The Wall – “Purpose-Proof Your Future”

Nehemiah is the story of a man who leaves comfort and wealth to pursue his calling to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. It’s a great story of leadership, but it’s also a good example of how to make decisions today to prepared for tomorrow – to create the future we want for our lives. The story highlights three questions you can use to “purpose-proof your future."

1.  Why Are My People?(Nehemiah 3:1-2, 8, 14, 17)

• Nehemiah chapter 3 is often skipped over, but it tells a fascinating story. By name, it tells of the men whom Nehemiah appointed to rebuild the various sections and gates of the Jerusalem wall. Some were qualified, others were not, but all were willing to take part in the work God was doing.
• Perhaps the most important detail in chapter 3 are three words that are repeated over and over: “Next to him.” The volunteers worked side by side, all around the city, to rebuild the wall. The story was theirs, because of their willingness to serve and to cooperate with others.
• The first question to ask as we seek to build our future is “Who are my people?” Who will be my friends, who will I serve with, and who will I follow as my leaders and examples? We all long for community; our choice of who we connect with now will determine our future community.

• As the story of the wall’s rebuilding continues, the author mentions in verse 5 that “people from Tekoa” – a town 10 miles from Jerusalem – came to help with the work. Apparently, they came without the town’s leaders, who stayed home; they sacrificed their time to be there on their own.
•  As we work to prepare the story of our future, it’s clear that sacrifice must be part of that; in order to have the best things in our future, we have to give up some “good” things now. So the question becomes, “What am I willing to give up for it?” (my future).
• What you sacrifice for what you really want is a critical part of your story, but it takes a key recognition: that you can’t have it all. You will likely have to deny yourself and your desires – and even humble yourself – to build the future you want and the future God is calling you to.

3.  What Really Matters? (Nehemiah 6:15-16)

• The wall’s rebuilding was completed in just 52 days – an amazing feat made possible by the cooperation, willingness and sacrifice of hundreds of workers – and “the help of our God.” Because of their success, Nehemiah’s enemies “were frustrated and humiliated.” The workers had success because their willingness to serve was aligned with God’s plan for their lives and for the city.
•  Everyone who wants a meaningful future must ask the question, “What really matters?” For the follower of Jesus, the answer may be as simple as “I want to be a part of something that God is doing in the world – something that is making an eternal difference in people’s lives.” That desire may well lead you to a position of serving in ministry in the church – finding your place in “The Chair of Serving.”

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE

These passages may provide additional insights related to the subject of this week’s message. All verses are NLT unless otherwise noted.

Proverbs 19:21^NIV; Jeremiah 29:11; Mark 10:42-45; Galatians 5:13-14; Ephesians 2:10; 1 Peter 4:10

Video of the Week: The Last Will Be First by Bible Project

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QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

1. What aspect of the story of the rebuilding of the Jerusalam wall is most interesting or appealing to you?  Explain your answer.

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2. The workers on the wall sacrificed their time, talents and personal safety to complete the work. With what you know of the story, what would you say was their primary motivation for doing that?

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3. The first question asks, “Who are my people?”  Why does our choice of who we spend our time with (and who we choose to follow the leadership of) now have such a significant effect on our future?

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4. Read Nehemiah 3:5 again. The people of Tekoa came to Jerusalem to help rebuild the wall, likely at significant personal sacrifice. Would you say that sacrificing some things you want now is always required to build a future life of fulfillment and purpose?  Why or why not?

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5. As we consider the third question, “What really matters?”, we eventually come to a place of asking “Why am I here?”  In general terms, how would you answer that question today?

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6. This week, Pastor Ben asked us to prayerfully consider moving to the “third chair” to begin serving on a ministry team at Cape Cod Church.  If a skeptical friend asked you, “why on earth would you consider volunteering at a church??” how would you answer them?

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