Building Faith: Praise, Perseverance, and True Worship
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound truth that life, with all its challenges and adversities, is a journey where we are called to find reasons to praise God. Despite the trials we face, we are reminded that God is always with us, holding us in the palm of His hand, and that His promises are steadfast. We are encouraged to look beyond our circumstances and trust in God's faithfulness, knowing that He will never leave us or forsake us. This trust is not based on our feelings or the world's shifting truths but on the unchanging Word of God.
We also delved into the concept of building, both in a spiritual and communal sense. As believers, we are called to be builders in God's kingdom, each with a unique role to play. The story of Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah illustrates the importance of restoring worship to God, facing opposition with courage, and continuing the work where others have left off. These biblical figures teach us that building for God requires perseverance, collaboration, and a focus on His purposes rather than our own comparisons or desires.
Moreover, we are reminded that God's builders will always face opposition, but this should not deter us. Instead, we should be ready for battle, spiritually equipped to overcome the challenges that come our way. The enemy may try to discourage and frustrate us, but God can turn opposition into provision, using even the most difficult circumstances to fulfill His plans.
Finally, we are challenged to examine our lives and identify the altars we have built that may not honor God. We are called to tear down these idols and restore true worship, aligning our lives with His will. As we build, we must remember that what we construct is for Jesus to walk into, and our focus should be on creating a life and community where His presence is welcomed and celebrated.
Key Takeaways:
1. Finding Reasons to Praise: In the midst of life's challenges, we are called to find reasons to praise God. This act of worship is not dependent on our circumstances but on the truth of God's unchanging nature and His promises to never leave us or forsake us. [32:59]
2. Trusting in God's Faithfulness: Our trust in God should be rooted in His Word, not in our feelings or the world's shifting truths. God's faithfulness is our anchor, and His promises are our guide through life's storms. [37:54]
3. The Call to Build: As believers, we are called to be builders in God's kingdom, each with a unique role. This requires us to restore worship to God, face opposition with courage, and continue the work where others have left off. [49:19]
4. Facing Opposition with Courage: God's builders will always face opposition, but we should be ready for battle, spiritually equipped to overcome challenges. The enemy's attempts to discourage us can be turned into opportunities for God's provision. [58:49]
5. Restoring True Worship: We must examine our lives for altars that do not honor God and restore true worship. Our focus should be on building a life and community where Jesus is welcomed and His presence is celebrated. [01:18:05]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [32:59] - Finding Reasons to Praise
- [37:54] - Trusting in God's Faithfulness
- [39:14] - The Reality of Life's Challenges
- [39:58] - Celebrating God's Goodness
- [40:58] - The Importance of Building
- [42:21] - God's Presence in Our Lives
- [43:58] - Sharing the Vision
- [49:19] - The Call to Build
- [51:41] - Restoring Worship to God
- [52:21] - Aligning Our Lives with God's Will
- [53:56] - Facing Opposition with Courage
- [58:49] - Turning Opposition into Provision
- [01:04:00] - Continuing the Work
- [01:18:05] - Restoring True Worship
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Ezra 1:1-2
2. Ezra 3:1-2
3. Nehemiah 1:3-4
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the significance of King Cyrus's decree in Ezra 1:1-2, and how did it fulfill Jeremiah's prophecy? [49:19]
2. In Ezra 3:1-2, what was the first action taken by Zerubbabel and the priests upon returning to Jerusalem, and why was it important? [51:41]
3. How did Nehemiah respond to the news about the condition of Jerusalem's walls in Nehemiah 1:3-4, and what does this reveal about his character? [01:05:12]
4. What challenges did the builders face during the reconstruction of the temple and the walls, and how did they overcome them? [53:56]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah illustrate the importance of restoring worship to God before undertaking other tasks? [51:41]
2. What does the opposition faced by the builders in Ezra and Nehemiah teach us about the nature of spiritual warfare and perseverance in our own lives? [58:49]
3. How can the concept of building where others have left off, as seen in Nehemiah's story, be applied to modern-day ministry and community work? [01:04:00]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God can turn opposition into provision, and how can this perspective change our approach to challenges? [58:49]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How did you find reasons to praise God despite the difficulty? What can you do to cultivate a habit of praise in tough times? [32:59]
2. Consider the areas in your life where you might be relying on feelings or worldly truths rather than God's unchanging Word. How can you shift your focus to trust in God's faithfulness? [37:54]
3. Identify a "building project" in your life or community. What unique role can you play in this project, and how can you encourage others to join you in this effort? [49:19]
4. Have you ever faced opposition while trying to fulfill a calling or task? How did you respond, and what strategies can you use to be spiritually equipped for future challenges? [53:56]
5. Examine your life for any "altars" that do not honor God. What steps can you take to tear them down and restore true worship in your daily routine? [01:18:05]
6. How can you ensure that what you are building in your life is for Jesus to walk into, rather than comparing it to what others have built? [01:19:16]
7. Think about a time when you felt a burden to act or build something for God. How did you respond, and what can you learn from Nehemiah's example of seeking God's guidance and provision? [01:07:56]
Devotional
Day 1: Praise Beyond Circumstances
In the midst of life's challenges, believers are called to find reasons to praise God. This act of worship is not dependent on our circumstances but on the truth of God's unchanging nature and His promises to never leave us or forsake us. When we focus on God's steadfastness, we can rise above our immediate trials and see His hand at work in our lives. This perspective shift allows us to experience peace and joy, even when the world around us is turbulent. [32:59]
Psalm 34:1-3 (ESV): "I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!"
Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you intentionally praise God for His unchanging nature in the midst of this situation today?
Day 2: Anchored in God's Faithfulness
Trust in God should be rooted in His Word, not in our feelings or the world's shifting truths. God's faithfulness is our anchor, and His promises are our guide through life's storms. When we rely on His Word, we find stability and direction, even when everything else seems uncertain. This trust is a conscious decision to believe in God's character and His promises, which are unchanging and reliable. [37:54]
Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV): "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Reflection: Identify a promise from God's Word that you can hold onto today. How can this promise guide you through a current uncertainty or decision?
Day 3: Building for God's Kingdom
As believers, we are called to be builders in God's kingdom, each with a unique role. This requires us to restore worship to God, face opposition with courage, and continue the work where others have left off. The biblical figures of Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah exemplify the perseverance and collaboration needed to build for God. Their stories remind us that our efforts should focus on God's purposes rather than our own comparisons or desires. [49:19]
Haggai 2:4-5 (ESV): "Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the Lord. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the Lord. Work, for I am with you, declares the Lord of hosts, according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not."
Reflection: What unique role do you believe God has called you to play in His kingdom? How can you take a step today to fulfill this role?
Day 4: Courage in the Face of Opposition
God's builders will always face opposition, but we should be ready for battle, spiritually equipped to overcome challenges. The enemy's attempts to discourage us can be turned into opportunities for God's provision. When we face opposition with courage, we demonstrate our trust in God's power and His ability to use even difficult circumstances for His glory. This courage is not about our strength but about relying on God's strength and provision. [58:49]
Nehemiah 4:14 (ESV): "And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, 'Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.'"
Reflection: Consider a recent opposition or challenge you have faced. How can you reframe this situation as an opportunity for God to provide and work through you?
Day 5: Restoring True Worship
We must examine our lives for altars that do not honor God and restore true worship. Our focus should be on building a life and community where Jesus is welcomed and His presence is celebrated. This involves tearing down idols and aligning our lives with God's will, ensuring that our worship is genuine and centered on Him. As we do this, we create spaces where God's presence can dwell and transform lives. [01:18:05]
1 Kings 18:30-31 (ESV): "Then Elijah said to all the people, 'Come near to me.' And all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that had been thrown down. Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord came, saying, 'Israel shall be your name.'"
Reflection: What "altars" in your life might need to be torn down to restore true worship to God? How can you begin this process today?
Quotes
With every head bowed, every eye closed, just a moment, just you and God, if we're honest, if we take the masks off, we've all had things happen to us this week. The reality is as long as we're alive, things are going to happen. Bad things happen to good people. The enemy does attack. He comes to kill, steal, and destroy, and sometimes when we go through those difficult moments, the enemy uses those or uses them to keep us silent. But the truth is there is still a reason to praise. [00:31:10] (39 seconds)
Father, this morning in the name of Jesus, I declare we won't go by what we see. We won't go by what we feel, but we will go by what you say in Jesus' name. Father, I stand a hold of the promises that you hold us in the palm of your hand, that you will never leave us or forsake us. Father, that you pick us up. And Father, we thank you for no matter what we've been through, we know that you are with us and you will see us through in Jesus' name. [00:36:58] (28 seconds)
God's builders first restore worship to God. What is the truth and what is the reality? Many of us at times inadvertently build altars or put other things as idols in the place of our God. We worship other things. No, I only worship God. What do your actions say? What does your time say? What does your role in the building say? We spoke several months ago about tearing down the altars that we have built up. [00:51:36] (45 seconds)
God's builders will always face opposition to the work. As a matter of fact, I am so bold to say if you're not facing opposition you ain't doing anything for God the devil's got no reason just let you be there's always going to be opposition when you and I start building the enemy whose role is to kill steal and destroy will come to try to thwart God's plan in your life what are we going to do when it happens? [00:55:59] (40 seconds)
God's builders will continue to build where others left off. Part of the problem in Christianity today, in my personal opinion, is that too many churches and too many ministries and too many pastors are out there trying to just build their individual kingdoms instead of building the kingdom of God. Instead of seeing where someone left off and continuing from there, we knock it all down and start all over. [01:04:09] (23 seconds)
God puts a burden in us for what he wants us to build. What's my role? Nehemiah got a burden. The burden was so heavy on him that his face showed it. Nehemiah had a role before the king. It was a high-ranking position, one of high trust. He was the cupbearer to the king. Now, it's a high position, but I don't know if it's a position I would want. If you don't know what a cupbearer does, the cupbearer tastes everything before the king. [01:06:02] (41 seconds)
God's builders will activate others to build alongside them. In chapter number two, verse 17, it says, I said to them, you see the distress we're in, how Jerusalem lies waste and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that they may no longer be a reproach. God's builders activate others to build alongside them. Another part of the problem in today's Christianity is that we want to do everything on our own. [01:10:01] (33 seconds)
Don't stop building, just be ready for battle. That's what they did. Opposition came, they girded their sword, and they were ready for battle. As you read chapter three again, you'll see everybody built a section of the wall right in front of their house, all around the city, and they got it done in 52 days, but they were ready for battle. I'm not telling you go buy a sword or go buy a gun. I'm not telling you physically carry a battle. [01:16:06] (32 seconds)
The life that God has called you to build is for Jesus to walk into. And perhaps you walked in. You walked in this morning. And the first thing you need to do is the first thing they did in Ezra chapter three, repair the altar. Maybe there's things in your life that you got to look and say, God, I want to build for you. I'm going to tear this down and build an altar for you. [01:20:17] (20 seconds)
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