Sermon Tone Analysis
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Introduction
The Stig
We will be in today.
Please open your bibles, your apps, or grab a bible from under the pew in front of you.
Top Gear (Picture of Stig)
The Stig. “Some Say...”
Some say that his ears aren’t where you would expect them to be
Some say his skin has the texture of a dolphin's, and that where ever you are in the world, if you tune your radio to 88.4, you can actually hear his thoughts
Some say that he appears on high value stamps in Sweden, and that he can catch fish with his tongue...
All we know is, he’s called the Stig!
It’s easy to get caught in the “Some say...” moments
Recap on Nehemiah so far, new attempts by foes to stop progress with distractions rather than outright threat.
Each time Nehemiah says no to the distraction.
We can learn from his “no”s.
There are principles here for us as a community of faith and as individuals.
A great work v 1-3 No
We have to say yes to something before we have to say no.
Nehemiah was occupied on the great work of rebuilding the walls.
As a church we are occupied on the great work of being and making disciples of Jesus.
When I was starting as a youth pastor I tried too many things
What are your priorities and callings as a family (get specific)?
In your job?
In the role God has called you to within his body?
Only when we have said yes to something, and committed, are we able to effectively say no to distractions.
Basic ask.
No to distraction.
The same way v 4 Still No
When you set a priority, when you say yes to something, it will be tested.
There are a thousand things a church can do.
There are a thousand things you can do.
As a church, will do we believe our primary purpose is to be and make disciples?
Do we believe we are doing that effectively or on the road to doing that effectively?
And can we answer the same way tomorrow when the question comes up again?
When you think about the things you have prioritied personally, when other options come up, what have you answered?
Not all the alternatives are bad things.
Some a great things.
The question is, if you have committed to a course
Repetition.
Persistence in the No.
Rumor has it v 5-9 No(t) True
Note the details.
Open letter.
Accusation of motive.
Not just trying to distract the leader, but those who follow.
Being around leaders and being a leader in churches for many years, I have seen my share of character attacks.
Now there are times, we do need to address issues, I am not talking about that.
Whole nother conversation.
What I am talking about are attempts to derail or distract by making assumptions about motive or character based on a disagreement over direction.
How do we navigate this well?
Know your motives.
If you aren’t confiedent in your motivation and have a clean conscience before the Lord on your motives, you probably need to do some prayer and mediation upon God’s word.
How did Nehemiah respond?
“No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind.”
For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.”
But now, O God, strengthen my hands.
Threat of ruining the reputation.
When we are confident in the truth, it is easy to say no.
Threat of ruining the reputation.
When we are confident in the truth, it is easy to say no.
Be afraid v 10-14 No Fear
What was Shemaiah asking Nehemiah to do? Destroy his own reputation.
He was being baited in to acting wrongly out of fear.
Individuals and institutions are faced with these choices all the time.
Fear can lead you to compromise.
We have to say no.
A finished wall v15-16 No Compromise
Following through brings it all back around.
Refusing the distractions is the solution to all of it.
Not over yet v17-19 No End…Yet
Worship team up
Our adversary doesn’t quit.
We have a promise that one day there will be victory
When you think about the things you have prioritized personally, when other options come up, what have you answered?
ily, God has called you to to a high calling as well.
You have a place in the body to serve, a family to love and lead well, and a world around you in need of the hope you carry with you.
When we say yes to God’s call, when we unite with the body, like the people of Jerusalem uniting to build their city, in common purpose and direction remarkable, miraculous things can happen.
Because that is true, we must as a church commit to our purpose and direction and then pray for God’s hands to strengthen us.
As individuals we must be willing to say no to the things
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