SF705 - How To Prepare for Victory (Neh 2 11-20)
How to Prepare for Victory
Overcoming Obstacles to Victory – Part 3
Nehemiah 2:11-20
Introduction
The principles given here will help you in building in any area of life. They will help you build a home, a career, and a church.
Three keys (1) what did it mean then, (2) what does it mean now, (3) what does it mean to me?
Background
Ø Nehemiah has arrived in Jerusalem.
Ø The people of Jerusalem are defeated, apathetic, living among ruins.
Ø Twice before in the last ninety years someone has tried to rebuild the wall.
Ø They have failed twice. They have no confidence. They are negative.
Ø For ninety years, they have been saying it cannot be done.
The Change
Ø Nehemiah brought new vision
Ø Nehemiah brought new hope
Ø Nehemiah brought new victory
What made the difference - Preparation!
Notice how Nehemiah prepared…
Six principles…
Ø Fix your focus
1A. He Fixed His Focus (11-12)
God has a plan for your life, He has called you and will equip you. Get alone and fix your focus on God’s purpose for your life. Nehemiah felt the call of God on his life. He understood his purpose. The Westminster shorter catechism expresses our purpose in these terms. What is the chief end of man? Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.
1B. He waited for the right time (11)
(Ecclesiastes 8:6 NCV) "There is a right time and a right way for everything, …."
Ø What was he doing for those three days? We don't know. Four probabilities:
Ø He was probably resting, recovering from a long journey. He had been on a camel, crossing the desert. Another Leadership Law -- You never make a major decision when you're tired; it will probably be wrong. Fatigue clouds your perspective.
Ø He may have been praying. We know he was a man of prayer.
Ø He most likely was planning. He probably was reviewing his strategy.
Ø He was building curiosity.
2B. He included the right people (12)
Ø He kept his mission a secret until he was ready to go to work.
3B. He refused to be distracted
Ø By the size of the task
Ø By the attitude of others
2A. He Found Out the Facts (13-16)
(Proverbs 23:23 NCV) "Learn the truth and never reject it. …."
(Proverbs 18:13 NCV) "Anyone who answers without listening is foolish and confused."
Nehemiah searched out the truth. He saw that God’s work was in disarray and ruin.
1B. He was realistic
Ø He admitted the seriousness of the situation
2B. He was optimistic
Ø He knew that God would accomplish His purpose
3A. He Formed a Fellowship (17)
“The best ideas are not mine or yours they're ours.” Rick Warren
1B. He could not do the job alone
1 Corinthians 3:9 (NKJV) 9For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.
Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress; thinking together is unity, working together is success. Henry Ford
2B. They shared a common concern (17a)
Ø Change never occurs until we become discontent.
Ø The greatest motivation in life is not external, nor internal, but eternal.
3B. They shared a common goal (17b)
Ø They were able to see both the reality of the problem and the possibility of their God.
4B. They would enjoy a common reward (17c)
Ø Personal security and satisfaction
Ø Public glory to God
4A. He Fortified Their Faith (18)
1B. He communicated his personal testimony (18a)
Ø Concerning his relationship with God.
Ø He rehearsed God’s blessings in the past.
2B. He challenged others to join him (18b)
Ø Based on God’s faithfulness to him
Ø People follow people not programs.
I Corinthians 11:1 "Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ."
3B. God blesses Faithfulness
Revelation 3:7-8 (NKJV) 7“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: 8“I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
Ø We are to be activated by the Spirit of God – “your works.”
Ø We are to be saturated with the Word of God – “my words.”
Ø We are to be dedicated to the Son of God – “my name.”
5A. He Faced the Foe (19-20)
As we get further into Nehemiah we find six different sources of opposition. He got it from every side! The opposition's first strategy: "They mocked and ridiculed us."
1B. Opposition is certain (10)
"The door to the room of opportunity swings on the hinges of opposition." A Rogers There is not easy lazy way to do the work of the Lord. We are at war! There will be plenty of opposition! The devil hates what we intend to do.
I John 3:13 "Don't be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you."
2B. Opposition often indicates opportunity (19-20)
(1 Corinthians 16:8-9 NCV) "But I will stay at Ephesus … because a good opportunity for a great and growing work has been given to me now. And there are many people working against me."
There is no opportunity without opposition.
Ø The size of your God determines the size of your goal.
There is no way to escape criticism.
3B. Opposition should encourage us to continue on.
Nehemiah refused to argue. If you're wise you will not argue with the opposition. Instead he points out that it's God's project and God's idea. V. 12 he said "I had not told anyone what God had put in my heart to do." God put the burden on him. It was not his idea to rebuild the wall, it was God's idea. Since it was God's idea they would trust Him for its success. That's confidence. He answers the opposition quickly and confidently.
The other thing he does is expose the selfish motives of the opposition. "Who are you anyway?" They had a stake in not seeing Jerusalem rebuilt because that would reduce the size of their kingdom. He exposes the motives of the opposition. Then the opposition comes and says, "You're trying to rebel against the king of Persia." Nehemiah pulls out his letters. "I'm not rebelling against the king. I'm obeying the king of kings. Be quiet!" He deals with them confidently and quickly.
Application
Are you filling your Place?
Isn't it strange, that princes and kings,
And clowns that caper in sawdust rings,
And common people like you and me
Are builders for eternity.
Each one is given a bag of tools,
A shapeless mass a book of rules,
And each one must make, before life is flown,
A stumbling block or a stepping stone.
Are you prepared for Victory?
Preparation begins with a relationship.
Followed by discipleship
It is completed in fellowship
You must have all three to win.
Nehemiah 2:10-20
Introduction
Background
Ø Nehemiah has arrived in Jerusalem
Ø The people of Jerusalem are defeated, apathetic, living among ruins.
Ø Twice before in the last ninety years somebody has tried to rebuild the wall.
Ø They have failed twice. They have no confidence. They are negative.
Ø For ninety years, they have been saying it cannot be done.
The Change
Ø Nehemiah brought new vision
Ø Nehemiah brought new hope
Ø Nehemiah brought new victory
What made the difference - Preparation!
Notice how Nehemiah prepared…
1A. He Fixed His Focus (11-12)
1B. He waited for the right time (11)
(Ecclesiastes 8:6 NCV) "There is a right time and a right way for everything..."
2B. He included the right people (12)
3B. He refused to be distracted
2A. He Found Out the Facts (13-16)
(Proverbs 23:23 NCV) "Learn the truth and never reject it. …."
(Proverbs 18:13 NCV) "Anyone who answers without listening is foolish and confused."
1B. He was realistic
Ø He admitted the seriousness of the situation
2B. He was optimistic
3A. He Formed a Fellowship (17)
1B. He could not do the job alone
1 Corinthians 3:9 (NKJV) 9For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.
2B. They shared a common concern (17a)
3B. They shared a common goal (17b)
4B. They would enjoy a common reward (17c)
4A. He Fortified Their Faith (18)
1B. He communicated his personal testimony (18a)
2B. He challenged others to join him (18b)
I Corinthians 11:1 "Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ."
3B. God blesses Faithfulness (Revelation 3:7-8)
Ø We are to be activated by the Spirit of God – “your deeds.”
Ø We are to be saturated with the Word of God – “my words.”
Ø We are to be dedicated to the Son of God – “my name.”
5A. He Faced the Foe (19-20)
1B. Opposition is certain (10)
"The door to the room of opportunity swings on the hinges of opposition." A Rogers
I John 3:13 "Don't be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you."
2B. Opposition often indicates opportunity (19-20)
(1 Corinthians 16:8-9 NCV) "But I will stay at Ephesus … because a good opportunity for a great and growing work has been given to me now. And there are many people working against me."
3B. Opposition should encourage us to continue on.
Application
Are you filling your Place?
Isn't it strange, that princes and kings,
And clowns that caper in sawdust rings,
And common people like you and me
Are builders for eternity.
Each one is given a bag of tools,
A shapeless mass a book of rules,
And each one must make, before life is flown,
A stumbling block or a stepping stone.
Are you prepared for Victory?
Preparation begins with a relationship.
Followed by discipleship
It is completed in fellowship
You must have all three to win.
How to Prepare for Victory
Overcoming Obstacles to Victory – Part 3
January 16, 2000 - Nehemiah 2:11-20
1A. He Fixed His ______________ (11-12)
1B. He waited for the _______ __________ (11)
(Ecclesiastes 8:6 NCV) "There is a right time and a right way for everything..."
2B. He included the _______ ___________ (12)
3B. He refused to be _________________
2A. He Found Out the ____________________ (13-16)
(Proverbs 23:23 NCV) "Learn the truth and never reject it. …."
(Proverbs 18:13 NCV) "Anyone who answers without listening is foolish and confused."
1B. He was ________________
Ø He admitted the seriousness of the situation
2B. He was _____________________
3A. He Formed a ____________________________ (17)
1B. He could not do the job ___________________
2B. They shared a common _________________ (17a)
3B. They shared a common _________________ (17b)
4B. They would enjoy a common _____________ (17c)
4A. He Fortified their __________________ (18)
1B. He communicated his personal ___________ (18b)
2B. He ___________________ others to join him (18c)
3B. God blesses _______________________. (Revelation 3:7-8)
Ø We are to be ________________________ by the Spirit of God – “your works.”
Ø We are to be saturated with the Word of God – “my words.”
Ø We are to be __________________________ to the Son of God – “my name.”
5A. He Faced the ___________________ (10, 19-20)
Opposition is ______________________ (10)
Opposition often indicates ______________ (19-20)
(1 Corinthians 16:8-9 NCV) "But I will stay at Ephesus … because a good opportunity for a great and growing work has been given to me now. And there are many people working against me."
Opposition should ______________ us to continue on.