brick by brick prayer

7/27/2019 Brick by Brick Prayer

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SERMONOUTLINES

RESTORING THE CITYTHROUGH PRAYER AND GODS WORD


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SERMON OUTLINE #1THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYERNEHEMIAH 1.1-11

KEY THOUGHTPrayer is the first step to take when rebuilding a city.

OVERVIEWOne of the central themes of Nehemiah is the importance of prayer.

Nehemiah gives us an example of asking for Gods help and confessing sins.

SERMON OUTLINE

1. NEHEMIAHS CHOICE: PLAY IT SAFE OR REBUILD HIS CITY?A. Nehemiah is safe in the kings palace. He has a great position with plenty of resources,

prestige and power. Nehemiah could have played it safe (1.1-4)

B. Are we asking, How is my city? Do we really want to know?

Vision always starts with the right questions

2. NEHEMIAHS CHALLENGE: THE CITY IS IN TOTAL RUINS (1.3)

A. Today the city walls can be: schools, homes, government systems, and law enforcement

3. NEHEMIAHS CRY: GOD IS THE ANSWER (1.4-11)

A. Nehemiah was heartbroken and was led to pray and fast for his city

I. Why is prayer the first thing we should do? Only God can bring lasting change

to our cities

B. Nehemiah prayed for Gods help (1.5)

C. Nehemiah confessed his sins and the sins of his ancestors (1.6)

I. We need to repent because, the truth is, we are part of the problem:

our own complacency, our own compromise, and our own cowardliness

II. We need to ask God to forgive us for being a part of the problem and to give us

a heart to be part of the solution

4. NEHEMIAHS CALL: PRAYER TURNS INTO ACTION (1.11)

5. TURNING VISION INTO ACTION: OUR CHOICE

A. Do we play it safe or do we rebuild our city?

CHALLENGEAsk your children or a friends children about the issues they deal with on a consistent basis. Take a

closer look by taking a prayer walk around town and noting the challenges your city is facing. Repent for

being a part of the problem and ask God for the solution. Turn prayer into action by inviting a group to

join you in praying for your city on a consistent basis and by donating time to a community project.


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SERMON OUTLINE #2WHEN LIFE IS IN SHAMBLESNEHEMIAH 1.1-11

KEY THOUGHTOur first and most important response to trouble is to look to God

who will hear our cry.

OVERVIEWNehemiah, although a Jewish exile, was enjoying a rather prestigious position

having been appointed a cup-bearer to the king. However, his life was changed

dramatically when he received news of the remnant of his people living in the

homeland, in the city of Jerusalem. There, the walls had been torn down exposingthe inhabitants to enemy attack. The condition of the city and of his people can

be summarized by words taken from verse 3, all kinds of troubles and broken

down. What makes Nehemiah such a great leader was not that he immediately

got up and ran to correct the situation, but that, in humility he realized there was

little he could do unless the LORD went before him. His prayer (1.5-11) reflects his

deep conviction in God who is powerful, who keeps his promises and who

will prevail.

SERMON OUTLINE1. OUR POWERFUL GOD: RECOGNIZE GODS GREAT STRENGTH AND MIGHTY POWER

A. The Lord is great and fearsome (1.5)

B. The Lord shows great strength and mighty power (1.10)

2. OUR FAITHFUL GOD: REMEMBER GODS FAITHFULNESS

A. He keeps promises to everyone who loves and obeys his commands (1.5)

3. OUR PREVAILING GOD: REQUEST GODS HELP AND FAVOR

A. Make him pleased with me and let him do what I ask. (1.11)

CHALLENGEUsing Nehemiahs prayer as an example, spend time this week in conversation with God. Repent of you

shortcomings and rejoice in Gods steadfast love and commitment to keep his promises. When you find

yourself dealing with all kinds of troubles guilt, fear, anxiety, loss, loneliness, depression, failure

you must cry out with desperation, with mourning and fasting (1.4). Then you must remember that

Gods promises will not fail. You will triumph in the Lord.


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SERMON OUTLINE #3THE CONSEQUENTIAL LEADERNEHEMIAH 2.1-20

KEY THOUGHTConsequential leaders are risk takers, resource gatherers, and researchers.

They lead with an understanding of the spiritual and community realities.

OVERVIEWNehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem in 52 days a historic feat! He recognized

his personal brokenness and held on to a vision for Gods people and Gods city.

SERMON OUTLINE1. THE LEADERS RISK: EVEN THOUGH HE WAS FRIGHTENED,NEHEMIAH MADE A BOLD REQUEST OF THE KING (2.1-8)

2. THE LEADERS RESOURCES: NEHEMIAH CAREFULLY CALCULATED THE PHYSICAL,

POLITICAL, AND TIME RESOURCES NEEDED TO COMPLETE HIS ASSIGNMENT

A. He knew exactly how much capital was needed (2.7-10)

3. THE LEADERS RESEARCH: NEHEMIAH HAD AN EXACT UNDERSTANDING OF THE

CHALLENGE IN FRONT OF HIM (2.11-16)

4. THE LEADERS REALITIES: NEHEMIAH DEFINES THE PHYSICAL REALITY OF JERUSALEMS WALL

AND THE SPIRITUAL REALITY OF AN EVER PRESENT GOD (2.17-20)

CHALLENGEDefine the spiritual and social realities of your community. Determine what a leadership plan that

addresses those realities would look like, including the spiritual and mobilization aspects.


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SERMON OUTLINE #4SOMETHING WORTH FIGHTING FORNEHEMIAH 4.1-23

KEY THOUGHTA refocus of purpose inspires a renewal of commitment.

OVERVIEWAs the challenges of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem continued to mount,

Nehemiah found it necessary to remind the people of why they were rebuilding

in the first place. The rearmation of purpose was critical if the workers were to

fulfill their mission. With renewed focus and energy the people went back to thei

labor and eventually completed their task in 52 days.

SERMON OUTLINE1. THE COMMON CHALLENGES THAT CONFRONTED GODS PEOPLE (4.1-12)

A. Insults from Governor Sanballat (4.1, 2)

B. Enemy attacks (4.6-8)

C. Discouragement (4.10)

2. THE COMMON PURPOSE THAT COMPELLED GODS PEOPLE (4.13, 14)

A. Gods greatness

B. Family and home

3. THE COMMON COMMITMENT THAT BROUGHT COHESION AMONG GODS PEOPLE (4.15-23)

A. Half of the people worked

B. Half of the people stood guard

CHALLENGEAs a church congregation, list the Sanballat problems that are facing your city. Together, memorize

and rearm the mission statement of your church. Pray for other believers as they labor in Gods servic

and send a note of encouragement to leaders who are faithful in their service.


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SERMON OUTLINE #5DO NOT FEAR, THE LORD IS GREATNEHEMIAH 4.1-23

KEY THOUGHTRenewal of our cities will take place when Gods people remain holy and press

forward, despite opposition

OVERVIEWThis chapter highlights the struggle and opposition that Nehemiah and the

Israelites faced. The Israelites prayed and, with fortitude, armed themselves with

weapons and went back to work. The Israelites bravery and tenacity is

an example to the church to remain holy and press forward for our Goddespite opposition.

SERMON OUTLINE1. GODS PEOPLE MUST REMAIN TRUE TO GOD DESPITE OPPOSITION

A. The people continued to rebuild even though they were insulted (4.1-6)

2. GODS PEOPLE MUST UNITE IN PRAYER

A. When faced with the threat of physical attacks, the people turned to God in prayer (4.8, 9)

3. GODS PEOPLE MUST BE ENGAGED IN THE RENEWAL OF THEIR CITY

A. The people diligently worked from dawn to dark (4.21)

B. Nehemiah, his relatives, the workers, and the guards slept in their work clothes (4.23)

CHALLENGESet aside time this week to pray with friends and family for your city and for physical and spiritual

restoration. When opposition occurs, follow Nehemiahs example of remaining holy and

pressing forward.


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SERMON OUTLINE #6CONFRONTING WRONGDOINGNEHEMIAH 5.1-19

KEY THOUGHTLeaders tackle problems head on and set an example of godly living for others to follo

OVERVIEWNot only did Nehemiah deal with problems from outside enemies, he also had to

deal with conflict within his own group. The rich were taking advantage of the poo

by charging them high interest rates on loans. In order to survive, families were

forced to sell their children into slavery (5.1-5). People who were united by working

together were now torn apart. Nehemiah brought the problem into the light and lthe people by setting an example of godly living.

SERMON OUTLINE1. DIRECTLY ADDRESS A PROBLEM

A. Nehemiah questioned unjust leaders in private (5.7)

B. Nehemiah showed the importance of the problem by bringing it to light

at a public meeting (5.7b, 8)

2. EXEMPLIFY GOD-HONORING BEHAVIOR

A. Nehemiah explained that people can honor God by the way they live (5.9)

3. COMMIT TO THE SOLUTION

A. Nehemiah personally committed to changing his behavior (5.10)

B. Nehemiah asked the leaders to return property and repay in full (5.11)

4. ENSURE ACCOUNTABILITY

A. Nehemiah had the leaders make a promise, in front of the priests (5.12)

B. As a result, the leaders kept their promise and praised God (5.13)

5. AVOID ENTITLEMENTS

A. Out of respect for God, Nehemiah refused to accept the food he was allowed so that he did

not burden others (5.14, 15)

6. LEAD BY EXAMPLE

A. Nehemiah kept focused on the main priority of rebuilding the wall (5.16)

B. Nehemiah served others rather than taking advantage of his food allowance (5.17)

CHALLENGEFind out if the poor are being exploited in your city. Use Nehemiahs example to put together a plan that

confronts wrongdoing and helps those who have been aected by injustice.


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SERMON OUTLINE #7KNOW YOUR ENEMYTRUST YOUR GODNEHEMIAH 6.1-7.3

KEY THOUGHTDont allow opposition to thwart your God-given assignment!

OVERVIEWAfter passionate prayer and careful assessment of the broken walls, it is clear

to Nehemiah what he must do. As rebuilding begins, enemies attack with lies,

threats and intimidation. He does not detour, but keeps his focus and rallies the

workers while praying for strength. He protects his gains by assigning worshipers

and priests and by guarding the locked gates.

SERMON OUTLINE1. A FINAL TASK TO ACCOMPLISH

A. The last task of the project was to hang the doors (6.1)

B. An awesome challenge to complete (6.3)

2. A STRATEGY TO SUCCEED

A. Recognize the enemy (6.2)

B. Keep focused on the mission (6.3)

C. Dont negotiate with evil workers (6.5-9)

D. Pray for strength to stand against enemies (6.9)

3. A VICTORY TO PRESERVE

A. Internal safeguards

I. Worshipers to sing (7.1)

II. Godly people to govern (7.2)

B. External safeguards

I. Set the doors (7.1)

II. Lock the gates and appoint watchmen (7.3)

CHALLENGENehemiah reveals a strategy which we can follow. This will guide us from weakness to strength, from

failure to more than a victory, Romans 8.37.


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SERMON OUTLINE #8TAKING THE WORD OF GOD PUBLICNEHEMIAH 8.1-18

KEY THOUGHTGods Word is powerful and is best read in community.

Leaders help others understand Scripture and apply it to their lives.

OVERVIEWAll of the people came together and listened to Ezra publicly read the Law

of Moses. As a response to the Scripture, Nehemiah and the other leaders

encouraged the people to worship God and share their possessions with those in

need. The people responded in obedience and celebrated together.

SERMON OUTLINE1. READING GODS WORD AS A COMMUNITY MAY SERVE TO:

A. Include all people (8.1, 2)

B. Interest all people (8.3)

C. Inspire all people (8.12)

D. Instruct all people (8.13-18)

2. THE LEADER NEEDS TO:A. Today the city walls can be: schools, homes, government systems, and law enforcement

3. NEHEMIAHS CRY: GOD IS THE ANSWER (1.4-11)

A. Explain the meaning of Scripture (8.7, 8)

B. Encourage the application of Scripture demonstrated in:

I. Praise and worship (8.6)

II. Maintaining a right state of mind (8.9-12)

III. Obedience (8.13-18)

CHALLENGEInvite your family and friends to a corporate reading of the Bible and discuss the meaning of the passag

together. Help each person appreciate how the passage is relevant, and seek to apply it to their daily life


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SERMON OUTLINE #9CONFESSION AND REPENTANCE PRECEDESPIRITUAL RESTORATION

NEHEMIAH 9.1-38KEY THOUGHTWe must confess our sins before true restoration

can take place in our life and city.

OVERVIEWUpon hearing the Law, the people are convicted of their disobedience to Gods

commands. They confess their sins and pray together.

SERMON OUTLINE1. THE PEOPLE REPENT OF THEIR SIN (9.1, 2)

2. THE PEOPLE RECALIBRATE BY THE SCRIPTURE

A. Listening to the Law of the Lord awakened the peoples conscience (9.3)

3. THE PEOPLE REMEMBER THEIR SALVATION

A. Worship did not come until the people demonstrated true confession and repentance.

They oered up praise and worship, remembering the mighty deeds of God (9.3)

4. ALL THE PEOPLE, LEADERS, LEVITES, AND PRIESTS MAKE AN AGREEMENT

TO OBEY GODS LAWS (9.38)

CHALLENGETake a few minutes today to spend in prayer. Confess your sins before the Lord and praise him for the

restoration found in Jesus Christ.


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SERMON OUTLINE #10THE ROLE OF THANKSGIVING & PRAISE INADVANCING THE KINGDOM

NEHEMIAH 12.27-47KEY THOUGHTIf implemented in our daily lives, the steps of obedience, purification,

and celebration will move us from mediocre to victorious individuals.

OVERVIEWIn this passage, Nehemiah dedicates the city wall and the people celebrate.

They also hold special ceremonies to make themselves holy. Nehemiah has the

leaders of Judah march on top of the walls and sing praises to God. Other leaders

are appointed to oversee the gifts for the temple and give back ten percent of the

crops and livestock to God.

SERMON OUTLINE1. OBEDIENCE: GIVE BACK TO GOD WHAT HE HAS GIVEN TO US

A. Nehemiah dedicated the city wall to God (12.27)

2. PURIFICATION: CONSECRATE OURSELVES AND WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN US TO STEWARD

A. The priests and Levites held a special ceremony to make themselves, the people, the gates,and the walls holy (12.30)

3. CELEBRATION: KEEP OUR FOCUS ON THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD

AND WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR US

A. The leaders of Judah marched on top of the wall and sang praises to God (12.31)

B. Zechariah and relatives praised God with musical instruments (12.36)

C. Women and children joined in the celebration and oered shouts of joy to God (12.43)

CHALLENGEBegin to follow the steps of purification, obedience, and celebration this week to bring about a changein your mindset and lifestyle. Thanksgiving and praise enable us to change past cycles and patterns tha

prevent us from overcoming obstacles and living a truly victorious life.


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