Living Purposefully: Embracing Life and Community Action

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we joined with churches worldwide to observe Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, a day dedicated to grieving the culture of death and violence that pervades our society. We confessed our sins of apathy and complicity in this culture and sought God's forgiveness and empowerment to value and protect life at every stage. We prayed for the vulnerable, the voiceless, and those who feel they have no choice, asking God to move us into action in areas like adoption, foster care, and support for mothers. Our partnership with Heartbeat Pregnancy Resource Center exemplifies our commitment to providing love and help to those in need.

We then turned our focus to the ongoing series, "Make It Count," exploring how God calls us to live purposeful lives that glorify Him. Using Nehemiah as a case study, we examined how he was moved to action upon hearing about the disgrace of Jerusalem. Despite never having been to the city, Nehemiah was burdened by its condition and sought God's guidance for a plan to rebuild its walls. His story teaches us about leadership, the importance of preparation, and the power of community in achieving God's purposes.

Nehemiah's task was monumental: rebuilding a 2.5-mile-long, 39-foot-high wall without modern tools. Yet, through the collective effort of many, the wall was completed in just 52 days. This illustrates the principle that together, we can accomplish more than we ever could alone. Each person had a role, and while some tasks were messy, they were all necessary for the greater good. This serves as a reminder that in the kingdom of God, everyone has a purpose, and when we work together, we can achieve great things.

Finally, we reflected on the state of the American church, acknowledging its disgrace due to moral failures and a lust for political power. However, God is raising a new generation of Nehemiahs, passionate about His presence and committed to restoring the church's integrity. We are called to be part of this movement, to live lives that count for God's glory, and to seek His help in transforming our messes into testimonies of His grace.

Key Takeaways:

1. Sanctity of Life and Action: We are called to grieve the culture of death and violence, confess our apathy, and take action to protect life at every stage. This involves supporting vulnerable individuals and engaging in areas like adoption and foster care. [36:30]

2. Purposeful Living: God desires us to live lives that count, not just go with the flow of society. Like Nehemiah, we should seek God's guidance and be willing to act on His plans, even when the task seems daunting. [46:17]

3. Community and Collaboration: Nehemiah's story shows the power of community in achieving God's purposes. Each person has a role, and together, we can accomplish more than we could alone. This requires everyone doing their part and supporting one another. [49:59]

4. Facing Challenges with Faith: Some tasks in God's kingdom are messy and challenging, but they are necessary for the greater good. We must be willing to get involved, trusting that God will use our efforts for His glory. [01:12:41]

5. Restoration of the Church: The American church has faced disgrace, but God is raising a new generation passionate about His presence and committed to restoring integrity. We are called to be part of this movement, living lives that reflect God's love and power. [01:18:33]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [34:43] - Observing Sanctity of Human Life Sunday
- [36:30] - Call to Action and Support
- [42:17] - Introduction to Nehemiah
- [45:33] - Living a Life That Counts
- [46:17] - Nehemiah's Burden and Plan
- [48:08] - Nehemiah's Journey to Jerusalem
- [49:59] - The Purpose of Rebuilding
- [51:28] - The State of the American Church
- [52:12] - A New Generation of Nehemiahs
- [53:35] - The Scope of Nehemiah's Project
- [54:35] - Lessons from Nehemiah Chapter 3
- [01:03:34] - Practical Lessons for Making Life Count
- [01:12:41] - Embracing Messy Tasks
- [01:18:33] - God's Help in Our Lives
- [01:25:00] - Invitation to Surrender to Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Nehemiah 3:1-32
- Nehemiah 6:15-16

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Observation Questions:

1. What was Nehemiah's initial reaction upon hearing about the condition of Jerusalem, and how did he respond to this news? [46:17]

2. How did Nehemiah organize the rebuilding of the wall, and what was the significance of assigning people to work on sections near their homes? [58:23]

3. What challenges did Nehemiah face during the rebuilding process, and how did the community contribute to overcoming these challenges? [01:13:22]

4. How long did it take to complete the wall, and what was the reaction of the surrounding nations upon its completion? [01:16:54]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does Nehemiah's burden for Jerusalem, a city he had never visited, teach us about the importance of empathy and action in our own lives? [46:17]

2. In what ways does the story of Nehemiah illustrate the power of community and collaboration in achieving God's purposes? [49:59]

3. How does Nehemiah's leadership style, particularly his strategic planning and delegation, provide a model for effective leadership in the church today? [58:23]

4. What can we learn from Nehemiah's response to the disgrace of Jerusalem about addressing moral and spiritual failures within the church? [51:28]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt burdened to take action for a cause or issue. How did you respond, and what steps can you take to ensure you act on such burdens in the future? [46:17]

2. Nehemiah's story emphasizes the importance of community. How can you actively contribute to your church community to help achieve collective goals? [49:59]

3. Consider the areas in your life where you might be called to take on a leadership role. What steps can you take to prepare yourself for this responsibility? [58:23]

4. The sermon mentioned the disgrace of the American church due to moral failures. How can you personally contribute to restoring integrity and authenticity in your church community? [51:28]

5. Nehemiah faced significant challenges and opposition. How do you typically handle challenges in your life, and what can you learn from Nehemiah's perseverance and faith? [01:13:22]

6. The completion of the wall in 52 days was seen as a work done with God's help. How can you invite God's help into the "walls" you are building in your life? [01:16:54]

7. Reflect on the concept of living a life that counts for God's glory. What specific actions can you take this week to ensure your life is purposeful and aligned with God's plans? [45:33]

Devotional

Day 1: Grieving and Acting Against a Culture of Death
In a world where the sanctity of life is often overshadowed by a culture of death and violence, we are called to grieve and confess our apathy. This involves recognizing our complicity and seeking God's forgiveness and empowerment to value and protect life at every stage. Our actions should extend beyond mere acknowledgment, moving us to support vulnerable individuals and engage in areas like adoption and foster care. By partnering with organizations like Heartbeat Pregnancy Resource Center, we can provide tangible love and help to those in need, embodying the call to action that God places on our hearts. [36:30]

"Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, 'Behold, we did not know this,' does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?" (Proverbs 24:11-12, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your community is vulnerable and in need of support? How can you take a specific action today to protect and value life?


Day 2: Living a Life of Purpose
God calls us to live lives that count, not merely to drift along with societal norms. Like Nehemiah, who was moved to action upon hearing about the disgrace of Jerusalem, we should seek God's guidance and be willing to act on His plans, even when the task seems daunting. Nehemiah's story is a testament to purposeful living, where preparation, leadership, and a heart aligned with God's will lead to significant impact. We are encouraged to examine our own lives and ask how we can align our actions with God's purposes, making each day count for His glory. [46:17]

"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble." (Proverbs 16:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel God is calling you to act with purpose? How can you begin to align your actions with His plans today?


Day 3: The Power of Community in God's Work
Nehemiah's story illustrates the power of community in achieving God's purposes. The monumental task of rebuilding Jerusalem's wall was accomplished through the collective effort of many, each person playing a vital role. This teaches us that together, we can achieve more than we ever could alone. In the kingdom of God, everyone has a purpose, and when we work together, supporting one another, we can accomplish great things. This principle challenges us to consider how we can contribute to our community and support others in their roles. [49:59]

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively support someone in your community today? What role can you play in a collective effort to achieve a greater good?


Day 4: Embracing Messy Tasks for the Greater Good
In God's kingdom, some tasks are messy and challenging, yet they are necessary for the greater good. Nehemiah's project of rebuilding the wall was not without its difficulties, but it was essential for the restoration of Jerusalem. We are called to embrace these messy tasks, trusting that God will use our efforts for His glory. This requires faith and a willingness to get involved, even when the work is hard or uncomfortable. By doing so, we participate in God's transformative work, turning our messes into testimonies of His grace. [01:12:41]

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." (Galatians 6:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: What is one challenging task you have been avoiding? How can you trust God to use your efforts for His glory and take a step forward today?


Day 5: Restoring Integrity in the Church
The American church has faced disgrace due to moral failures and a lust for political power. However, God is raising a new generation of Nehemiahs, passionate about His presence and committed to restoring the church's integrity. We are called to be part of this movement, living lives that reflect God's love and power. This involves seeking His help in transforming our messes into testimonies of His grace and being a light in a world that desperately needs it. By doing so, we contribute to the restoration of the church and the advancement of God's kingdom. [01:18:33]

"Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work." (2 Timothy 2:21, ESV)

Reflection: How can you contribute to restoring integrity in your church community? What specific actions can you take to reflect God's love and power in your daily life?

Quotes

We ask God to move us into action in the areas of adoption and foster care and providing for mothers and standing for the powerless. This is a Sunday where we grieve the millions of abortions that have happened in our nation. And ask God for mercy. And ask God for love for those who are vulnerable women who feel like they have no other choice. [00:36:12] (27 seconds)


What if God wants you to live a life that is more than just going through the lazy river of life, going with the flow and the current of society and culture? What if he really does want you to live a life that counts? What if he wants you to live a life on purpose so that at the end of your life, you can look back and say, man, my life counted for something. [00:44:17] (25 seconds)


And Nehemiah, what you probably need to know about him, second generation, Jewish immigrant in Persia. And so this is not the place of his ancestors. His parents or even grandparents had been moved from Israel to Persia. And he finds himself in the capital city and he's working for the most important man in the world, the emperor of the Persian empire, a guy named King Artaxerxes. [00:46:40] (25 seconds)


Nehemiah is an outlier in that it moves him and he can't let it go. And he begins to carry the weight for four months. He just can't let go of the fact that something needs to be done in Jerusalem, a place he's never been. We know from scripture in Nehemiah chapter one, we learned that he grieved and he fasted and he prayed for four months. [00:47:31] (24 seconds)


See, Jerusalem used to be a city that people on the world stage knew who they were and they knew who their God was. But over several hundred years, there has been city. No one cares about Jerusalem. Nobody's talking about Jerusalem. Nobody in the rest of the empire could probably even find Jerusalem on a map. They didn't care because the city had been disgraced because the people of Jerusalem hadn't done their part. [00:50:17] (22 seconds)


The American church is being disgraced by our hypocrisy, not just of pastoral leadership or spiritual leadership, but just of people who call themselves Christians in general. And the people outside of the church go, I don't want to be a part of that. The American church is being disgraced by our lust for political power. [00:51:47] (20 seconds)


And I'm willing to walk before I talk and I'm willing to pray and fast and grieve. And I'm willing to put in the hard work, but I believe God wants something beyond what we're seeing today. And I could not be more excited about the future of the church. When I see, especially the young people who are saying, I have such a desire for the presence of God. [00:53:20] (22 seconds)


And I believe God is on the cusp of doing something new in our day and our time of pouring out his Holy Spirit in a way that's not like any other generation has experienced. I'm grateful for what God did in the 70s with the Jesus people. I want a new, fresh move of God today for this generation. Anybody with me? You're falling asleep. [00:54:04] (24 seconds)


And so as you look through this chapter, you'll see that, that 38 individual leaders are named in chapter three. And these individuals include rulers and priests, men and women. There's ladies that are part of this account as you read through Nehemiah chapter three. There's professional craftsmen, there's different ages, there's people from outside of the city who didn't live in Jerusalem who come to help because they want to help them. [01:01:23] (25 seconds)


When you have a group of people who is all doing their part together, nobody gets burned out, and people feel fulfilled and fruitful in what they're doing, when everybody is doing their part. Too often, though, we come in a situation where we're not doing our part. Especially as the journey is getting bigger, we come in and we go, well, surely somebody else is taking care of X, or Y, or Z. [01:07:41] (26 seconds)


Some of the jobs of ministry are just plain messy. And if you've been around ministry for long, you'll know that that's true. And when you're doing your part, and when you're doing what God has called you to do, and God puts a purpose in your life, can I tell you, there's going to be some aspects of that that are going to be messy. [01:12:16] (15 seconds)


52 days after they started, the wall was completely rebuilt. Like, we can't, we can't, no power tools. 10? Yeah, no power tools. 52 days. Why? Because thousands of people got behind 39 leaders that are at least named and said, we can do something for the kingdom of God, for the glory of God. [01:16:46] (26 seconds)


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Transcript
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