John Allen - February 8, 2026
The Sword & The Trowel: Let Us Rise & Build
Nehemiah shows us how God calls His people from comfort into restoration. The rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls points to the gospel, God entering what sin has broken to restore His dwelling among His people. This work is not for a few heroes but for a united people. Ordinary faithfulness, shared labor, and sacrificial love are what strengthen the church and bear witness to the world. Choosing comfort over participation fractures the mission; God calls us instead to show up and build one another up. Practically, the call is to notice whom God has entrusted to each believer’s stewardship- spouse, neighbor, co-worker, fellow church member, and to build them up in Christ through simple, gracious words and faithful presence.