Cornerstone PLUS

Basically, what I wanna do this evening is to encourage you to keep on doing what you're doing. To keep on working together as a church, working hard at working together in god's great building project. We're going into yes, the slightly random passage in the Bible. So if you've got a Bible in front of you, then near my threes where you want to be. I'm I'm in the NIV.

I sort of forgot to check that NIV 19 84, but it's gonna be pretty close to the 2011. But I wanna give a bit of background, a bit of context as we come to this reading because it's 1 of those readings where if you just go straight for it, you'll be thinking what is going on. Neemeier is actually, although sort of hot is halfway through the old testament in terms of pages, actually it's right at the end of the Old Testament right near the end. So you've had creation and fall and promise and law and covenant. And rebellion of god's people and exile.

And now they've come back from exile first under Ezra and now under Myanmar. And Myanmar is god's man to restore Jerusalem specifically the city. And the city is important because it stands for god's great building project. It's not important in its own right But it but it pictures something. It foreshadows what god is doing.

And so their motivation is god's promises to to obey god's promises and god's honor in the world, and they return and in Neemaire, they swiftly rebuild, which is what we're looking at in chapter 3, then there's a bit of a revival. You might call it as the law is red. Ezra comes back and they read the law. And, it changes them, and they start obeying it more. But, actually, you get to the end of Neemaire and it's all a bit of a low and a bit of a downer.

And it really just says that we need a leader who's gonna change our hearts. But chapter 3 falls at that point where they do the actual work of the building. And so we're gonna read chapter 3 I'm also gonna read a few verses from Ephesians chapter 2, which you may want to turn to as well. I'm gonna put this on. Oh, there we go.

If you know the game carcassonne, it's not that dissimilar, is it? If this helps, it's a picture of Jerusalem, taken by a helicopter photograph just after EMIer and others have rebuilt it. Now, obviously, it's a model but it's it's quite detailed. And even the rubble down the bottom is the rubble that NEMI couldn't get around when he was, looking at the city, but it's it describes Jerusalem, and we'll talk about those numbers in a moment because they, as I read, the numbers on here tie in with the verses, it just says something's going on in that verse that I'm gonna mention in a moment. There are some really awkward names, but as we read passages like this.

Actually, it's worth remembering, isn't it? They are real people. They were real people. I like to think of them as like distant family members. If you ever get an old photograph album and you see people in there, you think I've got no idea who you are.

Some Victorian mountain whiskers or something. But actually, we have a connection. These are people who are connected and part of our family of god. And so I think it's right to honor them and read in a way that honors them even even if I do stumble over some of their names. So let me take you on a walk around the walls.

We'll sort of hear the chink of metal on stone can imagine the sounds of a building site, the dust, grab your hard hat, and and let's see what we see. And as we read through chapter 3, you might wanna look out for some things that are common refrains that are repeated or other things that are are unusual and that stand out to you. So near my chapter 3. Eliashiib, the high priest, and his fellow priests, went to work and rebuilt the sheep gate. They dedicated it and set its doors in place, building as far as the tower of the hundred, which they dedicated, and as far as the tower of Hananell.

The men of Jerichoo built the adjoining section and Zaku's son of Emery built next to them. The Fishgate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassanar. They laid its beams and put its doors and bolt and bars in place, Miromov, son of Eurya, the son of Hackos, repaired the next section. Next to him, Mashulim, son of Barakir, the son of Meshezabal made repairs. And next to him, Zadoc, son of Bana, also made repairs.

The next section was repaired by the men of Takoa, But then nobles would not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors. The Jesshanagate was repaired by Joyoda, son of Pacia, and Mashilim, son of Bisadaya. They laid its beams and put its doors and bolts and bars in place. Next to them, repairs were made by men from Gibbillon and Mispur. Melatia of Gibyan and Jaden of Marinoff, places under the authority of the governor of Transeufrates.

Oziel son of Hachaya, 1 of the goldsmiths repaired the next section, and Hannah Naya, 1 of the perfume makers made repairs next to that. They restored Jerusalem as far as the broad wall. Refire son of her ruler of the of a half district of Jerusalem repaired the next section. Joining this Jidiah son of Haromuff, made repairs opposite his house and Hatish son of Hasbana made repairs next to him. Malkager, son of Harim, and Hashub, son of Paha Moab, repaired another section, and the tower of the ovens.

Shalum, son of Hollisher. Hallohesh ruler of a half district of Jerusalem repaired the next section with the help of his daughters. Go girls. The valley gate was repaired by Hanun and the residents of Sonoa. They rebuilt it and put its doors and bolts and bars in place, they also repaired 500 yards of the wall as far as the dungate.

The dungate was repaired by Malcolm, son of recap, ruler of the district of Beth Hakarim. He rebuilt it and put its doors and bolts and bars in place. The fountain gate was repaired by Shannon's son of Cole Jose, ruler of the district of MisPA, He rebuilt it roofing it over and putting its doors and bolts and bars in place. He also repaired the wall of the pool of siloam by the king's garden as far as the steps going down from the city of David, beyond him, Neomaya, son of Azbook, this is a different Neomaya, Ruler of a half district of Beth Sir made repairs up to a point opposite the tombs of David as far as the artificial pool and the house of the heroes. That sounds like a fun place to be.

Next to him, the repairs were made by the levites under Rams son of Bonnie, beside him, Hashabiyya, ruler of half the districts of Kila, carried out repairs for his district, Next to him, the repairs were made by their countrymen under Binui's son of Henadad, ruler of the other half districts of Kila, Next to him, Eza's son of Jeshua ruler of mispa repaired another section from a point facing the ascent to the armory as far as the angle. Next to him, Barrick's son of Zobai, zealousy repaired another section. From the angle to the entrance of the house of Elijah, the high priest. Next to him, Mirimov, son of Eurya, the son, of Hackos repaired another section from the entrance of a lie ship's house to the end of it. The repairs next to him were made by the priests from the surrounding region.

Beyond them, Benjamin and Hassup made repairs in front of their house and next to them Azariah's son of Maisya, the son of Anania made repairs beside his house. Next to him, Binui's son of Henadad repaired another section from Azariah's house to the angle and the corner, and Palau, son of Usai, worked opposite the angle and the tower projecting from the upper palace near the court of the guard. Next to him, Padaya, son of Paris, and the temple servants living on the hill of Ophel made repairs up to a point opposite the water gate towards the East and the projecting tower. Next to them, the men of Takoa repaired another section from the great projecting tower to the wall of Opel. Above the horse gate, the priest made repairs each in front of his own house next to them, Zadoc's son of Imma made repairs opposite his house.

Next to him, Shamaya, son of Shikanaya, the guard at the East gate, made repairs next to him, Hananaya, son of Shalamaya, and Hanun, the sixth son, of Zalaf repaired another section. Next to them, Mashulum, son of Barakiyah made repairs opposite his living quarters. Next to him, Malcolm, 1 of the goldsmiths made repairs as far as the house of the temple servants and the merchants. Opposite the inspection gate and as far as the room above the corner. And between the room above the corner and the sheep gate, the goldsmiths and merchants made repairs.

To become full circle, started at the top at number 1 at the sheep gate, we get right back to it. Flicking ahead to Ephesians chapter 2 chapter 2 verse 19, Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with god's people and members of god's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and offits with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him, the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the lord. And in him, you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which god lives by his spirit. And then chapter 4, verse 15, instead speaking the truth in love, we will, in all things, grow up into him who is the head that is Christ, from him, the whole body joined and held together by every supporting ligament grows and builds itself up in love just as each part does its work.

Okay. So back in nearby, back in nearby 3. Guess the main impressions are Wow, everyone is stuck in. Everyone's telling a go. There's 1 exception, wasn't there, which we'll notice in a minute.

It's a real all joining moment. Maybe I'm not alone here, but when my kids were younger, that all joining book by Quentin Blake was a bit of a favorite in our house, and it starts off Sandra plays her trumpet. It makes a lovely din. And Mervin on his drum kit can be heard sorry. It makes a lovely sound, and Mervin on his drum kit can be heard for miles around.

Stephanie is brilliant when she plays the violin, but the very best of all is when we all join in. That's precisely what he's going on here, isn't it? And not the music, of course, but the fact that everyone is joining in. I think this is a wonderful old testament illustration of god's people acting in faith. Acting as god's people and as Paul puts it in ephesians 4, each part working properly.

The whole body operating together. Some highlights from the reading, so maybe those those numbers up there. We started off at number 1 verse 1 where the priests get stuck in first of all, probably a bit of a lesson there, isn't there. The religious leaders, they're not to tell other people what to do. They're to lead off.

By example, And it goes around anti clockwise from the sheep gate from number 1 towards number 5. By the time you get to number 5, you're at the fish gate. And this is the 1 downer of the whole in the whole process because we see second half of verse 5 that The men of Takoa, well, they're building, but it says their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors. So these these nobles seem to think they're just above it all. I'm not doing that.

Get around to verse 8. I love verse 8. It's not on here, but it should be. It's, do you notice who's doing the building work in verse 8? The Goldsmiths, he's repairing a section, and then get it 1 of the perfume makers.

Isn't that brilliant? Can you imagine a perfume maker, you know, hacking off a block ready to go in a wall? Come on, mate. Can you get on with that? No.

Not that shape. But but isn't it brilliant? This perfume maker and and family, they are there. They're getting stuck in. I'm sure their sections smelt a lot better than the dungate that comes up.

But it's a little bit like 1 of those BBC, BBC 2, programs on, you know, learning a Victorian craft or something. You know, here is Steve. Usually a lawyer by trade, and he's trying his hand at milk curdling or something bizarre. Here we've got perfumers. Trying their hand at building a wall.

And then further around verse 12, you got shallum. We noticed The the comment there is with the help of his daughters implying that was unusual. Grades knit, just a real family affair here. Don't know how many daughters, 5, 10, 12, but they were building as well. And then round to 13 13, I think is particularly impressive because it says halfway through, they also repaired missus Hannon and the residents of Zanoa, they repaired 500 yards of the wall.

As far as the dungay. I'm sure that's being recorded because, you know, when they were toting it up, wow. You've you've done what? So 5 they didn't say 500 yards. It was cubits, obviously, a thousand cubits.

You've done that much. It's right to honor them, isn't it? When we read it tonight, we're honoring God's people who've served it that way. In the past, they created a stretch of awe that would not have existed if they had not served. And then going from 13, around around the bottom, around the city of David and up to verse 20, and you get this guy, Barrick, in verse 20, and he's described as zealously repairing another section.

Have you seen Barrick? That guy just doesn't stop for a tea break. He hardly even seems to get any sleep. Barrack is just on the job the whole time. That guy is a machine.

First 21, Next to him, next to Barack Miramoth, son of Eurya. The son of Hackos repaired another section. This Miramoth, he's been mentioned earlier, he's also in verse 4. You may have noticed. So he's done his bit, and he's saying, give me some more.

I'm ready for some more. He's doing another section. Round the wall, verse 27, the men of Takoa, do you remember the nobles of Takoa, they wouldn't put their shoulders to the work. But the men of Takoa, well, they've done there early a bit. And the the fact that nobles aren't serving, well, that hasn't stopped them from doing that and moving on to another section again.

Round to verse 30. Again, there's another a name that appears that we've seen before. He's doing a second section and then round back to the sheep gate where it started. There's a great sense of togetherness, isn't there? In this account of common purpose of taking responsibility of hard work, of sweat, blood, probably squashed fingers.

There are some common phrases. In front of his house comes 6 times or next to next to somebody or next to a section comes 15 times. They're they're working in close proximity together. In the sixties, Kathleen Kenyan excavated much of Jerusalem. Some of you may know That was a very significant part because it's not been easy to get archaeologists looking at Jerusalem.

And they discovered amongst the layers. I haven't got a picture of it here, but they discovered amongst all the layers. You can find what is almost certainly 4 4 5 BC near myers building, some of it is still there. And 1 of the wonderful things in the archaeologist report is that the stones are not the normal smooth ashlar sort of facing that you'd expect on a wall, they're pretty roughly made, as though not by experts. Perfumers, maybe?

But it's a reminder, isn't it? That this is real. It's a real place. Built by real people, you can go there today and still see some of this. Now the city that they built would be the 1 that Jesus came to, the 1 that he taught in, The 1 he would be rejected in and ultimately got rid of.

But what's the relevance for us? In 20 first century, West London, with, I don't know, work tomorrow. What on earth do we do with near my 3? Well, these guys are building an obedience to god and his promises, aren't they? And the things The things here in Jerusalem, all the components, the temple at the top, the altar in front of it, even the walls.

They, of course, foreshadowed something so much greater, don't they? They all foreshadowed Christ. The altar, the way of of coming into god's presence and being accepted. The temple god living amongst his people. The walls.

David talks about his protection is my god. It's not the walls, even the walls foreshadow Christ. And Christ is building now. Jesus is building, and I think this is just a a great old testament glimpse of what the church should be. I think that's its main usefulness, this chapter.

It helps us as Ephesians people Being built up as a church together, each part doing his work properly to look at this great example, 1 point, in our family history and say, look at these guys and be encouraged by it. That's why I said at the beginning. I want you to be encouraged to keep doing what you're doing as a church. We know I I know the name Cornerstone Church from a from a long time ago because you're doing gospel work you're working together to reach your community. I try to encourage you to keep doing that and do more of it.

And if there are some lessons here from the MR 3, we'll then take those into this week and let those help you serve and bring the gospel to this area more and more. I just wanna pick out a few lesson 6 lessons, fairly quick lessons from from this that I think apply to us as a church. And the first 1 is It's 1 that's generally to do with work. So it's not that specific to near my first of all, but it's about work. As we look at these people working hard, and having their work recorded by god actually reminds us that work is from god is for god and is seen by god.

Maybe you've forgotten that. I don't know. I don't think this is just a part of our work, not just the church work I do, but the work that you put your hands to. It is from god, Genesis 2, God didn't just create us. He put the man in the garden to work the ground.

Ephesians chapter 2, work is not just from him, but it's for him. We're created in Christ Jesus to walk in good works that god prepared in advance for us to do. And our work is seen also by god. We need to remember that, don't we? As we go to work tomorrow.

Are you working as 1 who knows that god sees your work? Jesus says to the church at ephesus, in Revelation 2 verse 2, I know your works. And this chapter is a reminder that he knows our works. He records all of this work from his people here. Are you doing your work in the knowledge that is from god.

That is for god, and that it's seen by god. And specifically, what are you doing this week? What work has he put before you? And are you tempted to judge it on its own quality? What you think the outcome might be rather than ultimately who it's for and who it's seen by.

So point about work in general. Know that work is from for and seen by god. Secondly, know that Christ is the builder. Know that Christ is the builder. And his building is the church.

We saw that in ephesians 2. He's building a church that has that temple language. It rises to become a holy temple in the lord. And you have Jesus saying in Matthew matthew 16. I will build my church.

The Gates of Hades will not prevail against it. Christ is a builder. He has his great building project. And we have a vision of it in the form of a Jerusalem with city walls in Revelation 21, of course, everything under Christ. Everything made new.

He is a builder. An ephesians in particular shows a that god's great project is the local church. It is the church, and the local church is, like, the working model of it. So we at gunnersbury Baptist, and you guys here at Cornerstone. We like the working model in the world.

That the world looks at and they see what god's great project is, the great big church. And so surely if we think like that, then we should we will throw ourselves wholeheartedly. Into that work into god's project because it's not gonna become rubble. Now it's gonna gonna come along and demolish it like the Romans did. Eventually.

Christ is taking his church right through to the end. And so whether it's building up the saints and encouraging your brothers and sisters in Christ this week as you have opportunity to do or whether it's building the church by reaching those outside so they are added to the number of the church. Let me encourage you. To be involved in Christ Great Building Project because he's a builder, and he's building as the church. These these people in EMI 3, they could have prioritized their homes.

In fact, they did at some times, and some of the profits have to get them back on track. But at this chapter, we see they didn't prioritize their homes They put god's project first. Because we're part of god's project, we can trust that actually he's gonna use our work in ways we can never understand. I mean, I you you asked me about, when I became a Christian and the story came out about my dad, and his conversion back on the eighteenth of July, 19 69. And, you know, the person who prayed with him would never have seen the impact of that life transformed.

These these people never would have guessed, I'm sure that the Messiah would come through the gate. Who is it who built the, the East gate, which is probably the 1 Jesus came through Shamaya in verse 29. To think that Shamaya ever would have thought that the Messiah would come on a donkey through his gate. Let's trust, shall we? The god will take our poultry efforts, and he will use it in wonderful ways.

Christ is the builder. Third lesson, that very much relates to that, know that Christians are to be builders. But in different ways, and god is god gives us different gifts, doesn't he? And ephesians is big on that. We read that verse about each part working properly, and the whole body therefore growing and building itself up in love.

You have priests here in Myanmar 3. You have perfumers. You have goldsmiths, and presumably many others. You were not used to working with stone, different gifts, pulling towards the same common cause. All Christians are to be builders though.

The nobles of Takoa seem to think with the exception. We're not builders. I guess it's maybe possible to be a Christian and get to the end of life and never really have built or served, I don't know, But well, I think it probably is possible to have a real trust in Christ, but really not to have this vision of how I meant to serve. But what regret there would be? I don't wanna be someone who looks back on my life from the end and realized that I've just what everyone else was Having the the privilege of being involved in this building project, I just have my tools down and I was, I don't know, building the extension on my patio down the road in Bethlehem instead.

All Christians are to be builders. Let me encourage you never to think that it's other people in here. Actually, we're all builders. We're all to do the work of ministry that builds up the church. Lesson number 4.

Be grateful for the work of others. I just wanna read at this point something that somebody else has written, almost without comment, really. This is based on on looking at these people who've done something in the past and the fact that actually in all our lives, We are blessed by what others have done before us, even if we're not aware of it. And this is from Peter Adam, who's a pastor in Australia and was, principal of a a bible college for 10 years. And he he's meditating on nehemiah 3.

I'm just gonna read what he says. It's a slightly longer quote. Let's think too how much we benefit from others. I wonder if you know this traditional saying. Today, I was warmed by fires I did not build.

I drank from a well I did not dig. I sat in the shade of a tree. I did not plant. Let me pause to give thanks for the efforts of those who came before me. I've been thinking deeply, says Peter Adam, over the last few months of that vast number of people whom god has used to teach me.

Parents, brothers, kindergarten teachers, primary school teachers, and secondary school teachers. Friendss at every age, authors of all those books I have read. Radio and TV programs via the web, music teachers, lecturers, at university and college. Those who have taught me practical skills, music heard, works of art seen, gardens and buildings enjoyed, which have all expanded my aesthetic awareness and enjoyment, colleagues, parishioners, students, people at conferences, other speakers at conferences. People I have heard preach in person or electronically, and I don't think he means, like, robotically, but you know what I mean, and casual meetings and conversations.

And of course, Even more learning happens by watching how people live when we learn even though no 1 is teaching. Most of what I've learned, I don't remember learning, although I do remember some moments of learning very vividly. I am so grateful to god. For each of those countless gifts and for those who have contributed so generously to me and enriched my life whether they have known it or not. We have benefited from those who rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem in the days of Myanmar.

From a lie ship to Malkijar and the goldsmiths and merchants so long ago. Their actions have encouraged us and warmed our hearts. Praise God for near my 3. Who, if you think about people who have influenced you at laid groundwork in your life, who's who are some of the people that would come to mind? So know that work is from, for and seen by god, know that Christ is the builder, know that Christians are to be builders, be grateful for the work of others.

Less than 5, Work at working alongside others. Work at working alongside others. Picking up here on the the next to him language that working next to and next to that section. They they actually built this. We're told in 52 days, which I struggled to get my head around, but, there must have been a real spirit of zeal, not just in Barrick, but across the board and joy to do this sort of work.

You don't complete this kind of work, do you this quickly, if you're half hearted about it? And I think there's something there about the joy of working alongside each other. It's especially relevant for Christians in full time ministry. If you work or or part time, you you're working as part of a team with others. I think we need to hold this in really high value.

I work on a with a small team, it's mainly Michael and myself, many of you will know Michael Williams. He serves a contagious at Nano. And I realized how it's very easy to take someone for granted. So I think, oh, yeah, we'll catch up then. And because he's so able just let him get on to do that, and I can lose the value of the working together and take it for granted.

But let me just encourage you for those you're working alongside in whatever way it is, and maybe it's just simply because you're a part of this church. You are working together. Then see the value of that for what it is and work at working together. Don't take it for granted. Last of all, final lesson from near my 3, Start where god has put you.

Start where god has put you. There's a common refrain So and so repaired opposite his house or something similar to that. I think that really fits with what we see in the new testament about god's call on your life normally being to stay where you are and build where you are. So the apostle Paul, Disney says, that's my principle. Generally, stay where god has put you, serve there because faithfulness in 1 area, that is how god gives us leads us into opportunities in work in other areas.

If you're if you're looking elsewhere, but you haven't yet served where you are, then maybe you need to look a bit closer to home Matthew Henry says this. When a general good work is to be done, each should apply himself to that part of it that falls nearest to him and is within his reach. If everyone will sweep before his own door, the street will be clean. Where are you? Are you in a tough marriage that you'd rather be out of?

Are you in a really challenging job? I don't know what your situation is, but The first place god calls us to serve and build is where we are. What is god calling of you in that situation. What does obedience look like there? I wasn't there, but I know Mike Kane preached from Liam.

I didn't hear word live. Some of you may have been there, last Easter. And he apparently addressed some of the fears that we have about throwing ourself into god's great building project into the church. We fear that we'll miss out on money. If I give that, to that building project.

I'm not gonna have that. I'm not gonna be able to do that. I fear that I miss out on time. I fear that I'm wasting myself on something. I just wanna give a couple of quotes from him that I think are really helpful for us.

He challenged, Well, he said, first of all, this, if you are giving yourself to the church, you are giving yourself to the reason you are on this planet. To serve the purposes of god. All other buildings will be dust, but this 1 will still be shining. We really need to hear that, don't we? Because I think fear is a big factor.

In stopping us from serving in Christchurch. We need to have that conviction of what the church is. Nothing is wasted when we serve in it. And so my team went on and made the challenge and said this, that I just wanna quote because I think it's so good. Friends look around your life, think of the heaviest responsibility you could take on.

The biggest brick you could lay your hands on and pick it up. And you will taste what it really means to be human, to rule. To take responsibility. The very best of all, is when we all join in. God had a wonderful idea when he thought of the church.

We would have looked at each other and thought, no, they won't work together. No, that won't work. He puts us together. He saved us. And he equips us to serve.

So when you look back on your life, at the end of it. Well, you have lived being convinced that work It's not something just your employer or college tutor throws at you, but work is from for and seen by god. Will you look back on a life lived knowing that Christ is a builder? And there's a great building project. And knowing that Christians are to be builders and to build my section.

Well, you have looked back having lived a life where you have acknowledged, you've looked up and you've been grateful. For what others have done as well. You've we've thought beyond ourselves. But you look back on a life where you've worked at working alongside others, and those relationships have been a blessing and aided ministry and brought glory to god. And have you started where god has put you and been obedient in those places.

Let's pray, shall we? Father, thank you for every part of your word. Thank you for these passages in the depths of the Old Testament that that seem so far removed, and yet we thank you for the way they feed us. And we pray for your Holy Spirit to enable us to be those who serve alongside each other with the same zeal and the same joy. Thank you that that our churches are able to serve in some small way in this part of London.

Thank you for the relationship that we can have. Further help us to be blessings to each other as churches. Follow, I pray for everyone here that you would enable them to be like these barracks and these shamayas and the lie ships and so on. And so bring you glory. As we join Christ and his great building project of the church, we ask it in his name.

Oh, man.