God's Word is Opposed

Intro

One of the reason I love watching sports is the competion

Dad called it “the best reality TV”

You always have a winner, but you also have a loser

Show McDavid’s sad face… to soon?

Sports relies on opposition

One vs. another, and it can show us a bit of what life is like

Get 2 volunteers to hold an arm wrestling match to prove this point

In the book of Ezra, things take a decided turn when opposition enters the frame

So far, life has been good

King Cyrus gave a royal decree to rebuild the Temple

Not only allowed a remnant to return, but generously provided materials for the project

But there were those who were enemies (adversaries) of Israel

They were threatened by their return home, and didn’t take it lying down; they fought back

Read Ezra 4:1-4.

Expect Opposition

While frustrating, this was not a surprise to the returning Israelites

Remember, in Ezra 3 they quickly built the altar out of fear of the people of the lands

They knew they had enemies; they knew that they would be opposed

One of the reasons for this was because of the Israelites worshipping the one, true God

Their religion (monotheism) looked much different than the cultures around them (polytheism)

On a deeper, spiritual level, God’s Word will always be opposed

There is an enemy that will always attack where God is at work

As you worship God and obey His Word, you can also expect to be opposed: expect opposition

Jesus Himself gave His followers this warning; expect opposition and do not be surprised when it comes

Cf. John 17:14-16.

When you follow Jesus, you are different from the rest of the world!

As you seek to live in obedience to Scripture, you can expect to receive pushback

How do people respond when:

You choose to abstain from sexual activity before marriage?

You don’t get drunk or attend parties where others are doing whatever they want?

You choose your words wisely (avoiding cursing and gossip) knowing the profound affect they have on others?

You refuse to watch a movie with sexually explicit content or gratuitous violence because what you see impacts your heart?

You miss part of a weekend tournament or recital because it is a higher priority to attend youth group or church?

Many more examples out there… but the world will not understand, and some will oppose you

Have you exeperienced pushback for living biblically?

If not, could it be a sign that you need to live out your faith with more intentionality?

Think way back to my friend Mike talking about the D.C. Talk song “JF”… are you willing to put up with some opposition at school, or even at camp?

Opposition Takes Different Forms

Back to the opposition of the Jews, their enemies used a number of different tactics; opposition takes different forms

First, the enemies of Israel tried to trick them into believing they were friendly

Re-read Ezra 4:2.

They want to be all buddy-buddy, but really just want to sabotage the project

Show the “frenemies” venn diagram

Thankfully, the Israelite leaders do not fall for this deception, and continue on

Second, they resort to fear tactics (v. 4)

This would look like threats and putdowns

Refer back to the taunts I heard at SYATP

Could be social threats or even physical threats

Lastly, they use power structures to get their own way (v. 5)

They bribed officials, petitioned for decrees to be made against the Jews… made it hard to be faithful to God

Talk about federal government putting an ethical clause on summer job grants that affected YFC greatl

What type of opposition have you experienced for living according to God’s Word?

Are you willing to follow Jesus, even when it costs you something?

Don’t Get Discouraged

The culmination of all this opposition ground the work on the temple to a halt

Read Ezra 4:24.

This is a low point of the story

Whether it was the frenemies, or the threats, or the powers that be, the work on the temple stopped

When we read that the “people of the land discouraged the people of Judah” (v. 4), it literally means they “made their hands slack”

Discouragement led to the stopping of God’s work, which was tragic

As you live according to God’s Word, you can expect opposition that comes in many forms

So when it comes, don’t get discouraged; don’t let your hands go slack

Share about my own struggle with anxiety, and the lie to step away from ministry

We can overcome discouragement because God is with us

Cf. Joshua 1:9.

So, hang in there!

Instead of getting discouraged, we can look at opposition as a sign that we are doing something important for the kingdom of God

This was a lesson my mom taught me!

Talk about the incredible downpour on the way to BRBC; arriving frazzled; watching God do some amazing things

Final question: How do you respond to the spiritual oppostion you face?

Do you get discouraged, or do you take it as a sign that God is working through you?

Maybe you’re thinking, “Why would I want to start following Jesus if I can expect it to cost so much?”

Great question! Tonight we will discover that God’s Word is able to overcome opposition, and in the end, you gain far more than you lose

Pray