Please feel free to use these outlines as needed.
A MIND TO WORK
(Nehemiah
4:6)
Introduction:
1. The book of Nehemiah is one of the last books
chronologically in the Old Testament.
a. It follows book of Ezra,
which was the first return of the Jews from Babylonian captivity.
b. Ezra returned with the Jews
to Jerusalem to restore the temple and of worship of God.
c. Nehemiah followed Ezra a few
years later with emphasis on restoring the walls of the city.
2. I want us to focus our attention this morning on the
phrase found in Nehemiah 4:6, “So built we the wall; and all the wall was
joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.”
a. Notice specifically the
statement, “For the people had a mind to work.”
b. That is what I want us to
focus our attention on today.
3. Let’s take the phrase and apply it to our own lives in
various aspects of our life.
a.
We need a “mind to work” in our personal lives.
i.
With God/Christ.
ii.
With our spouse.
iii.
With our family.
iv.
With our church family.
b.
We need a “mind to work” in our local congregations.
i.
In doctrine/the word.
ii.
In our leadership.
iii.
In our worship.
iv.
In our influence.
c. We need a “mind to work” in
building and rebuilding our lives spiritually.
i.
Debris/sin removal.
ii.
A good foundation.
iii.
A solid the building/person.
iv.
A thorough inspection.
I. A MIND TO WORK IN OUR PERSONAL LIVES.
A.
A “mind to work” in our relationship with God/Christ.
1. As Christians we should have
a healthy relationship with God, this does not just happened, it takes work and
practice (1 John 3:1).
2. We have a healthy
relationship with God by studying his word (John 12:47-48, 2 Tim. 2:15, 2 Pet
1:3, 1 Pet. 3:15, Psa. 119:11-16).
B.
A “mind to work” in our relationship with our spouse.
1. We need to have a healthy relationship
with our spouse; this is what Christ wants for us.
2. It takes working together and
in love (Eph. 5:23-33, Col. 3:18-19 1 Pet. 3:7).
C.
A “mind to work” in our relationship with our family.
1. We need a healthy
relationship with our family like we have with our church family.
2. Teach our children (Deut 6:7,
Prov. 22:6, Eph 6:1-4, Col. 3:20-21).
D. A “mind to work” in our
relationship with our church family.
1. We need to have a healthy
relationship with our brethren.
2. We should show forth love
(John 12:34:3, 15:12, 17, Rom. 12:10, Gal. 5:13, Eph. 4:2, 1 Pet. 1:22, 1 John
3:11, 23, 4:7, 1, 12.
II. A MIND TO WORK IN OUR LOCAL CONGREGATIONS.
A.
A “mind to work” in our study of doctrine and the word.
1. Being prepared to defend the
word of God takes work, we need to do this in our local congregations.
2. 1 Pet. 3:15, 2 Tim. 2:15,
4:1-5.
B.
A “mind to work” in our leadership.
1.
We need to be good leaders in the church.
2.
1 Pet 5:1-2, Acts 20:28.
C.
A “mind to work” in our worship.
1. We need to take our worship
serious and work at it.
2. Sing (Eph. 5:19) LS (1 Cor.
11:24-27) Pray (1 Thess 5:17) Preach (Acts 20:7) Giving (1 Cor 16)
D.
A “mind to work” in our influnce.
1. We need to have a good
influence so Christ can be seen in us.
2. Matt 5:16, Eph 2:15
III. A MIND TO WORK IN BUILDING/REBUILDING OUR SPIRITUAL
LIVES.
A.
A “mind to work” in removing debris/sin from our lives.
1.
We need to remove the sin from our lives.
2.
Replace it with something positive.
3.
1 Cor. 13:10, James 1:13-16
B. A “mind to work” making sure
we have a solid foundation in Christ.
1.
We need a solid foundation and that is in Christ.
2.
1 Cor. 3:11, Acts 4:12
C.
A “mind to work” in making sure we are Christians.
1. We need to make sure the
things, which we do, are Christ like to be like Christ (1 Cor. 11:1)
2. Acts 17:11
D.
A “mind to work” in inspecting ourselves daily.
1.
We need to check ourselves daily.
2.
We need to take the book and examine our lives.
Conclusion:
1. We need a mind to work as Christians; if we don’t then
we might fall short.
2. The Devil has a mind to work, (1 Pet 5:8) we must never
let him win.
-Cody Starnes
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