Contending for the gospel in a world of opposition, Nehemiah 4-6
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The title of our sermon today is “Contending for the gospel, in a world of opposition.” To help with our message I’d like take a little more time than normal to provide some context and necessary perspective on the book and how it’s message applies us to us today.
Context…
“Nothing is known about his youth or background; we meet him as an adult serving in the Persian royal court as the personal cupbearer to King Artaxerxes (Nehemiah 1:11–2:1). This prestigious position reveals something of Nehemiah’s upright character. Though he remained in Persia after the exiles had been allowed to go home, he was highly interested in the state of affairs in Judah (his brother Hanani [1:2] had returned there earlier).”- Chuck Colson, Insight for Living
“The book of Nehemiah opens in the Persian city of Susa in the year 444 BC. Later that year, Nehemiah traveled to Israel, leading the third of three returns by the Jewish people following their seventy years of exile in Babylon. Most of the book centers on events in Jerusalem. The narrative concludes around the year 430 BC, and scholars believe the book was written shortly thereafter. Nehemiah is the last historical book of the Old Testament. Although the book of Esther appears after Nehemiah in the canon, the events in Esther occurred in the time period between Ezra 6 and 7, between the first and second returns of the people to Israel. The prophet Malachi was a contemporary of Nehemiah.” Chuck Colson, Insight for Living
Nehemiah was grieved when he heard the condition of the city of God… His response was first to pray and confess the sins of Israel to God. The condition of the city is the direct result of the sin of Israel, and Nehemiah understood that. He understood thatchy were sent away into exile because of this rebellion against God. He also understood that the city would not thrive again unless they were reconciled to God.
Nehemiah understood that Israel was in need of a reformation, or a restoration, that begins with repentance.
I think many would try and parallel the story of Nehemiah with the story of a country like America. For the last few decades it seems that preachers and church leaders have made America synonymous with the church. You see and hear this when a pastor, preacher, or leader places America in the place of Israel in the story. They build a theology of restoration and rebuilding where America is returned to her past glories.
And, while I want to see our country thrive…because I believe that what God said to Israel through Jeremiah is true- Jeremiah 29:7 (ESV) says, “7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” There is no denying that Christians should care deeply for the well-being and success of the country where they live… for as the Bible says in its welfare we will find our welfare. But, the truth that our lives are intertwined with the economic, political, and social contexts we live in, doesn’t mean that we apply what we read about Israel to the country we live in… we must also remember that we are sojourners, aliens, and strangers and this world is not our home. Every country cannot be Israel, and no Christian can claim that their country is a modern version of what we see with Israel in the OT…the reason we cannot do this with a country is because the NT identities the church, the body of Christ, Christians as the people of God. Through Christ God has established a new covenant, and the people of His covenant are the church, and the church is who we apply passages and books like Nehemiah too.
So, when Nehemiah is broken over the condition of the city of Jerusalem and the temple… we could faithfully apply that to the church. For instance, hearing of the continued moral decline and biblical compromise that many modern American churches make is a reason to be broken over the condition of God’s people. The increase in sexual immorality in the church and the lack of biblical knowledge are a parallel reason to grieve in 2022. The increase in consumer attitudes and the demise of the witness of the church in the country is a reason to mourn and cry out to God.
To be faithful to the context of this book… we must focus our application of the restoration and the reformation of Israel to the church.
Jerusalem was the city of God, the place where the temple was, and the place where God met with His people. Israel was a light to the nations so that they would know who God is and how to live in relationship with Him. The fallen walls and the destruction of the temple reflect the spiritual condition of Israel. Israel was weak and the nations around them liked it that way.
Israel represented the one true God, and they were used by the Lord as instruments of His justice and they lived in a manner that demonstrated His holiness.
The opposition to Israel was actually an opposition to God, and it was this culture of opposition that Nehemiah was leading and serving in. We are going to look today at Nehemiah 4 to draw out some practical lessons for contending for the gospel in a world of opposition.
Nehemiah 4:1
“Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews.”
Sanballat is the leader of the Samaritans, neighbors and enemies of Israel.
Nehemiah 4:2-3
“2 And he said in the presence of his brothers and of the army of Samaria, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burned ones at that?” 3 Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Yes, what they are building—if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!”
Nehemiah provides us with his prayers in the midst of the story of events.
Nehemiah 4:4-5
4 Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. 5 Do not cover their guilt, and let not their sin be blotted out from your sight, for they have provoked you to anger in the presence of the builders.”
Nehemiah 4:6
6 So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.
The people of God were determined and committed to the task. They were accomplishing much more than anyone thought they would in a short amount of time.
Nehemiah 4:7-8
“7 But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and that the breaches were beginning to be closed, they were very angry. 8 And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it.”
The work on the walls made news in the neighborhood and the rest of the countries began to plot together to undo and overthrow the work on the city of Jerusalem.
Nehemiah 4:9-17
9 And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night. 10 In Judah it was said, “The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall. 11 And our enemies said, “They will not know or see till we come among them and kill them and stop the work.” 12 At that time the Jews who lived near them came from all directions and said to us ten times, “You must return to us.” 13 So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed the people by their clans, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. 14 And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”
Israel understood that everything depended on God, and word spread from the nations to Israel of the joint plan to attack and upset their work.
Nehemiah stationed watchmen and guards around the city.
Nehemiah 4:18-20
15 When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work. 16 From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, 17 who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. 18 And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me. 19 And I said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another. 20 In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.”
After the threat of a combined attack from their enemies, Nehemiah organizes a plan to provide protection and to continue the work.
Nehemiah 4:21-23
21 So we labored at the work, and half of them held the spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out. 22 I also said to the people at that time, “Let every man and his servant pass the night within Jerusalem, that they may be a guard for us by night and may labor by day.” 23 So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes; each kept his weapon at his right hand.
Nehemiah called everyone to work and sleep in the city… this way they would be able to rest, work, and provide protection as they continued to rebuild the city. The preparation, plans, and responses of Nehemiah provide a blueprint, or practical steps, for us to as consider what it looks like to Contend for the gospel in a world of opposition.
First we must open our eyes to the truth that we live in a world that is opposed to the gospel.
Nehemiah was aware to the opposition that was around Israel and the city of Jerusalem. As a church, and as Christians, you have to open your eyes to the truth that we live in a work that is opposed to the gospel.
For instance, I have had a few people point out the Pride Parade that is happening here in Tupelo, MS. I have noticed a few social media posts communicating some shock that this would happen in our city, and even further shock that it would be advertised in the school or other public/ government places.
You shouldn’t be surprised that people who live in rebellion and opposition to God would plan events and celebrate sin, which is what homosexuality is. It’s no different than people celebrating sexual sin with videos, or racism with clubs and organizations, or any of the myriad of ways the entertainment industry works to make sin a regular part of our lives in tv shows, movies, etc.
Second, we must learn from our experiences with opposition and make adjustments along the way. (4:18)
Nehemiah 4:18 (ESV) says, “18 And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me.”
After the new that the surrounding nations were working together to attack Jerusalem, Nehemiah had everyone prepared for battle, but also prepared for work.
Many Christians experience the attacks of the enemy, or the opposition of the world and make no adjustments. The lack of adjustment reveals the true priority of your heart or mind… and the opposite is also true. Making adjustments to avoid temptation and opportunity to fall prey to the attack, or to sin, reveals your heart as it relates to God.
Israel was in exile because of their sin. The city and temple were in ruin because Israel wasn’t there to guard it. A commitment to the walls of Jerusalem was also a commitment to living in a way that pleases the Lord… the same is true for us. A commitment to living for the Lord means we make adjustments in light of the enemies plans so that we can continue in the direction God has called us to go.
We accept that contending for the gospel requires depending on God and doing the work He calls us too.
When it comes to contending for the gospel it’s not one or the other.
Contending for the gospel requires that we fully depend on God.
Nehemiah and his followers recognized the scope of the opposition and the scope of the work required the Lord’s help for success.
Nehemiah 4:20 (ESV) says, “20 In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.”
Nehemiah was quick to remind the people of Israel that God would fight for them… and o how quick we are in the modern church to forget that God will fight for us.
Psalm 56:9 (ESV)9 Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call. This I know, that God is for me.
Psalm 118:6 (ESV)6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
Paul reminds us in Romans 8:31 (ESV) that God is for us. He writes, “31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
The question Paul asks is rhetorical… and everything that God has done before the days of Nehemiah and after undergird the evidence of God’s faithfulness. Throughout the year we have highlighted that God is faithful and true. Nehemiah anchors his hope and his faith on this truth, and so do we.
Paul continues in Romans 8:32–39 (ESV) with how deep and how wide the truth that God is for us goes. “32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
The Christian life depends fully on the work of Christ for our salvation.
Look through the verses that I just read from Romans 8
Jesus does for us what only He can do for us. He saves us through His death and resurrection.
No one can condemn you, because you depend on Jesus.
No one can separate you from God, because you depend on Jesus
Through Christ you are more than conquerors, because God loves you.
For the one who has been saved by depending on God by faith in Christ, living by faith and depending on him becomes second nature.
Contending for the gospel requires that we do the work He calls us to do
You cannot wait for the opposition to go away before you start doing what God has called you to do.
As Paul says, “neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
The confidence and hope we have in the Lord provides the foundation upon which we live! And we live for God, not for ourselves.
Later in the book of Romans 12:1–2 (ESV), Paul writes about how we are to live as followers of Christ, Paul says, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
In the midst of opposition and temptation we are called to live as living sacrifices. The idea of a sacrifice is an animal that has been killed and burned on the altar. Animals don’t crawl off the altar and cease to be sacrifices. A sacrifice does not go back to the life it had before.
This is the sentiment Paul is teaching us here in Romans. Like the men of Israel who built the wall with one hand and held a sword with another… we are called to depend on God for everything, especially our salvation, while at the same time we are called to live as one who belongs to God…
Pure in body, heart, and mind. (This includes motivations)
Choosing what is good and avoiding what is bad
Lastly, if we have time, Contending for the gospel requires keeping the main thing the main thing.
Nehemiah was working toward the goal of a fortified and vibrant Jerusalem.
What does a fortified and vibrant Jerusalem mean? It means the temple is rebuilt, the walls are up, and Israel serves as a witness of God to the surrounding nations. And He was so committed to it that He could not come down off the wall and His work… later in Nehemiah 6 we see the dedication of Nehemiah and the blessing that it provided to Him and to Israel.
Nehemiah 6:1–9 (ESV), “Now when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it (although up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates), 2 Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to do me harm. 3 And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” 4 And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner. 5 In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand. 6 In it was written, “It is reported among the nations, and Geshem also says it, that you and the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall. And according to these reports you wish to become their king. 7 And you have also set up prophets to proclaim concerning you in Jerusalem, ‘There is a king in Judah.’ And now the king will hear of these reports. So now come and let us take counsel together.” 8 Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind.” 9 For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands.”
Ultimately, his commitment to keeping the main thing the main thing worked to His favor and he avoided a trap.
This is true for each Christian… the main thing stays the main thing. You cannot graduate from being a disciple and loving God, growing with others, and living sent or on mission.
This is true for each pastor… we cannot deviate from the main thing of keeping watch over the flock through prayer and the preaching of the Word.
This is true for each church… and in particular it’s true for our church. As a church begins to grow, it can be tempting to deviate from what has served as the foundation for the spiritual and numerical growth… but you can’t. You cannot get bored with the main thing… because the main thing is Jesus!