Pursue a God-Sized Vision for Your Life

Introduction — Tower of Babel

Have you ever had a vision for a big project or a big change in your life?

Maybe you had a vision to:

Start a business…

Renovate your house…

Start a new fitness/health goal… OR

Start a new spiritual goal (reading through the Bible in a year)

Early in the book of Genesis,

we see a group of people who had a vision for a massive project…

building a city as high as the heavens!

As people began to multiply, there wasn’t enough room for them all,

so they began to need to spread out.

But they wanted to prevent this…

they wanted to keep everybody together…

so they cast a vision…

Genesis 11:4 (ESV)

4 “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.”

From the outside looking in this might seem like a good thing.

I mean, isn’t it a good thing to keep everyone together?

The problem was, it was in direct disobedience of God.

God had a different vision.

After creating man in Genesis 1 God…

Genesis 1:28 (ESV)

28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it”

Then after the flood…

Genesis 9:1 ESV

1 And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.

God created man in His image,

And commanded them…

to fill the earth and subdue it,

to bring order…

to yield it’s riches… and

accomplish God’s purposes…

Through which they would honour God,

by filling the earth with the glory of God!

But rather than seeking to bring glory to God,

the people were seeking to make a name for themselves!

So God came down and confused their languages.

They couldn’t understand each other anymore,

and were forced to spread out.

Transition to Main Point

Did you know that you can have:

an incredible vision for the future…

and do amazing things…

and be working against God?

When God came down to look at the city and tower he said…

Genesis 11:6 (ESV)

6 “Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them.

As humans we can do amazing things when we work together…

and yet find ourselves working against God!

And Scripture tells us…

Psalm 127:1 (ESV)

1 Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.

It doesn’t matter what you are seeking to accomplish with your life,

unless the Lord is working with you,

you are working against Him,

and therefore, you are working in vain!

What vision do you have for your future?

What are you trying to accomplish in your life?

Are you trying to make a name for yourself?

Are you building with God… or against Him?

Transition to Sermon

This morning we are continuing our sermon series through the book of Nehemiah,

and we are going to be encouraged to…

Pursue a God-Sized Vision for Your Life

Nehemiah was willing to give up his small vision for his “happy” little life, for a God-Sized Vision.

Nehemiah was not concerned about his own welfare, or his own name,

He was concerned about God’s reputation and

His glory in and through His people.

Billboard

This morning we are going to be encouraged to follow Nehemiah’s example and:

“Pursue a God-Sized Vision for Your Life”

In order to do that you must:

Seek a God-Sized Opportunity

Share a God-Sized Vision

Submit to a God-Sized God

Prayer for Illumination

Lord…

Announce Scripture

Nehemiah 2:11—20.

Introduce Scripture

At the beginning of this book,

we are introduced to Nehemiah.

He is an Israelite, and a cupbearer to Artaxerxes, king of Persia,

where the Israelites have been sent by God into exile for their disobedience.

By this time, God has allowed some of the Israelites to return to Judah,

and they have been trying to rebuild the city of Jerusalem.

The story begins with Nehemiah’s brother who has just returned from there,

and the sad news is that things are not good!

Jerusalem is still in ruins.

So Nehemiah spends the next 4 months in desperate prayer to God.

During that time, God gives Nehemiah a God-Sized Vision:

to return and help rebuild the wall around Jerusalem.

God confirms that it is His vision,

by working in king Artaxerxes’ heart to:

allow Nehemiah to leave…

send him with letters for safe passage through other provinces…

timber for rebuilding… and

an army escort!

We pick up this morning in…

Re-Announce/Read Scripture

Nehemiah 2:11–20 ESV

11 So I went to Jerusalem and was there three days. 12 Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. And I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. There was no animal with me but the one on which I rode. 13 I went out by night by the Valley Gate to the Dragon Spring and to the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire. 14 Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but there was no room for the animal that was under me to pass. 15 Then I went up in the night by the valley and inspected the wall, and I turned back and entered by the Valley Gate, and so returned. 16 And the officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, and I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, and the rest who were to do the work. 17 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.” 18 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. 19 But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” 20 Then I replied to them, “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem.”

Transition to Point 1

The first thing you must do to

“Pursue a God-Sized Vision for Your Life” is:

1. Seek a God-Sized Opportunity

Nehemiah was in a pretty good position as cupbearer to the king:

He had access to the king…

likely had wealth and comfort…

as the king’s most trusted servant, he may have had influence…

But God interrupts his life with a God-sized opportunity.

As Nehemiah mourns the situation in Jerusalem,

God begins to put a God-sized vision on his heart.

Now he is in Jerusalem,

and as he seeks out this God-sized opportunity,

we see that we should...

EXPLAIN

a. Seek God in Secret

Nehemiah 2:12 (ESV)

12 Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. And I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 2:16 ESV

16 And the officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, and I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, and the rest who were to do the work.

Nehemiah keeps what the Lord has laid on his heart between him and God.

He doesn’t share it yet.

He has been there for three days and hasn’t told anyone of the vision God has given him.

Then Nehemiah goes out at night with a few men to examine the situation,

and he doesn’t even tell them!

Nehemiah is not doing this for the attention, to make a name for himself.

He is doing it in obedience to the Lord,

and prayerfully seeking God in secret,

to give him wisdom and strength.

The next thing you must do when seeking a God-Sized Opportunity is…

b. Seek God in the Rubble

Nehemiah 2:13–15 ESV

13 I went out by night by the Valley Gate to the Dragon Spring and to the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire. 14 Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but there was no room for the animal that was under me to pass. 15 Then I went up in the night by the valley and inspected the wall, and I turned back and entered by the Valley Gate, and so returned.

Nehemiah has heard about the destruction of Jerusalem,

but now he goes out to experience it.

He heard about the walls that were broken down,

but now he has seen the heaps of rubble himself.

He heard about the gates that were destroyed by fire,

but now he sees the charred wood and stone with his own eyes.

After seeing how bad things were first hand,

Nehemiah now understood the trouble they were in,

and how they could rebuild what had been broken.

Summary

Nehemiah needed to seek God

in secret…and

in the rubble,

to see how bad things really were.

But the hopelessness and destruction

is where he…

found a God-sized opportunity.

ILLUSTRATE — St. Francis Dam Disaster

In 1926, just northwest of Los Angeles, CA,

the St. Francis Dam was completed after 2 years of construction.

William Mulholland was the manager and chief engineer,

who oversaw the project.

As the dam began to fill with water,

some workers noticed cracks and leaks in the wall.

William Mulholland dismissed these as normal and was not concerned about them,

so they patched the cracks and continued filling the dam.

It was filled to capacity on March 7, 1928,

when William Mulholland inspected the dam and declared it to be safe.

5 days later, the massive concrete wall collapsed,

sending billions of gallons of water rushing down the canyon.

5 towns were flooded…

more than 1,000 houses damaged or destroyed…

more than 450 are estimated to have died…

After an investigation, they found that the cracks were not normal.

They determined that the rock underneath the dam had not been strong enough to support the weight of the dam.

William Mulholland was cleared of criminal charges,

but he did accept full responsibility for the disaster.

Summary

William failed to take the warning signs seriously.

He wanted to take the easy way out,

and caused great damage as a result.

APPLY

FCF

It is so tempting for us to do this in our own lives.

We see cracks and leaks in our lives,

and we don’t take them seriously.

Maybe you’ve been feeling convicted that you don’t pursue a relationship with God more…

You do not spend much time reading the Bible or in prayer…

Maybe you’ve been giving in to sin more frequently…

an old sinful habit is coming back in to your life…

Maybe you’ve allowed bitterness creep into your marriage, fellow believer, or family member…

you find yourself more and more angry, and less willing to forgive…

All of these are cracks… leaks in the wall of your life,

and if you ignore them, they will lead to disaster.

The reason it’s easy to ignore them is because:

it’s hard to sit in the rubble of our lives...

it’s hard to sit in the pain…

it’s hard to evaluate the wreckage…

It’s so much easier to avoid it…

to cover it up and pretend everything’s okay.

But this will lead to disaster!

PROP

What we need to understand is that each and everyone of these cracks is a:

God-Sized Opportunity!

An opportunity for God to something big in and through us.

But we must be willing to:

“Seek God in Secret”

We must be willing to set aside time to seek the Lord,

asking Him to reveal our own thoughts, actions and motives.

Psalm 139:23–24 ESV

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

We must also be willing to:

“Seek God in the Rubble”

We must be willing to sit in the rubble…

evaluate the wreckage…

sit in the pain…

It’s hard! It’s painful!

I’m sure Nehemiah didn’t want to sit in the pain and brokenness of the rubble,

but he knew that God would use it to help him make a plan to rebuild the walls.

Summary

In the same way, when we seek God in secret, and in the rubble,

we see what is causing the cracks in our lives,

and these become the God-sized opportunities to change the trajectory of our lives.

Transition

The next thing you must do to

“Pursue a God-Sized Vision for Your Life” is:

2. Share a God-Sized Vision

Nehemiah recognized the problem was bigger than himself…

He had found a God-sized opportunity,

but he wasn’t going to be able to do it on his own.

Now is the time for him to share what the God of heaven has laid on his heart…

EXPLAIN

The first reason Nehemiah “Shares his God-sized vision” is…

a. A God-Sized Vision Requires Teamwork

Nehemiah 2:17 ESV

17 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.”

He says…

“You see the trouble we are in…”

Translation…

“I don’t need to tell you guys how bad it is…

you see it! You know!”

Notice he also associates himself with them.

“WE” are in trouble!

He relates to his people.

Then Nehemiah calls them to come together to…

“build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.”

Translation…

“Let’s remove the shame of our people,

which will in turn bring glory to God.”

Summary

Nehemiah shares a God-sized vision,

because a God-sized vision requires teamwork.

The second thing we see as Nehemiah “Shares his God-sized vision” is…

b. A God-Sized Vision Requires God

Nehemiah 2:18 ESV

18 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.

Nehemiah motivates the people to work,

by sharing how the Lord has been working behind the scenes.

Nehemiah recognized as T.J. Betts says…

“It was the Lord who led Nehemiah to his important position as cupbearer. It was the Lord who orchestrated that Nehemiah would receive the report he did from his brother concerning Jerusalem. It was the Lord who heard Nehemiah's prayers. It was the Lord who gave Nehemiah the opportunity and courage to reveal his concerns and needs to the king.

It was the Lord who moved in the king's heart and directed his course of action. It was the Lord who provided for all of Nehemiah's protection and provision to carry out the mission. And it was the Lord who led Nehemiah hundreds of miles from Susa back to his home and people in Jerusalem.

Nehemiah gives credit where credit was due. Moreover, just in case there is any question, Nehemiah clearly states that all he requests comes to pass. Nehemiah's grand entrance with the Kings escort into Jerusalem makes a strong statement both to his enemies and to his people. He comes in strength, not weakness, all by the hand of God.” — T.J. Betts

Nehemiah does not call the Israelites to trust him…

he calls them to trust God!

Summary

Nehemiah has a God-sized vision far bigger than himself,

which requires:

teamwork… and

God!

ILLUSTRATE — Samson’s Pseudo-Self-Sufficiency

If you’re into war, battles, and warriors,

the Bible does not disappoint!

One of the greatest warriors in all the Bible is Samson!

This man single-handedly:

Tore a lion apart with his bare hands…

Caught 300 foxes, tied their tales together with torches, and released them to burn down the Philistines crops…

Killed 1,000 Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey!

Samson was an incredible warrior,

who the Lord used to give His people relief…

But his greatest weakness was that

he relied on his own strength to get him out of trouble.

We know that it was a weakness,

because his pride led him to disobeying God’s Word on a number of occasions:

Samson ignored his Nazirite vow, touching the dead body of a lion…

Samson made impulsive decisions based on pride and revenge…

Samson used his strength for his own personal glory…

Nowhere is his pride more evident than in his relationship with Delilah.

She is bribed by the Philistine leaders to find the secret to his strength,

and he continually plays with fire,

trusting in his own ability to save himself.

Until finally he says his strength is his uncut hair…

Delilah cuts it, and so breaks another part of his Nazirite vow,

and the Philistines captured him.

Summary

In his pride,

Samson thought his strength from his hair…

But his strength came from the Lord!

Because of his pride and self-reliance,

the Lord left Samson,

allowing him to be captured.

APPLY

FCF

So many times we are just like Samson…

Rather than seeking the help of God or others,

we rely on our own strength.

If you don’t need others, and you don’t need God,

that is probably a good indication

that you are trying to make a name for yourself!

If you don’t need God or teamwork for your vision…then your vision is too small!

You may be able to do some things in your own strength and wisdom,

but you will never be able to fulfill what God wants to do in your life on your own.

PROP

You need to learn to seek a God-sized vision,

that requires teamwork and God to accomplish!

You need to recognize that God has not saved you for yourself…

He has saved you to be a part of His people!

He has saved you to be a part of what He is doing in the world!

He has saved you to trust in His plan to work through His people!

So what is God’s plan for us today?

God has not called us to build a wall…

He has not called us to have our little church,

to keep to ourselves, and make our name for ourselves.

He has called us to…

Matthew 28:18–20 (ESV)

18 make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

That is our mandate as a church…

to bring people into a loving relationship with our great and awesome God,

and teach them to find joy and life through obedience to Him!

Here at LEMC, we believe God’s vision for His church is to make mature disciples,

which is why we talk about D-Groups.

D-Groups are small groups of 3—5 men and women who meet weekly and hold each other accountable to:

read God’s Word…

share what they are learning…

memorize Scripture together…

confess sin to one another…

and pray for one another.

This is what Jesus modelled for us with his disciples,

and we believe is the most effective way to grow into maturity.

Maybe you have been feeling God prompting you to grow in your spiritual life…

This is a great opportunity to get plugged into a D-Group here at LEMC, whether by:

Joining a group… OR

starting a group.

You will be amazed how God will grow you in a year!

Summary

God is calling us to the God-sized vision of becoming mature disciples…

you can’t do this on your own,

so stop trying to do it in your own strength!

This is a vision that requires teamwork,

and God’s work!

Transition

The next thing you must do to

“Pursue a God-Sized Vision for Your Life” is:

3. Submit to a God-Sized God

Nehemiah had found his God-sized opportunity,

and shared this vision with his people.

He knew it would require teamwork, and God working through them.

But what happens when enemies rise up and oppose you?

You submit to a God-sized God!

EXPLAIN

What we see from Nehemiah’s example is that…

a. When Your Plans Are God’s Plans… They Will Succeed

Nehemiah names the enemies:

Sanballat the Horonite…

Tobiah the Ammonite servant…

Geshem the Arab…

These men tried to discourage them,

and slander them as rebelling against the king.

But it doesn’t matter who the enemies are

or what they say,

because Nehemiah responds…

Nehemiah 2:20 (ESV)

20 Then I replied to them, “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build

Nehemiah had waited patiently and prayerfully,

as God laid His plan on his heart.

He was confident it was the Lord’s plan,

which gives him confidence in the face of opposition.

Nehemiah knows their plans are God’s plans,

and therefore they will succeed,

because the God of heaven will make them prosper.

For this reason, they are committed to God’s plan!

The next thing we see from Nehemiah’s example is that…

b. When Your Enemies Are God’s Enemies… They Will Fail

These enemies of Israel are trying to belittle and discourage them…

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“You don’t actually think you’ll be successful do you?”

T.J. Betts says…

More often than not, the Lord calls his people to do great deeds that are impossible apart from him. Whenever believers think they are inadequate to do the Lord’s work, they are correct. The key is to remember that God is more than adequate and able to carry out his work through his people when “they put their hands to the good work.” — T.J. Betts

Nehemiah understands that they are doing what the Lord has called them to do,

therefore he will make them successful.

But as for their enemies…

Nehemiah 2:20 ESV

20 you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem.”

Nehemiah recognizes that these men are enemies of God.

They are working against what he is trying to do,

therefore they will fail.

Summary

The Lord’s people can face whatever opposition comes,

because they submit to a God-sized God.

He will make them prosper!

ILLUSTRATE — David & Goliath

Shortly after the Lord had young David anointed as the next king of Israel by Samuel,

the Philistines gathered their armies to battle Israel.

As the two armies camped across the valley from one another,

the Philistines sent out their secret weapon…

Goliath!

Goliath was an intimidating warrior!

9 feet, 9 inches tall

He wore a protective coat of mail that was 125 pounds

He had a bronze helmet, and bronze armour on his legs, and a bronze javelin strapped to his back

He had a spear the size of small telephone pole, with a 15 pound spearhead on the end.

He had a personal shield-bearer walking ahead of him, with a shield big enough to cover his entire body.

You can tell by his trash talk he was used to dominating anyone who tried getting in his way.

This is the man the Philistines were trusting in!

Which is why they were comfortable with the terms he was about to set…

Goliath said…

“Choose a man to fight me…

if he beats me we will be your servants,

if I beat him you will be our servants.”

This went on for 40 days,

but all the men of Israel were too terrified to fight Goliath,

and ran away from him.

That is until one man who trusted in a God-sized God stepped forward...

David, God’s anointed king!

1 Samuel 17:45–49 ESV

45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, 47 and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hand.” 48 When the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. 49 And David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone and slung it and struck the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground.

Summary

David knew that Goliath was a great and powerful man,

but he knew his God was greater!

This man was an enemy, defying the true God of Israel,

therefore David knew the Lord would give him victory!

APPLY

FCF

Do we have the same mentality as Nehemiah and David?

When opposition comes do we trust in a God-sized God?

The truth is that we usually let opposition completely stop us.

The enemy starts to work against us,

and we get scared and give up.

PROP

But if we are sure that we have a God-sized vision,

and that God is building with us,

then we should submit to the strength and power of our great and awesome God!

T.J. Betts says…

“There is such a thing as a "holy stubbornness." It is a resolve to obey God and seek his glory regardless of the cost and regardless of the difficulties that may come. Being a faithful follower of Christ is a call to have a stiff backbone in the face of opposition.

The church needs to be full of believers with the same kind of dogged determination Nehemiah has. Whenever the opposition puts up a stiff resistance, it is time for the people of God to overcome it with a strong-willed resistance.” — T.J. Betts

Closing

Christ Connection

This is the holy stubbornness that Jesus Christ had…

You see, we can learn from Nehemiah,

but ultimately, the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem was not God’s fulfilment of His plan.

Nehemiah points us to Christ!

Just as Nehemiah came to Jerusalem and mourned the broken walls and shame of the people…

So Jesus came to Jerusalem and mourned the spiritual brokenness of His people who rejected God.

Just as Nehemiah walked around evaluating the broken walls around the city…

So Jesus walked around the city and the temple evaluating their corrupt worship.

Just as Nehemiah sought to cast a vision and restore the city and it’s worship…

So Jesus preached the good news of how people could repent and be reconciled to God.

Just as Nehemiah faced opposition from the enemies of God…

So Jesus faced opposition from the religious leaders, who were enemies of God.

Just as Nehemiah was committed to the vision God had given him, and trusted God…

So Jesus was committed to God’s will, and trusted Him.

Jesus was willing to give His life,

so that He could restore what was broken in us…

our hearts!

Because of our sinful nature,

we all desire to

pursue a self-centered vision for our own lives, and

make a name for ourselves…

Through faith in Jesus and his substitutionary death,

and trusting in Him as our Lord and Saviour,

we receive new hearts that desire to pursue a God-sized vision for our lives,

and bring glory and honour to the Lord, the God of heaven, our great and awesome God!

Land the Plane

What God-sized vision does God want to give you?

Seek God in prayer asking Him to open your eyes to the opportunities around you.

Look for brokenness around you.

Maybe it’s cracks in your own life that God wants you to rebuild.

Maybe it’s brokenness around you that He wants to use you to rebuild.

Either way…

Share this vision with others.

You need the help of fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to build up the walls in your own life.

The will come alongside you, and hold you accountable as God works in you to build His kingdom.

And lastly…

Submit to God’s power and authority.

No matter what opposition comes, if it truly is a vision from God, he will give cause your efforts to succeed.

Trust in the God of heaven, as you seek to fulfill His vision for your life, and bring Him glory and honour!