Theme:           A Call To Action

Text:               Nehemiah 2:18

By:                  Kaine Marvis

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Beloved, our admonition today, is drawn from the powerful message from Nehemiah 2:18, where the people declared, Let us rise up and build.”

This verse serves as a timeless call to action, inspiring us to take responsibility and actively contribute to the betterment of our lives, the Church and our society. The phrase is associated with Nehemiah’s mission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, but its application extends beyond physical construction to encompass spiritual, personal, and communal growth. Believers have been called to rise up and build;

1. Personal Faith – Proverbs 34:3-4.

The foundation of our journey begins with building a strong personal relationship with God. In these verses, we find a profound truth that resonance with the essence of building a strong personal relationship God through;

• Wisdom through Prayer. Prayer is the cornerstone of our relationship with God. Through earnest and sincere prayers, we gain wisdom, seeking Hos guidance and aligning our hearts with his will. Take note, prayer is not a prescription for special occasions- Charles O.I pray all the time. 1 thes 5:18.

• Also, by understanding through study of the word. Studying the scriptures allows us to understand God’s character, His promises, and His plan for our lives. The Bible serves as our blueprint for living a life rooted in faith and obedience -study to show yourself approved (2 Timothy 2:15) and by cultivating a spirit of worship. Worship is not confined to a place or time, it is a lifestyle. By cultivating a spirit of worship, we acknowledge God’s sovereignty Express gratitude and open our hearts to his transformative presence we invest in this spiritual discipline our lives become a dwelling place for God’s presence our hearts like rooms filled with the rare and beautiful treasures of Gods wisdom understanding and knowledge through prayers study of the word and worship we build a foundation that we stand the storm of life establishing a lasting and meaning relationship with our heavenly father. the likes of David Daniel and Esther are individuals Who Rose in their faith by building a personal relationship with God.

2. Constructing Strong Families.

Families are the building blocks of society and our homes are in fulfilling this divine purpose Joshua 24:15 calls us to choose to serve the Lord as families. This verse underscores the pivotal role of families in shaping the spiritual landscape by

– establishing a foundation of love. Love is the cornerstone of a Christian home. I Corinthians 16:4 let all that you do be done in love. We express love through actions, words, and a genuine concern for one another.

 -by communication. Proverbs 18:21 remind us that the tongue has the power of life and death. Believers should encourage open and honest communication within families, fostering understanding and unity.

Also by discussing the significance of listening and resolving conflict  with love and humility.

 -by spiritual foundation. Matthew 7:24-25 likens building a house on a rock to those who hear and acts on Gods words.  As a family, believers must establish a spiritual foundation in their homes by praying together, studying the Bible together and by regular fellowship in other for such family to walk in faith and obedience like Abraham and Sarah.  Parents as a steward of their household play a vital role in guiding children in the ways of the Lord contributing to a solid family structure.

Ephesians 6:4 “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Parents should raise their children in fairness (If a man is fair with his kids, he will not provoke them to anger). The meaning here is “to anger, to make angry, to bring one along to deep-seated anger. This kind of anger in children springs from continual and habitual unfair treatment.

with tenderness-“Listen to them and respect their feelings, If you have been wrong or too harsh with them, be man enough to clearly confess and admit your wrongdoing and ask their forgiveness.

With firmness – “training by means of the spoken word, whether that word be teaching, warning, or encouragement. It refers primarily to what is said to the child.” The purpose of this discipline and admonition is to build the child.

and in Christ-refers to the quality of training in the home. When a parent disciplines and instructs his children in the admonition of the Lord, he is under the quality control of the Holy Spirit. His primary purpose is to train the child, not abuse the child.

3. Edifying the Church – Eph 4:16

The intricate design of the local church and the significance of active participation and service cannot be overstated. These elements are pivotal in building up the Body of Christ and fostering a vibrant thriving community of believers. 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 vividly illustrates the analogy of the church as the body of Christ. Each member plays a unique and essential role, emphasizing the interference of believers. Active participation and service are the means through which every part functions effectively. Also, I Peter 4:10-11 encourages believers to use their gifts to serve others, acknowledging that these gifts come from God. Active participation becomes a tangible expression of gratitude for the abilities and opportunities bestowed upon us. By mutual edification – Eph4:11-16 emphasizes the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, with the ultimate goal of building up the body in love. Active participation. And service contributes to mutual edification, creating a spiritually mature and unified church.

By fulfilling the Great Commission Matthew 28:19-20 is a call to believers to go and make disciples. Active participation involves not only sharing the gospel but also discipleship, nurturing and guiding fellow believers in their faith journey.

Also, utilizing the spiritual gifts – Romans 12:4-8 and I Corinthians 12:4-11 enumerates various spiritual gifts bestowed upon believers. Active participation involves identifying and utilizing this gift for the common good, contributing to the diverse tapestry of the Church.

Creating a welcoming environment- Hebrews 10:24-25 emphasizes the importance of encouraging one another and meeting together regularly. Active participation fosters a sense of community, creating an environment where believers can uplift and support each other. In essence, active participation and service within the local church is not just duties but opportunities to be part of something greater- the body of Christ. Take note, in Acts 2 and Paul’s letters to the Corinthians, you see how the brethren build up the church through active participation and service with their gifts.

4. IMPACTING THE COMMUNITY.

Matthew 5:16, encourages believers to have a positive influence in the society, addressing issues of justice, compassion and mercy.

Believers can do more than Williams Wilberforce, who actively worked for social change in our various community.

5. Rebuilding Broken relationship. The call to rise and build extends to healing broken relationships as exemplified in Matt 18:15. We are called to pursue reconciliation and forgiveness and unity. Forgiveness is a divine mandate. Eph 4:32 instructs believers to “be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” forgiveness mirrors God’s mercy toward us and forms the foundation for healing fractured relationships. Also, Reconciliation is a call to restoration. 2 Corinthians 5:18 highlights our role as ambassador of reconciliation, entrusted with the ministry of bringing people back together.

Reconciliation is not merely the absence of conflict but the active pursuit of restored connections. Also, as we rebuild broken relationship, Hebrew 12:15 warns against the destructive nature of bitterness, which can poison relationship. Forgiveness becomes the antidote, preventing bitterness from taking root and fostering an environment of love and grace. See Col 3:13, Matt 5:23-24, Proverbs 16:7.  Forgiveness and reconciliation are not signs of weakness but of strength and maturity. They pave the way for unity, healing, and the restoration of harmony within our relationships.  As we extend forgiveness, we reflect the love and grace God has shown us, contributing to beautiful symphony of unity in the body of Christ and beyond. 

CONCLUSION

Nehemiah 2:18 serves as a resounding call for Christians to rise up and build in various aspects of our lives, the church, and Society. As we take action, let us rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the examples of Faithful men and women in the Bible.

May we be builders not just of physical structures but of faith, families, Fellowship, and a flourishing society, all to the glory of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

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