Embracing God's Mission: Lessons from Nehemiah
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, Northside family! Today, we delved into the story of Nehemiah, a man who exemplifies what it means to be on mission for God. Nehemiah's journey begins with a deep burden for his people and the broken walls of Jerusalem. Despite living a comfortable life as a cupbearer to the king, Nehemiah chose to step out of his comfort zone and into the rubble to rebuild not just the walls, but the spirit and identity of his people. This story is a powerful reminder that God calls each of us to a unique mission, and fulfilling that mission often requires us to leave our comfort zones and face significant challenges.
Nehemiah's story teaches us about the importance of discernment, especially when facing distractions and attacks from the enemy. His ability to see through the intentions of his adversaries and stay focused on his mission is a testament to his deep relationship with God. Nehemiah's discernment came from his prayer life, his understanding of God's character, and his willingness to repent and seek God's guidance continually.
We also explored the idea that being on mission for God means more than just doing good works; it means having a heart that is fully convinced of God's character and promises. Nehemiah's faith was not just inherited from his forefathers; it was deeply personal and real. This kind of faith enables us to endure hardships and stay committed to the mission God has given us.
As we go about our lives, we must ask ourselves: Are we willing to embrace the calling God has placed on our lives? Are we ready to step into the brokenness of the world and bring hope, order, and restoration? Nehemiah's story challenges us to be people of deep faith, humility, and repentance, ready to act on the burdens God places in our hearts.
### Key Takeaways
1. Embrace Your Calling: Nehemiah's story begins with a burden for his people and the broken walls of Jerusalem. He chose to leave his comfortable life to fulfill God's mission. We must be willing to step out of our comfort zones and embrace the unique calling God has placed on our lives. [28:30]
2. Discernment Through Prayer: Nehemiah's ability to discern the intentions of his enemies came from his deep relationship with God. He prayed, fasted, and sought God's guidance continually. To stay on mission, we must cultivate a prayer life that helps us see through distractions and attacks. [32:29]
3. Deep Personal Faith: Nehemiah's faith was not just inherited; it was deeply personal and real. This kind of faith enables us to endure hardships and stay committed to our mission. We must move beyond a shallow, inherited faith to a deeply personal relationship with God. [50:44]
4. Repentance and Humility: Nehemiah's journey was marked by deep repentance and humility. He acknowledged the sins of his people and sought God's forgiveness. True revival and effective mission work begin with a heart of repentance and humility. [52:49]
5. Passion for God's People: Nehemiah's mission was not just about rebuilding walls; it was about restoring the identity and spirit of God's people. We must have a passion for the people God loves and be willing to step into their brokenness to bring hope and restoration. [58:10]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[23:30] - Opening Prayer and Offering
[24:31] - Announcements
[27:39] - Introduction to Nehemiah
[28:30] - Embracing Your Calling
[29:23] - Nehemiah's Mission and Challenges
[32:29] - Discernment Through Prayer
[34:33] - Nehemiah's Burden for His People
[37:12] - The Origin of Nehemiah's Calling
[41:06] - Stepping Out of Comfort Zones
[50:44] - Deep Personal Faith
[52:49] - Repentance and Humility
[58:10] - Passion for God's People
[01:01:09] - Facing Distractions
[01:13:20] - Being on Mission
[01:20:24] - Closing Prayer and Call to Action
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Nehemiah 1:2-11 - Nehemiah's prayer and burden for Jerusalem.
2. Nehemiah 6:1-9 - Nehemiah's discernment and response to distractions.
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Nehemiah's initial reaction when he heard about the state of Jerusalem? (Nehemiah 1:4)
2. How did Nehemiah respond to the repeated invitations from his enemies to meet in the plains of Ono? (Nehemiah 6:3-4)
3. What specific actions did Nehemiah take to seek God's guidance and strength? (Nehemiah 1:4-11)
4. According to the sermon, what were some of the distractions and attacks Nehemiah faced while on his mission? [29:53]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Nehemiah's prayer life was crucial to his ability to discern the intentions of his enemies? [32:29]
2. How does Nehemiah's willingness to leave his comfortable life as a cupbearer reflect his commitment to God's mission? [39:58]
3. What does Nehemiah's deep personal faith teach us about the importance of having a personal relationship with God rather than an inherited or shallow faith? [50:44]
4. How does Nehemiah's humility and repentance set an example for us in our own spiritual journeys? [52:49]
#### Application Questions
1. Nehemiah embraced his calling despite the comfort of his life. Are there areas in your life where you feel God is calling you to step out of your comfort zone? What steps can you take to embrace this calling? [39:58]
2. Nehemiah's discernment came from his deep relationship with God through prayer. How can you cultivate a prayer life that helps you see through distractions and attacks? What specific changes can you make to your daily routine to prioritize prayer? [32:29]
3. Nehemiah's faith was deeply personal and real. Reflect on your own faith journey. Is your faith personal and deeply rooted, or is it more inherited and shallow? What can you do to deepen your personal relationship with God? [50:44]
4. Nehemiah's journey was marked by repentance and humility. When was the last time you truly repented and sought God's forgiveness? How can you incorporate regular repentance into your spiritual practice? [52:49]
5. Nehemiah had a passion for God's people and was willing to step into their brokenness. Identify a specific area of brokenness in your community. How can you step into that brokenness to bring hope and restoration? [58:10]
6. The sermon mentioned that being on mission for God often involves facing significant challenges. What are some challenges you are currently facing in your mission for God? How can you rely on God's strength to overcome these challenges? [28:30]
7. Nehemiah's story challenges us to be people of deep faith, humility, and repentance. What practical steps can you take this week to grow in these areas? [41:43]
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace Your Calling
Nehemiah's story begins with a burden for his people and the broken walls of Jerusalem. Despite his comfortable life as a cupbearer to the king, he chose to step out of his comfort zone to fulfill God's mission. This decision was not easy, but it was driven by a deep conviction and a sense of responsibility towards his people. Nehemiah's willingness to leave his comfort zone and embrace his calling is a powerful example for us. We are often called to step into challenging situations to bring about God's purposes. Are we willing to embrace the unique calling God has placed on our lives, even if it means leaving our comfort zones?
[28:30]
Nehemiah 2:17-18 (ESV): "Then I said to them, 'You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.' And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, 'Let us rise up and build.' So they strengthened their hands for the good work."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to step out of your comfort zone? How can you take a practical step towards embracing this calling today?
Day 2: Discernment Through Prayer
Nehemiah's ability to discern the intentions of his enemies came from his deep relationship with God. He prayed, fasted, and sought God's guidance continually. This discernment was crucial in helping him stay focused on his mission despite numerous distractions and attacks. For us, cultivating a prayer life that helps us see through distractions and attacks is essential. By seeking God's guidance through prayer, we can develop the discernment needed to stay on mission and fulfill God's purposes in our lives.
[32:29]
James 1:5-6 (ESV): "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind."
Reflection: Think of a current challenge or decision you are facing. Have you taken the time to seek God's guidance through prayer? How can you make prayer a more integral part of your decision-making process?
Day 3: Deep Personal Faith
Nehemiah's faith was not just inherited; it was deeply personal and real. This kind of faith enabled him to endure hardships and stay committed to his mission. A deeply personal relationship with God is essential for us to move beyond a shallow, inherited faith. It is this personal faith that sustains us through difficult times and keeps us focused on the mission God has given us. We must strive to cultivate a faith that is deeply rooted in our personal experiences with God and His promises.
[50:44]
Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV): "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."
Reflection: Reflect on your personal relationship with God. How can you deepen your faith and make it more personal and real? What steps can you take to strengthen your daily walk with Him?
Day 4: Repentance and Humility
Nehemiah's journey was marked by deep repentance and humility. He acknowledged the sins of his people and sought God's forgiveness. True revival and effective mission work begin with a heart of repentance and humility. Recognizing our own shortcomings and seeking God's forgiveness is crucial for spiritual growth and effectiveness in our mission. Nehemiah's example challenges us to approach God with a humble heart, ready to repent and seek His guidance.
[52:49]
2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV): "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you need to seek God's forgiveness? How can you approach God with a heart of repentance and humility today?
Day 5: Passion for God's People
Nehemiah's mission was not just about rebuilding walls; it was about restoring the identity and spirit of God's people. His passion for his people drove him to take action and bring hope and restoration. We must have a similar passion for the people God loves. This means being willing to step into their brokenness and work towards bringing hope and restoration. Nehemiah's story challenges us to be people who are deeply committed to the well-being of others and to act on the burdens God places in our hearts.
[58:10]
Isaiah 58:12 (ESV): "And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in."
Reflection: Who in your life is in need of hope and restoration? How can you practically step into their brokenness and be a source of God's love and healing today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "That one, you walk out of here knowing that God loves you with all that he has and all that he is and he cares deeply about you and he is for you and there's nothing that's more important than that. So I pray you walk out of here knowing and experiencing the presence and the love of God but also just the love of this community and this family that we would show love to one another and you know you're welcome here." [23:30] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "It is easy to be distracted from the mission that God has created us for. It is easy to feel a sense at one point that oh this is what I'm here for but then the things of life come up, the stuff of life comes up just in the day to day but beyond just the day to day the attacks of the enemy from outside, the attacks of the enemy from within in our own sinful natures. It's easy to get off course and to lose sight of the mission that God's given us, of the calling that God has given us." [28:30] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You are saved you are called and to what degree are we willing to embrace the calling in our lives. You don't have my calling, I don't have your calling. I cannot accomplish what God has called you to do. I could try, I could try to do what God has called you to do but I wouldn't do it as effectively as you can because you are called to your calling, to your people, to your mission in a unique way that I am not. And that's the beauty of the kingdom of God, isn't it?" [43:13] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Life changes when we understand that we are called people. It changes everything. You can't be saved, you can't be satisfied anymore with the status quo when you've been given a burden from God. When you have a heart for the things of God, when God shows you something, exposes the brokenness of the world, you can no longer be happy sitting in a comfortable life knowing and seeing and feeling the burden and the passion for the brokenness that God's called you to step into." [44:20] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "When you love what God has called you to do, the distractions are not a temptation. You say yeah that's more fun but this is why I'm here. This is what I am called to do." [01:12:22] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Nehemiah at the beginning of his story catches a vision and a passion from God that drives him. And it drives him to the point where he's able to overcome because he remembers who he is and what he is called to do. And it's clear that God gives Nehemiah discernment because one of the amazing things is every time one of these attacks come against him, he's able to see through it, to not just see what's happening but see through what's happening to the intentions of those behind it and say no, no, no I see what's really going on here and it gives him the wisdom to avoid those things." [32:29] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If we're going to be a people who step into calling, we have to, more than a mental knowledge, we have to have a heart that is fully convinced of the character of who God is, of who he has been. If we're going to step into places that are hard, we have to remember that God is a God who has done miracles, who has done hard things, who has changed over and over and over again throughout history and throughout our lives. He is a God who has been faithful to his people." [47:06] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You will not, if Christianity is something you do because that's how you were raised, you will not be able to live on mission. You won't be able to endure. If your faith is only your faith because things are going well, you won't be able to endure. You won't be able to be on mission. You won't be able to accomplish the hard things that God's called you to if your faith is a shallow faith. Like we just always go to church, that's always what we've done, that's always what we do." [51:12] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "No revival ever starts unless it's preceded by repentance. It's just historically true. Every great revival that has moved throughout the land has always started, usually with college kids, young people, but it always starts with deep, deep repentance. Woe is me, I am a man of unclean lips. Forgive us. We don't know what we've done wrong. We've done, we are unworthy of your grace and your mercy and your goodness and your blessing. But that's who you are and we pray that you would forgive us." [53:45] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If we're going to be a people who accomplish great things on mission, we have to be a people who not only believe that God is who he said he was and he will do what he said he will do, but we have to be a people of deep repentance. He says, I am not okay. I desperately need you. I have to, I rely on you completely. And because he was that kind of a person, he was able to hear the voice of God. He was able to hear and discern the work of God." [56:30] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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