Title: Don’t Be Afraid, Remember the Lord 05/26/02
West Side
Text: Nehemiah 4:14,20 A.M. Service
Purpose: Memorial Day sermon dealing with those issues that are worth fighting for as a Christian.
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Introduction
“So to the indifferent inquirer who asks why Memorial Day is still kept up we may answer, it celebrates and solemnly reaffirms from year to year a national act of enthusiasm and faith. It embodies in the most impressive form our belief that to act with enthusiasm and faith is the condition of acting greatly. To fight out a war, you must believe something and want something with all your might. So must you do to carry anything else to an end worth reaching”1 (Oliver Wendell Holmes)
Each year, on the last Monday in May, our nation celebrates Memorial Day. For many, this day carries no special meaning except perhaps an extra day off from work, a beach barbecue, the start of the summer travel season, or for merchants, the opportunity to hold their annual Memorial Day Weekend sale. In reality, the holiday is observed in honor of our nation’s armed service personnel who were killed in wartime.
Background:
The custom of honoring the graves of the war dead began prior to the end of the Civil War, but the National Memorial Day holiday was first observed on May 30, 1868, on the order of General John Alexander Logan for the purpose of decorating the graves of the American Civil War dead.
With the passage of time, Memorial Day was extended to honor all those who died in service to the nation, from the Revolutionary War to the present. It continued to be observed on May 30th until 1971, when most states changed to a newly established federal schedule of holiday observance.
(While this is being read, or stated, on the screen is a listing of the following facts)
Facts and Figures2
Revolutionary War (1775-1783) War of 1812 (1812-15)
Served: No data Served: 286,730
Death: 4,435 Battle Deaths: 2,260
Wounded: 6,188 Wounded: 4,505
Mexican War (1846-1848) Civil War (1861-1865)
Served: 78,718 Served: 2,213,363
Battle Deaths: 1,733 Battle Deaths: 140,414
Other Deaths: 11,550 Other Deaths: 224,097
Wounded: 4,152 Wounded: 281,881
Spanish-American War (1895-1902) WWI (1917-1918)
Served: 306,760 Served: 4,734,991
Battle Deaths: 385 Battle Deaths: 53,402
Other Deaths: 2,061 Other Deaths: 63,114
Wounded: 1,662 Wounded: 204,002
WWII (1941-1946) Korean War (1950-1953)
Served: 16,113,566 Served: 5,720,000
Battle Deaths: 291,557 Battle Deaths: 33,651
Other Deaths: 113,842 Other Deaths: 3,262
Wounded: 671,846 Wounded: 103,284
Vietnam War (1964-1973) Gulf War (1991)
Served: 8,744,00 Served: 24,100
Battle Deaths: 47,378 Deaths: 162
Other Deaths: 10,799
Wounded: 153, 303
So what we find is that throughout the scope of history, there are causes for which we find it worthy to fight, and others, that seem to simply distract or vie for our attention. The key is know the difference. Upon what shall we spend our attention?
Today there are things that are still worthy of the fight.
A. freedom, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
B. So where are the lines being drawn in today’s battle fields?
Battle Cry: Nehemiah 4:14 “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”
Battlegrounds of Today
1. Our Homes
2. Our Schools
3. Our Churches
In the August 2001 issue of Dr. James Dobson’s magazine “Focus on the Family,” he discusses “The Family in Crisis.”3
“The decennial report issued by the U.S. Census Bureau in May contains alarming news on the condition of the family.
We have sensed for a long time that the traditional family is in serious trouble, and the recent Census revealed just how dire the situation has become. The alarming results show that households headed by unmarried partners (most of them involving people living together out of wedlock) grew by almost 72% during the past decade.
Households headed by single mothers or fathers increased by 25% and 62%, respectively, and for the first time ever, nuclear families dropped below 25% of households.
33% of all babies were born to unmarried women, compared to only 3.8% in 1940.
Other studies show that cohabitation increased by close to 1,000% from 1960 to 1998, and that households headed by same-sex couples are soaring.
We are seeing a growing number of unmarried women in their 20’s and 30’s who are choosing to bear and raise children alone.
Dr. Dobson Responds
“The results of this Census means that the institution of the family in unraveling at a faster pace than ever. They also indicate that the old taboos against divorce and cohabitation are disappearing, and that the culture is abandoning its commitment to lifelong marriage.
About half the children today will spend at least part of their childhood in single-parent homes, and tat number is rising steadily.
That scenario has breathtaking implications. Imagine a world where most children will have several “moms” and “dads,” perhaps six or eight “grandparents,” and dozens of half-siblings. Little boys and girls will be shuffled to and fro in an ever-changing pattern of living arrangements. It doesn’t take a child psychologist to realize that this type of environment will be, and already is, devastating to children.
I wish the statistics were better for those in the Christian faith. The divorcee rate is actually higher by a small margin among born-again Christians…
The focus of today’s media and society agenda is to destroy the definition of marriage as being between one man and one women.”
That would be just things about the family. Add to that, the statistics of our schools, and churches as well, and you quickly realize that the wall of stability has already eroded and is in danger of further erosion as time passes.
How then does the situation that Nehemiah faced, apply to my situation where I’m trying to raise my family in a very hostile world?
Quick Overview
1. Jewish history had begun long before there had been a united Kingdom for the Jews.
2. They moved onto the worldwide scene when God established a kingdom with Saul as king.
3. Saul, David and Solomon all ruled as kings during this time.
4. After Solomon’s reign, because of sinfulness, the kingdom divided. (10 tribes to the North, 2 to the South)
5. After 209 years of indifference to God, Israel the Northern Kingdom was taken into captivity by Assyria.
6. Judah, the Southern kingdom faired some what better, but so to, because of wayward living, fell into captivity after 325 years, into the hands of the Babylonians.
7. After 70 years, the Babylonians were overthrown, and the Jews were allowed to return in stages.
8. Three stages of return,
a. Zerubbabel- Temple construction
b. Ezra- Temple construction
c. Nehemiah- Wall construction
“Wall Rebuilding Then… Wall Rebuilding Today”4
Walls then were built for protection against the enemies. The walls, in an analogous sense, are a perfect picture of spiritual principles that often lie around us abused, ignored, and in ruins.
Maybe there are such ruins lying around where you live. Where your lives have become vulnerable and you find yourself in a state of despair.
What can we do? Swindoll offers these suggestions.
1. Develop genuine concern for the condition of the walls
2. Express direct prayer for guidance and protection
3. Face honestly the situation- with determination- until the task is completed.
4. Recognize we cannot correct the condition alone.
OK, Pastor, we’ve started to do that. We’re trying to live out our lives as Christ would have us, and to share with those around us, our family, friends, and neighbors about God. But all of a sudden, we seem to be waging war. Things we’ve never experienced are now before us.
What might you experience?
1. The Sanballat’s of the world show up.
a. Ridicule v. 1
b. V. 2 “What are these Jew’s trying to do?
i) attempt to lower self-esteem
ii) attempt to weaken resolve
iii) attempt to destroy morale
Satan knows that if he can accomplish these things right at first, he can discourage you, and you’ll feel like not giving it your best.
Sanballat even questioned their motives. Verse 2 “Can they finish in a day?”
a. excuse: They’ve tried before, they won’t make it. They’ll fail.
b. Ever heard that?
1. Family
2. Education
3. Church
Nehemiah’s response is our first response.
I. When times of opposition approach, respond with prayer.
A. Now I know that sounds like simple advise,
B. But how often do we tell that to others, and yet don’t follow it ourselves.
Why is prayer such an essential discipline? Swindoll
1. It makes us wait
2. It clears our vision
3. It quiets our hearts
4. It activates our faith
Cyril J. Barber5, pg70
“The secret of overcoming opposition lies in our relationship with the Lord…Our emotions frequently control our outlook. Negative feelings destroy our confidence. They can be successfully counteracted only by faith. Our worrying over a situation will not make it go away. Anxiety never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its strength.”
That’s why prayer is so important.
Notice next what happened. Things increased.
Barber, “Some years ago I came across the lines by an unknown author: ‘in times of adversity, many people lose their courage and display a weakness that is unnecessary. They assume that a loss, or a disappointment, is a failure when actually misfortune can mean opportunity. ‘ This same author went on to point out that ‘we must weave from our circumstances…the pattern and texture of life. Strength is gained by overcoming adversity, not by giving in to it.’”
Faith is not a synonym for disorder, or a substitute for careful planning. Opposition often reinforces the will of God instead of hindering it.
Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 4:7-10
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves;
we are afflicted…not crushed;
perplexed…not despairing;
persecuted…not forsaken;
struck down…not destroyed;
always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.”
Swindoll, pg. 18
“Paul indicated that the treasure of the Gospel was housed in a clay jar, a human body, without sufficient strength of its own. If there is power, however, it comes from what’s in the vessel- the surpassing power of the Gospel poured out into the vessel. Paul could handle the struggles he described for this reason: God incarnates His truth into flesh, and when a leader (person) responds to opposition with God’s power place within him, God brings that life before people as a display of His own glory.”
Balance in life comes from:
1. Speaking with God v. 4 “Hear us O God…”
2. Staying on task v. 6 “So we built the wall…”
Pastor, I’ve been in this battle a long time. I’ve done my fair share of praying, I’ve lived the Godly life, God has used me as an example, then whey do I feel so discouraged?
Causes of Discouragement
1. Loss of strength v. 10 “The strength of the laborers is giving out…”
You see, they were half way finished, and the newness had worn off.
A. Family: There is never enough time
B. Education: No one wants to come to the bible study after home room.
C. Nation: Fickle support, only during crisis
Hebrews 12:1 “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 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,”
2. Loss of vision v. 10 “so much rubble…”
Instead of keeping their eyes up, they began to see the enormity of the task. Their eyes were not on the end product
A. Family: My kids haven’t even reached adolescence
B. Education: This is only one school district
C. Nation: How could we ever change even our city
3. Loss of confidence. V. 10 “we can’t rebuild the wall…”
What happened? In verse 6, it says that “for the people had a mind to work…”
When the opposition arose, they lost heart. The project was too large, and an overwhelming sense that they’d never catch up.
A. I’m tired, lonely, defeated
4. Loss of security, v. 11 “our enemies said…”
The enemy had used scare tactics and they were wondering when they were going to attack.
What did Nehemiah do that we could apply to our situation?
1. Have a common goal. V. 13 “He stationed them along the wall”
- There are many good things, that will divide our attention away from the best. Don’t be a slave to urgent and unimportant. Know what is at hand. What is it that you are after. What’s the goal and purpose of doing what you are doing.
If you are home schooling? Why
If you are planning on becoming involved in education? Why
If you plan to be involved in politics? Why
2. Keep your attention on the Lord. (v. 14)
“Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”
He’s calling them to remember:
God’s promises
God’s character
God’s faithfulness
3. Maintain a balance. (v.14-18)
Swindoll: “Disheartened people give in to extremes. They could have given up without a fight, or they could have become consumed by the desire to fight.”
Nehemiah gave them balance. V. 17 –18 Balance between building and carrying the load.
4. There is a rallying point. V. 19-20
“Whenever you hear the trumpet sound, join us there. God will fight for us.”
5. Help to serve others.
Conclusion:
Professional golfer Paul Azinger was diagnosed with cancer at age 33. He had just won a PGA championship and had ten tournament victories to his credit.
He wrote, “A genuine feeling of fear cam over me. I could die from cancer. Then another reality hit me even harder. I’m going to die eventually anyway, whether from cancer or something else. It’s just a question of when. Everything I had accomplished in golf became meaningless to me. All I wanted to do was live.”
Then he remembered something that Larry Moody, who teaches a Bible study on the tour, had said to him. “Zinger, we’re not in the land of the living going to the land of the dying. We’re in the land of the dying trying to get to the land of the living.”
Golfer Paul Azinger recovered from chemotherapy and returned to the PGA tour. He’s done pretty well. But that bout with cancer deepened his perspective. He wrote, “I’ve made a lot of money since I’ve been on the tour, and I’ve won a lot of tournaments, but that happiness is always temporary. The only way you will ever have true contentment is in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I’m not saying that nothing ever bothers me and I don’t have problems, but I feel like I’ve found the answer to the six-foot hole.”6
Footnotes
1. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. at an address delievered for Memorial Day, May 30, 1884, at Keene, NH
2. Statistics taken from Internet Website, U.S./Canada Parks. Subject: Memorial Day, Honoring the "Forgotten" Dead.
3. Focus on the Family Magaizine. Dr. James Dobson. August 2001. Colorado Springs, Co.
4. "Hand Me Another Brick." Dr. Chuck Swindoll. Fullerton, Ca. 1982
5. Nehemiah and the Dynamics of Effective Leadership. Cyril J. Barber. Loizeaux Brothers. Neptune, NJ. 1991
6. Todd Randolf illustration from Sermon Central.
