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Lessons From Nehemiah

Lessons From Nehemiah. #2 à Answering Scorn & Scuffle Neh 4:1-23. Answering Scorn & Scuffle Neh 4:1-23. Serving God Brings Opposition. Nehemiah didn’t openly, brazenly challenge anyone to stop him However, he was opposed as much as if he had been brazen about his work

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Lessons From Nehemiah

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  1. LessonsFromNehemiah #2 à Answering Scorn & Scuffle Neh 4:1-23

  2. Answering Scorn & ScuffleNeh 4:1-23 Serving God Brings Opposition • Nehemiah didn’t openly, brazenly challenge anyone to stop him • However, he was opposed as much as if he had been brazen about his work • Nehemiah didn’t try to undo the past, but re-shape the future • He sought his brethren’s help 2:18

  3. Answering Scorn & ScuffleNeh 4:1-23 Serving God Brings Opposition • For such honorable intentions, Nehemiah was opposed • Some did not like what he was doing 2:10 • POINTÙ Obedient service to God will always cause opposition from others who stand to lose status cp. Gen 4:3-8 1 Jn 3:10-12

  4. Answering Scorn & ScuffleNeh 4:1-23 Serving God Brings Opposition • God has told us we will face opposition Mt 10:34-35 2 Tim 3:12 • This should never surprise us 1 Jn 3:13

  5. Answering Scorn & ScuffleNeh 4:1-23 Opposition Will Be Psychological vv. 1-6 • Nehemiah faced ridicule, scorn vv. 1-3 • Public, not private…hard to bear cp. 1 Pet 4:1-4 • How did Nehemiah respond? • He did not respond in kind cp. Rom 12:17-21 • First, he prayed vv. 4-5 cp. 1:4-11 • Anxiety can be conquered with prayer Phil 4:6-7 • Prayer helps us not lose heart Lk 18:1-5

  6. Answering Scorn & ScuffleNeh 4:1-23 Opposition Will Be Psychological vv. 1-6 • How did Nehemiah respond? • Second, he kept working v. 6 • He would not stop doing his God-given duty • He surrounded himself with others who shared his goals cp. 1 Cor 1:10 • The more Nehemiah worked, the more foolish Sanballat looked cp. Prov 29:9 30:32

  7. Answering Scorn & ScuffleNeh 4:1-23 Opposition May Be Physical vv. 7-23 • Nehemiah’s foes were formidable vv. 7-8, 14 • Caused doubt among the workers v. 10 • Succeeded in bringing fear vv. 12, 14 • How did Nehemiah respond? • First, he prayed v. 9a • Second, he kept working vv. 9b, 13

  8. Answering Scorn & ScuffleNeh 4:1-23 Opposition May Be Physical vv. 7-23 • How did Nehemiah respond? • Third, he always trusted God vv. 15, 20 • He knew God always “frustrates” the plans of the enemies of His people • He knew God always “fights for” His people

  9. Answering Scorn & ScuffleNeh 4:1-23 Opposition May Be Physical vv. 7-23 • God’s people have always had to fight and build at the same time • We have a building to finish 1 Pet 2:5 Col 1:24 • We have to stand ready to defend our work Jude 3 Phil 1:17 1 Pet 3:15 • Nehemiah teaches us how to be both realistic and optimistic

  10. Answering Scorn & ScuffleNeh 4:1-23 Conclusion • Nehemiah teaches how to remain true to a call despite hardships 2 Tim 2:1, 3, 7-13 Gal 6:9 • We read of those who were 2 Cor 11:22-27 • Paul similarly exhorts saints in Eph 6:10-18 • We must always be prepared, watchful v. 18 • We must pray v. 18 • We must act vv. 11, 13-17

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