Wall Builders | Service

You are listening to a new beginning with Greg Laurie, a podcast made possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God. Visit our website and learn more about harvest partners@harvest.org will you know God is looking for people to work for a woman is universal and say all work through all these would you be the person you may be Josh the person God is looking to begin.

Pastor Greg Laurie invite you to say yes to God's plan for your life God chooses to work through people.

Would you be willing to stop the Lord, you can use the sidewalk. We may be greeted by so we may present punctured with Dorsey.

They were let in worship and were taught from God's word. A lot of people made themselves available for all that you have today on you Pastor Greg Laurie wonders what willing to do someone else is bridging message we can say yes were in Nehemiah the title of my messages wall builders pick up when we last left off and then will talk about chapter 3 cures the narrative, Israel continued to worship false gods and idols. Lord warned them for the prophets to stop or they would go into captivity. God was very specific about what would happen to them. But still, they ignored it. So one day the Lord allowed the people of Israel to be divided after the death of King Solomon and then a group of them were taken as captives in the Babylon, which interestingly was like idols, central gods everywhere, the Lord said you won't false gods. Here you go enjoy like putting a kid in a candy shop and after a little bit again the you feel sick to your stomach. So there they were in this land of idols, and they cried out to God to be delivered and after 70 years, the Lord answered their prayer. Nebuchadnezzar the ruler of Babylon, God said unto his grandson Bell's jobs are who was conquered by the Medo Persian forces that came in Cyrus, the leader of the Medo Persian Empire. Let the first wave of Jews returned to Jerusalem and led by the priest as they rebuilt the temple, but some time elapsed on the walls were still lying in rubble and ruin enter the man for the hour. Nehemiah wasn't God will do his work in his way and his timing but God chooses to work through people so the Lord was searching for the right person for the job there's always the right man or a right woman for the job of the Bible tells us in second Chronicles 69 the eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. Listen to this right now. God is looking for people to work through God's looking for a man, God's looking for a woman is looking for someone that he can say all work through all be strong on behalf of, would you be that person. Would you be willing to step forward and say Lord you can use me. I don't bring a lot to the table but I'll give you what I have. I mean trust me when I tell you I had very little to offer to the Lord when he called me to serve him. So anything that has come out of this ministry is certainly been from Jim enter Nehemiah that he has a killer job. He's the cupbearer of the King which meant he was able to eat the best food in all of the world see whatever the king ate.

He took a bite. First, whatever the king drank.

He took a sip.

First a good job unless someone put poison in it, then it's over okay good while it lasted at least 20 was living literally on the lab of luxury. He had a wonderful position there in close proximity to the king. He was more than just someone who tasted the king's foodie gave the king advice. He was a friend of the king. Some even believe he was the second most powerful man in the world because he would have some say-so over who had access to the king, he would influence the king so this is not a job you would want to jeopardize but yet the Lord calls them and here's how it happened. Some friends came and visited from out of town and just like you do when you get together with friends. How are things how's everyone back in the old hometown and and there's a man it's bad Nehemiah places and ruin. The walls are crumbling, there's weeds growing over the walls are burned out their charred fits in embarrassment and Nehemiah was hard was deeply moved and he decided to take action, and he began to weep. Listen after his weeping came working after his despair came determination, but he care you're looking to do anything for anybody. If you don't care about them so you need to first break for compassion. Lord help me see this person as you see them far too often we see nonbelievers as the enemy and they are not the enemy. They do things that nonbelievers do they are profane and and their selfish and their self absorbed in and they hurt us or insult us a people's nonbelievers for getting used to be one they're not the enemy. There, under the control of the enemy. The Bible says that the God of this world.

I would be the devil has blinded the eyes of those that do not believe so. You need to care about them and remember it wasn't that long ago you used to be one of them. Nehemiah care. He cared enough to take action now he could to set up a go fund me page.

I suppose what he decided to go to the king and request the money. So basically, as I said before he went to the king, and said I would build a wall and you are paying for it, but he prayed first.

He prayed that the king would go along with this crazy plan that would cost a lot of money but he also had a plan in one of the things I love about Nehemiah is the practical and the spiritual go hand-in-hand.

Here's a guy who prayed about things, but always had a plan in his back pocket to get the king says yes arty know where to get the lumber. I know where to go to get this other thing I have it all set up but I'm in a praying and he went to the king and requested it in. Amazingly, the king granted his request and even said an armed escort, so Nehemiah leaves Babylon.

He arrives in Jerusalem it's probably worse than the imagine the walls truly are in rubble. He checks it out and that he rallies the people who been there for some time now. People who really not done their job to be honest he says guys Lord is calling us to rebuild the walls. Let's do this together. They all agreed, bringing us to the point I left off with in our last message when you're doing God's work, you will face opposition when you're doing God's work, you will face opposition Nehemiah to verse 19 when sunblock Tobiah guests from the Arab part of our plan.

They scoffed contemptuously saying what are you doing listen whenever God's people say let's rise and build the double and this forces will say let's rise and oppose whenever you're pursuing a divine opportunity. There will be satanic opposition. Paul says in first Corinthians 69 by huge door of opportunity for good work is opened up here, but there is also mushrooming opposition jutted great opportunity mushrooming opposition that now I know when I'm doing something God wants me to do. I will face criticism. I will face opposition, people second guess it. I expect that effective I don't see that I say maybe this is a good idea because that's almost a way of being a confirmed to me member years ago we had this idea to go to dodger Stadium to do a crusade.

People settle you.

You can do. Dodger Stadium you could do that down there at Angel Stadium, but they LA a whole different planet. Someone even said to me. Dodger Stadium is the graveyard of evangelists because everyone that's gone there.

Try to do an evangelistic event has failed. It doesn't work in LA forget about. I like to tell you something someone said something to me like that. It's a little bit like the red cape in front of the bowl. They can't be that.

I think canted or can it maybe this is more of an issue is it won't be done but can it be done with God all things are possible.

So we pray we plan we did everything to make that event a success and we filled dodger Stadium and so many people came forward at the invitation. The fire marshal had the lock the doors, remembering how that happened before the field was filled with people coming to try the same is true for AT&T Stadium in Dallas Texas that that was big.

I have to admit to you I was I was overwhelmed by that one.

I didn't realize how much pressure I was under before that event until after the event ended and the pressure was relieved that the men I been living under this pressure for so long.

I tell you this much in improve my prayer life because it seats 100,000 people, one of the biggest stadiums in America and so it's getting close friend of mine called is the pastor and I think he was trying to be encouraging, but have you ever had someone try to encourage you and they actually discourage you. That's what he did call them to Greg are things come in for harvest America Dave AT&T is another tone pretty well.

Student good work. Praying it looks like we'll have a good response and nieces Greg listen no matter how many people show up. Just remember preach the gospel to how many people so he's already the way you said it is one of those you get a bomb so bad buddy. Even if 100 people in there just preach the gospel. Thank you so much on the voice and I'm discouraged to my wife sometimes will say that in a way but you know I was so excited before the event even started when someone said it's building were turning people away. See, here's what it comes down to if you want to do something for God.

There's potential for failure and there's also potential for success. There's no success without risk, there is no success without opposition. Because Satan hates what we do.

He hates gospel preaching and not forget to keep preaching the gospel and keep it at the forefront of everything Greg Laurie will have the second half of his message just a moment. It's such a blessing to hear from listeners who take time to express their appreciation pastor Greg magnificent. This is just one of the words that enters my thoughts after completing your book Revelation book of promises never taking me so long to read about because I was just absorbing the information contained in each and every chapter. I kept saying to myself, I'm so glad I won't be here when the tribulation happens pastor Greg I love your preaching, and I listen to you on the radio into your podcast. I'm sending you, and very thank you and am so happy that God bless you with the calling to preach to his followers were so grateful to hear of change lives to the books and resources. Pastor Greg and harvest ministries.

If you have a story to share.

Why not contact us and let us know.

Email Pastor Greg greg@harvest.org doing today would you again next Greg and harvest.org. What were studying the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls today in the book of Nehemiah as pastor Greg continues his message now called wall builders here now is Nehemiah Jetton's battle plan together. We see three vital principles in play here. If you're taking notes here. They are investigation cooperation and determination investigation.

First he checked out the problem.

Okay, here's how big the city is, here's what it's going to take.

Here's how many people, need to get the job done.

Okay, I've investigated it now cooperation.

Let's put the team together.

Let's get the right people in the right places and tell them what their job is finally determination were not going to be deterred. Defeat is not an option. That brings me to my next point we need to find our place in the work that God is doing. We need to find our place in the work that God is doing that before I read Nehemiah 3 I want to the no it has the potential to be boring because it's a lot of names if you read the book of Nehemiah.

How many of your bread. The whole book of me in my reading in a very good how many of you have not read the whole book of Nehemiah yet. Okay, it's okay.

Just read it readable for next Sunday. Read it. But here's the skinny happen.

Nehemiah 1/2 screen Nehemiah to this is also Nehemiah 31 lot sending lots of names and what they did but remember all Scripture is given by inspiration of God even lists and even genealogies right there all there for a reason. As we will see in a moment, let's read a few verses Nehemiah 3 this is a little bit like the credits at the end of the film, you know, unless you were in the film you don't care but the rolling in these matter to God. They should matter to us first one then Elias shipped the high priest and the other pre-started to rebuild the sheep gate.

They dedicated it set up its doors building the wall as far as the Tower of the hundred which they dedicated the tower of Hunter now two people from the town of Jericho worked next to them and be on the most sucker son of Emre that this gate was built by the sons of Vanessa and then delete the been set up its doors installed, its bolts and bars in Miramonte, son of Uriah and grandson of how because repair the next section of wall beside him were Ms. Sholom, son of Beare Kia and grandson of Ms. Schick, Isabel and Zajac of Bohne. Okay, really, really, really, there's a lot here. The phrase next to him and after him are mentioned 28 times in the chapter. What is that mean they work together.

These are different kinds of people. These are not builders say we think these are construction people, by the way, I'm very impressed with anyone who's good at construction. Anyone who's good at building things you know I when I go in the hardware store. I get all excited look at all this cool stuff. I want to build something but I have no skills whatsoever think there's a missing Jean and me or something I can do it. I make things worse and when I need someone who can repair a car or on your put wiring in here or throw this wall up or put up the drywall and all is so impressive to me. These are not construction people to the point Nehemiah was a cupbearer. He was then an architect or builder and so some of these people were priests and some of these people were goldsmiths Nehemiah 38. Some were perfumers.

Nehemiah 38 merchants, 332 there were rulers workers good for different towns in different classes you have men and women, young and old. Everyone needed to participate for this job to be done. The same is true of the church, BC Forbes, the founder of Forbes magazine once said, here's how you spell success.

You probably think you spell success SU CES S that's not how you spell success. Here's how you spell success.

You spell it TEAMWORK we want to get something done. We do it together practical insight today beginning study of Nehemiah's rebuilding campaign and pastor Greg Laurie has more to come in this message. Called wall builders including a closing comment from today's portion of the study. Just a moment. Have you heard about Pastor Greg's new book is called lemon, Dylan, Alice and Jesus that examines the way so many of the top music artists had it made, but their lives soon unraveled and your pastor Greg. I tried to imagine what it must be like to be extremely famous you know where you can't even go to the grocery store without a mob developing. You can even open your window blinds for fear of paparazzi with telephoto lenses and that's the point you make in the book. These music stars have a lot of stuff but they have a lot of stress to yes they really do. I mean, it's been said careful what you wish for you might get it. And these are people that got what they wish for.

And then it even went beyond their wildest dreams. But the problem is the dreams in many cases, turned into a horrible nightmare. You know, when you look at the founders of rock if you will. They call them the millionaire quartet Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis called Perkins they were all produced by a man named Sam Phillips who had son records. These guys came from abject poverty. In some cases there were just country boys, all of them was sort of the gospel foundation, all of them were taken the church as young men and of course they all rebelled against it, but interestingly, every one of those founders ultimately came to realize they needed to turn to Jesus.

Elvis struggled through the years. He often sang gospel songs.

There's a lot of fascinating revelations about Elvis Presley.

In this book Lenin Dylan Allison Jesus Jerry Lee Lewis is the only one alive still. Of the four, but in recent interviews.

He's talked about his need to get right with God and of course Johnny Cash became very strong in his faith.

I wrote a whole book about Kim as a matter of fact called Johnny Cash, the redemption of an American icon and then finally called Perkins who wrote blue suede shoes and other great songs.

He was a raging alcoholic and actually came to the Lord while he was on tour with Johnny Cash and took his bottle of booze and threw it into the ocean and committed his life to Christ and serve the Lord for the final years of his life. So yeah, these guys experienced it. In some cases girls experienced it and saw the emptiness of it. So this is a very honest book so I start the book with these words, W3 surprises when we get to heaven.

Number one. Some of the people we thought would be there won't be there. Number two. Some of the people we never thought would be there will be there surprise number three you will be there. So these are some of the people you never thought would be there who will be there because no one is beyond the reach of God. That's right.

We hope you contact us for your own copy of Pastor Greg's new book, Lenin, Dylan, Alice and Jesus. The subtitle is the spiritual biography of rock 'n' roll there so many lessons to be learned from the lives of dozens of artists who choice where the pursuit of fame and fortune ultimately leads and will send this book.

Your way to thank you for your partnership. It's only through the investments of listeners that we can continue to bring Pastor Greg's insight your way each day.

So thanks for prayerfully considering how you can help and will thank you. With the book, Lenin, Dylan, Alice and Jesus just call us at 1-800-821-3300. That's a 24 seven phone number 1-800-821-3300 or write a new beginning.

Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or go online to harvest.org you know we live in a time when so many people have been trapped in their technological cocoons with their faces buried in their smart phones when next time pastor Greg urges us to re-learn the importance of engaging with others and working together as a team for the glory of God. Be sure to join us next time.

But before we go. Pastor Greg closes with another observation about the team. We are a part of the body of Christ lessen the church as a family, the church is also an army and the church as compared to a body. Everyone is a part to play. Ephesians 416 says he makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work it helps the other parts grow at the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love see everybody has a role to play every one of you as a rolled up like Johnny I need a few of you to help you. Want to come and stand on the stage. Pastor Paul, could you come up right now and sir I don't know your name what is your name, could you come up. Michael I need you now and coming up the states coming up the stairs over here okay I need this lady here on the Isle man there in the blue. Would you, please, as well. Alright. And I need the whole story need I need some and men would choose second and right there I stood next to you when we did worship in the tents. What are you coming up as well. I want this really cool kid with blonde hair, that cool kid coming up your buddy everybody here. Come on up to. What is your name. I like that with turning Judy come on over here. I stood next to you during worship power you noticed still okay myself to you, come and appear pulse in the middle. Not these are all very different people there different ages. Men and women large and small available role to play in the church. Every one of them has a part of the wall that they built these people are just like you. We all have a part to play, to all bipartisan matter no menace to see if if one part of the wall breaks down see maybe if Michael kind of that is a little bit of a slacker that we doubt he would be and he doesn't keep as part of the wall built up. That's an opening that could be broken into.

But Landon and his part is fortified, no one getting through Landon's bar.

Pastor Paul is like sleeping okay that's a problem, and so we have to wake Paul up and say we need your part of the wall built up because if any part of the wall is broken down. It's something to work. So were all in this together.

Let's think these folks are coming up.

Thank you God bless you every one of us is a part way and the podcast made possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God if this show has impacted your life. Share your story leverage you on your favorite podcast and help others find help