Lessons From Nehemiah

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LessonsFromNehemiah

• 2 à Answering Scorn Scuffle Neh 41-23

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Answering Scorn ScuffleNeh 41-23

• Serving God Brings Opposition

• Nehemiah didnt openly, brazenly challenge anyone
  to stop him
• However, he was opposed as much as if he had been
  brazen about his work
• Nehemiah didnt try to undo the past, but
  re-shape the future
• He sought his brethrens help 218

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Answering Scorn ScuffleNeh 41-23

• Serving God Brings Opposition

• For such honorable intentions, Nehemiah was
  opposed
• Some did not like what he was doing 210
• POINT Ù Obedient service to God will
  always cause opposition from others who
  stand to lose status cp. Gen 43-8 1 Jn
  310-12

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Answering Scorn ScuffleNeh 41-23

• Serving God Brings Opposition

• God has told us we will face opposition Mt
  1034-35 2 Tim 312
• This should never surprise us 1 Jn 313

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Answering Scorn ScuffleNeh 41-23

• Opposition Will Be Psychological vv. 1-6

• Nehemiah faced ridicule, scorn vv. 1-3
• Public, not privatehard to bear cp. 1 Pet
  41-4
• How did Nehemiah respond?
• He did not respond in kind cp. Rom 1217-21
• First, he prayed vv. 4-5 cp. 14-11
• Anxiety can be conquered with prayer Phil 46-7
• Prayer helps us not lose heart Lk 181-5

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Answering Scorn ScuffleNeh 41-23

• Opposition Will Be Psychological vv. 1-6

• How did Nehemiah respond?

• Second, he kept working v. 6
• He would not stop doing his God-given duty
• He surrounded himself with others who shared his
  goals cp. 1 Cor 110
• The more Nehemiah worked, the more foolish
  Sanballat looked cp. Prov 299 3032

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Answering Scorn ScuffleNeh 41-23

• Opposition May Be Physical vv. 7-23

• Nehemiahs foes were formidable vv. 7-8, 14
• Caused doubt among the workers v. 10
• Succeeded in bringing fear vv. 12, 14
• How did Nehemiah respond?
• First, he prayed v. 9a
• Second, he kept working vv. 9b, 13

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Answering Scorn ScuffleNeh 41-23

• Opposition May Be Physical vv. 7-23

• How did Nehemiah respond?

• Third, he always trusted God vv. 15, 20
• He knew God always frustrates the plans of the
  enemies of His people
• He knew God always fights for His people

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Answering Scorn ScuffleNeh 41-23

• Opposition May Be Physical vv. 7-23

• Gods people have always had to fight and build
  at the same time
• We have a building to finish 1 Pet 25 Col
  124
• We have to stand ready to defend our work
  Jude 3 Phil 117 1 Pet 315
• Nehemiah teaches us how to be both realistic and
  optimistic

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Answering Scorn ScuffleNeh 41-23

• Conclusion

• Nehemiah teaches how to remain true to a call
  despite hardships 2 Tim 21, 3, 7-13 Gal 69
• We read of those who were 2 Cor 1122-27
• Paul similarly exhorts saints in Eph 610-18

• We must always be prepared, watchful v. 18
• We must pray v. 18
• We must act vv. 11, 13-17