IT’S CRISIS TIME AGAIN
NEHEMIAH – GOD’S MAN IN TIMES OF CRISIS
LESSON # 1 of 10 – COMPLETE NOTES
Please share some of your personal experiences with some of the different types of crises listed below. Briefly tell about the crisis, how it was handled, and what you learned.
· A Mid-life or Other Type of Humorous Crisis
· A Family Crisis
· A Personal Crisis
· A Church Crisis
What are some of the various ways people react to crisis?
What do we learn about other people and about ourselves in times of crisis?
Name some Bible Characters who had crises and how they were solved.
WHY CRISES?
1. BECAUSE OF SIN
When Adam and Eve sinned, it stopped being a perfect world. Genesis 3:16-19
Starting with Adam and Eve and Cain and Abel, man caused his own crises.
2. BECAUSE OF SATAN
Satan lives in rebellion to God. Isaiah 14:10-14
Satan influences man to sin.
Satan causes trouble for man. Job 1-2, 1 Peter 5:8
3. BECAUSE OF SCHOOL
James 1:2-4 – My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; [3] Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. [4] But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
2 Corinthians 12:9 – And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
4. BECAUSE OF SUCCESS
James 1:12 – Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Revelation 2:10 – Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
1 Corinthians 15:10 – But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
CRISIS IS:
1. A TIME FOR DEPENDENCE
O Psalm 55:22 – Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Isaiah 41:10 – Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Nehemiah depended upon God in his times of crisis.
2. A TIME FOR GUIDANCE
O Exodus 33:14 – And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
O Psalm 32:8 – I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
O It is obvious that Nehemiah was guided by God in times of crisis.
3. A TIME FOR EXCELLENCE
a. Of Work
Colossians 3:17 – And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Colossians 3:23 – And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Nehemiah and his associates had an excellent work ethic.
What is the significance of an excellent work ethic in a time of crisis?
b. Of Character
1 Peter 1:15-16 – But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; [16] Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
4. A TIME FOR (GOD’S) BENEVOLENCE
Romans 8:35-39 – Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? [36] As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. [37] Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. [38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, [39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The wall around Jerusalem was constructed in 52 days without any mention of loss of life.
Crises are with us until we get to Heaven. Although there are many sorrows related to crises, there can also be many joys and victories. The more crises we face the stronger in the Lord we are to become. The Book of Nehemiah is an excellent textbook for helping us through the crises that we will face.