"A Mind to Work!"

Having a Mind to Work: Building Together in Faith

By Pastor Paulette Crawford

“So, we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.”— Nehemiah 4:6

Introduction: A Call to Build

Father, we thank You for Your Word. We thank You for truth revealed, for Your presence in us, and for the opportunity to be Your hands and feet in this generation. As the body of Christ, we carry Your Spirit, Your calling, and Your authority to do the work You’ve assigned us.

At Cornerstone, we are called to build—not just buildings, but lives, families, and the Kingdom of God. And just like in Nehemiah’s day, this requires a unified heart, a clear vision, and a mindset to work together.

Nehemiah’s Blueprint for Kingdom Builders

In Nehemiah’s time, Jerusalem’s walls were broken, its people scattered, and its identity shaken. Yet in only 52 days, the people rebuilt the wall—a massive structure 230 feet long and 19 feet high. How?

• The leader caught the vision — Nehemiah heard from God.

• The people embraced the vision — they aligned their hearts and hands to work.

• Unity accelerated the work — no one could have done it alone.

This is a powerful picture of what God calls us to as a church family. The leader receives the vision, but it takes the hands, hearts, and faith of the people to make it reality.

Faith in Action: James and Nehemiah Agree

Nehemiah’s story mirrors the teaching of James:

“Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”— James 2:18

Faith without action is incomplete. It’s not enough to say we believe; we must live what we believe.

• If we believe God is a provider, we step out in generosity.

• If we believe God heals, we pray bold prayers.

• If we believe God builds His Church, we join in the work.

The people in Nehemiah’s day didn’t just pray for protection—they picked up stones, tools, and timber. Their faith was visible through their actions.

The Power of Fellowship: We Build Together

At Cornerstone, we are blessed with what Scripture calls koinonia—deep, Spirit-filled fellowship. We don’t just gather; we build together.

• Spiritual fellowship feeds our souls and strengthens our faith.

• Physical fellowship allows us to serve, work, and build as one body.

• Cooperative fellowship multiplies our impact beyond what any individual can accomplish alone.

When each person brings their gifts, talents, and faith to the table, we reflect the heart of Christ: many members, one body (1 Corinthians 12:12).

Keys to Advancing the Kingdom

Jesus said:

“I will give you the keys of the Kingdom…whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”— Matthew 16:19

These keys represent authority and revelation. We don’t build blindly; we build by hearing God’s voice and obeying His direction. That requires:

• Revelation — hearing what God is saying for this season.

• Obedience — moving when He says move, even when it’s unfamiliar.

• Unity — aligning with one another so we can build effectively.

When we understand God’s heart, our mindset shifts from “I can’t” to “We can”—because His Spirit equips us to succeed.

The Joy That Strengthens Us

“The joy of the Lord is your strength.”— Nehemiah 8:10

But here’s the deeper truth: it’s God’s joy over us that gives us strength. When we know He delights in us, our confidence grows.

• Joy fuels perseverance.

• Joy sustains us when the work feels heavy.

• Joy reminds us that God is for us, not against us.

Without joy, our strength fades—but when we walk in God’s delight, our resolve to build becomes unstoppable.

Personal Transformation Before Corporate Growth

Building the Kingdom starts inside us. Before we can build walls, ministries, or movements, we must allow God to build our hearts.

• We need a personal relationship with God, not just a distant belief.

• We need revelation, not just information, to change our mindset.

• We need humility to be corrected, refined, and equipped.

When we hear His voice, we gain direction. When we obey His direction, we walk in purpose. And when we walk in purpose, we build something that lasts.

The Call to Action

Cornerstone, this is our moment. Like Nehemiah’s people, we are called to:

• Catch the vision.

• Work together.

• Advance the Kingdom.

• Show our faith through action.

God has placed gifts, callings, and opportunities in each of us. The question is: Will we have a mind to work?

Final Prayer

Father, thank You for calling us, equipping us, and uniting us. Give us ears to hear, hearts to believe, and hands to build. Strengthen our fellowship, deepen our faith, and guide us by Your revelation. We receive Your joy, Your wisdom, and Your vision as we advance Your Kingdom together.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.