sf1011 - Identify The Job (Nehemiah 1 1- 2 8)

Nehemiah 1:1-2:8

Introduction

Getting God’s Work Done…

Identify the Job (Nehemiah 1:1-2:8)

Prepare for Victory (Nehemiah 2:11-20)

Organize for Effectiveness (Nehemiah 3:1-5)

Overcome Opposition (Nehemiah 4:1-23)

Resolve Internal Problems (Nehemiah 5:1-13)

Press on to Victory (Nehemiah 6:1-18)

Background

Ø      586 BC - Jerusalem destroyed; Jews deported to Babylon

Ø      537 BC - First group of Jews allowed to return

Ø      516 BC - The Temple was rebuilt

Ø      458 BC - Ezra led a second group back to Jerusalem

Ø      445 BC - Nehemiah asks permission to return to Jerusalem with a third group to rebuild the city walls.

A Problem is an Opportunity in Disguise

We need to see the Opportunity in every Problem not the Problem in every Opportunity

Three Steps…

1A.      Investigate the Problem (1:1-3)

1B.      Ask the Right Questions  (1:1-2)

Nehemiah wanted to know the condition of God's people and city.

He asked the right questions

2B.      Evaluate the Situation (1:3)

The walls were destroyed

Ø      The people were defenseless

Ø      The people were discouraged

What walls have fallen in our day?

Ø      The walls of doctrine have fallen

Liberalism is a parasite

Ø      The walls of decency have fallen

Crime

Pornography

Abortion

Alcohol/drug abuse

Ø      The walls of defense have fallen

Divorce from 3% in 1870 to over 50% today

Feminism is attacking our homes

2A.      Intensify Your Prayer Life (1:4-11)

1B.      Nehemiah Responds By…

Ø      Weeping

Ø      Mourning

Ø      Fasting

Ø      Praying

2B.      Notice His Prayer

Prayer of contrition (1:4-5)

Ø      He was broken over the problem

Prayer of confession (1:6-7)

Ø      He was burdened about his sin

Prayer of confidence (1:8-10)

Ø      Recounts God's promises

Ø      Find out what God wants and pray for that!

Prayer of commitment (1:11)

Ø      Nehemiah had it good

Ø      He stepped out in faith

Ø      We must be willing to risk our comfort if we are ever going to experience God's blessings.

3A.      Initiate God's PLAN (2:5-8)

1B.      Ask for the King's Permission (2:5)

2B.      Ask for the King's Protection (2:7)

3B.      Ask for the King's Provision (2:8)

Application

Completing God’s Work Requires a Solid Foundation

(1 Corinthians 3:11 NIV)  "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ."

(John 1:11-13 NIV)  "He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. {12} Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- {13} children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God."

(Acts 16:31 NIV)  "They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household.""

(Romans 10:9-10 NIV)  "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. {10} For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."

(Matthew 10:32-33 NIV)  ""Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. {33} But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven."