This weekend in our current sermon series, I Was Made for This, we continued with Nehemiah's story. Nehemiah was the cupbearer to the king of Persia when God gave him a divine burden: to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. In an act of courage and obedience, Nehemiah acted on that burden, returning to Jerusalem. He could not act on this burden alone. He needed assistance. In our study today, we will see how he called the leaders together and encouraged them to stop settling for ordinary and choose extraordinary, rebuilding Jerusalem's walls, which lay in ruins.
Explain the difference between ordinary and extraordinary.
1. Read Nehemiah 2:11-15. Describe the state of Jerusalem as Nehemiah inspected it.
Nehemiah 2:11-15
So I arrived in Jerusalem. Three days later, 12 I slipped out during the night, taking only a few others with me. I had not told anyone about the plans God had put in my heart for Jerusalem. We took no pack animals with us except the donkey I was riding. 13 After dark I went out through the Valley Gate, past the Jackal’s Well, and over to the Dung Gate to inspect the broken walls and burned gates. 14 Then I went to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but my donkey couldn’t get through the rubble. 15 So, though it was still dark, I went up the Kidron Valley instead, inspecting the wall before I turned back and entered again at the Valley Gate.
2. Read Nehemiah 2:16-20. Summarize Nehemiah’s message to the Jewish leaders in this passage of Scripture.
Nehemiah 2:16-20
The city officials did not know I had been out there or what I was doing, for I had not yet said anything to anyone about my plans. I had not yet spoken to the Jewish leaders—the priests, the nobles, the officials, or anyone else in the administration. 17 But now I said to them, “You know very well what trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire. Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and end this disgrace!” 18 Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me, and about my conversation with the king.
They replied at once, “Yes, let’s rebuild the wall!” So they began the good work. 19 But when Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem the Arab heard of our plan, they scoffed contemptuously. “What are you doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” they asked. 20 I replied, “The God of heaven will help us succeed. We, his servants, will start rebuilding this wall. But you have no share, legal right, or historic claim in Jerusalem.”
3. Compare Nehemiah’s response to the situation in Jerusalem with that of the leaders in Jerusalem before Nehemiah's call for them to help rebuild the walls.
4. Why did Nehemiah have confidence in the tasks that lay ahead of him and his fellow Jewish leaders?
1. What causes people to become numb to the problems and needs around them instead of choosing to make an impact?
2. What are you allowing to continue in your life that you know needs to change, but you have been putting off?
3. What is the next step that God would have you take in becoming the person that God wants you to become?
Make a list of the things in your life that are worth dying for. These are things that are worthy of our time, energy, and resources that will last forever. After making your list, share some of the things you wrote. Commit as a group to live in such a way that you boldly work hard to see the passion and the vision that God has given each of you become a reality.
Sometimes, when it comes to the divine burdens God places on our hearts, we need encouragement. We need to be encouraged to let go of complacency and get to work. Today, let's turn to Scripture to see how it encourages us to let go of complacency and set out to address the burdens God has placed on our hearts.
When we feel discouraged or the task at hand seems too large, we need encouragement to persevere. We need a reminder to keep following Christ and to do something about the burdens God has placed on our hearts. This call to persevere is a call to come out of complacency and boldly act on the burdens God places on our hearts.
1. Read Philippians 3:12-14.
Philippians 3:12-14
I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
2. What does it look like to persevere, according to this passage of Scripture?
3. What should be our focus as we set out to act on the divine burdens God has given us according to this passage of Scripture?
4. How does focusing on “the heavenly prize” encourage us to persevere?
As we become complacent and tired, we may be tempted to give half our effort, settling for second best instead of our best. In these moments, what we need is the reminder that God calls His followers to give their very best, especially when it comes to the divine burdens He has placed on our hearts.
1. Read Colossians 3:23.
Colossians 3:23
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
2. Summarize Paul’s message in this passage of Scripture.
3. Why are we called to give our best, according to this passage of Scripture?
4. How does this truth from Scripture impact how you set out to act on the divine burden God has given you?
When it comes to our divine burdens, we may be tempted to believe that everything depends on us. This belief leaves us feeling overwhelmed and frozen in fear. It causes us to live complacently, lacking the courage to address the burdens God has given us. Scripture teaches that we do not have to operate under this false mindset. We are not alone in the divine burdens God has given us. As a result, we can trust God with the results when we set out to have an impact on Him and His kingdom, and when we act on our divine burdens.
1. Read Ephesians 3:20.
Ephesians 3:20
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
2. What do we learn about God’s power in this passage of Scripture?
3. How have you experienced this truth from Scripture in your own life?
4. How does the truth from this Scripture refute the false belief that we are not left on our own devices when it comes to acting against the divine burdens God has given us?
Take some time to reflect on your Scripture reading. Answer the questions below.
1. Which of the three truths from Scripture particularly encourages you? Why?
2. How does the truth you shared give you boldness and confidence as you set out to do something about the divine burden God has placed on your heart?
End your time praying. Pray for boldness and courage to step out of the sidelines and do something about the burdens God has given us.
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