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Introduction:
If you could change the world, what would you do to change it? In recent months it has been reported that only 4% of churches in America have any type of evangelistic outreach, and fewer than 1% of churches have a plan for year-round evangelistic outreach necessary to change the culture of their church and community.
Vision is the ability to see the future and passionately direct others towards it. If the Church in America does not change its focus, our community and world will be without hope. We have been called by God to bring the light of hope wherever we go.
“… Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full.” —Luke 14:23b (NLT)
In this collection of talks, we will focus on a Hope Initiative designed to impact our community. This is both an individual and a corporate effort to invest in and invite people to meet Jesus Here. We can accomplish this by:
September 8th/11th Moving from Safety to Urgency
September 15th/18th Moving from Comfort to Conformability
September 22nd/25th Moving from Isolation to Community
Text: Nehemiah 4:14-23 (CSB, Old Testament)
Today’s Takeaway: God has called us to urgency not complacency.
Week 1 - Moving from Safety to Urgency
HOW TO MOVE FROM SAFETY TO URGENCY
Safety thinking is often produced because of fear of the unknown (4:1-12).
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, sound judgment.” —II Timothy 1:7
I.
GOD (4:14)
“Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” —Hebrews 11:6
“And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 27And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. 28And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” —Romans 8:26-29 (NLT)
II.
PEOPLE (4:13-14)
“But if it doesn’t please you to worship the Lord, choose for yourselves today: Which will you worship—the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living? As for me and my family, we will worship the Lord.” —Joshua 24:15-16
III.
NEGATIVITY (4:19-20)
“No weapon formed against you will succeed, and you will refute any accusation raised against you in court. This is the heritage of the LORD’s servants, and their vindication is from me.” This is the LORD’s declaration.” —Isaiah 54:17
“What, then, are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?” —Romans 8:31
“Therefore, we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” —Hebrews 13:6
“Anything worth pursuing is always uphill.” —– John Maxwell
IV.
STRONG (4:21-23)
“The wall was completed in fifty-two days, on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul.” —Nehemiah 6:15
“The fear of mankind is a snare, but the one who trusts in the Lord is protected.” —Proverbs 29:25
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” —I Corinthians 15:58
“When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then bowing his head, he gave up his spirit.” —John 19:30
CONCLUSION: What do you need to do to move from safety to urgency?
DEEP DIVE QUESTIONS:
1. Which type of thinking is dominating your life right now - Safety, or Urgent?
2. What are specific things you need to trust to God this week?
3. How are you uniting those around you to follow Jesus?
4. What negativity in your life is keeping you from finishing strong?