Thursday, August 13, 2009

Dear Birmingham: We're all in this together...

Here are the message notes from this past Sunday's message in a2's "Dear Birmingham" series.

If you've read the book of Nehemiah, you know that Nehemiah 3 is one of the most "tedious" chapters in the book... Lots of names... Several lists...

In fact, Nehemiah 3 contains a list of at least 38 individuals… That's 38 people who ROLLED UP THEIR SLEEVES and went to work on the wall… Not only that, but the chapter contains a list of 42 separate TEAMS spread out across 7 neighbors...

The chapter almost feels like reading a few pages out of the phone book. But if you know the backstory, you know that Nehemiah 3 is remarkable, because it describes a group of utterly ordinary people who were used by God to do something completely extraordinary.

Here's the outline:

We’re All In This Together
Dear Birmingham – Part 4

August 9, 2009 • Chris Goins

Nehemiah 3:1-8 (NLT), Then Eliashib the high priest and the other priests started to rebuild at the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set up its doors, building the wall as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and the Tower of Hananel. 2 People from the town of Jericho worked next to them, and beyond them was Zaccur son of Imri.
3 The Fish Gate was built by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid the beams, set up its doors, and installed its bolts and bars. 4 Meremoth son of Uriah and grandson of Hakkoz repaired the next section of wall. Beside him were Meshullam son of Berekiah and grandson of Meshezabel, and then Zadok son of Baana. 5 Next were the people from Tekoa, though their leaders refused to work with the construction supervisors.
6 The Old City Gate was repaired by Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah. They laid the beams, set up its doors, and installed its bolts and bars. 7 Next to them were Melatiah from Gibeon, Jadon from Meronoth, people from Gibeon, and people from Mizpah, the headquarters of the governor of the province west of the Euphrates River. 8 Next was Uzziel son of Harhaiah, a goldsmith by trade, who also worked on the wall. Beyond him was Hananiah, a manufacturer of perfumes. They left out a section of Jerusalem as they built the Broad Wall.


Four Thoughts About Coming Together To Make A Difference:

1. Real leaders always lead by example.

Nehemiah 3:1 (NLT), Then Eliashib the high priest and the other priests started to rebuild at the Sheep Gate.


2. The majority of people “bought in” to the dream.

Nehemiah 3:12 (NLT), Shallum son of Hallohesh and his daughters repaired the next section. He was the leader of the other half of the district of Jerusalem.


1 Samuel 22:2 (NIV), All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him.

1 Samuel 22:1-2 (MSG), So David got away and escaped to the Cave of Adullam. When his brothers and others associated with his family heard where he was, they came down and joined him. Not only that, but all who were down on their luck came around—losers and vagrants and misfits of all sorts. David became their leader. There were about four hundred in all.


3. The slackers were ignored.

Nehemiah 3:5 (NIV), The next section was repaired by the men of Tekoa, but their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work…

Esther 4:14 (ESV) (Mordecai’s Words to Esther),
"…if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"


4. The people who picked up a brick got the attention of God.

Matthew 10:42 (NIV), And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.

Matthew 25:19-21 (NIV), “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.'
21 "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'”


Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV), Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

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