Sermon Tone Analysis

| they were defeated.

When God comissioned Jeremiah in chapters 1 and 2 of Jeremiah, he told him to go where he sent him and speak the words he commanded.

He told Jeremiah that if he neglected to speak the words he gave him that he would confound him before the people.

So, we must make sure God is with us!   Nehemiah made sure the Lord was with him before he started to build.

For he said "I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me".

I am convinced that before we can do anything of lasting value for the Lord, we have to be sure the hand of God is good upon us.

For if his hand is not good upon us then we have no assurance of success.

Nehemiah prayed and fasted for certatin days.

The number of days is not important.

What is important is that he did it until he heard from the Lord.

For as it was in Nehemiah's day, so it will be in ours.

When we desire to do good evil is always present.

When you begin to build for the Lord, opposition will arise.

When the way looks clear, the devil will stir up some trouble.

Some stumbling blocks will be thrown in your path.

That is why we must humble ourselves before God and seek his approval.

If we have his approval and he is with us, we will be able to withstand the opposition.

Withstand the Opposition!

Nehemiah was given favor with king Artexerxes.

So, Artexerxes gave him permission to rebuild the walls and even provided some supplies.

Also, the Lord was with Nehemiah.

But his enemies (Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian) were lurking in the shadows plotting evil.

Nehemiah faced both external and internal troubles.

His external problems came from those who didn't want to see the wall rebuilt and openly opposed him.

His internal problems came from his own brethren - some who took bribes to give false prohecies and others who charged interest to the poorer Jewish brethren.

Anytime we decide to build for the Lord we can expect opposition.

And just like it was in Nehemiah's day the opposition will be external and internal.

I believe the external opposition is expected and planned for.

The fact these gentiles didn't want to see the walls of Jerusalem erected again is understandable.

These were all rival nations with Israel.

So, they naturally didn't want to see Israel prosper.

These outsiders banded together to hinder the work of the Lord.

But, Nehemiah and the builders were able to withstand their opposition because they prayed unto God, and set a watch against them day and night.

Nehemiah found himself a marked man.

Any of you who step into leadership are marked by the enemy.

He will try to oppress you and keep you down.

He will try to distract you and draw you away from your work.

But watch and pray day and night.

God will deliver you from the hand of your oppressors.

I believe that the internal opposition is the most difficult to deal with.

It may be tought to face opposition of any kind, but opposition from your own household can really strike a discouraging blow.

When those who share bread with you, who travel with you, who become your close associate.

When those you have trusted and who should understand betray you into the hands of your adversaries it can be debilitating.

Imagine how Moses must have felt when Aaron and his own sister caused division in the camp of Israel.

Imagine how David must have felt when his own son plotted against him and his own wife Micah despised him in her heart.

Imagine how Jesus felt when one who ate at the same table with him betrayed him.

Yes, you must face internal opposition.

And you defeat internal opposition the same way you defeat external opposition.

Through the help of the Lord.

Through watching and praying both night and day.

For if you let your guard down, make no mistake the adversary will seek to destroy your progress.

But if God is for us he is more than the whole world against us.

So make up your mind before you build that opposition will come.

Prepare yourself for opposition and ask God to see the work through to completion.

Trust in God and God alone.

Don't get discouraged when the trials come.

When the persecutions come.

When people scandalize your name.

Continue in the strength of the Lord and rise up and build.

Build until you have completed the work.

let nothing deter you or stand in your way.*Tithing

Illustration Using 10 apples!*      |

| *Introduction**!*In life, we are often faced with challenges that we don’t think we can surmount.

This is true on a corporate and personal level.

Although the first African American President, Barack Hussein Obama, was recently sworn into office, young black men in America still have the highest high school dropout rates and levels of incarceration.

At a personal level, some of you came here this afternoon facing your own challenges – a life-threatening illness to a loved one; a wayward child or grandchild; a hostile environment at work; jealous co-workers; overt racism or sexism; a marriage that has grown cold.

Things don't always go our way.

But the good news is that Christians have a heritage of dealing with difficult situations.

In fact our faith is founded upon the suffering and supreme sacrifice of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Jesus was called by Isaiah "A man of sorrows acquainted with grief".

He suffered much, was greatly persecuted, was often slandered and offended, he was called a fake, a son of the devil.

Yet he endured the onslaught of those who tried to discourage him from the work the Father had set before him.

He overcame the ridicule and the scorn.

He overcame betrayal and opposition.

He overcame every obstacle that was placed before him.

Not even death, hell, or the grave could stop him from completing the work God the Father had placed before Him.

Now, he is seated at the right the Father, having completed the work.

Nothing could stop Jesus from completing the work God had set before Him!

And he said in /John 14:12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.

/ In our text we focus on Nehemiah - one who faced a great challenge; one against whom there were incredible odds; yet he overcame and was used by the Lord to accomplish a great work.

To rebuild the walls of Jerusalem which had been torn down by her enemies.

In Nehemiah’s day, the Persian monarchy was flourishing.

The Persian monarchy flourished.

The Jews were in captivity under the rule of Artexerxes the Persian king.

Nehemiah (whose name means Jehovah has consoled) was royal cupbearer to the king.

He was responsible for making sure the cup of the king wasn't poisoned.

Because Nehemiah had access to the king during his times of relaxation, the king trusted him.

This position of cupbearer was a high position in the king's court.

So, Nehemiah finds himself in a favorable position to the king.

Notice how the Lord can so arrange the circumstances of life so that things will always work out for the good of them that love the Lord and are called according to his purpose.

So, no matter where you are today if you will trust in the Lord.

If you will seek first his kingdom and all its righteousness.

If you will love him with all your mind, all your heart, and all your soul.

If you will just trust in the Lord and |

| *Let Us Rise Up and Build!** (Nehemiah 2:18)* |

 

 

 

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| lean not upon your own understanding.

Things will work out for you!

Whether it is on the job.

In the home.

Or in the church.