Living Outside My Comfort Zone
Nehemiah 11:1-36
Rodeo Road Baptist Church
November 9, 2014
Disclaimer: Each sermon in this series on Nehemiah was written with both commentary help and referencing from time to time information from sermons and illustration found on Sermon Central. In most cases I tried to be faithful in giving credit to the author but I acknowledge that I was not consistent in that endeavor. So any similarity to other older posted sermons on this web site are due in part to the quality of their work and the timelessness of the truth they shared originally. There was no intentional intent to use without credit any material in these sermons that were first delivered by other pastors.
Introduction
Video: A Servants Heart
In Nehemiah chapter 11 there is a list of names that are unknown to us due to the distance of time. Yet they, in their day, left their personal comfort zones to help finish a task that had started with fixing a broken wall. They volunteered for a difficult task… ESV says they “willingly offered…” Let’s take a look to see what lessons we may learn from these volunteers.
I. What are the circumstances that you or I are challenged to move outside our comfort zones?
Nehemiah 7:4 The city was wide and large, but the people within it were few, and no houses had been rebuilt.
Nehemiah 11:1 Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem.
In the commentary of Jamison, Faussett & Brown they state, “That Jerusalem being the capital of the country, it was right and proper that the seat of government should be there. But the need of the times required that special measures should be taken to insure the residence of an adequate population for the safekeeping of the buildings and the defense of the city. From the irritations of excited and spiteful enemies, who tried every means to bulldoze the rising fortifications, there was some danger joining a settlement in Jerusalem. Hence the greater part of the returned exiles, in order to earn a living as well as secure the compensations of their undertaking, preferred to remain in the country or the local towns.”
• The city was under populated
o Housing was still inadequate
o Safety was still some concern
o Income was questionable as well
Excellent Congregations by Paul Wilkes identified the following 10 common traits among the "excellent" protestant congregations.
1. A vibrancy about living a Christian life...living on the creative and holy edge of the New Testament...being a Christian is not a leisure activity but an adventure.
2. Entrepreneurial...risk-takers, self-starters, use what works and put aside that which does not.
3. Draws philosophically, rather than geographically or denominationally, by the spirit of a living and present God.
4. Reach beyond their comfort zone...not afraid of being uncomfortable and ask tough questions of themselves.
5. Regularly evaluate themselves...for effectiveness.
6. Have a clear, yet changing, sense of mission...a vision of where they want to be and willingness to redirect energies to be effective in their community and people’s lives.
7. Willingness to break up and reassemble...put aside old structures and coalitions when necessary to move forward.
8. Unafraid of being vulnerable and making mistakes.
9. Laity are integral in leadership...competence and a desire to serve, the ability to learn, the humility to admit mistakes and the courage to continue despite setbacks are more important prerequisites for leadership than formal training and ordination.
10. Preach and practice forgiveness and acceptance.
II. Would I be reluctant to relocate or would I volunteer?
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 remained in the other towns. And the people blessed all the men who willingly offered to live in Jerusalem.
Melvin Newland commented, “Now, notice vs. 2: It says, "The people commended all the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem." That word "volunteer" is a very interesting word. In Hebrew it means "to incite, to impel from within, a tremendous urge from within to do something."
So here we have two groups of people: #1 - the group whose names are chosen by lot, who are drafted, & who are going to do their duty & move into the city.
#2 the group who said, "I don't have to move into the city, but I am going to do it anyway. I volunteer to do it!"
Nobody told them that they had to do it, but because they loved Jerusalem - because they loved God - they were willing to sacrifice their homes & all their comforts & move into the city. They were willing to clean away the rubble - callous their hands - build a house - & rebuild once again the holy city of God.
Illustration: The Beginning of Mission Impossible when the agent accepts the Mission. We admire this man for accepting the mission and all the risks that go along with it. The truth is we envy this man because he is willing to live his life on the edge and seize the adventure. He is willing to take risks so he can be the hero who saves peoples lives from the enemy.
Truth is each of us here today can do the same for the Lord and the people around you in this very community. You just have to be willing to take the risk-accept the mission-get out of your comfort zone and really serve the Lord through the adventure.
Conclusion
In the evangelism training material called, Just a Walk Across the Room, Bill Hybels, Pastor of Willow Creek Community Church tells this story. He was attending a luncheon in a Southern state. Sitting across from him was an African-American man. When the man introduced himself, his name was distinctly Muslim. He told Pastor Hybels that he enjoyed reading one of his books. Bill said that he must have looked a little puzzled so the Muslim explained to him how he became a Christian.
He told Pastor Hybels that in his profession he attends a lot of business parties. He said that after he gets a drink and hors d/oeuvres he often finds himself standing alone until he quietly leaves because no one talks to him. At one such party he was standing by himself as usual and he noticed a group of white people talking and having a great time. One person in the group looked his way and noticed he was standing by himself. That man left the group and walked across the room, stuck out his hand, and introduced himself. They talked about their families, sports, and business in general. Finally in their conversation the issue of faith came up. When he mentioned to the gentlemen that he was Muslin he was sure the guy would make a quick exit from their conversation. Instead he said, “Well, I’m a Christ-follower, but, truth be told, I know almost nothing about Islam. I wonder if you would be willing over breakfast some day to give me a birds-eye version of your faith system. He said he almost fainted. He was surprised a Christian was willing to associate with him.
He said that they shared several breakfasts and some time after their friendly discussion the Muslin committed his life to Jesus and became active in a local church. God’s grace and love motivated this Christ follower to leave his group of friends and walk across the room and show friendship to a Muslim. He stepped out of his comfort zone.
