1. Stone of Organization

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

3. The Stone of Organization

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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)

10. 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?

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

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