Nehemiah Chapter 3 is a chapter that is all too often glossed over. It is mostly a list of names, gates, and sections of the wall that were repaired. However, it’s hard to overstate the significance that the people of God actually began to do the work that God called them to. We have, for far too long, lacked meaningful engagement in the work of God. In this sermon, we unearthed the reason why we often don’t engage in the work that God has called us to. In Nehemiah 3:11, there is a man named Malchijah working on the wall who was previously listed in Ezra 10. Ezra 10 tells us how men from the nation of Israel were taking foreign wives which had historically been a catalyst leading to the worship of false gods. Apparently, the problem was so wide spread it took 3 months to deal with all the marriages. What’s worse is a few who were sons of priests were listed by name, and in verse 31 Ezra documents Malchijah as being guilty of this sin.
However, Malchijah repented of this sin and didn’t let what happened in Ezra 10 keep him from who God called him to be in Nehemiah 3. Yet, we consistently let our past sin of yesterday keep us from the work that God has called us to today. For many of us, the shame of past sin is holding us back. For others, it is the current sin in our life that needs to be repented of that is keeping us from fruitfulness. In Christ, we can move from the shame of past sin into the good work God has called us to.