Sermon Info
Summary
When you serve the Lord, you can count on there being opposition. For all Christ-followers, we have an enemy who wars against us. In John 16:33, Jesus told His disciples, “In this world you will have trouble.” However, our God is greater! When opposition comes, use it as a time to grow your faith. Become more determined to do what God has called you to do and to become all He created you to be. Never give up! Whatever you face in life, always know God is with you, and He is for you. Trust Jesus today, and keep doing the work!
Content
1. When you are doing God’s work, you will face opposition.
When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews. Nehemiah 4:1
- Nehemiah faced opposition, and so will we.
- You can be in the center of God’s will and still go through struggles.
- In John 16:33, Jesus told His disciples, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
- Use times of opposition to grow in your faith.
- Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
- Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4
2. Opposition comes from the outside and the inside.
Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.” Nehemiah 4:10
- We are living in an increasingly hostile culture.
- We face opposition from the outside, but also from inside our hearts and minds.
- When opposition comes, Nememiah prays.
- Don’t focus on the opposition but on your Heavenly Father.
- Opposition to your faith can either lead you to defeat or determination.
3. Opposition is the result of being in a spiritual battle.
After I looked things over, I stood up and said… “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” Nehemiah 4:14
- Always be ready to fight spiritually.
- Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 1 Peter 5:8-9
- If you are not facing any opposition to your faith, then you have to wonder if you are doing anything significant for the Kingdom.
- When opposition comes, remember the Lord.
- Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us! Nehemiah 4:20
- Never quit living for and serving the Lord.
- So we continued the work… Nehemiah 4:21
