Rebuilding with Compassion: Nehemiah's Call to Action
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, church. Today, we begin our sermon series on the book of Nehemiah, focusing on chapter 1. Nehemiah is not just a book about leadership; it is a testimony of God's providence and faithfulness. In 586 BC, the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem, and the people of Judah were exiled. However, in 538 BC, King Cyrus of Persia allowed the Jews to return and rebuild the Temple, though the walls of Jerusalem remained broken. Almost 100 years later, God raised Nehemiah to rebuild these walls, demonstrating His covenant-keeping nature.
Nehemiah's story begins with a compelling burden. When Nehemiah heard about the broken walls and the suffering of his people, he wept, mourned, fasted, and prayed. His heart was broken for the things that broke God's heart. This burden led him to a posture of humble and contrite dependence on God. Nehemiah's prayer in chapter 1 is a model for us: he calls on God's character, confesses the sins of his people, and clings to God's promises. He acknowledges God's sovereignty, greatness, and faithfulness, and he confesses the collective sins of Israel, including his own.
Nehemiah's burden also led to a surrendered plan of action. As the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, Nehemiah had a unique position of influence. He prayed for success and favor with the king, knowing that only God could turn the king's heart. Nehemiah's story teaches us that our burdens must be met with prayerful dependence on God and a willingness to act in obedience.
Today, we are challenged to allow our hearts to be broken for the things that break God's heart. We are called to respond to the burdens and assignments God gives us, whether in our families, workplaces, or communities. Let us pray for the compassion to see the broken walls around us and the courage to rebuild them. May we depend on God's character and promises as we surrender our plans to Him.
### Key Takeaways
1. A Compelling Burden: Nehemiah's heart was broken for the broken walls of Jerusalem and the suffering of his people. This burden was not just emotional but a sacred calling from God. We must ask ourselves if our hearts are broken for the things that break God's heart. Are we moved by the suffering and lostness around us? Let us pray for a holy compassion that compels us to act. [37:03]
2. Humble and Contrite Dependence: Nehemiah's prayer is a model of dependence on God. He begins by acknowledging God's sovereignty, greatness, and faithfulness. He confesses the sins of his people, including his own, and clings to God's promises. Our prayers should reflect a similar dependence on God's character and promises. Do we humbly confess our need for Him and trust in His faithfulness? [48:00]
3. Surrendered Plan of Action: Nehemiah did not rely on his position as the cupbearer for success. Instead, he surrendered his plans to God, praying for favor and success. This teaches us that while we must plan and act, we must also acknowledge that any success comes from God. Do we truly trust God with our plans, or do we rely on our abilities and resources? [56:50]
4. The ACTS Model of Prayer: Nehemiah's prayer can be summarized using the ACTS model: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. This model helps us pray holistically, starting with adoring God for who He is, confessing our sins, thanking Him for His blessings, and then presenting our requests. This approach changes the posture of our supplications, aligning them with God's will. [55:01]
5. Responding to God's Burdens: Throughout history, God has given burdens to His people, calling them to respond in obedience. Whether it's John Wesley preaching in fields, William Wilberforce fighting slavery, or Spurgeon caring for orphans, God uses our burdens for His purposes. Today, we all have burdens and assignments. Let us respond with broken hearts, patient waiting, and humble dependence on God. [44:35]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[32:23] - Opening Prayer
[33:25] - Historical Context of Nehemiah
[34:35] - Nehemiah's Burden
[35:39] - Nehemiah's Prayer
[37:03] - A Compelling Burden
[38:30] - The Significance of Jerusalem's Walls
[40:24] - Jesus' Compassion
[44:35] - Responding to God's Burdens
[46:05] - Practical Applications
[47:31] - Humble and Contrite Dependence
[48:00] - Nehemiah's Prayer Model
[55:01] - The ACTS Model of Prayer
[56:50] - Surrendered Plan of Action
[59:26] - Conclusion and Call to Action
[01:00:32] - Disturb Us, Lord
[01:04:01] - Second Offering and Holy Communion
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Nehemiah 1:1-11
### Observation Questions
1. What was Nehemiah's initial reaction upon hearing about the broken walls of Jerusalem? ([34:35])
2. How does Nehemiah describe God in his prayer in Nehemiah 1:5-6? ([35:39])
3. What specific actions did Nehemiah take after hearing the news about Jerusalem? ([34:35])
4. What role did Nehemiah hold in the Persian court, and why was it significant? ([56:50])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that Nehemiah's heart was broken for the things that broke God's heart? How does this reflect his relationship with God? ([37:03])
2. How does Nehemiah's prayer model (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) help in aligning our prayers with God's will? ([55:01])
3. In what ways did Nehemiah demonstrate humble and contrite dependence on God? ([48:00])
4. How does Nehemiah's position as a cupbearer to the king illustrate the importance of surrendering our plans to God? ([56:50])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when your heart was broken for something that breaks God's heart. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? ([37:03])
2. Nehemiah's prayer included adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. How can you incorporate these elements into your daily prayer life? ([55:01])
3. Nehemiah confessed not only his own sins but also the sins of his people. How can collective confession play a role in your small group or church community? ([35:39])
4. Nehemiah had a unique position of influence as a cupbearer. What unique positions or roles do you hold, and how can you use them to further God's kingdom? ([56:50])
5. Nehemiah's burden led him to action. Identify a specific burden God has placed on your heart. What steps can you take this week to act on it? ([46:05])
6. How can you cultivate a posture of humble and contrite dependence on God in your daily life? ([48:00])
7. Nehemiah prayed for favor and success with the king. What plans or decisions in your life do you need to surrender to God, trusting Him for success? ([56:50])
Devotional
Day 1: A Heart Broken for God's Concerns
Nehemiah's heart was deeply moved by the broken walls of Jerusalem and the suffering of his people. This burden was not merely an emotional response but a sacred calling from God. Nehemiah's reaction to the news of Jerusalem's condition was to weep, mourn, fast, and pray. His heart was aligned with God's heart, and he was moved by the things that broke God's heart. This kind of holy compassion is what we are called to cultivate in our own lives. We must ask ourselves if we are truly moved by the suffering and lostness around us. Are our hearts broken for the things that break God's heart? Let us pray for a holy compassion that compels us to act. [37:03]
Nehemiah 1:4 (ESV): "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: Think of a situation or a group of people in your community who are suffering. How can you allow your heart to be broken for them, and what steps can you take to show God's love and compassion to them today?
Day 2: Dependence on God's Character and Promises
Nehemiah's prayer is a model of humble and contrite dependence on God. He begins by acknowledging God's sovereignty, greatness, and faithfulness. He confesses the sins of his people, including his own, and clings to God's promises. This posture of prayer reflects a deep trust in God's character and His covenant-keeping nature. Our prayers should similarly reflect a dependence on God's character and promises. Do we humbly confess our need for Him and trust in His faithfulness? Nehemiah's example challenges us to approach God with a heart of humility and a recognition of our need for His grace and mercy. [48:00]
Psalm 51:17 (ESV): "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
Reflection: In your prayer time today, begin by acknowledging God's greatness and faithfulness. Confess any sins that come to mind and ask for His forgiveness. How does this change the way you approach God in prayer?
Day 3: Trusting God with Our Plans
Nehemiah did not rely on his position as the cupbearer for success. Instead, he surrendered his plans to God, praying for favor and success. This teaches us that while we must plan and act, we must also acknowledge that any success comes from God. Nehemiah's story reminds us that our abilities and resources are not enough; we need God's intervention and blessing. Do we truly trust God with our plans, or do we rely on our abilities and resources? This is a call to surrender our plans to God and seek His guidance and favor in all that we do. [56:50]
Proverbs 16:3 (ESV): "Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established."
Reflection: Think about a specific plan or goal you have. Have you fully surrendered it to God? What would it look like to trust Him with this plan and seek His guidance and favor?
Day 4: The ACTS Model of Prayer
Nehemiah's prayer can be summarized using the ACTS model: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. This model helps us pray holistically, starting with adoring God for who He is, confessing our sins, thanking Him for His blessings, and then presenting our requests. This approach changes the posture of our supplications, aligning them with God's will. By following this model, we ensure that our prayers are balanced and that we are not just presenting a list of requests to God but are also acknowledging His greatness and our dependence on Him. [55:01]
Philippians 4:6 (ESV): "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."
Reflection: Use the ACTS model in your prayer time today. Spend a few minutes on each aspect: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. How does this change the way you pray and your relationship with God?
Day 5: Responding to God's Burdens
Throughout history, God has given burdens to His people, calling them to respond in obedience. Whether it's John Wesley preaching in fields, William Wilberforce fighting slavery, or Spurgeon caring for orphans, God uses our burdens for His purposes. Today, we all have burdens and assignments. Let us respond with broken hearts, patient waiting, and humble dependence on God. Nehemiah's story challenges us to recognize the burdens God places on our hearts and to respond with action, trusting that He will provide the strength and resources we need. [44:35]
Isaiah 6:8 (ESV): "And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here I am! Send me.'"
Reflection: What burden has God placed on your heart recently? How can you respond to this burden with action, trusting in God's provision and guidance? What steps can you take today to begin addressing this burden?
Quotes
1. "First thing I want to say is that Nehemiah isn't just a book about leadership, Nehemiah is set in the context of God's providence and God's faithfulness. Nehemiah is a testimony that we have a God who keeps His promises and a God who is a covenant-keeping God." [33:25] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "A compelling burden is compelling only if your heart is broken. Verse 4 tells us that Nehemiah wept. Now he wept not as a sign of weakness, not on a simply emotionalism, but these were tears of strong empathy, of being deeply moved because his people in Jerusalem were in great trouble and disgrace." [37:03] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Are our hearts broken with the things that break God's heart? Have I felt the brokenness Nehemiah felt when I see people who are lost, who suffer injustice and pain, who do not know the hope that Christ brings? Are our hearts burdened for the broken walls in our workplaces, in our families, in our church, and in the world?" [40:24] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Nehemiah expressed a profound dependence on God through his prayer, a prayer that we all read together. Three things about this prayer I want to share with you. First and foremost, he calls on the character of God. He calls on the character of God." [48:00] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Nehemiah did not rely on his position for favour with the king. He surrendered to the king of kings for success. He called God, God, grant your servant. You grant your servant success. He was in the king's presence every day. But he needed God to grant him the success that he needed. Favour would not be because of his position but because of God's blessings." [58:24] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "The truth is, our comfort must not insulate us from caring. Needs should not overwhelm us before prayer. And prayer cannot exempt us from action. I wonder what God is calling you to do today. And I wonder if we are too comfortable, too comfortable, because we don't want to do anything that takes us out of that comfort zone." [01:00:32] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Disturb us, Lord, when worldly things delight us and we fail to look above, when we withhold from others though we have been given much. If the fire of our first love is not burning bright as before, disturb us, Lord." [01:01:20] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Disturb us, Lord, if our lives never touch the lives of those in the dark, if we don't live with hearts that break for things that break your heart. In tenderness, please lead your church back to your heart once more. Disturb us, Lord. If we ever lose the wonder of the cross you once bore, disturb us, Lord. Disturb us." [01:02:32] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Give us spiritual eyes to see the broken walls in our lives that need rebuilding. Give us a holy courage to respond to the burdens and assignments you give. And help us turn to you in utter dependence as we find our surrender in your goodness and grace." [01:03:19] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "May we do the same as we acknowledge the sovereignty of God. Then he calls God great and awesome. Now, nowadays, we use the word great and awesome for almost everything. How's the chicken rice? Great. How's the Korean drama? Awesome. Great job, guys. But do you know the word great in original Hebrew means significant? It means of a high status." [49:02] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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