Facing Oppostion

Pre-service Discipleship series For new believers and others April 10 Salvation April 17 Developing the Devotional Life Apr 24 Dealing with the Past  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 Sign up on next slide or in person!

8:45am – 9:45am

Persevere! The Good Fight Flee sin, Pursue righteousness, Fight the world system by building! Nehemiah was moved by the news … ‘The wall of Jerusalem is broken down.’ He had to fight opposition to fulfil the vision of rebuilding the wall.

Neh. 1 Vision begins with prayer The Building Project Neh. 1 Vision begins with prayer Neh. 2 Act in faith! – a step at a time Neh. 3 Work in a team! Neh. 4 Use your armour!

The Wall Defended – Use your Armour NEHEMIAH 14:1-14 The Wall Defended – Use your Armour

Nehemiah 4:1-15 1 But it so happened, when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, that he was furious and very indignant, and mocked the Jews. 2 And he spoke before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they fortify themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Will they revive the stones from the heaps of rubbish—stones that are burned?” 3 Now Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Whatever they build, if even a fox goes up on it, he will break down their stone wall.” 4 Hear, O our God, for we are despised; turn their reproach on their own heads, and give them as plunder to a land of captivity! 5 Do not cover their iniquity, and do not let their sin be blotted out from before You; for they have provoked You to anger before the builders. 6 So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.

Nehemiah 4:1-15 7 Now it happened, when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the walls of Jerusalem were being restored and the gaps were beginning to be closed, that they became very angry, 8 and all of them conspired together to come and attack Jerusalem and create confusion. 9 Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God, and because of them we set a watch against them day and night. 10 Then Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is failing, and there is so much rubbish that we are not able to build the wall.” PRAY

Nehemiah 4:1-15 11 And our adversaries said, “They will neither know nor see anything, till we come into their midst and kill them and cause the work to cease.” 12 So it was, when the Jews who dwelt near them came, that they told us ten times, “From whatever place you turn, they will be upon us.” 13 Therefore I positioned men behind the lower parts of the wall, at the openings; and I set the people according to their families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. 14 And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.” PRAY

(Nehemiah 4:15 RAV) And it happened, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had brought their counsel to nothing, that all of us returned to the wall, everyone to his work.

The Building Project

Ishtar Gate, Babylon

Sheep Gate Gates from Nehemiah 3

Golden/Eastern Gate Golden Gate

Lion Gate

Nehemiah 1: 1-15 Building God’s kingdom leads to opposition Anger (in the enemy) V1 Mocking, reproach & despising (v2-4) Our response to opposition Prayer (v4-5) Perseverance & Progress (v6) - a mind to work

Nehemiah 1: 1-15 Building God’s kingdom leads to more opposition More anger (in the enemy) V7 Threat of attack – conspiracy (v8) Our response to opposition Prayer (v9) Action (v9) - set a watch Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Ephesians 6:18 praying always …, being watchful … with all perseverance … 1 Peter 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious & watchful in your prayers.

Nehemiah 1: 1-15 Building God’s kingdom leads to more opposition Cunning plans to hurt & confuse – steal, kill & destroy (V11-12) Harassing Threats (v12) – TEN TIMES! Our response to opposition Action (v13) - set a watch Heart & voice of faith (v14) REMEMBER THE LORD God’s response to OUR Building in Faith He brings their counsel to nothing! (v15) The builder’s watchword – REMEMBER the LORD

Be Armed to face Opposition! Use your Armour Spiritual Preparation Ephesians 6 (& remainder of Nehemiah 4) Mental Preparation 1 Peter 4 (NKJV) 4 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. Don’t waste your life! Don’t waste your life! Don’t waste your life!

What are you building for God?

CONCLUSION * A vision for building God’s kingdom begins with PRAYER, then requires ACTION in faith, and work in a TEAM. * Opposition will come but USING your ARMOUR from God WILL bring you to victory

But can God use me? YES! 14  “Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.” Come to Jesus now!

… despite the opposition, to build something great for God’s kingdom? Question of the year: Will you … Fight the Good Fight … despite the opposition, to build something great for God’s kingdom?