Teamwork in Rebuilding the Wall - Rev. K.C. Gaila (Pastor-in-charge, SBC)
Tuesday, 07 February 2012 04:10 | Last Updated on Tuesday, 07 February 2012 04:19 | 
Written by Administrator | | Print | | E-mail
Scripture Outline Nehemiah 1:1-11
Teamwork in God’s ministry is very important; the Church grows faster and healthier when there is a good teamwork. We are a team in rebuilding the kingdom of God through SBC.
The rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem symbolizes an act all believers should undertake. God calls each of us to rebuild the walls of our life, our family and the life of others.
The book of Nehemiah shows us a five-step process that drives Nehemiah’s action- a process that is relevant today: (1) concern, (2) confession, (3) commitment, (4) courage and (5) caution.
Give a careful thought to your ways. It is time to arise and rebuild your Jerusalem. If you have no time, have no concern for your own Jerusalem, who will care for it? Look at the attacks of the enemies on God’s people- not so much from external forces, but look at the forces of darkness that are penetrating into the heart of our Jerusalem. Friends, do you have any concern for the broken walls in your life, in our families, in your society? We are responsible to rebuild the broken walls.
Rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem was God’s work, but Nehemiah was instrumental in this project. God stirred up Nehemiah and enabled him to rebuild the broken walls.
The story of Nehemiah is a reminder to us that God’s works are accomplished when God’s people start doing something. This should encourage us to do more, to give more and even to sacrifice more. It should also motivate us to get busy with God’s business.”Therefore, my dear brothers and sister, stand firm, Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Cor.15:58). God wants to work through you and me.
Secondly, the work of God happens most effectively when everyone participates. Judeans of both genders, from various occupations, diverse locations, and social classes—all joined in the great restoration project. The wall was complete in record time (6:15) because everybody participated. We need participation of every member if we are to accomplish great things for God. You can certainly do something- through prayer, giving whatever you can, and encouraging others to participate. Let us join our hands to complete the good work.
I would like to encourage each member of our church to do the following:
1. Pray for God’s guidance. If you pray, “Lord, I’m willing; show me where to serve,” He will respond, he will guide you.
2. Look out for opportunity to involve. Often God calls us into ministries right where we are, when we are already too busy. Your section of the wall may be right in front of you.
3. Consult with Christian friends, talk and discuss about the ministries opportunities. Get involved in the activities of the church.
4. Follow your heart, have a passion, have a compassion for the Lord’s work.
5. Utilize your God given talent and gifts in the various ministries of the church.
It requires Total Participation. It is teamwork;
God intends to do His work through His people. God is calling you and me to rebuild the walls of our life, our family and life of others. Yes, the Church of Christ needs your wholehearted participation. You are needed and important in His work.
Certainly, you have a role to play. “Come, let us rebuild the wall our Jerusalem”, let us be involved in the work of the kingdom of God. May God bless us as we begin the good works of rebuilding in our own generation ! God bless you !!
Christian Families as Christian Home Schools (Deuteronomy 6:1-12)Sunday, 27 November 2011 16:38 | Last Updated on Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00 | Written by Administrator | | Print | | E-mail
The family is the first and oldest institution established by God himself when he put Adam and Eve together as husband and wife and gave them children. It is the most important institution as well. If families break down, society and church will also break down. Many of today’s society ills are a result of broken families. When families are godly, society and church will become godly and it will also produce godly leaders. Deuteronomy 6:1-12 tells us that there is no short cut to becoming good and godly families. It requires a prayerful lifelong determination and effort through making our families Christian home schools.
What is the ultimate aim of Christian home school? The aim of Christian home school is to make our children understand Christian worldview (Christian view on the world, money, power, sex, culture, race, ethnicity, fashion, class strata, etc, and above all, Christian view of life) so that it may go well with them. What do we teach? We are to teach all the commandments of the Lord (the entire Bible) (v2). Parents are responsible to teach the Word of God to our children and grandchildren through life examples. In following Christian ethical standards, our children will not necessary do what we said, but they will do what we do and they will live like we live.
When and where do we teach? We are to teach Bible based life principles and values to our children and grandchildren when we sit at home (any time); when we walk along the road (when we walk, when we drive and when we are in a journey); when we lie down (when we go to bed – bed time stories); and when we get up (morning devotions, dinning table prayers, etc). It’s a 24/7 teaching sessions. It’s a pity that, today, many families put spiritual teaching responsibilities on the church and education responsibility on school. Home should be primary place where these teachings should take place. Church and School should only supplement what we lack or miss at home.
Will making our homes Christian home schools guarantee automatic godliness in our children and grand children. This question is irrelevant for Christians. What we need to do is to obey God’s commandment and make every effort to lead our children towards godliness through life examples and leave the result to God. Generally speaking, yes, they will become godly men and women, for God will not abandon those who love him and obey his commandments. In order to achieve the goal of making our children and grandchildren godly men and women, we need to follow this order of priority: God first; Family second; Ministry/work third. The most precious legacy and inheritance we leave for our children and grandchildren is not big houses, hectares of land, fat bank accounts, good businesses, good educations, and/or good jobs; the most precious and invaluable inheritance we must leave for our children and grandchildren is the knowledge and fear of God. If we do that, it will just go well with them.
May the Lord help us all to make our homes Christian home schools so that it may go well with us, our children and grandchildren! Dr. Laiu Fachhai |
