1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:03,520 We are continuing. Today in our sermon series. 2 00:00:03,960 --> 00:00:05,840 Out of the book. Of Nehemiah. 3 00:00:06,120 --> 00:00:10,000 Nehemiah was a very effective, very successful leader. 4 00:00:10,000 --> 00:00:11,720 With a vision to rebuild the wall of. 5 00:00:11,720 --> 00:00:14,120 Jerusalem he was. Used by God. 6 00:00:14,120 --> 00:00:16,480 To do an extremely. Difficult task. 7 00:00:16,920 --> 00:00:19,480 And we don't. Find him faltering or stumbling 8 00:00:19,480 --> 00:00:21,120 in his task. We learned early on in the 9 00:00:21,120 --> 00:00:24,360 series as we started the series. He was a cup. 10 00:00:24,360 --> 00:00:25,800 Bearer to the King. Of. 11 00:00:26,080 --> 00:00:29,080 Babylon or Persia rather. And to the king. 12 00:00:29,560 --> 00:00:33,440 Of Persia, the Arctic Xerxes, and when he heard news. 13 00:00:33,440 --> 00:00:36,520 From Jerusalem, that. Things were in bad shape there. 14 00:00:36,520 --> 00:00:38,960 He was very disturbed and so it affected his job. 15 00:00:39,280 --> 00:00:41,680 And the king asked what's wrong with you or why are you sad? 16 00:00:41,960 --> 00:00:43,520 And the long and short of it was well. 17 00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:45,480 It would have. To do with his home country 18 00:00:46,120 --> 00:00:49,200 Jerusalem as home city. And he got the King's support 19 00:00:49,200 --> 00:00:53,080 and the King's blessing and the King's provisions to go back and 20 00:00:53,080 --> 00:00:56,760 do this difficult and arduous task of rebuilding the wall of. 21 00:00:56,760 --> 00:00:59,320 Jerusalem. The wall did get built in this. 22 00:00:59,960 --> 00:01:01,640 If we go jump. Ahead won't read that this 23 00:01:01,640 --> 00:01:04,400 morning and Nehemiah 6 verse 15 it says. 24 00:01:04,680 --> 00:01:08,320 They did that project. In 52. 25 00:01:08,320 --> 00:01:13,920 Days that's amazing and. The task of it. 26 00:01:14,000 --> 00:01:15,320 We'll get. Into that a little bit later, 27 00:01:15,320 --> 00:01:19,400 but just just this monumental before we dig. 28 00:01:19,400 --> 00:01:22,040 Into the. The the core of what we want to 29 00:01:22,040 --> 00:01:23,720 talk. About this morning in my sermon. 30 00:01:24,360 --> 00:01:25,360 I want. To make reference to a. 31 00:01:25,360 --> 00:01:28,760 Book I read recently and it'll become clear as I go on. 32 00:01:28,760 --> 00:01:31,240 It's a book by John Maxwell he talks a lot about. 33 00:01:31,240 --> 00:01:33,200 Leadership. In this book about. 34 00:01:33,320 --> 00:01:35,240 This book the latest. Book that, I think it's his 35 00:01:35,240 --> 00:01:38,640 latest book, he said. He talks about High Road 36 00:01:38,640 --> 00:01:40,840 leadership and the. Importance. 37 00:01:40,840 --> 00:01:43,080 That we are leaders who lead from the High Road. 38 00:01:43,720 --> 00:01:45,600 And he? Categorizes leadership into 3. 39 00:01:45,600 --> 00:01:47,920 Basic levels, he says. High Road leadership. 40 00:01:48,680 --> 00:01:53,040 And Middle Road leadership and. Low Rd. 41 00:01:53,040 --> 00:01:54,840 Leadership I. Want to explain that a. 42 00:01:54,840 --> 00:01:56,120 Little bit because that's kind of the. 43 00:01:56,440 --> 00:02:00,320 The template through which? We want to look at what Nehemiah 44 00:02:00,320 --> 00:02:03,240 did. I want to. 45 00:02:03,240 --> 00:02:05,960 First mention. A few words about what is low 46 00:02:06,080 --> 00:02:08,840 Rd. leadership. And John Maxwell explains it 47 00:02:08,840 --> 00:02:10,639 this way, he says. A low Rd. 48 00:02:10,639 --> 00:02:12,520 Leader is a guy. Who will say, you know what, how 49 00:02:12,520 --> 00:02:15,280 much can I get? For as little as possible. 50 00:02:15,800 --> 00:02:18,160 What's the best? Deal I can possibly get with the 51 00:02:18,160 --> 00:02:19,520 least amount of. Cost. 52 00:02:19,520 --> 00:02:22,440 To me. That's a low Rd. leader. 53 00:02:23,120 --> 00:02:26,320 Nehemiah was not that. He did not look. 54 00:02:26,320 --> 00:02:29,120 Out for himself first. He looked out for the people. 55 00:02:29,800 --> 00:02:31,920 I'm not saying with this that there's never a time. 56 00:02:31,920 --> 00:02:34,360 To negotiate a bargain. That's not what this. 57 00:02:34,360 --> 00:02:37,120 Means. But it's it's doing above and 58 00:02:37,120 --> 00:02:39,000 beyond. What is called for? 59 00:02:40,600 --> 00:02:43,400 In the village where I grew up. Where my mother grew up, rather 60 00:02:43,440 --> 00:02:44,720 years ago, there was a farmer who. 61 00:02:44,720 --> 00:02:47,160 Hired a young man to help. Him with a task on the farm. 62 00:02:47,640 --> 00:02:50,160 After the task was done, the. Farmer asked the man, How much 63 00:02:50,160 --> 00:02:50,840 do I? Owe you? 64 00:02:53,680 --> 00:02:55,480 And the young? Said Well, what's it worth? 65 00:02:56,760 --> 00:02:58,400 And the farmer said. What it's worth is. 66 00:02:58,400 --> 00:03:01,480 Too much. And when my mother shared the. 67 00:03:01,480 --> 00:03:03,520 Story with me it. Cringed and she. 68 00:03:03,520 --> 00:03:05,000 Didn't like it either and she shared with me about. 69 00:03:05,160 --> 00:03:07,160 This whole principle. That farmer. 70 00:03:07,160 --> 00:03:10,440 Was a low Rd. leader. In his. 71 00:03:10,440 --> 00:03:12,360 Heart, he was OK. With. 72 00:03:12,360 --> 00:03:15,520 Paying this young guy. Less than he deserved for the 73 00:03:15,520 --> 00:03:19,040 service he had provided. That's what low Rd. leadership 74 00:03:19,040 --> 00:03:20,520 does. And we have plenty. 75 00:03:20,520 --> 00:03:24,200 Of it in our world today. And it's a, it's a skill or. 76 00:03:24,400 --> 00:03:25,760 A temp. It's a characteristic. 77 00:03:25,760 --> 00:03:29,120 We don't have to learn, we just naturally are born with it. 78 00:03:29,120 --> 00:03:30,480 I want. More than is mine. 79 00:03:30,920 --> 00:03:32,800 And I don't care if you have. Less than is yours. 80 00:03:33,400 --> 00:03:37,560 Selfishness is the word for it. There's another level that. 81 00:03:37,600 --> 00:03:38,960 Maxwell talks about it, says Middle. 82 00:03:38,960 --> 00:03:40,040 Road leadership. That's a. 83 00:03:40,040 --> 00:03:42,160 Fair guy. He's a good taxpayer, works in 84 00:03:42,160 --> 00:03:44,240 the community. What's mine is mine. 85 00:03:44,240 --> 00:03:44,720 What's? Yours. 86 00:03:44,720 --> 00:03:47,600 Yours. They're fair minded people, they 87 00:03:47,600 --> 00:03:49,720 don't want to cheat anybody they don't want to take. 88 00:03:49,720 --> 00:03:52,560 Advantage of anyone what's. Mine is mine, what's yours is 89 00:03:52,560 --> 00:03:54,280 yours. They're but they're not other 90 00:03:54,280 --> 00:03:56,240 focus. In terms of sacrificially? 91 00:03:56,240 --> 00:03:57,720 Minded. They're not necessarily. 92 00:03:57,720 --> 00:04:01,640 That which we all should be. But then there's a third 93 00:04:01,800 --> 00:04:03,240 leadership category that Maxwell. 94 00:04:03,240 --> 00:04:06,440 Calls High Road leader. And this is the category unto 95 00:04:06,440 --> 00:04:09,080 itself. They're different, They lead. 96 00:04:09,080 --> 00:04:11,040 Well, with a different motive they come with. 97 00:04:11,040 --> 00:04:13,960 Questions they ask What? Value can I add? 98 00:04:13,960 --> 00:04:16,240 To this person through. What I do with him? 99 00:04:16,519 --> 00:04:18,839 What will my action? Cause him to become. 100 00:04:18,839 --> 00:04:20,519 Better than he is now. How I will? 101 00:04:20,519 --> 00:04:23,360 Contribute to his life how is what I'm planning to. 102 00:04:23,360 --> 00:04:25,440 Do helping him. How can I? 103 00:04:25,440 --> 00:04:27,520 Serve the greater good at my. Cost. 104 00:04:27,840 --> 00:04:30,320 That's High Road. Leadership and the Bible has 105 00:04:30,320 --> 00:04:33,000 numerous Before we dig into Nehemiah, I'll just mention John 106 00:04:33,000 --> 00:04:35,440 the Baptist. He was a very High Road leader. 107 00:04:36,160 --> 00:04:37,920 In fact, when he. Did his ministry preparing the 108 00:04:37,920 --> 00:04:39,840 way for the. Messiah, he literally said. 109 00:04:40,000 --> 00:04:43,160 He must become. More I must become less that's 110 00:04:43,160 --> 00:04:46,480 High Road leadership and and the. 111 00:04:47,040 --> 00:04:49,920 Bible has lots of those. Guys, there's plenty of High 112 00:04:49,920 --> 00:04:50,800 Road. Leader, I mean. 113 00:04:50,880 --> 00:04:51,880 High Road leaders. But there's. 114 00:04:51,880 --> 00:04:53,680 Also a lot of. Low Rd. leaders. 115 00:04:53,920 --> 00:04:56,200 But in reality, it's the high. Road leaders that are truly. 116 00:04:56,200 --> 00:05:00,080 The Great. Giants of History and Nehemiah. 117 00:05:00,080 --> 00:05:04,200 Fits that profile. And thinking about Jesus. 118 00:05:04,200 --> 00:05:06,200 Disciples, even at the. Last Supper. 119 00:05:06,200 --> 00:05:07,680 Come on. They argued a. 120 00:05:07,680 --> 00:05:08,840 Bigger who's? Going to have what? 121 00:05:08,840 --> 00:05:10,840 Position in the government, what Jesus was going to set up 122 00:05:10,840 --> 00:05:12,640 according to their thinking, Jesus going to be the ruler, 123 00:05:12,640 --> 00:05:14,600 he's going to be the king. And I'm going to have this job. 124 00:05:14,600 --> 00:05:16,440 I'm going to have this position and then bickered. 125 00:05:16,680 --> 00:05:20,080 That's low Rd. leadership. Way down there and then he took 126 00:05:20,080 --> 00:05:21,160 high. Road leadership by. 127 00:05:21,160 --> 00:05:24,440 His washing their feet. And then even higher by dying. 128 00:05:24,440 --> 00:05:28,240 For them. There's plenty of low Rd. 129 00:05:28,240 --> 00:05:31,800 leaders, middle Rd. leaders. A lot of them too, but. 130 00:05:31,800 --> 00:05:34,440 High Road leaders, they're. Scarce. 131 00:05:34,520 --> 00:05:37,520 They're not that many. That takes time. 132 00:05:38,080 --> 00:05:41,560 It takes character we all. Demonstrate one of these. 133 00:05:41,560 --> 00:05:44,400 Three now allude to this. More toward the end of my. 134 00:05:44,400 --> 00:05:49,960 Sermon here this morning. We need good leadership. 135 00:05:49,960 --> 00:05:52,240 At all levels. Men of godly character. 136 00:05:52,240 --> 00:05:54,800 Women of godly character. Who demonstrate sacrificial 137 00:05:54,800 --> 00:05:57,640 mindsets and looking at nehemiah when we. 138 00:05:57,640 --> 00:05:59,800 Hold him up to. This template of High Road. 139 00:05:59,800 --> 00:06:00,920 Leadership. He fits. 140 00:06:01,040 --> 00:06:04,520 Very well. And I want to allude to this 141 00:06:04,600 --> 00:06:06,520 toward. The end of my sermon we're saved 142 00:06:06,520 --> 00:06:08,760 by. Faith, we know that, but. 143 00:06:08,760 --> 00:06:12,560 Works are the test of. What kind of faith? 144 00:06:12,560 --> 00:06:18,920 We have. My title this morning is the. 145 00:06:18,920 --> 00:06:24,880 Fruits of godly leadership. The fruits of godly leadership 146 00:06:25,120 --> 00:06:27,200 and High Road. Leaders, they produce fruit. 147 00:06:27,880 --> 00:06:29,720 There's the results. That come out of it. 148 00:06:31,800 --> 00:06:34,800 We're saved by faith. But our fruits will reveal our 149 00:06:34,800 --> 00:06:36,960 heart. Nehemiah's heart was. 150 00:06:36,960 --> 00:06:39,400 Revealed by his actions, the fruits of his life showed that 151 00:06:39,400 --> 00:06:41,560 he was a High Road leader. And no. 152 00:06:41,560 --> 00:06:42,720 Doubt he was. Not the only. 153 00:06:42,720 --> 00:06:44,160 Leader. There was other other leaders in 154 00:06:44,160 --> 00:06:45,760 his time. Had been others. 155 00:06:45,760 --> 00:06:48,400 Before him, there would. Be others coming after. 156 00:06:48,400 --> 00:06:50,960 Him, but Nehemiah. Was a real. 157 00:06:50,960 --> 00:06:55,360 Shiny example and so far we've seen in our sermon series how 158 00:06:55,360 --> 00:06:57,280 God. Burdened his heart to. 159 00:06:57,320 --> 00:06:58,800 Respond to the crisis. In Judea. 160 00:06:58,920 --> 00:07:00,680 He didn't have to. But he did. 161 00:07:01,480 --> 00:07:03,960 Then, through a series of miraculous events, God guided 162 00:07:03,960 --> 00:07:06,720 him and with the King's backing, support and protection, he 163 00:07:06,720 --> 00:07:08,080 traveled. To his homeland saw. 164 00:07:08,080 --> 00:07:10,960 First hand situation and. He, as we heard last night, he. 165 00:07:10,960 --> 00:07:13,880 Sat in the rubble. It was difficult, but. 166 00:07:13,880 --> 00:07:16,480 Toward the end of chapter 2. We find Nehemiah having 167 00:07:16,480 --> 00:07:18,560 meetings. With the officials of the. 168 00:07:18,560 --> 00:07:21,600 Community motivating them for this great undertaking of 169 00:07:21,600 --> 00:07:24,160 rebuilding the wall where last Sunday how Nehemiah had vision 170 00:07:24,160 --> 00:07:25,920 to. Rebuild the wall Pastor Joe 171 00:07:25,920 --> 00:07:27,600 talked about. What Nehemiah did. 172 00:07:27,600 --> 00:07:29,600 And so they would. No longer be a reproach. 173 00:07:29,600 --> 00:07:31,240 And I want. To just allude to chapter. 174 00:07:31,840 --> 00:07:34,560 Two verse. 17 he says. Then I said to them, Nehemiah 175 00:07:34,560 --> 00:07:36,440 speaking. You see the distress that we're 176 00:07:36,440 --> 00:07:39,600 in, how Jerusalem lies, waste, its gates are burnt with fire. 177 00:07:39,800 --> 00:07:42,560 Come and let us. Build the Wall of Jerusalem. 178 00:07:42,600 --> 00:07:45,000 Here you get it. That we may no longer. 179 00:07:45,000 --> 00:07:46,720 Be a reproach, that's. The motive? 180 00:07:47,240 --> 00:07:48,560 That's the purpose and the reason. 181 00:07:49,360 --> 00:07:52,080 And I told him of the hand of my God, which had been good upon 182 00:07:52,080 --> 00:07:54,040 me, and also the King's words that he had. 183 00:07:54,040 --> 00:07:55,200 Spoken to me. So they. 184 00:07:55,200 --> 00:07:59,160 Said they said. They said let us rise and build. 185 00:07:59,800 --> 00:08:02,120 They wouldn't have said that had Nehemiah not come, but now they 186 00:08:02,120 --> 00:08:04,040 did. And this morning chapter. 187 00:08:04,040 --> 00:08:07,000 Three, we'll see how it all. Began to come together. 188 00:08:07,160 --> 00:08:09,840 How things started to move. And the building began. 189 00:08:10,040 --> 00:08:11,520 And we can say. Chapter 3 is the place. 190 00:08:11,520 --> 00:08:13,680 Where the shovel? Went into the ground. 191 00:08:13,720 --> 00:08:15,680 Or we may say the blocks. For the walls. 192 00:08:15,680 --> 00:08:18,720 Started to stack up. I kind of wonder how many 193 00:08:18,720 --> 00:08:21,040 meetings might Nehemiah have had. 194 00:08:21,560 --> 00:08:23,360 With the people of. Jerusalem, the nobles. 195 00:08:23,360 --> 00:08:25,040 The elders, the leaders to get all this. 196 00:08:25,040 --> 00:08:28,280 Going and the way it unfolded is just amazing. 197 00:08:29,360 --> 00:08:31,960 Nehemiah was able. To bring the people together. 198 00:08:32,080 --> 00:08:34,440 And to motivate and inspire them and simply. 199 00:08:34,440 --> 00:08:35,720 The way. Chapter 3 reads. 200 00:08:35,840 --> 00:08:38,559 We see a. Marvelous story of success. 201 00:08:39,400 --> 00:08:41,440 And just the reading this chapter alone in chapter. 202 00:08:41,440 --> 00:08:42,240 Three and the. Service, you say? 203 00:08:42,240 --> 00:08:45,440 Wow, what a boring chapter. Just a doesn't like reading a 204 00:08:45,440 --> 00:08:47,000 spreadsheet. Who likes to read? 205 00:08:47,000 --> 00:08:50,560 A phone book for fun. It's not quite that. 206 00:08:50,560 --> 00:08:52,840 But it's like. Just names and names. 207 00:08:52,840 --> 00:08:54,560 And then they did, and they did and they did. 208 00:08:54,800 --> 00:08:58,920 What's the benefit of? That and I. 209 00:08:58,960 --> 00:09:01,000 Really don't enjoy. Reading it that much, for one. 210 00:09:01,000 --> 00:09:02,480 Reason I can't? Pronounce the names. 211 00:09:02,480 --> 00:09:06,200 Anybody with me? They're so hard to pronounce. 212 00:09:07,160 --> 00:09:08,920 I think. Hebrews or Jews don't have a 213 00:09:08,920 --> 00:09:12,120 problem with that, but I do like reading a. 214 00:09:12,120 --> 00:09:15,360 Spreadsheet or something but. There's. 215 00:09:15,360 --> 00:09:18,280 So much data. So much information packed 216 00:09:18,280 --> 00:09:21,320 tightly into this. This piece of scripture. 217 00:09:22,520 --> 00:09:25,000 And what happens in chapter 3? Could not have happened. 218 00:09:25,000 --> 00:09:26,440 Without this. Strong. 219 00:09:26,640 --> 00:09:29,760 High Road leadership. Style of Nehemiah. 220 00:09:31,160 --> 00:09:32,760 And it's important that we don't take. 221 00:09:32,760 --> 00:09:36,400 Lightly what Nehemiah did. This was a massive project had. 222 00:09:36,480 --> 00:09:39,320 Huge. Implications for the nation much 223 00:09:39,320 --> 00:09:40,400 more than. Just oh, now we got a wall 224 00:09:40,400 --> 00:09:41,000 around. Jerusalem. 225 00:09:41,040 --> 00:09:42,720 It's spoken it. Spoke a message it. 226 00:09:42,720 --> 00:09:45,240 Communicated something and given the. 227 00:09:45,240 --> 00:09:47,600 Context and the timing in which. He did this. 228 00:09:48,440 --> 00:09:49,960 It's. Even more remarkable. 229 00:09:51,040 --> 00:09:52,880 I put it this way a lot. Can be said. 230 00:09:53,600 --> 00:09:55,480 But a person's. Leadership based on the. 231 00:09:55,480 --> 00:09:57,160 Context. In which? 232 00:09:57,160 --> 00:10:01,760 It is exercised. You see, anybody can talk a good 233 00:10:01,760 --> 00:10:05,880 game when there's nothing at stake, when it's all easygoing. 234 00:10:05,960 --> 00:10:08,040 When there's no challenges, anybody can talk a good. 235 00:10:08,040 --> 00:10:11,120 Game then, but. In a time like this. 236 00:10:11,800 --> 00:10:13,400 Makes it. All the more remarkable. 237 00:10:13,480 --> 00:10:15,320 This started not on a clean surface. 238 00:10:15,840 --> 00:10:20,000 There was there was despondency. There was just they were, they 239 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:20,800 were miserable. Me. 240 00:10:20,840 --> 00:10:22,600 We. Could say they were discouraged 241 00:10:23,040 --> 00:10:25,320 there was rubble everything to not. 242 00:10:25,320 --> 00:10:27,960 Build was there to build very little. 243 00:10:27,960 --> 00:10:29,680 Was there and he brought what was needed and it. 244 00:10:29,680 --> 00:10:31,200 Grew and. Expanded and they did. 245 00:10:32,920 --> 00:10:34,320 The people themselves, they didn't have it. 246 00:10:34,320 --> 00:10:36,120 In him, no doubt. There was. 247 00:10:36,160 --> 00:10:40,440 They were lacking everything. Leadership resources, maybe time 248 00:10:41,080 --> 00:10:42,480 it just. Did not look. 249 00:10:42,480 --> 00:10:44,920 Good. It did not look. 250 00:10:44,920 --> 00:10:46,160 Like this could ever. Happen. 251 00:10:47,040 --> 00:10:49,520 And then of course. Even the neighboring communities 252 00:10:49,520 --> 00:10:50,760 didn't. Want it to happen? 253 00:10:50,960 --> 00:10:53,080 No, no, we don't want you to build a wall. 254 00:10:53,360 --> 00:10:55,360 That was the message. We don't like. 255 00:10:55,360 --> 00:10:58,000 That. So obstacles. 256 00:10:58,200 --> 00:11:01,600 And barriers from within. And resistance from without. 257 00:11:01,920 --> 00:11:05,560 Why bother? But. 258 00:11:05,560 --> 00:11:07,400 They did. I won't. 259 00:11:07,400 --> 00:11:09,480 Read the whole. Chapter I won't do. 260 00:11:09,480 --> 00:11:12,200 That it's it. Is tough reading because I don't 261 00:11:12,200 --> 00:11:13,200 want to just stumble over all the. 262 00:11:13,200 --> 00:11:15,480 Names. That's one reason. 263 00:11:18,080 --> 00:11:20,520 But I compare this chapter A. Little bit like a recipe you 264 00:11:20,520 --> 00:11:22,480 see. If you have just a pile of. 265 00:11:22,480 --> 00:11:24,360 Ingredients on the. Table you taste this ingredient 266 00:11:24,360 --> 00:11:25,520 that doesn't taste very. Good. 267 00:11:25,520 --> 00:11:26,800 It tastes. Just maybe the pepper. 268 00:11:26,960 --> 00:11:27,960 Pepper that doesn't. Taste very good. 269 00:11:27,960 --> 00:11:29,360 It tastes just salt that doesn't taste very good. 270 00:11:29,440 --> 00:11:30,160 But you mix. It all. 271 00:11:30,160 --> 00:11:32,040 Together in flour and. Different ingredients. 272 00:11:32,040 --> 00:11:33,840 You know it's a. Wonderful product. 273 00:11:34,400 --> 00:11:35,960 And that's what this comes out to. 274 00:11:40,680 --> 00:11:42,840 Another illustration I use is like driving down the. 275 00:11:42,840 --> 00:11:44,480 Road and seeing a. Sign I never. 276 00:11:44,480 --> 00:11:46,480 Read a sign for the purpose of. Reading the sign. 277 00:11:46,800 --> 00:11:49,440 I read the sign for the purpose of what it's telling me and so. 278 00:11:49,560 --> 00:11:51,880 That's what chapter 3 does in the book of. 279 00:11:51,880 --> 00:11:55,120 Nehemiah, it gives substance to what happened. 280 00:11:57,680 --> 00:11:58,840 The purpose? Of building the wall. 281 00:11:58,840 --> 00:12:01,240 Was to remove the. Reproach from. 282 00:12:01,280 --> 00:12:02,920 The Jews. So what happened? 283 00:12:02,920 --> 00:12:05,520 Well, let's look at this. The community. 284 00:12:05,520 --> 00:12:07,640 Built the wall. Nehemiah. 285 00:12:07,640 --> 00:12:10,440 Didn't build the wall. The community did, the people. 286 00:12:10,440 --> 00:12:10,840 Did it? Was the. 287 00:12:10,840 --> 00:12:13,280 People, they did. They they built. 288 00:12:13,280 --> 00:12:16,000 The wall and he and I didn't contract out some big 289 00:12:16,000 --> 00:12:20,480 construction outfit some big mega construction business and 290 00:12:20,680 --> 00:12:23,840 hire them and and build a wall. No, it wasn't like. 291 00:12:23,840 --> 00:12:24,520 That at. All it was. 292 00:12:24,520 --> 00:12:26,440 People, ordinary people who get into it. 293 00:12:26,480 --> 00:12:29,440 What kind of people? And as again as I said. 294 00:12:29,440 --> 00:12:33,000 Before in chapter 6 verse 5 they did it in. 52 days. 295 00:12:34,160 --> 00:12:35,600 That's that's. Remarkable. 296 00:12:36,640 --> 00:12:37,200 No. Big. 297 00:12:38,040 --> 00:12:41,000 Machinery. Lots of money. 298 00:12:41,000 --> 00:12:41,840 Nothing. Nothing like. 299 00:12:41,840 --> 00:12:44,080 That we as far as we know. None of that was. 300 00:12:44,080 --> 00:12:47,280 There and again going. Back to chapter. 301 00:12:47,280 --> 00:12:48,560 Two verse 17 says. Come. 302 00:12:48,760 --> 00:12:51,800 Let us build the wall. That we may no longer. 303 00:12:52,040 --> 00:12:55,240 Be a reproach there. Was communal effort done by? 304 00:12:55,240 --> 00:12:56,760 People who are affected by it not. 305 00:12:56,760 --> 00:12:59,840 Being there, Nehemiah had connected with them. 306 00:13:00,080 --> 00:13:01,600 He pointed out to them the. Value of. 307 00:13:01,600 --> 00:13:03,480 It the need. For it, the purpose of it, the 308 00:13:03,480 --> 00:13:04,640 people were motivated. They were. 309 00:13:04,640 --> 00:13:06,720 Encouraged and one biblical. Commentator. 310 00:13:06,720 --> 00:13:08,520 The Bible Illustrator. Put it this way, he says. 311 00:13:08,840 --> 00:13:10,280 The builders here belong. To different. 312 00:13:10,280 --> 00:13:11,240 Parts of the. Holy Land. 313 00:13:11,720 --> 00:13:13,360 And as you go through the chapter, you find from different 314 00:13:13,360 --> 00:13:14,480 parts of the community they came. 315 00:13:14,680 --> 00:13:17,560 From Jericho and Gibeon, Kyle and Miss Pantacoa. 316 00:13:18,440 --> 00:13:20,280 These were not men of. Jerusalem, but they loved the 317 00:13:20,280 --> 00:13:22,240 public interest of religion. Connected with the city. 318 00:13:22,240 --> 00:13:23,680 Of God and as the true. Israelites. 319 00:13:23,760 --> 00:13:25,640 They labored. For its restoration. 320 00:13:26,360 --> 00:13:29,720 So let's start with chapter. Three verse one. 321 00:13:29,720 --> 00:13:30,440 I'll read some. Of it. 322 00:13:31,800 --> 00:13:33,560 Then. Elijah of the high priest rose 323 00:13:33,560 --> 00:13:34,800 up with his. Brethren, the priest. 324 00:13:34,800 --> 00:13:37,240 And built the sheep gate. They consecrated. 325 00:13:37,240 --> 00:13:39,480 It and hung its. Doors they built. 326 00:13:39,480 --> 00:13:42,160 As far as the tower of. The 100 and consecrated. 327 00:13:42,160 --> 00:13:43,520 It then as far. As the tower of. 328 00:13:43,800 --> 00:13:46,840 Hannano, OK. Like what's good about? 329 00:13:46,840 --> 00:13:49,520 That also. Well, guess who's? 330 00:13:49,520 --> 00:13:53,160 Building the priest The high priest, the top religious leader 331 00:13:53,200 --> 00:13:54,840 of the. Land the high priest. 332 00:13:55,040 --> 00:13:57,440 Can you imagine? The head shepherd. 333 00:13:58,960 --> 00:14:02,920 Just think about that his fellow pastors he's met with. 334 00:14:02,960 --> 00:14:05,000 Nehemiah's met with him. They're the. 335 00:14:05,000 --> 00:14:07,240 Spiritual leaders doing the. Sacrifices and giving the 336 00:14:07,240 --> 00:14:08,720 spiritual direction. Leadership in the community. 337 00:14:08,960 --> 00:14:11,480 And. These are the guys who put on 338 00:14:11,480 --> 00:14:13,800 their coveralls, take off their suit and tie, put on the 339 00:14:13,800 --> 00:14:16,200 coveralls. Pick up the tools and they get 340 00:14:16,200 --> 00:14:17,840 to work. They're building. 341 00:14:17,840 --> 00:14:20,160 The wall and it says how much they built for us. 342 00:14:20,160 --> 00:14:21,760 It may not have as much meaning, we don't know exactly. 343 00:14:21,760 --> 00:14:23,640 How much that was? But it was significant. 344 00:14:24,280 --> 00:14:26,960 They get to work. Helping with repairing. 345 00:14:26,960 --> 00:14:30,080 The wall of Jerusalem. Imagine the scene. 346 00:14:31,080 --> 00:14:33,080 These guys who normally are in the temple, they're. 347 00:14:33,080 --> 00:14:35,600 Priestly robes and doing. The things that priests do. 348 00:14:35,600 --> 00:14:37,560 What they all do. Here they are. 349 00:14:37,560 --> 00:14:39,840 Yeah, They're on the wall. They're working away. 350 00:14:40,560 --> 00:14:44,200 High Road leadership. Adding value to. 351 00:14:44,200 --> 00:14:47,200 The community contributing. Their time and energy and 352 00:14:47,200 --> 00:14:48,360 resource to. The project. 353 00:14:50,120 --> 00:14:51,600 You know, so easy. It's often so easy. 354 00:14:51,600 --> 00:14:52,880 Just pass it off. You know it's not my. 355 00:14:52,880 --> 00:14:54,040 Expertise. It's not my. 356 00:14:54,040 --> 00:14:55,120 Profession. It's not my. 357 00:14:55,120 --> 00:14:57,520 Ability, not my skill. Set, not my talent, whatever. 358 00:14:57,800 --> 00:14:59,960 And so we'll let it some, we'll let we'll hire it out to 359 00:14:59,960 --> 00:15:03,120 somebody else. No, they help too. 360 00:15:05,480 --> 00:15:06,560 I want to say. This to us. 361 00:15:07,240 --> 00:15:09,920 Our problems in our community, they're not their problems. 362 00:15:09,920 --> 00:15:12,080 There are problems, but. More so, even there are 363 00:15:12,080 --> 00:15:15,040 opportunities for us. And after this passage. 364 00:15:15,120 --> 00:15:16,760 We find a. Long list of people. 365 00:15:16,920 --> 00:15:19,080 And people groups mentioned they all. 366 00:15:19,080 --> 00:15:21,040 Came to help in Jerusalem with the wall. 367 00:15:21,680 --> 00:15:24,800 Mention a few. More verse 2 next. 368 00:15:24,800 --> 00:15:26,760 To Elias of the men of. Jericho built. 369 00:15:27,360 --> 00:15:28,800 Next to them, Zakhur, the son of. 370 00:15:28,800 --> 00:15:32,080 Emery built. We find individuals and we find 371 00:15:32,080 --> 00:15:33,560 people groups rebuilding the wall. 372 00:15:34,080 --> 00:15:35,800 We give them a. Lot of little details. 373 00:15:36,120 --> 00:15:38,160 No doubt there were. Many, many, many more people 374 00:15:38,160 --> 00:15:40,920 involved in this project. This size to do it in 52 days. 375 00:15:42,280 --> 00:15:43,680 But it's noteworthy. There's a lot of. 376 00:15:43,680 --> 00:15:46,960 Variations in some places only an. 377 00:15:46,960 --> 00:15:48,680 Individual's mentioned. Who did a certain? 378 00:15:48,680 --> 00:15:50,840 Part. In other places, it's groups of 379 00:15:50,840 --> 00:15:51,720 people. Who are mentioned? 380 00:15:51,720 --> 00:15:56,040 That did a part. What we can take from this? 381 00:15:56,040 --> 00:15:59,960 It was a labor of love. It was not like a military draft 382 00:15:59,960 --> 00:16:01,560 where people were forced to come. 383 00:16:01,560 --> 00:16:04,440 And drafted. To work I believe. 384 00:16:04,640 --> 00:16:06,880 With all my heart. It was done by. 385 00:16:06,880 --> 00:16:09,760 Volunteers. I cannot find. 386 00:16:10,000 --> 00:16:11,520 That there was anything was contracted. 387 00:16:11,600 --> 00:16:14,880 If it was, it's not recorded, but what's emphasized is the 388 00:16:14,880 --> 00:16:16,400 volunteer. Work that went into it. 389 00:16:17,840 --> 00:16:19,720 No one sat out or who did not help. 390 00:16:19,720 --> 00:16:21,600 Well, we'll come to one some who did, but. 391 00:16:21,960 --> 00:16:23,480 The majority? They all helped. 392 00:16:24,600 --> 00:16:26,520 There was a small number of people who didn't. 393 00:16:26,520 --> 00:16:27,680 Want to? Let's read that one. 394 00:16:28,320 --> 00:16:29,800 Verse 5. Next to them the. 395 00:16:29,800 --> 00:16:33,200 Tokoites made repairs, but their nobles? 396 00:16:33,200 --> 00:16:35,360 Did not put their. Shoulders to the work of the 397 00:16:35,360 --> 00:16:38,000 Lord. They didn't want to. 398 00:16:38,880 --> 00:16:42,440 We're not helping, not our job. That's beneath us. 399 00:16:42,720 --> 00:16:44,600 Or there may have been other. Reasons why? 400 00:16:45,400 --> 00:16:47,880 For whatever reason, maybe it was a social aspect, we. 401 00:16:47,880 --> 00:16:49,000 Don't want to be? Known for that. 402 00:16:49,160 --> 00:16:50,960 We don't know what the reasons were, but they didn't. 403 00:16:50,960 --> 00:16:52,640 That's the point. We're not going to. 404 00:16:52,640 --> 00:16:55,880 Be part of that. There are always some people who 405 00:16:55,880 --> 00:16:57,160 for some reason. Or other. 406 00:16:57,280 --> 00:17:00,160 Consider it beneath. Them to do so, so they're the 407 00:17:00,160 --> 00:17:01,920 exception. Again, we're not told. 408 00:17:01,920 --> 00:17:03,360 Why? They didn't help, but they 409 00:17:03,360 --> 00:17:07,119 refuse to help. The leaders refuse. 410 00:17:07,119 --> 00:17:08,839 To help. Their people. 411 00:17:08,839 --> 00:17:12,520 Did but the koit? Nobles did not What? 412 00:17:12,520 --> 00:17:16,079 Kind of leadership was that that wasn't High Road leadership. 413 00:17:16,079 --> 00:17:20,960 That was low Rd. leadership. These nobles were. 414 00:17:20,960 --> 00:17:22,680 More of a problem. Than a blessing. 415 00:17:23,040 --> 00:17:25,560 What if? Everybody had decided, oh Yep, 416 00:17:25,599 --> 00:17:27,000 Yep, that's what the KOIT leaders. 417 00:17:27,000 --> 00:17:27,839 Do we'll do the. Same. 418 00:17:28,119 --> 00:17:31,600 Nobody would have. Built the wall we. 419 00:17:31,600 --> 00:17:33,760 Don't want to be? Like the Koit nobles, do we? 420 00:17:34,920 --> 00:17:36,400 They were not. Middle Rd. leaders. 421 00:17:36,840 --> 00:17:39,080 They were not even low Rd. leaders. 422 00:17:39,080 --> 00:17:43,040 They just did nothing. In a sense, they were low Rd. 423 00:17:43,040 --> 00:17:44,960 leaders. And sadly, in our time. 424 00:17:45,240 --> 00:17:47,240 They're just not a. Few who don't want to help. 425 00:17:47,640 --> 00:17:49,400 There's many. Who don't want to help in our 426 00:17:49,400 --> 00:17:52,240 communities? I trust it's not like that in 427 00:17:52,240 --> 00:17:54,000 this church. I'm thankful for all the 428 00:17:54,000 --> 00:17:55,920 volunteers. We have, we have many, many 429 00:17:55,920 --> 00:17:57,480 volunteers. I'm grateful for them, but we 430 00:17:57,480 --> 00:17:59,400 need to. Remind ourselves how critical. 431 00:17:59,400 --> 00:18:03,160 This is in passages like this. You see, some people want to 432 00:18:03,160 --> 00:18:05,040 help as soon as it's. Easy and convenient then yeah, 433 00:18:05,040 --> 00:18:07,080 then it'll help too. But not if it interrupts my 434 00:18:07,080 --> 00:18:09,720 schedule. Let me put it this way. 435 00:18:11,040 --> 00:18:13,640 A person who wants the benefits. Of hard. 436 00:18:13,640 --> 00:18:14,560 Work, but does not. Want to? 437 00:18:14,560 --> 00:18:15,960 Put in the hard. Work that is. 438 00:18:15,960 --> 00:18:17,480 Low Rd. leadership. It's an. 439 00:18:17,480 --> 00:18:20,600 Age-old problem. It was in Nehemiah's time, it 440 00:18:20,600 --> 00:18:22,800 wasn't Paul. 'S day, it's in our day and it's 441 00:18:22,800 --> 00:18:25,760 our community. It's everywhere in Paul. 442 00:18:25,760 --> 00:18:27,760 'S day, there were some people. Who didn't think that they? 443 00:18:27,760 --> 00:18:29,520 Would have should. Work and Paul. 444 00:18:29,520 --> 00:18:32,400 Says to them he says Second Thessalonians. 445 00:18:32,400 --> 00:18:34,800 Chapter 3. Verse 10 For even when we were 446 00:18:34,800 --> 00:18:37,600 with you, we commanded you, If anyone will not work, neither 447 00:18:37,600 --> 00:18:39,200 shall he eat. Let's be honest here. 448 00:18:39,800 --> 00:18:41,640 How many? Able bodied, healthy people 449 00:18:41,640 --> 00:18:43,920 would not eat. If they would benefit only. 450 00:18:43,920 --> 00:18:47,280 From what they produce. How many able bodied? 451 00:18:47,280 --> 00:18:48,640 People in our world would not eat. 452 00:18:48,880 --> 00:18:53,480 If they would benefit only from. What they actually produce a 453 00:18:53,480 --> 00:18:54,440 principle. To think about is. 454 00:18:54,560 --> 00:18:56,480 Why should an able? Bodied person who refuses. 455 00:18:56,480 --> 00:18:57,720 To help receive benefits from the fruits. 456 00:18:57,720 --> 00:18:59,400 Of the labor of. Others of the volunteers. 457 00:18:59,960 --> 00:19:01,720 The building of the. Wall was for everybody. 458 00:19:01,960 --> 00:19:07,480 But not everyone was willing. Are we people who are glad when 459 00:19:07,480 --> 00:19:08,720 somebody else steps? Forward. 460 00:19:09,080 --> 00:19:11,200 And we don't have. To I get. 461 00:19:11,200 --> 00:19:12,560 It we go through. Seasons maybe? 462 00:19:12,560 --> 00:19:14,840 Illness and whatnot. That is true, but. 463 00:19:14,840 --> 00:19:16,640 What's our character? Are we high? 464 00:19:16,640 --> 00:19:21,200 Road leaders Middle Rd. Leaders or low Rd. 465 00:19:21,200 --> 00:19:24,600 Leaders remember many years ago in our ministry. 466 00:19:25,280 --> 00:19:26,720 Not in this church. There was a young. 467 00:19:28,040 --> 00:19:31,240 Adult. Who refused to help and said a 468 00:19:31,240 --> 00:19:34,800 member God fearing person as far as we. 469 00:19:34,800 --> 00:19:37,360 Knew and so invited this individual. 470 00:19:37,360 --> 00:19:41,240 To come and help with a project. And I want to be. 471 00:19:41,240 --> 00:19:42,680 Free. Literally. 472 00:19:43,120 --> 00:19:45,400 Literally what a. Disappointment. 473 00:19:45,520 --> 00:19:47,520 Thankfully that person did mature and eventually. 474 00:19:47,520 --> 00:19:49,200 Became a productive member. But that was a. 475 00:19:49,200 --> 00:19:51,120 Problem. If everybody did that, then 476 00:19:51,120 --> 00:19:56,120 what? And here's the reality. 477 00:19:57,600 --> 00:19:59,200 It's people who. Do not want to. 478 00:19:59,200 --> 00:19:59,800 Work. It's because. 479 00:19:59,800 --> 00:20:01,880 Of them that. Others have to work more. 480 00:20:03,400 --> 00:20:04,840 There's no such. Thing as there's nothing for me 481 00:20:04,840 --> 00:20:06,960 to do. There's something for. 482 00:20:06,960 --> 00:20:10,920 Everybody to do yes, we have different abilities, different 483 00:20:10,920 --> 00:20:12,960 skill sets, but there's. Something for everyone in the 484 00:20:12,960 --> 00:20:14,560 building. Of the wall there was room for 485 00:20:14,560 --> 00:20:17,880 and there was need for everyone the work itself was a variety 486 00:20:17,880 --> 00:20:18,560 of. Different types of. 487 00:20:18,560 --> 00:20:21,440 Building for instance, there was different the. 488 00:20:21,440 --> 00:20:23,040 Building of the wall. Included different tasks. 489 00:20:25,520 --> 00:20:26,440 The building of the. Wall was not the. 490 00:20:26,440 --> 00:20:28,160 Same everywhere. It says in Nehemiah. 491 00:20:28,160 --> 00:20:30,040 Chapter 3, Verse 6. Moreover, Jehoiah. 492 00:20:30,040 --> 00:20:33,600 The son of Pasia and Mashulam. The son of Pasadaya repaired the 493 00:20:33,600 --> 00:20:35,120 old gate. The latest beams and. 494 00:20:35,120 --> 00:20:36,560 Hung its stores. With its. 495 00:20:36,720 --> 00:20:39,520 Walls. These guys worked on the gates. 496 00:20:40,600 --> 00:20:42,000 The building of the gates. And the building of the wall 497 00:20:42,000 --> 00:20:44,200 were different jobs. Both serve the same. 498 00:20:44,240 --> 00:20:46,520 End goal. Both jobs were for the purpose 499 00:20:46,520 --> 00:20:48,040 of enclosing the city for. A protective. 500 00:20:48,040 --> 00:20:50,960 Wall jobs were. Different, yet related. 501 00:20:51,960 --> 00:20:56,120 There's some, there's some more, and next to them, Melatiah the 502 00:20:56,120 --> 00:20:58,920 Gibeonite, Jaden the Maranathite, and the men of 503 00:20:58,920 --> 00:21:01,160 Gibeon and Mizpah. Repair the residents of the 504 00:21:01,160 --> 00:21:02,520 governor of the region beyond the river. 505 00:21:03,160 --> 00:21:04,880 Some people worked on some parts of the houses. 506 00:21:05,440 --> 00:21:07,200 The purpose was to bring the community together. 507 00:21:07,640 --> 00:21:10,200 And our community our. Church Everyone may be serving 508 00:21:10,200 --> 00:21:12,080 or building, but not everyone's doing the same thing. 509 00:21:12,360 --> 00:21:14,920 This same in our church, we have a lot of different tasks. 510 00:21:15,400 --> 00:21:17,440 But everybody. Should be involved everybody. 511 00:21:17,440 --> 00:21:21,120 Should be engaged. Are we? 512 00:21:24,200 --> 00:21:26,800 I trust that maybe you've read Nehemiah chapter 3 and I've 513 00:21:26,800 --> 00:21:28,440 seen. How many different parts there 514 00:21:28,440 --> 00:21:30,080 were to the wall? A lot of. 515 00:21:30,080 --> 00:21:32,760 Different parts, Some parts. Were much more difficult. 516 00:21:32,760 --> 00:21:34,000 To build than others. I read some. 517 00:21:34,000 --> 00:21:35,680 Commentators that said some. Part some parts. 518 00:21:35,680 --> 00:21:37,400 Of the wall were. Very hard to build. 519 00:21:37,600 --> 00:21:39,560 Others were relatively. Easy depending on where. 520 00:21:39,560 --> 00:21:41,440 Those walls were. More on the Flat. 521 00:21:41,440 --> 00:21:43,080 Plain or more on the. Hillside and so on. 522 00:21:44,120 --> 00:21:47,560 In many different tasks. In fact, I I paged through my 523 00:21:47,560 --> 00:21:50,840 Bible and just started checking how many different. 524 00:21:50,840 --> 00:21:52,480 Workstations and different activities there were. 525 00:21:53,040 --> 00:21:56,520 I counted 41. That's quite a bit. 526 00:21:56,720 --> 00:22:01,040 And maybe they're not even all. Mentioned, but let's look. 527 00:22:01,040 --> 00:22:03,600 At the people themselves, what kinds of occupations did? 528 00:22:03,600 --> 00:22:05,080 They come from. Who were those? 529 00:22:05,080 --> 00:22:08,080 People. There are things in life if a 530 00:22:08,080 --> 00:22:09,440 person. Does not have specialized 531 00:22:09,440 --> 00:22:10,920 training. You can't do them like if you 532 00:22:10,920 --> 00:22:12,880 don't have a degree. From university, you can't be a 533 00:22:12,880 --> 00:22:15,000 doctor or surgeon. No, it doesn't work. 534 00:22:15,000 --> 00:22:16,920 We get that. Or an engineer. 535 00:22:17,360 --> 00:22:19,120 Some. Professionals do require high 536 00:22:19,120 --> 00:22:20,160 levels of. Training. 537 00:22:21,360 --> 00:22:23,120 But there are always. Areas of work. 538 00:22:23,720 --> 00:22:26,000 Where specialized. Training may not be that. 539 00:22:26,000 --> 00:22:30,160 As important as godly. Character specialized training 540 00:22:30,160 --> 00:22:32,200 is good and it's. Fine, but there's always work 541 00:22:32,200 --> 00:22:34,000 for some, for everyone. Some. 542 00:22:34,000 --> 00:22:36,040 We can all do. Something there's always a way 543 00:22:36,040 --> 00:22:38,040 to serve. If we want to serve. 544 00:22:40,240 --> 00:22:42,560 There's never a place in times that, oh, there's nothing for 545 00:22:42,560 --> 00:22:44,600 you to do. Here, there you just get lost. 546 00:22:44,600 --> 00:22:45,640 There's nothing for you to do. Here. 547 00:22:45,920 --> 00:22:47,880 We all can do something. And if nothing? 548 00:22:47,880 --> 00:22:53,760 Else we can pray. I remember years ago having a 549 00:22:53,760 --> 00:22:55,760 conversation. With a man who boasted. 550 00:22:55,880 --> 00:22:58,600 He couldn't get a job. Because he was overqualified. 551 00:23:00,000 --> 00:23:01,800 I didn't like it. I didn't say anything. 552 00:23:02,680 --> 00:23:05,880 But I thought, oh, oh. There's no such thing as being 553 00:23:05,880 --> 00:23:08,760 overqualified. He simply didn't want to work. 554 00:23:10,400 --> 00:23:11,840 No matter. How highly qualified? 555 00:23:11,840 --> 00:23:14,720 An individual, maybe? Everybody is qualified to. 556 00:23:14,720 --> 00:23:17,920 Do a simple job every one of us can serve. 557 00:23:19,360 --> 00:23:22,480 And in Nehemiah chapter 8 we find a very interesting verse on 558 00:23:22,480 --> 00:23:24,080 some. Of the skilled trades in 559 00:23:24,080 --> 00:23:26,440 Jerusalem, how they were. Willing to help with the wall? 560 00:23:27,200 --> 00:23:28,360 I mentioned. Earlier on how the work? 561 00:23:28,360 --> 00:23:30,640 Was done by volunteers. They came from different parts 562 00:23:30,640 --> 00:23:32,280 of the. Community notice in chapter 3 563 00:23:32,280 --> 00:23:34,600 verse 8 says. Next to Uzio, the son of 564 00:23:34,720 --> 00:23:37,040 Harahaya, one of the Goldsmiths made. 565 00:23:37,040 --> 00:23:38,600 Repairs. What's he a Goldsmith? 566 00:23:38,840 --> 00:23:41,320 Next to Hananiah, one of the. Perfumers made repairs and they 567 00:23:41,320 --> 00:23:42,520 fortified Jerusalem as far as the. 568 00:23:42,520 --> 00:23:48,200 Broad Wall Goldsmiths, Jewelers. What do they do? 569 00:23:48,520 --> 00:23:50,000 They make. Jewels they make. 570 00:23:50,000 --> 00:23:52,440 Stuff out of. Gold doesn't sound. 571 00:23:52,440 --> 00:23:53,760 Like building it with mortar and. 572 00:23:53,760 --> 00:23:57,720 Stone does it. We don't know what all he did. 573 00:23:57,720 --> 00:24:00,480 But he's working on the wall. He's helping build the wall of 574 00:24:00,480 --> 00:24:04,240 Jerusalem. He had a task His his, his 575 00:24:04,280 --> 00:24:05,280 expertise. Was. 576 00:24:05,880 --> 00:24:06,800 Making. Stuff out of gold. 577 00:24:06,960 --> 00:24:09,320 But here he is. Taking time out of what he's 578 00:24:09,320 --> 00:24:11,200 doing and helping. Giving his time and. 579 00:24:11,200 --> 00:24:12,840 Energy to building the. Wall. 580 00:24:13,440 --> 00:24:16,520 That's High Road leadership. There's another guy here. 581 00:24:16,560 --> 00:24:18,400 He's mentioned as a. Perfume maker. 582 00:24:18,560 --> 00:24:21,000 Now that's about as. Far away as I think you can get 583 00:24:21,000 --> 00:24:22,160 from. Bricks and cement. 584 00:24:23,760 --> 00:24:26,720 But here he is. Instead of going to work in the 585 00:24:26,720 --> 00:24:29,680 morning making perfume and contacting beauty salons and. 586 00:24:30,520 --> 00:24:33,960 All that stuff. Instead of selling perfume, he's 587 00:24:34,080 --> 00:24:41,680 working on the wall. A perfume maker building a wall? 588 00:24:41,880 --> 00:24:45,400 Imagine that. We don't know how many. 589 00:24:45,400 --> 00:24:49,160 Project managers have a perfume maker on their team. 590 00:24:50,760 --> 00:24:51,840 It's interesting. To see how. 591 00:24:51,840 --> 00:24:54,720 People from different trades, different skill sets, different 592 00:24:54,720 --> 00:24:58,160 careers, they all came together for one common purpose and one 593 00:24:58,160 --> 00:24:59,680 common cause to build. A wall. 594 00:25:04,440 --> 00:25:05,920 It gets better, you know, some jobs. 595 00:25:05,920 --> 00:25:07,680 Only men do. Right. 596 00:25:08,040 --> 00:25:10,440 Well. Not in our culture anymore, but. 597 00:25:10,880 --> 00:25:12,600 But how many? Women brick layers, do you know? 598 00:25:14,080 --> 00:25:15,920 I don't know of any. There may be some. 599 00:25:16,360 --> 00:25:21,640 I don't know of any and maybe. I think it's because it's such a 600 00:25:21,640 --> 00:25:22,920 back. Breaking work. 601 00:25:23,160 --> 00:25:25,840 But here's a group. Where there women involved, 602 00:25:27,160 --> 00:25:28,760 women helped in rebuilding the wall. 603 00:25:28,800 --> 00:25:30,320 That day and age. The world was very. 604 00:25:30,320 --> 00:25:32,520 Different than it is today, women were viewed different. 605 00:25:32,520 --> 00:25:35,040 Than there now. Women in some ways were more 606 00:25:35,040 --> 00:25:37,160 protecting that they were. Secluded or isolated? 607 00:25:37,320 --> 00:25:39,160 They would not be. Seen in public as much as today 608 00:25:39,160 --> 00:25:40,960 in the Middle Eastern. Culture, and still that way. 609 00:25:41,720 --> 00:25:42,600 It would have been. Strange. 610 00:25:42,600 --> 00:25:43,800 Or maybe. Uncommon for a woman to 611 00:25:43,800 --> 00:25:44,800 actually. Work. 612 00:25:44,800 --> 00:25:46,120 Alongside. A team of men. 613 00:25:46,120 --> 00:25:48,160 Or doing men's work in public like this. 614 00:25:48,160 --> 00:25:50,920 I don't know all the details. But it's mentioned here for a. 615 00:25:50,920 --> 00:25:52,920 Reason it says here Nehemiah. Three verse 12. 616 00:25:53,200 --> 00:25:54,640 Next to him was Shalom, the son of. 617 00:25:54,640 --> 00:25:56,760 Hello hash leader. Of the half the district. 618 00:25:56,760 --> 00:25:58,960 Of Jerusalem, and he and his daughters made. 619 00:25:59,040 --> 00:26:00,160 Repairs. He and who? 620 00:26:01,720 --> 00:26:04,440 His daughters. His daughters. 621 00:26:05,320 --> 00:26:06,800 They were part of the work team as well. 622 00:26:07,880 --> 00:26:10,120 I've no idea how common. Might have been for women to be 623 00:26:10,120 --> 00:26:11,600 involved in. Outdoors work, but I'd like I 624 00:26:11,600 --> 00:26:12,920 said, I think they were not as much. 625 00:26:13,120 --> 00:26:16,240 I do read, however, that women. Would help with with harvesting 626 00:26:16,240 --> 00:26:18,800 the fields and so on. But in public construction 627 00:26:18,800 --> 00:26:22,080 projects, we just don't find it. But if there's tasks. 628 00:26:22,080 --> 00:26:24,040 In God's Kingdom. It doesn't matter who where we 629 00:26:24,040 --> 00:26:25,680 are. Where we're at in life, there's 630 00:26:25,680 --> 00:26:30,920 something for us to do. Just think of it what God can 631 00:26:30,920 --> 00:26:32,640 do. When a high. 632 00:26:32,640 --> 00:26:34,960 Road Leader. Gets to work for God's Kingdom 633 00:26:34,960 --> 00:26:36,560 and High Road. People follow him. 634 00:26:37,360 --> 00:26:38,840 There's a lesson for us today in this. 635 00:26:41,440 --> 00:26:42,600 Commentators mentioned that this. 636 00:26:42,600 --> 00:26:44,800 Project was a massive undertaking by. 637 00:26:44,800 --> 00:26:46,880 Nehemiah and given the time and the context. 638 00:26:46,880 --> 00:26:51,480 When it happened, it was just monumental, all the variables. 639 00:26:51,640 --> 00:26:55,120 That played into this. Was so extreme. 640 00:26:55,960 --> 00:26:58,320 So what are the lessons for us to learn from this passage? 641 00:26:59,800 --> 00:27:02,400 Never underestimate what God can do. 642 00:27:02,600 --> 00:27:04,440 With an individual who's. Completely. 643 00:27:04,440 --> 00:27:05,680 Totally. Sold out to. 644 00:27:05,680 --> 00:27:07,640 Him and is. Willing to sacrifice like. 645 00:27:07,640 --> 00:27:09,520 Nehemiah. Did and take undertake? 646 00:27:09,520 --> 00:27:12,280 This journey and do what he did, never underestimate it. 647 00:27:12,840 --> 00:27:16,280 He was truly a High Road leader. Inspired. 648 00:27:16,520 --> 00:27:18,760 A. Whole community of people. 649 00:27:19,040 --> 00:27:20,920 To take up the task. And. 650 00:27:21,080 --> 00:27:23,280 Clear the rubble to rebuild the wall. 651 00:27:23,400 --> 00:27:24,760 And take away the. Reproach. 652 00:27:25,240 --> 00:27:27,640 Of Jerusalem. Nehemiah was a man who was 653 00:27:27,640 --> 00:27:28,800 confident. In his call. 654 00:27:29,240 --> 00:27:30,640 He trusted. God when the task. 655 00:27:30,640 --> 00:27:33,280 Was so huge and the outlook did not look appealing. 656 00:27:33,520 --> 00:27:35,840 Even that there was a position from the. 657 00:27:35,840 --> 00:27:39,480 Outside, he showed. Courage, he showed Resolve. 658 00:27:40,400 --> 00:27:42,680 And he provided excellent leadership. 659 00:27:44,200 --> 00:27:46,440 What happened in Jerusalem was nothing short. 660 00:27:46,520 --> 00:27:50,440 Of Miraculous 1 commentator put it this way, he said. 661 00:27:50,600 --> 00:27:52,880 The Patriots Express. Have expressed their purpose to 662 00:27:52,880 --> 00:27:55,120 build a wall. And they proceeded immediately. 663 00:27:55,120 --> 00:27:56,400 To carry this good. Resolution. 664 00:27:56,400 --> 00:27:58,640 Into effect we know nothing in all history. 665 00:27:58,640 --> 00:28:01,080 Like the scene here? Portrayed, we have read. 666 00:28:01,080 --> 00:28:03,600 Indeed, of ancient. Rome when burned. 667 00:28:03,600 --> 00:28:05,400 By fire being rebuilt by her citizens. 668 00:28:05,400 --> 00:28:07,520 But these were still. Rich and powerful. 669 00:28:09,920 --> 00:28:11,560 We have heard. Two of ancient Carthage. 670 00:28:11,800 --> 00:28:13,920 When? Almost razed to the ground by 671 00:28:13,920 --> 00:28:15,840 foreign invaders being repaired and fortified. 672 00:28:15,840 --> 00:28:20,400 By the patriots of the nation, but these were yet numerous and 673 00:28:20,400 --> 00:28:23,720 wealthy. We know nothing ever like this 674 00:28:23,720 --> 00:28:26,360 in the annals of. The world where the small 675 00:28:26,360 --> 00:28:28,200 remnant of the. Captives of Judah with simple. 676 00:28:28,200 --> 00:28:30,320 Trust in God set themselves. To rebuild the fallen. 677 00:28:30,320 --> 00:28:33,960 Capital while they were. Few in numbers, poor in 678 00:28:33,960 --> 00:28:37,800 resources, and surrounded with a host of enemies frowning on 679 00:28:37,800 --> 00:28:40,840 their enterprise. So what's our problem? 680 00:28:42,720 --> 00:28:45,600 Why are we worried? Why are we? 681 00:28:45,600 --> 00:28:47,440 Thinking, OK, what can we do? We're full. 682 00:28:47,440 --> 00:28:49,400 We need more space. Yes, we do, and it's all good. 683 00:28:49,400 --> 00:28:50,800 And. We as leaders are talking. 684 00:28:50,800 --> 00:28:52,480 About this, but why? Worry. 685 00:28:56,560 --> 00:28:58,560 God will take care of it if we trust Him, if we. 686 00:28:58,600 --> 00:28:59,760 If we do our. Part. 687 00:29:00,720 --> 00:29:03,360 This book is a. Wonderful example of what God 688 00:29:03,360 --> 00:29:05,120 can do with. Surrendered. 689 00:29:05,280 --> 00:29:09,040 Committed followers of his. So what's the take away? 690 00:29:09,120 --> 00:29:10,200 What? Difference does it make for 691 00:29:10,200 --> 00:29:12,120 Unite today? Let's. 692 00:29:12,120 --> 00:29:14,560 Look into our own hearts. Let's check ourselves. 693 00:29:14,560 --> 00:29:16,800 Each one individually. Let's check our motives. 694 00:29:16,800 --> 00:29:18,880 Why are we here? What do we? 695 00:29:18,880 --> 00:29:20,880 Want. What's her objective? 696 00:29:20,880 --> 00:29:22,760 What's her motive? Are. 697 00:29:22,760 --> 00:29:24,560 You and I is. Committed to the work of God in 698 00:29:24,560 --> 00:29:27,240 our own heart and our church family and our community. 699 00:29:27,920 --> 00:29:30,560 Are we serving faithful as God provides opportunity? 700 00:29:30,880 --> 00:29:39,360 Or are we selective choosey? We will never serve God well if 701 00:29:39,360 --> 00:29:40,400 we. Do not surrender. 702 00:29:40,400 --> 00:29:43,840 To him Nehemiah was surrendered. He trusted. 703 00:29:43,840 --> 00:29:47,920 God and we. Have it a lot better than he. 704 00:29:47,920 --> 00:29:49,720 Did we have the? Gift of the Holy. 705 00:29:49,720 --> 00:29:51,200 Spirit in our hearts, working in our hearts. 706 00:29:51,200 --> 00:29:53,920 Guiding our steps in our service for God. 707 00:29:55,720 --> 00:29:57,560 Perhaps you're here this? Morning, you feel the tug in 708 00:29:57,560 --> 00:29:59,480 your heart to surrender and join God's team. 709 00:29:59,760 --> 00:30:03,320 You can. You need to repent, surrender 710 00:30:03,320 --> 00:30:05,560 your. Life to Jesus in Word and deed. 711 00:30:05,960 --> 00:30:08,600 As you seek God's face, He will point you toward a work of grace 712 00:30:08,600 --> 00:30:11,600 that you can do for Him. You're not under qualified, 713 00:30:11,920 --> 00:30:13,640 you're not so untrained. You can't. 714 00:30:13,720 --> 00:30:15,520 Everyone who? Surrenders can do something. 715 00:30:15,840 --> 00:30:17,160 Now as you. Take the High Road. 716 00:30:17,880 --> 00:30:19,240 You will see. What God can do? 717 00:30:19,440 --> 00:30:22,120 Through a faithful. Vessel of his, a person who 718 00:30:22,120 --> 00:30:24,000 honors his name. In a lost. 719 00:30:24,160 --> 00:30:25,800 And needy world as you serve His. 720 00:30:25,800 --> 00:30:28,280 Kingdom May God. Give us grace as. 721 00:30:28,280 --> 00:30:29,680 We seek to. Follow his call. 722 00:30:29,920 --> 00:30:32,840 On our lives and live for His glory. 723 00:30:32,920 --> 00:30:38,760 Let's pray. Lord, thank you for the book of 724 00:30:38,760 --> 00:30:40,760 Nehemiah and the. Lessons it teaches us. 725 00:30:41,600 --> 00:30:43,680 Lord, we ask you to forgive us for being so shallow. 726 00:30:43,680 --> 00:30:46,400 Minded and thinking we know. What's right or what? 727 00:30:46,400 --> 00:30:49,400 Is best and when we don't even. Take time to hear from you. 728 00:30:49,720 --> 00:30:52,160 Forgive us. Lord, thank you for showing us 729 00:30:52,160 --> 00:30:53,840 in. Scripture how you want to work 730 00:30:53,840 --> 00:30:55,440 through US. And as we. 731 00:30:55,440 --> 00:30:57,080 Leave here this morning. We ask. 732 00:30:57,400 --> 00:31:01,080 Help us Lord, to be like your servant Nehemiah, in Jesus name, 733 00:31:01,440 --> 00:31:01,720 Amen.