Watch God Open Doors

Good morning, 121, will you stand and worship with us this morning? Where was defeat when the Lord took a breath? When he stood and bowed by the grave that he left? Nowhere, nowhere, nowhere is the fear when my King resurrects Nowhere, nowhere, nowhere was the doubt when my King conquered death Nowhere Where was the sorrow when dry bones arose? Where was the pain when the sick touched the road? Where was disgrace when the King laid to rest? The stronghold of sin by the grace he possessed Nowhere, nowhere, nowhere is the fear when my King resurrects Nowhere, nowhere, nowhere was the doubt when my King conquered death Nowhere Nowhere is the fear when my King resurrects Nowhere, nowhere, nowhere was the doubt when my King conquered death Nowhere I see joy rising I hear hope calling I see fear hiding I hear chains falling I see walls shaking I hear doubt running Cause my God's on his way Yes he is coming I see joy rising I hear hope calling I see fear hiding I hear chains falling I see walls shaking I hear doubt running

Cause my God's on his way Yes he is coming Here, now here Now here in his presence my shame disappears Now here, now here And I stand undefeated when Jesus is near Now here, now here Now here in his presence my shame disappears Now here, now here And I stand undefeated when Jesus is near I see joy rising I hear hope calling I see fear hiding I hear chains falling I see walls shaking I hear doubt running Cause my God's on his way Yes he is coming I see joy rising I hear hope calling I see fear hiding I hear chains falling I see walls shaking I hear doubt running Cause my God's on his way Yes he is coming My God's on his way My God's on his way My God's on his way Yes he is coming

My God's on his way My God's on his way My God's on his way Yes, He is coming, He is Christ is my firm foundation The rock on which I stand And everything around me is shaking I've never been more glad That I put my faith in Jesus He's never let me down He's faithful through generations So why would He fail now? He won't, oh He won't And I've still got joy in chaos I've got peace that makes no sense So I won't be going either I'm not held by my own strength Cause I've built my life on Jesus And He's never let me down He's faithful through every season So why would He fail now? He won't, oh He won't He won't fail, He won't fail He won't, no He won't He won't fail, He won't fail Christ is my firm foundation The rock on which I stand And everything around me is shaking I've never been more glad That I put my faith in Jesus

He's never let me down He's faithful through generations So why would He fail now? He won't, oh He won't He won't fail, He won't fail He won't fail, He won't fail Rain came, wind blew My house was built on You And I'm safe with You I'm gonna make it through Rain came, wind blew My house is built on You And I'm safe with You I'm gonna make it through Rain came, wind blew My house was built on You And I'm safe with You I'm gonna make it through ♪ And I'm gonna make it through ♪ ♪ And I'm gonna make it through ♪ ♪ Cause I'm standing strong on you ♪ ♪ And I'm gonna make it through ♪ ♪ Cause my house is built on you ♪ ♪ Christ is my first foundation ♪ ♪ The rock on which I stand ♪ ♪ When everything around me's shaken ♪ ♪ I've never been more bad ♪ ♪ I put my faith in Jesus ♪ ♪ He's never let me down ♪ ♪ He's faithful through generations ♪

♪ So I would keep him now ♪ ♪ He won't, he won't, he won't fail, he won't fail, oh ♪ ♪ He won't, he won't, he won't fail, he won't fail, oh ♪ ♪ He won't, he won't, he won't fail, he won't fail, oh ♪ Seeing Christ as our firm foundation, we can sing that with confidence today because he has proven himself over and over and over again to be faithful, even when we are not. And all throughout scripture, God tells his people, he tells us to remember his goodness, remember his faithfulness, remember the times he brought us out of the Myriad Plate and set our feet upon the rock. But he doesn't promise that things are always gonna be easy. In fact, he promises the opposite. He promises that there will be trials and there will be hardships. God does not promise to change our circumstance, but he does promise that he will meet us in the middle of whatever circumstance that is, because he says, take heart, for I have overcome the world. So maybe you're here today and you're in some kind of circumstance and some kind of trial, some kind of hardship, and you don't feel God working, you don't see God moving, but he promises throughout scripture that he is, even when we don't see it. He says he works all things out for our good and for his glory.

Amen. And he promises that in Hebrews 13, when he says, I am the Lord, do not be afraid. He is our helper. But Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. And it's because of those things, it's because of those promises that we can sing songs like Christ is our firm foundation, that we can go to the Lord and say, Lord, there is a mountain in front of me. God, I've seen you move that mountain before, God, and I'm asking you to move that mountain again. But even if you don't, I know that you will meet me right here where I'm at. So we sing that with confidence this morning of the promises from his word. ♪ For you have never failed me, yeah ♪ ♪ Waiting for change to come ♪ ♪ Knowing the battle's won ♪ ♪ For you have never failed me, yeah ♪ ♪ Your promise still stands ♪ ♪ Great is your faithfulness, your faithfulness ♪ ♪ I'm still in your hands ♪ ♪ This is my confidence ♪ ♪ You've never failed me, yeah ♪ ♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah ♪ ♪ I know the night won't last ♪ ♪ Your word will come ♪ ♪ Into the past ♪ ♪ My heart will sing your praise again ♪

♪ Jesus, you're still enough ♪ ♪ Keep me within your love ♪ ♪ My heart will sing your praise again ♪ ♪ Your promise still stands ♪ ♪ Great is your faithfulness, your faithfulness ♪ ♪ I'm still in your hands, this is my confidence ♪ ♪ You never failed me, your promise still stands ♪ ♪ Great is your faithfulness, your faithfulness ♪ ♪ I'm still in your hands, this is my confidence ♪ ♪ You never failed me, yeah ♪ ♪ You never failed me, yeah ♪ ♪ I've seen you move, you move the mountains ♪ ♪ And I believe I'll see you do it again ♪ ♪ You made a way when there was no way ♪ ♪ And I believe I'll see you do it again ♪ ♪ I've seen you move, you move the mountains ♪ ♪ And I believe I'll see you do it again ♪ ♪ You made a way when there was no way ♪ ♪ And I believe I'll see you do it again ♪ ♪ I've seen you move, you move the mountains ♪ ♪ And I believe I'll see you do it again ♪ ♪ You made a way when there was no way ♪ ♪ And I believe I'll see you do it again ♪ ♪ I'll see you do it again ♪ ♪ I'll see you do it again ♪ ♪ I'll see you do it again ♪ Amen, Lord. Great is your faithfulness, God. Lord, we thank you that your mercies are new every morning. Father, we thank you that you're still working today.

You're still speaking. Lord, we believe that when we call on your name, God. Things change when we call on your name. Circumstances start to look better. And Lord, we believe in your name. God, we thank you for the gift of Jesus. We thank you for the gift of the body of Christ. Lord, as we sing this next song, I pray that you would just speak to us, speak in and through us this morning. Lord, we love you. God, we give you all the honor, all the glory, all the adoration this morning. ♪ We thank you, Lord, you're worth it ♪ ♪ Lord, we thank you, Lord, you're still moving, God ♪ ♪ Thank you, Lord ♪ When we sing, you are here. ♪ You are here, you're moving in our midst ♪ ♪ I worship you ♪ ♪ I worship You, You are here ♪ ♪ You're working in this place ♪ ♪ I worship You, I worship You ♪ We'll sing You are here. ♪ You are here, moving in our midst ♪ ♪ I worship You, I worship You ♪ ♪ I worship You, You are here ♪ ♪ And You're working in this place ♪ ♪ I worship You, I worship You ♪ Sing You are the way maker. ♪ You are way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper ♪

♪ Light in the darkness, my God, that is who You are ♪ Sing You are the way maker. ♪ You are way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper ♪ ♪ Light in the darkness, my God, that is who You are ♪ ♪ And You are here, in touch of every heart ♪ ♪ And I worship You, I worship You ♪ ♪ I worship You, and You are here ♪ ♪ You're filling every life ♪ ♪ And I worship You, Lord, I worship You ♪ ♪ You are here, yes You are, You're turning lives around ♪ ♪ I worship You, Lord, I worship You ♪ ♪ And You are here, yes You are, You're mending every broken heart ♪ ♪ And I worship You, Lord, I worship You ♪ ♪ And You are the way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper ♪ ♪ Light in the darkness, my God, that is who You are ♪ ♪ Yes, You are the way maker, way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper ♪ ♪ Light in the darkness, my God, that is who You are ♪ ♪ Oh, we believe this this morning, the way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper ♪ ♪ Light in the darkness, my God, that is who You are ♪ ♪ That is who You are, yes, the way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper ♪ ♪ Light in the darkness, my God, that is who You are ♪ ♪ Oh, that is who You are, that is who You are ♪ ♪ That is who You are ♪ ♪ That is who You are ♪ ♪ Oh, that is who You are, that is who You are ♪ ♪ That is who You are and who You'll always be ♪ ♪ That is who You are, thank You, Lord ♪ ♪ God is who You are and we sing this together ♪ ♪ Even when I don't see it, You're working ♪ ♪ Even when I don't feel it, You're working ♪

♪ You never stop, You never stop working ♪ ♪ You never stop, You never stop working ♪ ♪ Even when I don't see it, You're working ♪ ♪ And even when I don't feel it, You're working ♪ ♪ You never stop, You never stop working ♪ ♪ You never stop, You never stop working ♪ ♪ Even when I don't see it, You're working ♪ ♪ And even when I don't feel it, You're working ♪ ♪ You never stop, You never stop working ♪ ♪ You never stop, You never stop working ♪ ♪ But even when I don't see it, You're working ♪ ♪ But even when I don't see it, You're working ♪ ♪ You never stop, You never stop working ♪ ♪ You never stop, You never stop working ♪ ♪ Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper ♪ ♪ Light in the darkness, my light, that is You, You are ♪ ♪ Yes, that is You, You are ♪ ♪ Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper ♪ ♪ Light in the darkness, my light, that is You, You are ♪ ♪ Oh God is who you are ♪ Oh God is who you are ♪ Oh God is who you are ♪ Oh God is who you are ♪ God is who you are ♪ God is you ♪ And who you are we speak ♪ Play the role ♪ And God is who you are Come on, let's sing this together. ♪ You're welcome, you're welcome, welcome

♪ Promise keep, I will Come on, sing it out. ♪ My God, God is who you are ♪ Thank you, Lord ♪ The way you make me record ♪ Promise keep, light in the darkness ♪ My God, God is who you are ♪ Thank you, Lord ♪ That is who you are, God ♪ That is who you are Lord, we love you. We thank you, God. We thank you that when it seems that there's no way, that you're still making ways. You're making highways and seas, God. You're making a way in the desert for us. Lord, we love you. We ask that you speak through the message, God. We never take for granted the moments that we get to worship together. We love you, we thank you, we honor you in Jesus' name. Amen, you may be seated. Thank you for worshiping. We thank you. Again, awesome time in our worship this morning, so thank you for engaging and we just want God to be the very center of everything that we're about. If you'll turn to your Bible, it's in Nehemiah. It's in the front quarter of your Bible

and if you're not going to have, if you don't have a paper copy, you can find it in your app. If not in your app, it'll be on the screen. So we wanna walk together through God's word and tether ourselves to what God has said and so what we do out of it comes from what he's saying. Someone, as you well know by now, that I am wide open to you sending me memes or whatever you wanna send me that you think's helpful in a series ahead of time. It's always nice and this is something that someone sent me the other day. This is on a tea towel that they have. If life closes a door, just open it back up. That's how doors work. I don't know theologically if that's exactly where we wanna land, but I'd like to build on that idea and it's not so much the doors that we open and reopen and close or open again, but rather we wanna watch the doors that God opens and we wanna walk through those doors and when he shuts a door, then we don't go through that door. When he opens a door, we go through the door. He might close one for a while and reopen the door, but it's God's doors that we want to see opened and walked through. In the last several months, if you're new or here, we've been walking through a big idea of scent

that God has called every person, if you're a follower of Jesus, then he has sent you to be a part of something that he has you to be an ambassador for, a representative of him in serving and bringing the message of Christ. We've looked at it on a number of fronts and now we're focused on our neighborhoods and our cities. And when we think about our neighborhood the way we think about a neighborhood, it's where you live, it's where you play, and it's where you work. That's different for everybody. We have multiple neighborhoods. God has positioned you strategically in those neighborhoods and each of those neighborhoods are in a city. God cares about the city and he cares about the neighborhood. All of us are in those environments. The question is, why does he have each of us in a particular spot and what does he want to do with us in our neighborhoods and in our cities? We lean into Nehemiah as he does work in the city of Jerusalem for principles and ideas as we explore today how we can do the same thing. He's a phenomenal role model of an energetic leader and the processes he follows would be helpful for us whether it's business, whether it's regular everyday decisions, or if it's kind of the things we're talking about

related to ministry. and serving in our neighborhoods and cities. In chapter one, if you weren't here, we'll catch you up briefly. Nehemiah is made aware that the people in Jerusalem are in distress. The wall has been torn down for decades and it makes it unsafe for them. And it's Nehemiah's desire then to seek God out in prayer. It's a beautiful model in his prayer of praise to who God is. Flowing from that is confession and repentance on behalf of the nation, his family, and himself. Then he remembers and says to God, we are your redeemed people. And we know that that's the treasured people of God. And from there, he finally makes his request. And he asked God, would he be able to have favor and compassion and success before the king? That brings us to chapter two. And I want us to work around that idea of watching God open doors. For several years now, I've prayed Psalm 5-3 most every morning. It says, in the morning, oh Lord, you'll hear my voice. In the morning, oh Lord, I will order my prayer to you and eagerly watch. And I am just asking God to give me his eyes for the day and to eagerly watch what he's doing. And what does he want me to do?

What doors does he want me to walk through? Where is he going to unfold for me conversations today, ways to serve today, ways to love today? I simply wanna watch what he's doing. I'm not trying to kick a door down. I'm not trying to force a door open. I am looking for the doors that God opens. And those are the ones we want to walk through and be obedient to what he has for us in those moments. That's what happens with Nehemiah all throughout. And then we can see it specifically in chapter two. There's five things that I see that are helpful to break this chapter down for us as we track through walking through those open doors. And the first is to trust God's timing. God's timing is different than our timing. Oftentimes, there are things we want to do, we're ready to roll, we want to do this, we want to do that, it's just not time. So we trust God's timing. Verse one, chapter two, and it came about in the month Nisan in the 20th year of King Artaxerxes that wine was before him and I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence. The month Nisan is the month April in the way we think today. In chapter one, it opened in November, December when he prayed and asked God to be a part of making things right in Jerusalem.

That's a four-month lag. For days and nights, we're told, Nehemiah prays. He prays and he fasts, day and night. That's the idea that we learn in 1 Thessalonians 5, to pray without ceasing. This is an example of it. God puts something on your heart so much that you just continually are praying day and night. That's what Nehemiah is doing. Four months, there's a four-month lag. God's timing is often different than our timing. Nehemiah's job was to be an encouragement to the king. He had a strategic position with the king. He had a spot where he was to encourage. He needed to look at least like he was happy and for a period of time, it looks like he was able to do that. But in this four-month mark, the king sees through him. And I think we all know this, that after a while, if you're with someone and you're close proximity to them, they might be able to hide something for a while, but there's a point where you realize there's something wrong. You can see it in their face. You can see sadness in people's face and you know something's off. And the king recognizes in that fourth month, something is off with Nehemiah. He says he's not been sad in his presence. The king said to him in verse two,

why is your face sad though you're not sick? For some people, your faces give you away. For other people, you can hide it for a while. But for all people, there's a point where someone's close enough and they know something's off. And the king knew something was off. The Hebrew word for sad in these verses is a word that's tied to evil or misfortune. The sadness that is in Nehemiah is over the misfortune of what's happening in Jerusalem in this moment with the wall that's torn down. So the king said why is your face sad though? You're not sick. That's this is nothing but sadness of heart So he recognizes that it's Nehemiah's heart that is sad It is to the very core of who he is then Nehemiah said I was very much afraid Now now why was Nehemiah afraid? He had been seeking God out on the opportunity to talk to the king I Don't know that he expected it on this day, and that's oftentimes how God works it happens in the moment We're not expecting it and now here's the moment with the king, and he's afraid And perhaps he's afraid because he knows his job is to not look sad or discouraged before the king maybe That could be the problem or it could be in Ezra Which is the book of the Bible just prior to Nehemiah and Ezra and Nehemiah traveled together For the longest time and so we oftentimes think of them together But in 421 of Ezra So now issue a decree to make these men stop work that this city may not be rebuilt until a decree is issued by me the king had already stopped the rebuilding of Jerusalem And I Nehemiah was coming back, and he was going to ask if he could

Restart that project that had been stopped so perhaps he was afraid in that way verse 3 I said to the king let the king live forever that would be a common address to the king Why should my face not be sad when the city the place of my father's tombs lies? Desolate and its gates have been consumed by fire Nehemiah First describes the city is the place of his father's tombs in that day there would have been Significant meaning Around the way someone was buried and where their bones were placed So this was an identification point for our desert season for Nehemiah He would understand the value and the importance of it so when we are Communicating with someone it's important that we find a connection with them and Nehemiah finds that connection with our desert seas before he talks about the Desolation of the city then the king said to me. What would you request so I prayed to the God of heaven? If you're a baseball fan This is just like a fat fastball coming right down the middle This is what you've been waiting for and the king says hey, what's your request? He's asking him So this is Nehemiah's opportunity, and I want us to pause here for just a moment Because it could seem with all the things we're talking about being sent. We've been talking action go serve Share the gospel it could feel like we're such a works-driven Group of people, but that comes out of our rest and who we are in Christ In our relationship with him and we labor in the things that God has for us And when we do that we're right in the middle of it, and we're centered on the rest that we have in Christ So what does Nehemiah do he's been praying? He's waiting for the opportunity Here's the opportunity and he prays to the God of heaven He's been praying, but before he answers He wants to make sure He wants to make sure That what he says is what God would have for him to say in revelation 320

John is writing To the to the churches and in revelation 320 says behold I stand at the door and knock if anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come into him and will dine with him and he with me He was describing a church that Was neither hot nor cold. It was lukewarm Rather spit it out than have it in your mouth He said hey, there's an open invitation for those who know christ To enjoy and spend time with him at the table The door is open for us as believers to enjoy and spend that time Are we pausing? And enjoying him and then we understand What he has for us and we move out of what he has for us. We're not moving ahead of him We're not moving behind him We're moving with him and we're leaning into him as we go verse five I said to the king if it pleased the king and if your servant has found favor before you send me to judah Now i've circled send me because I want you to just see that here he is. He's saying i'm ready to be sent Hey, he recognizes the problem He's praying, here's the opportunity, and he's not saying, he can do it, he can do it. He's saying, send me, I'm ready to go. I think I mentioned this a week ago, and I wanna reiterate. I don't know that I understand all of Nehemiah's background. He might've been a handyman and a contractor on the side. I don't know that, but what I know is, his job is a cup bearer. I also know he's a governor. I don't know if he's the builder kind of guy, but you know what, he's about to be.

And I wonder sometimes if we get so focused on, this is my giftings, these are my passions, I'm just gonna do my passion, I'm just gonna do my gifting. I wonder sometimes if God just wanted to take you right out of your wheelhouse and put you into something that you know nothing about and say, game on, this is my assignment for you. And watch how I come through for you and give you everything you need and beyond to do it. Nehemiah, a cup bearer, about to be a contractor and a building superintendent. Send me, he's in. Verse six, the king said with the queen sitting beside him, how long will your journey be and when will you return? That was his only concern. I just wanna make sure you get back here. You're doing a great job. I don't wanna lose you in the job, so I'll just make sure you're coming back. And Nehemiah gives him a good enough answer, I guess, because the king was satisfied with that answer. Verse eight, or verse seven, I said to the king, if it please the king, let letters be given me for the governors of the provinces beyond the river that they may allow me to pass through until I come to Judah. Nehemiah has a wisdom about him. He's been thinking about this for a while as he's prayed. Now he has the king willing to let him go,

but he needs some things from the king. Remember, the king had halted the project. He needed something that would give him credibility and he asked for letters of safe passage to be able to go and do the project that he believed God had for him. And then in verse eight, he asked for another letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the fortress, which is by the temple, for the wall of the city and for the house to which I will go. He knew he needed wood, he needed the timber to be able to do the project, and he knew the king had the resources to do that. And I love that Nehemiah was not afraid to ask the people who had the resources to be able to do the project that God intended. God is going before him every step of the way, and we're in on what God has, we can trust that he's working in the hearts of people before us. And the king granted them to me because the good hand of my God was on me. Nehemiah takes no credit. He knows the reason that this is unfolding for him is because of the good hand of God on him. The good hand of God. It's Genesis 39 too, where the Lord was with Joseph. There's a recognition that when God is with people,

that the things God wants done will get done. In Proverbs 21.1, this is what the Proverbs says. The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord. He turns it wherever he wishes. The will of God will not be thwarted, Job wrote in the last chapter of that book of the Bible. God channels the hearts of those in authority to get done what God wants done. That's why we can lean into Proverbs 3, five through eight. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him and he will make your path straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes. Fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones. You wanna know how to have a refreshed body? Trust God and go his way. I asked Jehu to, I won't put his picture back up for you, but he's over our local things around the neighborhood. Amy Hadley's over the things beyond our neighborhood. But I asked them again this week to look at this outline and what are some thoughts they would have. Jehuda talked about opportunities when he came into his role. They were praying for ways to get into the schools around the neighborhood so that we can have an impact, not just directly around us in the homes, apartments,

but also in. in the schools. In God's timing, it took a bit for those doors to open up in some of the schools, but over time, in God's timing, he's opened up opportunities for us in schools right around the neighborhood, in addition to schools beyond the neighborhood. In all of these things, we know that God is the one who opens these doors for us in this season of time. So we trust God for his time. When the door is shut for a while in a school, we pray and we ask God to open and reopen the door. We don't try to kick it down. We don't try to do something that loses credibility in the community. Okay, for now, God must have something else going on there. That's not for us. Maybe there'll be a day it reopens for us, but we keep asking and we trust him. God gets the glory, God opens the door. The second thing that happens, if God opens the door, then let's go through the open door. It's not time for us when the door is open to just kinda look in there. We don't stand back in the porch and let the ring get everything on us as we're standing there looking inside. The door is open, go in the door. If we're praying and God opens the door, go.

It's time to go. It's not time to wait anymore. The door is open, do it, go for it. In verse nine, that's exactly what Nehemiah does. Then I came to the governors of the provinces beyond the river and gave them the king's letters. He's already getting after it. He has the letters, he's gone. It's time to go. And now the king had sent with me officers of the army and the horsemen. I think this is so cool because Nehemiah did not ask for part of the king's army. He asked for letters for credibility. He asked for letters to get the timber. That's what he asked for. But you know what? God strategically places people, and he's placed many of you in positions where when someone comes and they ask you something and you know you can give them that, you also might can see something else they need that they might not see yet, and you can give it to them. Our God is a really generous God, and we ought to always be looking generously beyond what somebody's asking to say, yes, God has positioned us, positioned me somehow in a way where I can meet that, and you know what? You're also going to need this. Now, can you imagine when Nehemiah came into Jerusalem

and he came with these letters of credibility from the king and he came with at least a small piece of the king's army? That's a good way to come in and get started on a project. And God just keeps opening up the door and giving him what he needs as he walks through the door. When we talk about our neighborhoods, one of my favorite neighborhoods is the gym. And this week, midweek, I found myself at a different time of the day in the hot tub on a Wednesday afternoon. Now, I'm selfish about the hot tub. There is a jet that I like. There's a place I like to be in it. I'm like you with the end cap. It's kind of like you want that spot. Well, I want this spot. I want the spot with this jet. And I've learned to be unselfish about it. If somebody's there, I just think, oh, bummer. I guess I'm supposed to be at another jet. And so this was a day where I was not at the jet I preferred. But there was only like two other people in there. I sit over here, somebody's here and here. We're pretty wide apart. A man comes in and he just gets right next to me. And I'm thinking, this is even awkward for me. I don't even think I would do this to somebody. But I thought, all right, God, you brought him. It's time for, we're gonna have a conversation. You're gonna sit this close to me.

We're gonna talk. So I noticed that we were of different ethnic origins. It was obvious the two of us were different. And so I asked him, I said, what's your ethnicity? What's your origin? And he said, I'm from Pakistan. I said, that's awesome. I said, I've met several people from Pakistan in the last few years. And he looked at me, this was a fun guy. And he said, were they all in IT? I said, I don't know. I have to think about that for a while. But that's a great question. So then I asked him, I said, are you Christian or Muslim? And he said, Muslim. I said, are you practicing or are you cultural? And he said, semi-practicing. I said, okay, what does semi-practicing mean? He goes, I go to the mosque on Fridays. I said, which mosque you go to? He said, the one in Colleyville. I said, that's interesting. I said, I went there several years ago. And the day I was there, the imam said, if you don't pray five times a day, you're going to hell. I said, what do you think about that? And he said, He said, yeah, some people say that. And I thought, yes, your imam said that.

I said, you guys think we're harsh. I mean, goodness, look at you. And that opened up opportunity and I was able to talk about Christ with him. And you know what's so cool? He's been in the US for 40 years and multiple people have talked to him about Jesus over time. He said, like, you kind of believe John 3, 16, right? Yes. For God so loved the world, he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in him will not perish, but have everlasting life. So yes. I just asked God to open doors and walk in them. And other people have done that with him as well. Just what is your neighborhood? God has opportunities for you all day long, every day. It might be to encourage a believer. It might be to build a relationship with a lost person. It might be one more way to share the gospel with someone. Last Sunday night, Jehudah was out here at the soccer, on the courts at the soccer field, and 12 Muslim guys came at the end of the night to play. And you know what? The way Jehudah talked about it, he said, like, why do y'all do this? Because he explained, it's the church across the street and we did this for the community to be able to use. And they said, well, why would you do that?

And Jehudah explains, because Jesus loves us, we wanna love the community. This is a way we can love the community. It's just being ready for the open doors. One more reason that's so crucial is about a month or a month and a half ago, I had the opportunity to park with my grandson. It was my grandson and I and 60 of our new Bangladeshi Muslim friends. And God opened up an opportunity with a guy. And we talked about his faith, our faith as Christians, said, hey, let's get together and talk about this some more. I reached out to him this week to set a time. And he said, in our faith, I think it's called Hadith. He said, when we receive an invitation, we're not to refuse the invitation. He said, however, at this time, I will not be able to meet with you because of work and family during the week. So I texted him and I said, okay. I said, what about the weekend? And I think the point was he was trying to be done with me, but, because he hasn't responded to that. But you know what? I'm so glad that day I was with him that I walked the gospel with him. That's at least another time or one time. We may get one time and then it closes. The door's not open there. I can't force anything there.

We take the doors when they're open. We go through them. And all of us can be a part of those open doors. Verse 10, when Sambalat the Hornite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about it, it was very displeasing to them that someone had come to seek the welfare of the sons of Israel. Sambalat is a Samaritan. They hated the Jews. Tobiah the Ammonite was a, that would be where Jordan is. They did not like Israel and the Jews. And they were displeased for probably religious, economic, political, all kinds of reasons. But this is our first hint of displeasure. Now I wanna make a note here about God's will. Oftentimes we'll say that we're right in the middle of God's will. He called us to this particular place. Our house sold like the next day. And then he opened up a house for us. We already have that house. And everything just works beautifully. And we say, well, that must be God's will. I'm not saying it's not. God works like that beautifully with people. And it might be your house doesn't sell and it's not so easy and there's hardship for a while. And that's still God's will.

And it might be that some people are for something and other people are against something that you're doing. That still can be God's will. We just wanna abide deeply in him, know what his will is and walk in it. This is what Paul did in 1 Corinthians 16, nine. He said, for a wide door for effective service has opened for me. And there are many adversaries. God will open doors wide for us. And there will be many adversaries often. He opened a wide door and there are many adversaries. So we go through the door, even if there are adversaries. The third thing, Nehemiah has already been planning well, but that's the third thing we think about here that he did, plan well. If I could, let me just summarize verses 11 through 16. Nehemiah inspects the walls of the city. He does it at night and he does it with a few of his men. And he's the only one riding a horse. He's doing it indiscreetly or discreetly at night. And he's making. his plan, he's inspecting the wall, he's very strategic in how he does it, and he's making sure that what he heard matches with what he sees before he unfolds the plan to everybody else. Now depending on what kind of job you have, you might be the one that lays out the strategy, you might be the one that receives the strategy,

but if someone comes too early with the plan, it can be a problem because you don't have enough answers yet for the kinds of questions people will ask. Those are things we wrestle with all the time in our leadership is when do we actually talk about something so that we can actually answer the questions people are going to have. That's what Nehemiah's doing. He's making sure he's all buttoned up before he involves the rest of the people to be a part of the plan. So he has some people in the planning, being a part of that plan, and then he's getting ready to unfold the plan. And that scenario that I told you about, Jehuda with one of our schools, school opened up, then the question became what'll be the best way for us to function in the school? And after working with some of the leadership there, the plan they came up with was to start a Hispanic leadership club to help kids develop leadership skills. Fantastic way to get in the schools, build relationships, and give some necessary skills that will be helpful for them. And then hopefully there's opportunities with the gospel, but we plan well. Has anybody received a save the date on an invitation in the last few months? Just think about it inwardly.

I've gotta save the date for you. We don't have the plan yet, but I've gotta save the date. October 6th, it's National Night Out, and we're looking for ways we can think about in our neighborhoods while we're in this series to practically as a church put into play in our neighborhoods a night if it's already a National Night Out. All right, involve the right people, verse 17 and 18. That's where Nehemiah rolls next. And I said to them, you see the bad situation we are in, that Jerusalem is desolate and its gates burned by fire. He says the bad situation we are in. He identifies with the people. He says I'm in this with you. I don't live here in Jerusalem, but I love the people of God. I am part of the people of God. I love this city, and I'm in this with you. This is a bad situation. One of the things that I just can't stand about politics anymore, and it's both Democrat, Republican, and everything they're creating in between and on the outsides, it has become so I do this and I do that. This has been going on for years. It was not like that decades ago, at least in my short memory. It was more we.

But now everything's about what I can do and what I'm gonna do for you. Nehemiah is not saying this is what I can do for you. He's in there with them. Let's do this together. We, we, verse 17. So come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that we will no longer be a reproach. Let's rebuild it. We can do this together. I told them how the hand of my God had been favorable to me and about the king's words, which he had spoken to me. This gives the credibility of this. Again, it's God's getting the credit and this is what we're gonna do under God's leadership. Then they said, let us arise and build so they put their hands to the good work. That's awesome, isn't it? Look what God's doing here. He brings people, Nehemiah hears them, sees the problem, he prays, God gives favor. He turns the heart of the king. He gives Nehemiah what he needs. Nehemiah makes the plan. Now he's gathering up the people, they're ready. It's like they were just waiting for a leader to say, let's go. We all see this problem. Let's fix it. Let's build the wall.

And when God's in on it, he'll be working in the hearts of people whether they even know it's coming or not. And we want to have our heart positioned before God that it's yes. We're just looking to see what he's doing. What does he want us to be a part of? For some of you, he wants you to be the energetic leader that is Nehemiah for projects. For other people, he wants you to be just sitting there waiting, I'm ready to serve. You tell me, I don't care what the skill set is. I'm a yes, I'm in. As I lean in to the things God has for me and then for us as a church. So over 20 years ago, just give you a picture of this whole model here of what Nehemiah is doing. We heard about beach clubs, and that a few had started up in some of the elementary schools. These were after-school clubs where Jesus was being taught, Bible stories were being taught on the campuses after school. And when we heard about it, we started praying and said, well, why would we not wanna be in on that? And so we started asking, who are people that could be a part of that? And so there were some parents in our church

that were game, they had kids in the school. This was at Carroll Elementary, and their kids were there, and so they were game. And so they talked to Stacey Wagnon, who's the principal of the school, and Stacey was game to step out in that. So God was working in the parents and in the principal, and the door opened for that particular school, and went into that school. 20 years later, they're still doing beach clubs. And yes, and generations of parents have been taking the lead as others move out. When their kids move out, others step in. And yes, we always need more volunteers. And there are a number of other schools that are doing the same thing, that God's opened the door. And over time, God has closed the door on some. Places we've been, we can no longer do it. Places we wanted to have beach club, we couldn't get in. And then later, God opens the door. So we just pray, we watch where God opens, and then we walk through that door, and there is no telling how many children and parents and families have been transformed in the last 20 years through beach clubs. We just don't know. But somebody has to be willing to step out and risk, and do what it is that God is inviting them into. What are those things today that God is doing that we step into, that 20 years from now,

we'll look back and say, oh, wow. I'm glad somebody took the first step on that. And I love that God opened the hearts of people to be able to do that and be a part of it, and look what happened. And we don't even begin to know what God's doing. So we involve the right people. And the last thing is to resist the opposition. In verse 19, when Sambaoth the Hornet, and Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard it. So we get a third person here that is hearing about it, and is in opposition. And now, Jerusalem's really surrounded by enemies that are not liking that Nehemiah's coming. They mocked us, despised us, and said, what is this thing you're doing? Are you rebelling against the king? Now, I don't know about you, but when I read that, I'm reminded of Matthew chapter 27, and I'm reminded of Jesus, who was not deterred by any kind of adversary or any kind of opposition. But in Matthew 27, verses 28 and following, this is what happened to Jesus. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head, and a reed in his right hand. And they knelt down before him and mocked him, saying, hail, king of the Jews. And they spat on him, and they took the reed,

and began to beat him on the head. And they had mocked him. They took the scarlet robe off him, and they put his own garments back on him, and they led him away to crucify him. I'm glad Jesus wasn't deterred by the opposition. Was it God's will for him to go to the cross, crucified for our sin, God to raise him from the dead? Yes, it was. And he was willing to be mocked and despised and questioned on his way. God sent Jesus, Jesus sends us. It is okay when people mock and despise. It's the way of Jesus. In John 10, nine, Jesus said, I am the door. And the way to salvation is to enter through the door that is Jesus, that's the most wide open door we have. It's an invite for every person. It's open. You can believe it and step in. See, before we go through any other open doors, that's the first door. It's the way to Jesus. And then once we're in on him, then it's game on. We're sent and we go. and we pray just like Paul. When he says in Colossians 4, devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving, praying for us at the same time as well,

that God will open up to us a door for the word. So that we may speak forth the mystery of the gospel for which I've been imprisoned, that I may make it clear in the way I like to speak. That's the message we wanna take through every open door. And we see Nehemiah in verse 20, so I answered them and said to them, the God of heaven will give us success, therefore we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion, no rite or memorial in Jerusalem. Stand firm against the opposition, you have no ground here. Satan has no ground, the enemy has no ground. This is what God has given us, we walk in that. Father, thank you for your word this morning and... I think I'm just really overwhelmed, Jesus, at what you did on the cross. So thank you so much. I'm gonna pray for you. I'm gonna pray for you. I'm gonna pray for you. I'm gonna pray for you. I'm gonna pray for you. I pray, God, that we would walk through every door that you open, starting with the door that is you, and that you would be our sole desire, and that your glory would be our sole desire. I'm praying in Jesus' name. Let's just sit for a moment and then I'll wrap us up. Let's just sit for a moment and then I'll wrap us up.

Amen. Amen, thank you. If you are staff or volunteers that are serving out in the hallway, you feel free to go and I'll wrap us up as you're getting ahead of the crowd. If you're part of the prayer team today, if you don't mind, if you'll come to the front so you can receive people who'd like to pray. And then anybody that would like to give, you can give on the way out. And if I could just ask you this real quick. Joe Sanchez is our, he oversees our worship now. He's been our executive pastor for years. I don't have time to explain this this morning, but what I am gonna do is beg you to pray, really diligently today for him. He's been in ICU at Baywood Grapevine since Tuesday. Again, I'm sorry I can't explain everything in the time that we have. But would you just pray today would be a turning point for him. I just want us to be an army of people praying that it would turn for him. So I would just appreciate if you would do that. And so thank you for it. Again, if you want more detail, we can share that. But if you could at least pray to that end. All right, y'all have a good day. Thank you for being here. And again, we have people to pray with you

who'd like to pray.