Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Prayer has the capacity to change your life--to unlock the possibilities for your life.

Everyone of us face circumstances--both internal and external--that need changing.

Prayer is an essential activity that can bring about the change we need to go from survive to thrive.

Quote from Albert Einstein: "Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

Many people desire to experience change in their life.

A desire to become a better person, to improve in our marriages, families, health, finances, and life in general is normal.

But the best of intentions seem to result in the same defeat year after year.

This morning I want to give you God's remedy to this seemingly never ending cycle of broken dreams and goals.

Nehemiah

Nehemiah was a Jewish exile, living in the citadel of Susa.

Over seventy years before, Israel lost their independence, their land, and everything else due to their habitual idolatry and unfaithfulness to God.

Now, the exiled people were returning to their homeland.

Already two waves of exiles had already made the journey back to Jerusalem and Judea.

However, news came to Nehemiah (who remained in the serves of the Persian King Artaxerxes) that the returning people were not doing well.

The Scriptures tell us that these people were "in great trouble and shame."

What do you do when in life you face great trouble and shame?

Let's see what Nehemiah did.

Transition

Nehemiah could have confronted his trouble and shame with a great plan--or he could have easily found someone to blame--or he could have just pretended these problems were non of his concern.

What did Nehemiah do?

He prayed--but not just any kind of prayer.

It is what he prayed that ushered in the change need, not only for his life--but the life of his people.

Through his prayer, Nehemiah gives to us steps to navigate through our problems, our troubles, our shame--and lead us to genuine and lasting change--a change that makes a huge, positive impact on our lives and the lives of those around us.

And, what Nehemiah demonstrates in his prayer is essential to change: repentance.

Text for the Next Supporting Point.

Genuine Repentance Begins with Worship.

As with the Lord's Prayer, the focus must begin with and be maintained with God.

There is more than rhetoric in this elaborate opening.

It deliberately postpones the cry for help, which could otherwise be faithless and rooted in self-pity.

It centers every word and thought toward heaven--where perspective will be right, and it reflects on the character of God.

When we authentically worship God, we begin to see the majesty and the greatness of God--and we see ourselves--imperfect, falling short, limited--much in need of God and His grace.

When we authentically worship God, we are recognizing that only God can deliver us from our circumstances.

Text for the Next Supporting Point.

Genuine Repentance Accepts Responsibility.

We live in a culture and a time that is quick to lay blame at everyone else.

So many become comfortable to blame everything and everyone else for our struggles and the guilt that consumes us.

Even when we "accept responsibility," we have a tendency of adding qualifiers: "I'm sorry, but..." or "I know I did wrong, however..."

Illustration: A ministry leader in a former church I pastored was accused of inappropriate activity with children--refused to accept responsibilities or the consequences of his actions.

We need to take responsibility for our transgressions against God without any qualifiers--without blaming others:

Text for the Next Supporting Point.

Genuine Repentance Confesses Wickedness.

No more hiding behind excuses and blaming others.

We confess clearly and identify our wrongs specifically.

Confession is not motivated by a desire for relief from guilt, but motivated by God's grace, His character, and our personal sorrow.

Text for the Next Supporting Point.

Genuine Repentance Aligns with God's Word.

One of the greatest dangers in the church and among Christians is the willful minimization of God's Word.

Nehemiah is drawn to the Word of Truth--the all-sufficient rule of faith and conduct.

His prayer and his understanding of what to do is firmly nested in the words of God.

This is THE WAY we can know what to do and be equipped to do it.

The Word of God is indispensible for staying on course with God.

Worship Team enters the platform.

(At the Cross--Love Ran Red)

Text for the Next Supporting Point.

Genuine Repentance Ushers in New Direction.

Genuine repentance, with God's forgiveness, ushers in transformation and spiritual directional change.

Nehemiah's heartfelt, faith-filled, Spirit-led prayer concluded where he began--with worship.

It is through the heart and activity of worship that clarity of God's plan unfolds.

With sin confessed and washed away--and with fresh alignment with God's word--the people of God were ready to experience the miracle of restoration, rebuilding, and revival.

Conclusion

For Nehemiah--the prayer was answered.

Instead of looking at himself for the answers--he looked to God--and God provided.

He provided direction, favor, protection, wisdom, courage--which all led to national revival.

What are you experiencing today that may be a great trouble or a shame?

What are you facing today in your marriage?

Your family?

You?

Bitterness hasn't helped!

Pride and your temper hasn't helped!

Un-forgiveness hasn't helped!

Ignoring the problem hasn't helped!

Trying to work it out on your own hasn't helped!

So, why not let God do something in you that you can't do yourself?

Invitation to those who need salvation.

Prayer teams forward.

Worship Team: Sing chorus "At the Cross--Love Ran Read"