SF711 - The Devil's Dirty Tricks, Building Winners in a World of Losers 7-8 (Nehemiah 6 1-4)

Nehemiah 6:1-4

Introduction

We are in a Spiritual War…

(Ephesians 6:11-13 NIV) "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. {12} For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. {13} 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."

(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."

The Devil’s devices he had used against God’s People

Derision (4:1)

Discouragement (4:10)

Danger (4:11)

Discord (5:1)

Depletion (5:3-4)

The Devil’s Dirty Tricks…

Nehemiah 6:1-4

1A. Distraction (6:1-4)

1B. Notice Satan’s approach (2)

If the Devil cannot defeat us as a roaring lion, he will try to distract us as an angel of light.

Nehemiah is not fooled (2b)

Ø If the world cannot stamp us out they will join us, distract us, and neutralize us.

Bear and hunter compromise - the bear has a good meal and the man gets a fur coat.

2B. Notice Nehemiah’s response (3-4)

He refuses to leave the work

Ø The good can sometimes be a substitute for the best!

Ø Find God’s best and do it!

He remains faithful to the work

Ø No matter how many times they come his answer is still the same.

2A. Defamation (6:5-8)

1B. They tried to embarrass God’s Man

This was a rumor.

Ø Anybody that sets big goals is going to be criticized and slandered by people who have set no goals.

2B. They slandered the motives of God’s man

They accused Nehemiah of being out for himself

They may accuse us of only being interested in numbers.

Be careful what you say about God’s man

3B. Notice Nehemiah’s Response (8)

He continued to work

He denied the charges

“Life would be a perpetual flea hunt, if a man were obliged to run down all the innuendoes, the insinuations and the misrepresentations said against him. I refuse to go flea hunting.” Henry Ward Beacher

Abraham Lincoln: "If I were to try to read, much less answer all the attacks made against me this shop would close for business. I do my best, the very best I know how, the very best I can. And I mean to keep on doing it until the end. And if the end brings me out wrong, then ten angels swearing that I was right wouldn't make a difference."

Anyone who serves God will be slandered

Ø They slandered Jesus!

(John 15:20 NIV) "Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also…."

3A. Dismay (9-10)

1B. They tried to tried to frighten God’s man

(Isaiah 41:10 NIV) "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

2B. What fear will do to us

Fear will weaken our resolve (9)

Fear will degrade God

Fear will destroy your life

Fear will disturb your friends

Fear will delight your foe

(2 Timothy 1:7 NCV) "God did not give us a spirit that makes us afraid but a spirit of power and love and self-control."

Fear is False Evidence that Appears Real

3B. Sixty Three times we are told not to fear

(Genesis 15:1 NIV) "After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.""

(Revelation 1:17 NIV) "…Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last."

4A. Deception (11-14)

1B. Not everyone who claims to speak for God is speaking for God.

(2 Corinthians 11:13-15 NIV) "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. {14} And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. {15} It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve."

2B. We are to test everyone

(1 John 4:1 NIV) "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world."

When you look for the devil be sure to look in the pulpits, the Sunday School rooms and the deacon rooms.

The theological test:

Ø The virgin birth

Ø The blood atonement,

Ø The book

The practical test

Ø Check what they say by the Word of God. Nehemiah was not allowed in the temple.

Ø Listen to the Holy Spirit.

Keep your knees on the ground and you eyes on the Lord.

Ø Are they building up God’s work or tearing down God’s work.

Application

Each one of these is personal attack on a leader.

Notice the Completion of the Matter (15-16)

The enemies could not explain the success other than to acknowledge God.

These are days to be supernatural not superficial!

How can we overcome these dirty tricks?

1. Be committed to a compelling purpose. (3a)

Ø "A Great Commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission will build a Great Church."

2. Maintain a clear perspective.

(James 1:5 NIV) "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

3. Pray, pray, and pray some more!

(Luke 18:1 NIV) "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up."

4. Refuse to quit, no matter what! (11)

(Galatians 6:9 NIV) "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

THE DEVIL’S DIRTY TRICKS
Building Winners in a World of Losers 7/9
October 5, 1997 p.m. - Nehemiah 6:1-4

1A. Distraction (6:1-4)

1B. Notice ______________ approach (2)

2B. Notice Nehemiah’s _______________ (3-4)

2A. Defamation (6:5-8)

1B. They tried to _________________ God’s Man

2B. They ________________ the motives of God’s man

They accused Nehemiah of being out for himself

3B. Notice Nehemiah’s _________________ (8)

Any one who serves God will be ________________

(John 15:20 NIV) "Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also."

3A. Dismay (9-10)

1B. They tried to tried to ____________ God’s man