Building God's Kingdom: Tools for Faithful Action
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into Nehemiah chapter 2, exploring the tools Nehemiah used to rebuild Jerusalem's walls. Nehemiah's impressive resume as the king's cupbearer didn't define his success; his reliance on God did. We discussed the importance of being concerned about problems, having strong convictions about God's character, confessing sins, and being committed to prayer. Nehemiah's story teaches us that prayer is the engine of the church and should be a lifestyle, not just a corporate event.
Nehemiah's toolbox included five essential tools: waiting, trusting, praying, planning, and testifying. He waited patiently for four months before approaching the king, demonstrating the importance of patience and trusting in God's timing. Trusting God, Nehemiah overcame his fear and boldly asked the king to reverse a previous decree, showing that faith can propel us into action. His quick, heartfelt prayers exemplify how we can maintain constant communication with God, even in critical moments.
Planning was another crucial tool. Nehemiah had a well-thought-out plan when he approached the king, asking for letters of passage and timber from the king's forest. His meticulous planning ensured he was ready when the opportunity arose. Finally, Nehemiah testified to God's goodness, acknowledging that the success of his mission was due to God's gracious hand upon him.
Nehemiah's journey teaches us that building God's kingdom requires a combination of spiritual and practical tools. We must be willing to wait, trust, pray, plan, and testify. As we embark on our own "Rise Up and Build" campaign, we are reminded that our efforts are not just about physical structures but about ushering in God's kingdom and preparing for the return of the Messiah. We must be ready to face opposition, knowing that God's hand is upon us, guiding and providing for us every step of the way.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Power of Patience and Waiting on God: Nehemiah waited four months before he could present his request to the king. This period of waiting was not wasted but was a time of preparation and trust in God's timing. Patience is a tool God uses to develop our character and faith. When we wait on the Lord, we learn to trust His perfect timing and His plans for us. [09:06]
2. Trusting God in the Face of Fear: Nehemiah was afraid when he approached the king, but his faith in God's promises propelled him to act. Trusting God means stepping out in faith even when we are fearful. It involves believing that God is greater than our fears and that He will provide the courage and resources we need to fulfill His purposes. [12:11]
3. The Importance of Constant Prayer: Nehemiah's quick prayer before speaking to the king shows the importance of maintaining constant communication with God. Prayer should be an ongoing conversation with God, not just reserved for specific times. This continuous dialogue helps us stay aligned with God's will and receive His guidance in every situation. [21:12]
4. Meticulous Planning and Preparation: Nehemiah's success was partly due to his careful planning. He knew exactly what he needed from the king and had a detailed plan in place. This teaches us that while prayer is essential, we must also be diligent in our planning and preparation. God honors our efforts when we combine prayer with practical steps. [23:31]
5. Testifying to God's Goodness: Nehemiah acknowledged that the success of his mission was due to God's gracious hand upon him. Testifying to God's goodness not only glorifies Him but also encourages others to trust in His provision and faithfulness. Our testimonies can inspire faith and confidence in those around us, pointing them to the greatness of God. [28:07]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:57] - Humorous Resume Examples
[02:52] - Nehemiah's Impressive Resume
[03:31] - Importance of Prayer
[04:16] - Nehemiah's Toolbox
[05:17] - Personal Anecdote on Tools
[06:49] - Nehemiah's Sadness Before the King
[07:26] - Nehemiah's Request to the King
[09:06] - The Tool of Waiting
[09:44] - Patience and God's Timing
[11:26] - The Tool of Trusting
[12:11] - Overcoming Fear with Faith
[14:58] - The Tool of Praying
[21:12] - Constant Communication with God
[23:31] - The Tool of Planning
[28:07] - The Tool of Testifying
[29:56] - Replenishing Resources
[33:13] - Assessing the Need
[36:29] - Recruiting Workers
[38:30] - Inspiring Confidence
[44:33] - Handling Opposition
[49:23] - Conclusion and Call to Action
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Nehemiah 2:1-20
2. Hebrews 6:12
3. Psalm 127:1
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Nehemiah's role in the Persian court, and how did it position him to help Jerusalem? ([02:52])
2. How long did Nehemiah wait before he approached the king with his request, and what does this reveal about his character? ([09:06])
3. What specific requests did Nehemiah make to the king, and why were these important for his mission? ([07:26])
4. How did Nehemiah respond to the opposition from Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem? ([45:58])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is patience an important tool in fulfilling God's plans, as demonstrated by Nehemiah's four-month wait? ([09:06])
2. How does Nehemiah's quick prayer before speaking to the king illustrate the importance of constant communication with God? ([21:12])
3. In what ways did Nehemiah's meticulous planning contribute to the success of his mission? ([23:31])
4. How does Nehemiah's testimony about God's goodness serve to inspire and encourage others? ([28:07])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had to wait for God's timing. How did that period of waiting impact your faith and character? ([09:06])
2. Nehemiah trusted God despite his fear. Is there a situation in your life where you need to step out in faith despite being afraid? ([12:11])
3. How can you incorporate more frequent and spontaneous prayers into your daily routine, similar to Nehemiah's quick prayer before the king? ([21:12])
4. Think of a project or goal you are currently working on. How can you improve your planning and preparation to align with God's guidance? ([23:31])
5. Nehemiah testified to God's goodness, which encouraged others. Can you share a recent experience where you saw God's hand at work in your life? How did it impact those around you? ([28:07])
6. Nehemiah faced opposition but remained steadfast. How do you handle opposition or criticism when pursuing what you believe is God's will? ([45:58])
7. The sermon emphasized the importance of both spiritual and practical tools in building God's kingdom. What practical steps can you take this week to contribute to your church's mission or a personal ministry? ([29:18])
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Patience and Waiting on God
Nehemiah's story begins with a period of waiting. For four months, he prayed and fasted before he approached the king with his request. This waiting period was not a time of inactivity but a time of preparation and trust in God's timing. Patience is a tool God uses to develop our character and faith. When we wait on the Lord, we learn to trust His perfect timing and His plans for us. This waiting period allowed Nehemiah to align his heart with God's will and to prepare a detailed plan for when the opportunity arose. Patience is not just about waiting but about trusting that God's timing is always perfect. [09:06]
Isaiah 40:31 (ESV): "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you are waiting for God's intervention. How can you use this time to prepare and align your heart with God's will?
Day 2: Trusting God in the Face of Fear
Nehemiah was afraid when he approached the king, but his faith in God's promises propelled him to act. Trusting God means stepping out in faith even when we are fearful. It involves believing that God is greater than our fears and that He will provide the courage and resources we need to fulfill His purposes. Nehemiah's boldness in asking the king to reverse a previous decree shows that faith can propel us into action, even in the face of fear. Trusting God requires us to move forward, believing that He is with us and will guide us through our fears. [12:11]
Joshua 1:9 (ESV): "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Reflection: Identify a fear that is holding you back from taking a step of faith. How can you trust God to help you overcome this fear and move forward?
Day 3: The Importance of Constant Prayer
Nehemiah's quick prayer before speaking to the king shows the importance of maintaining constant communication with God. Prayer should be an ongoing conversation with God, not just reserved for specific times. This continuous dialogue helps us stay aligned with God's will and receive His guidance in every situation. Nehemiah's story teaches us that prayer is the engine of the church and should be a lifestyle, not just a corporate event. By maintaining constant communication with God, we can navigate life's challenges with His wisdom and strength. [21:12]
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 (ESV): "Pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Reflection: How can you incorporate more moments of prayer into your daily routine? What specific times or activities can you use as reminders to pray?
Day 4: Meticulous Planning and Preparation
Nehemiah's success was partly due to his careful planning. He knew exactly what he needed from the king and had a detailed plan in place. This teaches us that while prayer is essential, we must also be diligent in our planning and preparation. God honors our efforts when we combine prayer with practical steps. Nehemiah's meticulous planning ensured he was ready when the opportunity arose, demonstrating that faith and planning go hand in hand. By being prepared, we can seize the opportunities God places before us and work effectively towards His purposes. [23:31]
Proverbs 16:3 (ESV): "Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established."
Reflection: What is a goal or project you are currently working on? How can you combine prayer with practical planning to ensure its success?
Day 5: Testifying to God's Goodness
Nehemiah acknowledged that the success of his mission was due to God's gracious hand upon him. Testifying to God's goodness not only glorifies Him but also encourages others to trust in His provision and faithfulness. Our testimonies can inspire faith and confidence in those around us, pointing them to the greatness of God. By sharing how God has worked in our lives, we can build up the faith of our community and bring glory to His name. Nehemiah's testimony serves as a reminder that our successes are not our own but are a result of God's grace and favor. [28:07]
Psalm 105:1-2 (ESV): "Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!"
Reflection: Think of a recent experience where you saw God's hand at work. How can you share this testimony with someone to encourage their faith?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Prayer isn't reserved for a Wednesday night corporate prayer. Prayer is the lifestyle of the believer. And as we move into Nehemiah chapter 2, can I encourage you, can I give you a little bit of homework? Just a little bit. I want you to read Nehemiah, but I also want you to read Ezra and Esther. Because all three of those books are happening around the exact same time." [03:31] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If we'll let go of fear, we could do so much more. There was a great book written years ago called Who Moved My Cheese? Anyone ever read that book? Who Moved My Cheese? It's a great book. And the author asks this question. What would you do if you weren't afraid? What would you do if you weren't afraid? He points out that fear often keeps us from taking the steps we know we need to take and fear can paralyze us." [13:15] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If we'll just come to the place where we can say, hey, I'm sad, I'm actually struggling, then we give others an opportunity to meet us where we're at. And we give God an opportunity. So in this place, Nehemiah, he reaches the place where he can't hide his grief and then using wisdom, he affirms his boss. And if I say, long live the king, right? You're sad, but he looks at his boss and he's like, you look wonderful today. I'm dying on the inside, but I'm going to give you a compliment so you don't kill me." [18:32] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "What if we all started living with the good hand of God on us? I mean, come on. I want the good hand of God living on my life. Only God could have brought such a dramatic change in the king's mind and the cupbearer's destiny. I mean, here he is. He had just written a few years ago, Stop rebuilding Jerusalem. Don't touch it. And it was laid in waste. But Nehemiah was bold enough to say, King, I need some letters. I need some wood. I need some money. I need these things. I need protection. I need provisions. And I need permission." [28:07] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "As Psalm 127.1 says, unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Church, it's time to build. It's what we're calling you to. It's time to build. Now, I know I said earlier, I don't like, I shouldn't say this anymore. Let me rephrase this. Thank you, Holy Spirit. I'm learning to love offerings because it's a great opportunity to partner with God." [51:27] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Nehemiah was concerned about the problem that he'd heard about in Jerusalem. He had a strong conviction about God's character. He confessed his sins. And one of the key things we talked about is we have to be willing to confess. We don't want to confess our own sin. We live in a culture, right, that doesn't want to confess sin. We don't want to admit sin. We don't want to admit that we're doing anything wrong. Our culture is so anti-admittance of wrong." [02:52] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Nehemiah had some tools in his toolbox that I want to talk about this morning. The first one is waiting. The first tool Nehemiah used was the tool called waiting. He was a man of decisive action, and when he prayed, it was natural for him to ask God to provide an early, if not immediate, opportunity to speak to the king. Remember we talked about in the closing verse of chapter 1 that Nehemiah wanted success today. He says, Make me successful today, God, in the sight of the king. He waited patiently for an answer, because how many of you know, he didn't get an immediate answer." [09:06] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Nehemiah asked for and he received three things from the king. Permission, protection, and provisions. Everything he asked for. And the final tool he pulled out was the tool of testifying. He gave testimony to the goodness of God in answering his prayers, guiding his mind, directing his speech, and meeting his needs. I want to look at that last part of verse 8. It says, And the king granted them to me. Because the good hand of my God was on me. How many of us want the good hand of God on our life? We want the good hand of God to rest on us. Why? For the rebuilding of the kingdom. For the building up of people's lives. For rescuing people out of darkness." [28:42] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Nehemiah knew that in order to lead this project, he would need a first-hand picture of what needed to be done. He then scouted out the damage to the walls one dark night. With the moonlight showing the mounds of broken stone and demolished gates, Nehemiah made some notes to himself. I want you to think about this. This journey. This journey is one of the most dramatic scenes in the book. I think he discovered at least three things as he did his assessment. Number one, it was going to be a demanding job. I need you to understand, the circuit of the walls was more than a mile long. And the new wall needed to be three to four feet thick. This is a big wall. And it needed to be 15 to 20 feet high." [33:13] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Whenever we get serious about kingdom work, Satan will oppose us. The first two enemies we'd already identified, Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite. But in verse 10, they're joined by Geshem. I'm sorry, later on in verse, whatever it is, are joined by Geshem. It says in verse 10, the opponents are very disturbed. Now this troublesome trio becomes highly vocal in their attacks on Nehemiah. Look at verse 19. Oh, that's where it is. Geshem the Arab. It says, and when they heard it, they mocked us and despised us. They mocked us and despised us. One translation says, they mocked and ridiculed us. Verbal onslaughts have always been part of the enemy's demoralizing tactics." [45:15] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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