DOING A GREAT WORK

Pre-service Discipleship series For new believers and others May 8 The Church Family May 15 Power for Living – the Holy Spirit May 22 Developing a Life of Prayer & Fasting May 29 Obedient Christian Living June 5 Personal Witness & Evangelism June 12 Baptism Class 8:45 am – 9:45 am

WOMEN’S RETREAT May 7 th At The Fountains

The Good Fight 1.Persevere! 2.Flee sin, Pursue righteousness, Fight the world system by building! Nehemiah had to fight opposition to fulfil the vision of rebuilding the wall.

Neh. 1 Vision begins with prayer The Building Project Neh. 2 Act in faith! – a step at a time Neh. 3 Work in a team! Neh. 4 Use your armour! Neh. 5 No tolerance of sin; willing to pay the price in sacrificial service

NEHEMIAH 6:1-9 The Plain of Ono! (Doing a great work)

Nehemiah6:1-9 Nehemiah 6:1-9 1 Now it happened when Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall, and that there were no breaks left in it (though at that time I had not hung the doors in the gates), 2 that Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come, let us meet together among the villages in the plain of Ono.” But they thought to do me harm. 3 So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?” 4 But they sent me this message four times, and I answered them in the same manner.

5 Then Sanballat sent his servant to me as before, the fifth time, with an open letter in his hand. 6 In it was written: It is reported among the nations, and Geshem says, that you and the Jews plan to rebel; therefore, according to these rumors, you are rebuilding the wall, that you may be their king. 7 And you have also appointed prophets to proclaim concerning you at Jerusalem, saying, “There is a king in Judah!” Now these matters will be reported to the king. So come, therefore, and let us consult together. Nehemiah6 Nehemiah 6

8 Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say are being done, but you invent them in your own heart.” 9 For they all were trying to make us afraid, saying, “Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will not be done.” Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands. Nehemiah6 Nehemiah 6

The Building Project

Sheep Gate

Nehemiah 6: 1-9 O NO, Don’t Go! Building God’s kingdom leads to more opposition by distraction – Distraction (v4) four times! – Gossip, Rumour, Lies (v6, v8) – Scare-mongering (trying to spread fear) (v9) The enemy’s goal is to stop the work of building! (V9)

Nehemiah 6: 1-9 O NO, Don’t Go! Four major causes of distraction – Problems Squeaky wheel – Procrastination Laziness, fear, or inertia. – People Service, love & lust, Pleasing people or pleasing God! – Self Entertainment / Pleasure / Study / Work / Stuff

Our response to distraction & fear O NO! Don’t GO! (I Cor 10:13) Lay aside distraction, fear & sin – Hebrews 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus… Make sure you are doing a great work! THINK ‘I’m doing a great work! ‘ Pray for Strong Hands (v9) A great work can simply be a faithful life as a parent, or as a committed Christian anywhere. It does not have to mean performing a miracle or starting a revival! It simply means begins by loving God & loving our neighbour then being faithful to do what He gives us to do.

What are you building for God?

CONCLUSION Building God’s kingdom needs PRAYER, ACTION in faith, and TEAMwork to beat the OPPOSITION Building God’s kingdom needs PRAYER, ACTION in faith, and TEAMwork to beat the OPPOSITION Say O NO to DISTRACTION Say O NO to DISTRACTION Say O NO to FEAR Say O NO to FEAR Pray for STRONG HANDS to work to build the Kingdom of Jesus Pray for STRONG HANDS to work to build the Kingdom of Jesus

9 “Now therefore, O God, …” But can God use me?

Question of the year: Will you … Fight the Good Fight … laying aside distractions, to do a great work for God’s kingdom?