SOME MEETINGS ARE TRAPS NOTES

INTRO

NOBODY EVER GETS PULLED OFF THEIR PURPOSE BY SOMETHING THAT LOOKS BAD.

WE DON’T FALL OFF THE WALL. WE GET INVITED OFF IT, POLITELY, REPEATEDLY, THIRTY MINUTES AT A TIME.

FIVE CHAPTERS OF MOCKERY, CONSPIRACY, AND MILITARY INTIMIDATION — AND NONE OF IT WORKED. SO THEY PUT DOWN THE WEAPONS AND THEY PICK UP…A CALENDAR INVITE.

WHAT’S THE INVITATION SITTING IN YOUR LIFE RIGHT NOW THAT LOOKS LIKE OPPORTUNITY, BUT IS REALLY DISTRACTION?

THE DISTRACTIONS GET MORE SOPHISTICATED THE CLOSER YOU GET TO FINISHING.

MAIN IDEA

NOT EVERY INVITATION IS AN OPPORTUNITY, SOME ARE TRAPS.

1. THE FOUR INVITATIONS

A. THE TRAP WAS TIMED TO THE FINISH LINE.

Nehemiah 6:1 NLT

Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies found out that I had finished rebuilding the wall and that no gaps remained—though we had not yet set up the doors in the gates.

THE ENEMY SAVES HIS BEST PLAYS FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER.

THE TRAP ALWAYS SHOWS UP RIGHT BEFORE THE FINISH LINE.

THE CLOSER YOU GET TO DONE, THE MORE REASONABLE THE DISTRACTION SOUNDS.

B. “I AM ENGAGED IN A GREAT WORK, SO I CAN’T COME.”

Nehemiah 6:3 NLT

so I replied by sending this message to them: “I am engaged in a great work, so I can’t come. Why should I stop working to come and meet with you?”

YOU DON’T OWE EVERY REQUEST AN ESSAY. A CLEAR NO IS ENOUGH.

IF IT STOPS THE WORK, THE ANSWER IS ALREADY NO.

FOCUS ISN’T RUDE, IT’S STEWARDSHIP.

C. PERSISTENCE ISN’T PROOF OF LEGITIMACY.

Nehemiah 6:4 NLT

Four times they sent the same message, and each time I gave the same reply.

PERSISTENCE FROM THE ENEMY DOESN’T MEAN GOD CHANGED HIS MIND.

WE TEND TO TREAT REPEATED PRESSURE AS A SIGN.

SAY NO TO THE FIFTH TIME AS CLEARLY AS YOU SAID IT THE FIRST.

2. THE SLANDER CAMPAIGN.

A. WHEN THE MEETING FAILED, THEY WENT PUBLIC.

Nehemiah 6:5–6 NLT

The fifth time, Sanballat’s servant came with an open letter in his hand, and this is what it said: “There is a rumor among the surrounding nations, and Geshem tells me it is true, that you and the Jews are planning to rebel and that is why you are building the wall. According to his reports, you plan to be their king.

WHEN MANIPULATION FAILS, ACCUSATION IS THE NEXT PLAY.

IF THEY CAN’T PULL YOU DOWN, THEY’LL TRY TO MAKE STAYING UP EXPENSIVE.

B. REPUTATION ATTACKS ARE DESIGNED TO PULL YOU OFF THE WALL.

Nehemiah 6:9 NLT

They were just trying to intimidate us, imagining that they could discourage us and stop the work…

YOU CANNOT BUILD THE WALL AND CHASE EVERY LIE TOLD ABOUT YOU.

EVERY HOUR DEFENDING YOURSELF IS AN HOUR NOT BUILDING.

THE GOAL OF THE LIE ISN’T TO BE BELIEVED, IT’S TO MAKE YOU STOP WORKING.

C. DENY IT ONCE, PRAY, KEEP BUILDING.

Nehemiah 6:8–9 ESV

Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind.” For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands.

ANSWER ONCE. PRAY. GET BACK TO WORK.

DENY THE LIE IN A SENTENCE, NOT A SEASON.

LET GOD DEFEND YOUR NAME WHILE YOUR HANDS STAY ON THE WALL.

3. THE INSIDER THREAT.

A. THE MOST DANGEROUS VOICE CAME FROM INSIDE THE FAITH.

Nehemiah 6:10 NLT

Later I went to visit Shemaiah son of Delaiah and grandson of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home. He said, “Let us meet together inside the Temple of God and bolt the doors shut. Your enemies are coming to kill you tonight.”

NOT EVERYONE WITH SPIRITUAL LANGUAGE IS GIVING SPIRITUAL COUNSEL.

THE ENEMY’S BEST MESSENGERS HAVE CREDIBILITY.

B. NEHEMIAH TESTED THE WORD AGAINST WHO GOD MADE HIM TO BE.

Nehemiah 6:11–12 NLT

But I replied, “Should someone in my position run from danger? Should someone in my position enter the Temple to save his life? No, I won’t do it!” I realized that God had not spoken to him, but that he had uttered this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.

IF YOU ‘WORD’ REQUIRES DISOBEDIENCE, IT DIDN’T COME FROM GOD.

TEST EVERY VOICE AGAINST WHO GOD CALLED YOU TO BE.

GOD WILL NEVER ASK YOU TO ABANDON YOUR ASSIGNMENT TO PROTECT YOUR COMFORT.

C. FEAR IS THE ENEMY’S LAST AND FAVORITE WEAPON.

Nehemiah 6:13 NLT

They were hoping to intimidate me and make me sin. Then they would be able to accuse and discredit me.

FEAR IS THE WEAPON THAT MAKES YOU DEFEAT YOURSELF.

NOBODY HAS TO STOP THE PERSON WHO’S ALREADY HIDING.

WHEN EVERY OTHER TACTIC FAILS, THE ENEMY SENDS FEAR WITH A FAMILIAR FACE.

CONCLUSION/CLOSE

NOT EVERY INVITATION IS AN OPPORTUNITY, SOME ARE TRAPS.