We started Solutionist this past Sunday.  We’ve been having audio difficulty with our streaming, so we missed getting the stream recorded for the first sermon “Problemist”. 

So here is a brief recap.  In Nehemiah 1:1-11.  We find Nehemiah lamenting over and praying for Jerusalem.  His prayer leads us to ask why God would allow His people to be scattered across Persia, mostly in modern-day Iran.  The answer takes us all the way back to the foot of Mount Sinai where while Moses was up on the mountain the people convinced his brother Aaron to make a Golden Calf Idol!  The people of Israel did not feel the presence of God so they came up with an “IDOL” solution for their problem.  And in so doing they became their own “Solutionist”.  But Nehemiah realized that the people of Israel continued to repeat the same problems and ultimately, they were not Solutionist but “Problemist”.

We also create our own solutions for our lack of seeing and feeling the presence of God.  There is this hole in our lives that we try and fill with things and behaviors like; drugs, pornography, shopping, alcoholism, extreme hobbies, food, and other things that get between us and God.  We build idols out of possessions and people to replace the relationship that we need with God.  And in creating these “Solutions” we become “Problemist”.

Here is the bottom line. When we admit that our Solution is the Problem; God surrounds us with God’s promises!

You might just give God the opportunity to solve your problems. After all, where have your solutions gotten you?

See you Sunday for “Let’s Do This” Nehemiah 2:1-20

Peace, Burt