God Vision

11 I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days 12 I set out during the night with a few others. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on.

13 By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal[a] Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire. 14 Then I moved on toward the Fountain Gate and the King’s Pool, but there was not enough room for my mount to get through;

15 so I went up the valley by night, examining the wall. Finally, I turned back and reentered through the Valley Gate. 16 The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, because as yet I had said nothing to the Jews or the priests or nobles or officials or any others who would be doing the work.

17 Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” 18 I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me.

They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work.

Lets talk about flowers

Name some flowers!

What do they have in common?

Recognize the ripple.

Reality vs. Possibility

"...examining the walls of Jerusalem...broken down...destroyed by fire.

v. 13

It Starts from the Heart

"I had not told anyone what God put on my heart" v. 12

• Nehemiah had to face and look at the reality and still visualize a rebuilt wall
• We have to be able to see past the reality and see the possibility.
• If we focus too much on the way things look today, it can be dificult to see the plan that God has for us.

Check the Formation

• God vision will always come from your heart.
• That means that it will not always make sense.
• Second Chances
• Other people might not understand
• It is not everybody's business - God will let you know if and when to share

They replied '"Let us start rebuilding." So they began the good work.

v. 18

• When it is time to share what God has put on your heart, everything will fall into place.
• People will want to support you, and be a part of it.
• Doors will be open and your steps will be ordered.
• Take note and watch God's vision come to life.

One Big Difference

Bless Up: God Vision

Good vision - All about you

God Vision - benefits more than just yourself

(Rev. Fomby)

What does it mean to have God Vision?

• Nehemiah recently found out about the fallen deteriorating walls of Jerusalem.

• He left his job as a King’s right hand to go back and help his people.

• God gave Nehemiah a very specific vision of restoration.

& Then What?

• Nehemiah had to share his God vision and get other people on board.
• Nehemiah had to see past the reality and see the possibility.
• He also had to trust that God would equip him to see that vision become reality.

Nehemiah 2:11-18

The Struggle

• I will draw something on a board
• The partner who can not see has to listen to the description and recreate the drawing
• The person that can see the drawing has to communicate what they see to their partner

Do you see what I see?

Hold Up

• What did you picture when Carlton first began talking?
• Have you ever experienced someone describing one thing while you were visualizing something different?
• Was it surprising when he revealed what he was actually describing?
• Is it always easy to see what someone else sees?

There's More!

• There is a difference between good vision and God-vision.
• God vision always goes beyond what any human could envision.
• When God gives you a vision he will also give you the support you need to make it happen.