (all described in Lev 23:23-44). There could have been no better time for Nehemiah to call the people together to honour the Word of God, confess their sins, and dedicate themselves and their work to the Lord.
1) What had began with concern in Neh. 1
2) Led to construction in chaps. 2-3
3) And then to major conflicts in chaps. 4-7
4) And now it was time for consecration (chaps. 8-12)
3. Worship calls for sacrificial giving
a. Not giving TO the leadership
b. But to the good of the city, and to the Lord’s house
c. Started with the Tirshatha – 1,000 gold coins
d. Then ‘some’ of the leaders gave – 20,000 gold coins
e. And then the people altogether gave – 20,000 gold coins as well
f. THAT is how you start a city!
4. Worship demands repentance (we will see this in chapter 8 next week)
a. There is no worship in pride
b. Nehemiah knew that there was a desperate need for the people to not just come back to Jerusalem from Persia, but come back to the Lord from their sins, and especially turn away from their secret sins that were grieving God still to that day!
c. As you read on and get into chapter 13, you will discover what Nehemiah discovered: secret sins, intermarrying with unbelievers, sinful alliances, briberies, ignoring the Sabbath – just doing the very things that had brought God’s judgment upon their nation 190 years earlier!
d. Will we ever learn?
IV. Invitation
A. Nehemiah’s Efforts are a Good Pattern for US today in THIS Church
1. I constantly work hard to organise 120 people into a strong, healthy Church
2. That means I am trying to help you!
3. By Elevating Work First
a. I am glad everyone comes to church
b. But you often hear me talk about serving, and ministering, and working for the Lord
c. My main effort is to stop you from just sitting in church, and letting other people serve and minister and learn the Bible, but instead getting involved and busy BUILDING people
4. Expect me to Put Key People in Charge of Key Ministries
5. By Creating a Leadership Team
a. People are absolutely faithful to God
b. And who fear only God
6. By Checking for True Citizenship
a. Not everyone in a church is born again (Mt 7:21)
b. Some evil people creep into church unawares to destroy what we have (Jude 1:3,4)
c. People needed to examine themselves and see if THEIR names are written down in heaven’s Book of Life, if THEY have actually believed the GOSPEL, and not just come out on a Sunday for a visit (2Cor 13:5)
7. And helping everyone find out their gifting and calling
a. As a Leader
b. As just a part of a faithful family
c. As teachers
d. As Singers and musicians
e. The Porters (7:45) – Gatekeepers – PARENTS, and people who love holiness
f. The maintenance crews – taking care of the bus, and the building, and the bills, etc
8. But then there were the Unlisted (7:61-65) – names were not on the list
a. Jesus said Nicodemas was one of those
b. He was born a child of Abraham, but not a child of God
c. Needed to become born again!
d. Is that YOU? No new life on the inside?
9. Lastly, By Rebuilding Worship (7:70-73) – More Next Week in chapter 8
a. Anchored to the Bible alone
b. Built upon sacrificial giving
c. Built upon real, desperate repentance (we will see this in chapter 8 next week)
B. Do you want to rebuild YOUR HOME? Do you want to save it?
1. The world, and especially the Christian church is in “ruins” all around us, and desperately needs to be rebuilt.
2. Our homes are more important than fixing a broken pipe, or a cracked wall, or a leaking roof of just some brick and mortar house!
a. Start with YOURSELF
1) Are YOU born again? Is YOUR name in the birth register of heaven by believing? (John 1:12)
2) Are YOU ‘in’ church – I mean REALLY here, all in, passionate, part of the family, or just pew-sitters, spectators, good-time charlies?
3) Do you have anything that you are helping with here? You need to be part of something more than homework, and office-work and schoolwork and sports, and TV and friends!
4) LEAD your family by doing the things that count with God!
b. Then start working on your family
1) Get every person in your home saved – nothing more important!
2) Get them in church – assembled together with other believers, under the preaching of this Bible
3) Get them free from bitterness and anger and wrath and demonic oppression
4) Get them busy working with you for something of value – like soul-winning, and teaching the Bible, and helping your pastor, and ministering to the needs of the people of this church