This final episode challenges all Christians to implement Biblical imperatives that will substantially reflect God's will for their lives, resulting in revolutionary results by the end of the year. Beginning with apprehending the tailor-made vision of God through prayer, Christians should adopt a purposeful intentional approach to life instead of reacting to circumstances and challenges according to the flesh. Opposition is the expectation of Spirit-filled believers who know they can do all things through Christ who strengthens them. (Phil. 4:13) The episode culminates with the higher promise of the Christian life: in addition to witnessing how God empowers them to do mighty exploits in the name of the Lord, Christians discover the transformative Person and power of Christ. This is indeed the greatest reward.
“Do the God Thing Instead of the “Good” Thing
This episode addresses attempts by the enemy to get believers occupied in affairs unrelated to the tailor-made vision that God has prescribed for our lives. Even well-meaning church members, who aren't sensitive to God's desire for our lives can sometimes persuade us to occupy our energies and time doing "good" things that aren't "God" things. This reality just highlights the necessity of an active prayer life in which God leads and directs us to work in ministry, based on His desire for our lives, to the exclusion of the lusts of men. (1 Peter 4:2)
Your Calling and the Local Church
This episode is a realistic primer on encountering opposition when doing ministry. The presumption so far has been that most opposition comes from unbelievers outside of the church. But Christ's own description of the visible church indicates that both wheat and tare would congregate together. Together with carnal believers, ministers of the gospel should expect opposition and resistance from both groups, who naturally voice their opinions based on the degree of carnality in which they operate. All the lessons of Nehemiah still apply: whether doing ministry in the church or outside, Christians are called to remain focused on executing their tasks based on God's vision for their lives, not dwelling on the discouraging comments of the unspiritual.
You wouldn’t Understand..it’s a God Thing
This episode further develops the theme emphasized in the previous program, that addressing the negative narrative of unbelievers is often a fool's errand, particularly when that commentary claims to know the motives behind Christian service. Nehemiah didn't attempt to justify himself when faced with Sanballat's accusation that his rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem was really about Nehemiah's personal ambition to lead a rebellion. Instead, Nehemiah simply asserted that God would give him success. Nehemiah models how Christians should respond to naysayers who project evil motives based on their idolatry. He also models reliance on God's power which is the source of all godly success.
“Don’t Engage Nonsense”
This episode reiterates and details the principal point of the last episode: don't try to justify yourself and respond to the indictments of unbelievers. Nehemiah provides the model. He refuses to chase the false narrative of Sanballat, that he is a rebel, and instead affirms that "the God of heaven will give us success." When God gives us a vision what He wants to do through us, we shouldn't waste our time justifying why God is using us. "To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but even their minds and consciences are defiled." (Titus 1:15) In application, Christians shouldn't expect unbelievers, and even nominal/carnal Christians, to accurately see God's hand working through us. A defiled conscience and mind naturally projects its own condition, and consequently calls good evil. (Isaiah 5:20) So why waste your time explaining yourself?
If God is for You, Who can be Against?
This episode focuses on Nehemiah's efforts to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and how he successfully dealt with opposition. Building on the last episode, Nehemiah repented for the sins of his people, sought the Lord in prayer, and responded obediently to God's favor. All three laid the foundation of Nehemiah's success and enabled him to remain focused when he encountered opposition, which predictably made personal attacks against Nehemiah, recasting his efforts as rebellion. Nehemiah's response models how believers should respond to opposition, refusing to justify ourselves to naysayers and those who malign us.
God’s not through with You
This episode largely addresses the simple response to overcoming past failures in order to be used by God. Nehemiah confessed his sin and that of his people and implored God to use him to rebuild Jerusalem. God gave him favor, even gaining the blessing and resources of king Artaxerxes to return to Jerusalem. He and countless others in Scripture were used mightily by God after dire failures. The Biblical response to failure, the silver lining from Genesis to Revelation is the same: repentance and renewed commitment to the will of God
“Work Smart, Get a Vision”
This episode reemphasizes the absolute necessity of spending time with God in prayer and gaining His perspective on how we should invest our lives this year. Col. 3:1-2 tells us to "set our minds on things that are above where Christ is seated, NOT on things below.." Many Christians live reactive and aimless lives because they lack the tailor-made vision for their lives. Prioritizing the divine perspective over the lusts of men, ours and others', is the only way to lead an intentional life that pleases God. The episode closes with Nehemiah as an example of seeking God's will despite having sin issues. So no Christian can legitimately claim that God can't use them.