How to Keep Going When You'd Rather Quit: Part 1b
The Good Work • Sermon • Submitted
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· 7 viewsEven though Nehemiah has the king’s blessing and the people are eager to rebuild the walls, opposition from others seeks to dishearten the people from accomplishing the work of God. As followers of Jesus, we will encounter opposition from spiritual forces that scheme against us. We can overcome our adversaries by praying, being watchful, guarding the places where we are most vulnerable, and fighting for one another.
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Big Idea: The difference between my past and my present will be my pursuit of God’s presence
Big Idea: The difference between my past and my present will be my pursuit of God’s presence
More attacks of the Enemy:
More attacks of the Enemy:
1. He tries to Distract me
1. He tries to Distract me
1 Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies found out that I had finished rebuilding the wall and that no gaps remained—though we had not yet set up the doors in the gates. 2 So Sanballat and Geshem sent a message asking me to meet them at one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But I realized they were plotting to harm me,
from my assignment
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STORY:
APPLY — NEHEMIAH’S RESPONSE: He stayed focused on his assignment
2. He tries to Discredit me
2. He tries to Discredit me
5 The fifth time, Sanballat’s servant came with an open letter in his hand, 6 and this is what it said: “There is a rumor among the surrounding nations, and Geshem tells me it is true, that you and the Jews are planning to rebel and that is why you are building the wall. According to his reports, you plan to be their king. 7 He also reports that you have appointed prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim about you, ‘Look! There is a king in Judah!’ “You can be very sure that this report will get back to the king, so I suggest that you come and talk it over with me.” 8 I replied, “There is no truth in any part of your story. You are making up the whole thing.” 9 They were just trying to intimidate us, imagining that they could discourage us and stop the work. So I continued the work with even greater determination.
questioning my character and motives
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STORY:
APPLY — NEHEMIAH’S RESPONSE: He stayed focused on his assignment
3. He tries to Deceive me
3. He tries to Deceive me
10 Later I went to visit Shemaiah son of Delaiah and grandson of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home. He said, “Let us meet together inside the Temple of God and bolt the doors shut. Your enemies are coming to kill you tonight.” 11 But I replied, “Should someone in my position run from danger? Should someone in my position enter the Temple to save his life? No, I won’t do it!” 12 I realized that God had not spoken to him, but that he had uttered this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 13 They were hoping to intimidate me and make me sin. Then they would be able to accuse and discredit me. 14 Remember, O my God, all the evil things that Tobiah and Sanballat have done. And remember Noadiah the prophet and all the prophets like her who have tried to intimidate me. 15 So on October 2 the wall was finished—just fifty-two days after we had begun.
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STORY
APPLY — NEHEMIAH’S RESPONSE: He made a decision based on truth not emotion