Title: Key’s to Success Script: Neh. 2
Type: Expository Where: GNBC 1-11-15
Intro: The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, first published in 1989, is a business and self-help book written by Stephen R. Covey.[1] Covey presents an approach to being effective in attaining goals by aligning oneself to what he calls "true north" principles of a character ethic that he presents as universal and timeless.Those 7 principles: Being Proactive, Begin with the End in Mind, Put First things First, Think Win/win, Seek to Understand first and then be Understood, Synergize, and Sharpen the Saw. Before you can adopt the seven habits, you'll need to accomplish what Covey calls a "paradigm shift"--a change in perception and interpretation of how the world works. Covey takes you through this change, which affects how you perceive and act regarding productivity, time management, positive thinking, developing your "proactive muscles" (acting with initiative rather than reacting), and much more. Well, I know that Nehemiah did not have one of Mr. Covey’s books. However, Nehemiah was an incredibly effective individual and in today’s passage we see 4 responses he had that helped to assure his success. Beginning of ministry year near to ask how can apply to own lives.
Prop: Reading Nehemiah 4 we’ll notice success is predicated on NOT responding in 4 ways.
BG: 1. Nehemiah has been informed of Jerusalem’s need by his brother.
2. Has taken time now to pray and consider, yet still has not gone to ask or inform the king.
3.
Prop: Exam w/me Neh. 4 so can notice 4 responses not to have which help ensure success.
I. Don’t Let Fear Secure Your Failure. Vv. 1-5
A. Beware, Fear will Paralyze your Potential. v.2
1. Nehemiah was not about to let Fear Secure his future.
a. Read vv. 1-2 – Nehemiah has been concerned about everything going on back in homeland. Has been praying and now is fulfilling duties before the king. Countenance is downcast and king notices. This had never happened before and for good reason…king could kill you for it!
b. At that moment Nehemiah is afraid. He knows what could happen. Yet, that moment was something God was directing to move Nehemiah to a different level of service for His Kingdom’s sake. What strikes fear into your heart? Respond with God’s grace and just may be on the heels of doing something great for His Kingdom’s sake.
2. Fear will secure your or my future if we give into it.
a. Christian, what are you afraid of? Success? Relationships? Health goals for the new year? Financial goals for the new year?
b. Illust: Recently read IC native, Tom Cannon’s book: Lessons from the Gas Station. Tom Cannon owns several businesses in town and is a self-made multi-millionaire. Very humble and write more about his business failures than success, which by the way, is pretty common trait amongst entrepreneurs. Phrase he repeats in the book in the book worth remembering is: “Getting started is 90% of what takes to be successful.” Look at the passage. Nehemiah knew the need. Prayed about his part in meeting the need. Approached the king and received a favorable response. Secure the resources. Knew had the blessing of God. Had everything needed to be successful, right? Yes, BUT…still had to go out and take the first steps towards Jerusalem. I have known many people in life who had everything needed to be successful but allowed fear of taking the first step secure their failure.
B. Prayer is the Great Antidote to Fear. V.4
1. Notice, Nehemiah had prayed before his meeting with the King.
a. Before Nehemiah’s meeting in chapter 2 with King Artaxerxes we need to remember that he spent most of chapter 1 praying to God about the need and repenting of sin! I imagine Nehemiah was asking himself, “How will I open the conversation to ask the king my request?”
b. Illust: Usually 2-3 times a week or more I receive an email from Dr. Jim Gardner who sends out praise reports of people who have been delivered from fears, or bitterness or various forms of oppression through the power of prayer! I am in no ways belittling the issues people struggle with today, fears and psychosis. In part are we experiencing because we rarely, if ever, pray?
2. Notice, Nehemiah prayed during his meeting with the King.
a. The Bible tells Christians to “pray without ceasing” (I Thes.5:17). Doesn’t mean that we are to necessarily spend all of our waking hours in prayer. What I think it means is to always be in close communion with the Lord so that when the situation arises, you know to pray a quick prayer. Here, between v.2 and v.4 I think there was a lot of praying that was going on on Nehemiah’s part! Went from fear to favor in a matter of moments!
b. So what is prayer? Prayer is a relationship, wherein we humbly communicate, worship, and sincerely seek God's face, knowing that He hears us, loves us and will respond, though not always in a manner we may expect or desire. “The more you pray, the less you'll panic. The more you worship, the less you worry. You'll feel more patient and less pressured.”
C. Applic: When face with fearful, unforeseen circumstances, seek the Lord in prayer.
II. Don’t Let Haphazard Planning Scuttle Your Potential Success. V.6
A. Nehemiah had Carefully Thought Through His Request.
1. Nehemiah responded to his authority’s request with a definite answer.
a. v.6 “I gave him a definite time.” – Listen, Nehemiah doesn’t give a willy-nilly response to the sovereign’s request. He realizes that the king has an agenda and needs. He is a very important and trusted official and king values him and his service. It is right to let him know.
b. Illust: Over the years I have known many Christians who think they are being persecuting by employers or authority for their faith when in fact they were being reprimanded for their thoughtless planning. I have known people who felt called go on short term mission and when went to speak to employer for time off, failed the Nehemiah test and received an icy reception. Then said they were suffering for the Lord. Maybe were. However, employer is in the business to make a profit. If you are a part of that and you receive compensation from him/her, need to ask what his/her goals, schedules, etc. are too. Conversely, I have seen Christians ask non-Christian bosses permission to go on a mission, and when sensitively ask for time and while attempting to meet his/her goals, go with full blessing and sometimes even bounty!
2. Nehemiah asked for specific items from the king that would help assure his success.
a. First, Nehemiah asks for letters to be given to the governors of the various provinces so he could have unhindered travel through the empire so as to get back to Judah. This was logistically important. He was making sure his travel documents were in order.
b. Second, v. 8, he asks the king for letters to the royal lumber yard (Asaph was the overseer), so that he could have all of the important construction materials he needed. Nehemiah knew that there were no Lowes or Menards in Jerusalem and what was needed had to be taken. Illust: Some can remember the first team we took to Haiti. Took down many of the items thought would need because unsure of what would be available. Nehemiah is simply making sure his most needed construction items would be available for the task…otherwise would be a total waste of time. (If wanting to be successful, make sure you have the resources for the task.)
c. When we are attempting to do things for the Lord we need to remember that sometimes “You have not because you ask not.” (James 4:2) Here Nehemiah receives all of this blessing from the king, and austensibly from the Lord, because he is willing to ask.
B. In the midst of your Planning, Remember that God is still Sovereign.
1. God’s Sovereignty may in fact confirm your and my plans.
a. Certainly God’s sovereignty confirmed the plans of Nehemiah. Look at v.8 – Nehemiah reflects as he writes, on how all of this had gone so well…the timing of the event, the request to leave, the securing of resources and letters for travel, and he recognizes and gives the appropriate praise to God. v. 8 “And the king granted them to me because the good hand of God was on me.”
b. Herein lies another principle to success. Be humble and do not fail to give God the glory or praise. Nehemiah was undoubtedly a successful individual in many areas of his life. Was a “type A”, driven individual. Had the right connections socially..king’s most trusted servant. Yet, when reflects on life and successes…gives God the credit and glory. Young people: Do not forget. Give God the glory. You may be athletic. Musical. Academic. Give God the glory.
2. Conversely, God’s sovereignty may in fact override your plans.
a. Illust: Don’t ever forget, Abram and Sarai thought they knew the plan God had for their lives. They patiently waited years for the plan to be fulfilled. Did not happen. So, began to reason with own thinking and the customs and norms of society…let’s refigure how God is going to give us an heir. So Abram takes, at Sarai’s behest, her servant, Hagar, and has Ishmael. But guess what…that wasn’t God’s plan. Waiting more years and then finally, when all hope is lost, then God comes in and provides an heir, Isaac, in a way had not really expected to see in 25 yrs. That was God’s place and timing
b. Illust: When Carol and I married we had planned to stay in SC 1-1.5 years while raising support or seeking opportunities to do church planting in Ireland. Came back from honeymoon and literally had church dropped in our laps. DS even asked if would commit to 9 mo. at end of which the District would close. I said would go but not to close it. Stayed 6 yrs. Then came to Iowa. Never did go to Ireland as a church planter. However, also 100% convinced not out of the will of God. I thought I knew what God wanted, but He directed and orchestrated over time.
C. Applic: Not planning is planning to fail. Don’t be haphazard, then you can succeed.
III. Don’t Let Opposition Undermine or Discourage You. (v.10&19)
A. When doing the Lord’s work, expect detractors.
1. Look at the Detractors coming out of the woodwork in an attempt to undermine and discourage Nehemiah!
a. v. 10 Sanballat, Tobiah, v.19 – Geshem. Sanballat was a Samaritan: hated the Jews. Tobiah was an Ammonite: eastern border of Judah. Geshem was an Arab. Each one of these men had a vested interest in having a weak Israel. Were concerned that someone was coming to help improve the lot of the Jews.
b. You have to think about the politics of what’s going on here. It is more probable that in order to alienate the Persian officials and to frighten the more timid spirits among the Jews, they pretended to interpret Nehemiah’s action as the first step towards a real rebellion. The insignificance of the Jewish community in size and strength—its inability to take any political step of real importance—presented an easy target for ridicule, which was calculated to arouse the suspicions of Persian officials at the same time that it promoted disaffection amongst the waiverers in Jerusalem.
2. The Christian should expect opposition.
a. Should we expect opposition? The Bible says all who desire to live godly in this world will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12). And, “Do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it come upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you,” (1 Peter 4:12). You will face opposition for carrying the name of Christ, that is a certainty. When you repent and place your faith in the completed work of Christ on your behalf, you are adopted into the family of God. When you are adopted into a family, you bear that family name. And there are few names that can cause such diverse and often quite viscous attack as the name of our Savior Jesus.
b. Illust: Although the enemy of our souls often uses pagans and non-Christians to discourage us, he is more adapt at using our brothers and sisters in Christ to cause us grief. Good News was still at the Fairgrounds. Man came up to me after one of the service. He and his family had been visiting several weeks. “I know several people who don’t think you are a very good preacher.” Now let me tell you, that is about the last thing any preacher wants to hear. It is definitely the last thing any preacher actually thinks about himself! Horrible timing! Now, I could have been given to fear, or anger, or bitterness. Yet, on that occasion I did not. Rather, God gave me grace, and at that moment, with a big smile on my face, I stuck out my hand to shake his and said: “Well isn’t that something, meet another!” Never was bitter over that.
B. Remember that the Lord’s Work is Spiritual in Nature and there is an avowed enemy.
1. The enmity of the serpent's seed against the cause of Christ is confined to no age or nation. The application to ourselves is plain. The church of God asks for our help. Is it not desolate, and exposed to assaults? Does the state of the Church in other lands cause you any grief? Let not business, pleasure, or the support of a political party so engage our attention, so that the welfare of Christ’s Bride shall be nothing to you.
2. God allows us to face opposition because it brings Him glory. Consider how great God's name is made when you refuse to indulge in the sins of the world or when you walk steadfast in faith during times of great opposition. With your actions you are saying, “I have found a greater treasure.” You are proclaiming that He is better and more satisfying than anything the world can offer. And lastly God allows suffering because it makes the cross of Christ so beautiful to us. D.A Carson says, "Frequently it is when we are crushed and devastated that the cross speaks most powerfully to us. The wounds of Christ then become Christ's credentials. The world mocks, but we are assured of God's love by Christ's wounds." The gospel assures us of God's great love for us. It enables us to face any opposition or trial. If God is for you, who can be against you, the Bible asks. God has shown He is for you by sending His Son to die the death that you deserved. If you have repented of your sin you have been adopted into His family, and God has given you the protection of His name. For when you face opposition, it is not you that people are opposing, but God, and He fights for you.
C. Applic: Expect opposition, and when it comes, don’t let it undermine you.
IV. Don’t Neglect to Lead when it’s Your Time to Lead! Vv. 12ff
A. Take the time to get a vision from the Lord for what needs to be done. Vv. 12-17
1. Nehemiah was taking the time and effort to see exactly what needed to be done.
-Again, notice that Nehemiah is getting a vision for what needs to be done. Not getting opinion polls and political surveys. Actually, not telling anyone, v. 16, except a couple o individuals. Not blabbing ideas or running off at the mouth. Rather, we see in v. 12, that he is getting his leading from the Lord.
2. Illust: Story reminds me of what took place in our own country. Richmond, VA, the capitol of the CSA, fell on April 3, 1865. The following day, started very early for Pres. A. Lincoln. He resolved to personally walk the streets of the fallen rebel capitol. He left DC that am on the “River Queen” as far as Varina, VA. With army escort went to outskirts. Accompanied by Naval officer David Porter, Captain Bell, and about 6 soldiers. Crowds thronged the streets, and chief among these were the emancipated, wishing to pay homage to their great emancipator!
As Lincoln walked the streets of Richmond that day, a small boy clutched his hand, and walked by his side. The small boy was Tad Lincoln, the President's own son, whom the President had taken with him to the fallen rebel city. This day, April 4, 1865 was Tad's 12th Birthday. This day was one of Mr. Lincoln's last. He fell victim to the Assassin John Wilkes Booth a short 10 days after this walk.
As Mr. Lincoln and his son walked the streets of Richmond, one group of newly freed slaves cried out, "Glory Hallelujah!", and fell to their knees before Mr. Lincoln. It was here the President paused, and motioned for them to rise. "Don't kneel to me," he told them, "You must kneel only to God, and thank him for your freedom. Liberty is your birthright. God gave it to you as he gave it to others, and it is a sin that you have been deprived of it for so many years."
B. Nehemiah was confident in the midst of a difficult situation.
1. Address the situation with confidence.
-Notice the confidence with which Nehemiah addressed the situation at hand. V. 17 (read) Nehemiah lays out the situation. Situation is not good. Desolate and burned by fire and gates are down. Leaders have to draw attention to the problem. As Christians living in America we see a lot that may cause us to be discouraged to retreat to think that best of times are already over.
2. Encourage others with confidence.
a. Illust: Whether it was FDR addressing the nation deep in economic depression during his first inaugural speech: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”, or Winston Churchill’s confidently walking through the bombed out streets of London, defiantly flashing the “V” symbol., or Ronald Reagan, leader of the free world, challenge to Mr. Gorbachev: “Tear down this wall!” Leaders lead by encouraging others with their confidence.
b. v.18 a – Notice what Nehemiah is doing. Relating how God has been and will continue to be faithful. The Jews needed a boost of confidence. Needed to know that God wasn’t dead, but alive and active and cared for them.
3. Admonish to action. “Let us rise up and build.” (v.18)
a. “Then I told them…”—Nehemiah relates his providential call, with the king’s commission, and the people were thoroughly enlisted in the good cause. Here was someone could believe in, trust to act, and knew would not be in rebellion. Jumped! People need a goal and focus.
b. Illust: What is it God is calling you and me to do this year? Let’s focus on the eternal! Dr. Samuel Palmer Brooks was president of Baylor University in Texas from 1902 until his death in 1931. On his deathbed he wrote a message to the senior class of 1931 which has become immortal to the students of Baylor. "I stand on the border of mortal life but I face eternal life. I look backward to the years of the past to see all pettiness, all triviality, shrink into nothing and disappear. Adverse criticism has no meaning now, only the worthwhile things, the constructive things that have built for the good of mankind and the glory of God count now. There is beauty, there is joy, and there is laughter in life—as there ought to be, but remember, my students, not to regard lightly nor to ridicule the sacred things, those worthwhile things. "Hold them dear, cherish them, for they alone will sustain you in the end, and remember, too, that only through work and oft-times through hardships may they be attained. But the compensation of blessing and sweetness at the last will glorify every hour of work and every heartache from hardship."
C. Applic:
