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Uncommon Humility
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Sermon Notes - August 8, 2021
The Greatest Stories Rarely Told: Uncommon Humility, Part 2 (Nehemiah 1:3-2:8) - Jon Furman
Sacrificial Generosity
Radical Hospitality
Uncommon Humility
Philippians 2:5-8
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
Nehemiah 1:3-4
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.” 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.
Nehemiah’s Humble Responses:
-He Mourned
-He Fasted
-He Prayed
Nehemiah 1:5-7
Then I said: “Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.
Nehemiah’s Prayer:
-Acknowledged God’s Righteousness
-Acknowledges Human Unrighteousness
Nehemiah 1:8-9
“Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, 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’s Prayer:
-Acknowledged God’s Righteousness
-Acknowledges Human Unrighteousness
-Recalls God’s Promises
Nehemiah 1:10-11a
“They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. 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.”
Nehemiah’s Prayer:
-Acknowledged God’s Righteousness
-Acknowledges Human Unrighteousness
-Recalls God’s Promises
-Asks for God’s Favor & Blessing
Nehemiah 1:11b
I was cupbearer to the king.
Nehemiah 2:1-2
Early the following spring, in the month of Nisan, (March/April) during the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign, I was serving the king his wine. I had never before appeared sad in his presence. So the king asked me, “Why are you looking so sad? You don’t look sick to me. You must be deeply troubled.” Then I was terrified,
Nehemiah 2:3
but I replied, “Long live the king! How can I not be sad? For the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.”
Nehemiah’s Response was:
-Respectful
-Honest
-Detailed
Nehemiah 2:4-5
The king asked, “Well, how can I help you?” With a prayer to the God of heaven, I replied, “If it please the king, and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.”
Nehemiah 2:6
The king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked, “How long will you be gone? When will you return?” After I told him how long I would be gone, the king agreed to my request.
Nehemiah 2:7a-8
I also said to the king, “If it please the king, let me have letters addressed to the governors of the province west of the Euphrates River, instructing them to let me travel safely… And… a letter addressed to Asaph, the manager of the king’s forest, instructing him to give me timber. I will need it to make beams for the gates of the Temple fortress, for the city walls, and for a house for myself.” And the king granted these requests, because the gracious hand of God was on me.
Nehemiah’s Order:
-God’s Temple
-City Walls
-His Own House
…the king granted these requests, because the gracious hand of God was on me.”
Application Points:
Persistent prayer from start to finish.
Place everyone in proper order.
Give God his Glory.