Rise and Rebuild: Fighting Opposition
© South Bay Community Church
Sermon Reflections: Rise and Rebuild: Fighting Opposition
Date: 19 May 2024
Speaker: Lead Pastor Tammy Long
Sermon Text: Nehemiah 4
Sermon Reflections: Rise and Rebuild: Fighting Opposition
Date: 19 May 2024
Speaker: Lead Pastor Tammy Long
Sermon Text: Nehemiah 4
Sermon Quick Summary
We are continuing our mini-series, “Rise and Rebuild” based on the model of Nehemiah rebuilding. Today, we celebrate Pentecost Sunday as we remember that the Holy Spirit did come as God’s presence within us that never leaves us. Nehemiah preceded the coming of the Holy Spirit, but he did know about the faithfulness of God. God placed on the heart of Nehemiah to rebuild broken areas in this world in need of healing and restoration, including broken systems, relationships, or communities. Nehemiah faced opposition, like we face, when doing great work for the Lord from the forces of evil in this fallen world. There is a spiritual battle waging that we may feel through circumstances, people, systems, attitudes, or mentalities.
As a model for us, in Nehemiah 4 there are four moves of opposition and four counter moves that Nehemiah makes in response. (1a) The first move of opposition Nehemiah faced was mockery and ridicules from his adversaries Sanballat, an arch-rival governor of Samaria, and Tobiah, another high ranking adversary of Nehemiah. Both of them were determined to stop the work of rebuilding. (1b) The first move in fighting opposition is to pray, release it to God, and keep focused on the mission. (2a) When Sanballat and Tobiah learn the rebuilding has continued and the wall was now halfway high, their opposition escalates from verbal abuse to physical threats. (2b) Nehemiah’s move had two parts: ongoing prayer along with decisive and strategic action to the physical threats such as by putting guards in place. (3a) The third move of opposition Nehemiah faced was his own fatigue and fear, two of the greatest opposition strategies of enemies. Things frequently look worse than they really are when we’re tired. Similarly, fear produces the feeling in us of fight, flight, or freeze that blocks creative thinking and problem solving. (3b) Nehemiah’s third counter move to opposition was to strengthen defense strategy against internal vulnerabilities and refocus people rebuilding walls on the Lord and not themselves. (4a) Sanballat and company, the opposition, would come up with a new plan when action continued on the vision from God to rebuild. The threat of opposition was not gone forever. (4b) The counter move is to prepare the people to get them ready for new threats from the opposition. Preparing ourselves to resist ongoing opposition will vary depending on the wall being rebuilt and the type of opposition.
It is fitting as we remember this Pentecost Sunday to invite the Holy Spirit to fall afresh on us as we rebuild the broken walls God has called us to rebuild. Prayer + Preparation + Perseverance + Jesus = Holy Spirit Power.
(1a) When you are doing work for the Lord the forces of evil, Satan and his minions get testy!
“4:1When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, 2 and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, ‘What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?’3 Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, ‘What they are building—even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!’” (Nehemiah 4:1-3). We will face challenging times and opposition whenever we are rebuilding walls for the Kingdom of God. The first move of opposition Nehemiah faced was mockery and ridicule from his adversaries Sanballat and Tobiah. Sanballat was an archrival of Nehemiah: he was the governor of Samaria. Tobiah was another high-ranking official who also was an adversary of Nehemiah. From the time the King first granted Nehemiah permission to rebuild both of them were determined to stop the work. Sarcasm, ridicule, cynicism, and scorn can hurt.
(1b) The first move in fighting opposition is to pray, release it to God, and keep focused on the mission
“4 Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. 5 Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of the builders” (Verses 4-5). Nehemiah did not talk back, respond, seek to convince, or defended what he was doing. Instead, he goes to God in prayer and looks to God for justice to settle the wrong. Nehemiah’s counter move to the opposition takes it to the spiritual realm. This is a strong reminder for us to remember who we are really fighting against. Yes, there are times when we need to speak up and times when we need to advocate and hold accountable. However, we have to know when to speak and when to be silent and let God handle it. Prayer is the best weapon we have for every type of opposition. So Nehemiah and the people kept building. They didn’t allow themselves to be distracted from the mission.
“6 So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart” (Verse 6). Sometimes, if we refuse to allow the negativity spreaders to distract us, criticism and ridicule can serve to make us work even harder for the Kingdom of God. Distraction is one of Satan’s most widely used tactics to make us lose focus and forget what’s really important. But when we stay the course and refuse to get sucked into the mess, God is honored and the work proceeds. This countermove by Nehemiah and the builders essentially knocked the hot air out of Sanballat and Tobiah. Their mockery had no effect. It didn’t do what they hoped it would do. It left these two leaders looking wimpy and weak.
(2a) When Sanballat and Tobiah learn the rebuilding has continued, their angry opposition escalates from verbal abuse to physical threats
“ 7But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. 8 They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it” (Verses 7-8). The opposition group has grown. This growing opposition essentially has Jerusalem surrounded. Sanballat of Samaria is from the north; Tobiah and the Ammonites is from the east; the Arabs are from the south; the people of Ashdod are from the west. These adversaries of Nehemiah plotted together to come, fight, and stir up trouble. The danger was real. The intimidation was high. The threat was eminent. When we are rebuilding walls for the Kingdom, it can be scary. We may find ourselves with physical, emotional, financial or mental threats and opposition we didn’t expect. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Cesar Chavez are examples of those who spoke truth to power in order to rebuild broken walls. Power seeks to push harder to keep the status quo. The threat from the opposition to Nehemiah and the builders was real and dangerous.
(2b) Nehemiah continued ongoing prayer together with decisive and strategic action to the physical threats
“9… We prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat” (Verse 9). Prayer is powerful and comes first followed by specific, strategic, and wise action. They prayed some more! Resisting the work of the devil is not a one-time action and then evil just quits. We have to resist over and over until he flees (as it says in James 4:7). Opposition in the face of doing what is right in rebuilding the wall God has asked you to rebuild is an active spiritual battle. Prayer has to be a constant. It is prayer for wisdom and direction, prayer to be in sync with God, prayer to hear correctly, and prayer to persevere. Nehemiah not only prays but he takes action. He prayed and ignored their initial verbal jabs. As the opposition escalated, Nehemiah prayed and took decisive and strategic action to their physical threats by putting guards in place.
When we are facing our own opposition, prayer is essential to our response. Prayer and action go together. Part of our prayers is to ask God, What would God have me do, and How would God have me respond to this opposition? God can protect us from any threat and will do so according to God’s purpose and plan. When we ask for wisdom, we must listen. God guides us to act strategically. In the face of rising opposition, Nehemiah prayed and then positioned his people to guard the walls and meet the threat.
(3a) The third move of opposition Nehemiah faced was his own fatigue and fear, two of the greatest opposition strategies
“10 Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, ‘The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.’11 Also our enemies said, ‘Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.’ 12 Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, ‘Wherever you turn, they will attack us’” (Verses 10-12). When we’re tired we don’t see as clearly. We don’t make the best decisions. We don’t have the emotional reserves for heavy conversations. It’s harder to process our feelings or to know what we really think. We can be fatigued physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, or a combination of all four. In short, we aren’t at our best when we’re tired. Things frequently look worse than they really are when we’re tired. The same can be said for when we’re afraid. The fight, flight, freeze reflex blocks creative thinking and problem solving. When we’re afraid, the world looks much more binary; It is either black or white, now or never. Fatigue and fear breed a different type of opposition to rebuilding walls. They fan the opposition of discouragement, disillusionment, and defeat. The builders complain there is too much rubble to rebuild the walls. In short, they are saying, we can’t do this; it’s too much. Has that ever happened to you? You get a vision you believe came from God. You started with great energy and gusto. Then the reality sets it, and it’s hard work. You may find yourself feeling tired. It feels like too much rubble to keep going. In Nehemiah’s case, fear was the double whammy. With all that talk from Sanballat and friends about planning an attack, they are also afraid for their lives.
(3b) Nehemiah’s third counter move to opposition was to strengthen defense strategy against internal vulnerabilities and refocus people rebuilding walls on the Lord and not themselves
“13 Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows. 14 After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, ‘Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.’ 15 When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to our own work” (Verses 13-15). Nehemiah addressed their real concerns by strengthening their defense plan at the lowest points where they were most vulnerable.
This is an important note for us, as well. We also need to know our vulnerabilities. When we are rebuilding the walls God has given us, we need to be honest about our weaknesses. We need to be aware of the spaces that could hurt us, our mission, or our testimony. Our vulnerabilities may be a lack of skills or experience. Our vulnerability may be an area of temptation that can distract us or get us off track. Our vulnerability may be character or immaturity that could get in the way of us doing what we feel God wants us to do. Whenever we find ourselves feeling discouraged, disillusioned or disappointed, like Nehemiah, we need to remind ourselves of God whom we serve. Remember the Lord who is great, awesome, and on our side of love and justice. Let us also remember in the end, this is about God, not us. We are repairing broken walls for our families and for our communities to bring God’s Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
(4a) The opposition comes up with a new plan as action continues on the vision from God
“19 Then I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, ‘the work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall’” (Verse 19). The threat of opposition was not gone forever. It was likely that Sanballat and company would come up with a new plan. The threat was ongoing.
(4b) The counter move is to prepare the people to get them ready for new threats from opposition
“16 From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half was equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah 17 who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, 18 and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me….
“20 ‘Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!’ 21 So we continued the work with half the men holding spears, from the first light of dawn till the stars came out. 22 At that time I also said to the people, ‘Have every man and his helper stay inside Jerusalem at night, so they can serve us as guards by night and as workers by day.’ 23 Neither I nor my brothers nor my men nor the guards with me took off our clothes; each had his weapon, even when he went for water” (Verses 16-18, 20-23). From verse 16 through the rest of Chapter 4, Nehemiah prepared his people. The text says he divided the workers in half. Half continued the construction while the other half stood guard with spears, bows, and armor. He made sure those working on the wall were armed with a sword at their side while they worked. He instituted a 24 hour safety watch with people working from dawn to dusk and ready for an attack. He established a trumpet alarm system. Although they were spread out around the wall, when they heard the trumpet, they were to come together and resist as one. They leveraged the power of community by working together with God at the center.
Preparing ourselves to resist opposition will vary depending on the wall being rebuilt and the type of opposition. In some cases we may prepare by doing more research and being armed with data, facts and figures when opposition comes. As we see with Nehemiah, part of resisting opposition is being prepared.
Rebuilding walls and resisting opposition today
The strategy for resisting opposition is prayer, preparation, and perseverance to keep on keeping on. For some rebuilding the wall can be dangerous, risky, or painful work. We may not even get to see the finished wall. God joins us in the building and in the battle. God gives us the strength and courage we need to do the work. Even when others may intend harm, God can thwart the schemes of evil and turn it into good. Just ask Fannie Lou Hamer, the prominent civil rights activist known for her powerful advocacy in repairing the broken wall of voting rights and other civil rights causes. Let’s view this video “Fannie Lou Hammers Powerful Testimony”:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ce6Yoa8t7a9kNs07Ok5Gsc9N4LG2Gho5/view
Fannie Lou Hamer frequently cited her deep faith in God as the source of her strength and resilience in the face of relenting adversity and opposition. She was a committed follower of Jesus who believed the Bible taught the dignity of all people made in the image of God. She suffered much for it. Civil rights was her wall to rebuild. Fannie Lou had and we who are followers of Christ have, the Spirit of God within us that Nehemiah never had when he was rebuilding the walls.
Prayer + Preparation + Perseverance + Jesus = Holy Spirit Power
While Nehemiah did not have the power of the Holy Spirit within him, God was surely with Nehemiah. God’s Spirit came to all who believe in Christ on Pentecost Sunday nearly 2000 years ago. So, it is fitting as we remember this Pentecost Sunday to invite the Holy Spirit to fall afresh on us as we rebuild the broken walls God has given us to rebuild. Through the work of Jesus, Nehemiah’s opposition plan has even more power. Jesus told the disciples they would do greater things, because God’s Spirit would dwell within us. This is the power we want and need to resist oppositions we may face when rebuilding walls.
Application for Activation: congregational prayer
For application now let’s review this congregational prayer:
Heavenly Father, on this sacred day of Pentecost, we come before You in humble adoration and seek Your divine presence. As we prepare to go forth, we ask for Your blessing and anointing, that we may rebuild the metaphorical walls in our lives and communities with the power of Your Holy Spirit.
Lord, pour out Your fresh anointing upon us. Fill us with the fire of Your Spirit, just as You did with the disciples in the upper room. Ignite within us a passion for Your truth, a heart for Your people, and a steadfast commitment to Your work.
As we step out, empower us with wisdom and discernment. Strengthen our hands for the tasks ahead, and may our efforts be a testament to Your glory and grace. Guide our steps that we may walk in Your ways, reflecting Your love and light to those around us.
Holy Spirit, be our Counselor and Comforter. In times of challenge and opposition, remind us of Your presence and fill us with Your peace. May we stand firm, knowing that You are our fortress and our shield.
Lord, as we rebuild, let our hearts remain aligned with Your will. May our actions be inspired by Your love and driven by a desire to serve and honor You. Bless our endeavors, and may they bear fruit that lasts, bringing healing and restoration to broken places.
We ask this in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS INCLUDING FAMILY GROUPS
Sermon Quick Summary
-Why do we celebrate Pentecost Sunday? In what ways can the celebration of Pentecost Sunday transform your inner heart?
(1a) When you are doing work for the Lord the forces of evil, Satan and his minions get testy!
-In what ways can words from opponents of sarcasm, ridicule, cynicism, or scorn hurt you in your heart? Why?
(1b) The first move in fighting opposition is to pray, release it to God, and keep focused on the mission
-What did Nehemiah do to respond when attacked with words by his opponent? What would you do? Why is this important?
(2a) When Sanballat and Tobiah learn the rebuilding has continued, their angry opposition escalates from verbal abuse to physical threats
-When have you experienced or seen others experience physical violence or threats of violence from opponents to the vision and action from the calling of God? Why would angry opponents escalate from verbal abuse to physical threats?
(2b) Nehemiah continued ongoing prayer together with decisive and strategic action to the physical threats.
-What did Nehemiah model for us to resist physical threats? Why is this important?
(3a) The third move of opposition Nehemiah faced was his own fatigue and fear, two of the greatest opposition strategies
Why are you vulnerable to your own internal fatigue and fear? In what ways can fatigue or fear lessen your resolve to act in accordance with God’s vision?
(3b) Nehemiah’s third counter move to opposition was to strengthen defense strategy against internal vulnerabilities and refocus people rebuilding walls on the Lord and not themselves
-In being honest with yourself, what vulnerabilities can lessen your resolve? What is the model presented by Nehemiah to resist opposition from internal fatigue and fear? In what ways will you resist internal fatigue and fear?
(4a) The opposition comes up with a new plan as action continues on the vision from God
-What have you seen in communities or in your own life for ongoing resisting new plans from the opposition even after there has been some degree of success?
(4b) The counter move is to prepare the people to get them ready for new threats from opposition
-What are some ways that you can prepare yourself or communities to get ready for new plans by this fallen world to oppose your God given vision and action?
Rebuilding walls and resisting opposition today
-What is important to your life as you viewed the video on Fannie Lou Hammer vision and actions to rebuild walls today for voting and other civil rights?
Prayer + Preparation + Perseverance + Jesus = Holy Spirit Power
-For Holy Spirit power, what is the importance in your life to the four elements of prayer, preparation, perseverance, and Jesus?
Application for Activation: congregational prayer
-Let’s put ourselves in the scene of the story told by Nehemiah in Nehemiah Chapter 4. What aspects of the congregational prayer can you apply from the models presented by Nehemiah in recognizing and in resisting opposition soon?
We are continuing our mini-series, “Rise and Rebuild” based on the model of Nehemiah rebuilding. Today, we celebrate Pentecost Sunday as we remember that the Holy Spirit did come as God’s presence within us that never leaves us. Nehemiah preceded the coming of the Holy Spirit, but he did know about the faithfulness of God. God placed on the heart of Nehemiah to rebuild broken areas in this world in need of healing and restoration, including broken systems, relationships, or communities. Nehemiah faced opposition, like we face, when doing great work for the Lord from the forces of evil in this fallen world. There is a spiritual battle waging that we may feel through circumstances, people, systems, attitudes, or mentalities.
As a model for us, in Nehemiah 4 there are four moves of opposition and four counter moves that Nehemiah makes in response. (1a) The first move of opposition Nehemiah faced was mockery and ridicules from his adversaries Sanballat, an arch-rival governor of Samaria, and Tobiah, another high ranking adversary of Nehemiah. Both of them were determined to stop the work of rebuilding. (1b) The first move in fighting opposition is to pray, release it to God, and keep focused on the mission. (2a) When Sanballat and Tobiah learn the rebuilding has continued and the wall was now halfway high, their opposition escalates from verbal abuse to physical threats. (2b) Nehemiah’s move had two parts: ongoing prayer along with decisive and strategic action to the physical threats such as by putting guards in place. (3a) The third move of opposition Nehemiah faced was his own fatigue and fear, two of the greatest opposition strategies of enemies. Things frequently look worse than they really are when we’re tired. Similarly, fear produces the feeling in us of fight, flight, or freeze that blocks creative thinking and problem solving. (3b) Nehemiah’s third counter move to opposition was to strengthen defense strategy against internal vulnerabilities and refocus people rebuilding walls on the Lord and not themselves. (4a) Sanballat and company, the opposition, would come up with a new plan when action continued on the vision from God to rebuild. The threat of opposition was not gone forever. (4b) The counter move is to prepare the people to get them ready for new threats from the opposition. Preparing ourselves to resist ongoing opposition will vary depending on the wall being rebuilt and the type of opposition.
It is fitting as we remember this Pentecost Sunday to invite the Holy Spirit to fall afresh on us as we rebuild the broken walls God has called us to rebuild. Prayer + Preparation + Perseverance + Jesus = Holy Spirit Power.
(1a) When you are doing work for the Lord the forces of evil, Satan and his minions get testy!
“4:1When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, 2 and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, ‘What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?’3 Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, ‘What they are building—even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!’” (Nehemiah 4:1-3). We will face challenging times and opposition whenever we are rebuilding walls for the Kingdom of God. The first move of opposition Nehemiah faced was mockery and ridicule from his adversaries Sanballat and Tobiah. Sanballat was an archrival of Nehemiah: he was the governor of Samaria. Tobiah was another high-ranking official who also was an adversary of Nehemiah. From the time the King first granted Nehemiah permission to rebuild both of them were determined to stop the work. Sarcasm, ridicule, cynicism, and scorn can hurt.
(1b) The first move in fighting opposition is to pray, release it to God, and keep focused on the mission
“4 Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. 5 Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of the builders” (Verses 4-5). Nehemiah did not talk back, respond, seek to convince, or defended what he was doing. Instead, he goes to God in prayer and looks to God for justice to settle the wrong. Nehemiah’s counter move to the opposition takes it to the spiritual realm. This is a strong reminder for us to remember who we are really fighting against. Yes, there are times when we need to speak up and times when we need to advocate and hold accountable. However, we have to know when to speak and when to be silent and let God handle it. Prayer is the best weapon we have for every type of opposition. So Nehemiah and the people kept building. They didn’t allow themselves to be distracted from the mission.
“6 So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart” (Verse 6). Sometimes, if we refuse to allow the negativity spreaders to distract us, criticism and ridicule can serve to make us work even harder for the Kingdom of God. Distraction is one of Satan’s most widely used tactics to make us lose focus and forget what’s really important. But when we stay the course and refuse to get sucked into the mess, God is honored and the work proceeds. This countermove by Nehemiah and the builders essentially knocked the hot air out of Sanballat and Tobiah. Their mockery had no effect. It didn’t do what they hoped it would do. It left these two leaders looking wimpy and weak.
(2a) When Sanballat and Tobiah learn the rebuilding has continued, their angry opposition escalates from verbal abuse to physical threats
“ 7But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. 8 They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it” (Verses 7-8). The opposition group has grown. This growing opposition essentially has Jerusalem surrounded. Sanballat of Samaria is from the north; Tobiah and the Ammonites is from the east; the Arabs are from the south; the people of Ashdod are from the west. These adversaries of Nehemiah plotted together to come, fight, and stir up trouble. The danger was real. The intimidation was high. The threat was eminent. When we are rebuilding walls for the Kingdom, it can be scary. We may find ourselves with physical, emotional, financial or mental threats and opposition we didn’t expect. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Cesar Chavez are examples of those who spoke truth to power in order to rebuild broken walls. Power seeks to push harder to keep the status quo. The threat from the opposition to Nehemiah and the builders was real and dangerous.
(2b) Nehemiah continued ongoing prayer together with decisive and strategic action to the physical threats
“9… We prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat” (Verse 9). Prayer is powerful and comes first followed by specific, strategic, and wise action. They prayed some more! Resisting the work of the devil is not a one-time action and then evil just quits. We have to resist over and over until he flees (as it says in James 4:7). Opposition in the face of doing what is right in rebuilding the wall God has asked you to rebuild is an active spiritual battle. Prayer has to be a constant. It is prayer for wisdom and direction, prayer to be in sync with God, prayer to hear correctly, and prayer to persevere. Nehemiah not only prays but he takes action. He prayed and ignored their initial verbal jabs. As the opposition escalated, Nehemiah prayed and took decisive and strategic action to their physical threats by putting guards in place.
When we are facing our own opposition, prayer is essential to our response. Prayer and action go together. Part of our prayers is to ask God, What would God have me do, and How would God have me respond to this opposition? God can protect us from any threat and will do so according to God’s purpose and plan. When we ask for wisdom, we must listen. God guides us to act strategically. In the face of rising opposition, Nehemiah prayed and then positioned his people to guard the walls and meet the threat.
(3a) The third move of opposition Nehemiah faced was his own fatigue and fear, two of the greatest opposition strategies
“10 Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, ‘The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.’11 Also our enemies said, ‘Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.’ 12 Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, ‘Wherever you turn, they will attack us’” (Verses 10-12). When we’re tired we don’t see as clearly. We don’t make the best decisions. We don’t have the emotional reserves for heavy conversations. It’s harder to process our feelings or to know what we really think. We can be fatigued physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, or a combination of all four. In short, we aren’t at our best when we’re tired. Things frequently look worse than they really are when we’re tired. The same can be said for when we’re afraid. The fight, flight, freeze reflex blocks creative thinking and problem solving. When we’re afraid, the world looks much more binary; It is either black or white, now or never. Fatigue and fear breed a different type of opposition to rebuilding walls. They fan the opposition of discouragement, disillusionment, and defeat. The builders complain there is too much rubble to rebuild the walls. In short, they are saying, we can’t do this; it’s too much. Has that ever happened to you? You get a vision you believe came from God. You started with great energy and gusto. Then the reality sets it, and it’s hard work. You may find yourself feeling tired. It feels like too much rubble to keep going. In Nehemiah’s case, fear was the double whammy. With all that talk from Sanballat and friends about planning an attack, they are also afraid for their lives.
(3b) Nehemiah’s third counter move to opposition was to strengthen defense strategy against internal vulnerabilities and refocus people rebuilding walls on the Lord and not themselves
“13 Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows. 14 After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, ‘Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.’ 15 When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to our own work” (Verses 13-15). Nehemiah addressed their real concerns by strengthening their defense plan at the lowest points where they were most vulnerable.
This is an important note for us, as well. We also need to know our vulnerabilities. When we are rebuilding the walls God has given us, we need to be honest about our weaknesses. We need to be aware of the spaces that could hurt us, our mission, or our testimony. Our vulnerabilities may be a lack of skills or experience. Our vulnerability may be an area of temptation that can distract us or get us off track. Our vulnerability may be character or immaturity that could get in the way of us doing what we feel God wants us to do. Whenever we find ourselves feeling discouraged, disillusioned or disappointed, like Nehemiah, we need to remind ourselves of God whom we serve. Remember the Lord who is great, awesome, and on our side of love and justice. Let us also remember in the end, this is about God, not us. We are repairing broken walls for our families and for our communities to bring God’s Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
(4a) The opposition comes up with a new plan as action continues on the vision from God
“19 Then I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, ‘the work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall’” (Verse 19). The threat of opposition was not gone forever. It was likely that Sanballat and company would come up with a new plan. The threat was ongoing.
(4b) The counter move is to prepare the people to get them ready for new threats from opposition
“16 From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half was equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah 17 who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, 18 and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me….
“20 ‘Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!’ 21 So we continued the work with half the men holding spears, from the first light of dawn till the stars came out. 22 At that time I also said to the people, ‘Have every man and his helper stay inside Jerusalem at night, so they can serve us as guards by night and as workers by day.’ 23 Neither I nor my brothers nor my men nor the guards with me took off our clothes; each had his weapon, even when he went for water” (Verses 16-18, 20-23). From verse 16 through the rest of Chapter 4, Nehemiah prepared his people. The text says he divided the workers in half. Half continued the construction while the other half stood guard with spears, bows, and armor. He made sure those working on the wall were armed with a sword at their side while they worked. He instituted a 24 hour safety watch with people working from dawn to dusk and ready for an attack. He established a trumpet alarm system. Although they were spread out around the wall, when they heard the trumpet, they were to come together and resist as one. They leveraged the power of community by working together with God at the center.
Preparing ourselves to resist opposition will vary depending on the wall being rebuilt and the type of opposition. In some cases we may prepare by doing more research and being armed with data, facts and figures when opposition comes. As we see with Nehemiah, part of resisting opposition is being prepared.
Rebuilding walls and resisting opposition today
The strategy for resisting opposition is prayer, preparation, and perseverance to keep on keeping on. For some rebuilding the wall can be dangerous, risky, or painful work. We may not even get to see the finished wall. God joins us in the building and in the battle. God gives us the strength and courage we need to do the work. Even when others may intend harm, God can thwart the schemes of evil and turn it into good. Just ask Fannie Lou Hamer, the prominent civil rights activist known for her powerful advocacy in repairing the broken wall of voting rights and other civil rights causes. Let’s view this video “Fannie Lou Hammers Powerful Testimony”:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ce6Yoa8t7a9kNs07Ok5Gsc9N4LG2Gho5/view
Fannie Lou Hamer frequently cited her deep faith in God as the source of her strength and resilience in the face of relenting adversity and opposition. She was a committed follower of Jesus who believed the Bible taught the dignity of all people made in the image of God. She suffered much for it. Civil rights was her wall to rebuild. Fannie Lou had and we who are followers of Christ have, the Spirit of God within us that Nehemiah never had when he was rebuilding the walls.
Prayer + Preparation + Perseverance + Jesus = Holy Spirit Power
While Nehemiah did not have the power of the Holy Spirit within him, God was surely with Nehemiah. God’s Spirit came to all who believe in Christ on Pentecost Sunday nearly 2000 years ago. So, it is fitting as we remember this Pentecost Sunday to invite the Holy Spirit to fall afresh on us as we rebuild the broken walls God has given us to rebuild. Through the work of Jesus, Nehemiah’s opposition plan has even more power. Jesus told the disciples they would do greater things, because God’s Spirit would dwell within us. This is the power we want and need to resist oppositions we may face when rebuilding walls.
Application for Activation: congregational prayer
For application now let’s review this congregational prayer:
Heavenly Father, on this sacred day of Pentecost, we come before You in humble adoration and seek Your divine presence. As we prepare to go forth, we ask for Your blessing and anointing, that we may rebuild the metaphorical walls in our lives and communities with the power of Your Holy Spirit.
Lord, pour out Your fresh anointing upon us. Fill us with the fire of Your Spirit, just as You did with the disciples in the upper room. Ignite within us a passion for Your truth, a heart for Your people, and a steadfast commitment to Your work.
As we step out, empower us with wisdom and discernment. Strengthen our hands for the tasks ahead, and may our efforts be a testament to Your glory and grace. Guide our steps that we may walk in Your ways, reflecting Your love and light to those around us.
Holy Spirit, be our Counselor and Comforter. In times of challenge and opposition, remind us of Your presence and fill us with Your peace. May we stand firm, knowing that You are our fortress and our shield.
Lord, as we rebuild, let our hearts remain aligned with Your will. May our actions be inspired by Your love and driven by a desire to serve and honor You. Bless our endeavors, and may they bear fruit that lasts, bringing healing and restoration to broken places.
We ask this in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS INCLUDING FAMILY GROUPS
Sermon Quick Summary
-Why do we celebrate Pentecost Sunday? In what ways can the celebration of Pentecost Sunday transform your inner heart?
(1a) When you are doing work for the Lord the forces of evil, Satan and his minions get testy!
-In what ways can words from opponents of sarcasm, ridicule, cynicism, or scorn hurt you in your heart? Why?
(1b) The first move in fighting opposition is to pray, release it to God, and keep focused on the mission
-What did Nehemiah do to respond when attacked with words by his opponent? What would you do? Why is this important?
(2a) When Sanballat and Tobiah learn the rebuilding has continued, their angry opposition escalates from verbal abuse to physical threats
-When have you experienced or seen others experience physical violence or threats of violence from opponents to the vision and action from the calling of God? Why would angry opponents escalate from verbal abuse to physical threats?
(2b) Nehemiah continued ongoing prayer together with decisive and strategic action to the physical threats.
-What did Nehemiah model for us to resist physical threats? Why is this important?
(3a) The third move of opposition Nehemiah faced was his own fatigue and fear, two of the greatest opposition strategies
Why are you vulnerable to your own internal fatigue and fear? In what ways can fatigue or fear lessen your resolve to act in accordance with God’s vision?
(3b) Nehemiah’s third counter move to opposition was to strengthen defense strategy against internal vulnerabilities and refocus people rebuilding walls on the Lord and not themselves
-In being honest with yourself, what vulnerabilities can lessen your resolve? What is the model presented by Nehemiah to resist opposition from internal fatigue and fear? In what ways will you resist internal fatigue and fear?
(4a) The opposition comes up with a new plan as action continues on the vision from God
-What have you seen in communities or in your own life for ongoing resisting new plans from the opposition even after there has been some degree of success?
(4b) The counter move is to prepare the people to get them ready for new threats from opposition
-What are some ways that you can prepare yourself or communities to get ready for new plans by this fallen world to oppose your God given vision and action?
Rebuilding walls and resisting opposition today
-What is important to your life as you viewed the video on Fannie Lou Hammer vision and actions to rebuild walls today for voting and other civil rights?
Prayer + Preparation + Perseverance + Jesus = Holy Spirit Power
-For Holy Spirit power, what is the importance in your life to the four elements of prayer, preparation, perseverance, and Jesus?
Application for Activation: congregational prayer
-Let’s put ourselves in the scene of the story told by Nehemiah in Nehemiah Chapter 4. What aspects of the congregational prayer can you apply from the models presented by Nehemiah in recognizing and in resisting opposition soon?
Sermon Resources
Posted in Rise & Rebuild
Posted in fight, resist, opposition, Nehemiah 4, Rise, rebuild, mockery, ridicule, pray, verbal abuse, physical abuse, violence, action, fatigue, fear, vulnerabilities, prepare, Pentecost, persevere, Fannie Lou Hammer, Spirit
Posted in fight, resist, opposition, Nehemiah 4, Rise, rebuild, mockery, ridicule, pray, verbal abuse, physical abuse, violence, action, fatigue, fear, vulnerabilities, prepare, Pentecost, persevere, Fannie Lou Hammer, Spirit
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