Rise and Rebuild: Vision, Risk, Courage
Copyright: South Bay Community Church
Sermon Reflections: Rise & Rebuild: Vision, Risk, Courage
Date: 28 April 2024
Speaker: Lead Pastor Tammy Long
Scripture Text: Nehemiah 2:1-8
Sermon Reflections: Rise & Rebuild: Vision, Risk, Courage
Date: 28 April 2024
Speaker: Lead Pastor Tammy Long
Scripture Text: Nehemiah 2:1-8
Sermon Preamble Summary
We are continuing our mini-series, “Rise and Rebuild” based on the model of Nehemiah rebuilding. As followers of Christ, we are the hands and feet of God. What bothers you to the point of saying, “Someone should DO something”? This question may keep you up at night. If you have not become desensitized, numb, or compassion-fatigued, whatever areas of brokenness most stir in your heart may be God inviting you to rise and rebuild some walls wherever there is brokenness in this fallen world. Today, there are broken walls all around us. Brokenness includes financial, relational, social, judicial, political, and spiritual with additional ruins that follow. Rebuilding broken walls is core to our church mission of action in bringing God’s Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Nehemiah provides us an equation to pray, listen, and discern the walls God is inviting us to rebuild (Nehemiah 2:1-8): Seek God’s Vision + Take the Risk + Be Courageous = Rise to Rebuild Some Kingdom Walls.
Rebuilding walls takes seeking God’s vision in prayer. It has been three to five months since Nehemiah learned about the destruction of the walls in Jerusalem allowing time to pray for God’s vision. Nehemiah had an honored, esteemed, and influential position as the King’s cupbearer. God had positioned Nehemiah for the task, just like God positions you and me. Nehemiah’s continence was unusually sad, noticed by the King, who asked how the King could help Nehemiah. Before Nehemiah responded, he continued his ongoing prayers to God. Nehemiah shared with the King what has been keeping him up at night: “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” (Verse 3). We need to pray like Nehemiah and seek God’s vision. We need to see as God sees and ask how God would have us respond. Helen Keller said, “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight and no vision.”
Rebuilding walls takes risk. We have to take risks to follow where we feel and trust that God is leading us. “Nehemiah was terrified” (Verse 2). It was considered dangerous and inappropriate to appear before the King with any signs of sorrow. Nehemiah took the risk of being removed from the King’s Court of Officials. Nehemiah also risked the King saying no to his request. Being disappointed is part of taking a risk. Sometimes what we think God is telling us doesn’t happen the way we thought or bring the results we expected. We may find ourselves regretting we took the risk in the first place. God does not waste anything. God is always doing more than we can see. Risk could also go the other way, like it did for Nehemiah. Your efforts to repair brokenness may be well received. For example, there could be a relationship breakthrough, a response of gratitude and friendship, a step toward health and wholeness, a desire to hear more about Jesus. Author Joel Barker said, “Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world.”
Rebuilding walls takes courage. Taking risks can result in fear. Fear and lack of courage can thwart, limit, stifle, and impede the very thing God is trying to do through us. This theme of courage resonates throughout both the Old and New Testaments. It applies to the assignments God gives to us to rebuild broken walls. God continues to invite us to trust God. God also empowers us with the Holy Spirit to be courageous. God goes before us and is present with us, just like God was with Nehemiah, even if we are trembling. Let us have a thick faith in being faithful, to our faithful loving God, to rebuild walls in the broken world.
Background context of Nehemiah Chapter 1
Nehemiah was troubled by the broken walls and burned gates of Jerusalem that left the Israelites vulnerable, unprotected, disgraced, and shamed. His fellow Jews having finally returned from exile were not doing well. They were not living safe or living truly free. Three to five months have passed since Nehemiah heard about the ruined state of the Jerusalem walls. This news grieved him deeply, sending him into a period of deep mourning, fasting, and prayer. By the time we get to the end of chapter 1, from his time with God, Nehemiah’s has a vision from God to address the ruins. He is going to speak to the King of Persia.
He was able to do this because he was the cupbearer to the King. He tasted the wine to make sure it wasn’t poison before giving it to the King. The cupbearer often had other duties. Sometimes they were also the chief minister to the King. It was an honored, esteemed and influential position. Nehemiah was trusted. He had some influence with the King. He had access. They had a relationship. They wouldn’t have been buddies, but he wasn’t a stranger either. There was familiarity and history. God had positioned Nehemiah for his action in accordance with God’s vision, just like God positions you and me.
A sorrowful Nehemiah prays for God’s vision and accepts the dangerous risk
“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. Then I was terrified” (Nehemiah 2:1-2). Nehemiah’s sad continence was highly unusual and dangerous to prevent him from continuing to serve in the King’s Court. The King noticed his sad demeanor. This personal event (since the King’s wife was attending) in Chapter 2 occurred three to five months after Nehemiah learned about the destruction to the walls of Jerusalem. This period allowed Nehemiah sufficient time to pray and listen for God’s vision. The King noticed the sadness of Nehemiah that had never before appeared on Nehemiah’s face. This risk of losing his standing in the King’s Court terrified Nehemiah.
Nehemiah took the dangerous risk in sharing his sadness that kept him up at night
He could have avoided that risk by declaring that he is not sad. Instead, Nehemiah accepted the risk in sharing with the King his depression that might have caused his heart to ache and kept him up at night. He says, “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.” (Nehemiah 2:3). Nehemiah does not become overly dramatic, but also he does not understate the problem, either. He is authentic and real.
The King invites Nehemiah to share more; Nehemiah continues his ongoing prayer to God
“The King asks ‘how can I help you’” (Verse 4a). “With a prayer to the God of heaven, I replied” (Verse 4b). He had prayed for months, waiting for the opportunity to speak to the King. The opportunity came, and he was ready. Nehemiah had a plan God had given him. In this moment, he continued his prayers. Nehemiah realized this was God’s mission, and he wasn’t doing it alone. In that moment of prayer he was asking God to give him the right words to calm his anxious heart, for the King to be open and receptive, and for God’s vision to unfold in the way God had placed it in Nehemiah’s heart and mind. All of those requests are summed up in a simple three-word breath prayer: God help me!
Nehemiah responds to the King’s offer of help and makes additional requests agreed to by the King
“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’” (Verse 5). That is a succinct reply. Nehemiah didn’t unfold the entire plan all at once. God guides him to share it in digestible bites. First, he wants to go to Judah to rebuild. The King then asked, “How long will you be gone? When will you return” (Verse 6a)? “After I told him how long I would be gone, the king agreed to my request” (Verse 6b). That question encouraged and empowered Nehemiah; it suggested the King is considering being open to his request. Nehemiah has an answer ready and the King agrees. Nehemiah’s heart is now beating quickly not from fear, but from excitement that this is really happening. He then requests other written documentation from the King to help for any trouble he may face with a specific list: letters for safe travel protection by troops (Verse 7), and authorization to get supplies (Verse 8a).
Through this entire process Nehemiah is aware that God is at the helm of it all
Nehemiah says in verse 8b, “And the king granted these requests, because the gracious hand of God was on me.” Nehemiah knows all these blessings came from God. God had prepared him. God had provided for him. God had empowered him. Now Nehemiah was ready to go rebuild some walls!
What Nehemiah says to you and me and the walls God is asking us to rebuild today can be expressed as an equation: Vision +Risk + Courage= Rebuilding Kingdom Walls.
Rebuilding Walls Takes Seeking God’s Vision
As we see the broken walls around us through God’s eyes, we need to pray like Nehemiah and seek God’s vision. We need to see as God sees, and ask how God would have us respond. Nehemiah mourned, fasted, and prayed. After he first learned of the need to rebuild walls in Jerusalem, it was 3-5 months before he went to the king. Getting a vision can take time. We have to wait patiently for God’s vision. God’s timing is perfect, no matter how long it takes. Sometimes we have to wait until the vision becomes clear. We cannot jump ahead of God because God’s vision is the antidote for the hopelessness of broken walls in the broken world. Along the same lines, Helen Keller said, “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight and no vision.” One author said, “Dissatisfaction and discouragement are not caused by the absence of things but the absence of vision.”
When Jesus was on earth, his teachings, his miracles, his parables, his healings were all glimpses and manifestations of the Kingdom of God. Jesus was casting the vision for what the Kingdom of God is like. Sometimes when sharing a parable his exact words were “the Kingdom of God is like…” Kingdom vision is one of hope and restoration. Jesus came to repair broken walls that He demonstrated while on earth. In repairing broken walls of the fallen world, Jesus lifted spirits, generated hope, and embodied the loving God in tangible ways. The King James Version of Proverbs 19:18a makes this point very clear: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” As we consider broken walls God may be calling you to address, what vision may God be planting in your spirit?
For example, God birthed a vision ten years ago for ministry in Elmwood prison that has continued to this day. God gave a vision to talented author and member of our church, Jan Adkins, on the burdens of our sisters incarcerated at Elmwood Prison. It burned in her spirit; it caused ache in her heart; it kept her up at night as she listened for how God wanted her to respond. The ministry is repairing broken walls through connection, listening, serving, caring, praying, and sharing the love of Jesus.
God is a vision giver. Whether you are young or old, God is looking for people who are open to capture a vision to repair broken walls wherever those walls may be. Let’s view this video, “Youth Rebuilding Walls”
Perhaps only some of these youths are followers of Jesus. Jesus will use whoever is willing because every good gift comes from God, even when the gift giver does not know God. God is still in the business of repairing broken walls through people.
Rebuilding Walls Takes the Risk
Rebuilding Kingdom Walls is more than a vision. Action is required. As we rebuild walls for the Kingdom, we take a risk. God enjoys taking us out of our comfort zones, not because God is sadistic or likes to see us squirm. Rather God knows what God can do, wants to do, and is about to do if we take the risk as God leads and guides us.
Author Joel Barker said, “Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world.”
In our life journey that seems scary, we can meet God in fresh ways. We can deepen in our faith. God can teach us wisdom and discernment and grow us. We learn to be fully dependent on God. We learn that God can be trusted and that God is faithful.
Nehemiah took a risk when he approached the King. When Nehemiah looked sad, he risked being removed from the King’s court. Being sad in the presence of the King was typically not permitted.
Potential disappointment is part of taking a risk. Nehemiah also risked the King saying no to his request, dashing the hopes and dreams he thought God had given him to do. Sometimes what we think God is telling us does not happen the way we thought it would or bring the results we were expecting. We can feel disappointed or discouraged. We may find ourselves regretting we took the risk in the first place.
However, God does not waste anything. God is always doing more than we can see. God sees our heart; God is pleased that we try to be obedient even when we may not have made the right choice for the Kingdom of God. Just because we don’t see the results we expected to see, or our attempts to address a broken wall may be rejected, or our attempts have no impact at all that we can see does not mean God was not in it. Sometimes God uses those situations for our growth. Sometimes God uses those situations to set up something else God is doing. Sometimes God uses those situations to plant a seed in someone else that we may never see germinate. Nevertheless, as we tried to be obedient, we made a difference. Many times God is doing all these items. God is always at work in you and me. God also works in others we have touched whether we see it or not.
There are risks if we are going to respond to the brokenness of this world as Jesus’ hands and feet to rebuild broken walls for the Kingdom. We may stand up for injustice and be ostracized by colleagues or peers. We may offer financial support to help someone and discover we were used. We may extend ourselves to someone who is unhoused and experience ingratitude. We may seek to befriend someone and feel rebuffed and rejected. We may share an exciting vision that we are certain God has placed on our hearts and still be told no or denied. We must remember that Jesus also experienced all those things!
But the nature of a risk could also go the other way, just like it did for Nehemiah. The opportunity and door from the vision may open. Things may fall in place exactly as you prayed. Your efforts to repair where there’s brokenness may be well received. There could be: a relationship breakthrough, a response of gratitude and friendship, a step toward health and wholeness, a desire to hear more about Jesus. We have to take risks to follow where God is leading us and trust God’s leading.
Rebuilding Walls Takes Courage
Nehemiah wrote in his sadness, he was terrified. Risk can be scary, and fear can be debilitating. The lack of courage and fear can thwart, limit, stifle, and impede the very thing God is trying to do. The Bible, both Old and New Testament, instructs people to be courageous. For example, in Deuteronomy 31:6-7.Moses encourages the Israelites and Joshua to be strong and courageous, trusting that God will not fail or abandon them. In Joshua 1:6-9, God commands Joshua three times to "be strong and courageous" as he prepares to lead the Israelites. In 1 Chronicles 28:20, David advises Solomon to be strong and courageous as he prepares to build the temple.
We are cautious because we are afraid. The phrase “fear not” is in the bible at least 365 times. Oswald Sanders stated, “A great deal more failure is the result of an excess of caution than of bold experimentation with new ideas. The frontiers of the kingdom of God were never advanced by men and women of caution.” Courage in the face of risks applies to the assignments God gives to us to rebuild broken walls around us as God continues to invite us to trust God. God also empowers us with the Holy Spirit to be courageous, even if we are trembling in our boots. God goes before us and is present with us, just like God was with Nehemiah.
Thick faith in the Good News of the Gospel
The strength of a vision and the extent we are moved to face risk and be courageous is directly tied to what causes our heart to ache. We see as God sees the pain and brokenness around us and remember the Good News of Jesus to rebuild the rubble of the broken world. Then God stirs in us the strength and courage to take risk to live into the vision God has given us. It compels us into the action of doing! The world is suffering and in need of those who see what God sees. They are willing to rebuild walls with a thick faith because rebuilding Kingdom Walls is the Good News of Jesus. Let us view this video, “The Good Gospel”
God prepares us and equips and empowers us because our God is faithful. Because God is faithful, may we too be faithful in return.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS INCLUDING FAMILY GROUPS
Sermon Preamble
-To personalize the key question, what disturbs you with an aching heart with the affirmation that someone needs to do something and even keeps you up at night? What vision is God planting in your spirit?
Background context of Nehemiah Chapter 1
-Even though the Jews were legally freed from their exile in Babylon, in what ways were they still not truly free? What steps are necessary for an oppressed people to become truly free?
A sorrowful Nehemiah prays for God's vision and accepts the dangerous risk
-Imagine yourself in the scene as Nehemiah pouring the wine before King Artaxerxes. If you had a burden for your fellow Jewish people in Jerusalem, would you be able to only exhibit cheerfulness, not sadness, with those who you contact? If you feel obligated to present only cheer to your contacts, what physically for you reveals your sadness? What is the value in conveying honest sadness rather than universal cheerfulness?
Nehemiah took the dangerous risk in sharing his sadness that kept him up at night
-Why was it dangerous to Nehemiah to share his sadness from the burden for his fellow Jews? Are there dangers or risks for us today in sharing our sadness and burdens for the broken walls of the fallen world today?
The King invites Nehemiah to share more; Nehemiah continues his ongoing prayer to God
-If you were Nehemiah and had been praying and listening to God for the past several months, why would you pray again to God when King Artaxerxes needs an immediate response rather than rely on your prior prayers?
Nehemiah responds to the King’s offer of help and makes additional requests agreed to by the King
-Review the prior declaration of King Artaxerxes in Ezra 4:17-24 when the King compelled the Jews to stop their rebuilding in Jerusalem. Imagine your amazement when the same King who had previously ordered rebuilding by Jews to stop, now agrees to multiple requests from Nehemiah. When have you seen such a total change that must be a work of God on the hearts of others?
Through this entire process Nehemiah is aware that God is at the helm of it all.
-Why should we be aware just like Nehemiah that God is at the helm of the entire process?
Rebuilding Walls Takes Seeking God’s Vision
-Why must we patiently wait for God’s timing in receiving visions from God?
Rebuilding Walls Takes the Risk
-What risks will you face in rebuilding walls in the broken world that Jesus also faced?
Rebuilding Walls Takes Courage
-When we face risks, why does that often result in fear? How can we best follow the biblical instructions of courage for God’s Kingdom and not to fear others?
We are continuing our mini-series, “Rise and Rebuild” based on the model of Nehemiah rebuilding. As followers of Christ, we are the hands and feet of God. What bothers you to the point of saying, “Someone should DO something”? This question may keep you up at night. If you have not become desensitized, numb, or compassion-fatigued, whatever areas of brokenness most stir in your heart may be God inviting you to rise and rebuild some walls wherever there is brokenness in this fallen world. Today, there are broken walls all around us. Brokenness includes financial, relational, social, judicial, political, and spiritual with additional ruins that follow. Rebuilding broken walls is core to our church mission of action in bringing God’s Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Nehemiah provides us an equation to pray, listen, and discern the walls God is inviting us to rebuild (Nehemiah 2:1-8): Seek God’s Vision + Take the Risk + Be Courageous = Rise to Rebuild Some Kingdom Walls.
Rebuilding walls takes seeking God’s vision in prayer. It has been three to five months since Nehemiah learned about the destruction of the walls in Jerusalem allowing time to pray for God’s vision. Nehemiah had an honored, esteemed, and influential position as the King’s cupbearer. God had positioned Nehemiah for the task, just like God positions you and me. Nehemiah’s continence was unusually sad, noticed by the King, who asked how the King could help Nehemiah. Before Nehemiah responded, he continued his ongoing prayers to God. Nehemiah shared with the King what has been keeping him up at night: “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” (Verse 3). We need to pray like Nehemiah and seek God’s vision. We need to see as God sees and ask how God would have us respond. Helen Keller said, “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight and no vision.”
Rebuilding walls takes risk. We have to take risks to follow where we feel and trust that God is leading us. “Nehemiah was terrified” (Verse 2). It was considered dangerous and inappropriate to appear before the King with any signs of sorrow. Nehemiah took the risk of being removed from the King’s Court of Officials. Nehemiah also risked the King saying no to his request. Being disappointed is part of taking a risk. Sometimes what we think God is telling us doesn’t happen the way we thought or bring the results we expected. We may find ourselves regretting we took the risk in the first place. God does not waste anything. God is always doing more than we can see. Risk could also go the other way, like it did for Nehemiah. Your efforts to repair brokenness may be well received. For example, there could be a relationship breakthrough, a response of gratitude and friendship, a step toward health and wholeness, a desire to hear more about Jesus. Author Joel Barker said, “Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world.”
Rebuilding walls takes courage. Taking risks can result in fear. Fear and lack of courage can thwart, limit, stifle, and impede the very thing God is trying to do through us. This theme of courage resonates throughout both the Old and New Testaments. It applies to the assignments God gives to us to rebuild broken walls. God continues to invite us to trust God. God also empowers us with the Holy Spirit to be courageous. God goes before us and is present with us, just like God was with Nehemiah, even if we are trembling. Let us have a thick faith in being faithful, to our faithful loving God, to rebuild walls in the broken world.
Background context of Nehemiah Chapter 1
Nehemiah was troubled by the broken walls and burned gates of Jerusalem that left the Israelites vulnerable, unprotected, disgraced, and shamed. His fellow Jews having finally returned from exile were not doing well. They were not living safe or living truly free. Three to five months have passed since Nehemiah heard about the ruined state of the Jerusalem walls. This news grieved him deeply, sending him into a period of deep mourning, fasting, and prayer. By the time we get to the end of chapter 1, from his time with God, Nehemiah’s has a vision from God to address the ruins. He is going to speak to the King of Persia.
He was able to do this because he was the cupbearer to the King. He tasted the wine to make sure it wasn’t poison before giving it to the King. The cupbearer often had other duties. Sometimes they were also the chief minister to the King. It was an honored, esteemed and influential position. Nehemiah was trusted. He had some influence with the King. He had access. They had a relationship. They wouldn’t have been buddies, but he wasn’t a stranger either. There was familiarity and history. God had positioned Nehemiah for his action in accordance with God’s vision, just like God positions you and me.
A sorrowful Nehemiah prays for God’s vision and accepts the dangerous risk
“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. Then I was terrified” (Nehemiah 2:1-2). Nehemiah’s sad continence was highly unusual and dangerous to prevent him from continuing to serve in the King’s Court. The King noticed his sad demeanor. This personal event (since the King’s wife was attending) in Chapter 2 occurred three to five months after Nehemiah learned about the destruction to the walls of Jerusalem. This period allowed Nehemiah sufficient time to pray and listen for God’s vision. The King noticed the sadness of Nehemiah that had never before appeared on Nehemiah’s face. This risk of losing his standing in the King’s Court terrified Nehemiah.
Nehemiah took the dangerous risk in sharing his sadness that kept him up at night
He could have avoided that risk by declaring that he is not sad. Instead, Nehemiah accepted the risk in sharing with the King his depression that might have caused his heart to ache and kept him up at night. He says, “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.” (Nehemiah 2:3). Nehemiah does not become overly dramatic, but also he does not understate the problem, either. He is authentic and real.
The King invites Nehemiah to share more; Nehemiah continues his ongoing prayer to God
“The King asks ‘how can I help you’” (Verse 4a). “With a prayer to the God of heaven, I replied” (Verse 4b). He had prayed for months, waiting for the opportunity to speak to the King. The opportunity came, and he was ready. Nehemiah had a plan God had given him. In this moment, he continued his prayers. Nehemiah realized this was God’s mission, and he wasn’t doing it alone. In that moment of prayer he was asking God to give him the right words to calm his anxious heart, for the King to be open and receptive, and for God’s vision to unfold in the way God had placed it in Nehemiah’s heart and mind. All of those requests are summed up in a simple three-word breath prayer: God help me!
Nehemiah responds to the King’s offer of help and makes additional requests agreed to by the King
“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’” (Verse 5). That is a succinct reply. Nehemiah didn’t unfold the entire plan all at once. God guides him to share it in digestible bites. First, he wants to go to Judah to rebuild. The King then asked, “How long will you be gone? When will you return” (Verse 6a)? “After I told him how long I would be gone, the king agreed to my request” (Verse 6b). That question encouraged and empowered Nehemiah; it suggested the King is considering being open to his request. Nehemiah has an answer ready and the King agrees. Nehemiah’s heart is now beating quickly not from fear, but from excitement that this is really happening. He then requests other written documentation from the King to help for any trouble he may face with a specific list: letters for safe travel protection by troops (Verse 7), and authorization to get supplies (Verse 8a).
Through this entire process Nehemiah is aware that God is at the helm of it all
Nehemiah says in verse 8b, “And the king granted these requests, because the gracious hand of God was on me.” Nehemiah knows all these blessings came from God. God had prepared him. God had provided for him. God had empowered him. Now Nehemiah was ready to go rebuild some walls!
What Nehemiah says to you and me and the walls God is asking us to rebuild today can be expressed as an equation: Vision +Risk + Courage= Rebuilding Kingdom Walls.
Rebuilding Walls Takes Seeking God’s Vision
As we see the broken walls around us through God’s eyes, we need to pray like Nehemiah and seek God’s vision. We need to see as God sees, and ask how God would have us respond. Nehemiah mourned, fasted, and prayed. After he first learned of the need to rebuild walls in Jerusalem, it was 3-5 months before he went to the king. Getting a vision can take time. We have to wait patiently for God’s vision. God’s timing is perfect, no matter how long it takes. Sometimes we have to wait until the vision becomes clear. We cannot jump ahead of God because God’s vision is the antidote for the hopelessness of broken walls in the broken world. Along the same lines, Helen Keller said, “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight and no vision.” One author said, “Dissatisfaction and discouragement are not caused by the absence of things but the absence of vision.”
When Jesus was on earth, his teachings, his miracles, his parables, his healings were all glimpses and manifestations of the Kingdom of God. Jesus was casting the vision for what the Kingdom of God is like. Sometimes when sharing a parable his exact words were “the Kingdom of God is like…” Kingdom vision is one of hope and restoration. Jesus came to repair broken walls that He demonstrated while on earth. In repairing broken walls of the fallen world, Jesus lifted spirits, generated hope, and embodied the loving God in tangible ways. The King James Version of Proverbs 19:18a makes this point very clear: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” As we consider broken walls God may be calling you to address, what vision may God be planting in your spirit?
For example, God birthed a vision ten years ago for ministry in Elmwood prison that has continued to this day. God gave a vision to talented author and member of our church, Jan Adkins, on the burdens of our sisters incarcerated at Elmwood Prison. It burned in her spirit; it caused ache in her heart; it kept her up at night as she listened for how God wanted her to respond. The ministry is repairing broken walls through connection, listening, serving, caring, praying, and sharing the love of Jesus.
God is a vision giver. Whether you are young or old, God is looking for people who are open to capture a vision to repair broken walls wherever those walls may be. Let’s view this video, “Youth Rebuilding Walls”
Perhaps only some of these youths are followers of Jesus. Jesus will use whoever is willing because every good gift comes from God, even when the gift giver does not know God. God is still in the business of repairing broken walls through people.
Rebuilding Walls Takes the Risk
Rebuilding Kingdom Walls is more than a vision. Action is required. As we rebuild walls for the Kingdom, we take a risk. God enjoys taking us out of our comfort zones, not because God is sadistic or likes to see us squirm. Rather God knows what God can do, wants to do, and is about to do if we take the risk as God leads and guides us.
Author Joel Barker said, “Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world.”
In our life journey that seems scary, we can meet God in fresh ways. We can deepen in our faith. God can teach us wisdom and discernment and grow us. We learn to be fully dependent on God. We learn that God can be trusted and that God is faithful.
Nehemiah took a risk when he approached the King. When Nehemiah looked sad, he risked being removed from the King’s court. Being sad in the presence of the King was typically not permitted.
Potential disappointment is part of taking a risk. Nehemiah also risked the King saying no to his request, dashing the hopes and dreams he thought God had given him to do. Sometimes what we think God is telling us does not happen the way we thought it would or bring the results we were expecting. We can feel disappointed or discouraged. We may find ourselves regretting we took the risk in the first place.
However, God does not waste anything. God is always doing more than we can see. God sees our heart; God is pleased that we try to be obedient even when we may not have made the right choice for the Kingdom of God. Just because we don’t see the results we expected to see, or our attempts to address a broken wall may be rejected, or our attempts have no impact at all that we can see does not mean God was not in it. Sometimes God uses those situations for our growth. Sometimes God uses those situations to set up something else God is doing. Sometimes God uses those situations to plant a seed in someone else that we may never see germinate. Nevertheless, as we tried to be obedient, we made a difference. Many times God is doing all these items. God is always at work in you and me. God also works in others we have touched whether we see it or not.
There are risks if we are going to respond to the brokenness of this world as Jesus’ hands and feet to rebuild broken walls for the Kingdom. We may stand up for injustice and be ostracized by colleagues or peers. We may offer financial support to help someone and discover we were used. We may extend ourselves to someone who is unhoused and experience ingratitude. We may seek to befriend someone and feel rebuffed and rejected. We may share an exciting vision that we are certain God has placed on our hearts and still be told no or denied. We must remember that Jesus also experienced all those things!
But the nature of a risk could also go the other way, just like it did for Nehemiah. The opportunity and door from the vision may open. Things may fall in place exactly as you prayed. Your efforts to repair where there’s brokenness may be well received. There could be: a relationship breakthrough, a response of gratitude and friendship, a step toward health and wholeness, a desire to hear more about Jesus. We have to take risks to follow where God is leading us and trust God’s leading.
Rebuilding Walls Takes Courage
Nehemiah wrote in his sadness, he was terrified. Risk can be scary, and fear can be debilitating. The lack of courage and fear can thwart, limit, stifle, and impede the very thing God is trying to do. The Bible, both Old and New Testament, instructs people to be courageous. For example, in Deuteronomy 31:6-7.Moses encourages the Israelites and Joshua to be strong and courageous, trusting that God will not fail or abandon them. In Joshua 1:6-9, God commands Joshua three times to "be strong and courageous" as he prepares to lead the Israelites. In 1 Chronicles 28:20, David advises Solomon to be strong and courageous as he prepares to build the temple.
We are cautious because we are afraid. The phrase “fear not” is in the bible at least 365 times. Oswald Sanders stated, “A great deal more failure is the result of an excess of caution than of bold experimentation with new ideas. The frontiers of the kingdom of God were never advanced by men and women of caution.” Courage in the face of risks applies to the assignments God gives to us to rebuild broken walls around us as God continues to invite us to trust God. God also empowers us with the Holy Spirit to be courageous, even if we are trembling in our boots. God goes before us and is present with us, just like God was with Nehemiah.
Thick faith in the Good News of the Gospel
The strength of a vision and the extent we are moved to face risk and be courageous is directly tied to what causes our heart to ache. We see as God sees the pain and brokenness around us and remember the Good News of Jesus to rebuild the rubble of the broken world. Then God stirs in us the strength and courage to take risk to live into the vision God has given us. It compels us into the action of doing! The world is suffering and in need of those who see what God sees. They are willing to rebuild walls with a thick faith because rebuilding Kingdom Walls is the Good News of Jesus. Let us view this video, “The Good Gospel”
God prepares us and equips and empowers us because our God is faithful. Because God is faithful, may we too be faithful in return.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS INCLUDING FAMILY GROUPS
Sermon Preamble
-To personalize the key question, what disturbs you with an aching heart with the affirmation that someone needs to do something and even keeps you up at night? What vision is God planting in your spirit?
Background context of Nehemiah Chapter 1
-Even though the Jews were legally freed from their exile in Babylon, in what ways were they still not truly free? What steps are necessary for an oppressed people to become truly free?
A sorrowful Nehemiah prays for God's vision and accepts the dangerous risk
-Imagine yourself in the scene as Nehemiah pouring the wine before King Artaxerxes. If you had a burden for your fellow Jewish people in Jerusalem, would you be able to only exhibit cheerfulness, not sadness, with those who you contact? If you feel obligated to present only cheer to your contacts, what physically for you reveals your sadness? What is the value in conveying honest sadness rather than universal cheerfulness?
Nehemiah took the dangerous risk in sharing his sadness that kept him up at night
-Why was it dangerous to Nehemiah to share his sadness from the burden for his fellow Jews? Are there dangers or risks for us today in sharing our sadness and burdens for the broken walls of the fallen world today?
The King invites Nehemiah to share more; Nehemiah continues his ongoing prayer to God
-If you were Nehemiah and had been praying and listening to God for the past several months, why would you pray again to God when King Artaxerxes needs an immediate response rather than rely on your prior prayers?
Nehemiah responds to the King’s offer of help and makes additional requests agreed to by the King
-Review the prior declaration of King Artaxerxes in Ezra 4:17-24 when the King compelled the Jews to stop their rebuilding in Jerusalem. Imagine your amazement when the same King who had previously ordered rebuilding by Jews to stop, now agrees to multiple requests from Nehemiah. When have you seen such a total change that must be a work of God on the hearts of others?
Through this entire process Nehemiah is aware that God is at the helm of it all.
-Why should we be aware just like Nehemiah that God is at the helm of the entire process?
Rebuilding Walls Takes Seeking God’s Vision
-Why must we patiently wait for God’s timing in receiving visions from God?
Rebuilding Walls Takes the Risk
-What risks will you face in rebuilding walls in the broken world that Jesus also faced?
Rebuilding Walls Takes Courage
-When we face risks, why does that often result in fear? How can we best follow the biblical instructions of courage for God’s Kingdom and not to fear others?
Sermon Resources
Recent
Archive
2024
January
February
March
April
2023
January
February
March
May
June
November
2022
April
May
Finding God in Our Feelings: Facing Shame (Lite)Finding God in our Feelings: Facing Shame (Expanded)Finding God In Our Feelings: Facing Grief (Expanded)Finding God in our Feelings: Facing Anger & What lies beneathFinding God in Our Feelings - Facing LonelinessFinding God in Our Feelings - Embracing JoyFinding God in Our Feelings - Embracing Joy (Lite)
June
July
Courageous Conversations - By the BookCourageous Conversations: Racial Reconciliation (Lite)Courageous Conversations - Racial Reconciliation- ExpandedCourageous Conversations - Dear God, Are you Pro-life or Pro-choice? (Expanded)Courageous Conversations - Love Comes First (Expanded)Courageous Conversations: Love Comes First (Lite)
September
October
November
No Comments