Preparation for the Build

Good Morning, we starting a new series from the book of Nehemiah and going to see how we as a church can come through this season even stronger than before....

There are two books that go hand in hand in the same time period and that is the book Ezra and the book of Nehemiah. Both books of memoirs -- records of how God worked during a difficult time.. Reason we read biographies is to learn something from that individual - something of interest that we can apply to our own lives.. We have these cyclical patterns in life of seasons of building seasons of rebuilding...

Zimbabwe Ruins..

Ruins

Circumstances may appear to wreck our lives and God’s plans, but God is not helpless among the ruins. Our broken lives are not lost or useless. God’s love is still working. He comes in and takes the calamity and uses it victoriously, working out his wonderful plan of love.

—Eric Liddell, The Disciplines of the Christian Life (Ballantine, 19

We go back and forth seeing God building our lives... We work with God through his Work and his reforms - Nehemiah shows how to walk with God through reform... Can I return to my people - so his people can be protected again... building and re

Nehemiah shows us how to walk .

Nehemiah, a man who discovered God’s plan through prayer

What would our world with God through the difficult -- do what others are not willing to do

How do we prepare for Spiritual Reform?

1. Ask the Big Questions?

These are the words or the Memoirs of Nehemiah... The story begins in the month of Kilev --late Fall in the year... In the 20th year of the reign of King Artaxerxes in Susa.. Hanani and a group of Jews come into the City they have travelled from Judah... Southern kingdom... Now they do not report... But Rather this begins with a question by Nehemiah..

Asking the right kind of questions.... He asks about the people --How are the people doing who have survived the exile.. How are things going? Nehemiah at this point has no idea? If we don't make an enquiry we will never know the answer.... They respond that things are not going well for the survivors in Judah... Having survived Captivity is one thing... but they are facing another trial -- they are in trouble and disgrace because the wall are broken down..and the gates have been burned down by fire...

Nehemiah is devastated by the news. He is in a difficult position. Some years ago, the king received a report from local officials about Jerusalem, which warned him that the city had a history of rebellion. In their opinion, a restored Jerusalem would make the region ungovernable. Following their advice, the king had issued a command that the rebuilding work should stop. It is very hard to reverse a royal decree

a.The Normal Life is marked by the ordinary

1. Comfortable

The problem of Comfort Zones... getting used to what is our normal. Nehemiah is a cup bearer for the King --- He has cushy job... honored and respected... He is trusted and faithful.....

2. Predictable

3. Unconcerned about others

Nehemiah was not some priest --- special--- calling-- He is an ordinary person... who gets a vision for the work of God..

b. The Unusual life is marked

1. Risk taker/ Faith

The reason we think there are great differences among Christians is that we compare our lives with those of other believers. When we compare ourselves with God, those differences are negligible. One molehill is nearly the height of another, if you measure them all against the Himalayas

2. Unpredictable

3. Concerned for others

Here is Nehemiah in a normal day.. When some fellow Jews brothers come from Jersualem... about 1000 mile journey... Nehemiah makes an enquiry how are things going for the exiles... Now, these are those who had been impacted by the sins of the Fathers... many of them were carried off Children 70 years previously -- circumstances had led them into captivity... But 150 years later -- the political climate had changed and Babylonians had been defeated.... When they return home they find that Solomon temple and the walls are in Ruins... From Nehemiahs’s response this was unexpected news..

At that moment, Nehemiah had a choice. He could kind of acknowledge the plight of his people, oh that's too bad. What a shame. I hate to hear that, I really feel badly for them but I'm glad my life's okay or he could choose to let the pain in. Not just in his head but in his heart. To the point where it bothered him to stir of him, gave him a divine burden, an ache in his soul. When he heard the news he didn't do what's so easy to do, brush it off, he sat down, he broke down and he started to cry. I would ask you this, what breaks your heart? What is it that burdens you? What is it that creates this righteous anger on behalf of God? This isn't right, not on my watch. What is it that crushes your spirit when you look at some injustice perhaps to a group of people or a need in this world

2. Allow Your Heart to Be Broken.

As soon as he heard these words --

He sat down and wept.. Not only did these things make him sad..

But he for days he mourned and fasted then he prayed..

When Nehemiah heard this news -- It impacted him personally.. News caused him to weep, caused him to mourn and to start praying before the God of heaven.. Nehmiah takes on the role of an intercessor.. Standing between God and people...

a. Response to Mourning

b. Prayer and Fasting

Nehemiah spends his day before Royalty... as the cupbearer to the King -- now He stands before one more powerful... the God of the heavens.

Nehemiah understood power of prayer... He had stood before the King... He knew what kind of authority the King has within his realm... He comes before the God of Heaven... Nehemiah is an incredible leader -- has abilities and skills... He knows that unless God initiates change in the kings heart... In his limitations he turns to the limitless God... There is nothing like bad news to humble us.. to the point of powerlessness.. Nehemiah starts with Praise... turns to God who is powerful... He sees God as remarkable and awesome... God is to be revered and worshiped... God who is a covenant keeper -- who is steadfast and covenant keeper... He then turns to petition..

Prayerfulness arises from a desire to be with God

Psalm 130:5–6 ESV

5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; 6 my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.

Psalm 84:1–2 ESV

1 How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! 2 My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.

Prayerfulness arises from an awareness of need that can only be met by God

1 Timothy 5:5 ESV

5 She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day,

1 Timothy 5:5 (ESV) — 5 She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day,

See also Ps 86:1; Ps 105:4

Psalm 86:1 (ESV) — 1 Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.

Psalm 105:4 (ESV) — 4 Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!

Prayerfulness demonstrates a continuing trust in God

Jn 15:5–8

c. Burden from the Lord.

3..Attend to Prayer-fulness

a. Praise - Acknowledges God's Glory

Yahweh God of heavens awesome God who keeps covenant.. Your loyal love - for those whom you love -- who keep your commands... Please may your ear and your eyes be opened to prayer -- look down and listen to my prayers -- praying night and day.

b. Penance - Acknowledges our Sin

Twice Nehemiah confessed that the people had “sinned” “missed the mark” against God. To this he added that they had “acted very corruptly” (—an infinitive absolute plus a finite verb; NLT, “sinned terribly”), and had “not kept” the covenant stipulations that God gave through Moses.

Confessing the sins of Israel.. We have sinned against you... Including my Sin and my fathers family... no pointing of fingers in confession..

Nehemiah reminded himself and those listening to his prayer that God had promised curses for sin, as well as the blessing of restoration for his repentant chosen people. “Scattering” would be reversed by “bringing back”- “I will gather them”, and going to the “ends of the earth” (lit., “the end of the heavens”) is the opposite of “the place I have chosen for my name to be honored” (lit., “the place I have chosen for my name to dwell there”).

These two opposite destinies will be determined by whether the Israelites remain “unfaithful” to God or “return” to have a love relationship with him

But if your return and obey commandments.. Even if you are exiled to the furthest part of heaven... I will gather you from there... obedience will restore the blessing... obedience will restore blessings.. God's Chosen people.

c. Petition - Acknowledges our need

The people who you have rescued by your great power -- past tense..

listen to your servant heart of those who delight to honor your name.. Give success - that he would have favor and compassion before the King..

Success

A desire to risk everything for His purpose. Martin Luther said, “Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace.” Are we a living, daring people who are confident in God’s grace

d. Patience - Acknowledge God's Power

So time has passed... In the month Nissan. -- Early Spring... several months have gone by -- Nehemiah is still burdened with prayer... to have success before the king.. still in the 20th reign of King Artaxerxes.. He was serving the King.. Now this is interesting Nehemiah says he had never appeared sad before the King... fasting in sack cloth.. But on this day the King noticed that something deep was going on in Nehemiah.. King says why are you sad... you don't look sick... but you have sadness of heart.. This terrifies Nehemiah -

It is a punishable offence to appear sad in the presence of the king. -- his sadness response is long live the King.. Nehemiah explains the reason is because the walls of Jerusalem are in ruins....

Conclusion

Unexpected response.

Nehemiah explains the reason is he is sad is because the walls of Jerusalem are in ruins.... The king responds with two questions.

1. What are you requesting?

2. How can I help?

Nehemiah prays again -- this time it is in the moment.. praying for several months... but asking for wisdom -- in this moment..

- Allow God Speak through you.

It is a big ask... If I have your favor... send me to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls...

How long will you be gone? After telling him length of time ... The King gave Him a letter to allow Nehemiah passage for his trip..

This is definately a God moment and give me letters to Asapha for timber to make beams for the gates

And the Lord granted His request... Nehemiah gives credit to God's gracious hand..

prayer

May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain in to joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done. A Franciscan Blessing