Series: Renew 2021
Thesis: We need to be renewed by connecting or re-connecting with the Lord this year in 2021. To do this requires a renewed mind, a renewed soul and a renewed passion for Jesus.
Key theme Scriptures for the year:
“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” - Isaiah 40:30-31
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” - Romans 12:2
“Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” - 2 Corinthians 4:16
2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Our theme for 2021 is Re-new we accomplish this by:
1. Renewing the mind
2. Refreshing the soul
3. Reigniting a passion for Jesus
When we decide to go after these (RE’s) another (RE) occurs – the word is revival – what is a revival? – it’s an extraordinary event moved by the power of the Holy Spirit to get people to repent and come to the Lord. It takes place within the church, within individuals lives, family lives and within the community. Revival is a great spiritual awakening and will change people, families, churches and communities – it’s a divine move of God.
Key point: The “Re’s” we have been exploring are all key ingredients to revival and renewal – these “Re’s” are to be looked on as beacons of light and hope for us to be renewed in 2021. We have to decide to put them into action to get a prayer for revival and renewal.
Sermon 2: Renewal (Nehemiah part 2)
Thesis: The Body of Christ in America needs to be renewed in 2021. They need to follow the example of Nehemiah who returned to Jerusalem by the direction of the Lord to rebuild, restore, rejuvenate, and to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. To bring peace and security to the people of Jerusalem. All these elements are a part of revival!
Scripture Text: Nehemiah 2:1-10:
Nehemiah Goes to Jerusalem
1During the month of Nisan£ in the twentieth year that Artaxerxes was king, I served him his wine, as I had done before. But this was the first time I had ever looked depressed.
2So the king said, “Why do you look so sad? You’re not sick. Something must be bothering you.” Even though I was frightened,
3£ I answered, “Your Majesty, I hope you live forever! I feel sad because the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and its gates have been burned down.”
4The king asked, “What do you want me to do?” I prayed to the God who rules from heaven.
5Then I told the king, “Sir, if it’s all right with you, please send me back to Judah, so that I can rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.”
6The queen was sitting beside the king when he asked me, “How long will it take, and when will you be back?” The king agreed to let me go, and I told him when I would return.
7Then I asked, “Your Majesty, would you be willing to give me letters to the governors of the provinces west of the Euphrates River, so that I can travel safely to Judah?
8I will need timber to rebuild the gates of the fortress near the temple and more timber to construct the city wall and to build a place for me to live. And so, I would appreciate a letter to Asaph, who is in charge of the royal forest.” God was good to me, and the king did everything I asked.
9The king sent some army officers and cavalry troops along with me, and as I traveled through the Western Provinces, I gave the letters to the governors.
10But when Sanballat from Horon and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about what had happened, they became very angry, because they didn’t want anyone to help the people of Israel.
See the Bible for rest of the text Nehemiah 2:1-4:23
We need to follow the call of God to rebuild, restore and reinforce that which was broken down and left destroyed by the evil one. We need to follow the re’s that Nehemiah followed to get the building project started and completed. This will require faith, work, courage and a willingness to defend the building project. Yes, it also requires risk and standing strong on God’s Word and Truth in the midst of opposition, but it must be done to complete the task.
Introduction:
Building projects are a lot of work, hard work, dirty work, long hours of work. Nehemiah touched by God in a foreign land living a good life – financially prosperous – prestigious job with the king. Favor with his king and queen receives a call from God to go rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Notice he is not rebuilding the temple because that has been completed about 71 years earlier. But he is called to build a wall. A wall? A building project for the Lord? This does not sound to spiritual? But the Lord called Nehemiah from a distant land to do a building project in his place of heritage! Do you mean to tell me God calls people to build walls for him? The answer is yes, He does!
God calls people to build churches, hospitals, clinics, orphanages, cities, boats, cars and the list could go one and on.
God calls people to do all kinds of things for His kingdom and for His people! Some are building projects!
Yes, God calls people to be brick layers, carpenters, mechanics, tech people, media people, cleaners, business people to do certain tasks. It’s part of their divine destiny – their God given assignment! Just as God calls pastors to ministry he calls lay people to certain tasks too. All of equal value in the eyes and the mission of the Lord.
I find it interesting all the people’s names noted in Scripture who worked on the Temple and the wall in Ezra and Nehemiah – they are named in the annuals of Heaven for their contribution in the God given building projects. We see it throughout the Old Testament and even in the New Testament! Question: Will your name make the annuals of Heaven as being part of a building project for the Lord – completing a mission for the Lord?
Question – What are you supposed to build for God? What has He called you build – to do – for the Kingdom of Heaven and for Jesus? Do you even know what it is?
The Re’s I discovered in the story of Nehemiah tells us how to be renewed: So I challenge you to read Nehemiah this week and look for them, especially in Neh. 1:1 – 4:23!
Let’s explote some more Re’s I discovered in chapters 2-4 of Nehemiah:
1. Request – 2:1-5:
a. Most projects for the Lord start off with a call and then a request! A request is a faith step by the way! It’s the big ask to set the project in motion – it could be permission to go, permission to build, asking for financial support, asking for help with the labor. But the request must happen!
i. Nehemiah makes his request to King Artaxerxes and most scholars believe Queen Esther (Yes same one from the book of Esther) You can read Esther and you will see what God did for His people when the enemy tried to wipe them out! He placed Esther in her position for such a time as this – and to be there for Nehemiah’s request as well with either her husband or step son or son (History unclear who this king is).
1. See the book of Esther for the full story!
b. But Nehemiah’s Request is very risky – if his request is taken the wrong way by the King he could have him executed. Sounds crazy but they were crazy times! By the way King Xerxes had been known to go to the extreme and react irrational! His son most likely was like his father and the request was risky either way or for either king.
i. See the story of Queen Vashti in Esther about Xerxes!
ii. But Nehemiah knows he has to ask, he has to risk the ask. Especially if he is to follow the call God has placed on His life. So, he bathes this ask with a lot of prayer to God.
iii. He has to take the risk – so do we by the way – walking by faith is spelled Risk!
1. Risk taking saying I discovered years ago in a high school math class I was subbing in as a teacher:
a. Illustration- Risks
• To laugh is to risk appearing the fool
• To weep is to risk appearing sentimental
• To reach out for another is to risk involvement
• To expose feelings is to risk exposing, your true self
• To place your ideas, your dreams before a crowd is to risk their loss
• To love is to risk not being loved in return
• To live is to risk dying
• To hope is to risk despair
• To try is to risk failure
• But risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing
• The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing and is nothing
• They may avoid suffering and sorrow but they cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love or live
• Charmed by their attitudes they are a slave, they have forfeited their freedom.
• Only a person who risks is free
iv. Risk taking should be an indispensable part of the Christian walk – did you hear what I just said?
1. When we look back over church history, we see Christians who risked all to make a difference for the Kingdom of God. These individuals had courage to begin something or take a stand for God in the midst of difficult circumstances. For some it meant ridicule, slanderous remarks, becoming laughing stocks in their community, it meant being condemned by their community, it meant imprisonment, it meant personal loss of family, friends, and finances. It meant facing a dangerous life threatening situations. For some it cost them their lives. But all these risk takers made an eternal impact for the Kingdom of God.
a. The 12 disciples - The early church martyr’s took risks and paid with their lives.
2. Some risk takers from history:
a. Patrick - 389-461 AD - A risk taker who took the gospel to Ireland after he escaped from Ireland as a slave from 405-411 AD. He took a risk to go back to his captors and share Christ with them. He saw converts converted in all social classes during his ministry.
b. John Wycliff - 1330-1384 AD- He is a risker known as the Morning Star of the Reformation. He risked taking on the catholic church for Christ to cause reform and influenced his followers to translate the Bible into English so the common man could read it. Dies of a stroke years later his body found dug and burned as a heretic!
c. Martin Luther 1483-1546 AD- He is the father of the Protestant Reformation. He was a catholic monk and priest that challenged the churches heresy. He promoted justification by grace alone through faith that the Bible was the ultimate authority for Christian belief and practice even though the church of the day disagreed with him. AS a result of his risk taking Evangelical Christianity preserves and continues today.
i. Note: rumors was that Luther had died suddenly or in his sleep. In the sixteenth century it was believed that if a person was wicked then they would die suddenly. This meant that the person would not have time to confess their sins because the Devil would suddenly come upon him and drag his soul to hell. Likewise, Roman Catholics also later circulated the claim that Luther had died in a state of terror, believing he would be eternally condemned. On the contrary, Jonas recorded that Luther’s last hours were lucid and conscious. He confessed his sins and affirmed his faith in Christ, along with everything else that he had taught.
1. From https://lutheranreformation.org/history/the-death-of-luther/
2. His premonition of his death is written about and said
In the weeks leading up to his death, Luther seems to have had a premonition that he would pass away soon. Many of his statements from that time emphasize that death is the great equalizer. In this, Luther’s attitude mirrors that of his contemporaries in the wake of the Black Death (1347 and after). This notion of death as the great equalizer had also found popular expression in the late medieval poem “The Dance of Death,” which described a personified death leading people to their graves, irrespective of their wealth, fame, or high birth.
d. William Tyndale - 1490-1536 AD- He is the risk taker who is the father of the English Bible. Before him there was the Wyclif Bible but this never widely circulated in English and was a translation from the Vulgate. Tyndale translated an English version of the Bible from the Greek and Hebrew and had it printed in mass and circulated. He was branded by the Catholic church as an outlaw. He later became known as "God's Outlaw". He was martyred at Brussels for his actions.
e. John Calvin - 1509-1564 AD - The risk taker who was exiled from France and became chief pastor in Geneva. He is known as the Reformations supreme Bible teacher. He some of the first commentaries on Scripture. His writing helped fire such great pastoral evangelists such as John Bunyan, George Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards, Charles Haddon Spurgeon and William Carey.
i. These risk takers had a drive to step out for Him. There risky steps made an impact on the Kingdom of God. These individuals will go down in history for all eternity as God's risk takers.
T.S. – So our first “Re” for this section of Nehemiah is “Request” which always requires faith and risk, but it is the one of the initial steps to getting the project for God off the ground. Our 2nd “Re” is the Rechecking of the facts of the mission after the big ask – it’s the who, what, when, were, why and How much questions? They will come with every big ask so you need to be able to answer these questions. Remember to be able to answer the questions after the big ask means we need the wisdom of God!
2. Rechecking of the facts or reconceptualizing the big ask of Nehemiah – they need to get the vision - see the vision and the benefit of its completion – Nehemiah 2:1-10:
a. The King and Queen recheck and ask questions about Nehemiah’s call from God to rebuild.
i. Where are you wanting to go?
ii. How long is the journey?
iii. What are you rebuilding?
iv. Why are you willing to do this?
v. How long will you be gone doing this building project for the Lord?
vi. What do you need to get the job done?
vii. Who needs to go with you?
viii. How much will it cost?
ix. He answers the King and Queen! They hear and see his heart and it pleased the King and Queen. So, they sent Nehemiah on his mission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem for the Lord.
1. Nehemiah requested other assistance from the King which was granted – He gave letters giving Nehemiah the products he needed to rebuild the wall and gates.
2. The King actually made him Governor of the area too, so he had the authority to complete the task.
a. He gave him authority to complete the project (legal authority) He even sent protection for Him.
b. He was given the green light to rebuild and he had all the legal paperwork, building permits, and permission to acquire the building materials to complete the project.
b. Who was the Queen – anyone know who she is or believes who she is?
i. Yes, I believe from my research it is Queen Esther by the way, she is the main character in the book of Esther?
1. She was raised and guided by the Lord and Mordecai to become Queen of the empire! She was placed by the Lord to be in this position for such times as this. In becoming Queen she saves the Jewish nation from being wiped by an evil person of influence to King Xerxes called Haman.
a. Esther – follows the book of Nehemiah to fill in the behind the scenes information needed to understand how God’s hand was on the nation of Israel and their people. It was placed in the Bible to show how God protected them and guided them as they honored Him – even in slavery.
2. Key phrase of Esther: “For such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 b
a. Esther as the new queen needed to stop Haman and Xerxes from wiping out the Jewish people – she was afraid to do it – it could cost her life but Mordecai reminder her that she was placed in her position of power for such a time as this by God!
b. If she chose not to risk- take the step of faith - then God would find someone else and they and their family would be blessed for being obedient to following the direction of the Lord.
c. Her final response: Esther 4:15-17 “…Fast-pray…I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”
d. She was successful and the king granted her request to save the Jewish people and Haman ended up being executed.
ii. Esther knew Nehemiah was putting his life on the line to go rebuild Jerusalem – and in his asking the King to go was risky– Jerusalem was her city of heritage too – I find it interesting the Bible says here, “Then the King, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, ‘How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?’ It pleased the king to send me; so, I set a time.” (Nehemiah 2:6)
1. Have you heard the phrase – the man may be head of the household, but the woman is the neck and is the one who turns the head of the man where it needs to go?
a. Quote is from my Big Fat Greek Wedding.
2. Esther was in her position again to influence the King in doing the right thing and letting Nehemiah go with his blessings to rebuild the walls.
iii. Esther is known in historical records by different names and languages:
1. Esther: Hebrew
2. Hadassah: Akkadin
3. Stara: Persian
4. Ishtar: Babylonian
c. The King in our story has been identified as the following persons or different rulers:
i. View 1 - Xerxes – Esther’s husband – Also known as Ahasuerus and Artaxerxes this view is taken by the Septuagint scholars, Vulgate Scholars and the Jewish Historian “Josephus” says this was the same person and known to the Greeks as Artaxerxes – they all strongly believe that they are all one in the same person. Catholic scholars also associate the 3 as one person.
1. They think book written earlier date wise.
a. The Septuagint is the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and used by the early Church.
b. The Vulgate is a late-4th-century Latin translation of the Bible.
ii. View 2 – Artaxerxes 1 – Xerxes son and step son to Queen Esther is taken by just as many if not more scholars today. There are a few scholars who think the queen is Artaxerxes one and only wife (Queen Damaspia.) he had only one and she is usually always in the background never mention her and scholars mostly disagree with this queen being her.
1. Take a later date in the writing of the book.
iii. View 3 – Artaxerxes – Xerxes and Esther’s son. Others believe Esther and Xerxes son was Cyrus according to the Jewish Talmud. Others say it was Darius. As you see the records are not very clear and many different views of which king this is or was.
1. The three views all point to different King’s but the bulk of scholars agree Esther is the Queen mentioned in Nehemiah and is at the dinner when the King notices Nehemiah’s sadness and Esther is placed there by God to be involved as a wife or mother figure in guiding the King to allow Nehemiah to complete the mission he received from the Lord.
T.S. – So our second “Re” in this section is the “Recheck” after the “big ask” this to is essential to get a project off the ground for the Lord – it requires faith, pre-planning and wisdom from God, but it is necessary to get the building project moving in the right direction. The third “Re” is Nehemiah’s “Return” to Jerusalem – the journey would be filled with danger – opposition and even excitement. It sounds simple in our text, but it was a long hard journey! It was a 1,000 mile journey by horseback or camel.
3. Return – 2:9-11:
a. Nehemiah sets off on His journey – with the blessings of the King and Queen – with soldiers for protection – with power and authority to get the job done – and a crew of people to assist him in the task of rebuilding. He even has permission to get the building material he needs to complete the building project for God.
i. His trip goes without incident from what we know it was a 1,000 mile journey to Jerusalem but it is achieved.
b. Upon closing in on Jerusalem he goes to the Governor of Trans Euphrates area to give them the Kings letters – to assure this governor would listen to Nehemiah King he sent an armed guard with Nehemiah! To make the point clear to the Governor and the anti-Jewish coalition in the area that this was the Kings order and he had Nehemiah’s back!
i. He knew there would be trouble with other leaders in the area!
ii. He knew how many hated the Jewish nation – remember he had to deal with Haman!
iii. So, he sent some muscle and fear with our hero of the faith.
1. Share the story of John and I crossing Guinea a journey of 27 hours (Note there had been lost of problems in Guinea at this time) and how we miraculously were asked to transport 2 soldiers all the way across the country – to go with us – so we ended up giving them a ride across the country and we had no issues.
2. When I flew out of Guinea a riot happened an hour after my departure.
T.S. – The 3rd “Re” is the “Return” and it’s long journey but Nehemiah made it safely and with the Kings backing. The 4th “Re”: I see in the story is His “Review or Reassessment” of the broken walls and gates of Jerusalem. He was looking to see how bad it really was – he had been given reports on it before but now he see’s it with his own eyes! It was worse than he had heard!
4. Review - Reassessing the wall - Nehemiah 2:11-18:
a. He arrives in Jerusalem sets up camp and on the third day at night went and explored how much damage had been done to the wall and gates – he realized it was going to be a long hard work project!
i. He goes out alone – he had not made the officials in the city aware of what he was doing or up too.
ii. It was him and the Lord looking at the broken walls and gates – I am sure it was heart wrenching!
b. Upon reviewing the wall, the debris, the gates, the damage, the rubble and assessing the situation he addresses the leaders in the city:
i. Nehemiah 2:17-18: 17But when I got back, I said to them, “Jerusalem is truly in a mess! The gates have been torn down and burned, and everything is in ruins. We must rebuild the city wall so that we can again take pride in our city.” 18Then I told them how kind God had been and what the king had said. Immediately, they replied, “Let’s start building now!” So, they got everything ready.”
1. He cast the vision of the need and looks to the people to do something about it!
2. They respond with enthusiasm! Lets rebuild!
ii. Notice verse 19-20: The enemies of Israel immediately start mocking them and ridiculing them and accuse him/them of rebelling against the King!
1. This is always Satan’s tactic by the way – you get pumped up to do a project for God and Satan immediately comes in saying – you cannot do this! The project is impossible! You will fail! You don’t have the strength or ability to do this or accomplish this building project! Give up! Quit!
T.S. – The “Reviewing” of any rebuilding project is essential to attain. Because you need and accurate picture of the project and the task at hand. Then you need to go recruit the help you need to get the project done for the Lord. The 5th “Re” in our story is the actual “Rebuilding” of the wall and gates and the people did get involved in the project!
5. Rebuild –Nehemiah 3:1-32:
a. Things are set in motion to rebuild – restore – renew – the walls of the city of God. But other people are angry, disturbed and alarmed – the Samaritans, the Arabs, and the Ammonites.
i. Note: Whenever you rebuild for the Lord expect opposition – anger – rage – attacks - and even lies and deceptive propaganda! From Anti-biblical groups and people!
1. But the rebuilding project moves forward with lots of faithful help!
b. Notice all the names of people in the Bible of people involved in the project – do not overlook the names of these people and families and groups of workers. This is important to see and notice!
i. These are in the Bible so following Generations of people can read about their heroic work for the Lord – to hear of their courage and faith to rebuild Jerusalem even under threat of attack or possible attack from their enemies. Families were involved in this building project – they are highlighted as heroes of the faith.
1. Point to notice – God knows what you are doing or not doing for Him and the Kingdom! He is recording in Heaven what you are doing or not doing for His Kingdom!
ii. Would your name make the annuals of Heaven?
1. Some are more concerned about making a name for themselves on earth and could care less about Heavens records of the Heroes of the faith.
2. I would rather have my name known in Heaven than a famous name here on this earth!
c. Do you want God to notice you – do you want rewarded for investing in eternity and the Kingdom of Heaven? Or do you just desire to live your life only for yourself?
T.S. – The rebuilding project is under way and the people who worked it are honored and highlighted but the 6th “Re” is the need for “Reinforcements”. People are called in because of all the threats from the enemies of Israel. Guard are needed and posted in the middle of the work project.
6. Reinforce – 4:1-23:
a. Whenever you build or rebuild for the Lord – Satan will attack you! He will threaten you!
i. Remember the mission of the Devil is revealed in John 10:10 in Jesus words and again addressed in the Words of Peter in 1 Peter 5:8:
1. John 10:10: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Satan still uses the same tactics today!
a. Steal – To take what belongs to others like their God given identities and destinies! Telling them they are not who God created them to be and stealing their identity! Stopping their divine call and mission!
b. Kill – to take innocent lives and murder innocent people! The Devil is a murderer – he will seek to kill the people of God and as many innocent lives he can.
c. Destroy – To tear down that which is built – by using deception, force, violence, to bring disunity to promote disharmony, to undermine productivity and the lives of others. To destroy families and the family unit. To destroy people and their businesses. To attack and destroy unity in a society. To leave things in a state of rubble. To destroy nations and cities. To destroy churches and ministries.
2. 1 Peter 5:8-9: “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
b. But listen to their commitment – the courage and the faith of the people involved in the building project:
i. Nehemiah 4:6-9: “6The people worked hard, and we built the walls of Jerusalem halfway up again. 7But Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the people from the city of Ashdod saw the walls going up and the holes being repaired. So, they became angry 8and decided to stir up trouble, and to fight against the people of Jerusalem. 9But we kept on praying to our God, and we also stationed guards day and night.”
1. They committed to pray – they choose faith over their fears – they would not allow threats or fear to stop them. They risked their lives and their families lives to rebuild the walls and gates for the Lord!
a. Why, because once the project was completed they actually would be more safe and secure – the could be more at peace because the fortified wall would help them stay safe from their enemies.
b. But Satan is telling them you cannot be secure and safe! Lie! He is the father of lies and deception! Still is by the way!
c. There were those people in the city afraid of the possible attack of the enemy on them – they fell prey to the lies and started saying – “The laborers strength is giving out – there is too much rubble – we cannot rebuild the wall – we need to quit so our enemies leave us alone!”
i. There will always be those faint of heart and afraid to complete the project for the Lord!
ii. He says 10x over in our text they cried, “You need to stop the project – we cannot do this because we will die from our enemies. They will kill us if we keep going forward with the building project!”
1. Stop for our safety sake! Don’t work for the Lord – Stop for the idol of safety!
a. They allowed their fear to overcome their faith and their trust in God to protect them!
d. But they had Nehemiah as a leader – determined – fearless – he did not allow his faith to overcome his fear and stop the project – so they pressed forward.
i. So, he stationed guards along with the workers to protect them from any surprise attacks.
1. He listened to their cry and came up with another way to complete the project with safety measures put in place. But he did not stop the mission project!
ii. He even reminded them in Nehemiah 4:14-16: “Fear not God is on our side!”
1. 14Then I looked things over and told the leaders, the officials, and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of your enemies! The Lord is great and fearsome. So, think of him and fight for your relatives and children, your wives and homes!” 15Our enemies found out that we knew about their plot against us, but God kept them from doing what they had planned. So, we went back to work on the wall.
e. So, they worked – they guarded – they watched – they even worked with swords on their belts – they worked with a hand on a tool and a hand on a weapon so as to complete the rebuilding project for the Lord.
i. They set up a safety plan to call the people together to fight if they saw their enemies coming – the enemy kept making threats, but they could do nothing to stop them – because God had their back!
ii. They worked and were ready to fight at the drop of a hat!
iii. They finished the building project in 52 days by the way!
1. You would have thought from all the commotion in these chapters it was years, but the truth be told it was days.
f. Lessons to be learned today from doing the building project for God in Nehemiah?
i. The project honored the people who were involved by naming them.
1. So , God honored those who worked on the project with putting their names in the Bible!
ii. It took less time than expected to rebuild.
1. Projects for God may look impossible and come with severe opposition, but it will go quicker than you think with God by your side.
iii. It was completed with sword in one hand and tools in the other.
1. When we work for the Lord we need to fearless – do the work and be ready to defend the project at the drop of a hat – by using the sword of the Spirit.
iv. Why were they successful in completing the project – there is a hint why in verse 6 when Nehemiah said, “The people worked with all their heart!”
1. Nehemiah 4: 6: “So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half it’s height, for the people worked with all their heart.”
Conclusion:
What do we need to know from this message?
Answer: We need to follow the example of Nehemiah and rebuild! All the “Re-s” in this story require: faith and action! It requires risk and responsibility to decide to be part of the solution and not part of the problem. It requires a willingness to go change the world with the impartation and empowerment of the Holy Spirit! It requires risk and faith and facing opposition of the enemy.
Why do we need to know this?
Answer: We need to know that God wants to use you and me to do this! He wants you to be willing to go sacrifice and serve within His Kingdom to bring safety to others, peace to others and create a safe place to worship and serve God.
What do we need to do?
Answer: We need to be cut to the heart with the needs around us – we need to intercede for that need – we need to fast about it and pray about it and cry out to God about it – so we can make a difference for the Kingdom of God and see people set free from our action.
Why do we need to do this?
Answer: If we want renewal – revival – it requires us to become involved with our whole heart – it requires us to say “Yes I will go – send me Lord” type mindset! It means being willing to allow our faith to overcome our fears and to be ready to fight against any enemy that tries to stop God’s mission. But we have to go rebuild!
Altar call – ministry time!
Do you need your faith to rise up over your fear?
Do you need to move forward with a mission for the Lord you know you have stopped at?
Do you want a mission given to you by the Lord?
Do you want God to implant courage in you to fight for the mission?
Do you want your family involved in the project with you?
Do you need encouragement from the Lord to complete the task for Him?
Do you need strength to finish strong?
Then come forward for prayer during ministry time!
