Answering the Call: Embracing Our Burdens for Action
Summary
The sermon, titled "The Good Work," draws inspiration from the story of Nehemiah, an ordinary man with a god-ordained passion who took action to rebuild his homeland after hearing about the struggles of his people. The speaker begins by acknowledging the dedication of church leaders and the congregation's service in various ministries, emphasizing the importance of supporting and encouraging one another. The speaker then delves into the heart of the message, discussing how burdens can reveal one's calling and lead to meaningful action within the Kingdom of God.
Nehemiah's story is used as a central example throughout the sermon. The speaker recounts how Nehemiah, upon learning of Jerusalem's ruin, felt a deep burden to rebuild the city's walls. He prayed for guidance and found favor with the king, who granted him the resources needed for the task. This narrative is paralleled with the experiences of the congregation, as the speaker shares personal stories of overcoming challenges and witnessing God's faithfulness, such as a financial contribution that helped the church catch up on bills during tough economic times.
The speaker also reflects on the church's community impact through various initiatives, including a prayer drive-thru and feeding programs, which were successful despite financial difficulties. These stories serve to illustrate how stepping out of one's comfort zone and trusting in God can lead to provision and impact.
The sermon emphasizes the importance of prayer and vision. Nehemiah's example of praying before speaking to the king is highlighted as a model for seeking God's courage and guidance in every endeavor. The speaker challenges the congregation to think big and define their vision clearly, stating that if their prayer is not necessary to accomplish their vision, then they are not thinking big enough.
Finally, the speaker encourages the audience to take practical steps to make a difference, such as seeking God faithfully, defining a clear vision, making careful plans, and inspiring others passionately. They warn of upcoming challenges but urge the congregation to follow Nehemiah's example and step up, regardless of the task's perceived impossibility.
Key Takeaways:
- The burdens we feel for the injustices and needs in the world are not random; they are a call to action within God's Kingdom. Like Nehemiah, who could not ignore the plight of Jerusalem, our discomfort can be a divine nudge towards the good work we are meant to undertake. This discomfort should be seen as a catalyst for change, prompting us to seek God's guidance and take steps to address the issues that weigh on our hearts. [42:57]
- Nehemiah's story teaches us that prayer is not just a prelude to action but an integral part of achieving a God-given vision. Before Nehemiah approached the king, he prayed for courage and wisdom. This demonstrates that no matter the size of our aspirations, we should always seek divine support and align our plans with God's will, trusting that there is nothing too big for His power or too small for His heart. [50:04]
- The act of stepping out in faith is crucial to realizing God's promises. The church's experience of pushing beyond comfort zones, such as through the prayer drive-thru and community service, shows that when we trust in God and act upon our convictions, He provides the means and opportunities to make a significant difference in the lives of others. [01:10:51]
- Clarity of vision is essential for effective ministry. Just as Nehemiah had a clear request for the king, we must also define what God is calling us to do. Without a clear definition of our mission, we cannot take decisive action. We are encouraged to consider what burdens us and to articulate a specific plan of action, whether it involves addressing homelessness, addiction, or another area of need. [56:43]
- Success in God's work is not about perfection but about passion and willingness. Nehemiah's detailed plans and requests from the king show that while we should plan carefully, it is more important to have a heart ready to serve and impact lives. We are called to execute our plans with passion and to define success by doing the right thing today, rather than waiting for the perfect conditions. [01:00:55]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: "The Good Work"
#### Bible Reading
1. Nehemiah 1:4-11 - Nehemiah's prayer and burden for Jerusalem.
2. Nehemiah 2:1-8 - Nehemiah's request to the king and his clear vision.
3. Nehemiah 2:17-18 - Nehemiah inspiring the people to rebuild.
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Nehemiah's initial reaction upon hearing about the state of Jerusalem? (Nehemiah 1:4)
2. How did Nehemiah prepare himself before approaching the king with his request? (Nehemiah 2:4-5)
3. What specific request did Nehemiah make to the king, and how did he ensure he had everything needed for the task? (Nehemiah 2:7-8)
4. How did Nehemiah inspire the people of Jerusalem to start rebuilding the walls? (Nehemiah 2:17-18)
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that Nehemiah prayed before taking any action? How does this reflect on the importance of seeking God's guidance in our own lives? [46:22]
2. What does Nehemiah's clear and concise request to the king teach us about the importance of having a well-defined vision? [52:13]
3. How can the story of Nehemiah stepping out in faith despite the challenges he faced encourage us to act on our own burdens and callings? [01:10:51]
4. In what ways did Nehemiah's passion and willingness to serve inspire others to join him in the rebuilding effort? How can we apply this to our own efforts to lead and inspire others? [01:07:58]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a burden or injustice that has been weighing on your heart. How might this be a divine nudge towards a specific calling or action? What steps can you take to address this burden? [39:48]
2. Nehemiah's story emphasizes the importance of prayer before action. How can you incorporate more intentional prayer into your decision-making process? What specific situation in your life right now requires you to seek God's guidance? [46:22]
3. Nehemiah had a clear vision and plan when he approached the king. Think about a vision or goal you have. How can you define it more clearly and create a practical plan to achieve it? [52:13]
4. Stepping out in faith often means leaving our comfort zones. What is one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith? What practical steps can you take this week to move in that direction? [01:10:51]
5. Nehemiah inspired others by sharing his passion and vision. Who in your life can you inspire and encourage to join you in a meaningful cause? How can you communicate your vision to them effectively? [01:07:58]
6. Reflect on a time when you faced opposition or discouragement while trying to do God's work. How did you overcome it, and what did you learn from that experience? How can you apply those lessons to current challenges you are facing? [01:05:55]
7. Nehemiah's success was not about perfection but about passion and willingness. What is one area in your life where you can start taking action today, even if the conditions are not perfect? How can you execute your plan with passion? [01:00:55]
Devotional
Day 1: Burdens as Divine Calls to Action
Our discomfort with the world's injustices is a divine nudge towards the good work we are meant to undertake. It is through these burdens that we discover our calling and are propelled to seek God's guidance and take steps to address the issues that weigh on our hearts. This discomfort should not be ignored but rather embraced as a catalyst for meaningful change within God's Kingdom. [42:57]
Micah 6:8 - "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
Reflection: What burden or injustice in the world tugs at your heart, and how can you respond to this call to action in your community today?
Day 2: Prayer as the Foundation of Vision
Prayer is not just a prelude to action but an integral part of achieving a God-given vision. It is through prayer that we gain the courage and wisdom to pursue our aspirations. By aligning our plans with God's will, we acknowledge that there is nothing too big for His power or too small for His heart. [50:04]
Colossians 4:2 - "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."
Reflection: How can you incorporate prayer into the planning stages of your current goals to ensure they align with God's vision for your life?
Day 3: Faith-Driven Action and Provision
Stepping out in faith is essential to realizing God's promises. When we act upon our convictions and trust in God, He provides the means and opportunities to make a significant difference. Our experiences of pushing beyond comfort zones are testimonies to God's faithfulness and provision. [01:10:51]
James 2:17 - "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
Reflection: What is one step of faith you can take today towards a project or initiative you believe God has placed on your heart?
Day 4: Clarity of Vision for Effective Ministry
Defining a clear vision is crucial for taking decisive action in ministry. Just as Nehemiah had a specific plan for rebuilding Jerusalem's walls, we must articulate our mission and the steps we will take to address the needs we are called to meet. Without clarity, our efforts can be unfocused and less impactful. [56:43]
Habakkuk 2:2 - "Then the LORD replied: 'Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.'"
Reflection: What is the vision God has placed in your heart, and how can you clearly articulate and begin to act on it this week?
Day 5: Passion Over Perfection in God's Work
Success in God's work is measured by passion and willingness, not perfection. Nehemiah's story shows that while careful planning is important, a heart ready to serve is crucial. We are called to execute our plans with passion and to define success by doing the right thing today, rather than waiting for perfect conditions. [01:00:55]
Zechariah 4:10 - "Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the LORD that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?"
Reflection: What is one area in your service to others where you can focus more on passion and willingness, rather than waiting for perfect conditions?
Quotes
1) "The burden you bear often reveals the calling you'll embrace." [41:09]
2) "What is God leading you to do? What is he leading you to respond to? Say, send me to Judah to rebuild. What is your Judah that God wants you to say, Here I Am send me?" [56:00]
3) "When it comes to prayer, my prayer is that you will understand that there is nothing too big for God's power and nothing too small for God's heart because our God cares about you and he cares about me and as we said if it's on your heart it's on God's mind." [50:04]
4) "If your prayer isn't necessary to accomplish your vision then you're not thinking big enough." [51:29]
5) "The plan doesn't need to be perfect because it never is. I would rather execute a good plan today with passion than a perfect plan down the line without passion." [01:00:16]
6) "We need to state our goals down because if you cannot define it, you cannot do it, and if your vision isn't clear, people cannot follow." [57:23]
7) "He was not a pastor, he was not a priest, he was not a warrior, he was not a contractor, he was not even one of those individuals that you go on to Instagram and you see their verified sticker going on it. He was the cupbearer to the king." [45:16]
8) "God is still being faithful; just this past week someone paid into the church's account and said to pay the church's bills. We were behind, and God comes in, and he provides." [01:10:51]
9) "We saw over 50 people come through these doors to walk through the Journey of Jesus and what he went through for you and me. We started prayer and fasting weeks, we started a prayer drive-thru, we were involved in the March for Jesus, we saw a sunrise service happen for the first time since the pandemic happened, we're involved in Eastly Primary School feeding kids on a weekly basis, our faith buckets that have been taken by many of you, and we started getting involved at Rosettenville baby home. All of this we were part of in one of the most challenging times of our church." [01:11:28]
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