Burdened for Change: Nehemiah's Call to Action
Summary
In this season of growth and renewal, we are focusing on deepening our faith and understanding of God's purpose for us. We've been recommending books to help guide this journey, such as "Disciplines of a Godly Man" for men and "Rhythms of Renewal" for women, both aimed at fostering a closer walk with Jesus. For February, "The Reason for God" by Tim Keller is our focus, a transformative book on apologetics that addresses common questions about faith and God, helping believers and seekers alike to navigate their spiritual journeys.
Today marks the beginning of our "Flourish" series, part of the Saturate campaign, which aims to revitalize our building efforts to better serve our community and glorify God's name. We draw inspiration from Nehemiah, a trusted servant of the Persian king, who was deeply burdened by the brokenness of Jerusalem. Despite his comfortable position, Nehemiah was moved to tears and prayer upon hearing of the city's desolation, understanding that its state reflected poorly on God's renown.
Nehemiah's story teaches us that true vision begins with a burden—a deep desire to see change and to act upon it. His response was not to rally through social media or fundraising but to turn to God in prayer, confessing sins, reminding God of His promises, and seeking divine help. Nehemiah's burden was not just for physical walls but for the flourishing of worship and the restoration of God's people.
As we embark on our building campaign, we must remember that our goal is not merely to construct physical structures but to build a community where worship can thrive. We are called to be burdened for the lostness in our city, to desire change, and to act as agents of God's love and truth. Our church's history is rooted in boldness and courage, and now it's our turn to carry that legacy forward, ensuring that knowing Jesus becomes accessible to all in Spartanburg.
Key Takeaways:
1. Vision Begins with a Burden: Nehemiah's story illustrates that true vision starts with a burden—a deep, heartfelt desire to see change. This burden compels us to act, not out of obligation, but out of a genuine longing for transformation. It is this burden that fuels our mission to rebuild and renew, both physically and spiritually. [51:56]
2. Prayer as the Foundation: Nehemiah's response to his burden was to pray fervently. He confessed sins, reminded God of His promises, and sought divine help. This teaches us that prayer is foundational in aligning our desires with God's will and seeking His guidance and strength in our endeavors. [57:04]
3. Confession and Community: Nehemiah confessed not only his sins but also those of his community, taking responsibility for the collective failings. This act of confession is crucial for spiritual renewal, as it acknowledges our need for God's grace and unites us in our pursuit of holiness. [01:01:59]
4. God's Promises as Our Anchor: By reminding God of His promises, Nehemiah anchored his prayers in God's faithfulness. This reminds us that our prayers should be rooted in Scripture, seeking God's will and trusting in His covenant promises to guide and sustain us. [01:05:06]
5. Courage to Act: Nehemiah's story encourages us to have the courage to act on our burdens, even when the stakes are high. His willingness to approach the king demonstrates the boldness required to pursue God's vision, trusting that God has prepared us for such a time and place. [01:11:39]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction to Book Recommendations
- [03:45] - February's Book: The Reason for God
- [07:10] - Launch of the Flourish Series
- [10:25] - Nehemiah's Burden for Jerusalem
- [15:00] - Understanding Nehemiah's Role
- [20:15] - The Importance of Trust
- [25:40] - Nehemiah's Prayer and Confession
- [30:55] - The Power of a Burden
- [35:20] - Building Worship, Not Just Walls
- [40:45] - God's Promises and Our Prayers
- [45:30] - Courage to Act on Our Burden
- [50:55] - Our Church's Legacy and Mission
- [55:10] - Call to Prayer and Action
- [01:08:35] - Extended Time of Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Nehemiah 1:1-11
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Observation Questions:
1. What was Nehemiah's initial reaction upon hearing about the state of Jerusalem? How did he express his burden? [51:56]
2. How did Nehemiah's position as the king's cupbearer influence his ability to act on his burden for Jerusalem? [01:05:06]
3. What specific actions did Nehemiah take in response to his burden for Jerusalem? [57:04]
4. How did Nehemiah incorporate confession into his prayer, and whose sins did he confess? [01:01:59]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why is it significant that Nehemiah's vision began with a burden? How does this reflect the nature of true vision and leadership? [51:56]
2. In what ways does Nehemiah's prayer demonstrate a reliance on God's promises? How does this shape our understanding of prayer? [01:05:06]
3. How does Nehemiah's willingness to confess the sins of his community reflect a broader understanding of communal responsibility in faith? [01:01:59]
4. What does Nehemiah's courage to act on his burden teach us about the relationship between faith and action? [01:11:39]
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Application Questions:
1. Nehemiah's burden led him to prayer and action. What is a burden you currently feel for your community or church, and how can you begin to address it through prayer and action? [51:56]
2. Reflect on a time when you relied on God's promises in prayer. How did that experience shape your faith, and how can you incorporate this practice more regularly? [01:05:06]
3. Nehemiah confessed not only his sins but also those of his community. How can you take responsibility for the spiritual health of your community, and what steps can you take to foster collective confession and renewal? [01:01:59]
4. Consider the courage Nehemiah showed in approaching the king. What is a situation in your life where you need to act courageously, and how can you prepare yourself spiritually for that moment? [01:11:39]
5. Nehemiah's story emphasizes the importance of building a community where worship can thrive. How can you contribute to creating an environment in your church or community that encourages worship and spiritual growth? [35:20]
6. The sermon highlighted the need for a burden for lostness in our city. Identify one person in your life who is spiritually lost. What specific steps can you take this week to reach out to them with God's love and truth? [01:08:35]
7. Reflect on the legacy of boldness and courage in your church's history. How can you personally carry that legacy forward in your current context? [01:11:39]
Devotional
Day 1: Vision Begins with a Burden
True vision is born from a deep, heartfelt burden for change. Nehemiah's story exemplifies this truth, as he was moved to tears and prayer upon hearing of Jerusalem's desolation. His burden was not just for the physical walls but for the spiritual renewal of God's people. This burden compelled him to act, not out of obligation, but from a genuine longing for transformation. As we embark on our own journeys, we are reminded that a true vision for change begins with a burden that fuels our mission to rebuild and renew, both physically and spiritually. [51:56]
Nehemiah 1:3-4 (ESV): "And they said to me, 'The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.' As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven."
Reflection: What burden has God placed on your heart that compels you to seek change? How can you begin to act on it today?
Day 2: Prayer as the Foundation
Nehemiah's response to his burden was to pray fervently, laying a foundation for his actions. He confessed sins, reminded God of His promises, and sought divine help. This teaches us that prayer is essential in aligning our desires with God's will and seeking His guidance and strength in our endeavors. As we face our own burdens, we are encouraged to turn to prayer as the first step in our journey, trusting that God will guide us through. [57:04]
Colossians 4:2-3 (ESV): "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison."
Reflection: How can you incorporate more intentional prayer into your daily routine to seek God's guidance for the burdens you carry?
Day 3: Confession and Community
Nehemiah confessed not only his sins but also those of his community, taking responsibility for the collective failings. This act of confession is crucial for spiritual renewal, as it acknowledges our need for God's grace and unites us in our pursuit of holiness. By confessing together, we strengthen our community and align ourselves with God's purpose. As we seek renewal, let us remember the power of confession in fostering unity and spiritual growth. [01:01:59]
James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Reflection: Is there a sin or failing you need to confess to God or a trusted friend? How can this act of confession bring healing and unity to your community?
Day 4: God's Promises as Our Anchor
By reminding God of His promises, Nehemiah anchored his prayers in God's faithfulness. This reminds us that our prayers should be rooted in Scripture, seeking God's will and trusting in His covenant promises to guide and sustain us. As we face challenges, we can find strength and assurance in the promises God has made, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill them. [01:05:06]
2 Peter 1:4 (ESV): "By which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire."
Reflection: What specific promise from Scripture can you hold onto today as you seek to align your life with God's will?
Day 5: Courage to Act
Nehemiah's story encourages us to have the courage to act on our burdens, even when the stakes are high. His willingness to approach the king demonstrates the boldness required to pursue God's vision, trusting that God has prepared us for such a time and place. As we carry our burdens, we are called to step out in faith, knowing that God is with us and will provide the strength and courage we need to fulfill His purpose. [01:11:39]
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: What step of faith is God calling you to take today? How can you trust in His presence and strength as you move forward?
Quotes
Nehemiah was one of the most trusted people. In the empire. Now, Nehemiah, a lot of us don't know a whole lot about him. But as we study his life, it's important for us to have a deep understanding of who he is and what he's about. And Nehemiah was somebody who was in exile. He was one of God's people, a Jew who had been brought out of captivity, brought into captivity. He and his whole family, generations before. [00:43:55] (26 seconds)
Sadness doesn't mean a burden. A burden is a desire to see change, and you feel the need to do whatever it takes to change the reality that you're seeing. Nehemiah is burdened for the brokenness of the city of Jerusalem. Now, you might say, like, why is that such a big deal? Like, why would he care about the brokenness of the city? Well, there's two things that are at play. First of all, the city's brokenness is a reflection on who God is. [00:48:02] (35 seconds)
Nehemiah's feeling the same way. He's like, how can people come and enjoy God when they look around and the place is a wreck? But, there's a secondary element. Worship is not flourishing because the walls have a purpose. This is what the walls look like. The walls were big. They were a fortress around the city. And when they were broken, anybody could come in and attack the people that were there to worship. [00:53:48] (28 seconds)
And Nehemiah weeps and prays for months, he can't get over the fact that the walls are broken. And he's like, God, you need to raise somebody up to change the brokenness of the city. God, would you do it? He has a burden for it. And I believe that in this building campaign, we need to be really clear as to what we're doing. We're not building walls. We're building worship. [00:55:28] (25 seconds)
And if we're simply passionate about buildings and walls, we'll never accomplish what God wants to do in the city. We have to be people who are burdened for lostness, for worship. The reason why we would take our treasure and our time and invest our heart into a local church is because we know that God's plan to reach a community is centered on the local church. [00:55:42] (30 seconds)
It's God's plan to save people. It's not revivals. It's not podcasts. It's not great resources or seminaries. It's God's people, ordinary people reaching their community for Jesus Christ because a church changes people forever. It disciples, it trains, it sends people out. And when Jesus went to heaven, the one thing he left behind was what? A church. He built his church. [00:56:14] (32 seconds)
And Jesus said that even the gates of hell will not withstand against it. So we must have a burden for our city and the community. We must feel a desire for change. Now, when you have a burden, what do you do? And if Nehemiah lived today, what would he do? Like, I think a lot of us would, like, respond differently to Nehemiah. We would actually start thinking about how we could affect change through social media. [00:56:48] (27 seconds)
I confess. We have committed. I confess. Sins we have committed against you. Both I and my father's family have sinned. We have acted corruptly towards you and have not kept the commands, statutes, and ordinances you gave your servant Moses. Nehemiah prays. And in his prayer, he does three things. The first is that he confesses sin. Nehemiah confesses sin. He doesn't only confess his own sin. [00:58:36] (33 seconds)
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