Making an impact for Christ in an indifferent world David Hodge, Speaker Walk Thru the Bible Ministries Atlanta GA

A Life of Influence Begins With a CONCERN A concern from God A concern that is sincere A concern that helps others

The Cost of Concern

The Cost of Concern 1. Sacrifice

The Cost of Concern 1. Sacrifice 2. Loneliness

The Cost of Concern 1. Sacrifice 2. Loneliness 3. Hard Work

The Cost of Concern 1. Sacrifice 2. Loneliness 3. Hard Work 4. Criticism

The Cost of Concern 1. Sacrifice 2. Loneliness 3. Hard Work 4. Criticism 5. Possible Failure 6. 7.

The Cost of Concern 1. Sacrifice 2. Loneliness 3. Hard Work 4. Criticism 5. Possible Failure 6. Safety 7.

The Cost of Concern 1. Sacrifice 2. Loneliness 3. Hard Work 4. Criticism 5. Possible Failure 6. Safety 7. Money

Confidence is the feeling you have just before you totally understand the situation.

“ For Nehemiah, the royal cupbearer, to be released from his job—and dispatched to Jerusalem on a city building mission would be an unprecedented marvel… What he was praying for, humanly speaking, was so unlikely as to be virtually impossible. ” J.I. Packer

1. There is a willingness to WORK on his goal. Where You See It

NEHEMIAH 2:1-8 And it came to pass in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, that I took the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had never been sad in his presence before. Therefore the king said to me, “ Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This is nothing but sorrow of heart. ” Then I became dreadfully afraid, and said to the king, “ May the king live forever! Why should my face not be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers ’ tombs, lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire? ”

NEHEMIAH 2:1-8 (cont.) Then the king said to me, “ What do you request? ” So I prayed to the God of heaven. 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 father ’ s tombs, that I may rebuild it. ” So the king said to me… “ How long will your journey be? And when will you return? ” So it pleased the king to send me; and I set a time.

NEHEMIAH 2:1-8 (cont.) 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 and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king ’ s forest, that he must give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel which pertains to the temple, for the city wall, and for the house that I will occupy. ” And the king granted them to me according to the good hand of my God upon me.

1. There is a willingness to WORK on his goal. 2. There is a willingness to WAIT on God. Where You See It

NEHEMIAH 1:1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. It came to pass in the month of Chislev [November-December], in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the citadel…

NEHEMIAH 1:1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. It came to pass in the month of Chislev [November-December], in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the citadel… NEHEMIAH 2:1 And it came to pass in the month of Nisan [March-April], in the twentieth year of the King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, that I took the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had never been sad in his presence before.

Luke 15:23-24 Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

ISAIAH 40:31 But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

1. There is a willingness to WORK on his goal. 2. There is a willingness to WAIT on God. COMMITMENT To engage oneself with no reservations

I would rather fail in a cause that someday will triumph than triumph in a cause that someday will fail.

Defeat is not the worst of failures. Not to have tried is the true failure.

He could have been a multimillionaire.

The impossible is what no one can do until somebody does.

The only person who can stop you from becoming what God intends for your life is you.

What are the obstacles you will face to step out and act upon your concern?

Are you willing to WORK on your goal? Are you willing to WAIT upon GOD?