4 ways the church shapes the nations
6 – “So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.
7 – But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth,
8 – And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it.
9 – Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.
10 – And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall.
11 – And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease.
12 – And it came to pass, that when the Jews which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times, From all places whence ye shall return unto us they will be upon you.
13 – Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, I even set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows.
14 – And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.
15 – And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work.
16 – And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah.
17 – They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon.
18 – For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.
19 – And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another.
20 – In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us.
21 – So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared.
22 – Likewise at the same time said I unto the people, Let every one with his servant lodge within Jerusalem, that in the night they may be a guard to us, and labour on the day.
23 – So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard which followed me, none of us put off our clothes, saving that every one put them off for washing.” (Nehemiah chapter 4 verses 6 to 23)
1. The church provides a prayer covering:
The Church functions as a house of prayer, invoking divine intervention for the healing, protection, and revival of nations.
“Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.” (Isaiah chapter 56 verses 7)
She continually stands in the gap, interceding for leaders, governments, and citizens alike, trusting God for His Sovereign Hand to move across the land.
1 – “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 – For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” (1Timothy chapter 2 verses 1 to 2)
2. Missionary outreach and evangelism:
Christians are called to reach the lost and guide them toward Christlikeness. The Church sends missionaries to the ends of the earth, fulfilling Christ’s great commission.
19 – “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 – Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Mathew chapter 28 verses 19 to 20)
This outreach brings about spiritual awakening, societal reform and the transformation of communities and nations.
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts chapter 1 verses 8)
3. Harbingers of peace and prosperity:
The Church is a Key instrument in bringing peace and prosperity to the nations it inhabits.
“And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.” (Jeremiah chapter 29 verses 7)
As peacemakers, according to Matthew Chapter five verse nine, the church fosters unity, reconciliation, and goodwill, working tirelessly to build peaceful, thriving societies rooted in godly principles.
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” (Mathew chapter 5 verses 9)
4. Agents of social transformation:
The Church is called to transform communities through Love, Charity, and Social Justice efforts. She engages in practical acts of compassion, providing for the needy, uplifting the downtrodden, and restoring Hope to the hopeless.
“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” (James chapter 1 verses 27)
35 – “For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 – Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 – Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 – When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 – Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 – And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Mathew chapter 25 verses 35 to 40)
In doing so, the Church becomes a catalyst for the betterment of society.
Conclusion:
The Church, as a dynamic and living spiritual entity, plays a pivotal role in addressing spiritual needs, promoting peace, justice and prosperity, and guiding nations toward God’s righteous purposes. It is through the Church that God’s kingdom is advanced on earth, transforming hearts and shaping nations for His glory.
