Step Out (Nehemiah Week 2)

Nehemiah   •  Sermon  •  Submitted
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As we seek to be God’s instruments of change within our world, we need to constantly pray— before stepping out, as we step out, and after we step out.

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When did you find yourself in the right place at the right time?

What is an area of your life where God is asking you to step out and take a risk?
WhatisanareaofyourlifewhereGodisaskingyoutostepoutandtake
Marriage, Neighbors, Work, Relationships, Dreams
a risk? Marriage, Neighbors, Work, Relationships, Dreams
Marriage, Neighbors, Work, Relationships, Dreams
My Story
Lake Chelan
Boys Trip (Reflection)
Run into Courtney (Right place, right time)
Had a GF
Took a risk (She took a risk on me)
I was full of fear that night
I was full of fear to even walk through the door.
Deep breath before opening the door
Okay God…Here WE go
Prayer in this context means “Plead”
Arrow Prayers (Short and Sweet)
12 minute goal still stands (Arrows needed too)
I need a close parking spot
Help with this test answer
Help that person
Help me respond with grace
I need your wisdom
Arrow prayers take courage...
What holds us back from being courageous?
Fear!
Fear
Mark Twain
We will be more disappointed by the things we didn’t do than by the things we did do.
Throw off the bowlines and sail away form the safe harbor - catching the trade winds in our sails.
Science agrees
Poor affective forecasting
Failing breeds “To Try Again”
Not trying at all...
Regret
produces an infinite number of scenarios where it could have worked out.
Inactoin
All the times you didn’t walk through those doors
Can be painful to think about right?
Think of one of your greatest accomplishments you have accomplished right now.
Do you realize you had to step out and be courageous to accomplish that feat.
In other words…You conquered your fear!
You walked through a fear door!
Pat yourself on the back!
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Always, Always, Always, Always, Always do what you are afraid to do.”
Do the thing you fear and the death of fear is certain.
Courtney
Sing again
Start playing the guitar again
Luke
Inviting his boss to church and he came!
Nehemia 2:1-10
Nehemiah 2:1-6
He is asking for a role reversal. Instead of his doin
he is asking for some role reversal. Instead of his doing what the king asks, he wants the king to do what he asks.
God calls all of us to be his change agents in our spheres of influence by walking in the good work (see ).
The granting of his request will require something of a miracle.
“Okay what do you want me to do” (Kings response)
Courageous act on the behalf of Nehemiah
in other words...”What do want to do”
God calls all of us to be his change agents in our spheres of influence by walking in the good work (see ).
Goldingay, J. (2012). Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther for Everyone (p. 87). Louisville, KY; London: Westminster John Knox Press; Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.God calls all of us to be his change agents in our spheres of influence by walking in the good work (see ).
Nehemiah prepared through Prayer
God calls all of us to be his change agents in our spheres of influence by walking in the good work (see ).
Nehemiah prepared through Prayer
Nehemiah prepared through Prayer
Prayer as we will learn shortly equipped Nehemiah with the COURAGE, STRENGTH, & FAVOR that he would need.
Prayer as we will learn shortly equipped Nehemiah with the COURAGE, STRENGTH, & FAVOR that he would need.
Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man” ().
Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man” (). Month of March or April our time
(V. 2) - Throughout the Scriptures, God encourages his people not to be slaves to fear, but rather, to live boldly and courageously (see ).
4 Months after the events from
We can be part of God’s solution by being agents of change. By being authentic and courageous, relying on God, and pressing through, we can be used by God to change the world and bring about his will.
1 Early the following spring, in the month of Nisan, during the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign, I was serving the king his wine. I had never before appeared sad in his presence.
Early the following spring, in the month of Nisan, during the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign, I was serving the king his wine. I had never before appeared sad in his presence. 2 So the king asked me, “Why are you looking so sad? You don’t look sick to me. You must be deeply troubled.”
Early the following spring, in the month of Nisan, during the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign, I was serving the king his wine. I had never before appeared sad in his presence. 2 So the king asked me, “Why are you looking so sad? You don’t look sick to me. You must be deeply troubled.”
2 So the king asked me, “Why are you looking so sad? You don’t look sick to me. You must be deeply troubled.” Then I was terrified,
Then I was terrified,
Then I was terrified, 3 but I replied, “Long live the king! How can I not be sad? For the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.”
3 but I replied, “Long live the king! How can I not be sad? For the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.”
4 The king asked, “Well, how can I help you?” With a prayer to the God of heaven,
4 The king asked, “Well, how can I help you?”
(V. 2) - Throughout the Scriptures, God encourages his people not to be slaves to fear, but rather, to live boldly and courageously (see ).
With a prayer to the God of heaven,
With a prayer to the God of heaven, 5 I replied, “If it please the king, and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.”
5 I replied, “If it please the king, and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.”
6 The king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked, “How long will you be gone? When will you return?” After I told him how long I would be gone, the king agreed to my request.
Nehemiah's heart was full of sadness because of the condition of Jerusalem. (4 Months of being burdened)
6 The king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked, “How long will you be gone? When will you return?” After I told him how long I would be gone, the king agreed to my request.
Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
He is asking for a role reversal. Instead of his doing what the king asks, he wants the king to do what he asks.
The granting of his request will require something of a miracle.
Courageous act on the behalf of Nehemiah
God calls all of us to be his change agents in our spheres of influence by walking in the good work (see ).
Month of March or April our time
Nehemiah prepared through Prayer
Prayer as we will learn shortly equipped Nehemiah with the COURAGE, STRENGTH, & FAVOR that he would need.
Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man” (). Month of March or April our time
4 Months after the events from
King - Most Remarkable of all the King of Persia
Gentle and Noble
Nehemiah's heart was full of sadness because of the condition of Jerusalem.
Activities of the past 4 months had caught up to him. 4 months of being burdened
Throughout the Scriptures, God encourages his people not to be slaves to fear, but rather, to live boldly and courageously (see ). We can be part of God’s solution by being agents of change. By being authentic and courageous, relying on God, and pressing through, we can be used by God to change the world and bring about his will.
Mourning
Fasting
Praying
He had never been sad in front of the king prior to this.
The king noticed - Nehemiah responded truthfully/authentically.
Court Etiquette REQUIRED those in the Kings presence to have a cheerful demeanor.
(V. 2) - Throughout the Scriptures, God encourages his people not to be slaves to fear, but rather, to live boldly and courageously (see ).
(V.4) - “Okay what do you want me to do” (Kings response)
We can be part of God’s solution by being agents of change. By being authentic and courageous, relying on God, and pressing through, we can be used by God to change the world and bring about his will.
in other words...”What do want to do”
(V.6) - The Queens presence
Initmiate moment not a political setting
Woman were not allowed to be in such a setting in this day
Significant because the King did not have to put on a show for anyone.
(V.6) Scholars believe Nehemiah was gone for 12 years before returning to his post.
4. We can be part of God’s solution by being agents of change. By being authentic and courageous, relying on God, and pressing through, we can be used by God to change the world and bring about his will.
What Fear door is in front of you right now that you are hesitant to try and walk through?
What Fear door is in front of you right now that you are hesitant to try and walk through? (If your not DREAM BIGGER!)
We can be part of God’s solution by being agents of change. By being authentic and courageous, relying on God, and pressing through, we can be used by God to change the world and bring about his will.
Prayer should be our first response to all circumstances.
UNFORGIVABLE TO WAIT ANY LONGER!
What is an area of your life where God is asking you to step out and take a risk?
Prayer should be our first response to all circumstances.
Marriage, Neighbors, Work, Relationships, Dreams
As we seek to be God’s instruments of change within our world, we need to constantly pray .
prayer should be our first response to all circumstances As we seek to be God’s instruments of change within our world, we need to constantly pray .
As we seek to be God’s instruments of change within our world, we need to constantly pray.
Prayer should be our first response to all circumstances.
As we seek to be God’s instruments of change within our world, we need to constantly pray.
before stepping out, as we step out, and after we step out.
Our lack of prayer often signifies our reliance upon ourselves rather than upon God.
Our lack of prayer often signifies our reliance upon ourselves rather than upon God.
Our lack of prayer often signifies our reliance upon ourselves rather than upon God.
Our strength is not what brings about the kingdom of God.
Our strength is not what brings about the kingdom of God.
It is God’s power flowing through us as we pray and step out in faith and obedience.
In other words it’s the Holy Spirit
When we step out for God to bring about change and then experience a small “victory,” we must be careful not to settle and quit as if our work is done.
When we step out for God to bring about change and then experience a small “victory,” we must be careful not to settle and quit as if our work is done.
When we step out for God to bring about change and then experience a small “victory,” we must be careful not to settle and quit as if our work is done. Rather, we can continue to press on and pursue even greater opportunities to bring real and lasting impact.
we must be careful not to settle and quit as if our work is done. Rather, we can continue to press on and pursue even greater opportunities to bring real and lasting impact.
We must press on and pursue even greater opportunities to bring real and lasting impact.
As we pray and courageously step out to rebuild and restore God’s original purpose in a dark and hurting world, we will only succeed if God’s good and gracious hand is upon us.
As we pray and courageously step out to rebuild and restore God’s original purpose in a dark and hurting world, we will only succeed if God’s good and gracious hand is upon us.
Jesus
What do you want me to do?
Blind man Bartimaeus
Heard Jesus was passing through
Large crowd following
Poor and Sick were supposed to be invisible
Bartimaeus stepped out
Cried out: Jesus! have mercy on me!
Cried began to quiet him
Shut his dream down
Jesus response
Tell him to come here!
What do you want me to do for you?
Go, for your FAITH has healed you
In other words…DON’T QUIT BEFORE THE MIRACLE
Keep crying out!
Arrow Prayers! (Bullseye!)
Start being people of Courage and STEP OUT!
Courage
Courage
Courage in approaching God
Courage in proclaiming the gospel to others
Courage in dealing with others
Courage in prayer
What is an area of your life where God is asking you to step out and take a risk?
What is an area of your life where God is asking you to step out and take a risk?
What is an area in life (family, work, social, etc.)that you would like to help
What is an area in life (family, work, relational)that you would like to help change?
a risk?
change? What is one step you could take to begin or continue the process
What Fear door do you need to walk through?
of being an agent of change?
My Fear Door
The Gathering is a risk
You choosing to be here is risk
First time
200th time
This church will only change if we choose to bring change.
What do I mean
We have to step out
Pray like never before
12 minutes
Arrow prayers
Dream like never before
Nehemiah
Bartimeaus
Serve like never before
Jumping on a team
INVITE LIKE NEVER BEFORE
It is up to us!
Love Jesus like never before?
Will you begin to see the obstacles that are ahead of us as opportunities
Worship
Huge obstacle
Importance of music
People have left because of it
Opportunity to bring in new faces
New sound
New leadership
In the mean time
Will you make the best of what we have to offer?
Sing 3 songs
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