Faith For God-Sized Opportunities
Pastor Doug Heisel - October 19, 2025
Nehemiah 3:5 – And next to them the Tekoites made repairs, but their nobles would not stoop to serve their Lord.
How to be ready for more God opportunities:
Nehemiah 1:10-11 – “We are your servants, the people you rescued by your great power and might. O Lord, please hear my prayer! Listen to the prayers of those of us who delight in honoring you. Please grant me success now as I go to ask the king for a great favor. Put it into his heart to be kind to me.” In those days I was the king’s cup-bearer.
1. Work like your WORK matters to God, no matter what you do.
(vs 10) – We are your servants…O Lord.
Colossians 3:23-24 — Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
2. Commit to “YES” before you even know the assignment.
(vs 11) – Please grant me success now (LORD) as I go to ask the king for a great favor.
Nehemiah 1:1-2 – Early the following spring, in the month of Nisan, during the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign, I was serving the king his wine. I had never before appeared sad in his presence. So the king asked me, “Why are you looking so sad? You don’t look sick to me. You must be deeply troubled.”
(vs 3) – Then I was terrified, but I replied, “Long live the king! How can I not be sad? For the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.”
(vs 4) – The king asked, “Well, how can I help you?”
(vs 5) – With a prayer to the God of heaven, I replied, “If it please the king, and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.”
3. Put long-term GAIN ahead of short-term COSTS, even when the short-term cost feels too big to handle.
(vs 6) – The king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked, “How long will you be gone? When will you return?” After I told him how long I would be gone, the king agreed to my request.
(vs 7) – I also said to the king, “If it please the king, let me have letters addressed to the governors of the province west of the Euphrates River, instructing them to let me travel safely through their territories on my way to Judah.”
(vs 8a) – “And please give me a letter addressed to Asaph, the manager of the king’s forest, instructing him to give me timber. I will need it to make beams for the gates of the Temple fortress, for the city walls, and for a house for myself.”
(vs 8b) – And the king granted these requests, because the gracious hand of God was on me.
Next Sunday:
Special Guest, Heidi Elizarraraz
Life Group Discussion & Questions
BREAKING THE ICE:
Did you ever turn down a good opportunity because something didn’t feel right? Or, can you think of an opportunity you missed for one reason or another? Describe either scenario.
DIGGING IN:
This week’s message was about being ready for God-opportunities. Read Nehemiah 1:10 through chapter 2:9.
1. In what practical ways was Nehemiah ready when the King asked, “How can I help you?”
2. Review the 3 points related to preparing for God-opportunities from these notes. Is there one that stands out more to you? If so, why?
3. Think about this story from the perspective of “we” (our church). Today, take some time and pray for our future and our ability to reach more people for Christ. Let’s be ready to embrace any of the God-opportunities He puts in front of us.
BRINGING IT HOME:
Every good opportunity is not a God-opportunity that has your name in it. But there will be both small and big tasks that God will direct your way. Life is more thrilling and satisfying when you do it God’s way and take Him up on his assignments. Be ready this week for some divine appointments. Be open to being stretched. Trust that God will give you all you need to do all He’s asking you to do.