Sermon Tone Analysis

Neh 1:1-11 (NRSV)

Introduction

Real care excludes indifference and is the opposite of apathy.

The word “care” finds its roots in the Gothic “Kara” which means lament.

The basic meaning of care is: to grieve, to experience sorrow, to cry out with.[1]

[1]Nouwen, Out of Solitude

Care (enough) to ask

Care (enough) to listen

Care (enough) to respond

Nehemiah’s posture

Nehemiah’s prayer

i. Nehemiah’s prayer is rooted in God’s Character

God’s sovereignty

God’s faithfulness

God’s nearness

Ii.

Nehemiah’s prayer is rooted in his identity

Both Israel and Nehemiah are God’s servants

Iv.

Confession of sin (vs6):

Vs 6 confessing the sins of the people of Israel

Both I and my family have sinned vs 7 We have offended you deeply, failing to keep the commandments…

V. Confidence in God’s promises : Reminding God of His promises: both of judgment and salvation —

It’s a recognition that though Israel has failed they still belong to God who has redeemed them by His great power — the story of Exodus is always in the background of all these narratives.

Nehemiah’s request — “Give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man” vs 11.

Only then does Nehemiah disclose that he is the cupbearer to the King whose name only comes in ch 2 - Artaxerxes.

There’s a 4 month gap between ch 1 and ch 2. We know that later Nehemiah heads up the rebuilding of the wall but it all begins here.

All vision comes out of seeking God.

Conclusion

What do we most care about?

The first step is really coming to terms with our relationship with God

What would 2 Chr 7:14 look like in our context:

Forgiveness of sin and healing go hand in hand

We really need to first bring our hearts before God and ask Him to soften them — resensitize them — make us alive again to what He is doing and what is going on in the world - so we can re-engage.

William Booth

“While Women weep, as they do now, I’ll fight; while children go hungry, as they do now I’ll fight; while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I’ll fight; while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, while there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I’ll fight, I’ll fight to the very end!”[William Booth]

[1]https://salvationarmy.ca/prairie/2013/07/william-booths-final-speech-inspiration-for-new-ad/

What is God calling each of us to care about and care enough in our lives?

What does God care about in His world?

May the Holy Spirit who empowered ordinary people to change the world fill us with His love and power that we too may care enough and become conduits of God’s love, forgiveness and healing to a broken world.