"keys To Success"

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!