Will we rise up to {RE}BUILD or refuse to serve?
Sunday we continued our {RE}BUILD series exploring the story of Nehemiah. In the book God called, empowered, and directed Nehemiah to lead His people to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem so that the worship of God might be reestablished. In chapter 2 we heard God’s people respond to the call of God, saying: “let us rise up and build!” (2:18) The only ones who did not join in the work were the Tekoite nobles who “refused to stoop to serve the Lord.” (3:5)
Chapter 3 gives an accounting of all who joined in the work. The overwhelming truth from this list of work and workers is that all true worshipers join together in the work of extending the worship of God. This is also true for God’s Church today. All who truly know, follow, and worship Jesus join in the work of building God’s kingdom together so that the nations might know and worship Christ!
It’s striking to observe the different kinds of people who joined in the work of rebuilding the wall: priests, temple servants, rulers, regular folks (like goldsmiths & perfume makers), sons and daughters, and people from near and far. Similarly, in our place and time, God is calling elders, ministry team leaders, discipleship group facilitators, and regular church members together to build the kingdom. He is calling people with various professions, from different backgrounds, and different cultures. He is calling all His sons and daughters, and people from near and far together to build the Kingdom of Jesus.
The question each of us must grapple with is this: Will we “rise up and build” like God’s OT people, or will we be like Tekoite nobles and (3:5), “refuse to stoop to serve our Lord?”
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
In what ways are you partnering with the body of Christ to build the Kingdom?
What is the next step for you? What hinders you from taking this step?
Do you have questions that need to be asked and answered in order to move forward? What are those questions? Who should you ask? When will you ask?
PRAYER FOCUS
Take time to commit yourself wholeheartedly to the work of God’s Kingdom. If God has called you to be a part of Anchor Church ask God to guide and empower you to take your place on the wall.
VERSE TO MEMORIZE — Nehemiah 3:5 — "And next to them the Tekoites repaired, but their nobles would not stoop to serve their Lord.”
