Perseverance | What Could Be | Drew Moore
How do you respond when people try to tear you down? As we see in Scripture, Nehemiah modeled how to persevere in adversity, even when facing critics who met him with mockery, threats, slander, and fear. Amid it all, Nehemiah refused to dishonor God, showing the way forward is to focus on God's call. To persevere, it matters who you listen to, where you look, and what you will do. How will you listen, look, and take action with God this week?
Key Verses
Nehemiah 2:19 NLT: But when Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem the Arab heard of our plan, they scoffed contemptuously. “What are you doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” they asked.
Psalms 62:1-4 NLT: I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him.He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken.So many enemies against one man— all of them trying to kill me. To them I’m just a broken-down wall or a tottering fence.They plan to topple me from my high position. They delight in telling lies about me. They praise me to my face but curse me in their hearts. Interlude
John 8:44 NLT: For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Psalms 62:5-8 NLT: Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. Interlude
Psalms 27:1-3 NLT: The LORD is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident.
Psalms 27:4 NLT: The one thing I ask of the LORD— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, delighting in the LORD’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.
Philippians 4:8 NLT: And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Nehemiah 4:14 NLT: Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!”
Nehemiah 4:9 NLT: But we prayed to our God and guarded the city day and night to protect ourselves.
Philippians 4:9 NLT: Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
Nehemiah 6:10 NLT: Later I went to visit Shemaiah son of Delaiah and grandson of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home. He said, “Let us meet together inside the Temple of God and bolt the doors shut. Your enemies are coming to kill you tonight.”
Nehemiah 6:11-13 NLT: But I replied, “Should someone in my position run from danger? Should someone in my position enter the Temple to save his life? No, I won’t do it!”I realized that God had not spoken to him, but that he had uttered this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.They were hoping to intimidate me and make me sin. Then they would be able to accuse and discredit me.
One of the best ways to hear what God is saying right now is to look at what He has said in the Bible with a few friends. Discovery Bible Study is an easy-to-use way to hear from God, make good changes in our lives, and share with others what God is up to. Grab some friends, pick a verse or story from above, and dive deeper into this week’s message.
Recap
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To begin the study, each person answers these questions:
What are you thankful for?
What is causing stress for our neighbors and people around us?
What can we as individuals or as a group do to help?
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Have someone retell the story from your previous meeting.
Did you live out your response from last week?
Did you tell anyone else about the story from last week?
DISCOVERING WHAT GOD IS SAYING
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One person reads the story out loud to the group.
Someone else in the group retells the story in their own words as they remember it, and others fill in what’s missing.
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Read the passage again (different version if possible)
What does this passage say about God, Jesus, or His plan?
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Have 1-2 more people retell the story as if they were telling a neighbor outside their home.
What does this passage say about people in general?
DISCOVER WHAT GOD IS SAYING
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What in me needs to change to better DO what God is showing me today?
How will you respond to/obey this passage in a tangible, perhaps even costly ways in the next 47 hours?
Have someone record these for prayer time, and for the beginning of the next meeting.
SHARING WHAT GOD IS SAYING
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Take prayer requests
Pray together
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Who in your life needs to hear this story?
Who could you invite to study the Bible like this?
Practice Generosity Here
Every time you give in Jesus’ name, you make a difference in others AND you make a difference in your own life! Partnering together in generosity helps accomplish things together that could never be accomplished alone! You can partner together in giving today with a single gift, or schedule recurring giving using your checking account, debit, or credit card.