Sermon June 14
Nehemiah 1:1-11
God often changes things on earth through His People. This is His chosen method for change. You were made on purpose for purpose! What does God want to fix through you? v.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 was not looking for a cause. God placed a concern on his heart to ask a question and God provided the occasion for Nehemiah to learn things he would otherwise not know. Once he heard what was happening it moved him. Nehemiah’s heart was aligned with God’s heart. How much of our prayer moves God and how much moves us? God does not get introduced to new information when we pray. He does not get new details. It is for the sake of RELATIONSHIP that He SHARES HIMSELF WITH US. HOW CAN I KNOW THE VOICE OF GOD? WHAT IS HIS WILL? Listen and apply. Does it match the Word? Do godly people affirm it matches? Has the Holy Spirit given you peace? Confirmation? HEARING GOD IS A SKILL. You don’t learn a new skill in 5 seconds. It takes time. Effort. What is the purpose of FASTING with PRAYER? Fasting fosters alignment by removing distractions. Example: putting your air pods on noise cancelling mode. You can focus better on God’s voice. It’s saying no to the flesh so you can say yes to the Spirit. CONFESS YOUR SINS. How does a human heart align with God’s holy heart? GIVE UP YOUR OWN PLANS SO YOU CAN FOLLOW GOD’S PLAN. Confession is ALIGNMENT. THE GREATEST OBSTACLE TO ALIGNMENT ARE YOUR OWN PLANS. When these two things align: God’s will and His People… IT IS AN UNSTOPABLE FORCE FOR GOOD IN THE WORLD.
Discussion Questions
- How does God align your heart with His?
- How much of prayer is moving God and how much is to move us?
- How can you know the will of God?
- What is the purpose of fasting?
- What does God want to fix through you?
