Active Faith: Engaging Community Through Prayer and Action
Summary
The sermon begins with a powerful expression of the speaker's longing for Heaven, emphasizing the holiness of God and the worthiness of Jesus, the Lamb who was slain. The speaker envisions a time when all will bow before God, death will be no more, and praises will be sung alongside the heroes of faith. The sermon then shifts to a focus on the book of Nehemiah, indicating that it will be the subject of study in the coming weeks.
The speaker stresses the importance of helping others, particularly teenagers, and encourages the congregation to seek guidance through prayer. They also invite those with health concerns or other burdens to come forward for prayer. The sermon concludes with a call for salvation and a collective singing of "Sweet Hour of Prayer."
Reflecting on the relevance of the Bible to the current state of the nation, the speaker discusses societal issues and the need for Christian engagement in the community. They reference Kirk Cameron's testimony and his documentary "Monument," which explores America's Judeo-Christian foundations. The speaker urges Christians to be proactive in their communities, emphasizing the influence of Christian coaches and godly values.
The speaker shares a personal anecdote about wanting to appear active in a football game to impress his girlfriend, using it as a metaphor for the church's need to be more involved in making a difference. They call for repentance and alignment with God's promises and commandments.
The importance of prayer in impacting the community and country is highlighted, with the speaker sharing an example of starting a program to feed local children. They express a desire for revival and encourage addressing societal issues like poverty and education. The speaker criticizes a mega church pastor for belittling smaller churches and asserts that even small congregations can make a significant impact.
The speaker encourages the congregation to agree with God's promises and plans for prosperity, using Nehemiah's plea for favor as an example. They emphasize that blessings and provision follow when God is involved in an endeavor.
Praising God for answers in society and taking action to be the solution to problems is emphasized. The speaker admires those who have started positive initiatives in their state and community and calls for repentance and involvement.
The speaker discusses the importance of being burdened for God's work, sharing the story of a small church that prayed for global impact, resulting in Billy Graham's ministry. They encourage the congregation to be burdened for their children and to take action in addressing community needs.
The speaker reflects on the spiritual state of the nation and their local community, questioning whether the government or the church should address these issues. They discuss Nehemiah's reaction to the bad news about Jerusalem and draw parallels to America's reputation in the world.
The significance of Christian influence in the community is discussed, with the speaker expressing gratitude for their Christian mayor and highlighting Nehemiah's godly leadership. They encourage prayer and involvement in community and country.
The speaker expresses concern about the lack of Christian engagement in society and warns of ungodly influences. They urge the congregation to take action against issues like addiction and grief, drawing parallels to Nehemiah's concern for Jerusalem's broken walls.
The speaker discusses the potential for individuals to make a positive change, using Nehemiah as an example. They explain the historical context of Nehemiah's time and the parallels to modern America, emphasizing the need for accountability and involvement.
The speaker shares their experience as a host family and the importance of proper entry into the country, paralleling Nehemiah's response to Jerusalem's threats. They call for prayer and fasting as a means to take action in the community.
Finally, the speaker discusses the historical context of the book of Nehemiah, emphasizing the need for improvements and changes in America, specifically in Mil Creek and Randolph County, West Virginia.
Key Takeaways:
- The anticipation of Heaven is not just a distant hope but a present motivation for Christians to live in holiness and worship, recognizing the ultimate victory of Christ over death and sin. This perspective encourages believers to persevere through trials with the assurance of eternal life. [33:30]
- The study of Nehemiah offers valuable lessons on leadership, community engagement, and the power of prayer. As Christians study this book, they can learn how to effectively address the challenges within their communities and be inspired to take action based on biblical principles. [36:35]
- The example of Nehemiah's leadership and prayer life serves as a model for Christians today. His dedication to God's work and his strategic approach to rebuilding Jerusalem's walls demonstrate the importance of combining faith with action to achieve God's purposes. [01:05:56]
- The church's role in society is not passive but active, calling for repentance and proactive engagement to address societal issues. The metaphor of the football game illustrates the need for Christians to move from the sidelines to active participation in God's work. [01:03:31]
- The power of a burdened heart for God's work can lead to significant impact, as seen in the story of the small church that prayed for global reach and gave rise to Billy Graham's ministry. This teaches believers that no church or individual is too small to be used by God for great purposes. [01:12:05]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Nehemiah 1:1-11
2. 2 Chronicles 7:14
3. Matthew 5:13-16
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#### Observation Questions
1. What was Nehemiah's initial reaction upon hearing the bad news about Jerusalem? ([57:14])
2. How did Nehemiah's prayer reflect his understanding of God's promises and commandments? ([01:05:18])
3. What specific actions did Nehemiah take after he heard about the condition of Jerusalem? ([57:55])
4. How does the speaker describe the role of the church in addressing societal issues? ([41:28])
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Nehemiah include himself in the confession of sins, and what does this teach us about collective responsibility? ([01:01:30])
2. How does the speaker's personal anecdote about wanting to appear active in a football game serve as a metaphor for the church's involvement in the community? ([01:03:31])
3. What does the speaker mean by saying that the church should be the "light of the world" and the "salt of the earth"? How does this align with Matthew 5:13-16? ([41:28])
4. How does the example of Nehemiah's leadership and prayer life serve as a model for Christians today? ([01:05:56])
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#### Application Questions
1. Nehemiah was deeply burdened by the state of Jerusalem and took action through prayer and fasting. What specific issue in your community burdens you, and how can you start addressing it through prayer and action? ([57:55])
2. The speaker emphasizes the importance of Christian engagement in the community. What are some practical ways you can get involved in your local community to make a positive impact? ([40:09])
3. Reflect on the speaker's call for repentance and alignment with God's promises. Is there an area in your life where you need to repent and seek God's guidance? ([01:01:30])
4. The speaker criticizes the lack of Christian engagement in societal issues. Identify one societal issue you feel passionate about. How can you take a first step towards making a difference in that area? ([53:18])
5. The story of the small church that prayed for global impact resulting in Billy Graham's ministry shows the power of a burdened heart for God's work. What is one small step you can take this week to start making a difference in your community or church? ([01:12:05])
6. The speaker discusses the importance of being proactive rather than passive. What is one area in your life where you have been passive, and how can you become more proactive in that area? ([41:28])
7. The speaker shares an example of starting a program to feed local children. Is there a specific need in your community that you feel called to address? What steps can you take to start meeting that need? ([01:09:11])
Devotional
Day 1: Holiness as Life's True North
The anticipation of Heaven is a beacon that guides believers through the trials of life, reminding them that their ultimate destination is a place of perfect holiness and worship. This eternal perspective shapes how one lives today, offering strength and hope as they navigate life's challenges, knowing that they will one day join the chorus of praise before the throne of God. [33:30]
Revelation 21:3-4 - "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
Reflection: How does the hope of Heaven influence your daily decisions and interactions with others?
Day 2: Engaged Faith in Community
The study of Nehemiah is a call to active faith, challenging believers to engage with their communities and to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a broken world. It is a reminder that prayer is powerful and that God calls His people to be leaders who can inspire change and bring hope to those around them. [36:35]
Nehemiah 2:17-18 - "Then I said to them, 'You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.' I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, 'Let us start rebuilding.' So they began this good work."
Reflection: What is one practical way you can contribute to the betterment of your community this week?
Day 3: Prayerful Strategy for Impact
Nehemiah's example teaches that prayer should be the foundation of any endeavor, coupled with strategic action to fulfill God's purposes. His commitment to both seeking God's guidance and taking practical steps to rebuild Jerusalem's walls is a model for how believers can approach the challenges they face in their own lives and communities. [01:05:56]
Nehemiah 4:9 - "But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat."
Reflection: How can you incorporate strategic prayer and action into a current challenge or project you are facing?
Day 4: From Sidelines to Significance
The metaphor of the football game illustrates the need for Christians to move from passive observation to active participation in God's work. It is a call to repentance and to align with God's promises, recognizing that even the smallest actions can have a significant impact when done in obedience to God. [01:03:31]
James 2:17-18 - "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith; I have deeds.' Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you've been a spectator rather than a participant in God's work?
Day 5: The Power of a Burdened Heart
The story of the small church that prayed for global impact demonstrates that God can use anyone who has a heart burdened for His work. This teaches believers to earnestly seek God's will and to be open to how He might use them, regardless of their size or resources, to make a difference in the world. [01:12:05]
2 Corinthians 9:12 - "This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God."
Reflection: What burden has God placed on your heart, and how can you begin to act on it this week?
Quotes
"God through our little church, would you help reach the world for Christ? You know, out of that little church came Billy Graham. Nobody knows about this little church, right, but everybody knows about a Billy Graham." [01:12:05] (Download)
"What are you so burdened about that you said I can't get it off my mind? Is there a need for a grieving ministry, a divorce ministry? There's a lot of good people out there that could be helped." [01:13:55] (Download)
"When you look around and you can see something that literally breaks your heart, now what do you do when you see something that breaks your heart when you see the addiction problem here?" [55:15] (Download)
"Nehemiah was different. When God puts in your heart, you're going to do something about it. You're going to do something about the problems that we face in America." [01:10:20] (Download)
"Thank God for people who stand up and do something Godly for America. But you know what, folks? I think there's more people out there." [01:10:56] (Download)
"Everything starts with prayer. Do you realize, I want to start our new year praying here, and what God wants you to do, if you'll start praying, God will start showing you what he wants you to do." [42:46] (Download)
"I believe that God wants every Christian involved in their community and their country, amen. I believe he wants you involved in some way, doing something, either leading something or getting behind people that are doing something." [42:46] (Download)
"We need to repent first, we need to realize we have sinned. It isn't easy to blame your wife, blame your husband, blame the pastor, blame the church, blame everybody else. But we must realize, even Nehemiah said, 'I have sinned and I confess.'" [01:05:18] (Download)
"Are you ready to get into the game now? Are you ready to jump up and do something about problems in society and things like this? But the problem is, we need to repent first." [01:04:41] (Download)
"God wants to prosper Mil Creek, West Virginia, yes he does, and there's a church here and it might be small that we can do our part to make this city a better place here and we need to agree that God wants to." [01:06:32] (Download)
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