It Takes A People

What do you want from God? That was the question we ended on last week and I hope you have given it some thought. Why? Because I believe God wants to do something AMAZING in you… something CRAZY in you… something that will change your life forever!

We are talking about believing in something bigger… we started talking about a guy named Nehemiah and we looked at the challenges he was facing.

Remember - his people were living as exiles… removed from their homes and cities. Their main city, Jerusalem, was in ruins and the walls that protected it were gone.

When Nehemiah first received the news, he prayed to God and then talked to the king he worked for. Through prayer, Nehemiah gained favor from God and a vision of the walls restored. And that was a big task… certainly bigger than anything he could do on his own.

The work I believe that God wants to do in each one of us tonight… is a work BIGGER than anything we could EVER do on our own.

First off, we need God. God is the ultimate source of strength and power. Nothing is impossible for Him… and as we grow closer to Him, we will see His power at work within us more and more. In fact, I want you to see what Ephesians 3:20-21 says about this.

Ephesians 3:20–21 NIV

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

God is able to do more… immeasurably more… than we could ever ask or imagine.

I can imagine big things! The task that Nehemiah was facing was a big thing!

What kinds of things can you imagine God doing in your life tonight?

Here’s the key:

It must be a work that is according to HIS power.

It will be a work that is according to His plan for you. His plan is something you can accept or deny but if you want all that God has for you… then His plan is the ONLY way to go!

Not only will we need God… but we will need each other. As we grow in our faith and walk with the Lord, we will need the help and encouragement of others along the way.

That is why this assembly is called Reality Youth GROUP - emphasis placed on the word group!

So with this in mind, we are going to do a quick exercise tonight. We’re going to go around the room, state our names, what grade you are in, what school you attend, and give one interesting fact about yourself.

As time goes on, my hope is that this group will grow, not only numerically, but also closer together. Why? Because we truly are stronger together than we are apart.

Our story out of Nehemiah helps us to understand this truth.

Nehemiah goes to Jerusalem. He surveys the damage and begins to take inventory of all that is needed.

But Nehemiah realizes something very important - he cannot take on the job of rebuilding the walls on his own. So… he talks to the leaders and… he kind of lays out the obvious.

Nehemiah 2:17–18 NIV

17 Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” 18 I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work.

Nehemiah shares his vision and while doing so, he makes a point to testify that the hand of God had brought him this far. In other words… he wasn’t there for his personal gain or glory… he was there to fulfill what God wanted to do in him and through him.

Have you ever been on the receiving end of a pep talk? What is it that pep talks are supposed to do? They are supposed to raise up hope through encouragement and vision.

Can you imagine what a pep rally at school would look like if the announcer took the mic and said, “We might be able to beat these guys… they are bigger than us, stronger than us, faster than us, and more talented than us. So yeah… we’re going to win… maybe?”

That’s not how it’s done! A pep talk is designed to encourage the team to overcome the odds. It is designed to push and lead the team to victory!

Nehemiah’s talk with the leaders was a well-needed pep talk to which the people responded to by saying

Nehemiah 2:18 NIV

18 I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work.

And it didn’t stop at talk!

Ever seen or heard anyone that was all talk and no game? They were good at running their mouths but didn’t have the skills, desire, or heart to back it up?

That wasn’t these guys! They got up… and started rebuilding. They, together, took action on the vision God had given them.

The point I want to make this evening is simply this:

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

This ministry has been created so that students like you can realize that you are not alone.

And I get it… we all live in different places and fill different spaces. Distance, geographical distance can be a hard thing to overcome in the heartland.

Yet… God has given us opportunities like this and AfterGlow to be able to come together, be in the Word together, worship together, etc all for the sake of building a community or group of students who desire to grow in their walk with the Lord.

Right here… and right now… we have an opportunity in front of us… in front of ALL of us.

This isn’t going to be just another youth group. This isn’t going to be just something for high school students to do on Wednesday nights. This is going to be the best thing going in the heartland in this time slot. Why? Because the students of the heartland are worth it.

You guys and ladies are worth it. Your generation is worth it. The work that has been done to make this night a reality has been worth doing because we believe in you.

But there is no way we can do this without… you. Nehemiah had a wall to build, a city to defend. We have a generation to reach with the hope and good news of the gospel message of Jesus Christ. It is a message like no other. And it will require a people… a group of students who will rise up and say, “I’m ready to jump in and start building.”

Building this youth group begins by opening ourselves up to what God has in store for us personally. So here comes the question again… What is it that you want God to do in you this year?

I hope your answer to that question is - I want whatever He wants to do in me AND through me!

God not only wants to do something big IN you… He wants to do something big THROUGH you.

And I want to be clear… some of you might be thinking that God has nothing for you and He can’t do anything through you… and the reason you’re thinking that is because you are listening to the wrong “pep talk.”

The world will try to tell you that you’re in this life alone. The enemy wants you to believe that you’re in this life alone. But God wants you to understand that He is with you… and His church stands behind you.

Stop listening to the naysayers… stop listening to the voices that would tell you to settle for second place in life. In Christ, YOU ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS. The victory has already been won. And the moment you start believing that is the moment you start receiving that.

Secondly, building this youth group begins by opening ourselves up to what God has in store for this group.

If we want what God want… then we have to be all in… all in means we are willing to put action to our talk.

It means, we are willing to do what it takes to build a group that is going to reach the students of the heartland for Jesus.

It’s not an easy work… but believe you me… It is a work that will impact your life in ways you cannot begin to imagine.

We have a team of youth leaders - Callie, Mason, and Sydnie… who are going to help us formulate and shape this group into spiritual powerhouse I believe God is calling it to be.

We have you… every one of you… who I pray will get excited about what God is doing and will dig in… invite friends… and share with others what God is doing in you.

Closing

So… are you ready to believe? Receiving what God wants for you comes through believing in God - the One who make the something bigger we are believing for… a possibility.

Believing means you have a relationship with Him… and you’re ready to go where He leads you to go.

PRAYER - Salvation

Secondly, are you willing to be a part of the group?

This means digging in… this means rising up… this means doing what is necessary to see the job completed - the job of reaching your generation.

Like Nehemiah… this group cannot be built without your help. Will you be a part of what God is doing? Will you choose to rise up and be a part of this good work?

PRAYER - help us, God to be a group builder.