“The Passion of Nehemiah – Precious or Familiar”

Passion: 

1. Passion is an intense emotion that compels an action.
2. The sufferings of Christ from the Last Supper to his death on the cross. 

Passion is the difference between winning and losing. It is the difference between success and failure. Without passion, we find ourselves just going through the motions.

People without passion have allowed the precious to become familiar. 

Revival starts when what should be precious to us becomes precious again and drives/compels us back to God in prayer and repentance. 

People without passion want acceptance and approval more than anything!

People without passion have no purpose beyond themselves. 

Nehemiah 1:1-4, The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about Jewish remnant that survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.

1. Nehemiah’s Passion Was Birthed in Brokenness

It is here that we can see the origin of his passion! 

What caused his brokenness? 

Complacency.  The people were willing to walk around in the ruins of yesterday instead of catching a vision of what God was doing today!

Nehemiah 1:4-11, When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Then I said: “Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.“Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’ “They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.” I was cupbearer to the king.

2. Nehemiah’s Passion Was Deepened Through Prayer

Nehemiah’s first move wasn’t action, it was intercession. Passion without prayer is just emotion; passion with prayer becomes power. 

Nehemiah 2:1-8, “In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before; so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.” I was very much afraid, but I said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire? The king said to me, “What is it you want?” Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my fathers are buried so that I can rebuild it.” Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?” It pleased the king to send me; so I set a time. I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah? And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?” And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests.

3. Nehemiah’s Passion Compelled Him To A Bold Action

True passion doesn’t just make us cry; it makes us bold… 

Passion leads to boldness – It causes us to step out of our comfort zone.

Nehemiah 2:17-18, “Then I said to them, ‘You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me and what the king had said to me. They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work.

4. The People Are Waiting For Someone To Lead Them  

Passion attracts people to a cause.

Nehemiah 2:19, ^“But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. “What is this you are doing?” they asked. “Are you rebelling against the king?”

It will bring you ridicule and opposition, but it will also give you the boldness to confront evil!

Nehemiah 2:20, “He answered them by saying, “The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it.”

What in your life has become commonplace that needs to become precious again?