RECAP:
Week 1: A VISION is a mental picture of what COULD be fueled with the Spirit-ordained conviction that it SHOULD be.
Week 2: A VISION is birthed from a HOLY DISCONTENT about something on Earth that does not reflect Heaven.
Today we will learn about the power of UNITY when we all work together toward God’s vision.
Background:
- Jerusalem and the Temple destroyed by Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar 586 BC (Iraq)
- Persian King Cyrus’ Decree 538 BC (Iran) Go home!
After God tells you WHAT to do He then shows you HOW to do it.
A “good thing” is something people do in the Name of God, but in reality it is not God’s will. (Going to church out of religious obligation, etc.)
A “God Thing” is what God is actually doing.
A good thing is a nice Christian thing you do but you don’t need the power of the Holy Spirit.
A God Thing can only be accomplished in the power, wisdom, and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
When God reveals WHAT His vision is for you, it will be over your head.
- Build me an Ark
- Bring My people out of slavery in Egypt.
- Take them across the Red Sea
- Evangelize the world
- Cause people to grow Spiritually–make your kid a Christian
- Heal the sick
ALL IMPOSSIBLE in the power of the flesh.
Nehemiah’s “WHAT” was to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. Impossible!
- No authority
- No resources
- No manpower
So Nehemiah does the smart thing – He asks GOD.
So after we discover WHAT God wants us to do, the next thing is to ask Him HOW He intends to do it.
Write in your notes…
1. WHAT GOD ORIGINATES, GOD ORCHESTRATES.
Nehemiah knew that if this was going to work out, God had to orchestrate it.
He was usually very cheerful in the king’s presence, but today he looked solemn.
This provoked a question: “Nehemiah, why the long face?”
Now he gets to speak!!! And he explains everything.
“The city of my people lies in ruin. Its gates are burned with fire. My people are in distress.”
The KING asks, “How can I help you?”
Remember: Cupbearer! Nehemiah protects the King from poisoning. One of the most trusted servants in the Persian Court. Like King Artaxerxes’ “Secret Service.”
God opened this door for Nehemiah!
Well…since you asked…
Here’s what Nehemiah (by faith) asked King Artaxerxes
- Send me to Jerusalem to rebuild the city and its walls, I’ll be back by this date (2:5-6) In other words, you’ll need to appoint me mayor of Jerusalem. Check!
- Letters of safe passage written to all the governors of the region I will need to pass through (2:7) Check! Complete with royal guards and horsemen. Check!
- A letter to Asaph the king’s forest ranger for permission to harvest all the wood we need to rebuild the city and its walls. Check!
Nehemiah had been fasting and praying. Downloads! Thought this through with God very carefully.
We had a very important staff retreat this past weekend – I fasted and prayed the week leading up to it. Turned out to be the best staff retreat we ever had.
Aren’t you in a season of fasting and praying? Are you doing it?
“And because the gracious hand of my God was on me, the king granted my requests” (Nehemiah 2:8 NIV).
A God-Vision will be over your head.
If it originates with God then God will orchestrate its success.
2. WHEN GOD ORCHESTRATES HE CALLS THE ORCHESTRA.
“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 2:18 NLT).
The people heard what God was doing through Nehemiah and got on board.
They were highly motivated because guess what Nehemiah assigned each family to do?
Build the section of wall adjacent to their home!
(Illustration for Mililani Campus)
I recommend each Campus share the impossible God Thing vision for its community
Our church was given an impossible vision about 15 years ago: Build a church facility here in Mililani Mauka.
- No authority
- No resources to do this
- No manpower
NHCO building project:
- Miracle free property. Check!
- Supernatural design (biofiltration system). Check!
- DPP’s Conditional Use Permit of a design never tried on Oahu. Check!
- Financing from First Hawaiian. Check!
- Move to Mililani Ike. Check!
Are we there yet? No, but God’s supernatural hand is on us!
When God orchestrates He calls the orchestra.
So what do we do?
Write in your notes…
3. UNITE OUR GIFTS AS ONE.
4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:4-6 ESV).
Circle the word one every time you see it–7X. Perfect oneness!
Like Nehemiah we cannot do a GOD THING alone. We will need ALL of us!
Especially Mililani – because you are building this facility by your home.
We need to UNITE.
“A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other” (1 Corinthians 12:7 NLT).
Each of us has a part to play.
So how long did it take the people to build the wall? 52 days.
AMAZING!!!
Never forget:
- What God originates, He orchestrates
- When God orchestrates He calls together the orchestra!
- Now let’s UNITE our gifts as ONE to fulfill God’s vision for us.
Next week: Having an unprotected, exposed Jerusalem was good for the neighboring cities. Jerusalem was not a threat! But soon people realized that a “walled” Jerusalem could become a fortress, perhaps even a threat. And so Sanballat, Tobias, and Geshem opposed the building of the wall.
What do we do when opposition comes? We’ll find out next week.
Ministry Fair.
Questions for Meditation & Discussion
1. How would you summarize the main point of this message?
2. What is God’s vision for your life? For your Church?
3. If you know what God wants you to, how will you do it?
4. How did God orchestrate His vision for Nehemiah?
5. How is God orchestrating His vision for you and your Church?
6. Why do we need to unite around God’s vision?
7. How will you respond in obedience to what God is saying to you today?
