Nehemiah 6 - Part 6
The sermon emphasizes the importance of building the wall of Jerusalem as a symbol of unity and God's work, rather than focusing on personal reputation or man's accomplishments.
This sermon emphasizes the importance of unity and dedication in building the walls of Jerusalem, drawing parallels to the fragmented efforts of individuals versus the unified work of a community. It challenges preachers and leaders to focus on building God's kingdom together in harmony, rather than seeking personal glory or superficial enhancements. The ultimate goal is to have the work recognized as God's doing, bringing humility and awe to all who witness it.
Full Transcript
It comes some two inches apart, three inches apart, two feet apart. What happens? Does it become one wall? It becomes a thousand fragments. That's no wall.
Anything can get through the crevices. No. Various families.
Girls helping their fathers. People working day and night. People with a sword in one hand and a trowel in the other.
And the wall was finished. Fifty-two days. The wall of Jerusalem around that city was finished.
I stood outside that city walls at the place which is called Calvary. Listen, my friend. Some of you are preachers building your own kingdom.
Sometimes I ask people, I see this young man. He is from the south. How is it I don't see him more frequently? Oh, you know, after he got a job here, he is the organist or he is the song leader there in one of our centers.
But you won't see him here in the fasting prayer. What kind of preacher are you? Are you building the walls of Jerusalem? You want to leave a disjointed wall and say, I am doing wonderful work? You don't know how deeply I am grieved by these things. I have never been after show.
Even now, I believe you and go on. I go to two or three preaching to five or six. My father used to say, the Lord trained eleven people.
Let me train people deeply. So you are training people to build disjointedly. My dear friend, God can remove you from the scene.
Never build for your reputation. And ruin young people. They all built in unison.
See, all over the world, I meet and see some certain good churches. But they have such a localized mind. I say, what is this? All they are concerned is the committee, the paint in the church, and the carpet.
That's all. Listen, don't you worry about those things. Oh, I must put some fans here.
I must give some money here. Listen, don't worry about those things. You build the wall of Jerusalem.
We do not want all these facelifts. Cosmetic surgeries. The wall was finished.
Sixteenth verse, lastly. And it came to pass that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about to sell these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes. For they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.
Listen, let that be the final stamp. The final seal. This is not man's work.
This is God. This is Christ. This is the risen Savior.
Do you bear that stamp? Do you bear that stamp? Let us pray. Let us pray. Let us tell God.
Sermon Outline
- The wall of Jerusalem and its significance
- Building the wall of Jerusalem as a symbol of unity
- The consequences of building disjointedly
- The dangers of building for personal reputation
- Recognizing that the wall's completion was God's work
- The final stamp of God's work
Key Quotes
“That's no wall. Anything can get through the crevices.” — Joshua Daniel
“Never build for your reputation. And ruin young people.” — Joshua Daniel
“This is not man's work. This is God. This is Christ. This is the risen Savior.” — Joshua Daniel
Application Points
- We should focus on building the wall of Jerusalem, representing unity and God's work, rather than our personal reputation.
- We should recognize that the completion of any work is God's work, not man's.
- We should avoid building disjointedly and instead work together in unity.