Dealing With RoadBlocks

Good Morning welcome to online Service…

Opener - Do you have as story of when you got stuck somewhere? What did you do get out of the situation?

A few weeks ago we started our series in the book of Nehemiah entitled, "the good work."

Nehemiah is a fascinating story of a spiritual journey, and a heart for leadership of an ordinary guy who believed that God could use him to do something that hadn't been done before

let me start by giving a summary of what is happening in our text.... Nehemiah was an ordinary guy who was a cup-bearer, or a servant, to King Artaxerxes of Persia. He heard about the plight of his people, maybe a thousand miles away or so, who were in a horrible situation, because their city had been destroyed by the Babylonians. So his heart was breaking for his people, and he realized, somebody has got to do something about this.

He seeks God, he asks for favor from God, he approaches the king, and requests to got Jerusalem and rebuild the city? Miraculously...

God grants Nehemiah favor with the King and he returns to Jerusalem and the bible says that Nehemiah strengthens the people for the good Work…

In Chapter 3 we have the record the unfolding of the plan that Nehemiah — he places different leaders and clans to work on sections of the wall… It is very detailed and you can what family did what…It was a collaborative effort… These were ordinary people … they are not builders or carpenters… He was working with goldsmiths, merchants, and perfume-makers.

How you get a perfume-maker to build a gate is beyond me.

… So there is movement and momentum and progress..but then as soon as this happens the enemy shows up and they hit a Road block…

About a year ago the Department Of Transportation.. had an informational meeting here at the Church — The purpose was to tell us about the needed reconstruction on the bridges between Nelson and Durham. And because of Covid, things took a little longer to start…but a several weeks ago they closed the road and will be closed for about a year and a half... I have to be honest with you..

I was secretly, hoping that the project would be put on the back burner just a little longer…because even though the bridge desperately needs repairs... it was going to be inconvenient…When you hit a Roadblocks it mean you have to change things up --- you have to come up with a new or an alternative strategy…to accomplish a goal... you have to have detours…

In our text Nehemiah is moving God’s people towards a God vision and mission…and he hits a roadblock…

Sanballat the governor of Samaria and Tobiah of the officials — show up--- These are the bad guys..

If you remember in Chapter One… When Nehemiah first arrived… these same Officials - mocked Nehemiah and the Jews for even contemplating building.... Now things are a bit more real… the walls are being built and are now half complete… and Sanballet and Tobiah ...realized they needed to stop the work right away..

Have you noticed that when ever you start to get momentum in your life... the enemy shows up… You just start working on your saving account and your car breaks down.... and you get a bill… you decide you are going to get involved in a ministry and something gets in the way of that commitment

Whenever you get serious about setting up goals you are going to meet opposition…You are going to hit a road block..

Nehemiah mission was building the walls..He was going to lead the people of Israel from point A - B… or From Here to There…

We can sum up any of our goals between two points.. From A- B or from Here and there… The space in between are steps or the habits that need to be in place in order to help you reach those goals…

Now in our text Nehemiah is going to deal with two big obstacles that happen to all of us in this space … between Here to there...

One is Criticism and the other is discouragement...

T/s IF WE are going to reach our God Given Potential? We have to deal with two Criticism and discouragement...… How do we do this…

1. Distinguish Constructive from Destructive Criticism..

There is huge difference between constructive and destructive criticism. Ralph Waldo Emerson said

Criticism should never be petty, but rather… guiding, instructive, inspiring--a south wind, not an east wind.

There are times when we need to take heed to the voices around us and especially those who are connected to us partnerships and covenant relationships… Why? because there are the people and the relationships that have our best interests at heart… They don’t want to see you fail they want you to succeed.. The bible tells us in...

Read

Proverbs 27:6 ESV

6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

Why are wounds from a friend faithful? Why might it be important to consider the source of Criticism?

Faithful are the wounds of a friend… Why are they faithful? Because they can be trusted.. They are faithful... because they will help us grow…

When your friend tells you something difficult … it wounds you —it hurts.... but you get healed… and you become healthier....We need to know the kinds of friends we have in our lives..

Wayne Schmidt in his book ministry momentum talks about kinds of people in our lives… and how they relate to vision and mission..

There are the refreshers - Have you met people that energize you…

These are people who inspire you to dream great dreams… and attempt great things for God.. These people will make personal investments that will enable you to reach higher than you otherwise achieved...

There the refiners -

These are the people that sharpen your ideas and clarify your vision. This might be accomplished through constructive criticism or through their ability to ask provocative questions. … They may present you with a question that you haven’t thought about before…

There are the Reflectors — These are those who are agreeable the vision they are the faithful.

Then there are the Reduces - these are those who reduce vision to their comfort Zones.. lastly,

The Rejectors...

They will never adopt your vision. They will either exit, or stay and drag their feet in an attempt to frustrate you until you exit. These kinds of people will drain your momentum and enthusiasm…

In our Text --- Nehemiah is sharing the inside scoop on how to get from here to there… Nehemiah gives us tool how to distinguish be constructive and destructive Criticism… We read of the ..

a. Characteristics of a Critic — lets read our text.

Read Nehemiah

Nehemiah 4:1–3 ESV

1 Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews. 2 And he said in the presence of his brothers and of the army of Samaria, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burned ones at that?” 3 Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Yes, what they are building—if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!”

How did Sanballat react to the work on the wall (Nehemiah 4:1)?

What did the enemies attempt in order to discourage the work? What did Sanballat and To- biah say (Nehemiah 4:2-3)?

What are some things people say to discourage God’s people today?

When news of the progress gets to Sanballat he exploded with anger vilifying the Jews. - he is out of control with rage...

He began to mock the Jews, and say some pretty hurtful things.. He focuses on several things…

First — He;;

1. Focuses on weaknesses.

Sanballat — says.. look at The Jews they are feeble - the word weakness in Hebrew is the picture of a flower having it’s stem cut off… It means pathetically lacking in force or effectiveness..

In a sense Israel was weak… for 150 years they had been content to live among the rubble.. … they had no place to worship…the walls of their city were down and left exposed and vulnerable to their enemies.. There is some truth in what Sanballat was saying..

We need to know something about our enemy he masters in half truth’s… In the Garden of Eden the tempter says to Eve don’t you know that when you take of the tree of Good of evil you will be like God…You will be able to discern good and evil..

that’s half a truth there is nothing about the consequences of sin and death.... God on the hand gave strict instructions--- you can take of any tree in the garden except that tree… because when you do you shall surely die..

The enemy knows that we will latch on to half truths… But is only a half truth… The whole truth is that...--- even if you are down you are never out in God’s economy…

because even though man despises weakness … God delights in our Weakness—

Paul tells in his letter to the Corinthians.. that God chooses weak things to display his glory...

1 Corinthians 1:27 ESV

27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;

God chooses the ordinary… because he can work with weakness.. God… is able to take ordinary people Like Moses, Gideon, David, like the disciples.. Nehemiah.. and the people of God to do extraordinary things in the world through them…

Another trait of critics... is that they...

2. Don't take our Goals and passion Seriously

Sanballet mocks the people of God.. He calls them dreamers…

Will they restore it for themselves?

they don’t really have what’s needed to get the job done...

Will they sacrifice? Will they do what is required...

John Maxwell said that anything worth doing is going to be an uphill struggle… Anything that is worth something has a price… It might be the investment of time, of energy… or money… there is always a cost involved…

These workers are going to work on the wall.. around the clock — 24/7 Nehemiah says that they didn’t even have time do laundry.. they didn’t change their clothes… The rebuilt the wall in record speed.. it took them 52 days.... There was a cost involved..

Our Critics will tell us we don’t have what it takes…they will also..

3. Doubt our abilities --will never accomplish the task

Will they finish up in a day? I have learned that with some people you will never be enough… You will never match up… And I have made the mistake in trying to please those people.. to try and live up to other peoples expectations… Here is the truth --- when we try and live up to someones expectations we will always fail…

Proverbs 27:6 ESV

6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

Sanballet and Tobiah are influences… they are leaders, but, they lead by Fear and intimidation and spreading rumours… they have critical spirits and it rubs off on the people of Samaria...

We live in a day of where social media… where we even call people influences…the problem with Social media… is that we can start to buy into the narrative… We need to be careful to what truth we latch on too…

Sanballet and Tobiah spread the rumor— And the people begin to believe them and buy into the narrative — that the Jews are feeble, they are dreamers, they don't have what it takes, The task is big for them... They will never revive that rubble... and What they build won't be good enough…

Now, I have to Laugh because Tobiah has to get his two cents into the mix… he just can’t help himself... he chimes in...

if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!”

Their walls are so weak that it won’t even hold a small animal…

This is how the enemy works… through these kinds of voices… and if we listen to the voices of critics and discouragement… WE are going to get stuck...

Now if you fast foreward to end of the story and in chapter 12 after they rebuild the walls.

The people all climb up on top the walls, and they march around the city and they sing praise music.

Isn’t that a great picture? And the Bible says all the nations looked in awe and said, “Only God could have done that”

Paul Goes on to say..

T/s IF WE are going to reach our God Given Potential? We have to deal with two Criticism and discouragement...… How do we do this…

1. Distinguish Constructive from Destructive Criticism...

2.Discern Reactions from Responses

A few years ago, the wall street journal had this article entitled — “Automation make us dumb.” basically the article pointed out there dangers of living in an automative age…

it gave the example of how in aviation..

Computers now handle most flight operations between takeoff and touchdown—so "frequent practice" is exactly what pilots are not getting. Without actual flight experience or practice, pilots develop what aviation experts call "skill fade" or "skills decay."

As a result there have been more frequent accidents because Pilots are used to watching things happen, and reacting, instead of being proactive..

The FAA was urging airlines to get pilots to spend more time flying manually so that they will be able to respond in a crisis..

What often happens in life… we live in the auto piolet mode and so when something happens to us that is negative... we have this knee jerk reaction..

When Nehemiah heard all the things that were being said about him and God’s people… How easy it would have been to react… He had the backing of the King… He could have taken action…

But instead Nehemiah goes to Prayer… When faced with Sandballat’s demoralizing attack, he immediately asked God for help… lets read our text

Read

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.

How did Nehemiah respond to this ridicule? What did he say (Nehemiah 4:4-5)?

Do you think that Nehemiah’s prayer is justified?

How does prayer deal with personal frustrations.?

How do we express our anger/frustration in prayer to God?

What did the Jews do? What was the result (Nehemiah 4:6)? What can we learn?

How did the enemies react when they saw the work continuing? What did they plan next (Nehemiah 4:7-8)?

How did Nehemiah respond to this problem (Nehemiah 4:9)?

There is strong theme of Prayer throughout the book of Nehemiah… When things get uncertain in Nehemiah’s life… He God to prayer... Prayer was a distinct and consistent part of Nehemiah’s approach to problem-solving.

... prayer is the bedrock... prayer is solid ground in times of uncertainty...

What do we learn from Nehemiah’s prayer…

b. Prayer needs to be honest..

His prayer is honest... he calls on the Lord for justice and deal with his enemies. His prayer is like

Like some of the prayers found the psalms that invoked God’s condemnation on His enemies,

Nehemiah’s prayer in this instance was severe and condemning. He prayed that Sanballat and his cohorts would be taken captive and that they would be judged for their sins…

Now --How should a Christian interpret this kind of praying, especially in view of what Jesus Christ said about praying for one’s enemies?

Matthew 5:44 ESV

44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Several facts need to be noted. First, in opposing the Jews, Sanballat “and company” were actually opposing God.

Second, God had already pronounced judgment on Israel’s enemies. Nehemiah was praying according to God’s will—that God would deliver Jerusalem from her enemies (Josh. 1:5).

Third, Nehemiah was praying that God would bring about what He had promised Abraham regarding those who curse His people (Gen. 12:3).

Fourth, vengeance belongs to God, not to Nehemiah or other believers (cf. Deut. 32:35; Rom. 12:19).

The point of the text is that..

... Nehemiah takes it to God...

This is not necessary a model for praying for your enemies... it is a model how to handle our frustrations...

He asks God do something about these unjust people.. expose their lies.. shame my enemies... Don't forgive their sins and judge them...

The implication of the prayer -- that God has a habit of showing mercy to His enemies... Sometimes the prayer is more for you than for others...

3. Prayer clarifies and brings perspective

After Nehemiah prays he goes back to the people and continues the work..

.. the next verse —

Read

Nehemiah 4:6 ESV

6 So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.

What did God’s people do? What was the result ?

What can we learn from bringing our concerns to God in prayer?

Discus how prayer might help bring clarity and perspective.

So we built the wall.. and they made significant progress in the building of the wall… the wall was joined together at half hight.... for the people had a mind to work…

Nehemiah had cleared his mind he is able to go back to building.. People got to work and Nehemiah focused on building.... Nehemiah focused on FILLING IN THE GAPS.. BREACHES.

Once he committed the problem to the Lord, he trusted God to help them achieve their goal.

The lesson is Once of Contrasts..

Compare Sanballat and Nehemiah’s responses… When Sanballat feels threaten — He gathers people and he tries to influence them… and get them on his side of the hurt...

… In contrast when Nehemiah is threatened he turns it to prayer..and he ... Gathers the people for prayer...

the result - God frustrates the plans of the Enemy .... and all the efforts at demoralizing the Jews failed. Nehemiah and God’s people rose above their enemies’ attempts at discouragement.

T/s IF WE are going to reach our God Given Potential? We have to deal with two Criticism and discouragement...… How do we do this…

1. Distinguish Constructive from Destructive Criticism..

2. DiscernReactions from Responses

3. Differentiate Threats from Opportunities

In the past few months — think most of us can identify with feelings of being overwhelmed.

With these fires the past 10 days … I was thinking how much can we take as a nation… Covid on it’s own a major issue… now add fires that are happening around us, Hurricane on the East coast, add political unrest and Elections…There is a lot going on.... I would say it is not a stretch to say that most Americans are feeling overwhelmed

What we learn from Nehemiah

Even though Nehemiah prayed and guarded the wall the problem was not automatically solved… In fact the builders faced some new problems. They were physically and psychologically exhausted and the work seemed endless...

Nehemiah 4:10–12 ESV

10 In Judah it was said, “The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall.” 11 And our enemies said, “They will not know or see till we come among them and kill them and stop the work.” 12 At that time the Jews who lived near them came from all directions and said to us ten times, “You must return to us.”

Why might feelings of being overwhelmed impact our service?

How did the enemies react when they saw the work continuing?

How did Nehemiah respond to this problem ? (Nehemiah showed leadership by preparing the people to defend and build the wall)

Read verse 14 —

Nehemiah 4:14 ESV

14 And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”

How might this “pep talk” be important for us today in relations to future generations and gospel?

Close in Prayer

Challenge

Commit to a step and live it out this week.

If someone you know is facing opposition this week,

encourage them to trust in God’s ability to support them and

fight for them.

Things just keep pilling up for Israel as they build the walls… they lay one section of wall and they look back and they didn’t even make a dent… seems like there is just as much work as they had when they started.. We can’t finish this by ourselves...

How do we handle feeling of being overwhelmed?

Acknowledge that we get tired.

There are those that carry the brunt of the load... it is never quite equal.... and those who bore the burden of the work where getting tired.. Think about all those ministry leaders -- who have been faithful year in and year out... It is tiring -- we do get weary in well doing...

. It is like standing with your arms outstretched -- you can do it for a minute how about 5 minutes.. eventually your arms.. get heavier and heavier... we get tired of bearing the weight..

What we have to discern is the..

b. Trap of Giving up

When they are tired they begin to repeat the words of the enemy ... our enemies have said.. maybe they were right to tell us to give up.. maybe we had it wrong... On top of that their fellow jews -- (who had been watching on the sidelines) added their thoughts... Stop working come home put you feed up take a load off your feet.. We have Netflix and espn... don't do all that work... that seems more appealing that laying bricks..

The problem with being overwhelmed is giving up or stopping — that is not the answer..

The psalmist said..

Ps 61:2 ....When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

God will not only help you… He well help us get through a crisis… His ways are higher than our ways..

c. Crisis aways presents us with an opportunity to lead…

Leadership in its most basic form is influence… be a positive influence --- it doesn’t have to be big..

There is an African proverb that says..

If you think you are too small to make a difference, try spending the night in a closed room with a mosquito. —

Nehemiah demonstrates leadership.. - He delicates puts people in the right places and then he says get ready to fight.. pick up your swords, your spears and your bows.. and he gathers the people and gives them a pep talk.. Do not be afraid... Remember God is great and awesome... Now go out there and fight for your life, fight for yourself, your husbands, your wives, your children...

The work resumes people are working.. And the Bible says God frustrates their plans...

Half worked on the wall and half did spirtual warfare.. The leaders did their part and stood behind the people... You have work and support of the work ..

Nehemiah prepared them for work and for battle. Even though they spread thin... they were ready rally when the heard the trumpet sound.. The worked long and hard hours...-- 24/7 from dawn till late evening ... until the stars came out.. none of them did laundry -changed their clothes and kept their weapon right with them

When we are overwhelmed by a crisis — we need discern between the threat an opportunity..

Conclusion

Kyle Idleman is a pastor in LA and he tells this story of a time in his ministry that he was working long hours and not sleeping well… he was stressed and anxious... and feeling overwhelmed..While he lay in bed in the middle of the night… He remembered that when the first moved to La… Hew had saved the heaviest piece of furniture for last—the desk from his office.

As he was pushing and pulling the desk with all my might, his four-year-old son came over and asked if he could help. So together we started sliding it across the floor. He was pushing and grunting as we inched our way along.

After a few minutes, Kyle says his son stopped pushing, looked up and said, "Dad, you're in my way." And then he tried to push the desk by himself. Of course it didn't budge. Kyle says that it was then that he realized that he thought he was actually doing all the work, instead of me. I couldn't help but laugh.

Kyle says that at the moment he started laughing at his son's comment, Then he realized why God was laughing at me. I thought I was pushing the desk. I know that's ridiculous, but instead of recognizing God's power and strength, I started to think it all depended on me.

We are living in season where there is this sense of feeling overwhelmed.. and it may look like it too much to bare.. We need distinguish between what is actual and what is perceived... We start with prayer... Where are there gaps in the wall today? How are we going to breach the wall.

What will happen when each of us Rest in Prayer… begin to focus on what God has put in front of us.... Even though we are apart right now… as we build we will see walls connecting… Right now we are not together… . Something invisible becomes visible..