Rebuilding the Walls
Nehemiah Chapter 6:1-16
Introduction: Satan often will oppose the work of God by attacking His leaders.
*Note-Do not forget this wall building was the will of God!
I. The Physical Assassination Plot. (vs.1-4)
A. They tried to draw him away from his work.
1. Principle # 1-when we are not where we are supposed to be doing what we were called to do we will get ourselves in trouble.
2. King David put himself in trouble because he was not at battle but instead home idle.
B. They tried to isolate him from his support.
1. Principle # 2-leaders cannot provide leadership in isolation. They need the protection of others.
2. King David isolated himself when he left his purpose, calling, and people.
II. The Character Assassination Plot. (vs. 5-9)
A. They tried to draw him away from his courage.
1. Principle # 3-Satan needs us to be afraid of something to stop the work of God
2. Peter and the disciples became afraid at Jesus crucifixion and death and went back to fishing for fish instead of men.
B. They attacked his character by questioning his motives.
1. Principle # 4-Falsehoods almost always hold some amount of truth.
2. Jesus did claim to be King but never claimed to take over the Roman Empire contrary to what He was accused of.
III. The Holiness Assassination Plot. (vs. 10-14)
A. They tried to entice him to disobey God.
1. Principle # 5-Sometimes the temptation to disobey God will be wrapped up in an emergency.
2. After losing their entire family Job’s wife suggested that he should curse God and die.
Conclusion: God uses His called leadership when they remain faithful to Him.
1. Nehemiah stuck to the work God called Him too and it was completed.
2. All the people knew it was God who helped them do the work.
3. This was God had called them to do.
(Nehemiah's actions in chapter 6 mirror some of Ephesians 6)
Nehemiah - Rebuilding the Walls
Ephesians 6:10-18
Introduction: We need to remember that the way Nehemiah and the remnant of Israel handled the opposition in chapter 4 was very much similar to what Paul told us to do with regards to the armor of God in Ephesians 6.
I. Where our strength comes from. (v.10)
A. The entire reason for putting on the armor of God is to stand in the strength of the Lord
B. The parts of the armor covers different parts of our needs in order to stand strong
C. These parts are a gift from God to His people to stand strong.
II. Why we put on God’s armor. (vs.11-13)
A. That we may stand (v.11)
1. We need strength to stand because we will take hits from the enemy.
2. We need armor to stand because we do not always know what the enemy will do.
B. Against the schemes of the devil
1. The word “against” gives the idea of not letting his schemes pass us by
2. We are to move forward against Satan’s attacks rather than duck, hide, or stand still. We are to be in a forward motion.
3. Stand strong but not stand still.
4. We are to not allow ourselves to be defeated.
C. The battle is not with men but with Satan (v.12)
1. Sanballot and the others were not really the people to battle with
2. The battle is spiritual in nature and therefore we must use spiritual tools to win.
3. These tools are a gift from God.
4. They are the means by which we stand in the strength of God.
D. There will be an evil day for all of us. (v.13)
1. (1Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.)
2. (Luke 22:31 "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat,)
III. Loins girt with truth and the breastplate of righteousness. (v.14)
A. (Isaiah 59:17) first mentions these things as armor.
1. The Redeemer portrayed in Isaiah would come with righteousness
2. and salvation to be seen of His people and it would glorify Him. (He would be seen as a hero)
B. Having your loins girt about with truth
1. This prepares us to wear the armor.
2. It firms up our undergarments
C. The breastplate of righteousness;
1. This protects our hearts from darts and swords
2. It shows the glory of God
IV. And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (v.15)
A. The shoes has spikes on the bottom to dig in
B. The top of the foot was covered with brass and up the chin
V. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. (v.16)
A. What do we have faith in?
B. Who do we have faith in?
VI. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (v.17)
A. I Thessalonians 5:8 the hope of salvation
B. We have a hope other do not have
C. Sword of the Spirit Hebrews 4:12
Conclusion:
- All of this armor must be tied together with prayer and watching
- Nehemiah and the remnant of Israel both prayer together and watched out for the enemy
- This is what is necessary for the work to be done and to stand together against the enemy
- This is why church, fellowship, praying together is so important
- We cannot buy ourselves or as individuals build walls and watch for the enemy.
- We need each other.
