Neh. 4:6
So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.
I am beginning to make preparations for our Wednesday evening Bible study in Nehemiah. (You can find the entire series on the Old Testament Page.) It is a wonderful book in the Old Testament that deals with the struggles and triumph of restoration following the Babylonian captivity. Nehemiah was the official cupbearer of king Artaxerxes of Persia, who at that time had conquered the Babylonians. Nehemiah found favor in the sight of the king and was allowed to return to Jerusalem to begin the restoration efforts of rebuilding the walls of the devastated city.
A key verse in Nehemiah is the one that I have chosen for the text of this post. The task they faced was a monumental one. The city had been ravaged and it lay in ruins. This was not a task for the weak, lazy, or uncommitted. Through the king, Nehemiah had gained the resources necessary to complete the task, but the people were required to do the work.
As I consider the spiritual walls that are in such disrepair in America, I see a situation very similar to the task that Nehemiah and the others faced. We are not the first generation to face such a task, but I fear that we are lacking when compared to those who have come before us. We too have all the resources we need to accomplish the task at hand. The King has provided all we need to serve Him and be effective in our places of ministry. I am convinced that the major problem in our day is the simple fact that few have a mind to work. Many are well aware of the needs of our day. They are more than willing to point them out, and even complain about the situations we face, but few are willing to actually roll up their sleeves and get involved in the work we are engaged in.
The modern church is suffering from a lack of real commitment. We will never overcome the adversities we face or see real, consistent growth until the people of God develop a mind to work. It is hard enough to get people out of bed in time for Sunday School, much less commit to the greater burden of becoming actively involved in the ministry of the church. We need a revival of commitment unto the Lord and His work.
I have told our folks several times, Church isn't something we do, it is who we are; it isn't a place that we attend, but a life we live. As we think about the great task before us and the need for those to get involved, may I ask a couple of questions? If not us, who? If not now, when? If not here, where? Our Lord gave His all for us as He bled and died upon the cross! He didn't stop short of fulfilling redemption's plan. We are saved because He was willing to give His life for us. I think the least we could do is give ourselves in service to Him!
Do you have a mind to work when it comes to the things of God and the task at hand? If not, I pray that God will stir your heart and move you from your seat of complacency and inactivity.
Preacher Chris
So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.
I am beginning to make preparations for our Wednesday evening Bible study in Nehemiah. (You can find the entire series on the Old Testament Page.) It is a wonderful book in the Old Testament that deals with the struggles and triumph of restoration following the Babylonian captivity. Nehemiah was the official cupbearer of king Artaxerxes of Persia, who at that time had conquered the Babylonians. Nehemiah found favor in the sight of the king and was allowed to return to Jerusalem to begin the restoration efforts of rebuilding the walls of the devastated city.
A key verse in Nehemiah is the one that I have chosen for the text of this post. The task they faced was a monumental one. The city had been ravaged and it lay in ruins. This was not a task for the weak, lazy, or uncommitted. Through the king, Nehemiah had gained the resources necessary to complete the task, but the people were required to do the work.
As I consider the spiritual walls that are in such disrepair in America, I see a situation very similar to the task that Nehemiah and the others faced. We are not the first generation to face such a task, but I fear that we are lacking when compared to those who have come before us. We too have all the resources we need to accomplish the task at hand. The King has provided all we need to serve Him and be effective in our places of ministry. I am convinced that the major problem in our day is the simple fact that few have a mind to work. Many are well aware of the needs of our day. They are more than willing to point them out, and even complain about the situations we face, but few are willing to actually roll up their sleeves and get involved in the work we are engaged in.
The modern church is suffering from a lack of real commitment. We will never overcome the adversities we face or see real, consistent growth until the people of God develop a mind to work. It is hard enough to get people out of bed in time for Sunday School, much less commit to the greater burden of becoming actively involved in the ministry of the church. We need a revival of commitment unto the Lord and His work.
I have told our folks several times, Church isn't something we do, it is who we are; it isn't a place that we attend, but a life we live. As we think about the great task before us and the need for those to get involved, may I ask a couple of questions? If not us, who? If not now, when? If not here, where? Our Lord gave His all for us as He bled and died upon the cross! He didn't stop short of fulfilling redemption's plan. We are saved because He was willing to give His life for us. I think the least we could do is give ourselves in service to Him!
Do you have a mind to work when it comes to the things of God and the task at hand? If not, I pray that God will stir your heart and move you from your seat of complacency and inactivity.
Preacher Chris
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