"Should Such A Man As I Run Away?" - The Courageous Faith of Nehemiah

Welcome

Good Morning! I’m Pastor Wayne and I’d like to welcome you all to the gathering of Ephesus Baptist Church.

As we gather this morning, it is imperative that we understand why we gather. We gather to worship and exalt the name of the one who has become our salvation. The right hand of the Father, our Lord Jesus Christ!

If you are visiting with us this morning, we want you to know that ...

We are all one family of faith: “giving our all to love God, love people, proclaim Jesus, and make disciples in our generation.”

That is our mission, our purpose, why we exist as a church.

We have a connect card in the pew in front of you. I invite you to take one and fill it out! If you have prayer needs, you can let us know about those as well.

I promise, our prayer team will lift you up soon. You can place those cards in the offering plate when it comes around.

Who’s Your One?

Scripture Memory

Romans 8:34 ESV

34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

Opening Scripture Reading: One In Christ

Ephesians 2:11–22 ESV

11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Prayer of Invocation

Introduction

Verse 1

Stand up stand up for Jesus

Ye soldiers of the cross

Lift high His royal banner

It must not suffer loss

From victory unto victory

His army He shall lead

Till every foe is vanquished

And Christ is Lord indeed

Verse 3

Stand up stand up for Jesus

The trumpet call obey

Forth to the mighty conflict

In this His glorious day

Ye that are brave now serve Him

Against unnumbered foes

Let courage rise with danger

And strength to strength oppose

Verse 4

Stand up stand up for Jesus

Stand in His strength alone

The arm of flesh will fail you

Ye dare not trust your own

Put on the gospel armor

Each piece put on with prayer

Where duty calls or danger

Be never wanting there

Verse 5

Stand up stand up for Jesus

Each soldier to his post

Close up the broken column

And shout through all the host

Make good the loss so heavy

In those that still remain

And prove to all around you

That death itself is gain

Verse 6

Stand up stand up for Jesus

The strife will not be long

This day the noise of battle

The next the victor's song

To those who vanquish evil

A crown of life shall be

They with the King of Glory

Shall reign eternally

The enemies of God constantly tried to frighten Nehemiah into quitting, but he courageously stood firm! Even though we aren’t there yet, (spoiler alert) we know that Nehemiah was victorious!

How we stand up, how we fight our fight, how we run our race.....how we finish our race is what ultimately matters most on this journey we call faith.

If we want to finish our race well we must run it with courageous faith because our enemy is always lurking. Life is our battlefield. Day by day we must put on the armor of God and fight courageously.

Today, I want to share with you four requirements of courageous faith that Nehemiah demonstrates in our passage this morning.

1. Courageous faith requires seeking to know God’s will (6:10).

Seeking to know God’s will requires spiritual discernment. As Nehemiah has shown before, God has gifted him with tremendous spiritual discernment.

So what is Spiritual Discernment?

J. I. Packer has defined spiritual discernment as,

Discernment may be defined as the ability to see what you are looking at and to assess it by appropriate criteria. Spiritual discernment is a matter of perceiving the qualities, tendencies, and likely sources of proposals and policies that relate to God and his kingdom.

Though such discernment may have a basis in natural shrewdness, it comes to fruition only through a sustained attunement to God and a habit of asking oneself at every point in life what makes for his glory (that is, his own self-expression and his creatures’ appreciation and adoration of him).

Packer, J. I. A Passion for Faithfulness: Wisdom from the Book of Nehemiah. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1995, p. 134.

Nehemiah will need this discernment to handle the next form of opposition that his enemies will roll out.

Nehemiah 6:10 ESV

10 Now when I went into the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home, he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple. Let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you. They are coming to kill you by night.”

These have been turbulent times for Nehemiah as he sought to lead the revitalization efforts in Jerusalem.

Apparently, Nehemiah was summoned to the house of a priest who also professed to be a prophet named Shemaiah. Appearing to be fearful for his own life, he wanted to meet with Nehemiah in private. He had self-confined himself in his home in fear.

Why was he not helping the Jews build the wall? Sometimes it pays to be cautious around those who always have advice but never seem to get any work done for themselves.

As a good Jew, Nehemiah was interested in seeking God’s will and if God was again speaking through a prophet, Nehemiah had to listen. (Remember God has been quiet for some time now.)

This priest says to Nehemiah, “Listen, I have received word from God that your enemies are coming to kill you. You need to come over to the temple, and we’ll hide out together in the holy place.”

Doesn’t this sound like a great proposal? Spend the night in the safest, most secure place in all of Jerusalem. Avoid assassination tonight and live to continue God’s work tomorrow.

Courageous faith requires seeking to know God’s will.

So, the question for Nehemiah to discern was, “Is this really the will of God?” It came from a respected priest in Jerusalem, surely it is God’s will, right?

Our second requirement for Courageous faith will help us to see how Nehemiah answered that question.

2. Courageous faith requires standing on God’s Word (6:11).

On the surface it appeared that Shemaiah was only concerned with Nehemiah’s safety, but this was all part of a deceptive ruse designed to destroy Nehemiah. Satan likes to use tactics that appear wholesome and good, but he always has an ulterior motive.

Nehemiah dealt with the same emotions and fears that we do, but he had learned to depend upon the Lord. If we will think back to the beginning of the saga, Nehemiah admitted in 2:2

Nehemiah 2:2 ESV

2 And the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of the heart.” Then I was very much afraid.

One commentator observed,

“He probably experienced fear many times in his life, but at the start of the story he established the habit that became of real service to him later—moving ahead in spite of fear. It was in that moment that he enrolled in God’s school of courage.”

Nehemiah once again shows great courage, a quality that has been defined not as an absence of fear, but as a resolve to do what is right no matter how afraid or hurt we may feel. He is going to move ahead in spite of fear.

This may be my favorite verse in all of chapter 6.

Nehemiah 6:11 ESV

11 But I said, “Should such a man as I run away? And what man such as I could go into the temple and live? I will not go in.”

By now you would think the enemy would have learned something about the resolve and determined faith of Nehemiah.

“Should such a man as I run away?”

I love that!

First, Nehemiah’s heart was set toward finishing the work God had given him to do. He wanted to provide the leadership Jerusalem needed to see the work finished.

Had he fled in fear, it is very likely that the people would have lost confidence in him. They would no longer be willing to follow him in the revitalization efforts.

Nehemiah was not the kind of man to run from a fight. The second Nehemiah announced his intention to stand his ground, the whole plot began to be clear to him.

Second, Nehemiah knew that there was an even greater issue at stake. Faithfulness and obedience to God’s Holy Word!

“And what man such as I could go into the temple and live? I will not go in.”

He knew that he was not a priest and had no right or authority to enter the Holy of Holies.

Numerous OT passages warn of the serious nature of disobedience in regard to the sanctity of the Holy Temple of God.

Numbers 18:7 ESV

7 And you and your sons with you shall guard your priesthood for all that concerns the altar and that is within the veil; and you shall serve. I give your priesthood as a gift, and any outsider who comes near shall be put to death.”

King Uzziah found out the hard way that it was a terrible idea to enter the Temple’s holiest place in 2 Chronicles 26. He was fortunate to escape with his life, but this infringement on God’s instruction cost him his health and left him with a life of leprosy.

Nehemiah had a refuge, but his refuge was not the temple building. His refuge was God’s Word and God’s Sovereignty.

Nehemiah weighed Shemaiah’s prophecy against the truth of God’s Word and the pretender’s treachery became clear. His knowledge of Scripture enabled him to discern what was really going on with Shemaiah.

This false prophet counseled Nehemiah to do something that was expressly forbidden by the Word of God. If Nehemiah hadn’t been submissive to the Word of God, or if he had allowed his fear to cloud his judgment, he would have fallen into this evil snare and been destroyed.

If someone tells you to do exactly what the Bible says not to do, you know that person does not speak for God.

Nehemiah’s response provides us great insight into determining good counsel from bad.

Here are three things to ask yourself:

1.Does the counsel violate your conscience?

2.Does the counsel contradict Scripture?

3.Does the counsel hinder your commitment?

If yes is the answer to any of these questions, the counsel should not be heeded.

You want to know the will of God? It’s really simple. Know the Bible. God has revealed His will.

You want to know how to tell when someone is or isn’t in line with the will of God when they claim to reveal the will of God? Evaluate their claims by the Scriptures. Are they saying what the Bible says?

Be like the Bereans in Acts 17: 11

Acts 17:11 ESV

11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

Receive the word of God with eagerness, examine it daily, know it thoroughly, stand on it firmly as your plumbline, as your measuring stick.

Hear me Church! There is no middle ground when it comes to the holy calling we have as God’s church. People are either obedient to God’s Word or disobedient to it. If anyone seeks to operate contrary to God’s Word, they cannot be trusted.

That is what Nehemiah displayed as he courageously took his stand on God’s Word.

Courageous faith requires standing on God’s Word.

The third requirement is that...

3. Courageous faith requires seeing through sin and fear (6:12-13).

After weighing Shemaiah’s prophecy by Scripture, it was apparent that the one who should have been trusted had forsaken his holy calling by agreeing to work with Tobiah in an effort to defeat God’s work.

This certainly is tragic, but it continues today. Many use their positions of influence and credibility for their own sinful lusts and prosperity. Our world is filled with pretenders like Shemaiah, those who outwardly appear upright, but inwardly are filled with corruption and greed.

Nehemiah saw through this evil deception, he saw through the snare of sin and fear and understood that its whole purpose was to incite him to commit a ritual transgression.

Nehemiah 6:12–13 ESV

12 And I understood and saw that God had not sent him, but he had pronounced the prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 13 For this purpose he was hired, that I should be afraid and act in this way and sin, and so they could give me a bad name in order to taunt me.

Was it a sin for Nehemiah to be afraid? No.

Was it a sin for Nehemiah to hide during the night? No.

Was it a sin for Nehemiah to hide in the temple? Yes!

Don’t miss this:

Nehemiah would rather lose his life than sin against God.

Nehemiah understood what Jesus would later teach His disciples.

Matthew 10:28 ESV

28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

How much sin will you allow in your life before you become even a little bit bothered by it?

Here is a man who would rather risk his life than risk losing the pleasure and blessing of God on his life.

Nehemiah knew that the enemy was trying to cause him to sin and fall so that his name or his reputation could be tainted and mocked.

Our reputations are one of the most prized possessions we have. A good reputation affords us the opportunity to influence others for Christ. When a believer’s reputation is tainted, she loses her ability to be an effective witness for Christ.

Be assured that Satan is seeking to destroy your reputation and your ability to influence. He is seeking whatever means necessary to accomplish that goal. Be aware of what you say, where you go, and what you do. Guard your reputation for the glory of God and the good of others.

Against these attacks to make us afraid and sin we can again learn from Nehemiah’s decision to do what was right and leave the outcome to God. To flee the temptation to sin and run to God!

How do you see your sin? Does the way you say you see your sin line up with how vigilant you are in actually guarding your heart from it?

Courageous faith requires seeing through sin and fear.

That brings us to our final requirement for Courageous Faith.

4. Courageous faith requires soliciting God’s justice (6:14).

Nehemiah 6:14 ESV

14 Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, according to these things that they did, and also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who wanted to make me afraid.

Nehemiah is a man of prayer. Here he asks the Lord to remember the things that his enemies have done against God’s Kingdom.

Why would Nehemiah pray such a thing? Why would he want these things remembered? Aren’t we supposed to love our enemy and pray for them? Yes, but with the understanding that God is just and will render justice to every soul. Whatever that justice may be.

Please understand that Nehemiah wants mercy for those who repent of their sin and trust God, but he also wants justice for those who oppose God and His purposes (4:4-5; 5:13; 6:14).

Nehemiah 4:4–5 ESV

4 Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. 5 Do not cover their guilt, and let not their sin be blotted out from your sight, for they have provoked you to anger in the presence of the builders.

He wants these things remembered on the day of judgment. He believes God is just, and he wants God’s justice to be seen. Nehemiah does not want unrepentant sin to go unrequited.

Notice, too, how Nehemiah left this matter in God’s hands. He did not plan a counter-attack on his enemies. He simply prayed for God to render justice against His enemies and the enemies of His people.

Of these enemies, quickly notice that another prophetess and other prophets are mentioned who also have been plotting against Nehemiah. This was not a one time problem. Shemaiah’s was only one voice in an impressive chorus of discouragement.

In Nehemiah’s prayer, we see that courageous faith requires soliciting God’s justice.

Conclusion:

1. Courageous faith requires seeking to know God’s will.

2. Courageous faith requires standing on God’s Word.

3. Courageous faith requires seeing through sin and fear.

4. Courageous faith requires soliciting God’s justice.

Look at verse 15. I want to give you a preview of our next sermon.

Nehemiah 6:15 ESV

15 So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days.

We will be remembered by how we finish our race. Nehemiah is going to finish his race well. But no one ever finished a race stronger than our Lord Jesus Christ!

When the crowds jeered, mocked, spat in His face, ridiculed, and screamed saying...

Matthew 27:40 ESV

40 and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”

In that very moment, Jesus could have called legions of the angelic hosts to set Him free. But He was finishing strong, as if echoing Nehemiah’s own words,

Nehemiah 6:3 ESV

3 And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?”

and

Nehemiah 6:11 ESV

11 But I said, “Should such a man as I run away? And what man such as I could go into the temple and live? I will not go in.”

Jesus kept focused, and He kept faithful. He finished strong. And in the end, on the cross, He said, “It is finished!” (John 19:30).

John 19:30 ESV

30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

And to prove it, three days later, He arose from the grave, the Eternal Risen Lord and Savior.

How are you going to finish your race?

Have you even started running your race yet? Or are you falling into the snares of the enemy as fast as you can go?

Apart from the work of Christ you have no hope of overcoming the snares of hell. But with Christ, you can finish strong and victorious.

In a few moments we are going to sing our

Hymn of Invitation

Jesus, Keep me near the cross.

Hymn No. 280

As we sing the words....

Near the cross a trembling soul

Love and mercy found me

Will that be true of you this morning?

Will you allow yourself to be found by the the Bright and Morning Star?

Won’t you have courageous faith in Jesus Christ this morning?

You know you need Him in your life? What are you waiting for?

Prayer