Sermon Cloud

Intro:  MLB playoffs: injuries, rivalries, tougher competition.  Fear: failure or success.

Big Idea:  Jesus helps us dispel fear & act in faith for the good of the City.

Context: Nehemiah came to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls to provide safety for God’s people, and restore the honor of God’s name.  He’s met obstacles from enemies and resolved problems among God’s people.  The wall is nearly done, and enemies abound.

I. Jesus strengthens the faithful for the good of the City (v. 1-9)

-         The wall was rebuilt but the gates were not in place.  The job is almost done.

-         They are afraid of a secure Israel. “Nehemiah must be stopped!”  Ill. Officers, QBs

-         Leadership Axiom: The more change, the more resistance to that change.

-         Leadership Orientation: Maintainer (Priest), Reorganizer (Prophet), Starter (King)

-         The Plain of Ono was 27 miles NW- a full day’s journey.  Planning an ambush.

-         Persistently disruptive (4x) to wear him down & distract him.  Ill. Jadon & Dr. Kik

-         Letters were sealed.  Unsealed in order to discredit him.  Ill. Ad, website, blog

-         False accusations tap into our fear of man (Persia).  They made it up, can’t prove it.

-         Reputations are an idolatrous illusion- selective & limited experiences.

-         We struggle with self-righteousness, wanting to defend ourselves.  Functional savior.

-         Relax, you’re far worse than they think (1 Tim. 1:15).  Jesus is a far greater Savior.

-         Jesus was falsely accused even as He bore our sin, guilt & shame to the Cross.  Ill. Luther

-         Rely on Christ’s record, not yours, & you’ll stop defending yourself (Rom. 8)!

-         Nehemiah was worn out: hard work, death threats, & harassment.  Ill. playoffs

-         He prays for strength.  Jesus provides power to continue (Ps 59 & Eph. 3).

-         Where are you looking for strength & power?  Ill. Sproul

Transition: Jesus strengthens his weak servants so they will fulfill His plan for the city.

II. Jesus produces obedience in the faithful for the good of the City (v. 10-14)

-         Temptation arises from the false prophecy of Shemaiah; “flee into the temple!”

-         Nehemiah was not a priest & was forbidden from entering the Holy Place.

-         Sought to discredit Nehemiah as a coward & law breaker: cursed by God.  Ill. Moab

-         Leadership Axiom: The more the gospel progresses, the more you’re tempted.

-         Knowing & believing your Bible is essential to discernment and obedience.

-         Fear + Flesh = Unbelief + Disobedience.  Disobedience WILL destroy us.  Ill. A-Fraud

-         Jesus left the heavenly sanctuary & died in our place.  Look to Him for mercy (Heb. 4).

-         Jesus pours out His Spirit to produce obedience in us.  Look to him for grace.

-         Fear + Spirit = Faith + Obedience.  Obedience may be costly.  Ill. Lone Survivor

-         God remembers those who harm us & will repay (Ps. 56; Rom. 12).  Christ works for us!

-         Do you trust God to avenge, to repay or are you plotting your own revenge?

-         Rely on Christ to forgive us, empower us and protect us and be free to follow His plan.

Conclusion:  Faithfulness to God’s plan will be met with resistance by Satan, and people who like things they way they are.  Fear tempts us to be our own functional saviors.  Jesus calls on us to continually rely on Him to save us from sin & our enemies.  He is powerful, and remembers those who tried to harm us, freeing us to follow His plan.

³¹ What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?  ³² He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?  ³³ Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.  ³⁴ Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.  Romans 8 (NIV)

⁹ O my Strength, I watch for you; you, O God, are my fortress, ¹⁰ my loving God.  Psalm 59 (NIV)

¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.  Ephesians 3 (NIV)

⁴ In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? Psalm 56 (NIV)

¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.  Romans 12 (NIV)

“The more change a leader effects, the more resistance they experience.”  Mark Driscoll

“The person who fears God will fear nothing else.”  Ed Welch

"It's the supreme art of the devil that he can make the law out of the gospel. If I can hold on to the distinction between law and gospel, I can say to him any and every time that he should kiss my backside. . . . Once I debate about what I have done and left undone, I am finished. But if I reply on the basis of the gospel, 'The forgiveness of sins covers it all,' I have won."-- Martin Luther

“We are more concerned about looking stupid (a fear of people) than we are about acting sinfully (fear of the Lord).”  Ed Welch