sf1011 - Identify The Task (Nehemiah 1 1- 2 8)
Nehemiah 1:1-2:8
Introduction
Overcoming Obstacles to Victory…
Identify the Task (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)
Purpose (Ephesians 2:8-10 Key Verse 10)
1. We are God’s workmanship – His masterpiece
2. Created in Christ to do good works!
3. God has predetermined what those works are to be.
Therefore, we can be confident in the fact that God has saved us to accomplish what He has for us to do.
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.
Nehemiah’s name means “Comfort of Yahweh”
Three men played important roles in the rebuilding of Jerusalem. There was Zerubbabel, the prince, who represented the political side. Then there was Ezra, the priest, and finally Nehemiah, the layman. (J. Vernon McGee's Thru The Bible)
Nehemiah believed in watching and working. He also believed in working and praying. Watch and pray, or work and pray, are the words that characterize this man. (J. Vernon McGee's Thru The Bible)
The first seven chapters of this book deal with the rebuilding of the walls. The rest of the book deals with revival and reform. (J. Vernon McGee's Thru The Bible)
In this study we will learn…
A Problem is an Opportunity in Disguise
We need to see the Opportunity in every Problem not the Problem in every Opportunity
We begin by identifying the task before us by…
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 God’s city.
He asked the right questions – because…
Ø God’s people are important
Jeremiah 31:3 … I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.
Ø God’s place is important
Jerusalem and more specifically the Temple existed to glorify God.
2 Chronicles 7:1-3 When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. 2 And the priests could not enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD's house. 3 When all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD on the temple, they bowed their faces to the ground on the pavement, and worshiped and praised the LORD, saying: "For He is good, For His mercy endures forever."
Nehemiah valued what God valued – do you?
2B. Evaluate the Situation (1:3)
The walls were destroyed
Ø The people were defenseless
Ø The people were discouraged
“Great distress and reproach”
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
What walls have fallen in your world?
2A. Intensify Your Prayer Life (1:4-11)
1B. Nehemiah Responds By…
Ø Weeping
There is too much talk and not enough tears. You are not God's messenger if the message doesn't cause you personal anguish. (J. Vernon McGee's Thru The Bible)
Ø Mourning
Ø Fasting
Ø Praying
How do you respond when you face overwhelming circumstances?
2B. Notice Nehemiah’s Prayer
Nehemiah continued in prayer
Ø For 3 months, from Chislev (November – December, 1:1) until Nisan (March-April, 2:1)
Isaiah 62:6 … You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest,
Prayer of contrition (1:4-5)
Ø He was broken over the problem
Ø Nehemiah was not heartbroken only because of the human suffering, but more importantly because as long as Jerusalem lay in ruins God was being dishonored.
Prayer of confession (1:6-7)
Ø He was burdened about his sin and the sin of his countrymen.
Ø He is specific about their sin:
Their corruption – sin nature
Their disobedience and rebellion
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.
How would you characterize your prayer life?
3A. Initiate God's PLAN (2:5-8)
1B. Ask for the King's Permission (2:5)
James 4:15 Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that."
Matthew 7:7 " Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
James 4:3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.
2B. Ask for the King's Protection (2:7)
Psalm 17:8-9 Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings, 9 From the wicked who oppress me, From my deadly enemies who surround me.
Hebrews 13:5-6 …For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 6 So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"
3B. Ask for the King's Provision (2:8)
Psalm 23:1 … The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
Are you trusting God for everything you need to succeed?
Application
Do you value what God values?
What walls have fallen in your world?
How do you respond when you face overwhelming circumstances?
How would you characterize your prayer life?
Do you trust God for everything you need to succeed?
Nehemiah 1:1-28
Introduction
Overcoming Obstacles to Victory…
Identify the Task (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)
Purpose (Ephesians 2:8-10 Key Verse 10)
1. We are God’s workmanship – His masterpiece
2. Created in Christ to do good works!
3. God has predetermined what those works are to be.
1A. _______________________________________ the Problem (1:1-3)
1B. Ask the Right Questions (1:1-2)
Nehemiah wanted to know the condition of God's people and God’s city.
Ø God’s people are important (Jeremiah 31:3)
Ø God’s place is important (2 Chronicles 7:1-3)
Nehemiah _____________________________________ what God valued – do you?
2B. Evaluate the ________________________________ (1:3)
The walls were destroyed
What walls have fallen in our day?
What walls have fallen in your world?
2A. Intensify Your Prayer Life (1:4-11)
1B. Nehemiah Responds By…
Ø Weeping
Ø Mourning
Ø Fasting
Ø Praying
How do you respond when you face overwhelming circumstances?
2B. Notice Nehemiah’s _______________________________
Nehemiah ______________________________________ in pray
Prayer of contrition (1:4-5)
Prayer of ________________________________ (1:6-7)
Prayer of confidence (1:8-10)
Prayer of __________________________________ (1:11)
How would you characterize your prayer life?
3A. Initiate God's PLAN (2:5-8)
1B. Ask for the King's ______________________________ (2:5)
James 4:15 Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that."
Matthew 7:7 " Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
James 4:3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.
2B. Ask for the King's ___________________________ (2:7)
Psalm 17:8-9 Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings, 9 From the wicked who oppress me, From my deadly enemies who surround me.
Hebrews 13:5-6 …For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 6 So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"
3B. Ask for the King's ____________________________ (2:8)
Psalm 23:1 … The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
Are you trusting God for everything you need to succeed?
Application
Do you value what God values?
What walls have fallen in your world?
How do you respond when you face overwhelming circumstances?
How would you characterize your prayer life?
Do you trust God for everything you need to succeed?
Assignment
Read Nehemiah 2:11-20 looking for specific ways Nehemiah prepared for the task ahead.