TEXT: Nehemiah 2: 10-12
TITLE: Pushing Past Potential to Performance
Introduction
1. Previous Sermons on Nehemiah
a. Pray Before You Act – Nehemiah 1:1-10
b. Pray Before You Answer – Nehemiah 2: 1-5
c. In Between Prayer and Purpose – Nehemiah 2: 4-10
2. Our God-given Potential and Purpose Attracts Haters
Point One – “They” will be Mad Before You Even Get Started: Verse 10
● Two officials were displeased with Nehemiah’s presence: Sanballat, Governor of Samaria and Tobiah, Governor of Ammon
● The Evil One (the enemy of God and good) will try to stop you before you even get started
Point Two – Go! Even If It Disturbs People that Should Help Us: Verse 11
● Verse 11 says, “I went to Jerusalem…” Before Nehemiah even got to the place “they” were mad.
● As you journey to your God-ordained purpose, folks will get mad that you even took the journey.
Point Three – Move in Silence as God Prepares Your Heart: Verse 12
● As we go forward in what God places on our hearts, we cannot take everybody, or everything with us.
● As we go forward in what God places on our hearts, we cannot tell everybody — and that’s OK! Not everyone can handle the prayers, the purpose, the plan, the strategy that God gives you!
