By Tom Shanklin

This message was preached as a part of series on the book of Nehemiah at Two Rivers Vineyard Church in Mankato, Minnesota. Nehemiah called the people to build up the walls of Jerusalem. Today, we, too, are involved in a great work—building up the Jesus’ Church. Let us rise up and build the Church, in Jesus’ name.

Notes: LET US RISE UP AND BUILD

READING: Nehemiah 2

“Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king’s words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work.” Nehemiah 2:18, KJV.

M.T. Just as in the days of Nehemiah, we are involved in a construction plan, and God has a purpose for each of us in it.

Very Significant: Daniel 9:24 Daniel’s 70 weeks. Rebuilding Jerusalem started the clock for Messiah. Jeremiah. Likewise, we are involved in a very significant project in preparation for the coming of the Lord.

GOD’S BUILDING PROJECT REQUIRES GOD-ANOINTED LEADERSHIP

“Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach. Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king’s words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work. But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king? Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.” Nehemiah 2:17-20, KJV.

1. He prayed. 11 times in the book. Source of strength and direction……He know his destiny.
2. He recognized the problem
3. He told them God had anointed him and sent him. “The hand of my God which was good upon me…” Pastor David and Shannon, “I want you to build My church.” Then he specifically called them here. “Together, we can make a difference.” “Some people are under-impressed with God.” “A time to build up.”
4. He called them to work with him to build the wall. He cast the vision, and they responded to his leadership.
5. He immediately faced opposition
6. He dismissed the enemy.
7. He spoke words of faith and victory, recognizing the greatness of God.

JESUS IS THE BUILDER OF THE HIS CHURCH

“When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:13-19, KJV.

• The Church is built upon Jesus. Without Him we are just a religious social club. 
• Through the revelation that he is the Christ we come into the blessing. 
• He identified Himself as the builder.
• He gives us authority to function in our part of the construction project.

GOD-ANOINTED CO-LABORERS BUILD THE CHURCH

“For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;” 1 Corinthians 3:9-12, KJV.

WE ARE BUILT TOGETHER FOR A HABITATION OF GOD

v1 You hath he quickened

v13 You who were afar off are made night by the blood of Christ.

“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19-22, KJV. I 

“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:5, KJV.

Brick upon brick: Life Lessons from Nehemiah. The lesson is: we need the body. If we are born again, we are the body. And every part of the body is important. 

WE ALL HAVE A PART IN GOD’S CONSTRUCTION PLAN

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” Ephesians 4:11, 12, KJV. “From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” Ephesians 4:16, KJV.

“His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), <that they should do> the work of ministering toward building up Christ’s body (the church),” Ephesians 4:12, Amplified.

The walls of Jerusalem were built from the rubble of past destruction. They did not go to the quarry and get new stones. The judgement rubble was rebuilt with new mortar. Likewise, we are knit together with that which every joint supplies. When there is love in the church and love in the relationships, the church is built. We all have a part in this. Likewise, broken down stones, standing alone with no purpose, by love can be ingrafted into the body and find true meaning in there lives. 

YOU MUST DO YOUR PART

“For because of Him the whole body (the church, in all its various parts), closely joined and firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part <with power adapted to its need> is working properly <in all its functions>, grows to full maturity, building itself up in love.” Ephesians 4:16, Amplified.

“A good thing to remember, A better thing to do.. Work with the construction gang, Not with the wrecking crew” What are you exuding? Through your actions, gestures, speech and spirit, are you building the body of Christ? (Eph. 4:29)

CONCLUSION: Make a commitment to the LORD and His Church to build and be built. (His consecrated people). Let us! Let us! Let us rise up and build!

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