The Importance of Teamwork

The Importance of Teamwork

2004027

Topic # 0651

Introduction:

A. During the time of Nehemiah there was despair over what had happened to Israel.

B. Background on Nehemiah’s situation.

1. 586 BC – Jerusalem destroyed – most of the Jews taken into captivity.

a) Despite Judah’s few good kings & timely reforms the people never truly changed.

b) Their evil continued & God finally used the Babylonian empire under Nebuchadnezzar to conquer Judah, destroy Jerusalem, take people captive to Babylon.

2. 538 BC – Cyrus of Persia declared that a remnant of Jews would return to Jerusalem to rebuild it & the temple.

a) Two years later (536) construction began & was completed in 516 – thus ending the 70 years of captivity.

3. But – for the next 70 years the walls of Jerusalem remained in shambles.

a) Walls of the city represented power, protection, and beauty to the city.

b) They were needed to protect the temple from attack so continuous worship could go on.

4. 445 BC – Nehemiah receives permission from Artaxerxes to go to Jerusalem & rebuild the walls.

a) 6:15 – Due to Nehemiah’s influence the project was completed in 52 days!

C. Let us consider what Nehemiah accomplished. No doubt God was with him.

1. God used him to accomplish great things!

2. God wants to use us to accomplish great things in His kingdom today – if we let Him!

3. To be successful, we must get involved!

a) Must do our best to make time to take part in the activities of the local congregation.

D. What are some key elements in the power of involvement? Power of Teamwork?

I. Neh. 1:3-4 – Teamwork requires emotional involvement.

A. Note…he pours his heart out to God & begins looking for ways to improve the situation.

1. This starts w/prayer – 1:5-11 emphasize 1:5-7

2. He realized the consequences of sin

a) All of this was a result of decades of rebellion against God.

3. 1:8-11 – he expresses his hope for something better & requests God be with him as he approached the king. (1:11)

B. His desire was to go & rebuild & unite the people of God.

1. As you read his prayer – it becomes quite evident that he emotionally attached to the situation.

2. No one else could help – so he pours out His heart to God.

3. We see this quality in other great bible leaders as well. Ezra – 9:5-8; 10:1

C. Now, what about us?

1. Are we as passionate about the task before us?

2. Don’t have to look far to see ugliness of sin.

a) Homes destroyed by divorce; drugs; alcohol; pornography; worldliness; & misplaced priorities.

b) Look at divided churches & brethren who have left the faith.

c) Not being pessimistic – but realistic! Need to be aware of our surroundings.

3. We need to get on our knees & pray & then act! Heb. 10:24-25, esp. 10:25b.

4. How badly do we want to impact the lives of those around us w/the power of the gospel?

5. Would it compare to Paul’s desire in Rom. 10:1?

II. Teamwork requires seeing the task ahead. 2:2-4

A. Nehemiah = a cup bearer.

1. He ensured the safety & quality of the king’s food & drink.

2. He is 1000 miles away & yet he could see what needed to be done.

3. This was someone who was concerned; prayerful; and prepared as he looked for the right opportunity to tell the king about God’s people.

B. We too need to see the task before us!

1. Too many are comfortable & see no needs.

2. Some have lost their sense of urgency!

a) But yet, spreading the gospel – working w/in the church is URGENT!

b) John 9:4

c) There will be a time when our work will be over!

C. If we fail to work while we can – we WILL answer for it!

1. How many souls could be lost because of one individual failing to fulfill his responsibility?

2. How many of us are comfortable & lazy spiritually speaking?

a) Some require special invite just to get to services.

b) Some have to be coaxed or have “guilt trip” laid on them to get a job done at the building or other work done w/in congregation.

c) Brethren…this ought not to be!

D. It is because of this that many congregations are in decline.

1. We need to work; keep on keeping on – to ensure our congregation remains vibrant & alive!

2. Can we see the task ahead?

III. Teamwork involves setting a goal with a date of completion. 2:5-6

A. He saw the need & the possibilities for growth.

1. 2:5-6 – set a time table.

2. Bible does not record Nehemiah’s answer here.

3. But we know he stayed in Jerusalem 12 years. 5:14

B. Christians & individuals need goals & they need to be willing to set a time schedule to act on these goals.

1. Did you know that 90% of churches & individual Christians have no goals & no plans for the future?

C. Individually:

1. What’s going on w/in our families? Is God seen?

2. Parents…are you making a commitment to bring kids up per Eph. 6:4?

3. Think of Timothy’s family influence – 2 Tim. 1:5; 3:15

4. How did this take place? 2 Tim. 2:15

5. Remember…this responsibility is YOUR responsibility as parents. Not the church’s; grandparents – it is YOURS!

D. As a congregation:

1. Participate in various bible study programs going on around here.

2. Emphasize scriptural authority for everything we do.

a) People in religious world crave for this – esp. in an era where the are seemingly no religious standards.

3. Emphasize the spiritual over the social. Where is our focus?

4. Titus 2:14 – encourage new converts to be zealous & active. Zealous for good works.

5. Get involved w/young people in this congregation.

6. Get behind the elders in the church. Embrace their vision for this congregation.

7. Show hospitality.

8. Worship in spirit & truth – John 4:23-24

IV. To accomplish this task: 2:11-18

A. Nehemiah left home & security to go to work.

1. He evaluated the job & set in order the task.

B. We need to work & be involved.

1. Look for opportunities to serve.

2. Need players – not cheerleaders.

3. Ask: Do I treat my spiritual job as important as my physical job? What if I treated my physical job in the way I presently treat my spiritual job?

a) In danger of being fired?

b) Laid off?

c) Written up?

4. Gal. 6:9-10

Conclusion:

A. Nehemiah 2:20a. They follow through & begin building.

1. Continued building despite opposition – 4:1-5

2. 4:6 – had a mind to work.

3. 6:15 – wall finished in 52 days!

4. 6:16 – working for whose glory?

B. Here’s a BIG job. People said it could be done. Problems too great!

1. But here we see God’s people – joined together for a special task!

2. Solving HUGE problems & accomplishing GREAT goals!

C. Let this inspire us as we work together at Brownsburg!

1. Let us remember we’re working for God & He’s working through us!

2. With His help – we can accomplish more than we even thought possible!

3. No doubt – there is powering being involved!

D. Are you ready for work?

E. I N V I T A T I O N



The Importance of Teamwork 2004027 Topic # 0651 Introduction: A. During the time of Nehemiah there was despair over what had happened to Israel. B. Background on Nehemiah’s situation. 1. 586 BC – Jerusalem destroyed – most of the Jews taken into captivity. a) Despite Judah’s few good kings & timely reforms the people never truly changed. b) Their evil continued & God finally used the Babylonian empire under Nebuchadnezzar to conquer Judah, destroy Jerusalem, take people captive to Babylon. 2. 538 BC – Cyrus of Persia declared that a remnant of Jews would return to Jerusalem to rebuild it & the temple. a) Two years later (536) construction began & was completed in 516 – thus ending the 70 years of captivity. 3. But – for the next 70 years the walls of Jerusalem remained in shambles. a) Walls of the city represented power, protection, and beauty to the city. b) They were needed to protect the temple from attack so continuous worship could go on. 4. 445 BC – Nehemiah receives permission from Artaxerxes to go to Jerusalem & rebuild the walls. a) 6:15 – Due to Nehemiah’s influence the project was completed in 52 days! C. Let us consider what Nehemiah accomplished. No doubt God was with him. 1. God used him to accomplish great things! 2. God wants to use us to accomplish great things in His kingdom today – if we let Him! 3. To be successful, we must get involved! a) Must do our best to make time to take part in the activities of the local congregation. D. What are some key elements in the power of involvement? Power of Teamwork? I. Neh. 1:3-4 – Teamwork requires emotional involvement. A. Note…he pours his heart out to God & begins looking for ways to improve the situation. 1. This starts w/prayer – 1:5-11 emphasize 1:5-7 2. He realized the consequences of sin a) All of this was a result of decades of rebellion against God. 3. 1:8-11 – he expresses his hope for something better & requests God be with him as he approached the king. (1:11) B. His desire was to go & rebuild & unite the people of God. 1. As you read his prayer – it becomes quite evident that he emotionally attached to the situation. 2. No one else could help – so he pours out His heart to God. 3. We see this quality in other great bible leaders as well. Ezra – 9:5-8; 10:1 C. Now, what about us? 1. Are we as passionate about the task before us? 2. Don’t have to look far to see ugliness of sin. a) Homes destroyed by divorce; drugs; alcohol; pornography; worldliness; & misplaced priorities. b) Look at divided churches & brethren who have left the faith. c) Not being pessimistic – but realistic! Need to be aware of our surroundings. 3. We need to get on our knees & pray & then act! Heb. 10:24-25, esp. 10:25b. 4. How badly do we want to impact the lives of those around us w/the power of the gospel? 5. Would it compare to Paul’s desire in Rom. 10:1? II. Teamwork requires seeing the task ahead. 2:2-4 A. Nehemiah = a cup bearer. 1. He ensured the safety & quality of the king’s food & drink. 2. He is 1000 miles away & yet he could see what needed to be done. 3. This was someone who was concerned; prayerful; and prepared as he looked for the right opportunity to tell the king about God’s people. B. We too need to see the task before us! 1. Too many are comfortable & see no needs. 2. Some have lost their sense of urgency! a) But yet, spreading the gospel – working w/in the church is URGENT! b) John 9:4 c) There will be a time when our work will be over! C. If we fail to work while we can – we WILL answer for it! 1. How many souls could be lost because of one individual failing to fulfill his responsibility? 2. How many of us are comfortable & lazy spiritually speaking? a) Some require special invite just to get to services. b) Some have to be coaxed or have “guilt trip” laid on them to get a job done at the building or other work done w/in congregation. c) Brethren…this ought not to be! D. It is because of this that many congregations are in decline. 1. We need to work; keep on keeping on – to ensure our congregation remains vibrant & alive! 2. Can we see the task ahead? III. Teamwork involves setting a goal with a date of completion. 2:5-6 A. He saw the need & the possibilities for growth. 1. 2:5-6 – set a time table. 2. Bible does not record Nehemiah’s answer here. 3. But we know he stayed in Jerusalem 12 years. 5:14 B. Christians & individuals need goals & they need to be willing to set a time schedule to act on these goals. 1. Did you know that 90% of churches & individual Christians have no goals & no plans for the future? C. Individually: 1. What’s going on w/in our families? Is God seen? 2. Parents…are you making a commitment to bring kids up per Eph. 6:4? 3. Think of Timothy’s family influence – 2 Tim. 1:5; 3:15 4. How did this take place? 2 Tim. 2:15 5. Remember…this responsibility is YOUR responsibility as parents. Not the church’s; grandparents – it is YOURS! D. As a congregation: 1. Participate in various bible study programs going on around here. 2. Emphasize scriptural authority for everything we do. a) People in religious world crave for this – esp. in an era where the are seemingly no religious standards. 3. Emphasize the spiritual over the social. Where is our focus? 4. Titus 2:14 – encourage new converts to be zealous & active. Zealous for good works. 5. Get involved w/young people in this congregation. 6. Get behind the elders in the church. Embrace their vision for this congregation. 7. Show hospitality. 8. Worship in spirit & truth – John 4:23-24 IV. To accomplish this task: 2:11-18 A. Nehemiah left home & security to go to work. 1. He evaluated the job & set in order the task. B. We need to work & be involved. 1. Look for opportunities to serve. 2. Need players – not cheerleaders. 3. Ask: Do I treat my spiritual job as important as my physical job? What if I treated my physical job in the way I presently treat my spiritual job? a) In danger of being fired? b) Laid off? c) Written up? 4. Gal. 6:9-10 Conclusion: A. Nehemiah 2:20a. They follow through & begin building. 1. Continued building despite opposition – 4:1-5 2. 4:6 – had a mind to work. 3. 6:15 – wall finished in 52 days! 4. 6:16 – working for whose glory? B. Here’s a BIG job. People said it could be done. Problems too great! 1. But here we see God’s people – joined together for a special task! 2. Solving HUGE problems & accomplishing GREAT goals! C. Let this inspire us as we work together at Brownsburg! 1. Let us remember we’re working for God & He’s working through us! 2. With His help – we can accomplish more than we even thought possible! 3. No doubt – there is powering being involved! D. Are you ready for work? E. I N V I T A T I O N