sf706 - How To Overcome Opposition (Neh 4 1-23)
Nehemiah 4:1-23
Introduction
We have learned that opportunity equals opposition. One to the tests of an overcomer is how we handle opposition/problems. “Opposition is not only an evidence that God is blessing, but it is also an opportunity for us to grow” (Warren Wiersbe, Nehemiah). “God had one Son without sin, but He never had a son without trial” (Charles Sprugeon in Wiersbe, Nehemiah).
We are entering a new era as a church. An era of renewed focus, focus on the Lord Jesus, a focus on the Word of God, a focus on others, and a focus on evangelism. As certain, we do change our focus we will face the opposition of the enemy.
Satan will not allow us to do a great work for God without opposing us. You can be certain that you will be attacked. Satan hates us because he hates God. We must remember however, that Satan is under God’s sovereign rule.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NASB) 13No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
Today we are going to learn how we can to anticipate opposition and how we are to answer opposition.
1A. How to Anticipate Opposition
We anticipate opposition by understanding the tactics the enemy employs. Satan has not changed his methods in four thousand years. In this chapter, we see his three favorite tactics. Remember Satan will use men to do his biding.
1B. Satan will try to distract you (4:1-3)
1C. They ridiculed the feebleness of God’s people (4:2a)
They ridiculed them because they were few and small. “Feeble” means withered, miserable. We are a feeble people in the eyes of the world. We are a small an insignificant group compared to the size and prestige of the world. It is wrong to measure the church by the size of the people.
A little fellow applied for a job as woodsman in the north woods. They told him he was too small to chop down trees, he said I can do it. They gave him an ax and told him to chop down a sapling he went chop, chop and it was done. They said try that on this redwood. He went chop, chop, and chop and down it went. The man said I never seen any thing like that, where did you learn to chop wood like that? He said in the Sahara forest, the man said don’t you mean the Sahara desert, the little man said, well that is what they call it now.
God does not measure His people simply by their hands, how strong they are, or by their heads, how smart they are, but by their hearts, how surrendered they are. Paul expresses it best in 1 Corinthians 1.
1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (NKJV) 26For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—31that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”
2C. The ridiculed the futility of their task. (4:2c)
They will never do what they say they are going to do. We are not about just buildings and budgets; they are a means to an end. Jesus is building a church, “I will build my church.” An in building a church He is building a people of God. We will win! We cannot loose, because Christ will not loose!
3C. They ridiculed the foolishness of their faith. (4:2b)
“Will they sacrifice?” They ridiculed the Jew’s faith in God. The world will mock our faith.
1 Corinthians 1:18 (NKJV) “18For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
4C. They ridiculed the frailty of their work. (4:3)
They were convinced that the work would not last. The world laughs at us, the world says it will not last. The world will tells us that what we do will not last. Satan is still ridiculing the work of God.
2B. Satan will try to discourage you (4:10-11)
There is an old legend that one day Satan had a garage sale. He was selling all of his tools that he had used over the centuries. Lying, hatred, malice, lust, greed, envy, jealousy, pride, all of these different things. Over in the corner one tool not for sale. It was so priceless that he would not sale it. Why? Because it was "Discouragement” That’s Satan's most important tool. With this tool and can get into a heart and pry it open and destroy it.
Good people can become discouraged (10)
Judah was the chief tribe! Judah was the best of the best. These were the leaders! Jesus would come from this tribe.
Fatigue will cause you to become discouraged (10a)
They were worn out, weighted down, and worried. They were only halfway finished on the wall (4:6). The beginning and the end are the easiest times to work; halfway is the hardest time! Middle age in life is a time of discouragement. Some of you are saying we have been at this work a long time. I am tired. Some are saying when will we ever get ahead. Serving the Lord is hard tedious work. We are to serve God until He calls us home. Fatigue is dangerous, Vince Lombardi said, "Fatigue makes cowards of all of us." Fatigue can and will lead to discouragement. We need to rest physically. We need to work smart and be as effective as we can for the Kingdom.
Frustration will cause you to become discouraged (10b)
“There is so much rubbish,” they were weighted down. Frustration is usually a matter of perception. Actually, the piles are getting smaller. They just seemed to be never ending. It is frustrating when the heat does not work. It is frustration to have to set up and tear down equipment every Sunday. It is frustrating when we invite others to join us and they do not come. It is easy to become weighted down in serving the Lord.
That is why the trash must be removed. If we are going to succeed, we must remove the clutter the garbage. The hardest part of the job was removing the trash. We have a lot of trash that must be removed. There is theological trash, we must regain a proper understanding of God and man, we must reaffirm our belief of the Bible, and we must live what the Bible says. We must clear out the traditional trash, just because something has always been does not make it right or wrong. We must be willing and faithful to measure every thing in our church and our lives by the Bible. We must clear out the organizational trash; we need to look at how we do “church.” Do our organization and our structure square with scripture, if not we must change our organization. We must organize ourselves according to the Bible and set God’ people free to serve Him. We must remove the rubble before we can build the wall. We must get rid of the trash before we are ready to build. We must clean away the trash so that we can get back to the pure Word of God and build on the Word of God. We must resist the temptation to do God’s work the cheap way the easy way. There is no cheap way, no easy way to do God’s work!
Fear will cause you to become discouraged (11)
They were worried that the enemy would attack and destroy them. The enemy promised to attack at an unknown time. The enemy wants to keep things in turmoil. When there is confusion in our church or our families we know the source is not God.
1 Corinthians 14:33 (NKJV) 33For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
Satan has watched you long enough to know your breaking point. He knows when you cannot take anymore. Therefore, he will pour on just a little more. Fear of Satan and man will cause you to become discouraged. “Fear and faith cannot live together in the same heart” (Wiersbe, Nehemiah).
3B. Satan will try to defeat you (12)
The most effective attack comes from within.
People within the camp who say it cannot be done. They were with them but not for them. Two pastors were talking about committees. Do you have any standing committees? Yes, I have 12 standing committees, six sitting, three that are lying down. We even have a bucket committee, the people that whenever we get ready to do anything for God pour cold water on it. You will be either part of the problem or part of solution.
Those who are closest to the enemy are most likely to become negative. (12a)
The Jews outside the city of Jerusalem, who lived near the enemy, they were the ones most negative. What happens when you are around negative people all the time? You become negative.
Negative people will always exaggerate the situation
“Told us ten times,” the point is: the negative is always exaggerated.
The opposition always has two goals. One is to hinder God's word and the other is to halt God's work.
2A. How to Answer Opposition
1B. Rely on God (4:4-5)
Nehemiah did not get into a name-calling contest
Proverbs 26:4 (NASB) 4Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Or you will also be like him.
Ø A bulldog can whip a skunk but it is not worth it.
Nehemiah told God on them
The greater the opposition the more you need to pray, the more you need to depend upon God. When you are ridiculed, do not take it out on people, talk it out with God. That is what Nehemiah does. He hears this initial ridicule, ignores it, and goes to God in prayer. The best response to ridicule is do not respond. Instead, you pray, and you keep on doing what you should be doing in the first place. The first verses says -- they ridiculed, they prayed, they rebuilt the wall. Ridicule can never stop you from doing what you are doing, unless you let it.
You must be willing to trust God to deal with those who oppose His work. Our job is to be certain we are doing God’s work, God’s way. Then we can trust Him to judge those who oppose us.
Proverbs 3:34(NCV) "The LORD laughs at those who laugh at him, but he gives grace to those who are not proud."
(1 Peter 2:23 NCV) "People insulted Christ, but he did not insult them in return. Christ suffered, but he did not threaten. He let God, the One who judges rightly, take care of him."
2B. Respect the Enemy (4:6, 9, 13, 16-18)
1 Peter 5:8 (NIV) "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."
Set a guard before you are attacked (4:9)
They did the prayerful thing and then the practical thing. It's fine to lay in bed at night and pray, "Protect me from the burglars." However, you also need to get up and lock your door! Oliver Cromwell said, "Trust God and keep your powder dry." Petition without precaution is presumption. Rely on God when you are being opposed. But also respect the opposition. Moreover, the stronger the opposition, the stronger the response.
Arm the people for the battle (4:13)
Ephesians 6:13 (NIV) "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."
2 Corinthians 10:4 (NKJV) 4For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
Principle: Never fight a fight alone. When you are facing opposition, get some support. That is one of the purposes of the church. Every Sunday I preach to our folks and I know that on Monday morning they are going back to work and get beat up! To get beat up by the world. They come in bandaged and bloody at the end of the week to be patched up again. We need support. It is tough in the business world. It is tough being a Christian at school. It's tough having Christian attitudes in a society where everything says "No, do not live for Christ; live for yourself!"
Battle and build at the same time (4:16-18)
Principle: Every time you start building for God, you are asking for a battle. If you start trying to build your marriage, you are asking for a battle. If you start trying to build up your own personal spiritual life, you are asking for a battle. If you start trying to build a church, that is a battle. Everytime a church starts building there is a battle. Why? Because Satan does not want churches built. He gets people to oppose you.
3B. Remain Focused on the Lord (4:14)
Remember the Lord
Nehemiah says, "Remember the Lord!" He is saying, "Let's look at the future. Get our eyes off the opposition and get our eyes on the Lord." When you are under attack, if the devil can get you to focus on the opposition he has won a major victory. Either you will focus on the opposition or you focus on the Lord. You can focus on the financial statement or you can focus on the Lord. You can either focus on the rising interest rates or you focus on the Lord. Either you focus on the economy or you focus on the Lord. What are you going to focus on? "Remember the Lord!"
1 John 4:4 (NASB) 4You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.
Reverence the Lord
“Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome.” Circle "awesome.” A couple of sentences earlier where he said, "Don't be afraid" circle "afraid.” In the Hebrew that is the same word in both places -- the word for afraid and the word for awesome. The point here is that when you fear God then you are not going to fear other people. If I am afraid of God -- reverential fear -- then I do not fear anyone. Because I know that what I am doing is pleasing to Him.
Luke 12:4-5 (NASB) 4“I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. 5“But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV) "but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength….”
Romans 8:31 (NKJV) 31What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Robert Lewis Stevenson, tells a story of a group of people on a ship in the midst of great storm. One passenger made his way to the bridge. He looked at the captain and the captain turned and smiled. The passenger returned below and told the others we are going to OK. I have seen the face of the captain and he smiled at me.
Have you seen the face to captain Jesus? Jesus is still at the helm! We must remember our God!
4B. Rally Around the Cause (4:14b)
We are not building walls - we are building lives!
Remember our purpose! Remember your wives and your children. We are building lives and we must get busy! If the Lord tarries His coming who will reach the next generation in Pittsburgh for Christ?
What would happen if the people of PBC were excited and committed to sharing the gospel with this city? It costs to be on fire for God!
5B. Return to the Work (4:15)
One of the cures of discouragement is to go to work.
Do not wait until you feel like working. You cannot feel your way into a work for God but you can work yourself into a feeling. Do not wait until everything is just right. We are to build and battle! We must be warm-hearted and hard headed.
6B. Recommit to your coworkers (4:19-20)
There is something wonderful about unity!
Psalm 133:1 (NKJV) 1Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!
In order to work together we must come together!
Matthew 18:20 (NIV) "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
Hebrews 10:25 (NKJV) 25not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
A fellow courted his girlfriend by writing her a letter every day for two years. She married the mailman.
7B. Refuse to quit (4:21-23)
The opposition wants to stir up trouble (4:8)
The opposition wants to stop the work (4:11)
We must refuse to quit
Calvin Coolidge said, "Press on. Nothing can take the place of persistence. Talent will not. Nothing is more common that unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not. Unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not. The world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are the overwhelming power."
They worked through the night. He told all the people who lived outside of Jerusalem that were commuting in to work on the wall, "You stay here". When you are under opposition, when you are under attack, it is time to stick together. They even slept in their clothes they were that committed. Nehemiah led the way. He sets the work pace. He is showing endurance, being the prototype. He is enduring the same hardships the people are enduring, facing the same dangers.
Persistence is the ultimate test of faith. This is the acid test of our faith in God. How do you handle it when the going gets tough? When somebody laughs at you or criticizes you for being a Christian that may hurt but it cannot stop you. The secret of success is you simply outlast your critics.
How do you get to be an oak tree? An oak tree is just a little nut that refused to give his ground. It does not take a lot of intelligence but if you just hang on you will outlast the critics. There is nothing the devil would rather do than stall us, and stop us, and move us into neutral so resist discouragement and keep on.
Do not let go…
I want to let go, but I won't let go.
There are battles to fight,
By day and by night
For God and the right
And I'll never let go!
I want to let go, but I won't let go.
I'm sick, 'tis true,
And worried and blue
And worn out through and through
But I won't let go.
I want to let go, but I won't let go.
I will never yield.
What? Lie down on the field
And surrender my shield?
No, I'll never let go!
I want to let go, but I won't let go.
May this be my song,
Mid legions of wrong,
O God keep me strong
So I'll never let go.
Application
1. Consider the cause of the opposition
Ø Ridicule is a substitute for reason
Ø Laughing is a substitute for logic
2. Consider the character of those who oppose you
Ø We are known not only by our friends but by our enemies
Acts 5:41 (NIV) "The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name."
3. Consider the company you are in when you are opposed.
Luke 23:35-36 (NASB) 35And the people stood by, looking on. And even the rulers were sneering at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One.” 36The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him, offering Him sour wine,
4. Consider the compensation when we are opposed
Matthew 5:10-12 (NKJV) 10Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
5. Consider the conclusion of the matter
Proverbs 1:24-29 (NASB) 24“Because I called and you refused, I stretched out my hand and no one paid attention; 25And you neglected all my counsel And did not want my reproof; 26I will also laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your dread comes, 27When your dread comes like a storm And your calamity comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you. 28“Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently but they will not find me, 29Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD.
God wins!
Whose side are you on?
Nehemiah 4:1-23
Introduction
We have learned that opportunity equals opposition.
“Opposition is not only an evidence that God is blessing, but it is also an opportunity for us to grow” (Warren Wiersbe, Nehemiah).
“God had one Son without sin, but He never had a son without trial” (Charles Sprugeon in Wiersbe, Nehemiah).
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NASB) 13No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
1A. How to Anticipate Opposition
1B. Satan will try to distract you (4:1-3)
They ridiculed the feebleness of God’s people (4:2a)
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
They ridiculed the futility of their task. (4:2c)
They ridiculed the foolishness of their faith. (4:2b)
1 Corinthians 1:18
They ridiculed the frailty of their work. (4:3)
2B. Satan will try to discourage you (4:10-11)
Good people can become discouraged (4:10)
Fatigue will cause you to become discouraged (10a)
Ø They were only halfway finished on the wall (4:6)
Frustration will cause you to become discouraged (10b)
Fear will cause you to become discouraged (11)
1 Corinthians 14:33 (NKJV) 33For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
“Fear and faith cannot live together in the same heart” (Wiersbe, Nehemiah).
3B. Satan will try to defeat you (12)
The most effective attack comes from within.
Those who are closest to the enemy are most likely to become negative. (12a)
Negative people will always exaggerate the situation
The opposition always has two goals.
One is to hinder God's word and the other is to halt God's work.
2A. How to Answer Opposition
1B. Rely on God (4:4-5)
Nehemiah did not get into a name-calling contest
Proverbs 26:4 (NASB) 4Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Or you will also be like him.
Nehemiah told God on them
Proverbs 3:34(NCV) "The LORD laughs at those who laugh at him…."
(1 Peter 2:23 NCV) "People insulted Christ, but he did not insult them in return. Christ suffered, but he did not threaten. He let God, the One who judges rightly, take care of him."
2B. Respect the Enemy (4:6, 9, 13, 16-18)
1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV) 8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Set a guard before you are attacked (4:9)
Arm the people for the battle (4:13)
Ephesians 6:13 (NIV) "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."
2 Corinthians 10:4 (NKJV) 4For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
Battle and build at the same time (4:16-18)
3B. Remain Focused on the Lord (4:14)
Remember the Lord
1 John 4:4 (NASB) 4You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.
Reverence the Lord
Luke 12:4-5 (NASB) 4“I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. 5“But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV) "but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength….”
Romans 8:31 (NKJV) 31What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
4B. Rally Around the Cause (4:14b)
We are not building walls - we are building lives!
5B. Return to the Work (4:15)
One of the cures of discouragement is to go to work.
6B. Recommit to your coworkers (4:19-20)
There is something wonderful about unity!
Psalm 133:1 (NKJV) 1Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!
In order to work together we must come together!
Matthew 18:20 (NIV) "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
Hebrews 10:25 (NKJV) 25not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
7B. Refuse to quit (4:21-23)
The opposition wants to stir up trouble (4:8)
The opposition wants to stop the work (4:11)
We must refuse to quit
Do not let go…
I want to let go, but I won't let go.
There are battles to fight,
By day and by night
For God and the right
And I'll never let go!
I want to let go, but I won't let go.
I'm sick, 'tis true,
And worried and blue
And worn out through and through
But I won't let go.
I want to let go, but I won't let go.
I will never yield.
What? Lie down on the field
And surrender my shield?
No, I'll never let go!
I want to let go, but I won't let go.
May this be my song,
Mid legions of wrong,
O God keep me strong
So I'll never let go.
Application
1. Consider the cause of the opposition
Ø Ridicule is a substitute for reason
Ø Laughing is a substitute for logic
2. Consider the character of those who oppose you
Ø We are known not only by our friends but by our enemies
3. Consider the company you are in when you are opposed.
Luke 23:35-36 (NASB)…. the rulers were sneering at Him, saying… 36The soldiers also mocked Him…
4. Consider the compensation when we are opposed
Matthew 5:10-12 (NKJV) 10Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
5. Consider the conclusion of the matter
Proverbs 1:24-
God wins!
Whose side are you on?
HOW TO OVERCOME OPPOSITION
Overcoming Obstacles to Victory – Part 5
February 6, 2000 - Nehemiah 4:1-23
1A. How to ___________________________ Opposition
1B. Satan will try to __________________ you (4:1-3)
They ridiculed the feebleness of God’s people (4:2a)
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
They ridiculed the ____________ of their task. (4:2c)
They ridiculed the ___________________________ of their faith. (4:2b; 1 Corinthians 1:18)
They ridiculed the ____________ of their work. (4:3)
2B. Satan will try to ________________ you (4:10-11)
Good people can become discouraged (4:10)
________________________ will cause you to become discouraged (4:10a, 6)
Frustration will cause you to become discouraged (10b)
Fear will cause you to become discouraged (11)
1 Corinthians 14:33
3B. Satan will try to _____________________ you (12)
The most effective attack comes from ____________.
Those who are _____________________ to the enemy are most likely to become negative. (12a)
____________________ people will always exaggerate the situation
The opposition always has _____________________ goals.
2A. How to ___________________________ Opposition
1B. _________________ on God (4:4-5)
Nehemiah did not get into a name-calling contest (Proverbs 26:4)
Nehemiah _________________________ God on them (Proverbs 3:34; 1 Peter 2:23 )
2B. __________________ the Enemy (4:6, 9, 13, 16-18; 1 Peter 5:8 )
Set a guard _______________ you are attacked (4:9)
__________________ the people for the battle (4:13; Ephesians 6:13; 2 Corinthians 10:4)
Battle and _____________ at the same time (4:16-18)
3B. Remain ___________________ on the Lord (4:14)
_________________________ the Lord (1 John 4:4)
Reverence the Lord (Luke 12:4-5; Isaiah 40:31; Romans 8:31)
4B. ____________________ Around the Cause (4:14b)
5B. __________________________ to the Work (4:15)
6B. __________________ to your coworkers (4:19-20)
There is something wonderful about unity!
In order to work together we must come together! (Matthew 18:20; Hebrews 10:25)
7B. __________________ to quit (4:21-23)
The opposition wants to stir up _____________ (4:8)
The opposition wants to __________ the work (4:11)