THE POWER OF COURAGE (2 OF 3)
by Craig Smith
Scripture: Nehemiah 2:1, Nehemiah 2:3-9
This content is part of a series.
The Power of Courage (2 of 3)
Series: Clean Slate
Craig Smith
Nehemiah 2:1-9
Big Idea: Courageous faith aligns us with God...and there is no better place to be.
I. Introduction
The power of fear...
So would you turn with me to Nehemiah chapter 2?
II. Main Body
A. Review
Nehemiah had heard about the desperate situation his people were facing back in Jerusalem and concern for them had taken over his life. Or, as we described the progression last week, Nehemiah's interest had deepened into concern which matured into a passion. And this was the way that Nehemiah came to understand what God wanted to do through him...and that same progression is often the way God reveals to each of us what he wants to do through us.
As we pick up the story in chapter two, Nehemiah is four months into this process. He's been mourning the situation, fasting as a way of committing himself fully to this passion that God has stirred up in him, and praying for wisdom. Now he's ready to act.
The four months that have passed since Nehemiah first started this journey of discovering God's will have accomplished two things.
1. First, it has allowed his concern to mature into a passion which will carry him through the difficulties he's going to face.
2. Second, this waiting period has given Nehemiah the chance to strategize his approach. He's not just leaping into things like a wild man. He's been praying for wisdom and thinking through his approach. We see evidence of this right at the very beginning of chapter two:
B. Text
1. Timing
In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. (Neh 2:1a)
On the surface, this might sound like it was a day like any other and Nehemiah was just doing his normal job of testing the wine for poison and quality and then taking it to the king. But if we look a little closer, we'll see a slightly odd phrase. The NIV translates it '' ...
Series: Clean Slate
Craig Smith
Nehemiah 2:1-9
Big Idea: Courageous faith aligns us with God...and there is no better place to be.
I. Introduction
The power of fear...
So would you turn with me to Nehemiah chapter 2?
II. Main Body
A. Review
Nehemiah had heard about the desperate situation his people were facing back in Jerusalem and concern for them had taken over his life. Or, as we described the progression last week, Nehemiah's interest had deepened into concern which matured into a passion. And this was the way that Nehemiah came to understand what God wanted to do through him...and that same progression is often the way God reveals to each of us what he wants to do through us.
As we pick up the story in chapter two, Nehemiah is four months into this process. He's been mourning the situation, fasting as a way of committing himself fully to this passion that God has stirred up in him, and praying for wisdom. Now he's ready to act.
The four months that have passed since Nehemiah first started this journey of discovering God's will have accomplished two things.
1. First, it has allowed his concern to mature into a passion which will carry him through the difficulties he's going to face.
2. Second, this waiting period has given Nehemiah the chance to strategize his approach. He's not just leaping into things like a wild man. He's been praying for wisdom and thinking through his approach. We see evidence of this right at the very beginning of chapter two:
B. Text
1. Timing
In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. (Neh 2:1a)
On the surface, this might sound like it was a day like any other and Nehemiah was just doing his normal job of testing the wine for poison and quality and then taking it to the king. But if we look a little closer, we'll see a slightly odd phrase. The NIV translates it '' ...
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