This whole episode becomes a case-study in conflict AND what often results from conflict i.e., discouragement. It's the loss of courage (dis-courage) and it can sap a person of energy, vitality, motivation and joy. It's one symptom of what Augustin and later, Martin Luther called "incurvatus in se" -- we curve IN on ourselves - like an ingrown soul.

We can ALL relate to it. There's a good possibility you found yourself discouraged THIS very week. Some of us were perhaps discouraged for the whole week and it's exhausting. So how will our man at the front deal with this conflict that's leading to group discouragement - what magic trick or motivational spell will he conjure to get the people up and running in the face of threats and dangers?

Let's look at:

1. When the Rubble Piles Up
2. Practicing the Presence
3. The Both-And Response

Preacher: TJ Campo

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:11-3:32

He sees something about Planet Earth that most people didn't see and most people TODAY don't see… that is the Kingdom of God.

What he saw… if YOU see it… you'll begin using new metrics or criteria to evaluate the health of this planet and "all who dwell in it" (Psa 24). WE tend to see economic indicators or GDP (productivity) or the amount of freedoms or health/disease stats as the key markers. Nehemiah sees something else.

Let's meet this unsung hero with whom we hope to spend the next eight weeks, Nehemiah. This opening episode is composed of three parts or movements:

1. Bad News from the Headquarters
2. Better Days and Memories of the Future
3. Moved/ to Mission

There would be a catharsis in the city - a cleansing. Cities aren't known to be clean and hygienic places BUT to become great, THIS city would have to be purified and would become a SOURCE of purity and beauty to others - let's look at

HOW THIS CITY BECAME GREAT AND HOW ANYONE BECOMES GREAT: #1 - A City Graced by Grief #2 - A City With a Flowing Fountain #3 - A City Cleansed and Confident

There would be a catharsis in the city - a cleansing. Cities aren't known to be clean and hygienic places BUT to become great, THIS city would have to be purified and would become a SOURCE of purity and beauty to others - let's look at HOW THIS CITY BECAME GREAT AND HOW ANYONE BECOMES GREAT: #1 - A City Graced by Grief #2 - A City With a Flowing Fountain #3 - A City Cleansed and Confident

When the prophets came to a disappointed people... they didn't bring cheery songs without meaning nor was the message, "Oh, just lower your expectations and just deal with it - get realistic (i.e. cynical!)." NO! The prophets nourish the souls of this people with hope. Is it realistic? Yeah! It's truth! Is it optimistic? Yeah! Beyond their wildest dreams... Unassailable Hope.

Let's look at: #1 – How this is AN ENACTED PROPHECY #2– How It CULTIVATED HOPE THEN #3 – How It Can CULTIVATE HOPE NOW

This is APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE. Some people are inordinately drawn to it, and others are sort of afraid of it... We'll look at the FORM or GENRE at the end of the sermon but since it touches on some huge themes of the spiritual life and since we all have a spiritual life (even if you think you don't - you do!), let's look at THE MAIN IDEA of the passage, then a MAJOR IDENTIFICATION in it and finally, THE MYSTERIOUS MODE (why's it expressed in this strange way with symbols and images?)

How do you keep the fire of the spiritual life burning?... And what happens if that fire dims, smolders, goes out...how do you deal with the disillusionments and inevitable disappointments that are always a part of the spiritual life? How do we sustain ZEAL when we're in the mundane rhythms that are, AGAIN, just a part of any normal relationship (even a relationship with God)?

Five occasions for FADING ZEAL, five ways we cool down in the spiritual life and how God responds to each.