Heeding His Call Nehemiah 1:1-4NLT
These are the memoirs of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah. In late autumn, in the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign, I was at the fortress of Susa. 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, came to visit me with some other men who had just arrived from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had returned there from captivity and about how things were going in Jerusalem.3 They said to me, “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.” 4 When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.
TM: Verse 3-4 They told me, “The exile survivors who are left there in the province are in bad shape. Conditions are appalling. The wall of Jerusalem is still rubble; the city gates are still cinders.” 4 When I heard this, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God-of-Heaven
The name Nehemiah means- Jehovah comforts; Nehemiah was a cupbearer for the King. Nehemiah became governor of Judah.
For 13 years, under Ezra’s watch Judah was beaten down by her enemies. The devil, our enemy is 1. Jealous. 2. Hates. 3. Beats down.
The year 2013 and 14, will propel us (Crane Eater Community Church) into a new century; therefore, it’s expectant that we understand these times. There are several key ingredients for us to long for as well as hold onto.
First and foremost, we have to be people of vision.
Proverbs 29:18KJ Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
Proverbs 29:18TM If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed.
What do we need to see? First and foremost, Jesus Christ; however, after Him, this body has to be in agreement about the future.
Our children and grandchildren need a family Life Center.
Nehemiah 1:3NLT I asked them...They said to me, “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.”
Nehemiah caught the vision, the bigger picture.
Secondly, Nehemiah felt the need. (Burden)
“Do you feel the need?” Nehemiah 1:4NLT When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.
What makes you weep?
Illustration: Staving dog commercials.
Finally, Nehemiah prayed. Hebrews 10:19NLT And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus.
Nehemiah 1:5-9NLT Then I said, “O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands, 6 listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel. I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned! 7 We have sinned terribly by not obeying the commands, decrees, and regulations that you gave us through your servant Moses. 8 “Please remember what you told your servant Moses: ‘If you are unfaithful to me, I will scatter you among the nations. 9 But if you return to me and obey my commands and live by them, then even if you are exiled to the ends of the earth, I will bring you back to the place I have chosen for my name to be honored.’
What stirs you; what makes you pray? 100th anniversary! Crane Eater Community Church can take everything the devil has stolen and more! AWANA, Bible College, Sports, Children, Seniors?
Nehemiah and his cohorts rebuilt the wall around Jerusalem in a record of 52 days!
What does it take to have big vision and do large things for God’s Kingdom?
Vision. (Something larger than what we can do.)
Guts.
The next time you feel like GOD can’t use you, just remember...Noah was a drunk, Abraham was too old, Isaac was a daydreamer, Jacob was a liar, Leah was ugly, Joseph was abused, Moses had a stuttering problem, Gideon was afraid, Sampson had long hair and was a womanizer, Rahab was a prostitute, Jeremiah and Timothy were too young, David had an affair and was a murderer, Elijah was suicidal, Isaiah preached naked, Jonah ran from God, Naomi was a widow, Job went bankrupt, John the Baptist ate bugs, Peter denied Christ, The Disciples fell asleep while praying, Martha worried about everything The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once, Zaccheus was too small, Paul was too short Etc.
Unity. (Working together.) The upper room! Acts 2
“This morning Im asking you to say yes by giving a two year pledge!”
Pledge cards/ Who’s on board with us?
Benediction.
