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Neh. 1:5-7
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can also download our service at Baptist-Christian on iTunes. This week we return to Nehemiah and begin to take a careful look at why his prayer life was so successful. Our life is all about choices and all the choices affect someone. On the day a person chooses to receive God’s gracious gift of salvation they choose an entirely new way of life that not only affects them individually; it affects others and most of all it affects God! In this first prayer we learn some vital characteristics that made Nehemiah a real man of prayer. First notice he was:
- A MAN OF ANGUISH! One way to learn about a person is to watch what causes their heart to grieve. Nehemiah was grieved over the physical state of Jerusalem, but more importantly- over the spiritual ruin of the people that caused the destruction of Jerusalem. Prov. 27:17 tells us we can’t really hide our sadness. Men don’t often let it be known they are in anguish because we have been taught it is a sign of weakness. Male anguish most often shows when a sporting event goes bad, or a tool breaks, or when they lose something very dear to them- like nap time, play time, or anytime they don’t get what they want! Don’t believe me, ask your wife or children! We don’t often see men today in deep anguish over their own spiritual life or the spiritual life of the Church! Men don’t get shook up over the fact they, their families, their church are living more in the world than in the Word! Read Matt. 26:37, 48; Mark 14:33, 34; and Luke 22:39-44 to see what part anguish played in the prayer life of Jesus! One of the first steps in getting down to business in prayer is to be anguished in heart over personal spiritual apathy; national abandonment of what is Godly; and apostasy within the Body of Christ! Nehemiah was also
- A MAN OF ASSOCIATION! There are many levels of associations, but for a man to get down to business in prayer, he must have a deep, personal association with Christ as Sovereign Lord and Savior. Nehemiah knew God by several names, He knew the content of the Word, and The Law. A man of action will do all he can to be called a friend of God. Nehemiah was also associated with other men. That fact is a sermon in itself! We will see how Nehemiah’s friendships with other men helped him accomplish one of the greatest feats in Biblical history! Prov. 27:19 tell us we need close friends to help us through the tough times. Nehemiah was also
- A MAN OF ACTION! Procrastination is one of Satan’s most effective tools, especially for men! Our excuses for procrastinating in our spiritual responsibilities are dangerous because (1) they are all a violation of the 1st Commandment, because we set ourselves above God; (2) Satan also makes sure we never find a reason to stop “putting it off;” and (3) because we have come to believe the status quo is acceptable and the extraordinary is not necessary! Men find it hard to take action because (1) we have to submit to God; (2) we have to change what has become a comfortable way of life; (3) we must become vulnerable; (4) we would have to deal with failure/weakness/ or even a wrong self image. None of those things appeal to men. The truth is spiritual mediocrity and complacency can’t be good enough for men who call themselves Christians. Men, we must stop saying “someday” and start NOW!
If we can help you with answers to your spiritual questions call us at (574) 643-9419.
