Receiving 20/20 Vision— And Beyond.
Nehemiah 12:42b-47TLB
When Kathleen’s teacher called her to the front of the class to analyze a sentence, she panicked. As a recent transfer student, she hadn’t learned that aspect of grammar. The class laughed at her. Instantly the teacher sprang to her defense. “She can out write any of you any day of the week!” He explained. Many years later, Kathleen gratefully recalled the moment: “I started that day to try to write as well as he said I could.” Eventually, Kathleen Parker would win a Pulitzer Prize for her writing.
I said all that to remind you that someone believed in Nehemiah. Someone spoke into his life. Someone without prejudice, someone filled with faith, love, joy and an outstanding work ethic.
Though Nehemiah was in a strange land, a land of exile, Nehemiah held onto his heritage, He kept his family’s faith in-tact.
Nehemiah 12:42b-47TLB They sang loudly and clearly under the direction of Jezrahiah the choirmaster. 43 Many sacrifices were offered on that joyous day, for God had given us cause for great joy. The women and children rejoiced, too, and the joy of the people of Jerusalem was heard far away! 44 On that day men were appointed to be in charge of the treasuries, the wave offerings, the tithes, and first-of-the-harvest offerings, and to collect these from the farms as decreed by the laws of Moses. These offerings were assigned to the priests and Levites, for the people of Judah appreciated the priests and Levites and their ministry. 45 They also appreciated the work of the singers and gatekeepers, who assisted them in worshiping God and performing the purification ceremonies as required by the laws of David and his son Solomon. 46 (It was in the days of David and Asaph that the custom began of having choir directors to lead the choirs in hymns of praise and thanks to God.) 47 So now, in the days of Zerubbabel and Nehemiah, the people brought a daily supply of food for the members of the choir, the gatekeepers, and the Levites. The Levites, in turn, gave a portion of what they received to the priests.
The text I read to you came as the Levites gather for the dedication of the city wall; It was completely rebuilt in 52 days!
Happiness and joy can be heard among this Jewish group of believer’s.
They rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem.
They withstood the enemies taunt.
They took their job descriptions serious.
* They received the call, and accepted the mind, mixed with purpose to work together— To minister together!
But why? Every person knew their tasks and assignments; they acted as servants to the Most High God! (1Corinthians 14:40 Order).
Proverbs 29:18ESV Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.
The same great verse from the Message Bible: 18 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.
Under the direction of Nehemiah the walls of Jerusalem were completed in 52 days.
The walls were built on top of other rock walls of the past.
Key: To receive and keep 20/20 vision I can’t think of anyone I would rather follow than Nehemiah.
Nehemiah accepted the call of God to serve his people.
“I think it’s pretty neat when someone operates in their gifting and call.’ ‘They do what they do, because it’s part of them.” P.H
Q&A: What keeps a Nehemiah steady while developing in personal growth?
There’s Satisfaction—Doing God’s will…
There’s Joy, Peace and Love.
There’s excellence in their service, because what they do is bigger than themselves.
Testimony: This coming year is 20/20, The Lord spoke this simple word to me, for us to receive 20/20 vision.
Say, “20/20 Vision.”
I goggled what does 20/20 vision mean? 20/20- Normal vision. Fighter pilot minimum. Required to read the stock quotes in the newspaper, or numbers in the telephone book.
Like Nehemiah, to walk with 20/20 vision requires (you) to accept God’s call on (upon) your life!
Romans 11:29ESV For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
Here’s the truth, “If accepted, spiritual growth will come to you.”
a) God’s call requires the realization of your spiritual gifts.
b) You can’t realize your call (your full potential) without accepting spiritual gifts.
How do I accept it?
Philippians 2:1-11NLT Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. 3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. 9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Again, To receive and keep 20/20 vision I can’t think of anyone I would rather follow than Nehemiah.
Nehemiah heard the news, “The city of Jerusalem and its walls are burned and destroyed! —This moved Nehemiah.
My question is, “What moves you?”
Nehemiah 1:4NIV When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.
Another question, “Is what we do and the people attending CECC worth our fasting and prayer?”
“Are you ready to receive 20/20 vision for your future and the future of God’s church?”
Nehemiah gathered the courage to gather a plan, to see a vision, and to tell his story.
Will you tell the story? Will you tell it to the next generation!
It took tremendous courage for Nehemiah to go back to Jerusalem and rebuild.
His campaign, or his cry was to restore the things of All-Mighty God!
Restore the broken.
To raise the wall to record height.
To bring order back to Jerusalem.
To walk in humility; to please the Lord above everything we do.
Listen to Nehemiah’s prayer in Nehemiah 1:5-11NLT 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.’
10 “The people you rescued by your great power and strong hand are your servants. 11 O Lord, please hear my prayer! Listen to the prayers of those of us who delight in honoring you. Please grant me success today by making the king favorable to me. Put it into his heart to be kind to me.” In those days I was the king’s cup-bearer.
Nehemiah hides nothing, he’s totally genuine; He’s wholly surrendered to his Lord.
Nehemiah uses words like: He’s covenant keeping, He’s filled with unfailing love, Nehemiah confesses his sins, as well as Israel’s. Nehemiah proclaims, God will bring His own people back, He will deliver them, He will take His people out of exile, and transfer them back to their homelands.
Again, To receive and keep 20/20 vision I can’t think of anyone I would rather follow than Nehemiah.
4. Nehemiah walked in humility as he dealt with other rulers along the way. He gained favor with them—Nehemiah 2:7-10, Nehemiah was a cupbearer to a king in a foreign land, and this king gave Nehemiah permission to ask other’s for help.
Isaiah 1:19NKJV If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land;
Again, Nehemiah 12:43TLB Many sacrifices were offered on that joyous day, for God had given us cause for great joy. The women and children rejoiced, too, and the joy of the people of Jerusalem was heard far away!
Testimony: I relate to the book of Nehemiah because it was instrumental in my first ever building program; I go back to Nehemiah because the book gives me a fresh look for what it takes to follow a vision with purpose.
“Having vision, and carrying out a plan with everyone on board is joyful, and it too makes our voices heard through out the land.” P.H
Listen to what Paul wrote in Colossians 1:4NIV because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God's people—
Philemon 1:5NIV because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus.
“This I know, If we continue to work together people will hear about our faith in Jesus.” P.H
Nehemiah 12:47TLB So now, in the days of Zerubbabel and Nehemiah, the people brought a daily supply of food for the members of the choir, the gatekeepers, and the Levites. The Levites, in turn, gave a portion of what they received to the priests.
I might have missed this, but I don’t think so. * God’s people were working together.
* God’s people went through many trials to get here.
* God’s people stuck together.
* God’s people wanted what was best for Jerusalem.
God’s people wanted to serve. And serve they did.
God’s people had purpose and vision restored.
Benediction— Are you ready for 20/20 Vision?
