Sermon Outline  Oct 28, 2007 Morning Service

Topic: Rebuilding The Rubble 

Text:   Nehemiah 4:1-15      

Introduction

I.        When we commit to God things usually get messy (1 Peter 4:12).

A.       We decide to take on some giants but wind up straining at gnats.

B.       If you’re serious about slaying giants you’ve encountered obstacles.

II.       Things got messy for those who sought to do God’s will.

A.       Discouragement was rampant.

B.       Whenever we face trouble we must deal with rubble.

III.      Defeating discouragement.

A.       Discouragement can be a serious problem for all of us.

B.       With that brief background, let’s look at what happens in Nehemiah 4.

C.      Whenever you attempt to get involved in the work of God, you will always encounter opposition.

Text

I.        Causes of Discouragement.

A.       Fatigue (Nehemiah 4:10).

1.       Simply put, the workers were tired.

2.       When you are physically drained it is easy to get discouraged.

B.       Frustration (vs. 10).

1.       They were aggravated about all the obstacles.

2.       We can lose sight when we have a lot of garbage in our lives.

3.       The rubble in your life will only serve to frustrate your efforts.

C.      Fear (vs. 12).

1.       The people felt like giving up because they were afraid.

2.       Those who lived near pessimistic people feared the most.

3.       To limit the discouragement stay away from negative people.

II.       Cures for Discouragement.

A.       Request God’s help.

1.       Nehemiah looked up before launching out (vs. 4-5).

2.       He didn’t take any sort of negative approach.

3.       Rather, he continued doing what he knew God wanted done.

B.       Reorganize your priorities (vs. 13).

1.       Attacks come at the weakest places.

2.       When we’re discouraged, we can reorganize our priorities.

C.      Remember who God is.

1.       Nehemiah rallied his troops (vs. 14).

2.       Nehemiah knew that success was wholly dependent upon God.

3.       They needed to remember God and what He had promised.

Conclusion

I.        The people complained about all the rubble (vs. 10).

A.       But wasn’t the rubble there in verse 1 (or even in chapter 1)?

B.       If you focus on all the rubble in your life, and in the lives of others, you will become discouraged.

C.      Whenever we face trouble, we must deal with the rubble.

II.       God will rebuild the rubble in our lives when we put His purposes first.

A.       To do that, we must first make sure Christ is at home in our hearts.

B.       Let God help you with the rubble in your life.