The Key to receiving God's Promise

Pat McFall

The Good Work • Sermon • Submitted 4 years ago

Nehemiah (governor)

Nehemiah (leader)

Nehemiah (builder)

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Philippians 1:6 NLT

6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Introduction: Sakamoto: Do it again!

I have to trust that my process is the pathway to God’s promise

Recap Sunday’s Message:

God’s people stop following the covenant — God’s correction through Babylon and Assyria — Exiles return

What I’d like to do is show you a resource that I use all the time called The Bible Project…

They creatively explain books of the Bible and themes

You can actually access these videos on Right Now Media (link)

Let’s take a look at an overview of the books of Ezra-Nehemiah and we’ll then we’ll reconnect…Take a look

Transition to Video: The Bible Project Ezra-Nehemiah

Transition out of video

3 Stories, with 3 leaders all experiencing similar things...

Each one of these leaders is surrendering to God’s process that ultimately leads to God’s promise which is Jesus

God moves on a King

They respond to God’s assignment

They overcome opposition…a little breakthrough!

The end is kind of anticlimactic..

Let me explain...

Zerubabbel — build the temple — nothing — points to Jesus fulfilling the role of the temple

Ezra — Brings the law rallies community around prayer/fasting — nothing — Jesus is the fulfillment of the Torah

Nehemiah — Builds the wall — Brings Ezra in to read the law and even sign the covenant — Jesus ultimately fulfills

Each of these men responded to an assignment that is part of God’s process to connect

Zechariah 4:6 NLT

6 Then he said to me, “This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

Haggai 2:6–8 NLT

6 “For this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: In just a little while I will again shake the heavens and the earth, the oceans and the dry land. 7 I will shake all the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will be brought to this Temple. I will fill this place with glory, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

Haggai 2:9 NLT

9 The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. And in this place I will bring peace. I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!”

I have to trust that my process is the pathway to God’s promise

I want to encourage you today that whatever process you find yourself:

Patience

Holy Spirit dealing with some past family pain/hurt

Trusting God b/c you’ve lost your job

Family member has COVID

Trust God’s process....

His promise won’t be filled on our terms but on HIS

His promise won’t be fulfilled when I get everything I’ve ever wanted in this life

The Israelites did — Temple — Law — City — No heart change

So what’s the Key to receiving His Promise?

The Key is to lose my life to gain His…It’s to surrender to His process. It’s to surrender to the truth that the Promise has always been and will always be JESUS

My life won’t be complete when I get everything that I feel entitled to in this life but if i surrender it all to get Jesus

His promise will be fulfilled when I realize that when I get Jesus

Ultimately, the process will lead us to the real treasure…which is Jesus Himself…and if we get Him we get everything we need.