SERIES: The Book of Nehemiah
TEXT: Nehemiah 6:1-14
MESSAGE: “Perseverance Against Opposition”

Opposition

“From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. 22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” 23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” — Matthew 16:21-23 NIV

“Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.” But they were scheming to harm me.” — Nehemiah 6:2 NIV

Opposition 1: Distraction

“Then, the fifth time, Sanballat sent his aide to me with the same message, and in his hand was an unsealed letter 6 in which was written: “It is reported among the nations–and Geshem says it is true–that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and therefore you are building the wall. Moreover, according to these reports you are about to become their king 7 and have even appointed prophets to make this proclamation about you in Jerusalem: ‘There is a king in Judah!’ Now this report will get back to the king; so come, let us meet together.” — Nehemiah 6:5-7 NIV

Opposition 2: Lies

“They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.” But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.” — Nehemiah 6:9 NIV

Opposition 3: Doubt

“One day I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was shut in at his home. He said, “Let us meet in the house of God, inside the temple, and let us close the temple doors, because men are coming to kill you–by night they are coming to kill you.” — Nehemiah 6:10 NIV

Opposition 4: Self-Interest

Perseverance

“We think we know how people change. We tell them. We tell them more than once. We raise the volume. We introduce incentives to changes and consequences when change doesn’t take place. We give practical advice and application. But the Bible says the way people change–at least deep down, at the heart level from which all true behavioral change comes – is by the Holy Spirit working through the good news of Jesus.” — Jared C. Wilson – Lest We Drift

“so I sent messengers to them with this reply: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?” — Nehemiah 6:3 NIV

“Satan no longer holds these children of God in bondage; they have the power to resist him and undertake the work of the mission.” — Clinton E. Arnold

Focus beats distraction.

“I sent him this reply: “Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.” — Nehemiah 6:8 NIV

“After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.” — Matthew 4:2-5 NIV

Focus beats distraction.
Truth beats lies.

“But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.”” — Nehemiah 6:9 NIV

“You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? 8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9 “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” 10 I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty.” — Galatians 5:7-10

Focus beats distraction.
Truth beats lies.
Confidence beats doubt.

“One day I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was shut in at his home. He said, “Let us meet in the house of God, inside the temple, and let us close the temple doors, because men are coming to kill you–by night they are coming to kill you.”” — Nehemiah 6:10 NIV

“But I said, “Should a man like me run away? Or should someone like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go!”” — Nehemiah 6:11 NIV

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” — Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV

Focus beats distraction.
Truth beats lies.
Confidence beats doubt.
Selfless beats Self-Interest.

Perseverance Against Opposition