Crossing the Bridge… …bringing others with us!

As we come together this weekend for our last message in this series on Building a Firm Foundation for an Uncertain Future we come to the place where we actually have to launch out and go over the bridge… enter into the mission field… walk out the door!

This is where we really begin to experience the fullness of incarnational living and it is where our faith comes together into something that is real and life changing. You are invited to prepare for this special weekend by watching the video, reading the Scripture passage and thinking through the questions below.

I look forward to being with you this weekend.

Scripture Reading:

Nehemiah 2:16-18

¹⁶ 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.

Nehemiah 5:16

¹⁶ I also devoted myself to working on the wall and refused to acquire any land. And I required all my servants to spend time working on the wall. 

Reflection Questions:

• After arriving in Jerusalem what does Nehemiah do with the city officials to start the process of rebuilding the wall of the city?
• What is the officials response to Nehemiah’s invitation to rebuild the walls?
• What does the verse from chapter 5 tell us about Nehemiah’s commitment to the process of rebuilding the walls?

Working the Creators Plan

You are invited to watch the video, read the Scripture and reflect on the following questions for this weekends worship service. 

Scripture Reading: (Nehemiah 2:1-8, NLT)

“Nehemiah 2:1   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.

Nehemiah 2:2 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 2:3 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.”

Nehemiah 2:4 The king asked, “Well, how can I help you?” With a prayer to the God of heaven, Nehemiah 2:5 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.”

Nehemiah 2:6 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 2:7 I also said to the king, “If it please the king, let me have letters addressed to the governors of the province west of the Euphrates River, instructing them to let me travel safely through their territories on my way to Judah. Nehemiah 2:8 And please give me a letter addressed to Asaph, the manager of the king’s forest, instructing him to give me timber. I will need it to make beams for the gates of the Temple fortress, for the city walls, and for a house for myself.” And the king granted these requests, because the gracious hand of God was on me.”

Reflection Questions:

1. Why do you think Nehemiah asked the King permission to go to Jerusalem?
2. Compare this to a time in your life where you felt called to do something and had to step out in faith. What obstacles were in your path to move into action?
3. What was the opposition that Nehemiah experienced in living out his call?

Focusing Our Vision

As you prepare for our worship I encourage you to watch the video, read the Scripture and reflect on the three questions.

Scripture Reading:

“Nehemiah 1:4   When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.

Nehemiah 1:5 Then I said, “O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands,

Nehemiah 1:6 listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel. I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned!

Nehemiah 1:7 We have sinned terribly by not obeying the commands, decrees, and regulations that you gave us through your servant Moses.

Nehemiah 1:8 “Please remember what you told your servant Moses: ‘If you are unfaithful to me, I will scatter you among the nations.

Nehemiah 1:9 But if you return to me and obey my commands and live by them, then even if you are exiled to the ends of the earth, I will bring you back to the place I have chosen for my name to be honored.’

Nehemiah 1:10 “The people you rescued by your great power and strong hand are your servants.

Nehemiah 1:11 O Lord, please hear my prayer! Listen to the prayers of those of us who delight in honoring you. Please grant me success today by making the king favorable to me. Put it into his heart to be kind to me.”” (Nehemiah 1:4–11 NLT-SE)

“Nehemiah 2:11   So I arrived in Jerusalem. Three days later, Nehemiah 2:12 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. Nehemiah 2:13 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. Nehemiah 2:14 Then I went to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but my donkey couldn’t get through the rubble. Nehemiah 2:15 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.” (Nehemiah 2:11–15 NLT-SE)

Reflection Questions:

1. What is Nehemiah’s response to what he had heard from his friends (versus 1:4-11)?
2. What is the significance of what Nehemiah does when he gets to Jerusalem (Verses 2:11-15)?
3. How can we live a focused life in today's world?