Nehemiah Chapters Three and Four Sermon

Opposition from Outside

Chapters 3 and 4 Page 752

Introduction: This is our third sermon with the first two giving us the principles of "Being committed from the heart" and "Become organized and Unified". These principles help us when we face a task that is greater than ourselves.

This week the principle deals with how to handle opposition from the outside. When I think of opposition and the things that get in the way of me doing what God wants me to do, I think of four sources. Opposition to take on big tasks can come from ourselves (sermon in two weeks!), others - including Satan, God can oppose our plans, or morally neutral circumstances can hinder us from doing what we see needs to be done. Once we figure out the source of the opposition we can stand firm, reassess the plan, and keep moving ahead.

Today we are looking at sections of two chapters from Nehemiah. Who here has been reading along? Chapter three is a historical summary of the events of rebuilding the wall and gates. While chapter four is a specific account of the opposition that Nehemiah and the workers faced.

Quotes about adversity:

1. A gem is not polished without rubbing, nor a man made perfect without trials. Chinese Proverb
2. A good pilot is best tried in a storm.
3. A kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you. Walt Disney (1901-1966)

Let’s read how the exiles who have returned to Jerusalem handle the adversity. Our reading today begins in chapter three. Page 752 in our guest Bibles.

We are not going to read this section but I wanted to note a few items with in this chapter. Mainly I want us to notice who it is that is doing the work.

3:1 records the High Priest and the priests working on a section.

Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set its doors in place, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and as far as the Tower of Hananel.

3:3-5 record work by common people including those from Tekoa (which is where Amos was from).

3:6-12 record more common people working including goldsmiths and perfume makers in verse 8, and a man named Shallum working with his daughters.

The rest of the chapter records the work of dedicated people taking on a task much greater than themselves.

So what can we learn from this chapter?

1. More work is done by common people than by greatly talented people.
2. There is work for everyone and all help was needed and appreciated.
3. This was family work and families worked together to rebuild sections. What is your family ministry?
4. God knows what work is being done, and he makes record of it.
5. There was a balance in the giving and the receiving. Each person gained from the work of the others.

Lets now move to chapter four.

In 4:1-3 we read of the opposition to the work.

Sanballat becomes committed to causing trouble.

He focuses on the problems not on the power to overcome them.

Tobiah mocks the quality of the whole work.

In 4:4-5 Nehemiah goes to God and asks God to deal strongly with these people.

In verse 6 we read of the resolve of the people. They reach a victory point of half way done, because they are working with all of their heart with organization and unity.

In 4:7-8 the resolve of the enemy gets stronger and they make plans to cause problems.

The next verse shows how their actions are countered.

Nehemiah does two things.

1. He goes to God in prayer.

2. He posts a guard.

He first goes to God spiritually and then does what needs to be done physically. His faith is an active faith which is shown spiritually and physically.

Verse 10 is a turning point. The people become discouraged and their initial zeal is wearing out. The task is not fun or an honor any more, it is hard work!

Verses 11-12 show the enemy getting an upper hand through threats. They are taking the focus of the people off of God and putting it on themselves. With that change of perspective the task seems too great to handle.

Nehemiah sees the tactic and intervenes by strengthening both the physical requirements of guards on duty and calling attention back to God. Verses 13-14 tells us:

The result of Nehemiah’s work is shown in verse 15 where the people return to the work because their concerns have been addressed.

The rest of the chapter tells how Nehemiah changed his work plan, met the needs of his people, and diffused the power of the opposition.

So how can this chapter apply to you? I see Nehemiah doing the following things when faced with opposition from outsiders.

1. He stands firm is his resolve that the work that he is doing is God directed and a good and necessary work.
2. He is fluid enough to reassess the plan and change things to meet the needs of his workers.
3. He focuses on how to keep the work moving ahead. The opposition is dealt with, as he keeps moving. The work does not stop but the concern is still addressed.

Opposition from outsiders can come in many forms. Satan is the accuser and he wants to frustrate our plans. He does not like direct confrontation so he works on us to make poor and selfish choices. When we are tempted to give up when opposition occurs or we are tempted to "take the easy way out" instead of committing for the long haul we are likely seeing Satan at work and we can oppose him.

Congregations are famous for opposing one another! Opposition comes from people or our own thoughts that concentrate on the problem instead of the power to overcome it. These "Nay Sayers" find fault in everything and make no changes so they can keep us from taking on big tasks. While these people and thoughts deserve to be listened to, and their concerns addressed, they cannot take our focus off of what we know is good and right. If we are working to please the Lord then we can keep focused on Him while we deal with those who are against us.

Next week is Mother’s Day and so we will have a special message on that theme and then we will have a catered meal after the service for those who are interested.