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Somebody’s Got to Do Something

WHERE MIGHT I HAVE MISSED MY GREAT WORK?

3 “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down… NEHEMIAH 6:3 ESV

A great work is God’s assignment, accomplished through your obedience.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. EPHESIANS 2:10 NIV

GOD HAS POSITIONED ME FOR MY GREAT WORK

In those days I was the king’s cup-bearer. NEHEMIAH 1:11 NLT

So the Word became human and made his home among us. JOHN 1:14 NLT

The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. JOHN 1:14 MSG

EVERY GREAT WORK WILL FACE OPPOSITION

Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies found out that I had finished rebuilding the wall and that no gaps remained—though we had not yet set up the doors in the gates. 2 So Sanballat and Geshem sent a message asking me to meet them at one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But I realized they were plotting to harm me, 3 so I replied by sending this message to them: “I am engaged in a great work, so I can’t come. Why should I stop working to come and meet with you?” 4 Four times they sent the same message, and each time I gave the same reply. 5 The fifth time, Sanballat’s servant came with an open letter in his hand, 6 and this is what it said: “There is a rumor among the surrounding nations, and Geshem tells me it is true, that you and the Jews are planning to rebel and that is why you are building the wall. According to his reports, you plan to be their king. 7 He also reports that you have appointed prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim about you, ‘Look! There is a king in Judah!’ “You can be very sure that this report will get back to the king, so I suggest that you come and talk it over with me.” 8 I replied, “There is no truth in any part of your story. You are making up the whole thing.” 9 They were just trying to intimidate us, imagining that they could discourage us and stop the work. So I continued the work with even greater determination. NEHEMIAH 6:1-9 NLT

Learn how to say “no” to the nonsense.

4 Four times they sent the same message, and each time I gave the same reply. NEHEMIAH 6:4 NLT

The power of your yes is found in the consistency of your no.

How the enemy opposed Nehemiah:

This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” JOSHUA 1:9 NLT

YOUR GREAT WORK CAN’T WAIT

15 So on October 2 the wall was finished—just fifty-two days after we had begun. NEHEMIAH 6:15 NLT

Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. PSALM 90:12 NLT

My Notes

Discussion Questions

Use the following questions to reflect on the sermon. Choose a couple from each section to discuss as a group:

  1. START HERE: What's something you've said "yes" to that turned out to be worth the effort? What made it worth sticking with?
  2. START HERE: What types of distractions or interruptions most often pull your attention away from what matters most to you?
  3. KEEP GOING: Read Nehemiah 6:1-9 NLT. Nehemiah refused to be distracted from the work God had given him, even when the pressure kept coming. Which of the enemy's tactics (distraction, deception, relentless pressure, false accusations, fear and intimidation, or discouragement) seem most effective in pulling people away from God's purposes today? Why?
  4. KEEP GOING: Read Ephesians 2:10 NIV. A great work is God's assignment, accomplished through your obedience. Where do you sense God may have uniquely positioned or gifted you to make a difference right now? What's encouraging or intimidating about that? What makes it easier to assume you can always pursue it later?
  5. KEEP GOING: Nehemiah's repeated "no" protected his greater "yes." Where is it hardest to say "no" and stay focused on what God is calling you to do? What usually makes “no” seem difficult?
  6. KEEP GOING: Read Joshua 1:9 NLT. When opposition, fear, or discouragement show up, what do you need to believe or remember about God to keep moving forward instead of giving up or getting distracted?
  7. LIVE IT OUT: Read Psalm 90:12 NLT. What's one specific great work or next step you could prioritize this week? What will you need to say “no” to in order to say “yes” to that? What could happen if you don't take that step now?