The Willing Unknowns

by Pastor Benny Ho


Nehemiah 11:1-2
Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem. And the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem the holy city, while nine out of ten[a] remained in the other towns. 2 And the people blessed all the men who willingly offered to live in Jerusalem.


Who are they?
What they do?

Nehemiah 7:1-2
Now when the wall had been built and I had set up the doors, and the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed, 2 I gave my brother Hanani and Hananiah the governor of the castle charge over Jerusalem, for he was a more faithful and God-fearing man than many.


Even though walls were up, people are few becos the city was unsecured for many years due to no walls, and in ruins. So no one live in it. Nehemiah wants to rebuild the city by bringing ppl back to live then can have ppl to rebuild.

90% of Israelites live around suburbs of the city
10% is the ones who help nehemiah to build the city, they are the willing unknowns akin to today's church volunteers

There are 5 specific groups of people.

In Nehemiah 11

1st group
Willing volunteers
Nehemiah 11:2
And the people blessed all the men who willingly offered to live in Jerusalem.

These people Willingness to submitted themselves to the work of God


"Volunteered"
Nadab which implied that it is a willing and unforced act. This word is used for one who is wanting to obey God's will from within, and to do it to benefit others.


To the 1st group - may Your tribes increase


2nd group
The temple workers
Nehemiah 11:10-12
Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin, 11 Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, son of Meshullam, son of Zadok, son of Meraioth, son of Ahitub, ruler of the house of God, 12 and their brothers who did the work of the house, 822; and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, son of Pelaliah, son of Amzi, son of Zechariah, son of Pashhur, son of Malchijah,

These are the priest - pastors, elders church board members


3rd group
People servers
Nehemiah 11:15-16
And of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, son of Azrikam, son of Hashabiah, son of Bunni; 16 and Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chiefs of the Levites, who were over the outside work of the house of God;

Get stuff done outside the temples rituals, look after the affair of the wellbeing of the people

Cell leaders, RL, outreach ministry, mission groups

4th group
The worship team
Nehemiah 11:22
The overseer of the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, son of Hashabiah, son of Mattaniah, son of Mica, of the sons of Asaph, the singers, over the work of the house of God.

Prepares the way into entrance of God's works, media team, light and sound, graphic, creative arts


5th group
Prayer warriors
Nehemiah 11:17
and Mattaniah the son of Mica, son of Zabdi, son of Asaph, who was the leader of the praise,[a] who gave thanks, and Bakbukiah, the second among his brothers; and Abda the son of Shammua, son of Galal, son of Jeduthun.

Intercessors, prayer coordinator, power source in the house of God


3 Key Lessons:
1. Our contribution is not by size but by impact

2. Our labour in the Lord may be unknown but not unnoticed

3. Our rewards are determined not by fame but by faithfulness


Hebrews 6:10
For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.

Matthew 10:42
And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”

1 Corinthians 15:57-58
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Revelation 4:10-11
the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”

These are the purpose of our crowns receive in heaven