Lessons From Nehemiah
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Lessons From Nehemiah. #2 à Answering Scorn & Scuffle Neh 4:1-23. Answering Scorn & Scuffle Neh 4:1-23. Serving God Brings Opposition. Nehemiah didn’t openly, brazenly challenge anyone to stop him However, he was opposed as much as if he had been brazen about his work
Lessons From Nehemiah
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LessonsFromNehemiah #2 à Answering Scorn & Scuffle Neh 4:1-23
Answering Scorn & ScuffleNeh 4:1-23 Serving God Brings Opposition • Nehemiah didn’t openly, brazenly challenge anyone to stop him • However, he was opposed as much as if he had been brazen about his work • Nehemiah didn’t try to undo the past, but re-shape the future • He sought his brethren’s help 2:18
Answering Scorn & ScuffleNeh 4:1-23 Serving God Brings Opposition • For such honorable intentions, Nehemiah was opposed • Some did not like what he was doing 2:10 • POINTÙ Obedient service to God will always cause opposition from others who stand to lose status cp. Gen 4:3-8 1 Jn 3:10-12
Answering Scorn & ScuffleNeh 4:1-23 Serving God Brings Opposition • God has told us we will face opposition Mt 10:34-35 2 Tim 3:12 • This should never surprise us 1 Jn 3:13
Answering Scorn & ScuffleNeh 4:1-23 Opposition Will Be Psychological vv. 1-6 • Nehemiah faced ridicule, scorn vv. 1-3 • Public, not private…hard to bear cp. 1 Pet 4:1-4 • How did Nehemiah respond? • He did not respond in kind cp. Rom 12:17-21 • First, he prayed vv. 4-5 cp. 1:4-11 • Anxiety can be conquered with prayer Phil 4:6-7 • Prayer helps us not lose heart Lk 18:1-5
Answering Scorn & ScuffleNeh 4:1-23 Opposition Will Be Psychological vv. 1-6 • How did Nehemiah respond? • Second, he kept working v. 6 • He would not stop doing his God-given duty • He surrounded himself with others who shared his goals cp. 1 Cor 1:10 • The more Nehemiah worked, the more foolish Sanballat looked cp. Prov 29:9 30:32
Answering Scorn & ScuffleNeh 4:1-23 Opposition May Be Physical vv. 7-23 • Nehemiah’s foes were formidable vv. 7-8, 14 • Caused doubt among the workers v. 10 • Succeeded in bringing fear vv. 12, 14 • How did Nehemiah respond? • First, he prayed v. 9a • Second, he kept working vv. 9b, 13
Answering Scorn & ScuffleNeh 4:1-23 Opposition May Be Physical vv. 7-23 • How did Nehemiah respond? • Third, he always trusted God vv. 15, 20 • He knew God always “frustrates” the plans of the enemies of His people • He knew God always “fights for” His people
Answering Scorn & ScuffleNeh 4:1-23 Opposition May Be Physical vv. 7-23 • God’s people have always had to fight and build at the same time • We have a building to finish 1 Pet 2:5 Col 1:24 • We have to stand ready to defend our work Jude 3 Phil 1:17 1 Pet 3:15 • Nehemiah teaches us how to be both realistic and optimistic
Answering Scorn & ScuffleNeh 4:1-23 Conclusion • Nehemiah teaches how to remain true to a call despite hardships 2 Tim 2:1, 3, 7-13 Gal 6:9 • We read of those who were 2 Cor 11:22-27 • Paul similarly exhorts saints in Eph 6:10-18 • We must always be prepared, watchful v. 18 • We must pray v. 18 • We must act vv. 11, 13-17