Obstacle of Fear
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Obstacle of Fear
INTRODUCTION
SUMMIT ONE PROMO!!!
ILL- Scaring Ruby and Abel when they were taking out trash.
Fear paralysis and makes it impossible to live in faith.
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.”
13 So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed the people by their clans, with their swords, their spears, and their bows.
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.”
15 When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work.
16 From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah,
17 who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other.
18 And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me.
19 And I said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another.
20 In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.”
21 So we labored at the work, and half of them held the spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out.
22 I also said to the people at that time, “Let every man and his servant pass the night within Jerusalem, that they may be a guard for us by night and may labor by day.”
23 So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes; each kept his weapon at his right hand.
ILL- Joshua 1 - Joshua takes over for Moses. Scary time. But God gave strong leadership.
Joshua needed to be confident if he was going to lead Israel into battle.
5 Ways Great Leadership Helps Others Overcome Fear
1- Great Leaders Unite (10-14)
1- Great Leaders Unite (10-14)
Things are more fearful when we are alone.
“Daddy, come with me. I’m scared.”
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.”
vs 11- fear of a surprise attack- caused discouragement.
11 And our enemies said, “They will not know or see till we come among them and kill them and stop the work.”
“External pressure amplifies internal weakness.”
vs 13- grouping them together by families strengthened them to fight.
13 So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed the people by their clans, with their swords, their spears, and their bows.
vs. 14- Nehemiah calls them to “fear not”.
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.”
13 And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again.
9 Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them.”
6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
When they came together and did what they were supposed to do the plans of the enemy failed.
vs 15- “God had frustrated it.”
God supernaturally works through a united group.
The Church- The Body of Christ
12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Because they all worked together, everyone doing their part, “all returned to the wall.”
the enemy lost heart and the wall got built.
When everyone sticks together, even when things are tough, God is glorified.
2- Great Leaders Inspire (14)
2- Great Leaders Inspire (14)
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.”
ILL- President of Ukraine
6 And he set combat commanders over the people and gathered them together to him in the square at the gate of the city and spoke encouragingly to them, saying,
7 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him.
8 With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
Not in who we are but in who God is.
3- Great Leaders Protect (15-17)
3- Great Leaders Protect (15-17)
15 When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work.
16 From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah,
17 who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other.
“And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah...”
Plan to help them work together to protect each other.
Sacrificial leadership- willing to die.
Example of Jesus on the cross.
4- Great Leaders Assure (18-20)
4- Great Leaders Assure (18-20)
18 And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me.
19 And I said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another.
20 In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.”
He built confidence through the plan and the promise of God’s help.
He acknowledged the weakness and gave them confidence to keep going. A plan to overcome.
1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
He saw the future and lived the present as if it was true.
5- Great Leaders Sacrifice (21-23)
5- Great Leaders Sacrifice (21-23)
21 So we labored at the work, and half of them held the spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out.
22 I also said to the people at that time, “Let every man and his servant pass the night within Jerusalem, that they may be a guard for us by night and may labor by day.”
23 So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes; each kept his weapon at his right hand.
They do not ask others to do what they are not willing to do.
David and Bathsheba - When kings went to war with their armies...
Nehemiah worked 24 hrs a day just as he asked from everyone. They didn’t go home. They slept in Jerusalem in case they were needed to fight.
“none of us took off our clothes.”= slept ready for battle.
Nehemiah (we will see later) gave significantly to help. He left his place in the royal court. Gave up the privileges of being Governor. Gave his wealth to the project.
Equal Sacrifice. Great leaders give even more than that.
Sacrifice is someone giving up for the good of others.
Jesus’ sacrifice was our only hope.
He gave up his life so we could have eternal life.
CONCLUSION
ILL- Underneath house when my light went out. Fear is magnified when we are alone and the light goes out. Amazing flashlight was what was keeping me from a fear of paralysis.
People around us are losing that thing in their life that was keeping them without fear.
How are you helping others overcome fear?
Are you prepared for the day you stand before Jesus face to face?