(Wednesday Online) From Start to Finish: Keep A Goin’ – January 22, 2025
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Pastor Jim Bryant
Philippians 1:6 (NLT)
6 I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Nehemiah 2:12-13 (NLT)
12 I slipped out during the night, taking only a few others with me. I had not told anyone about the plans God had put in my heart for Jerusalem. We took no pack animals with us except the donkey I was riding.13 After dark I went out through the Valley Gate, past the Jackal’s Well, and over to the Dung Gate to inspect the broken walls and burned gates.
1. Walk before you talk.
Luke 14:27-30 (NLT)
27 “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’”
Nehemiah 2:17-18 (NLT)
17 You know very well what trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire. Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and end this disgrace!” 18 Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me, and about my conversation with the king.
Nehemiah 2:18 (NLT)
18 They replied at once, “Yes, let’s rebuild the wall!” So they began the good work.
Nehemiah 2:19 (NLT)
19 But when Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem the Arab heard of our plan, they scoffed contemptuously. “What are you doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” they asked.
2. Focus on the solution, not on the problem.
Nehemiah 2:20 (NLT)
20 I replied, “The God of heaven will help us succeed. We, his servants, will start rebuilding this wall. But you have no share, legal right, or historic claim in Jerusalem.”
Romans 8:28 (NIV)
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:31 (NIV)
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
3. Let opposition bring unity not division.
Ephesians 4:2-3 (NIV)
2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
John 13:35 (NLT)
35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.
Nehemiah 4:6 (NKJV)
6 So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.
Nehemiah 4:7-8 (NLT)
7 But when Sanballat and Tobiah…heard that the work was going ahead and that the gaps in the wall of Jerusalem were being repaired, they were furious. 8 They all made plans to come and fight against Jerusalem and throw us into confusion.
Nehemiah 4:9 (NLT)
9 But we prayed to our God and guarded the city day and night to protect ourselves.
4. Do what you can and leave the rest up to God.
Nehemiah 4:17 (NLT)
17 The laborers carried on their work with one hand supporting their load and one hand holding a weapon.
Nehemiah 4:15 (NLT)
15 When our enemies heard that we knew of their plans and that God had frustrated them, we all returned to our work on the wall.
Nehemiah 4:20 (NLT)
20 When you hear the blast of the trumpet, rush to wherever it is sounding. Then our God will fight for us!
Nehemiah 4:14 (NLT)
14 Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!”
1 Timothy 6:12 (NKJV)
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Galatians 6:9 (NLT)
9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.