Ordinary Heroes

Sis Melinda Song

NOTE: This is the full text of the sermon which was cut short because of the cell huddle.

INTRODUCTION:

There’s a story about a city dweller who was visiting relatives on a farm and the farmer gave a whistle and his dog herded the cattle into the corral, then latched the gate with her paw. "Wow, that’s some dog. What’s her name?" The forgetful farmer thought a minute, then asked, "What do you call that red flower that smells good and has thorns on the stem?" "A rose?" "That’s it!" The farmer turned to his wife. "Hey Rose, what do we call this dog?"

My husband and I are getting to the stage where we it is possible for us to meet with people, have a meaningful conversation with them and yet not remember their names.

Names are important. We all like to be remembered and it makes us feel important when someone can call us by name. It has been quite an experience choosing a name for our grandson. So many names were considered and rejected because we want the best name for him.

Names also represent people whom God loves. In Isaiah 43:1, NKJV tells us that God calls us by name. There are a lot of names in our text today which is from Nehemiah chapter 3:1-16.

In Nehemiah 3 we find a whole long list of names. Many people skip over this chapter as they read through the book of Nehemiah because it reads like a Hebrew phone book and Nehemiah Chapter 3 is not often the subject of sermons.

There are many lists such as these in the Bible because God cares about individuals, caring enough to include individual names within His Holy Word.

Nehemiah 3 is a marvelous account of ordinary people who come together in order to accomplish an extraordinary work--the task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. They are ordinary people from all walks of life who worked together for one purpose—the glory of God—and they became heroes of faith in the eyes of God.

The 12 disciples of Christ were just ordinary men--most of the 12 were not highly educated, nor were they extraordinary in their careers.

Acts 4:13 (NIV) When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

Most of us are just ordinary people. Yet God calls ordinary people to Himself.

1 Corinthians 1:26-27 (NIV) Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

When ordinary people step out and follow God by faith--they become a transformed people who God takes and uses for His extraordinary purposes, they become heroes of faith. That is why I have entitled this message: “ORDINARY HEROES.”

Let me set the context for the listing of these names.
Nehemiah was the trusted cupbearer of King Artaxerxes. He received word of the terrible situation in Jerusalem and took up the cause to rebuild the walls of the city.

After arriving in Jerusalem he successfully inspired the people with a vision to complete the walls. He was able to do so because he established a link between what God was doing through him and what God was up to in history.

Nehemiah 2:17 (NIV) Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” 18 I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me.
They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work.

Nehemiah demonstrated that God had been working behind the and that the people could be a part of something God has His hand on.

As we look into the chapter there are two things we have to keep in focus. First it is…

• The Purpose of the Work

Nehemiah pointed the people to the purpose of the work, which is for the glory of God. They weren’t just working on walls, they were worshipping their worthy God.

The purpose of all ministry, and really of life itself is the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV) So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Everything we do in life should be towards the relentless pursuit of God’s splendor.

In verse 1: "Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep gate.” Nehemiah’s list starts and ends at the Sheep Gate. It is another way of saying, "Put God first."

The Sheep gate provided easy access to the Temple, and was given this name because of all the sheep to be sacrificed entered through it. By beginning here, Nehemiah is establishing that their relationship with God was central. This was the most important place to start.

We must never make the mistake of focusing so much on the work or the ministry that we forget God Himself. God is not impressed with your labor. He wants your heart. That’s why worship must always precede work.

Besides the purpose of the work we should also consider…

• The People of the Work

Nehemiah was tracing the work in a counter-clockwise around the city of Jerusalem, and recording who did what work.

Notice how often the phrase “next to him” is repeated. Next to him so and so worked here and did this and next to him another person did that and next to him… “Next to him” is a key phrase in this passage

The Hebrew for “next” comes from the word “hand” so the words literally read “to the hand of him (or them)”. It is a picture of them joining hands next to each other in the work. It is a great picture of unity. Everybody was all in it together with a lot of mutual commitment and trust.

Unity is absolutely indispensable in the church. Our unity must be centered around a shared focus: the Kingdom of God. We join our hands in working for God’s glory.

Underline in your Bible every time you see the following phrases: "next to him," "next to them," “next section” "beyond him," and "beyond them," These expressions are recorded 28 times in this chapter! The biblical principle is this: every person is to be involved in ministry because everyone has a job to do.

This is a saying that I came across many years ago that has stuck in my mind: Without vision the people perish, but without people the vision perish! People working together can accomplish more than if just one person tried to do all the work.

Let me tell you a story. I have to read it out because it is so confusing.

This is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody. There was an important job to do and Everybody was asked to do it. Everybody was sure Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry because it was Everybody's job. Everybody thought Anybody would do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done. (Source: Charles, Swindoll, Strengthening Your Grip)

Another simple illustration on unity is snow. A single snowflake is among the most delicate, frail things we can see. But if enough of them stick together they can paralyze a city! There is tremendous power in cooperation. Someone once said that “snow is a beautiful demonstration of what God can do with a bunch of flakes!”

In Nehemiah Chapter 3, we find 6 principles that can help us work together, that will turn ordinary people to heroes.

1. ​Leaders must set the example.

It is fitting that the Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests (v. 1) should set the example, for God’s reputation was at stake.

There were also a number of references to rulers in this list (vv. 9, 12, 14-19). The leaders were taking the lead and setting an example for the rest.

Our leaders have been, and will continue to set the pace at TOP, whether it is for Harvest Mission, the Big Party or Christmas with the Community.

Unfortunately, Eliashib did not remain true to his calling and later partnered with the enemy to create some serious problems for Nehemiah in 13:4-9. This serves as a good reminder to us that it’s not as important how we begin a project, it’s how we finish that counts.

I would like to highlight Malkijah in verse 4: The Dung Gate was repaired by Malkijah son of Rekab, ruler of the district of Beth Hakkerem.

The “Dung Gate” was the gate through which all the garbage and filth was taken. He was a member of the nobility yet he willingly worked in a terrible place suffering the stench from the valley of Hinnom below, where the garbage was dumped. What an example of humility!

2. ​God uses all kinds of people.

The Lord didn’t summon professional builders to rebuild the wall. Instead He used people from many professions and from many levels of social status carry out His work: priests (1, 22, 28); goldsmiths (8, 31, 32); perfume makers (8), Levites (17); temple servants (26); guard at the East Gate (29); merchants (32); rulers of half-districts or districts (9, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19).

The people were from many places, too. Some were very local, and some had to travel a bit. The wall-builders were from Jericho, Gibeon, Jerusalem, Zanoah, Beth Zur, Keilah, Mizpah, and Tekoa.

God wants to use me and you. He just needed ordinary people who were willing to work.

Viggo Olsen, who helped rebuild ten thousand houses in war-raved Bangladesh in 1972, derived unexpected inspiration from reading a chapter ordinarily considered one of the least interesting in the Bible: ‘I was struck . . . that no expert builders were listed in the “Holy Land brigade.” There were priests, priests’ helpers, goldsmiths, perfume makers, and women, but no expert builders or carpenters were named.’” (Yamauchi)

The people were not trained for this kind of work. They had an easy excuse to not do anything, but they did not. They rebuilt the walls even though many would not think them qualified or able.The most important ability in the work of the Lord is availability.

There is also the beauty of a gift-based ministry where there was a place for everyone, and a job for everyone to do. As we use our gifts, we will be fruitful, we will be fulfilled, and the church will be fortified.

A word of caution on gift-based ministry: We are not to be involved in aimless activity in the church, with everyone doing his own thing. All are to work together for a common cause and vision as put together by the leaders of the Church.

3. ​Some people will not work.

Verse 5: "The next section was repaired by the men of Tekoa, but their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors."

Literally, the phrase, "would not put their shoulders to the work," is an agricultural imagery that describes a "stiff-necked" ox who refuses to be yoked. The real issue was pride and lack of submission.

Jeremiah 48:10 is a stinging rebuke to those of us who just sit back, and refuse to serve: "A curse on him who is lax in doing the Lord’s work." Those who are lax in the Lord’s work are not only subject to a curse, they are also missing out on one of the greatest privileges of all time, being involved in kingdom work.

Some of the happiest Christians are those who are serving in their area of giftedness. On the other hand, some of the grumpiest Christians are those who are not willing to put their shoulder to the work.

There are a lot of different reasons why people don't work. Sometimes people don’t know what to do. Or maybe they think that their work wouldn't matter much anyway. Maybe they don't know their gifts. See Pastor or the leaders and they will find you something to do.

4. ​Some do more work.

Just as there will always be some who are slack in their serving, at the same time, there will always be those who do more work than others.

In verse 5, the men of Tekoa finished their section of the wall, even though their nobles didn’t help out at all. In verse 27: "Next to them, the men of Tekoa repaired another section…" The men of Binnui did the same thing in verses 18 and 24. Meshullam completed one part (verse 4) and then repaired an additional section (verse 30). After Meremoth had finished his assignment (verse 4), he worked on the wall in front of his neighbor’s house (verse 21).

There’s a tendency within most of us to finish the work we volunteered for and then stop but kingdom work is never finished. As long as there is work to be done in God’s kingdom, there’s work for you to do.

In Matthew 5:47, Jesus addresses each one of us when He asks a very good question, "…What are you doing more than others?" Brothers and sisters, what are you doing more than others?

It was not just Jerusalem’s citizen’s who rebuilt the wall. People came from at least eight different places to help from up to a 15 mile to 20 mile radius to work on the wall. Volunteers came from Jericho (v2), Tekoa (v5), Gibeon (v 7), Mizpah (vv. 7, 15, 19), Zanoah (13), Beth Hakkerem (14), Beth Zur (16), and Keilah (17, 18).
 
It was of little direct benefit to them if Jerusalem’s walls were repaired yet they sacrificed their time and left their homes and families in order to for the service of the city and in the service of God. Through the centuries, the church has been built on those that have sacrificed and were even willing to work behind the scenes and beyond the call of duty.

For example, Bro Hooi did not just turn up to help at the Big Party. He made the effort to get to know the people and visited them regularly.

5. ​Some work with passion.

Nehemiah mentioned one guy who worked zealously. Look at verse 20: "Next to him, Baruch son of Zabbai zealously repaired another section…"

The Hebrew word “zealously” means "to burn or glow" and suggests that Baruch was not just serving; he was on "fire."

In 4:6 we read that "the people worked with all their heart." Everyone was working hard, but Baruch stood out from the rest. We need people like him who will say, "I don’t really care what others are doing, I’m going to do my very best."

Just because you work willingly, does not mean you work with a glow. Right? Baruch represents those who smile while they work. They are like the seven dwarves who advocate that you “whistle while you work.” These people are a pleasure to serve with and around.

I remember Bro. Leow visiting my father when he was in hospital. Despite all the difficulties in finding a parking space at the GH, he would cheerfully turn up every day with a big smile to comfort and pray for my dad.

6. ​Some work as families.

The final principle from this great passage is that some people worked as families, either on a section in front of their home, or on another section away from their neighborhood.

In verse 3, the Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenah and in verse 12, the daughters of Shallum worked on the wall. As families, we have the opportunity to be used in our neighborhoods and in our community. Instead of just looking at what we can do as an individual, let us be creative in thinking of ways to include our entire family in the joyful task of kingdom building.

I am encouraged by Bro. KB Lai doing visitation with his whole family after the Christmas with the community.

Christmas offers a great opportunity for parents to open their home for their children to hold Christmas parties for their friends instead of them holding parties elsewhere.

As a church we are committed to make an impact in our city, in our state, in our country, and to the nations. But, it’s got to first begin at home.

Summary

If God’s work is going to get done, we’re called to cooperate with one another. We must keep the main thing the main thing by never forgetting that God’s glory is at stake.

In order to work well with others on a job that is much bigger than we are, at a task that demands everything we have, we need to recognize that:

Leaders must set the pace
God uses all kinds of people
Some will not work
Some will do more work
Some will work with passion
Some will work as families

To me, the most interesting part of Nehemiah chapter three’s wall-builder hall of fame is that Nehemiah does not mention himself. There was a Nehemiah mentioned, but it was someone else.

Hebrews 6:10 says, “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”

God will not forget what you do. The world probably will not notice. Wealth and acclaim are probably not the result when you do God’s work. It is doing the difficult and inglorious work that must be done which will likely not benefit us, nor be rewarded with earthly acclaim or financial benefit.

It is Jim Elliot leading a team of five missionary men into a jungle in Ecuador to reach a head-hunting tribe of primitive Indians, and in return winding up corpses on a sandbar with spears sticking out of their backs. But it is that same Jim Elliot proclaiming that “he is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

We need to remind ourselves that the greatest reward is to hear “well done, good and faithful servant¨ from our Lord. He calls us not to fame or comfort or self-promotion, but rather to join in the greatest work, His work.

And be sure of this: God knows. You might think, “Oh, what I’m doing isn’t particularly significant. I just do this little thing. Nobody notices or cares.” God cares and knows! Others may not see what you do to serve God; God does!

Conclusion

Nehemiah 4:6 (NIV) So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.

These people in chapter 3 of Nehemiah were ordinary people who worked with all of their heart. They were totally committed to the Lord and His work.

Nehemiah 6:15-16 (NIV) So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. 16 When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.

Working together for God’s glory, they finished in 52 days what could not be done in almost 150 years. And in so doing ordinary people became ordinary heroes - Heroes of Faith!

You and I can do the same as well. Make yourselves available to God for His Glory. Do the work in unity and in love - and do it with all of your heart. And God will take and use your life that you will be a Hero of Faith in God’s eyes and an inspiration in the lives of others.

Verse 5, says the nobles of the Tekoites would not stoop down to serve. And yet our Lord Jesus, the noblest king of all, Creator of the universe…left His throne and His glory above to stoop down to earth to serve us.

Mark 10:45 says, “The son of man did not come to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many.”

He gave his life for you so that you might be redeemed and brought into the family of God and experience the goodness of being a part of his church.

Here’s how Peter described that experience and I can’t help but think he may have had Nehemiah chapter 3 in mind when he wrote this. I close with his words, “you yourselves (are) like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

Let’s pray.