So far as we have gone through Nehemiah = His book and his life
- Briefly looked at his Godly character
- His deep-seated desire to make a difference for the glory of God
- Godly separation = Necessity of prayer for Spiritual power for Spiritual work
- Willingness to sacrifice to obtain greater good / goal
- Commitment to co-operate with other like-minded individuals
- Challenged to examine our life for those characteristics
And we’ve also briefly examined some of the practical aspects of how Nehemiah and those who took up this call from God set about to accomplish their work
- Willilngness to follow Spiritual leaders
- Willingness to do the work God calls you to do
- To take our God given "ability" and give it back to God as "avail-ability"
- To really work with the attitude that we are serving God not man = Truth!
With this greater objective in mind
- To see how & where our lives are in line with God’s Will and Purposes
- Or how & where we are out of God’s Will and Purpose
- So we can fully equipped to enjoy the joy He provides
Today we want to begin by recognizing a crucial fact
> Neh. 2.17 = This very Godly man = So very Spiritual = Filled, Led, Walking
- Truly identified some grave and serious problems
> Neh. 2.18 = Encouraged = Inspired = Led them in the work
- People to their credit = Co-operative = Enthusiastic = Dedicated
Now let me ask you a question = Suppose on your way home from church today
- As you’re driving along you encounter a roadblock = What would you do?
- I know = Put up a "For Sale" sign and give up, right?
- Wrong! = You would look for the detour, the way around this hindrance / obstacle
- Might take you some time and effort = But your goal would be worth it, right?
When we speak of doing a Spiritual work for the Lord
- We might have a very Godly leader = Spirit-filled, led = Truly walking in the Spirit
- He might have a right understanding of problems = The right solution
- Encouraging = Inspirational = Lead / Serve with us
- We might be Co-operative = Enthusiastic = Dedicated
- But none of that guarantees that we aren’t going to face a hindrance / obstacle
> John 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before [it hated] you.
> Matthew 5:10 Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when [men] shall revile you, and persecute [you], and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great [is] your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
> 1 John 3:13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
Very often the greater the calling for God = Work for God
- Greater the hindrance / obstacle we will face
- In fact once we seriously dedicate ourselves to living lives which are fully yielded to God
- And fully commited to His calling on our life
- With a total heart-surrender to be living in line with His Will and Purpose
- To the full extent of our understanding and ability
- Shouldn’t surprise if hindrances / obstacles come up right away > Neh. 2.19
Now that’s the very crucial fact I spoke of
- Recognizing when we do Spiritual Work for God will face Spiritual hindrances / obstacles
- Let’s examine some of the methods and principles demonstrated by Nehemiah and those who labored with him in dealing with the hindrances and obstacles they faced
Neh. 2.19 = Hindrance, Ridicule
- Question our motivation
- Attempt to throw suspicion on us = And the authorities
= Judge Roy Moore, Alabama, 10 Commandments Cases
- Overcome by confidence in God > Neh. 2.20
> Neh. 4.1-3 = Hindrance, Wrath and contempt
= Witnessing efforts, door-to-door, malls, street preaching
- Overcome by prayer and hard work > Neh. 4.4-6
> Neh. 4.7-8 = Hindrance, Conspiracy
= Abortion proponents, lies, media, judges, ACLU, Planned Parenthood
- Overcome by watchfulness and prayer > Neh. 4:9
ASIDE = Importance of prayer
> Matthew 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
> Matthew 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
> Luke 6:12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
> Acts 10:31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.
> Acts 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
> Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
> 1 Corinthians 7:5 Defraud ye not one the other, except [it be] with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
> 2 Corinthians 1:11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift [bestowed] upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
> Philippians 1:19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
> Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
> Colossians 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
> James 5:15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 16 Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
> 1 Peter 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
> Neh. 4.10-12 = Hindrance, Discouragement of friends
= Mark 10:46 And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, [thou] Son of David, have mercy on me. 48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace...
- Overcome by steadfast courage > Neh. 4:13-14
= Mark 10:48 ...but he cried the more a great deal, [Thou] Son of David, have mercy on me. 49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. 50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. 52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.
CONCLUSION
And that might be why > Neh. 4.15
- Truth is when you possess confidence in God
- Motivated AND enervated by prayer
- Steely determination to DO the Work you have been called to do
- You can accomplish the task > Neh. 4.16-23
Friends, the Bible declares > 1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
- But it also declares > 1 Corinthians 2:10 But God hath revealed [them] unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
Where are you at today? = What is your need?
- Calling from God? = Dedicated to being fully yielded to God?
- Commited to His calling on your life?
- Total heart-surrender to live according to His Will and Purpose, the best you know how?
- Hindrances? = Obstacles? = Riducule? = Slander? = Wrath? = Contempt?
- Conspiracy? = Discouragement of friends?
Nehemiah knew something of these difficulties
- Better still = Jesus understands = Riducule = Slander = Wrath = Contempt = Conspiracy = Discouragement of friends
- We have before us = In the book Jesus has given us = Some good suggestions on how to deal with them
INVITATION
Do you need re-newed Confidence in God?
Do you need to re-ignite your prayer life?
Do you need to re-commit yourself to the task?
Do you need to ask God to simply give you courage to do what you know you need to do?
Perhaps not saved...Courage to be saved?
Whatever your need today...
PRAYER + HYMN OF INVITATION, # # 288, Only Trust Him
