STRENGTH IN NUMBERS (4 OF 13)
by Keith Krell
Scripture: Nehemiah 3:1-29
This content is part of a series.
Sermon Title: "Strength in Numbers"
Sermon Series: Rebuild and Renew (4 of 13)
Scripture: Nehemiah 3:1-32
Contributor: Keith Krell
British humorist Jerome K. Jerome said, "I like work; it fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for hours."1 Sam Ewing observed, "Hard work spotlights the character of people; some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all."2 While these remarks are meant to be amusing, they also call out our human tendency toward laziness. At one time or another, you've probably been tempted to sit on the sidelines of church and just watch. You justify the behavior: "I'm too busy at work right now." "I have too many commitments with young children or active teenagers." "I've served for years; now I'm going to let others serve." "No one has ever asked me to serve, so I'll keep waiting for the right invitation." Perhaps you've used one of these excuses in the past or are using one right now. If so, remember that Christianity isn't a spectator sport. Rather, Christians are called to actively participate in God's great work. We could put it like this: God's church works when every member is working.
Nehemiah 3 begins like televised sporting event. Just before the game starts, the commentators introduce the lineups of the competing teams. Nehemiah 3 introduces Nehemiah's lineup, recording his team of workers participating in the rebuilding project.3 The chapter consists of a lengthy list of names-thirty-eight people in all, along with numerous others whose names aren't listed.4 There are also forty-two separate teams laboring to complete various assigned aspects of the work, all spread across seven neighborhoods in the city marked by their corresponding gates.5
Now, before we begin, a few comments regarding Nehemiah 3 are in order: (1) Most people consider this chapter to be the most boring and irrelevant chapter in the entire book.6 Some commentators and pastors find this chapter so tedious that they s ...
Sermon Series: Rebuild and Renew (4 of 13)
Scripture: Nehemiah 3:1-32
Contributor: Keith Krell
British humorist Jerome K. Jerome said, "I like work; it fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for hours."1 Sam Ewing observed, "Hard work spotlights the character of people; some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all."2 While these remarks are meant to be amusing, they also call out our human tendency toward laziness. At one time or another, you've probably been tempted to sit on the sidelines of church and just watch. You justify the behavior: "I'm too busy at work right now." "I have too many commitments with young children or active teenagers." "I've served for years; now I'm going to let others serve." "No one has ever asked me to serve, so I'll keep waiting for the right invitation." Perhaps you've used one of these excuses in the past or are using one right now. If so, remember that Christianity isn't a spectator sport. Rather, Christians are called to actively participate in God's great work. We could put it like this: God's church works when every member is working.
Nehemiah 3 begins like televised sporting event. Just before the game starts, the commentators introduce the lineups of the competing teams. Nehemiah 3 introduces Nehemiah's lineup, recording his team of workers participating in the rebuilding project.3 The chapter consists of a lengthy list of names-thirty-eight people in all, along with numerous others whose names aren't listed.4 There are also forty-two separate teams laboring to complete various assigned aspects of the work, all spread across seven neighborhoods in the city marked by their corresponding gates.5
Now, before we begin, a few comments regarding Nehemiah 3 are in order: (1) Most people consider this chapter to be the most boring and irrelevant chapter in the entire book.6 Some commentators and pastors find this chapter so tedious that they s ...
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