Nehemiah Part 5

Building Problems

“And when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about it, it was very displeasing to them that someone had come

to seek the welfare of the sons of Israel.” Neh. 2:10

Nehemiah Faced Problems on the Job

• The problem of scorn, ridicule, and mocking

“And in all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excess of dissipation, and they malign you…but if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not feel ashamed, but in that

name let him glorify God.” 1 Pet. 4:4, 16

“Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity.”

Eph. 4:26-27

You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven… 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 5:43-48

Nehemiah Faced Problems on the Job

• The problem of scorn, ridicule, and mocking• The problem of threat an conspiracy

Romans 8:31-37What then shall we say to these things? 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 with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died…35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or

sword? …37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who

loved us.

8 The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.

Luke 16:8

8 The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.

Luke 16:8

Those with wisdom

“He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”

Pro. 13:20

“He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”

Pro. 13:20

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

I Corinthians 15:33

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

I Corinthians 15:33

Those who are evil?

Those who are foolish?

“…therefore do not associate with a gossip (slanderer, ESV).” Pro. 20:19b“…therefore do not associate with a gossip (slanderer, ESV).” Pro. 20:19b

Those who slander others?

““Do not associate with a man given to anger; Do not associate with a man given to anger; or go with a hot-tempered man, lest you learn or go with a hot-tempered man, lest you learn his ways, and find a snare for yourself.” his ways, and find a snare for yourself.”

Pro. 22:24-25Pro. 22:24-25

““Do not associate with a man given to anger; Do not associate with a man given to anger; or go with a hot-tempered man, lest you learn or go with a hot-tempered man, lest you learn his ways, and find a snare for yourself.” his ways, and find a snare for yourself.”

Pro. 22:24-25Pro. 22:24-25

Those who are angry?

Nehemiah Faced Problems on the Job

• The problem of scorn, ridicule, and mocking• The problem of threat an conspiracy• The problem of discouragement

“And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Thy bond-servants may speak Thy word with all

confidence….

Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to

the high priests.”

Acts 4:29; 9:1

“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary,

the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking

someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the

same experiences of suffering are being

accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.” 1 Pet. 5:8-9

“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary,

the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking

someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the

same experiences of suffering are being

accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.” 1 Pet. 5:8-9

Nehemiah Faced Problems on the Job

• The problem of scorn, ridicule, and mocking• The problem of threat an conspiracy• The problem of discouragement• The problem of financial stress

Financial Stress Hasn’t Changed Much

1. V.2- some were lacking basic needs

2. V.3- some had debt problems

3. V.4-5- some were sharecropping

Proverbs 22:26

Be not one of those who give pledges, who put up security for debts.

Proverbs 22:26

Be not one of those who give pledges, who put up security for debts.

Proverbs 22:7

The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.

Proverbs 22:7

The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.

Don’t be a slave to lenders

Don’t co-sign for bad debtors

Proverbs 23:17

Let not your heart envy sinners…

Proverbs 23:17

Let not your heart envy sinners…Don’t envy sinners

Nehemiah Faced Problems on the Job

• The problem of scorn, ridicule, and mocking• The problem of threat an conspiracy• The problem of discouragement• The problem of financial stress• The problem of meeting in compromise

1. The intent of the enemy is to harm.2. The result of compromise is less good work

Acts 5:29

But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.

Acts 5:29

But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.

Obey God rather than men

1 Peter 4:11

 …whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one

who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God

may be glorified through Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 4:11

 …whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one

who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God

may be glorified through Jesus Christ.

Speak as God’s oracle, or mouthpiece

Revelation 22:18-19

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to

them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if anyone

takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share

in the tree of life and in the holy city…

Revelation 22:18-19

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to

them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if anyone

takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share

in the tree of life and in the holy city… Add nothing and leave nothing out

Philippians 1:6

The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.

Philippians 1:6

The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.

Defend the gospel

There IS no middle ground with spiritual building.

• No compromise with error,• No ignoring finances, or discouragement,• No playing with threats,• No pretending with scorn and mocking

Have you dedicated yourself Have you dedicated yourself to the work of building?to the work of building?