Explore the sacred roll call of Nehemiah 3 and discover how ordinary people can do extraordinary things for God’s kingdom. Learn how DaySpring Christian Church and other churches in Windsor, Colorado, are building the church together, one name at a time.
Introduction
C.S. Lewis once wrote of a valiant mouse. His name was Reepicheep, and though small, he was fierce. He served Aslan the Lion and Prince Caspian with unrelenting courage and honor. Reepicheep was wounded in battle, almost killed, but was practically raised from the dead… He leaps up to his feet, bows before the Lion Aslan, and realizes that he’s lost his tail – he then pleaded with Aslan to restore it—not for vanity’s sake, but for honor’s sake.
Aslan wonders if Reepicheep wants his tail back because he thinks too highly of his own honor, represented by his tail… but then something remarkable happened. His fellow mice drew their swords and stood with him. Aslan asks about what they’re doing… and Reepicheep’s second-in-command mouse (Peepiceek)says, “… we are all waiting to cut off our own tails if our Chief must go without his. We will not bear the shame of wearing an honor which is denied to Him.”
At this… Aslan roars, “You have conquered me. You have great hearts. Not for the sake of your dignity, Reepicheep, but for the love that is between you and your people… you shall have your tail again.”
Reepicheep was loved by his comrades. His great aim in life was to serve the rightful king, the Lion of Narnia. He was ready to serve, ready to protect those he loved, ready to stand for truth, goodness, and beauty, and ready to love his friends by laying down his life for them.
Camaraderie, unity, teamwork, love… This is what it means to live for something greater. A little mouse and his friends illustrated a timeless principle for us… there is strength in unity over a common goal, shaped by love. This is what it means to build together in a world that mocks the things of God. This is what Nehemiah 3 is about.
Let’s get a little context and see where we’ve been up to this point… So far in Nehemiah, we’ve seen a man with a burden—a broken-hearted servant of God moved by the broken condition of God’s city. Though a high-ranking man of influence in Persia, Nehemiah was a man of the Word and of prayer. He heard of Jerusalem’s disgrace – wept, fasted, prayed, and then—at great personal cost—acted.
He left the palace to rally the people of God for a divine purpose: to rebuild Jerusalem for the glory of God. And in chapter 2, God honors his heart-felt plea and obedience, answers his prayer and sends him. Nehemiah arrives in Jerusalem with the king’s permission and letters in hand. He doesn’t announce his plans immediately. Instead, he gets close enough to see the problem for himself. “I went out by night… inspecting the walls… examining the broken gates…” (vv. 13–15) Nehemiah had already heard the news—Jerusalem’s gates burned, walls in ruins—but now he sees it. He rides through the city at night. It’s quiet. He doesn’t want fanfare. This isn’t a PR stunt. This is a moment of spiritual clarity. He confirms the brokenness.
Friends, sometimes we avoid getting close to the mess because we don’t want to get involved. But Nehemiah shows us—faithful leadership requires proximity. You can’t rebuild what you don’t understand. It’s hard to lead with blurry vision.
Nehemiah then gathers the leaders of the people and speaks: “You see the trouble we are in… Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” (v. 17)
And with these simple words, we see Nehemiah’s leadership expertise. He’s identified the problem, cast a vision, and set the goal. He’s honest about the problem—but hopeful about the solution. He shares: The reality: “You see the trouble.” The vision: “Let us rebuild.” The goal: “No longer in disgrace.”
Then he adds this key encouragement: “I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me.” (v. 18). Nehemiah reminds them: This isn’t just a good idea—it’s God-ordained. And the people respond with enthusiasm: “Let us start rebuilding!” So they began this good work. (v. 18b) The dreaming gives way to doing. Boots hit the ground. Stone meets mortar. The good work begins. This is what happens when godly vision meets willing hearts.
Of course, the minute the people resolve to rebuild, opposition shows up. “But when Sanballat… Tobiah… and Geshem heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us.” (v. 19) The nations rage. The critics jeer. The enemies scoff. They make an accusation in the form of a question… “are you rebelling against the king?” …an accusation like that could get a guy killed. But Nehemiah stands firm. He doesn’t panic. He doesn’t argue. He simply says: “The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding…” (v. 20) He reminds the people—and the opposition—whose mission this is.
And Nehemiah 3 is the record of the people’s response. If you’ve ever tried reading through the Bible in a year, this might be the chapter where your high hopes for daily devotions go to die. It’s a list. It’s repetitive. It’s full of names that don’t exactly roll off the tongue: Malchijah (which a ‘ch’), Hasshub, Malkijah (with a ‘k’), and the Tekoites. Most people glance at it and move on—assuming it’s one of those “boring” chapters.
But not Nehemiah. And not God. It’s a long chapter—32 verses packed with names, places, and construction details. Each verse in this chapter kind of follows the same formula… a name, where that person is from, and where they worked… and each verse basically follows that same recipe. We’re not going to read every line of this chapter this morning, but we will point out some of the details as we go.
Every name here matters. These names are people. Not that we need to memorize every name and where they built… but it matters because God saw every laborer. God saw every act of faithfulness. And the Spirit of God deemed it worthy to record in His eternal Word.
This chapter teaches us about the kind of people God uses to build His kingdom—especially in days of reproach. He uses people like you and like me.
But first, let’s start with why… why do all this work?
The Purpose of the Work: The Glory of God
In chapter 2, Nehemiah had said, “Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach” (2:17). The city was in ruins, and the enemies of God were mocking. “This city that claims to worship a great God? Look at its walls—burned and broken.” The name of God was being dragged through the mud. So the rebuilding of these walls wasn’t just about safety—it was about the glory of God.
Psalm 48:2 called Jerusalem “beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth…” Psalm 87:2 says the Lord “loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.” So if God loves it, why is it in ruins? The people are in reproach.
Nehemiah knew the answer. It wasn’t because of God’s weakness—it was because of the people’s sin. The ruin of the walls reflected the ruin of their worship. It indicated the state of their relationship with God. And I wonder if our witness isn’t all that different at times…
People look at the church—splits, scandals, stagnation—and say, “If your God is so great, why are His people so weak? Why is His church such a mess?” The church has become, in many ways, a reproach in the eyes of the world. And if we’re honest, too often we’ve settled for that.
But Nehemiah challenges us: Don’t accept the rubble. Don’t settle for disgrace. Rise and build—for the glory of God! The aim of all ministry is not comfort, not fame, not programs—but the glory of God. Jesus said, “I have glorified You on the earth; I have finished the work You gave Me to do” (John 17:4). And that’s our calling too – to do the work He gives us.
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” – Ephesians 2:10.
What did this look like in Nehemiah 3? The purpose was to glorify God… what’s the pattern?
The Pattern of the Work: Strategic, Structured, and Shared
Lets read a few verses so you get the feel of the chapter…
Nehemiah 3:1-4, “Then Eliashib the high priest arose with his brothers the priests and built the Sheep Gate; they consecrated it and hung its doors. They consecrated the wall to the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel. 2 Next to him the men of Jericho built, and next to them Zaccur the son of Imri built. 3 Now the sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate; they laid its beams and hung its doors with its bolts and bars. 4 Next to them Meremoth the son of Uriah the son of Hakkoz made repairs. And next to him Meshullam the son of Berechiah the son of Meshezabel made repairs. And next to him Zadok the son of Baana also made repairs.”
Nehemiah 3 is not chaos. The work was strategic. It’s ordered. The work is laid out gate by gate, beginning at the Sheep Gate in the northeast and moving counterclockwise around the city. In total we find: 10 gates restored, 42 groups mentioned, 38 individual workers named…
Nehemiah planned his work in chapter 2 and worked his plan in chapter 3. Here’s what really stands out from chapter 3… the work was shared. He didn’t try to do it all himself. Each person had a station. Each group had a role. This is how the church is meant to function, too. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12 that we are like a body—many parts, but one whole. The eye isn’t the hand, and the ear isn’t the foot. But every part matters. Every part contributes.
D.L. Moody once said: “A great many people have got a false idea about the church. They think it’s a place to rest in. To get into a nice pew and contribute to the charities—that’s all they want. The idea of work never enters their minds.”
But the church is a building project. Not necessarily of brick and mortar, but of living stones. Each worker had a job. In Nehemiah’s case, some repaired, some replaced, some built beams and hung bars and bolts. The work was solid. The Hebrew word for “repair” is used 35 times—it means “to make strong and firm.” Nehemiah wasn’t after a quick fix or a whitewashed wall. They were building something that would last.
And that’s what we are about, too. That’s how I want to build. And I hope it is how you want to build. Because something that lasts – something built with the care and skill and unity that Nehemiah marshalled is something that brings glory to God!
So let’s build… With strategy, together, and on a firm foundation. Will you build with me? Let’s work together… not for show, not for applause, but to make the church strong – to serve her purpose for the long haul. I’m not interested in being flashy or doing anything for show… I want to see lives transformed and then lived faithfully.
We’ve got the purpose… the pattern… and let’s look at the people…
The People in the Work: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Unity
Let’s meet the workers. Nehemiah 3 is like a church directory—just 2,500 years old. And what we see is that God uses all kinds of people.
It might seem like a tedious chapter—name after name, gate after gate, brick after brick. But don’t miss this: Nehemiah 3 is not a boring list. It’s a sacred roll call. It is the people of God—young and old, male and female, priests and perfume makers—all rising to build.
Let me highlight a few examples:
We see leaders who lead by example… Verse 1 says Eliashib the high priest rose up with his fellow priests and built the Sheep Gate. These weren’t masons—they were ministers! But they picked up hammers and got to work. Can you believe it? Ministers with dirt under their fingernails… to see the day.
They started with the Sheep Gate—the place where the sacrifices entered the city. It’s fitting: they repaired the place that pointed to redemption. And they sanctified it—dedicated it to the Lord.
I wonder how churches would respond if Christian leaders today were willing to serve with their hands. I once had a professor at Ozark address a room full of future preachers by saying, “if you’re not willing to clean the toilets, then you’re not ready for the pulpit.” Leaders should never be above the work. They should lead in it. And just so you know… Tom Cramer is an elder here… and he literally cleans the toilets and the rest of the building here every week. That’s leadership people. Leaders who lead by example. On the flip side…
We see nobles Who Refused to Serve – Verse 5 brings a sad note. “… next to him the Tekoites made repairs, but their nobles did not support the work of their masters.” One author said, “The Tekoite nobles would not stoop to serve their Lord.” They were too proud. Too elite. Too dignified. 
You will always find some like this. They criticize but don’t contribute. They advise but never assist. But Nehemiah notes them— and I’m pointing it out… not to shame them, but to warn us: Don’t be the kind of person who stands aloof while others carry the weight. The old 80-20 rule in churches proves to continue to stand true… that 20% of the people do 80% of the work… I recently read that it’s trending closer to 10% doing 90% of the work. I know verse 5 is a small detail… but that’s a small detail that I wouldn’t want next to my name…
We see Women Who Worked with Zeal – In verse 12 we meet Shallum—he “made repairs, he and his daughters.” I imagine they had some fun working together… this was a family project for them. Hard work is less hard when done with loved ones. The rebuilding of the wall wasn’t just men’s work. It was God’s people at work. Everyone, everywhere, shoulder to shoulder.
We see Some Worked at Home – Six different people are noted as working “in front of their house” or “beside their dwelling.” Their involvement began at home. You don’t need a platform—you just need a place. Start where God has placed you.
We see Some Worked Harder Than Others – Hananiah the perfume-maker puts down his spices and picks up a trowel (v. 8). Malchijah repairs the Dung Gate—where all the waste exited the city (v. 14). Not a glamorous job. But he did it.
In verse 20, we read that Baruch “zealously repaired” his section. The Hebrew means he burned with energy. You could see the fire in his eyes and feel the pace of his work. He was the energizer bunny kind of worker… He didn’t just serve—he served with passion.
What a testimony. Would anyone describe your service to Christ as “zealous”? What if we weren’t known not for our titles, but for our tireless faithfulness? Oh to be described as zealous for the work of the Kingdom… not for the sake of self-glorification, but genuinely laboring and striving to make Jesus known.
This is what it means to be the people of God—no job too dirty, no builder too unlikely. Some work zealously. Others quietly. Some repair near their homes. Others take huge sections. But everyone has a part.
We see Some who Did More Than they were Asked – Several people took on extra sections (vv. 11, 19, 24, 27, 30). They didn’t just say, “That’s enough.” They said, “Where else can I serve?” That’s the kind of heart bent on advancing God’s kingdom.
The Theology: From Wall to Body to Bride
Before continuing on… let’s connect the dots. This isn’t just about a wall in Jerusalem—it’s about how God builds through His people. In the Old Testament, God called the people to build the Tabernacle (Exodus 36), then the Temple, and now the wall. In the New Testament, we are the temple—the people of God, built on the foundation of Christ.
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3:9: “You are God’s building.” Later, in 1 Corinthians 12, Paul describes us as a body, made up of many parts— preachers and teachers, those who serve, those with gifts of mercy, exhortation, giving, leadership… each one vital. Not all the same, but each one matters. What does this mean for us?
- You may not feel like your gifts matter. But they do.
- You may wish you had someone else’s calling. But God gave you yours.
But always—we serve together. God is glorified in the collective, not the celebrity. We’ve looked at the purpose, the pattern, and the people…
Conclusion
So let me ask you, church: What’s your part in the work of God? Are you building with your gifts? Are you showing up to the section in front of your house? Are you willing to work the “Dung Gate” if that’s where you’re called? Are you encouraging others who are building beside you?
Nehemiah 3 reminds us: God does extraordinary things through ordinary obedience. The wall will be finished in 52 days—because the people had a mind to work. Let’s be that kind of church. Let’s be that kind of people. Let’s say together: “Let us rise up and build.”
This chapter ends without fanfare. No miracles. No fire from heaven. Just a long list of names who gave their hearts and hands for the glory of God.
But it’s a testimony. One that still speaks. The world mocks. The nations rage. The enemies surround. But in the face of that, the people of God pick up tools. They stand together. They build.
What Nehemiah 3 records isn’t just a project map. It’s a tribute. A roll call of the faithful. A divine snapshot of what it looks like when the people of God say: “We will build—even when the task is daunting.”
We find priests and goldsmiths, perfume-makers and district rulers, servants and daughters, nobles and commoners—all working together. You’ll notice the refrain throughout the chapter: “next to him,” “beside him,” “after him.” The Holy Spirit seems determined that we not miss the picture of unity in motion.
This wasn’t a one-man show. This was a movement. And it’s not unlike another list in Scripture that doesn’t often get pulpit time—Romans 16 has a list of names, too. Fred Craddock once preached a sermon on Romans 16 and started it by saying: “I hope you will not feel guilty if your heart was not all aflutter during the reading of the text. It’s not very interesting. It’s a list of strange names.” But he went on to say: “what Paul wrote in Romans 16 wasn’t a list—not to Paul.
These were his people. His co-laborers. His joy and crown. He writes: “Epenetus was my first convert”; “Mary—she works her tail off”; “Ampliatus is my dear friend”; “Tryphena and Tryphosa”—maybe twins, maybe not, but clearly special…And then there’s Rufus’ mother—whom Paul calls “his own mother too.” Some woman once earned from Paul the title “mother.” Craddock imagines her as one of those apron-wearing women who would’ve scolded Paul gently: “Sit down and eat. I don’t care if you are an apostle—you’ve got to eat.”
I hope you all have people like that, too. I have a list too—people who helped me build in my own seasons of ministry:
- Tony Allmoslecher – he helped me understand the value of relational ministry.
- Brice Wurdeman – he helped me come to Christ and ignited a love for learning about leadership in me.
- Chris Huelat – he was pretty rough around the edges, but he taught me more than I could have expected, through both his failures and successes.
- I’ve had some friends who didn’t make it… some have fallen back into addiction… choosing pain over obedience. Some people have chosen not to surrender.
But others stood tall:
- Dylan “the Hammer” Lee—one of my first real converts. I still remember his baptism. One of his arms didn’t get fully submerged… if you see a man with one arm in heaven, that’s Dylan. Ethan and Addie Thomas… the first wedding I had the privilege of officiating. Heather and Justin Fullerton—loved us like family. Had us in their home all the time. Angie Fewin and Lauren Hill (not the singer)—rocking babies in the nursery, serving kids like crazy, and fierce loyalty I’ll never forget.
You don’t know these names. But I do. They’re a list to you. They’re NOT a list to me. And listen—Nehemiah knew that too. These weren’t just workers—they were worshipers, family, and friends. That’s why he lists them. And that’s why you matter in God’s building project. Because God isn’t just counting bricks—He’s remembering names.
Question for you today: If someone were writing your name into a chapter like this—where would they say you were building? And what would they say you gave?
Maybe it seems ordinary… but in God’s Kingdom, the spiritual is often found in the ordinary. Rocking babies in the nursery like Angie and Lauren – that’s holy work. Hammering boards like Bob Lanyon and Jim Hart – that’s holy work. Teaching Sunday school, cleaning the bathrooms, fixing a pipe, hosting a group – that’s holy work. It is sacred labor.
In the New Testament, Paul understood this. Romans 16 ends not with theology but with theology embodied—in people. God doesn’t love abstract ideas—He loves people. He builds through people. So every act of service you do—especially when no one notices—is seen and sanctified.
Your Part Matters More Than You Think – You don’t have to rebuild all of Jerusalem. Just start with your part of the wall. Raise your kids. Pray over your street. Put in a good word for Jesus with your coworker. Serve faithfully in your local church. And when everyone builds their part, the whole city gets built.
This isn’t about guilt—it’s about glory. It’s about realizing that your name, your brick, your sweat, your prayer, your obedience—it matters. At the end of Craddock’s sermon on Romans 16, he makes a statement I’ll never forget:
“These are the names Paul wrote on the whiteboard as he prepared his sermon. Because behind every great work of God is a long list of ordinary names written in extraordinary ink.”
Maybe someday, when you hear your name called, whether in church or heaven, you’ll realize—it wasn’t just a list. It was a song of praise.
So let me ask: Are you building? Not watching. Not critiquing. Not waiting. But building. And when you are, you can do so with confidence—because the God of heaven is with you, and He remembers your name.