God's Word is Able to Overcome Opposition

Intro

Living in Texas for a time got me up close and personal with a few big storms.. and torandoes

Mention “Twister” coming out in 1996 -> “Sharknado” -> “Twisters” on July 17!

Talk about waking up to the sirens and not cluing in to what was happening

Actually, the closest I got was in a Motel 6 is South Dakota, with an F5 tornado almost a mile wide passing just outside town (we could see destruction on the way out)

These big storms almost always give us advance warning and time to prepare

We sometimes us the phrase, “batten down the hatches” but what does that even mean?

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This term originated in the navy, where it signified preparing for a storm by fastening down canvas over doorways and hatches (openings) with strips of wood called battens .

Earlier this morning we talked about expecting oppostion when we live according to God’s Word

Storms WILL come; you can expect it, and you can get ready...

… or run to the bathroom or batten down the hatches

The response we see in the book of Ezra gives us important info

Not only will God’s Word be opposed, but it is also capable of overcoming opposition

But how did that look for the people living this out?

Persevere in Adversity

While the work stopped for a while (about 4 years), the Israelites eventually showed how to persevere in adversity

Read Ezra 5:1-5.

Notice that the Jews did NOT wait for permission to start rebuilding the temple again

Their circumstances were much the same; opposition remained

What changed was their courage to trust in God’s Word (that had told them to rebuild the Temple)

So they just picked the project back up again, despite opposition

The adversity they faced this time was more official threats

Tattenai was the governor of the region, and he pushes back:

Who gave you permission? (Challenged their authority)

What are your names?

Talk about Karen taking kids’ names in class a sub… never a good sign

So the governor taddles on the Israelite leaders who are rebuilding the temple, and once again things look uncertain

But this time, the building doesn’t stop; they don’t wait for permission;they aren’t threatened by the name-taking; they persevere through adversity

Likewise, if we wait for our situation to change before we live according to God’s Word, we will waste valuable time

If you hide your faith in school because of ridicule, it isn’t going to get easier in university, or on the job site, or in the office

There will always be opposition and storms on the horizon

The goal is to push through, trusting that God will see you through (as we will discover more)

What opposition or adversity do you need to persevere through?

Support in Adversity

Importantly, God didn’t just command His people to persevere; He sent support and help; look for support in adversity

Re-read Ezra 5:1-2.

God sent Haggai and Zechariah to prophesy (bring God’s Word)

Bonus points! You can read Haggai and Zechariah and see what that message was (don’t worry; they are short books)

Very directly, God’s Word through the prophets supported the people

It was not easy to ignore the threats and uncertainty facing them in rebuilding the temple

They needed encouragment and support to be obedient during hardship

God will send people to support you in adversity, too

Look back at the role Pastor Trevor played for me in getting me back into the Bible, and standing with our small group at SYATP

Especially as a younger person nearer the beginning of my faith journey, I NEEDED this support

Don’t think you can follow Jesus on your own; that’s not the design

Cf. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12.

Not just for marriages! This is about friendship and camraderie; living life and helping support one another

Who has God placed in your life that can support you in this way?

Youth pastor (like Mitch), camp counsellors, parents, youth sponsors… find someone!

If it is critical to find support people, make sure you are the answer to someone’s prayer as well

We have the example of Haggai and Zechariah to follow; to not just be helped, but be willing to help

Can look like mentorship of younger students

Will often be supporting peers and friends

Remember, this support is about staying true to God’s Word, not just to encourage someone to do whatever they want

God’s Word is Able to Overcome Opposition

But I don’t want you to think this is a self-help talk

There is more to it than just sticking out tough times and having a good support network around you

It is the power of God that truly overcomes; God’s Word is able to overcome opposition

Tattenai and his minions take their concerns (and list of names) to King Darius to see if there was a decree to rebuild the temple… how will this pagan king respond?

Read Ezra 6:6-12.

Keep away! Leave them alone!

In fact, you should be helping these people rebuild the house of God!

And don’t dare go against this decree! (With graphic results)

Darius didn’t need to uphold the previous decree by Cyrus; this is an amazing victory that was completely out of the people’s control

But the author (Ezra) and the people know that God was to thank

Read Ezra 6:22.

Did you see it? The Lord had made them joyful and turned the heart of the king toward them

It was God’s doing, all in line with our first lesson: God’s Word is powerful to make things happen

When God said to finish the temple, He made sure that this was able to be done

So I want you to persevere and support one another, but ALWAYS rely on God’s power

If he can change the heart of a pagan king, he can overcome the opposition you face as well

The Result is Joy

Of course, once this years-long project is complete, the result is joy

The Israelites finish the temple and dedicate it

Then they kept the Passover as instructed in the law

Passover was the remembrance and celebration of God delivering the children of Israel from slavery in Egypt

But this time, it was also a celebration of how God delivered them from the opposition of their hostile neighbours and completion of the temple

The party lasted seven days and it was full of joy

When God overcomes opposition in our life, the result is one of joy

It becomes a celebration and appreciation of what God has done

It becomes an emotional reminder to us that God’s Word is opposed, and God’s Word is also able to overcome opposition

It is a big reason why following Jesus gives us so much more than we give up

Pray