1. A time to build, a time to fight.
Nehemiah 4:15-23

2. Last week… Facing opposition from without.
Facing opposition from within.
The response…
Prayer
Setting a watch
Arming the people
Encouragement with the truth.

3. Nehemiah 4:15-23
15 When our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had frustrated their plan, then all of us returned to the wall, each one to his work. 16 From that day on, half of my servants carried on the work while half of them held the spears, the shields, the bows and the breastplates; and the captains were behind the whole house of Judah. 17 Those who were rebuilding the wall and those who carried burdens took their load with one hand doing the work and the other holding a weapon. 18 As for the builders, each wore his sword girded at his side as he built, while the trumpeter stood near me. 19 I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “The work is great and extensive, and we are separated on the wall far from one another. 20 At whatever place you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.”

4. Nehemiah 4:15-23
21 So we carried on the work with half of them holding spears from dawn until the stars appeared. 22 At that time I also said to the people, “Let each man with his servant spend the night within Jerusalem so that they may be a guard for us by night and a laborer by day.” 23 So neither I, my brothers, my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us removed our clothes, each took his weapon even to the water.

5. Are we building with one hand and ready to fight with the other?
Nehemiah and his retinue were…
Diligent
Unified
Organised
Obedient to Spiritual Authority
Denying themselves daily until the work was done.

6. Are we growing in the skills of building the Kingdom and defending it?
The enemy within… apathy, fear etc
The enemy without… Ephesians 6

7. Read your Bible, pray every day…

8. Jesus is the cornerstone of our walls.
Build up – the knowledge of Jesus Christ and His saving work in our lives and others.
Strike down – so called knowledge that sets itself up against Jesus Christ and his saving work.

9. Are you ready to build? Are you ready to fight?
Ready has two meanings..
Inclination
Skills

10. Fighting helps to make building possible and building makes us better fighters.
Walls make fighting easier and maturity in God does the same for us.
Strengthen yourself through ministry.
Grow in grace and peace.
Others will see it.

11. A warning! Don’t lose the balance between building and fighting.
God alone knows the time to build and the time to fight… remember that Nehemiah prayed and received direction first.

12. Our God will fight for us!
Fight the good fight of faith…
But never alone!

13. Jesus is the cornerstone of our walls.
Build up – the knowledge of Jesus Christ and His saving work in our lives and others.
Strike down – so called knowledge that sets itself up against Jesus Christ and his saving work.

14. Why build? Why fight? Does God need our help? No!
God is God and I am not.
Correct!
It’s a privilege to fight for the King and His Son.

15. Knights of the King will you join with me?
I, ______, do this day pledge anew that I will fight for my King. Side by side with my brothers and sisters I will cast down every word that seeks to set itself against my God whether it be in the mouth of another or deep within my own heart. I will not lift my hand against my brothers and sisters but will support them in prayer with the grace and mercy of Jesus as my banner to carry into battle. If any seems to fall from the way, I will seek to bring them back to Jesus with love and compassion but I will never compromise what I know to be true even if it means having to speak a truth that will make others conscious of their sin. Jesus Christ is enough for me and I will fight for his name until the last breath leaves my body or until He comes again, whichever comes first. Holy Spirit fill me anew with your fruits and your gifts so that I may better serve my King and the Son. Amen.