Feb. 23, 2025

The sermon begins at 17:12 min into the video. The music is licensed under CCLI Copyright #2723035 and Streaming Media #22024223 licenses.

Pastor Dave’s inspiring sermon on the Book of Nehemiah is the urgent, inspiring call to recognize and courageously tackle the brokenness caused by sin in our personal lives, families, and society—by leaning on prayer, repentance, fasting, and unshakable trust in God’s boundless faithfulness, just as Nehemiah did when he faced Jerusalem’s shattered walls.  He describes how Nehemiah turned tears and prayers into a miracle of restoration for Jerusalem—and how you can do the same right now! Don’t let hopelessness hold you back; dive into God’s incredible love with bold prayers, heartfelt fasting, and honest confessions—God is ready to rebuild every broken piece, bringing you, your loved ones, and our community unstoppable hope and healing. Take that first step today—you’ll be amazed at the transformation waiting for you!

Highlights

• Nehemiah’s heart breaks when he hears about Jerusalem’s crumbled walls and charred gates—proof of sin’s destruction—and he responds with raw sorrow and powerful prayer, igniting a path we can follow (Nehemiah 1:3-4). 
• Pastor Dave passionately urges you to stop complaining and start grieving and praying over the brokenness in your life, your family, and our world, just like Nehemiah—don’t miss this chance to act (Nehemiah 1:4). 
• Confession and repentance aren’t just words—they’re your key to unlocking deeper connection with God, repairing sin’s damage without earning salvation (which comes by faith alone), as Nehemiah boldly shows (Nehemiah 1:6-7). 
• Prayer and fasting aren’t old-fashioned rules; they’re vibrant, life-changing tools to refocus your heart on God in tough times, not as burdens, but as acts of total dependence—Nehemiah proves it, and Jesus backs it up (Nehemiah 1:4; Matthew 4, 6). 
• Trusting God’s unwavering faithfulness and favor isn’t just hope—it’s your superpower for restoration, giving you success and mercy far beyond anything you could achieve on your own (Nehemiah 1:8-11).

Scriptural References

1. Nehemiah 1:1-11 - This passage captures Nehemiah’s gut-wrenching response to Jerusalem’s ruin—mourning, fasting, praying, and confessing sins—while clinging to God’s promises for restoration. Pastor Dave uses this as a fiery call for you to depend on God to rebuild your broken places.
2. Deuteronomy 28 - It reveals the Old Testament covenant—blessings for obedience, exile for disobedience—framing Nehemiah’s prayer and Israel’s history. Pastor Dave inspires you to dive into God’s Word, trust His promises, and see how they can heal your life’s brokenness today.
3. Matthew 4 - Jesus’ fasting shows it’s a powerful, personal way to seek God, not a legalistic chore. Pastor Dave urges you to embrace fasting as a bold step to connect with God in your darkest moments, fueling your journey of restoration.
4. Matthew 6 - Jesus teaches fasting as a heart-focused act, not a show for others, reinforcing its role in drawing near to God. Pastor Dave challenges you to make fasting a vibrant part of your daily walk, trusting God to transform your struggles.
5. Acts 14 - The early church’s fasting and prayer prove these practices are timeless tools for God’s people in crisis. Pastor Dave encourages you to adopt them with passion, sparking restoration in your life and community, just like Nehemiah’s example.

The Call

• Face Your Brokenness Head-On: List the broken places in your life, your family, or your community, like strained relationships or personal struggles, and pray with passion for God’s insight to start healing them today. 
• Pray with Fire Every Day: Commit 10 minutes each day this week to pour out your heart to God about these broken areas, using Nehemiah’s prayer as your guide (Nehemiah 1)—cry out, “Lord, let Your ears be open... and grant me mercy!” Watch how this changes everything! 
• Confess with Courage: At the end of each day, take a moment to reflect—where did you mess up today in your thoughts or actions? Confess those to God with honesty, ask for His help to change, and maybe share with a close friend to keep you strong. Don’t let guilt weigh you down, let it lift you up! 
• Fast with Purpose: Pick one day this week to fast from food or a distraction like social media, using that time to pray boldly for restoration in a specific area, like a tough relationship or personal burden. Feel God’s power as you refocus on Him! 
• Trust God’s Favor Boldly: Learn by heart Nehemiah 1:11 and pray whenever you face a big challenge—at work, home, or in your community. Trust that God’s favor is better than anything you could earn and step out with confidence in His love to rebuild your life!

Final Thoughts: Pastor Dave’s has a message that’ll change your life—don’t let brokenness crush you; let God’s incredible love lift you up as you pray, repent, and rebuild with courage! He’s calling you to trust in God’s unshakable faithfulness, join your church family in singing His praises, and step out to heal what’s broken around you. You’re not alone—God’s right here, ready to transform your story with hope, healing, and unstoppable power!