Hearing about it from a distance, Nehemiah now sees firsthand what is going on. From that point he urges action: rebuilding. (Nehemiah 2:11-18)
SERMON OUTLINE
Called to Be Builders
- Mark 16:15
Nehemiah’s Process
- Nehemiah Prayed and Prepared (v. 11)
- Did not rush in, but waited
- Solidified his motivation: “what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem”
- Nehemiah Investigated the Situation Personally and Privately (v. 12-16)
- Inspected – medical term — probing the wound to see the extent of the injury
- “Good work is likely to be well done when it is first well considered.”
- Nehemiah Defined the Problem Accurately (v. 17)
- Includes himself in the problem and the solution — “we…us…we”
- Identifies the consequences of not rebuilding — disgrace for God‘s people
- Nehemiah Pointed them to the Power and Provision (v. 18) of God
Live It Out
- Pray for God to Reveal the Need
- Psalm 139:23-24
- See with God’s Eyes the Reality of the Solution
- Luke 14:28-30
- Romans 12:2
- Trust God‘s Promises and Start the Work
- Personal Work: Ephesians 4:22-24
- Community Work: Isaiah 1:16-17
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Open Up
- Have you ever walked through the aftermath of a disaster (fire, tornado, hurricane, flood, etc.)? What was it like to witness the wreckage? What stood out most to you about that experience?
- Have you ever undertaken a restoration project of some kind? What was involved? What was the finished project like?
Dig In
- What do you think Nehemiah did during his first three days in Jerusalem?
- Why do you think he said nothing to any of those who would be part of the work until after he did his inspection?
- What stands out to you about Nehemiah’s inspection?
- Why do you think he inspected the walls at night?
- What does it mean to you that he had to dismount his donkey at one point?
- Nehemiah makes several points to rally the troops into rebuilding — which do you feel was the most convincing?
- When you think of God’s Good News being both for this life and the life to come, what questions does that raise for you?
- How have you experienced the “Good News” of God in your life at this point?
Live it Out
- Where do you most see the need for God’s kingdom to be rebuilt in your life, family or community at this point? How will you respond to this need?
- What are the stories or needs around that tug at your heart, or where you do look in your community or country and want to weep?
- What keeps you from responding to those situations? How can you pray for them and specifically for God to help you see how you can bring His Good News to bear in those situations?
- Who can you enlist to help you fulfill God’s promises to transform that broken space?