Sermon Snippet – The Holy Calling of God – Part VI
INTRODUCTION – From II Timothy 1:8-12, we have recently been considering that God has “called us with [a] holy calling”(verse 9). We have seen that this calling for all Christians extends to our homes and to our work, requires both patience and faithfulness, delivers us from fear, confirms the value of human life, adds purpose to our lives, and counters the loud and unholy voices of the world. Further helpful examples are found in the Old Testament books of Nehemiah and Ezra.
1. WE ARE CALLED TO WORK
In the 400’s B.C., Nehemiah returned from Persia to Israel to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. As he garnered support from the local population for this extensive task, he spoke of God’s calling upon him: “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). The repetition of “good” is instructive. Obviously, the calling of God was good, for all that He does must be consistent with His holy and perfect character. The hearty and heartfelt response of Nehemiah and the people of Jerusalem (and the surrounding area) is good because it follows God’s revealed will. The work was not easy (physical labor never is, especially without power tools!), for repairing is time consuming and often frustrating. Also, there were powerful people who opposed Nehemiah (2:19; see also 4:1-6:14). Still, this considerable undertaking was completed in a remarkable 52 days (6:15). Like these faithful workers, we are called to labor: “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9). It is likely that our “due season” will require more than 52 days!
2. WE ARE CALLED TO OBEY
Ezra was a contemporary of Nehemiah. He likewise had a special calling from God (Ezra 7:6), but the specifics of his ministry were different (7:7-10). He was to be a teacher of the Law (the first five books of the Old Testament), building not walls but wisdom. We should note that the Law was a thousand years old in Ezra’s day, but it was still relevant, as is all of God’s Word today. Like Ezra and his fellow believers, we are to study the Word (“to seek the law of the LORD”) and obey its kind commandments (“to do it”). Perhaps you remember the Sunday school song that says, “Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe.” Indeed it is, and “we ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29b).
3. WE ARE CALLED TO WORK AND OBEY TOGETHER
In Nehemiah 8:1-13, we find both Ezra and Nehemiah combining to exhort the people – “all the people” (verse 1). Just as all of the people labored side by side to rebuild the walls in record time (“for the people had a mind to work” – Nehemiah 4:6b), they now stood shoulder to shoulder “together as one man” (verse 1) to review the tenets of their shared faith. Nehemiah 3 tells us that the laborers had come from different regions (verses 5 and 13), different professions (verse 8), and different genders (verse 12). Now, they listened attentively (Nehemiah 8:3), “and all the people answered, ‘Amen, Amen’ “ (8:6). Similarly, God has “called us with [a] holy calling” (II Timothy 2:9); He has called each one of us separately, and He has called us all together.
CONCLUSION – A friend of mine began preaching through the book of Nehemiah. He delivered an introductory sermon and no more, for he died of a heart attack before the next Sunday. Were his plans in vain? No! Jesus said, “Occupy till I come” (Luke 19:13b). Certainly my faithful colleague fulfilled that all-encompassing command. We likewise can and must heed the high and holy calling of God. First, we need to place our faith solely in the Savior, God the Son, Jesus Christ. Second, we need to get to work in obedience to His leading. A path of blessing awaits each of us and all of us.