WHAT WOULD YOU REQUEST? (3 OF 21)
by Mike Stone
Scripture: Nehemiah 2:1-8
This content is part of a series.
What Would You Request? (3 of 21)
Series: Rebuilding - Questions From Nehemiah
Mike Stone
Nehemiah 2:1-8
This past weekend we celebrated our youngest child's birthday. Each year, we ask our kids what they want for their birthday. For a moment this morning, imagine your Heavenly Father asking the same question of you. ''What is something you'd like Me to give you or do for you?''
At least 3x in his earthly ministry, Jesus asked, ''What do you want Me to do for you?'' Well, here, that question comes, not from King Jesus but from King Artexerxes. And the response of Nehemiah presents a question for us.
What would you request?
I heard about a college student taking his first exam. He was so nervous and he prayed the whole time for the Lord to help him get the right answers. At the end of the class, the teacher asked them to sign a pledge that they had not received any outside help. The young man was hesitant because he had asked the Lord for help.
Upon telling the professor, the prof quickly glanced over the exam and returned it to the student. ''You may sign that paper with a clear conscience. God obviously did not answer your prayer for help.''
Well, Nehemiah asked for help and God clearly heard and answered his prayer. As we examine his prayer and the response the Lord grants through the pagan king, we come face to face with this reality: the thing we would request reveals the priorities of our life.
Let's listen in on Nehemiah's request. Let's watch the Lord grant it. Then let's ask ourselves what our request would be in that situation.
The burden on his mind (1-3)
Jesus said the mouth speaks as an overflow of the heart. And Nehemiah says what he says because he felt what he felt. When I see the condition of our world, sometimes I get mad. Sometimes I get disgusted. But when I am filled with the Spirit, I just get grieved and burdened.
Nehemiah would be burdened:
If baptisms were down.
If attendance was down.
If his Sunday Sch ...
Series: Rebuilding - Questions From Nehemiah
Mike Stone
Nehemiah 2:1-8
This past weekend we celebrated our youngest child's birthday. Each year, we ask our kids what they want for their birthday. For a moment this morning, imagine your Heavenly Father asking the same question of you. ''What is something you'd like Me to give you or do for you?''
At least 3x in his earthly ministry, Jesus asked, ''What do you want Me to do for you?'' Well, here, that question comes, not from King Jesus but from King Artexerxes. And the response of Nehemiah presents a question for us.
What would you request?
I heard about a college student taking his first exam. He was so nervous and he prayed the whole time for the Lord to help him get the right answers. At the end of the class, the teacher asked them to sign a pledge that they had not received any outside help. The young man was hesitant because he had asked the Lord for help.
Upon telling the professor, the prof quickly glanced over the exam and returned it to the student. ''You may sign that paper with a clear conscience. God obviously did not answer your prayer for help.''
Well, Nehemiah asked for help and God clearly heard and answered his prayer. As we examine his prayer and the response the Lord grants through the pagan king, we come face to face with this reality: the thing we would request reveals the priorities of our life.
Let's listen in on Nehemiah's request. Let's watch the Lord grant it. Then let's ask ourselves what our request would be in that situation.
The burden on his mind (1-3)
Jesus said the mouth speaks as an overflow of the heart. And Nehemiah says what he says because he felt what he felt. When I see the condition of our world, sometimes I get mad. Sometimes I get disgusted. But when I am filled with the Spirit, I just get grieved and burdened.
Nehemiah would be burdened:
If baptisms were down.
If attendance was down.
If his Sunday Sch ...
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