October 19, 2014 | Pat Schultz
Passage: Nehemiah 2:16-20
Nehemiah
A Short History of Israel…
How does a hero become a hero?
1. A Hero develops God’s heart. (Neh. 1)
- Nehemiah was fueled by love. (Neh. 1:4)
- Nehemiah was empowered by God’s Word. (Neh. 1:8-11 = Deut. 30)
2. A Hero develops “faith in action.” (Neh. 2)
“I will show you my faith THROUGH my actions.” James 2:18
- Nehemiah conquered his fears with God-given vision. (Neh. 2:1-5)
- Nehemiah had a strategy. (Neh. 2:14-15)
- Nehemiah built a team. (Neh. 2:17-18)
3. A Hero develops perseverance. (Neh. 4 & 6)
- Nehemiah learned that adversity is inevitable. (Neh. 4:1-3)
- John 16:33 - “you will have many trials and sorrows.”
- Nehemiah learned that perseverance is built over time. (Neh. 6:1-3)
- Gal. 6:9-10 - “if you don’t give up.”
- Nehemiah learned that perseverance is the road to glory. (Neh. 6:15-16)
- 1 Cor. 15:58 – “because you know your labor is not in vain”
What can God do through a person who develops God’s heart and perseveres in acting on it?
What can God do through a spiritual family of people who develop God’s heart and persevere in acting on it?