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Broken Walls, Broken Dreams

Broken Walls, Broken Dreams

Series in Nehemiah.  1st in the series.

As presented by Rev. Jonathan Mills, Pastor at Kanata Baptist Church.  


2009-09-06

Subject:

Introduction

I Wouldn't Start from Here
A couple driving in Newfoundland get lost.
They see an elderly local man walking along the side of the road, so they decide to stop and ask for directions.
“Saint John's?” he says. “Well, just carry in the way you're goin' up to Paul's house – the big pink place on the left, you can't miss it. Turn left and go up the road to the fork and …” his voice trailed away.
“No, no, on second thought, turn around and head back the other way until you see the stop sign. Turn right and go across the bog until you can see the hills rise up on the other side, and … “
His voice trailed off again, lost in through.
Then, finally, he said: “You know what, if I were going to St. John's, I wouldn't start from here!”

1) Nehemiah: Discontent with Personal Success

September: A fresh start
Here we are on the threshold of a new season. Question is: can you see the way to where you're going?  Whether you've already started back ... or are about to start back to work, school, or whatever the Fall has in store for you ... some of you will undoubtedly be thinking there's got to be a better place to start than this.
People tend to make new year's resolutions on December 31st,  but now is the time when most or our crucial decisions and commitments are made for the coming year.
For most of us, our date books are pretty empty in August … but by the middle of September they look like it's some kind of mental exercise for squeezing more words into a space that keeps getting smaller and smaller and smaller.
So, as we stand on the verge of another new season—which for most of us will wind up being insanely busy, with an almost frenetic pace, this morning we're going to consider Nehemiah. Because he was a man who kept his eye on the ball, followed God's leading in his life, and set in motion a course of events which changed history.

Nehemiah: Introducing the Royal Cupbearer
 In fact, today is the first in a series of sermons this fall as we study the Old Testament book of Nehemiah. If your small group is interested in following the series, you can use Max Lucado's study guide.
 Verse 11 of chapter 1 says that he was the Cupbearer for King Artaxerxes. This picture is a relief of King Artaxerxes—from as relief in the British Museum.
At first, the job description of a Cupbearer may seem somewhat thin—like it's a pretty lowly position, however, it was actually a very significant position in the Royal court in that historical time frame (465-424 B.C.).
Archaeologists and historians have have pieced together the following details from various historical sources. A cupbearer:
 - was well trained in court etiquette.
 - was probably handsome
 - would know which wines to serve the king
 - would have to be an engaging and upbeat companion willing to lend an ear at all times.
 - would have great influence as one with the closest access to the King.
 - Above all, he was one who enjoyed the confidence of the King. In Nehemiah's case, King Artaxerxes's father had been murdered in his bed-chamber by a courtier, so he knew that mis-placed trust could turn out to be deadly.1
So, don't let the title “Cupbearer” prevent you from seeing the place of prominence held by Nehemiah. He lived in the King's palace, he was the King's trusted companion, and he was one of the highest ranking officials in the kingdom.

Nehemiah: Deeply Moved by Fate of Jerusalem
 So here he is: Wealthy, powerful, influential. Everything seemed to be going very smoothly for Nehemiah when something happened that shook him deeply.
His brother Hanani (vs. 2) came back from a trip which led him through the province of Judah. He asked him what the news was, and the report was not good.
 (vs. 3) They said to me, "Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire."
Nehemiah was devastated. He couldn't bear to think of Jerusalem in ruins.
 (vs. 4) When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.
2) Nehemiah's Prayer
Now, why would Nehemiah be so upset that Jerusalem was in ruins? It had been destroyed more than a century earlier.
History: Babylonian Defeat
 Now, in order to make sure we all understand the context of Nehemiah, I would like to do a very quick recap of the major events of the Old Testament.
God called Abraham: Blessed him and his descendants. Good.
Joseph ended up in Egypt, Court official. Good.
Family moves to Egypt. Good.
Eventually, they become slaves in Egypt. Bad.
Moses leads them out of slavery. Good.
The enter the Promised Land. Good.
Israelites complain. They want a King. God gives them a King. Saul. Bad.
God replaces Saul with David. Very Good!
David sins. Bad.
David's son, Solomon, is very wise. Good.
Marries a lot of women. Some bring idolatry into Kingdom. Bad.
Many more Kings. Some Good, some Bad.
 Eventually, the people turn their back on God. First Assyria conquers the nation of Isreal in the North. Then, Babylon conquers the Southern Kingdom of Judah. 586 BC. Jerusalem falls. Nebuchadnezzar leads many Jews away into captivity in Babylon.
All this happened about 140 years before Nehemiah became the cupbearer in the court of King Artaxexes in the city of Susa, more than 1000 miles away from Jerusalem.

Scattering and Gathering
So, Nehemiah, deeply moved by the devastation of Jerusalem, begins to pray.
This prayer is very important in helping us learn about Nehemiah. It is immediately clear that he was extremely well versed in the Jewish books of scripture. In his prayer, he talks about the Scattering and the Gathering of God's people.
 8 "Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, 'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, 9 but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.'
Nehemiah knows that Jerusalem fell because the people sinned against God. The frightful condition of the city—and the continuing Jewish captivity—are both indications that they are still distant from God.  
He knows that God will one day gather his people from their captivity … but will not happen until they repent and return to Him in faithful obedience.
And so, he does the right thing. He begins by humbly confessing his sin before God.
 6b. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my ancestral family, have committed against you. 7 We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.
This tells us a lot about the character of Nehemiah. Not only did he confess his own sin, but he also accepted responsibility for the sins of his ancestors.
 Clearly, his great wealth, power and influence have not corrupted him. Despite living in close proximity to a pagan King, he has remained a man of diligent faith, giving careful attention to the Scriptures.
Finally, Nehemiah Prays for Success …
Nehemiah's prayer is a wonderful model for a Biblical prayer. He begins with worship; He then moves into confession of sin; then to an acknowledgement of an important teaching from God's Word; and finally, to a personal request.  
Here's where it gets interesting …
 11 Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man."
On its own, this doesn't sound like a big deal: “please grant me success when I am in the presence of this man.”
But then … suddenly it all comes clear:
He's going to go talk to the King.
He is going to ask if he can go and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

 This is stunning.
This is big. It's bigger than big. It's huge.
This is … a BHAG.

 Has anyone ready Jim Collins?  A BHAG – a Big Hairy Audacious Goal. Not a safe, achievable goal, but something that is so big and audacious that you have to step back and ask; is it even remotely possible?
While a BHAG may at first appear terrifying, it can be incredibly powerful, because it energizes and motivates and drives you to achieve more than you ever thought possible.
And when your BHAG is grounded in Scripture, and intended to fulfill God's will and purpose for your life … then you can be certain that you are on the verge of something really amazing.
 J. Hudson Taylor, the missionary to China who overcame unbelievable challenges, once wrote:
  “I have found there are three stages to every great work of God: first it is impossible, then it is difficult, then it is done.”
3) Hearing God's Call
Reading Between the Lines
 There is something in this first chapter of Nehemiah that is really very important. It has to do with how people hear God's call?
To a certain extent we have to read between the lines.
There is no voice from heaven: "Nehemiah, I am calling you to go and rebuild the city walls in Jerusalem."
And yet, somewhere in here, Nehemiah discerned a call on his life that was so significant that he was willing to risk everything to carry it out.
I think it is most likely in the tears. He really shouldn't have been surprised that Jerusalem was in ruins—but clearly, the news from Judah causes him to weep uncontrollably. For days on end, he fasts and prays … day and night.
By the time he prays this prayer, recorded in the first chapter, you can tell that his mind is made up ... his bags are already packed … he's going!!  He has identified his BHAG, and he's not prepared to let anything stand in his way.

Leadings: Paula Harris

I'm happy to report, God is still prompting people to take on significant personal goals today ... and I can tell you it's very exciting when it happens.
For example, a few years ago, Paula Harris approached me and said that she felt that God wanted her to be a small group leader, but she didn't think she could do it.
[Yes, I have asked her permission to tell this story]
I gave her a book to read about being a small group leader. She was certain that it would list a bunch of characteristics that a successful small group leader needs, and that she would not have any of them ... and that would be the end of it.
It didn't work out that way.
Everything in the book was completely doable. It took the burden off of her shoulders, and reminded her it's about God at work in His people when they meet together for Bible study and prayer.
Then she said: Well, what about my husband. He's not really into this church thing and I don't know how he will respond to a bunch of Christian women invading our house each week.
She decided to go out on a limb, in faith, and talk to Paul about it. She was pretty sure he'd say no. In fact, He said he thought it would be a great idea. She just about passed out.
The next thing she knows, everything is changing: Paul's down there finishing the basement!! The long neglected project suddenly gets done. He cleaned up the office. He's not walking around the house in his underwear any more. (I just made up that last part)
In fact, a couple weeks in, while the women were having their Bible study, he ran out to Dairy Queen and picked up a box of Dilly Bars for everyone!!
Dilly Bars!! what's with that?!!
Now everyone wants to join Paula's group!!
It all started with a leading. A prompting from God. She couldn't escape the feeling inside that God wanted her to do this one thing.
Is God Leading You?
As a new season of life begins, I want to encourage you to make sure you follow the leading of God. He may be urging you to take on something important—something significant. Maybe even something impossible.
Go for it! There is no more exciting, rewarding or important priority for you than to seek God … and obey.
Know Exactly What You Mean: Now, some of you are sitting there thinking: “I know exactly what you're talking about.”
Some of you have prayerfully asked God for direction and you've been led into a very specific area of service. Some have such a clear sense that you might even describe it as a personal calling.
That's great. Having that clarity is excellent.
It's not always easy to follow through ... but at least you know what it is that you believe God is calling you to.
Not Sure Where to Serve: Others, well, you may not have the same sense of clarity. Perhaps you are willing to serve, but you're just not sure where, or how.
Let me encourage you to broaden your horizons when it comes to listening for God's leading. You don't have to wait for an audible voice in order to sense the clear call of God on your life. Pay attention to the way you respond to the world around you.
Pray. Then ask: "what stirs me to great passion?" what makes you angry? What makes you sad? What makes you want to just … start doing something!
You may already know … you just don't know yet.
Not There Yet: Or, maybe you are just not there in your life yet. Maybe you just haven't quite got the whole “faith thing” worked out yet. If that describes you, then let me encourage you to ask God for the first, and greatest prompting of all: it is the prompting of the Holy Spirit who invites you to enter into a relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ.
If that's you; let me challenge you to begin by honestly asking God today – to reveal himself to you. Jesus promised: those who seek, will find …

Conclusion

 You've probably heard the saying of the Chinese philosopher, Lao-tzu: "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
There is great truth in these words.
 But as children of the Living God, we might want to modify the saying slightly: "a journey of a thousand miles in the service of God, begins with a simple prayer."


Whatever lies ahead for you—whatever it is that God has prompted you to do for Him—we can all begin that journey with a simple prayer. By bowing our heads and hearts before the Lord, and humbly offering to Him our heartfelt adoration ... our sincere repentance … and our earnest desire to follow where He leads … no matter how audacious it may seem!