How to Kiss a Frog Nehemiah 2:1-8 This is the “original” frog sermon. I now have 15 frog sermons.

Introduction Fairy tail – “Frog Prince” – Prince is turned into a frog UNTIL he is kissed by a beautiful girl – Theory – the task is too repulsive and won’t ever happen Application: Some work is challenging, difficult, dirty, even repulsive – but once the work is done – there are rich rewards.

Nehemiah 2 Nehemiah is cup bearer for the king of Persia where he (and Judah) are in captivity He desires to return to Jerusalem The first task – change the king’s heart 11 O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name; and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man." For I was the king's cupbearer. Nehemiah 1:11

Waiting is Essential It came to pass in the month of Chislev, Nehemiah 1:1b Chislev (Hebrew month) = December And it came to pass in the month of Nisan, Nehemiah 2:1a Nisan (Hebrew month) = April Living Bible – One day in April, 4 months later

Be honest with your feelings Nehemiah was sad. It was showing all over his face. The king saw the sadness Nehemiah admits that he is “sore afraid” (v. 2) TODAY – We are often trying to hide our true feelings. Then we wonder why no one seems to care.

Pray – one more time The king was receptive and offered to help. Nehemiah prayed one more time. Then the king said to me, "What do you request?" So I prayed to the God of heaven. Nehemiah 2:4 Keep praying. Luke 18:1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,

Have a Plan 5 And I said to the king, "If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' tombs, that I may rebuild it." 6 Then the king said to me (the queen also sitting beside him), "How long will your journey be? And when will you return?" So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time. Nehemiah 2:5-6

Have a Plan Furthermore I said to the king, "If it pleases the king, let letters be given to me for the governors of the region beyond the River, that they must permit me to pass through till I come to Judah, Nehemiah 2:7 – Write a letter – Permission to travel – Invoice for timber

Make sure that God is on your side And the king granted them to me according to the good hand of my God upon me. Nehemiah 2:8c James reminds us to say, “If the Lord wills.” Jesus prayed, “Not my will, but Yours be done.”

5 Principles of Frog Kissing 1.Changing the heart and character of a person is God’s specialty. 1.Saul to Paul 2.Lydia – Lord opened her heart

5 Principles of Frog Kissing 1.Changing the heart and character of a person is God’s specialty. 2.Praying and Waiting go hand in hand 1.Elijah – prayed for rain, waited, prayed again

5 Principles of Frog Kissing 1.Changing the heart and character of a person is God’s specialty. 2.Praying and Waiting go hand in hand 3.Faith is not a synonym for disorder or a substitute for careful planning

5 Principles of Frog Kissing 1.Changing the heart and character of a person is God’s specialty. 2.Praying and Waiting go hand in hand 3.Faith is not a synonym for disorder or a substitute for careful planning 4.Opposition is to be expected when God’s will is obeyed 1.The godly will suffer persecution 2.There might be ridicule, resistance, scorn.

5 Principles of Frog Kissing 1.Changing the heart and character of a person is God’s specialty. 2.Praying and Waiting go hand in hand 3.Faith is not a synonym for disorder or a substitute for careful planning 4.Opposition is to be expected when God’s will is obeyed 5.JUST PUCKER UP AND DO IT WITH ALL YOUR MIGHT!

LEARN THE LESSONS Some things God requires of us are unpleasant, difficult or challenging. We must learn the lessons from Nehemiah about how to face a difficult task. What is keeping you from obeying God? – Repent, Confess, Be Baptized – Repent and seek restoration – Make corrections in our life