Pursuing Renewal in Tough Times!
Thesis: We need to follow the call of God to be renewed and we do this by rebuilding and restoring 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 vision for the building project started again and finished. This will require the “Re’s” of light called faith and hope to be put into action.
Scriptures:
“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
“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
Introduction
Renewal comes to those who pursue GOD and do The assigned divine mission they are given.
If I search through Scripture looking for leaders who had to lead and bring renewal through tough times to others my search would bring me too many Biblical leaders but there is one who stands out to me the most Nehemiah.
Nehemiah – the cup-bearer to King Artaxerxes – he as you know was the taste tester, his job was to see if the kings drink and food are poisoned – Great job right! But Nehemiah from his job knows about life and death and how his life could end at any moment. But he faces the challenge daily and performs his job for the king faithfully – yes, facing the risk of being poisoned each day. Can I make an observation - Nehemiah did not volunteer for this job or apply for this job. He was most likely was picked/drafted for the job – why because someone saw that he was trustworthy.
In the midst of his daily job for the king – he hears news of Jerusalem. The horrible conditions – the fear – the insecurity -the suffering and brokenness of the city.
His heart is wrenched – torn – broken – But from this position of brokenness and grief – He receives a mission from God – to go rebuild the walls of the city – by the way it was a dangerous mission, it was a life threatening mission, it seemed to be an impossible task because the building project had been shut down for 20 years, it was filled with opposition from the neighbors, not just opposition but threats, it required Biblical vision, faith (hope) to succeed. He had to step out take action and pursue the God given mission.
It’s challenging to complete a building project with construction delays. I know I ran my own construction company for a number of years - unexpected things surface in building projects. These unexpected problems can be caused by owners (the lady and the cabinets), by other contractors, building inspectors, neighbors, inspectors, subcontractors, suppliers, people in the community, or even by nature (the so-called “Acts of God”).
Building projects are a lot of work, hard work, dirty work, long hours of work. Nehemiah touched by God in a foreign land living life on the edge gets a call from God. He definitely had favor with his king and the queen – remember he receives a call from God to go rebuild and renew the walls of Jerusalem. Notice he is not rebuilding the temple that has been completed about 71 years earlier. But he is called to build a wall. A wall? A building project for the Lord? The Lord called Nehemiah to a distant land to do a building project! Do you mean to tell me God calls people to build walls for him? The answer is yes, He does!
Illustration: God calls some to even build canals!
For example: Teddy Roosevelt had a mission like Nehemiah He felt He was called to finish the Panama Canal project and overcome the unexpected obstacles that stopped it in the first place.
Story of Panama Canal: Chapter 6 from Bigger Faster Leadership “You did not expect this, did you?”
“At countless points in the story of the construction of the Panama Canal, optimism was shattered by reality!” (Chand page 89)
These realities stopped the project under the leadership of the French and lead it into bankruptcy! The cost of the project was so astronomical they spent their whole budget and then some while only having completed 40% of the project. The obstacles were the battle with the jungle, water-mud, sickness and death which ravaged the workers. The French lost 22,000 people to the incomplete project and the French people were shattered and stunned at the scope of difficulties and opposition to the project. So, they stopped! They quit!
Enter Teddy Roosevelt president of the United States. He recast the vision for the need for the Panama Canal and renewed the vision for it in the United States. He felt he was called to finish the building project. When Columbia opposed him, not surprisingly, because it was their land. Roosevelt organized and instigated a Revolution in the territory of Panama which broke ties with Columbia and formed their own nation backed by Roosevelt and the USA. They secured a treaty for the Panama Canal with Panama so the new sovereign country had income and they went to work to restart the canal building project.
So, hurdle one is resolved and now the engineers face the daunting logistical problems of restarting the project. Engineering problems were not even the biggest obstacle to the rebirth of the project. The problem of disease resurfaced immediately and knowing the fate of the French workers Roosevelt order sanitary living conditions for all the workers unlike the French. He then recruited a Physician from John Hopkins University - Colonel William Crawford Gorgas. He immediately incorporated the studies from an English Doctor in India about disease carried by mosquitos – these being Malaria and Yellow Fever! Gorgas took the lead and upon arrival in Panama went to work using a new found technique of fumigating the enter canal zone to kill these deadly bugs– killing the mosquitos was paramount in the success of the rebuilding project. Congress was convinced by Roosevelt and Gorgas to a lot 1 million dollars to kill these deadly bugs. In early 1906 at one point, “The Great Scare “ Rolled through the workers camps were 85% were or had been hospitalized. 3/4 of the Americans in the canal zone fled the area saying it was not worth it. But by August 1906 Yellow Fever was disappearing from the fumigating by November the last worker to die of Yellow Fever passed. By 1907 Yellow fever was eliminated. But Malaria was more difficult to eradicate but they stayed the course and by 1910 the fumigating which was done repeatedly over and over dropped the death rates of the workers to 1%! The total loss for America was 350 Americans and 4,500 West Indian workers from the area. Dr. Gorgas methods of controlling insect borne disease proved to be monumental and a breakthrough for the world!
Many of us today are most likely saying the same as they did “I did not expect this!” we too have been surprised by the chain of events over the last two years. Pandemics, sickness, death, racial riots and tension, political dissension, an attack on morality – BEING TOLD THE CHURCH IS NOT ESSENTIAL and THE all out assault on Biblical values.
Chand notes when the French and even American workers arrived on the scene in Panama, they did not see those pesky little mosquitos and their annoying biting as being the main culprit of death and sickness! But those individual bites infected people then the infected ones became carriers to others infecting more people bringing a wave of destruction and death.
Nehemiah had a problem with mosquitos too – not the same kind found at the building of the Panama Canal but just as deadly! He too faced unexpected obstacles in the completing of the building project in Jerusalem. These deadly bugs were called sin, apathy, fear, Ammonites, Horonites, Arabs and so on. But Nehemiah too came up with a repellant to kill these deadly plagues, faith and hope! These two powerhouses helped him continue the rebuilding project in Jerusalem. Why? To fulfill God’s promises and bring a revival and renewal to the people of Israel - renewal could and would come to the broken city of God. But Nehemiah needed to go lead the project.
I have learned a few things in my 61 years of life - It’s easy to be a leader when things are going well. Would you not agree? A person doesn’t even have to be a good leader; everyone is enjoying the ride, and few people are complaining. But the difference between great leaders and mediocre leaders rises to the top in the midst of unexpected events – we can call them tough times.
So - How does a Christian lead in tough times? We can learn from Nehemiah who embraced the “Re’s” of faith, hope!
He used the following “Re’s” we could call them rays of light – they are hope and faith or we could call them divine repellants to get the project back up and going! These Re-‘s are universal principals for leading through tough times and for getting the projects done for God! When we complete projects for God renewal occurs – restoration emerges and lives are changed.
The Re’s of hope and faith in the story of Nehemiah instruct us on how to lead through tough times to receive renewal. We will look for the “Re’s” of faith and hope in Neh. 1 - 2:10! You will also discover more “Re’s” all the way through Nehemiah.
Main Text: Nehemiah 1-4
Scripture Text: Nehemiah 1:1-2:6
Nehemiah 1
1The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, 2Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. 3They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” 4When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.
5Then I said: “O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, 6let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s house, have committed against you. 7We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses. 8“Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, 9but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’ 10“They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. 11O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.” I was cupbearer to the king.
Nehemiah 2 - Artaxerxes Sends Nehemiah to Jerusalem
1In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before; 2so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.” I was very much afraid, 3but I said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” 4The king said to me, “What is it you want?” Then I prayed to the God of heaven, 5and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my fathers are buried so that I can rebuild it.” 6Then 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…7I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah? 8And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?” And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests. 9So I went to the governors of Trans-Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me. 10When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites.
…See the Bible for rest of the text!
Did you catch some of the “Re’s” “Rays” of hope and faith which help us find renewal – and help us lead through tough times from Nehemiah? Let me draw some out for you.
• The 1st “Re” I see is “Rebuild” - “Restore” – God calls Nehemiah to rebuild the walls because it impacted his heart when he heard the bad news – it’s an emotional and heart wrenching call to rebuild that which is broken down. This “Ray of hope is instilled in Him by God” and He with the help of the Lord is to go do the hard work to restore and renew the city. (vs 1-4) Nehemiah knows It’s going to be a tremendous task to get people back on task to finish the rebuilding of Jerusalem since they have stopped for 20 years.
a. Observation – rebuilding projects – always come with the unexpected and tough times – its common to experience setbacks ask any contractor – point: it can and will be hard. This is why we need to be committed to the restoration and renewal project.
b. Nehemiah on hearing the condition of Jerusalem is cut to his heart – his heart is broken – he hears how the city lays in disgrace and in trouble – people are suffering – He cries out to God for a solution and for Him to intervene and the Lord hears his cry and says, “I am sending you to fix the problem.”
i. Whenever something cuts to our hearts it is usually a message from the Lord to do something – could be rebuild – restore – but do something with His help.
c. Warning: If something really cuts to your heart and you cry out to God to do something about it most of the time he will send you to fix it. (Just a heads up)
i. So, is there anything cutting at your heart – something you have been interceding for? Praying for? Fasting for? What is grieving your spirit right now? What needs rebuilt? What needs restored? What needs renewed?
1. This is what you should be going right now in the tough time – you need to be pursuing and looking to be a part of the solution to the problem.
2. Personal Story: Remodeling Outreach Church.
d. God says to our man of faith – rebuild – restore – renew and then go do it!
i. Go – when you have something that wrenches your heart – that means that thing which is causing you a lot of mourning – God is doing something in you to go do something about the situation.
e. The first “Re” of hope and faith our man of faith gets is He is to finish the rebuilding project – he is to restore the wall – he is to renew the vision for the project.
• The second “Re” of hope and faith I see is “Recall” – Nehemiah recalled the command from the Lord to Israel to obey and follow the laws of Moses which they had not done – this reality check to recall is always good when assessing a rebuilding project (VS 5 and 7). Nehemiah recalls how they got to this place of brokenness in the city and place – he recalls it was sin – a rejection of God’s way!
a. Observation: all restoration and rebuilding projects must have a point of recall as to why the project ended up abandoned, forsaken or stopped. We need to see what was the problem which caused this project to halt and become broken.
i. Roosevelt looked into what stopped the Panama Canal project and so did Nehemiah on his project!
1. One was bugs And the other was sin!
ii. We need to look at our renewal project and it’s history too! What went wrong – recall the problem!
iii. All restoration projects for the Kingdom have a point person leading the way to bring God’s restoration but that person must have their eyes wide open and learn from the past mistakes of other leaders and know the obstacles.
b. The reason the walls have been destroyed is because of sin and disobedience to the Lord.
i. This is the reality check many need to see today – sin will cause the destruction of a nation, a church, a family or an organization.
ii. Nehemiah recalls the reason his city of his heritage is in the position it is in – They had rejected God’s way for sinful ways and the result was a broken down city and many people suffering.
1. This is what happens when God’s people reject His way and His Word.
c. So, Nehemiah recalls God’s Word’s and he decides to take responsibility for the sins of the people.
i. He acknowledges that God is faithful to his covenant promises and those who love and obey him are blessed and those who reject the ways of the Lord are judged and removed from their position of favor in God.
ii. He confesses to God their breaking of the Covenant with God and the repercussions which occurred from that rebellion.
iii. Would you being willing to cry out to God for your nation, your church, your family, your organization and admit we have become very wicked and deserve judgment and removal from the favor of God?
iv. Nehemiah took responsibility for the problem!
v. We too as we lead one of God’s rebuilding projects need to do the same – it opens the door to renewal and restoration.
d. The second “Re” of faith and hope is “Recall” what caused the problem in the first place and then correct the problem.
• The third “Re” of hope and faith is “Repent” – Nehemiah goes to the Lord in earnest prayer and repents for forsaking God’s commands and sinning, “I confess the sins of the Israelites, including myself and my father’s house have committed against you. We have acted very wicked toward you …” (Vs 6 and 7)
a. Observation: Repentance is a good thing and always leads to restoration and renewal – it opens the eyes and the heart to see God’s picture and plan.
b. Are you willing to repent for where our nation has fallen?
i. With Abortion?
ii. For Allowing the LGBT agenda to steal the God given identity away from God’s children?
iii. For sin being called good and right and following the teachings of the Bible being called wrong and evil?
1. Living together – having sex outside of marriage?
2. Rejecting the 10 Commandments?
3. Not honoring the Lord on His Day?
c. Are you willing to repent for where you church is at today?
i. For its past sins!
ii. For it’s lukewarmness or apathy?
1. Fiji Islands repentance for killing a missionary.
d. Are you willing to repent over the condition of your family?
i. For it’s sin?
e. Are you willing to repent over the condition of your organization?
i. Are you willing to admit guilt and responsibility? But then are you willing to get on your knees and repent before God?
ii. I have done this several times in our prayer meetings at CHC for CHC!
f. The third “Re” of faith and hope is “Repentance” taking responsibility and repenting of sin including my part of the sin. This leads to renewal by the way – repentance opens the door to renewal.
• The fourth “Re” of hope and faith is “Remember the promises” – Nehemiah remembers the promise of God that if they are unfaithful and return to God by repentance and obeying the teachings of the Lord then He will cause a movement of returning to Him, a return to His presence. God promises that He will draw them back to Him. (Vs 1:8-9)
a. Observation: In rebuilding projects or restoration projects we need to remember His promises because the times will get tough – the unexpected will arise – mosquitos will bite and spread disease.
b. God said, “I will scatter you if you reject my ways and commandments.”
c. God said, “But if you repent – return to me – and once again obey my commands I will call the people back from exile and bondage – I will gather them back to me says the Lord.
i. This promise is for all of us – nations, churches, families and organizations even today.
d. We need to remember good can restore – repair – renew – and rebuild whatever has been broken or torn down by sin. We as leaders and members of the Kingdom of God need to be faithful to God and stay focused on the task! He can do the impossible!
e. When called to rebuilding projects – acts of renewal – remember the promises!
i. My promise when I was being called back to CHC – I did not want to come – I loved New Life!
ii. Proverbs 14: 4 “Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an OX comes an abundant harvest.”
f. The fourth “Re” of faith and hope is “ Remember” which means remember the promises of God in the rebuilding project this will encourage you and help you rejoice even in the hard times of renewal.
• The fifth “Re” is “Redeem” – Nehemiah includes within this word the concepts of Restoration and Renewal which is done by the mighty hand of the Lord and by His unlimited strength, mercy and grace (Vs 1:10)
a. Observation: Redemption is done by the work of the Holy Spirit – I just am the vessel God uses to bring his redemption to people who need it.
b. God is the one that restores – redeems – repairs – renews. He does it with his might and power – it’s by His hand and will. It’s by His presence and power.
c. Reality check: I cannot restore myself or redeem myself! I need to Have God do it!
i. Nehemiah places himself in the same boat of Israel – He needs renewal and redemption as much as others do.
ii. He knows God has to do the redeeming – He has to move the forces which are hindering the rebuilding, renewal. He has to put in motion the redeeming of the people and open the eyes caused by the deception of sin.
d. God does the redeeming we do not! He will use us in the redemption process but Jesus does the restoration and renewal – He just uses us in the process.
e. The fifth “Re” of faith and hope is “Redemption” the process God uses to bring renewal and a return to Him. We do not bring redemption only God can but He will use us in the process if we are faithful to the call.
• The sixth “Re” I see is “Revere” – Nehemiah’s prayer to God reminds us how God’s ear is attentive to His people’s prayers who have a reverence for Him and His holiness – reverence means respect, admiration and a good healthy fear of God (Vs 1: 11)
a. Observation: In all rebuilding and restoration projects for the Kingdom of God there has to come a “reverence ‘ for the Lord again.
b. Do you revere God’s name?
i. God hears the prayers of those who revere him!
c. Definition of reverence - deep respect for someone or something.
i. Respect for God?
1. Do you use his name in vain? Does it bother you if people do!
a. Illustration of game at Clayton and guys behind me!
ii. Point: If you do have respect for God – there is favor from God!
d. Definition of respect - a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements.
i. Do you feel people have a respect or reverence for God today?
ii. If you respect God do you follow God’s teachings and commandments!
1. Do you honor Him on His day?
2. Do you talk about Him respectfully!
3. Do you share of His goodness and faithfulness?
4. Do you speak of His truths!
iii. Disrespect for Jesus and His Word:
1. The Rainbow of the Gay pride movement is hijacking God’s truth on what is sin. Their sin which they are very proud of is addressed in Romans 1:18-32 this section of scripture condemns the sin and addresses the Lgbt movements pride:
a. In the Bible's Genesis flood narrative, after creating a flood to wash away humanity's corruption, God put the rainbow in the sky as the sign of His promise that he would never again destroy the earth with a flood (Genesis 9:13–17):
2. God’s Rainbow: Has 7 colors in it! By the way the LGBT Rainbow: Has 6 colors in it!
a. Numerology of the Bible – 7 equals perfection - When it comes to the biblical meanings of number 7, we have to say that it is the number of perfection and completeness. ... According to the Bible, number 7 is the number of completeness. Actually, it is known that after 7 days the whole world was completed and God has done his work. … In the New Testament the number seven symbolizes the unity of the four corners of the Earth with the Holy Trinity. The number seven is also featured in the Book of Revelation (seven churches, seven angels, seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven stars). From Google search.
b. Contrast the Numerology of the Bible on 7 to the Number 6 – it may be considered not only a symbol of a man, but also a symbol of a man-animal. Number 6 is also used as a symbol of sin and imperfection in the Bible.
c. The color “Indigo” is the missing color from their rainbow and from my study means and points too, “Heavenly Grace.”
3. Point – pride in our sin and a refusal to respect God and His Word will always set us on the path to miss God’s Grace.
e. The sixth “Re” of faith and hope is “Reverence” for God. We cannot see renewal without a reverence and respect for the Lord and His ways.
• The 7th “Re” of faith and hope “Request” – Nehemiah makes his request to King Artaxerxes and Queen Esther (I think it’s her she is either his grandmother or mother of the king?) (Yes I believe the same one from the book of Esther) (Vs 2:1-5) 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. She knew about big asks!
a. Observation: In any restoration project for the Lord there is always a request – a request to God – a faith step of risk – and smaller requests that happen through the restoration and renewal project.
i. See the book of Esther for the full story of a big request – which are life and death in some cases.
b. But Nehemiah’s Request is risky – it could be taken the wrong way by the King but he knows he has to ask to follow the call God has placed on His life.
i. He has to take the risk – walking by faith is spelled Risk!
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
b. Jesus told us to ask for help in faith and hope see Matthew 7:7-12: Ask, Seek, Knock
i. 7“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 9“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
1. For the “Request” which is usually huge - I have to ask – seek – knock for God’s help – why? Because I need help to get through tough positions of life.
c. The seventh “Re” of faith and hope is “ Request” which is the big ask to God – to others and the risk which must be taken to see renewal set in motion.
Nehemiah followed the “Re’s” of hope and faith and he was able -through much opposition -complete the task God had given Him to do! He brought renewal to a broken city and people.
Conclusion:
What do we need to know from this message?
Answer: God has provided “Re’s” of hope and faith for living and leading through tough times! We need to embrace them and use them as we face the task of renewal-restoration and rebuilding for the Kingdom of God. The “Re’s” of hope and faith are:
• Rebuild and restore!
• Recall what we did to get in this mess in the first place and then repair it!
• Repent and take responsibility!
• Remember the promises of God and reject the lies!
• Redeeming is God’s work not yours so – allow redemption to flow and rejoice in the power of God to do this!
• Revere the Lord no matter what happens or obstacles you may face – revere and refocus of Him in tough times!
• Request in other words step out in faith take the risk to “Ask” and then let God set the process of renewal in motion!
Why do we need to know this from this message?
Answer: If God helped Nehemiah rebuild, restore, and renew He will help you too – especially as you follow the “Re’s” of hope and faith.
What do we need to do?
Answer: What have you heard from God or others which is ripping at your heart and soul? This is the do you need to do with the help of the Lord!
Why do we need to do this?
Answer: So, God will use us to being renewal and restoration to that which is broken down by sin – it’s the task we need to do for Him.
