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MY NOTES
Project 320: Called to Greatness
Ephesians 3:20-21
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.Nehemiah 1:2-4
Hanani, one of my brothers, came to visit me with some other men who had just arrived from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had returned there from captivity and about how things were going in Jerusalem. They said to me, “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.” When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.
“Send Me”
- Nehemiah 2:1-5
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. I had not been sad in his presence before, so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.” I was very much afraid, but I said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” The king said to me, “What is it you want?” Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.”
Nehemiah has sat down and mourned, knelt down and prayed, but now he stands up to serve.
- Nehemiah 4:7-9
But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the work was going ahead and that the gaps in the wall of Jerusalem were being repaired, they were furious. They all made plans to come and fight against Jerusalem and throw us into confusion. But we prayed to our God and guarded the city day and night to protect ourselves.
“We prayed and guarded…”
Divine Partnership: We should pray like it depends on God, and serve and give and go and guard like it depends on us.
- Nehemiah 4:14
Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!”
Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people…
God is a gatherer and a unifier. Satan is an accuser, divider and destroyer of relationship.
Promises of Unity - Provision, Power & Potential
MY NOTES
Power
Acts 1:14
These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.Acts 2:1
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
Provision (Blessing)
- Psalms 133:1-3
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the Lord commanded the blessing— Life forevermore.
Potential (Unlimited Potential!)
Genesis 11:1
At one time all the people of the world spoke the same language and used the same words.Genesis 11:4
NIV - Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”Genesis 11:4
NLT - Then they said, “Come, let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world.”Genesis 11:6
NIV - The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.Genesis 11:6
NLT - “Look!” he said. “The people are united, and they all speak the same language. After this, nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them!
MY NOTES
The principle of unity is so powerful that people unified around an ungodly cause can actually advance their cause.
Where there is unity there is provision, power, and potential. Why?
Unity attracts the presence of God because it requires people to put and keep God first in the midst of our opinions and preferences. It must be sought for and fought for.
- Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
In God’s kingdom we labor to enter into rest, we give to receive, we die to ourselves to really live, and we fight to create and protect unity and peace.
Unity never occurs by accident. It is the result of determination dedication and intention.
- Ephesians 4:1-7
Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all. However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ.
1) God has a way of calling us to do things for Him that require us to desperately depend upon Him.
2) “Make every effort to keep yourselves united.”
3) Fill the gap with trust. Give one another the benefit of the doubt.
- Revelation 12:10
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.
MY NOTES
If we understand that Satan is constantly trying to divide us, be more suspicious of him than your brothers and sisters in Christ.
2 Corinthians 2:11
in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.Ephesians 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.James 3:16
For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.Luke 17:1
Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!
The Process of Strife and Offense
Irritation, Hurt, or Disappointment (Expectations are often premeditated disappointments.)
Meditation about the disappointment or irritation.
- Proverbs 17:9
Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.
Separation (Emotionally or physically)
Isolation (Broken relationships, separation, divorce)
Opposition
MY NOTES
Practical ways to help establish and guard unity:
Build each other up.
- Ephesians 4:29
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Refuse to participate in gossip.
Psalms 15:1-3
Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends.Proverbs 26:20
Fire goes out without wood, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.1 Thessalonians 4:11
and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you,Matthew 18:15
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.
MY NOTES
Create an atmosphere of Grace
- Matthew 7:1
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
Celebrate the strengths of others and help and cover their weaknesses.
- Galatians 6:1-2
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Refuse to remain offended
- 1 Corinthians 13:5
It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Quickly forgive those who hurt or wrong you.
- Mark 11:26
[But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions.”]
Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and hoping it affects the other person.
When we forgive it doesn’t make them right, it makes us free.
- Ephesians 4:26
“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,
Today’s anger is tomorrows bitterness.
LOOK TO VALUE AND SERVE OTHERS
- Philippians 2:1-11
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
MY NOTES
Genesis 2:24
For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.Mark 10:43
Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,Matthew 23:12
But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Keep the main things the main things:
The reason you are married must be greater than the challenges you will face in marriage.
The reason we are together as a church family must be greater than the challenges, greater than our opinions or than our personal preferences.
Servanthood in the House of God connects you to something greater than yourself.
1 Peter 4:7-11
The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.Romans 12:6-8
In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.Romans 12:4-5
Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
Servanthood matters for all eternity.
Matthew 25:31-46
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”Matthew 25:23
His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’
MY NOTES
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