Brian Fisher
Grace Bible Church
“Eyes to See, Ears to Hear”
Nehemiah 2:9-20
Nehemiah gathered strength and discerned God's vision through a lengthy time of prayer (ch. 1). Following the vision God placed in the heart of Nehemiah for Jerusalem's future, this godly servant-leader quietly gathered information, made plans and then planted the seed of hope in the hearts of the leaders around him. God gave the vision first to Nehemiah, but every one of God's servants had a part to play.
I. What is “vision”?
Vision is the gift of seeing clearly what may be. Vision expands our horizons. The more we see, the more we can achieve; the grander our vision, the more glorious our accomplishment.
—Anonymous
A godly vision is right for the times, right for the church, and right for the people. A godly vision promotes faith rather than fear. A godly vision motivates people to action. A godly vision requires risk-taking. A godly vision glorifies God, not people.
—Bob Logan
Not self-created
God created. Neh. 2:12 (God put it on my heart)
Not distant future realities; e.g. Daniel’s vision
Future reality in which God is calling you to participate and create
II. What is “calling”?
“Vision” is a clear mental picture of God’s intended future. “Calling” is your role in His vision.
For the earth will be filled With
the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, As the waters cover the sea.
—Habakkuk 2:14-16
… I will build My church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
—Matthew 16:18
Generally “called”
Called to salvation:
I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel….
—Galatians 1:6
Called to sanctification:
For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification.
—1 Thessalonians 4:7
Called to participate in the kingdom:
(Give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord)
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord….
—1 Cor.
15:58
Specifically
Gifts, skills, desires, history; changes through a lifetime
Nehemiah : Cupbearer, builder, governor
Power of Uniqueness
Rom. 1:1; called as an apostle
Ex – God calling them to stack rocks; Adam and Eve were gardeners
Significance of calling extended beyond daily activities
“The sacred is not distinct from the secular; rather the sacred is what sanctifies the ordinary and thus makes it good and noble.”
—Gordon T. Smith, Courage and Calling, 24
“…in following your proper calling, no work will be so mean and sordid as not to have splendor and value in the eye of God.”
—John Calvin, quoted in Courage and Calling, 24
III. Answering God’s call; Answering required…
A. Waiting on the Lord; time of preparation
Moses rushed in – Acts 7:22-29
Nehemiah could see the vision; he just didn’t know his role or God’s timing.
B. Knowing God and knowing self
God’s vision
Nehemiah’s gifts – administrator, leader; cupbearer, wall-builder, governor
Consecrated to God’s will
Open doors
C. Anticipating opposition – 2:9-10, 19
We have you surrounded
Enemies of vision:
Fear, Discouragement, Complacency, Self-centeredness
"Dissatisfaction and discouragement are not caused by the absence of things but the absence of vision."
—Anonymous
D. Surveying the task – 2:12-16
Map of city (see slides)
Calculate the cost
Discouragement can overtake you if you haven’t counted the cost
Putting your hand to the plow
IV. Helping others to “see” and “hear”
Nehemiah discovered God’s vision for others – 2:16
Priests, nobles, officials, builders – everyone
A. See the need – 2:17
Generation had tried and failed; every day they looked at broken walls
Comfortable with a terrible situation
“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
—Edmund Burke in Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations
Broken lives in our community; your life may be broken; NOT OK
Saved to become like Christ; saved to help others.
B. See the opportunity – 2:17b
"If you want to build a ship, don’t herd people together to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea."
—Antoine de Saint-Exupery
C. Answer together – 2:17b
Situation that “we” are in; let “us” rebuild; he made their problem his own
You have a problem and here is what you need to do
D. See the source; join something that is God-ordained – 2:18
Proof: Artaxerxes reversed his decree; discern the hand of God
This isn’t Nehemiah’s vision
2:18 = strengthened their hands for the good (“it is good”)
When opposition comes, Nehemiah returns to power of God and His vision.
2:19-20
Conclusion
Calls for immediate response and action – come let us build
Commitment to His call – God created you; you exist for Him
Without making this commitment you will never hear the specific call.