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This is the audio from the April 21, 2024 sermon, “Building For Revival: Ask For HELP!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Nehemiah 2

This morning’s message continued a series from the book of Nehemiah about Building For Revival.  As with any construction project, building for revival takes a lot of work.  As God began to prepare His people for revival, a man named Nehemiah sat with God for the purpose of knowing, and getting on board with, God’s plan.  When we choose to join with God in His plan, it should become apparent we can’t build alone.  Revival comes when we are willing to humble ourselves and not only realize our need for help, but be willing to ask for help.  As we pursue God’s plan for revival, we discover a need to ask for . . .

• Hearing: — Nehemiah 2:1-6, 1 John 5:14

  • I suspect that Nehemiah may have struggled greatly with how to gain a hearing with the king.  In fact, as chapter one ends we see Nehemiah asking God to grant him favor with the king.  When the opportunity came for Nehemiah to talk to the king about what God had put on his heart, Nehemiah was more concerned about hearing from God than he was about being heard.  As important as it is for us to know a God who hears us, when it comes to being revived it is more important that we learn to ask for God’s help in us hearing Him.

• Equipping: — Nehemiah 2:7-9, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

  • As Nehemiah asked to hear God, there was a recognition that he needed help from a God who could equip him for the task at hand.  While it may appear that the king was the one equipping Nehemiah, we must always remember Nehemiah was confident this help came from God alone.  As we desire revival, and build for it, we must discover the power of God’s Word which He says is powerful enough to thoroughly equip every one of us for every good work.

• Learning: — Nehemiah 2:11-16, Psalm 25:4-5

  • When Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem to begin the work God had set upon his heart to do, he discovered a need to move from stories to reality in learning about the work that would be required.  He set out in relative secrecy to allow God to influence his observations so that he would not be distracted by the human history of setbacks and failures.  Our pursuit of revival gains traction when we choose to learn from God the very things which He can and will do.  We find the help we need when we learn the ways of God are not just good suggestions, but the only way to experience the fullness of life eternal.

• Protection: — Nehemiah 2:17-20, 2 Thessalonians 3:3

  • We learn from Nehemiah that hearing God, being equipped by God, and learning from God does not automatically add up to no opposition.  In fact, Jesus made it clear that as His followers we would face trouble in this world.  More often than not, the protection we are quick to ask for is a physical protection that shows more concern for the body than for the spirit.  When we learn to ask for, and claim, protection from the evil one, we don’t necessarily escape the troubles of this world but we find help in living the life of faithfulness God desires for each of us to live.

Today, how will you ask for HELP?