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Their Part, Our Part, Everyone's Part

December 1, 2013 Series: Nehemiah

Passage: Nehemiah 3:1–32

THEIR PART, OUT PART, EVERYONE’S PART                NEHEMIAH 3:1-32

Lessons from Nehemiah 1-2

  • Nehemiah cares about what God cares about.
  • Nehemiah waits and prays patiently (Neh 1), before God gave him and opportunity to present his request for permission and protection before the king (Neh 2)
  • God was with the people, and they needed to respond in obedience and boldness to build.

Nehemiah 3 records for us the people's response to the call.

Every leader lead by example

  • The leaders of the people, such as the priests (v1) and the officials (v12-19) participated in the building efforts. They did not delegate the work because they had power, but participated too.
  • Contrast this with the nobles of the Tekoites (v5) who "would not stoop to serve their Lord".
  • In 1 Pet 5:1-3, Peter reminds us that the leaders of the church are to lead by example as they shepherd the flock, following in the example of the Shepherd.

Every individual participates

  • Neh 3 is a long list of participants in the rebuilding, and various individuals of different occupations and backgrounds (priests (v1), goldsmiths (v8), rulers) all worked together to accomplish this task.
  • In the same way, the church consists of different individuals with different gifts (1 Cor 12:7). How are we using these God-given gifts "for the common good"?

Everyone be responsible

  • It was a mammoth task, but this was accomplished because everyone took the responsibility of a small section around or outside their house (v21-23).

Today, what will we, as individuals and as a community, do with what God has given us?

More in Nehemiah

March 16, 2014

Staying Spiritually Strong

March 9, 2014

Real People, Real Revival & Real Results

March 2, 2014

Revive Us, Oh Lord!