Adam's podcast

August 17, 2008 - Nehemiah 4:1-23

"Sons of Abraham! Of Issac! Of Jacob! My brothers. I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me.

"A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day.

"An hour of wolves and shattered shields, when the age of Israel comes crushing down! But it is not this day!

"THIS DAY WE FIGHT!

"Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes. I bid you stand, Men of the Israel!"

Nelson Mandela taught that; Courage is not the absence of fear—it's inspiring others to move beyond it.

I opened the sermon with a movie clip from Return of the King (Lord of the Rings Trilogy) where King Aragorn inspires his troops in the face of their fears and uncertainties.

It is the very thing that we see Nehemiah do in chapter four – he rallies the people to overcome their fears and to keep building.

And it is the very thing we in our church need to do - to overcome our challenges and fears and to keep building the future that God has for us.

I review some of the upcoming programs this fall of 2008 - a new Sunday School program, Sermon Based Home Groups, evaluation of our church structures (utilizing the Natural Church Development program). We have much to be excited about this fall, but also many fears and challenges we must overcome together! Keep Building!

(Below is the video clip I showed at the beginning of the sermon)