Stone of Organization

“Let all things be done decently and in order” (I Corinthians 14:40) Nehemiah 3 teaches us organization

The Stone of Organization

Pattern of the Work In Nehemiah 3, we have a record of those who assembled, shaped, lifted, laid the stone, cut, hewn, transported, raised, and fitted the stone and timber It took 52 days to rebuild The credit belonged to every worker

Nehemiah organized the workers according to their ability 38 workers are mentioned by name 42 different groups identified Each worker assigned to a specific task and place Some workers were told to hang the Gate doors

The Lord’s Church is one body with many members with different abilities “According to his own ability” (Matthew 25:15) “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit...” (I Corinthians 12:4-5) The church needs to be organized to place people in works in which their abilities can be used to glorify God

Nehemiah organized the work in three categories BUILT (rebuild) 3:2, 3, 13, 14, And 15 REPAIR (used some 35 times) it means to make strong and firm LOCKS and BARS (3:3, 6, 13-15) make it difficult for anyone outside to come in

Great workers are known for building according to the pattern Noah built according to the pattern Moses built the Ark of the Covenant according to the pattern Nehemiah built the walls according to the pattern (2:12) Christians need to “build up” according to the pattern

People to Build Nehemiah had organized all kinds of people to work Priests (3:1, 12-19) Men and women (3:12) Professional craftsman (3:8, 32) People outside the city (3:2)

How do you see the work of the church? A time or place of rest? The church needs to have the mind to work The work is for all people to have a part The work is not meant for 20% of the membership to do What if 20% of your body worked?

Nehemiah used all kinds of people and he encountered all kinds of attitudes Discouraging attitude (3:5) some would not work Zealous attitudes (3:20) some worked harder than others Homely attitudes (3:10, 23, 28-30) some did their work at home

Places to build Nehemiah named ten gates, several towers, and other landmarks Sheep gate (3:1, 32) place where animals were brought into the city for sacrifices Fish gate (3:3) the source of food

Old gate (3:6) reminder of our past Valley gate (3:13) the valley is where we go down in order to go up Refuse gate (3:14) garbage disposal Inspection gate (3:31) army registered and reviewed

We serve a God of order not confusion We need to be people of order and not confusion