Rise and Rebuild: All Hands on Deck

Copyright: South Bay Community Church
Sermon Reflections: Rise & Rebuild: All Hands On Deck
Date: 5 May 2024
Speaker: Lead Pastor Tammy Long
Scripture Text: Nehemiah 2:11 - 3:32

Sermon Preamble Summary
            We are continuing our mini-series, “Rise and Rebuild” based on the model of Nehemiah rebuilding. Our world is in need of blessing. There are so many hurting, wounded, and tired of struggling people. Our world is in need of hope. Our world is in need of Jesus, our living hope. When we are a blessing to others, we are blessing God’s name and warming God’s heart. As followers of Christ, all we want to do is bless your name, Lord. Nehemiah was a man driven by a deep desire to serve and honor God. Nehemiah blessed God’s name, not only in words, but also in deeds as an example for us today. Nehemiah's story is not just historical narrative. It’s a picture of leadership, calling and obedience. It's about recognizing the ruins now around us, whether they are physical, mental, emotional or spiritual. It’s about responding not with despair or discouragement, but responding with a God-given vision rooted in action. Rebuilding the walls God calls us to address does indeed bless God’s name. Nehemiah’s process is a model for us of pre-work planning and preparing before communicating God’s vision and beginning the actual work of rebuilding. If we put 80% of our time into planning and preparation, execution will flow smoothly taking 20% of our time with big impact. As Nehemiah communicated God’s vision, many responded “Yes, let’s rebuild the wall. So they began the good work” (Nehemiah 2:18). This is your reminder that you have a part to play in rebuilding the walls ruined from brokenness in this world. For Nehemiah and for us today, “all hands on deck” means that everyone is needed to rebuild the wall. With “all hands on deck” there is diversity of age, skills sets, gifting, gender and communities.
           
Background context of Nehemiah 1:1 - 2:8
            We watched when Nehemiah learned that the walls around the city of Jerusalem were still in ruins and the gates burned down. As a Jew, far from his homeland, this was devastating news, and we saw him go to God in prayer, fasting, and mourning. Ruined walls meant God’s people Nehemiah’s people were unsafe, disgraced, and discouraged. We saw the power of prayer as God placed an idea in Nehemiah’s heart to speak with the King about this concern. God had positioned Nehemiah in his relationship with King Artaxerxes for his action in accordance with God’s vision, just like God positions you and me.
            In Chapter 2, we were a witness as Nehemiah lived out the equation: Vision + Risk + Courage= Rebuilding Walls for God’s Kingdom. Author Joel Barker said, “Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world.” Even trembling with fear, we saw Nehemiah make his request to King Artaxerxes. King Artaxerxes granted his approval giving Nehemiah time to return to Jerusalem, resources to rebuild the walls, and documentation for safe passage.

Nehemiah gets ready to rebuild in resting and continuing his planning and preparation
            Starting with Nehemiah Chapter 2 verse 11: “11 …so I arrived in Jerusalem. Three days later, 12 I slipped out during the night, taking only a few others with me. I had not told anyone about the plans God had put in my heart for Jerusalem. We took no pack animals with us except the donkey I was riding” (Nehemiah 2: 11-12).  Most likely Nehemiah was resting during those days because it is roughly 900 miles from Susa, where Nehemiah was serving the King, to Jerusalem. The journey would have taken him about 4 months. When Nehemiah gets to Jerusalem, he takes some time to rest. When he is ready to get started, he paces himself and does some self-care before he rolls up his sleeves. Nehemiah’s model of resting and self-care is a message for somebody today!
            As noted in Verse 12, when he’s ready, he starts by surveying the problem in the middle of the night. The text tells us he inspects the walls in secret, assessing the damage in the dark. Nehemiah took only a few others. These might have been guards who were with him for his safety, or maybe residents who were familiar with the terrain. Notice that Nehemiah says, “I had not told anyone about the plans God had put in my heart for Jerusalem.” Why do you think he didn’t begin with a town hall meeting to announce the good news of what was about to happen? Why do you think he went out in the middle of the night?  Nehemiah wanted to truly understand the scope of what needed to be done first. He wanted to do his own deep dive to fully evaluate the situation. Before hearing any commentary from the locals, Nehemiah wanted to continue his planning and preparation.
            “13 After dark, I went out through the Valley Gate, past the Jackal’s Well, and over to the Dung Gate to inspect the broken walls and burned gates. 14 Then I went to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but my donkey couldn’t get through the rubble. 15 So, though it was still dark, I went up the Kidron Valley instead, inspecting the wall before I turned back and entered again at the Valley Gate” (Verses 13-15). The scripture text here is very detailed. We can follow his exact route as he inspects the walls. Scripture says he begins at the Valley Gate and then went to the Dung Gate, following around to the Fountain Gate. At the Fountain Gate, verse 14 tells us that there was too much rubble to proceed. Therefore, Nehemiah detours into the valley and inspects the wall from there before turning back and re-entering through the Valley Gate.

Nehemiah models for us pre-work planning and preparation
            Nehemiah’s process is a good principle for us, as well. Nehemiah reminds us there is always pre-work to be done. In the process, pre-work includes (1) drilling down on the facts, (2) uncovering and discovering what we’re dealing with, (3) assessing the situation, (4) clarifying the problem, (5) evaluating the options, and (6) considering the challenges. We should apply this process before we begin any project or challenge whether big or small or begin rebuilding the walls God has placed on our hearts. In other words, we must prepare and do the legwork long before we begin the actual work of rebuilding.
           
Leadership expert John Maxwell shares 12 steps to Effective Strategic Planning for us that Nehemiah also did            
            Maxwell’s steps are: (1) plan to plan, (2) determine the primary purpose, (3) assess the situation, (4) prioritize the needs, (5) ask the right questions, (6) set specific goals, and (7) communicate and clarify. There are five more steps, but notice how far communicating the vision is down the list. We often jump into execution too soon. If we put 80% of our time into planning and preparation, execution will flow smoothly taking 20% of our time with big impact. This is what Nehemiah was doing as he was surveying the walls. He was planning and preparing.
            Maxwell’s remaining 5 steps in the 12 steps for Effective Strategic Planning were also done by Nehemiah. The remaining 5 steps are: (8) identify possible obstacles, (9) have an open system (meaning flexibility to be able to pivot when things don’t go as planned), (10) manage and direct resources, (11) monitor and correct, and (12) study the results.
 
In the God directed mission, Nehemiah continued praying and discerning God’s vision   
            “16 The city officials did not know I had been out there or what I was doing, for I had not yet said anything to anyone about my plans. I had not yet spoken to the Jewish leaders—the priests, the nobles, the officials, or anyone else in the administration” (Nehemiah 2:16). It was too soon to share the vision or to hear anyone’s opinion about what should be happening and how it should be done. This was a God-directed mission, and Nehemiah was in partnership with God as he continued to plan. Therefore, Nehemiah continued praying and discerning God’s vision as he assessed the walls.
           
After the pre-work process of preparation, Nehemiah communicated and clarified the God given vision
                “17 But now I said to them, “You know very well what trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire. Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and end this disgrace!” (Verse 17). Once Nehemiah was satisfied with his inspection, he was ready to communicate and clarify the vision God had placed on his heart.
Nehemiah’s God given vision was well received
            “18 Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me, and about my conversation with the king. They replied at once, ‘Yes, let’s rebuild the wall!’ So they began the good work” (Verse 18). Nehemiah’s God given vision was well received. Nehemiah stated the problem with a plan for the solution. It was clear that God was with Nehemiah. God was leading this project to rebuild the walls. He relates the support from King Artaxerxes, who previously had ordered the rebuilding effort stopped.

Even the naysayers and antagonists couldn’t thwart the movement of God
            “19 But when Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem the Arab heard of our plan, they scoffed contemptuously. ‘What are you doing? Are you rebelling against the king?’ they asked. 20 I replied, ‘The God of heaven will help us succeed. We, his servants, will start rebuilding this wall. But you have no share, legal right, or historic claim in Jerusalem’” (Verses 19-20). Speaking with confidence and authority, Nehemiah’s response in essence was to ignore their jeers. We’ll talk more about adversaries and enemies in a future message. At this point, Nehemiah shuts them down and the movement is underway. The vision of rebuilding the walls begins.

In Nehemiah Chapter 3, Nehemiah then mobilized communities rebuilding walls with all hands on deck
            Nehemiah had assessed the situation, reviewed his plans, and cast the vision with the community leaders of priests, nobles, officials, and anyone else in the administration as listed in Nehemiah 2:16. He then mobilized communities. They organize and get to work.
            The entire chapter 3 of Nehemiah recounts the rebuilding of the wall, those who participated and rebuilt, and what part of the wall each team worked on for 2 – 2.5 miles. Chapter 3 is one of those chapters that may have no apparent meaning for us today. However, let’s place ourselves in the scene and enter the story as we look around, listen to the sounds, and feel the energy of a community on mission together. They are rebuilding their walls with all hands on deck. As we enter the scene, let’s look closely at some verses from Chapter 3 to gain more insight on the sights, sounds, and energy of communities on mission together.

The high priest and other priests are in action and leading the effort for action on God’s vision
            “1Then Eliashib the high priest and the other priests started to rebuild at the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set up its doors, building the wall as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and the Tower of Hananel. 2 People from the town of Jericho worked next to them, and beyond them was Zaccur son of Imri.” The priests rolled up their sleeves and are leading the effort. They dedicate the gate and wall, as a dedication to God for the entire project, not just the gate and wall they were on which they were working” (Nehemiah 3:1-2).
 
The project was intergenerational, including fathers, sons, and grandsons
            “3 The Fish Gate was built by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid the beams, set up its doors, and installed its bolts and bars. 4 Meremoth son of Uriah and grandson of Hakkoz repaired the next section of wall. Beside him were Meshullam son of Berekiah and grandson of Meshezabel, and then Zadok son of Baana” (Verses 3-4). All hands on deck included fathers, sons, and grandsons rebuilding the wall together. They are on mission together healing the brokenness together.

Rebuilding walls was a multi-community effort with diversity in skill sets and trades
            “7 Next to them were Melatiah from Gibeon, Jadon from Meronoth, people from Gibeon, and people from Mizpah, the headquarters of the governor of the province west of the Euphrates River.” (Verses 7). We see that rebuilding the walls was a multi-community effort. It wasn’t just the people living in Jerusalem. Jericho was mentioned earlier. It included people from Gibeon, Mizpah, and other locations where Jews had settled. The community also would have included foreigners who were not Jewish but had joined the community. They were working together as one body with all hands on deck to rebuild the walls. They had a shared vision, shared purpose, and shared mission to bless God’s name and restore what was broken.
                “8 Next was Uzziel son of Harhaiah, a goldsmith by trade, who also worked on the wall. Beyond him was Hananiah, a manufacturer of perfumes” (Verse 8). Did you notice the diversity in skill sets and trades? The text we just read mentioned a gold smith and a perfumer also rebuilding the wall. If you continue reading Chapter 3, you see there are temple servants, leaders of various districts, Levites and priests, gatekeepers, and merchants. They were all working together to rebuilding the wall. Status didn’t matter. Title didn’t matter. There was unity to repair and rebuild. The details of the 32 verses of Chapter 3 cover every inch of the wall moving counter clockwise.

Females were also building the wall even in these ancient times
            “11Then came Malkijah son of Harim and Hasshub son of Pahath-moab, who repaired another section of the wall and the Tower of Ovens. 12Shallum son of Hallohesh and his daughters repaired the next section. He was the leader of the other half of the district of Jerusalem” (Verses 11-12). Nehemiah mentions girl power.

“All hands on deck” is a maritime idiom for the captain calling all sailors to the top tier of the ship to assist
            In Nehemiah, “all hands on deck” means that there was diversity of age, diversity of skill sets, diversity in gifting, diversity in gender, and diversity in communities. Everyone was needed to rebuild the wall.
            This is the same for action in rebuilding walls today. Every gift matters. Every contribution matters. We cannot fully rebuild the walls God has assigned us to rebuild without all hands on deck. If people did not respond to Nehemiah’s vision from God and do their part, parts of the wall would have remained in ruins. If we don’t discover and do our part, there will be broken walls that remain unattended. Broken walls are people who remain in pain, hurting, suffering, and in need. God doesn’t need us, but it is God’s plan to use us to meet the needs from the brokenness of this world. God is looking for us to respond and do our part.
            God, our captain, is making that clarion call to sons and daughters today. We are the body of Christ. We are God’s hands for the broken walls of this fallen world. The pain, struggles, trials and suffering in this world is an “all hands on deck” reality. We go farther and have greater impact in rebuilding walls when each one finds their place and does their part. God’s name is blessed when we do.
 
You and I need a reminder to contribute to whatever wall God has called you to, or now is stirring in your heart
            “Yes, let’s rebuild the wall? So they began the good work” (Nehemiah 2:18). Without this reminder, the wall may be missing a piece. Each of us should say, “I have a part to play in rebuilding the wall.” Your part, like Nehemiah, may be as a visionary with gifts in administration and leadership. God may be stirring in you a vision and plan to address a need in this world. God may be inviting you to some strategic planning and when ready to cast a vision and mobilize others who share in that vision.

Application for activation
            For example, one visionary is one of our own SBCC extended family. One broken wall now is that the United States is the deadliest place to give birth in the Western World. Nearly half of new moms label their births as traumatic and yet most insurance policies in America refuse to cover the cost of midwife care. Black women are dying at 3-4x the rate of White women during and after childbirth. That disparity
increases to 9x in NYC. There is a solution: Including midwives in the healthcare system could prevent more than 80% of maternal and infant deaths. You can support by giving through the SBCC website for Missions. All contributions will go to the “Birth Fund” and help a family receive the midwifery care they deserve. Money donated and raised is directly sent to support midwife care for a family in a highly impacted community.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS INCLUDING FAMILY GROUPS
Sermon Preamble Summary
-In what ways can action and deeds in blessing others be a blessing to God’s name?
Background context of Nehemiah 1:1 - 2:8
-What ruins around you have led you to feelings of despair and discouragement, instead of God given vision rooted in action? Why have you been able to progress beyond despair and discouragement?
Nehemiah gets ready to rebuild in resting and continuing his planning and preparation
-Why did Nehemiah not tell others the God given vision he received until later in the process?
Nehemiah models for us pre-work planning and preparation
-After receiving a vision that God has placed on your heart, what is the pre-work that must be done before doing the actual work in action and deeds? Why?
Leadership expert John Maxwell shares 12 steps to Effective Strategic Planning for us that Nehemiah also did            
-In Maxwell’s 12 steps for Effective Strategic Planning, why is “communicating the vision” the seventh step, not the first step?
In the God directed mission, Nehemiah continued praying and discerning God’s vision
-Since Nehemiah, like us today, is in partnership with God, why is it important to have God transform us on the inside and worship in both in spirit and truth any time and any place in both our spiritual and secular lives as a lifestyle?
After the pre-work process of preparation, Nehemiah communicated and clarified the God given vision
-When Nehemiah communicated and clarified the God given vision, what were his ways to motivate others to rebuild the ruined walls? As we communicate God’s vision to others, what elements must we include to motivate others to action? Why?
Nehemiah’s God given vision was well received
-What convinced the people that the gracious hand of God was on Nehemiah? In what ways will you be able to show the grace of God in communicating your God given vision and call to action?
Even the naysayers and antagonists couldn’t thwart the movement of God
-Nehemiah faced opposition from some others who falsely claimed that action was planning an overthrow of King Artaxerxes. When have you seen loving nonviolent resistance actions, like the MLK led Civil Rights Movement, falsely characterized as rebellion to overthrow the government?
In Nehemiah Chapter 3, Nehemiah then mobilized communities rebuilding walls with all hands on deck
As you place yourself in the scene of Nehemiah Chapter 3, what do you see, hear, and feel as you are part of the community in action on mission together?
The high priest and other priests are in action and leading the effort for action on God’s vision
-The Sheep Gate was immediately north of the temple area. Through the Sheep Gate sheep were brought for sacrifice. Why was it appropriate that the repairers of the Sheep Gate would be priests under the leadership of the high priest dedicating not only the Sheep Gate, but other surrounding gates?
The project was intergenerational, including fathers, sons, and grandsons
-The Fish Gate was one of Jerusalem’s main entrances. Merchants brought fish from Tyre or the Sea of Galilee through the Fish Gate to the fish market. Why is it so important to have participating action from all generations including sons and grandsons not only in fishing but also in actions of repairing the Fish Gate?
Rebuilding walls was a multi-community effort with diversity in skill sets and trades
-Why is it important that the rebuilding actions were not just by Jews living in Jerusalem, but it included Jews who had settled in other surrounding communities? Today as we engage in actions from God’s vision, why is it important to participate in rebuilding actions in other communities besides the community in which we live?
-The industrial district of the goldsmiths and perfumers was located outside the Inspection Gate of Jerusalem (See Nehemiah 3:31-32).  Why is it important that men of various occupations, including those from outside of Jerusalem, joined in the work of rebuilding the walls?
Females were also building the wall even in these ancient times
-Why is it so important that, even in ancient times of patriarchy, females acted in rebuilding walls? What powers did they then receive from action in blessing God’s name?
“All hands on deck” is a maritime idiom for the captain calling all sailors to the top tier of the ship to assist
How does the idiom “all hands on deck” relate to the reality today of God, our captain, calling sons and daughters today to respond and do their part?
You and I need a reminder to contribute to whatever wall God has called you to, or now is stirring in your heart
-Why is it important for us to remember the call of God to deeds in Nehemiah 2:18?