How to Rebuild a Broken Faith?

Introduction:

Philippians 1:6 NLT

6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

I mean, that sounds amazing doesn’t it…It just HITS! But how certain am I that God will finish what He started?

How do we respond when we are hit with disappointment?

How do we react when something ‘unfair’ happens to us?

What is my response when my faith is shaken?

What do I do if I find out that my life was built on the sand instead of the rock?

Have you ever, just, be Broken down? Well there is good news....Nehemiah shows us that....

Big Idea: Sometimes there is a breakdown before there is a rebuild

How do I rebuild a broken faith?

1. Rebuild my faith in prayer

Nehemiah 1:4 NLT

4 When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.

Prayer has to be a first response, not last resort

One of 12 Recorded prayers — 406 total verses — 46 verses are Prayer — 11% of this book is prayer

He also prays for between 90 and 150 days (Chislev to Nisan — Nov/Dec to Mar/April

Can I encourage us in something — Pray more than once

A prayer life is difficult when our culture demands instant gratification…

ILLUSTRATION: Instant Gratification is Making us Worse

I was bragging about 2 Day Amazon Prime Shipping then A friend was talking about getting SAME DAY Amazon delivery

Fast Pass at Disney … pssh…what about hiring a ‘Black Market Handicap Disney Guide’ — yup — Disney is cracking down*

I’m waiting for when it’s going to be cool to like wait again

2. Rebuild my faith with confession

Nehemiah 1:6 NLT

6 listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel. I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned!

We talked a lot about this last Sunday (How to Navigate My Past)

This is where we actually admit that something is wrong— where God deals with us — not just us telling him what to do

This is where the burden of God becomes real

Sometimes we’re unwilling to admit that something is broken, but God won’t heal what we don’t believe is broken

STORY: Monty Python: It’s Only a Flesh Wound

Then we can build on solid foundations like...

3. Rebuild my faith on God’s Character

Nehemiah 1:5 ESV

5 And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments,

Jesus, “Build your life on the rock..not the sand.” 

‘Hesed’ — Never stopping, always gonna be there kind of love

My character has limits — has weaknesses — needs work

2 Peter 1:5–9 NIV

5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

STORY: Dad — “Pat, you’ll never know how much I love you.”

If I can count on Character then I can always count on His promise

4. Rebuild my faith on God’s Promise

Nehemiah 1:8–10 NLT

8 “Please remember what you told your servant Moses: ‘If you are unfaithful to me, I will scatter you among the nations. 9 But if you return to me and obey my commands and live by them, then even if you are exiled to the ends of the earth, I will bring you back to the place I have chosen for my name to be honored.’ 10 “The people you rescued by your great power and strong hand are your servants.

Be PROMISE focused not problem focused

Promises are given for this life for sure

Jesus promises us an abundant life not a perfect life

Peace — restoration — Favor — Blessings

Jeremiah — a law written on human hearts (31:33) — an everlasting covenant (32:39-40)

Ezekiel — A new heart (of flesh not stone) — a new Spirit (11:19; 36:26-27)

Big Idea: Sometimes there is a breakdown before there is a rebuild

What does God want to rebuild in your life that has been broken?

Conclusion: God’s promise is not just for this life

If we don’t have an eternal perspective then we will spend our lives trying to cram an eternity’s worth of justice, healing, wholeness and joy into the short breath of time that we call a life here on earth.

Romans 8:18-25 —

suffering now is nothing compared to God’s glory later

All creation is waiting for a future day, not of decay but of glorious freedom

Longing to be released from sin and suffering

We wait w/ eager hope for our full rights as God’s children

We wait patiently and confidently

Pray for Church and for Salvation

Small Group Discussion Questions:

As we encounter trials, affliction, or evil, we must respond by entering into seasons of prayer, and confession, as well as recalling the character and promises of God.

1. What is one thing that stood out to you from this week’s message?

2. How do you typically respond, initially, when you receive a bad report or something difficult happens to you?

3. Respond to this statement: “Prayer should be our first and natural response to all situations in life—good and bad.” How can we develop the practice of praying first?

4. In what ways does the desire for instant gratification influence our spiritual lives? How can we persevere when the results we seek do not happen quickly?

5. What is the longest period of time that you have prayed about something? (Hours, weeks, maybe years about the same thing)

6. What are some promises of God that you are hoping for in your life?

7. How can I pray for you?

Cited:

*https://www.today.com/news/undercover-disney-deplorable-scheme-skip-lines-6C10131266