WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:12.519 Amen. So, as we open up another chapter in Nehemiah's prayer diary, we're discovering from him that opposition is real. 00:00:12.519 --> 00:00:26.439 And we're also going to find clues as to how we can handle opposition. Because opposition is normal for Christianity and for the Christian church. 00:00:27.160 --> 00:00:35.700 Let's begin with Jesus' honesty. He said to his disciples, if they hated me, they will hate you as well. 00:00:35.700 --> 00:00:45.140 Or think about shortly before his arrest when he said, in this life you will have trouble, but take heart, I've overcome the world. 00:00:45.900 --> 00:00:57.079 And while we sit here today in peace and security, between 600 and 700 million of our brothers and sisters in Christ are part of what's known as the suffering or the persecuted church. 00:00:57.120 --> 00:01:05.520 And they know this all too well. But it's not hidden in the small print. Opposition is not to be a surprise for the church. 00:01:06.380 --> 00:01:11.120 And in fact, the honesty of Jesus in the Bible sets right expectations for us. 00:01:12.159 --> 00:01:19.460 So, if we find ourselves in school or uni, the only one in our class who's a follower of Jesus and we get a hard time from our friends. 00:01:20.859 --> 00:01:26.640 Or we come to new faith in the Lord Jesus and we share it with our family and that news is not welcomed. 00:01:27.859 --> 00:01:33.060 Or we work among colleagues who don't share our faith and our values and they make things uncomfortable. 00:01:33.060 --> 00:01:42.600 Or as we are part of a church which is sometimes mocked within wider society, Jesus would say, don't be surprised. 00:01:43.060 --> 00:01:44.480 This is normal. 00:01:45.140 --> 00:01:49.800 And it's here in Nehemiah's story and I think we can learn from the story and from him. 00:01:49.879 --> 00:01:54.879 Three things that I hope we can learn and you can follow these in your bulletin. 00:01:55.159 --> 00:01:56.800 First, what does opposition look like? 00:01:57.219 --> 00:01:59.439 Secondly, how should we respond to opposition? 00:02:00.439 --> 00:02:04.859 And thirdly and importantly, why choose to live this kind of life that involves opposition? 00:02:05.519 --> 00:02:09.159 So, first of all, what does opposition look like? 00:02:09.419 --> 00:02:11.780 Just by way of a quick recap. 00:02:12.099 --> 00:02:13.819 So, here we are, 5th century BC. 00:02:14.099 --> 00:02:15.359 We're with Nehemiah. 00:02:15.740 --> 00:02:17.800 He was cupbearer to the king of Persia. 00:02:17.800 --> 00:02:22.360 But God calls him to go and rebuild the city walls of Jerusalem. 00:02:22.500 --> 00:02:29.320 So, he prays and he plans and he is sent and he's been acting and he's pulled the people of the city together 00:02:29.320 --> 00:02:33.700 and they've started the rebuilding work and they've been making good progress. 00:02:34.540 --> 00:02:38.240 And probably as we were listening to the Bible reading, we heard some of that progress. 00:02:38.240 --> 00:02:42.500 So, in chapter 4, verse 1, we hear that they're rebuilding. 00:02:43.100 --> 00:02:46.240 By chapter 4, verse 6, the wall's now at half its height. 00:02:47.260 --> 00:02:51.159 By chapter 6 and verse 1, it's all but secured. 00:02:51.260 --> 00:02:54.600 It just needs the gate so that by the end of our reading, the wall is done. 00:02:55.200 --> 00:03:00.900 So, the building is happening but also lurking in the shadows and we've met them every week. 00:03:00.900 --> 00:03:07.780 There are enemies of God and His people and His great building project. 00:03:08.319 --> 00:03:10.360 And so, they bring opposition. 00:03:11.659 --> 00:03:13.280 And maybe there's a principle there. 00:03:14.000 --> 00:03:19.800 When God is at work, we can expect opposition and trouble. 00:03:20.980 --> 00:03:25.560 There are three basic strategies in this opposition. 00:03:26.020 --> 00:03:27.500 You may recognize them. 00:03:27.879 --> 00:03:29.300 You may have experienced them. 00:03:29.300 --> 00:03:31.760 The first is mockery. 00:03:31.880 --> 00:03:34.820 Look at verses 1 to 3 of chapter 4. 00:03:35.160 --> 00:03:37.300 It begins with Samballot and he's angry. 00:03:38.260 --> 00:03:39.120 Why is he angry? 00:03:40.420 --> 00:03:43.439 Because he wants to exploit these people. 00:03:44.020 --> 00:03:48.540 But here is Nehemiah and he's eager to do good and he's not happy. 00:03:49.920 --> 00:03:51.300 And listen to the words of ridicule. 00:03:51.939 --> 00:03:54.080 What are those feeble Jews doing? 00:03:54.960 --> 00:03:56.600 Will they finish in a day? 00:03:56.600 --> 00:03:59.220 Can they bring stones back to life? 00:03:59.300 --> 00:04:03.439 Even if a fox climbs on the wall, it's going to tumble it down. 00:04:04.260 --> 00:04:08.520 So, they mock God's people and they mock their efforts. 00:04:10.360 --> 00:04:12.360 Sometimes you might have had this experience. 00:04:12.500 --> 00:04:18.680 If you are someone eager to do good, sometimes you'll become a target. 00:04:18.680 --> 00:04:22.939 Because you make other people look bad or feel bad. 00:04:23.639 --> 00:04:25.959 If you're the person that doesn't cut corners. 00:04:26.060 --> 00:04:27.959 If you're the person that doesn't share gossip. 00:04:28.139 --> 00:04:31.980 If you practice honesty and integrity, God honors it. 00:04:32.000 --> 00:04:33.319 But the people around us might not. 00:04:33.319 --> 00:04:38.540 And there may well be mockery that we experience. 00:04:39.779 --> 00:04:42.279 You don't seriously believe that, do you? 00:04:42.540 --> 00:04:45.459 That ancient book, those primitive beliefs. 00:04:45.459 --> 00:04:48.259 So, there's mockery that we can expect. 00:04:48.899 --> 00:04:52.919 Secondly, in Nehemiah's story, it moves towards intimidation. 00:04:53.419 --> 00:04:55.199 Look at chapter 4 and verse 7. 00:04:56.459 --> 00:05:00.359 When they hear that the repairs are still going, they've failed with their mockery. 00:05:00.759 --> 00:05:01.759 They're very angry. 00:05:02.299 --> 00:05:06.839 And they plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble. 00:05:06.839 --> 00:05:10.819 And notice in verse 7 that we get a whole cluster of people. 00:05:11.019 --> 00:05:14.419 And these people represent the four points of the compass. 00:05:15.419 --> 00:05:18.459 So, Jerusalem is surrounded by trouble north, south, east, and west. 00:05:18.579 --> 00:05:20.019 There is trouble from every side. 00:05:20.159 --> 00:05:20.759 There is threat. 00:05:21.060 --> 00:05:22.000 There is violence. 00:05:22.379 --> 00:05:25.939 There is an armed mob beginning to move on the city. 00:05:26.799 --> 00:05:31.139 And we sense the effect on the people within the city. 00:05:32.019 --> 00:05:34.719 Verse 10, the strength of the laborers is giving out. 00:05:34.720 --> 00:05:37.160 So much rubble we cannot rebuild. 00:05:37.960 --> 00:05:40.220 Verse 11, they hear what the enemies are about. 00:05:40.680 --> 00:05:42.720 Before they know it or see us, we'll be among them. 00:05:42.760 --> 00:05:44.380 We'll kill them and put an end to the work. 00:05:45.600 --> 00:05:47.920 People in Jerusalem, many of them are fatigued. 00:05:48.740 --> 00:05:49.940 Many of them are fearful. 00:05:51.200 --> 00:05:52.800 Intimidation is no joke. 00:05:54.360 --> 00:05:59.360 I wonder if you've ever felt pressure to keep your faith private. 00:05:59.360 --> 00:06:09.920 I wonder if you've ever had the experience of holding Christian values with integrity and causing great offense to people. 00:06:10.319 --> 00:06:14.000 Coming under attack as a bigot perhaps. 00:06:14.000 --> 00:06:20.839 And then think about our brothers and sisters in the suffering church. 00:06:22.360 --> 00:06:25.459 They experience an intimidation far greater. 00:06:26.420 --> 00:06:29.500 Sometimes from the government or from local government. 00:06:30.279 --> 00:06:34.779 Sometimes it's being expelled by their family or their community. 00:06:35.000 --> 00:06:38.560 Sometimes it's in the form of kidnapping or forced marriages. 00:06:38.560 --> 00:06:44.220 The suffering church knows intimidation as they seek to follow Jesus. 00:06:47.720 --> 00:06:49.180 And then there's the slander. 00:06:50.060 --> 00:06:51.740 And that's there in chapter 6. 00:06:52.379 --> 00:06:55.300 The building work, as we see, is going along well. 00:06:55.459 --> 00:07:00.180 And so this becomes, as it were, a last roll of the dice for Samballot and the other enemies. 00:07:00.459 --> 00:07:02.980 And the strategy they now take up is this one. 00:07:02.980 --> 00:07:09.720 Well, let's try and target Nehemiah because if we take down the leader, then perhaps the rest will give up. 00:07:10.939 --> 00:07:12.900 You know, it's a good battle strategy. 00:07:13.759 --> 00:07:22.480 You know, history would say if you could take out the king or take out the general, then there's a good chance of confusion and maybe the troops will surrender. 00:07:23.480 --> 00:07:27.860 So at the beginning of chapter 6, they begin by trying to distract Nehemiah. 00:07:27.860 --> 00:07:32.199 Hey, Nehemiah, come over here and have an important meeting with us, us important people over here. 00:07:32.580 --> 00:07:34.120 Four times they bring it. 00:07:34.860 --> 00:07:36.280 And what's Nehemiah's response? 00:07:36.819 --> 00:07:38.939 I am carrying on a great project. 00:07:39.280 --> 00:07:40.600 I'm doing God's work. 00:07:41.180 --> 00:07:42.660 I'm not going to be distracted. 00:07:43.560 --> 00:07:44.879 And so they need to shift. 00:07:45.020 --> 00:07:47.960 So the fifth time, this is persistent opposition. 00:07:48.100 --> 00:07:56.920 The fifth time, the plan is let's misrepresent Nehemiah and what he's trying to do. 00:07:56.920 --> 00:08:00.080 Let's misinterpret what's going on. 00:08:00.480 --> 00:08:01.780 And so there's this open letter. 00:08:01.879 --> 00:08:03.520 That means it's going to be heard publicly. 00:08:04.540 --> 00:08:07.340 Nehemiah, we know you're plotting against the king of Persia. 00:08:08.020 --> 00:08:08.819 Of course, he's not. 00:08:08.900 --> 00:08:10.140 He's come with the king's permission. 00:08:11.420 --> 00:08:14.080 Nehemiah, we know you're plotting to make yourself king. 00:08:14.740 --> 00:08:17.100 And we know he's not because he's a very humble servant leader. 00:08:18.980 --> 00:08:22.700 But as this word is getting out around the city, how does Nehemiah reply? 00:08:22.699 --> 00:08:27.659 He simply says, listen, you're just making this stuff up. 00:08:28.439 --> 00:08:30.879 It doesn't seem to warrant any of his attention. 00:08:31.060 --> 00:08:34.179 He just tells them to be quiet and he moves on. 00:08:35.220 --> 00:08:36.639 And so they move on. 00:08:36.759 --> 00:08:45.000 Verse 10 to verse 13, we see this attempt to tempt him, to trap him, so that they can discredit him. 00:08:45.000 --> 00:08:50.580 And so this guy is saying, oh, Nehemiah, I've got your best interest at heart. 00:08:50.779 --> 00:08:52.559 And I know the enemies are coming. 00:08:52.860 --> 00:08:54.600 And I know where there's a really safe place. 00:08:54.679 --> 00:08:57.679 Let's go at night to the temple and let's hide there. 00:08:59.360 --> 00:09:00.860 Nehemiah sees right through it. 00:09:01.700 --> 00:09:05.159 Nehemiah knows that's the place only the priest is supposed to go. 00:09:06.419 --> 00:09:09.299 And so he's not going to disobey God's law. 00:09:09.299 --> 00:09:11.699 And he's not going to destroy his reputation. 00:09:12.439 --> 00:09:18.199 And so he says to them in verse 11, should a man like me run away or should someone like me go into the temple to save his life? 00:09:18.259 --> 00:09:19.199 I will not go. 00:09:19.459 --> 00:09:20.559 I will not do it. 00:09:20.639 --> 00:09:21.679 And anyway, it's wrong. 00:09:22.479 --> 00:09:29.779 And so they have these persistent attempts to oppose Nehemiah and the building work. 00:09:30.379 --> 00:09:35.259 Now, we are very used to, I think, hearing about leaders facing pressure and attack. 00:09:35.259 --> 00:09:41.299 You know, think about the news coverage and the pressure on the leaders of political parties. 00:09:41.480 --> 00:09:50.600 Every policy, every speech, every mistake, every failure at a polling station comes under the microscope. 00:09:51.720 --> 00:09:53.620 And we see something of that with Nehemiah. 00:09:53.679 --> 00:10:00.019 But there's this added dimension for Nehemiah because he is a spiritual leader appointed by God. 00:10:00.019 --> 00:10:06.819 And so there are forces of darkness that come against him that are out to destroy God's work by destroying God's man. 00:10:08.439 --> 00:10:16.000 Now, we need to see this is not a new tactic that the devil and dark forces are applying here. 00:10:16.259 --> 00:10:20.019 This has been a tactic since the beginning, since the Garden of Eden. 00:10:20.019 --> 00:10:28.039 The devil who hates God began a rebellion against God couldn't bring God down. 00:10:28.199 --> 00:10:33.139 So when God creates man as image bearers, he sets out to destroy. 00:10:35.779 --> 00:10:43.379 The climax of this comes when Jesus comes, the Son of God who becomes one of us. 00:10:43.379 --> 00:10:50.720 He comes to do the great kingdom building work to establish the kingdom of God in this world and in hearts and lives. 00:10:51.120 --> 00:10:54.580 And the devil absolutely has him in his crosshairs. 00:10:54.740 --> 00:10:56.799 And we see it all through the Gospels. 00:10:57.799 --> 00:11:00.820 We see it in the fact that Jesus is tempted in the wilderness. 00:11:01.279 --> 00:11:03.220 But that's not the only time Jesus is tempted. 00:11:03.639 --> 00:11:07.179 All through his life he's tempted, but he's always faithful. 00:11:07.179 --> 00:11:20.259 We hear so often Jesus being mocked and slandered and ridiculed because of where he came from or questions about his parentage or questions about his claims or his beliefs. 00:11:23.079 --> 00:11:29.259 To read the Gospels is to read of Jesus being hated and attacked by a people who wanted him dead. 00:11:29.599 --> 00:11:34.219 He was doing the ultimate good, exposing darkness and people hated him for it. 00:11:34.220 --> 00:11:41.940 He was betrayed by someone from within his inner circle and he was killed by a conspiracy of evil of Jews and Romans coming together. 00:11:42.440 --> 00:11:50.580 And yet wonderfully, as the Bible tells us, what the devil and wicked people intended for evil, God intended for good. 00:11:51.519 --> 00:11:56.040 The cross is God's means of saving many lives. 00:11:56.519 --> 00:12:01.540 Jesus come to forgive our sin, to deliver us and give us eternal life. 00:12:04.220 --> 00:12:13.820 As we face opposition, as Christians, as a church, let's remember that Jesus told us we would. 00:12:14.980 --> 00:12:18.440 Let's not be shocked and let's not give up. 00:12:19.700 --> 00:12:21.779 Let's also remember the Gospel. 00:12:22.540 --> 00:12:26.560 Jesus faced opposition to the point of death. 00:12:27.980 --> 00:12:29.660 That you and I might be saved. 00:12:29.659 --> 00:12:36.839 Let's remember that Jesus walked that path before us and now he walks it with us. 00:12:37.579 --> 00:12:41.839 He understands, he is present and he has power to help us. 00:12:43.779 --> 00:12:48.799 Often, when we're honest, we can feel a lot like those wall builders. 00:12:49.939 --> 00:12:52.299 Discouraged and weak. 00:12:53.519 --> 00:12:54.839 Surrounded by opposition. 00:12:54.840 --> 00:13:02.019 We can be tempted to fight with what we face personally or in society. 00:13:02.620 --> 00:13:04.920 What we need to do is to take heart. 00:13:05.019 --> 00:13:06.420 Remember Jesus. 00:13:07.259 --> 00:13:08.379 The one who said, 00:13:09.580 --> 00:13:12.620 You will have trouble, but remember I've overcome the world. 00:13:12.620 --> 00:13:17.039 Now, before we leave this idea of opposition, 00:13:18.460 --> 00:13:24.879 it's important to recognize that today you may be here in a position of being opposed to Jesus 00:13:24.879 --> 00:13:28.600 because you're not trusting him as Lord and Savior. 00:13:29.820 --> 00:13:32.240 You haven't asked him to forgive your sin. 00:13:33.299 --> 00:13:37.600 You're not worshiping him as God and Savior. 00:13:37.600 --> 00:13:45.019 And the message of the Bible and the message even from within Nehemiah is to be so careful. 00:13:46.519 --> 00:13:50.040 To recognize and to consider the danger of that position. 00:13:50.899 --> 00:13:54.820 And then consider Christ who came that you might be saved. 00:13:55.759 --> 00:13:56.480 Trust him. 00:13:57.560 --> 00:13:59.840 So, that's what opposition looks like. 00:14:00.279 --> 00:14:05.399 Secondly, let's think about what we can learn about how do we respond to opposition. 00:14:05.399 --> 00:14:10.759 Because as I'm sure we all feel, it's really hard to face opposition. 00:14:10.939 --> 00:14:12.459 It's hard to be a minority. 00:14:12.779 --> 00:14:15.480 It's hard to feel like a small person in a small church. 00:14:15.899 --> 00:14:19.939 And it's really easy to let fear or weakness turn us inwards. 00:14:20.039 --> 00:14:25.840 We want to pull up the drawbridge and just, it's fine, it's nice and comfortable in here perhaps, 00:14:26.439 --> 00:14:28.620 not think about how to live outside. 00:14:28.919 --> 00:14:32.240 You know, Jesus says, you know, you are the light of the world. 00:14:32.240 --> 00:14:37.720 But when we're honest, sometimes it feels easier to switch the light off. 00:14:38.799 --> 00:14:40.200 There's a lot less trouble that way. 00:14:41.060 --> 00:14:45.419 What can Nehemiah teach us about a good response to opposition? 00:14:46.320 --> 00:14:48.620 Three things that we see from Nehemiah's story. 00:14:48.919 --> 00:14:53.720 First of all, and it should be no surprise, we have the call to pray always. 00:14:54.220 --> 00:14:56.240 Nehemiah lives a praying life. 00:14:56.340 --> 00:14:57.840 And we see the power of a praying life. 00:14:57.840 --> 00:15:02.600 So, in verse 4 and 5, we hear him pray, hear us, our God. 00:15:03.160 --> 00:15:07.399 Verse 9, we prayed to our God and posted a guard. 00:15:07.980 --> 00:15:15.280 Chapter 6, verse 9, when everyone's getting frightened and weakened, I prayed, now strengthen my hands. 00:15:16.720 --> 00:15:20.720 For everything that Nehemiah experiences, he faces it with prayer. 00:15:20.720 --> 00:15:27.080 He hears the sad story of what's happening in Jerusalem and he laments and he prays. 00:15:27.399 --> 00:15:31.639 He needs to present a plan before the king and before that he prays. 00:15:31.840 --> 00:15:34.120 Now as he's faced with enemies, he prays. 00:15:34.279 --> 00:15:37.779 In the building work, in the heat of spiritual battle, he prays. 00:15:37.820 --> 00:15:40.720 For strength to lead in God's kingdom, he prays. 00:15:40.720 --> 00:15:49.920 And in this, we understand the importance of living a praying life. 00:15:50.759 --> 00:15:56.120 Jesus' wisdom, watch and pray so you do not fall into temptation. 00:15:58.000 --> 00:16:00.700 Ephesians 6, end of the armor of God section. 00:16:00.860 --> 00:16:04.320 Pray in the Spirit on all occasions. 00:16:04.320 --> 00:16:11.000 When we are aware of opposition, are we praying? 00:16:13.260 --> 00:16:17.640 Now there's one prayer in here that I think we need to give a minute or two of our attention. 00:16:18.640 --> 00:16:20.740 Verses 4 and 5 of chapter 4. 00:16:21.120 --> 00:16:23.240 Hear us, our God, for we are despised. 00:16:23.600 --> 00:16:25.740 Turn their insults back on their own heads. 00:16:26.220 --> 00:16:28.820 Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. 00:16:29.380 --> 00:16:32.600 Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, 00:16:32.600 --> 00:16:34.659 for they've thrown insults in the face of the builders. 00:16:34.740 --> 00:16:35.960 What do you make of that prayer? 00:16:37.820 --> 00:16:42.040 Does it seem shocking, surprising, brutal? 00:16:42.440 --> 00:16:44.840 Can we pray this kind of prayer? 00:16:47.300 --> 00:16:50.279 One thing that's always so important when it comes to these kind of psalms 00:16:50.279 --> 00:16:51.800 is to remember our context. 00:16:51.940 --> 00:16:53.040 So again, here we are. 00:16:53.860 --> 00:16:55.480 Comfortable, leafy Edinburgh. 00:16:56.040 --> 00:16:57.000 Perfectly secure. 00:16:58.460 --> 00:17:00.279 I don't think it's possible for us, 00:17:00.279 --> 00:17:05.859 but imagine if we could place ourselves in the position of being a Christian 00:17:05.859 --> 00:17:10.819 when you're sitting in a church that's been torn down in rubble, 00:17:11.420 --> 00:17:15.759 where members of your congregation have been falsely accused 00:17:15.759 --> 00:17:20.460 and been dragged away, beaten and tortured, stripped from their families. 00:17:20.460 --> 00:17:25.079 Then our approach to the prayer becomes very different. 00:17:25.279 --> 00:17:31.120 And it's so important, I think, for us to think widely as we come to sections like this. 00:17:31.160 --> 00:17:34.840 But a few observations to help us when we come to prayers like this, 00:17:34.900 --> 00:17:39.160 to recognize what Nehemiah is doing here is really praying the psalms. 00:17:40.620 --> 00:17:44.279 And he's praying the psalms because he desires God's justice. 00:17:44.279 --> 00:17:48.000 He desires for God's honor. 00:17:49.119 --> 00:17:52.619 He desires that in the end there be judgment of enemies 00:17:52.619 --> 00:17:55.599 so that salvation for God's people can come. 00:17:57.019 --> 00:17:59.000 That's all the hope of God's people. 00:18:00.519 --> 00:18:03.559 Notice, too, that Nehemiah prays for God to act. 00:18:04.480 --> 00:18:06.839 There is no sense of personal vengeance here. 00:18:07.299 --> 00:18:10.639 Rather, he's leaving justice in God's hands. 00:18:10.640 --> 00:18:16.140 Recognize, too, what he prays against. 00:18:18.060 --> 00:18:21.640 The building project is God's project. 00:18:22.140 --> 00:18:24.940 It's for God's kingdom and God's glory. 00:18:24.940 --> 00:18:27.360 So when these men stand against that, 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:32.140 this isn't Nehemiah holding a personal grudge against a neighbor he's fallen out with. 00:18:32.360 --> 00:18:36.400 He is opposing someone who is steadfastly opposed to the work of God. 00:18:37.440 --> 00:18:39.520 They've made themselves enemies to God's kingdom. 00:18:39.519 --> 00:18:44.799 And recognize, too, and we've been hearing it, we're in chapter 6 and we've heard it in every chapter, 00:18:45.099 --> 00:18:48.000 there is no sign of repentance from these enemies. 00:18:48.139 --> 00:18:55.740 This is a picture of consistent, stubborn hatred and hostility towards God, His people, and His kingdom. 00:18:55.740 --> 00:19:03.660 Some of us were here on Wednesday when our friend Adam was asked, 00:19:03.740 --> 00:19:05.859 how should we pray for the suffering church? 00:19:06.640 --> 00:19:09.759 And his answer was very clear and came very quickly. 00:19:10.640 --> 00:19:12.960 Pray that God would bring down an evil regime. 00:19:14.140 --> 00:19:21.220 The suffering church needs us to pray prayers like this with them and for them. 00:19:21.220 --> 00:19:26.339 But Nehemiah helps us to be realistic that the Christian life is spiritual battle, 00:19:26.500 --> 00:19:29.519 therefore prayer is vital. 00:19:29.519 --> 00:19:35.859 I remember from church history lessons of Martin Luther, 00:19:36.859 --> 00:19:38.859 who began the Reformation, 00:19:39.519 --> 00:19:43.420 when he felt the weight of opposition and the weight of responsibility, 00:19:43.980 --> 00:19:45.900 the challenges facing him would often say, 00:19:45.980 --> 00:19:47.859 friends, to the 124th. 00:19:48.480 --> 00:19:50.599 And he was talking about the 124th Psalm, 00:19:50.660 --> 00:19:55.299 and he translated that Psalm personally with the opening line, 00:19:55.299 --> 00:19:57.740 were God not with us at this time, 00:19:58.240 --> 00:20:00.259 we would surely be defeated. 00:20:02.079 --> 00:20:05.879 The church needs prayer to strengthen faith. 00:20:06.299 --> 00:20:07.779 So we are called to pray. 00:20:08.200 --> 00:20:11.700 We're also called to prepare prudently. 00:20:12.259 --> 00:20:15.639 That's there in chapter 4, really from verse 9 onwards. 00:20:16.259 --> 00:20:19.680 And remember we're seeing two things in the story of Nehemiah. 00:20:19.680 --> 00:20:24.100 Nehemiah rebuilding is both God's at work for his people 00:20:24.100 --> 00:20:27.380 and God's people are doing what they can for his kingdom. 00:20:28.360 --> 00:20:30.779 So Nehemiah's wisdom helps us to avoid, 00:20:31.320 --> 00:20:33.120 well, I'm just going to let go and let God. 00:20:33.920 --> 00:20:35.700 You know, I'm just going to be passive and sit back. 00:20:36.279 --> 00:20:37.840 But it also helps us to avoid, 00:20:38.160 --> 00:20:40.039 well, let's just crack on with the work 00:20:40.039 --> 00:20:42.200 and let's, you know, just forget about God. 00:20:42.460 --> 00:20:45.799 We pray and we work, 00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:47.360 we trust God, 00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:49.440 and we do what we can. 00:20:50.420 --> 00:20:54.180 Some of the examples of the prudent preparation of Nehemiah, 00:20:54.259 --> 00:20:56.100 you can see in verse 9 of chapter 4, 00:20:56.660 --> 00:20:59.620 we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night. 00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:00.820 So there's 24-hour guards. 00:21:01.039 --> 00:21:01.840 They're not daft. 00:21:02.200 --> 00:21:03.700 They know there are enemies around them. 00:21:04.360 --> 00:21:05.220 Verse 13, 00:21:05.880 --> 00:21:07.860 when the people are beginning to get discouraged, 00:21:08.299 --> 00:21:09.580 I stationed some of the people 00:21:09.580 --> 00:21:11.100 behind the lowest points of the wall 00:21:11.100 --> 00:21:12.240 at the exposed places, 00:21:12.360 --> 00:21:14.720 posting them by families with swords, spears, and bows. 00:21:14.720 --> 00:21:16.060 So they're stationing, 00:21:16.100 --> 00:21:17.779 he's stationing families at key points 00:21:17.779 --> 00:21:19.559 and they've got the right weapons. 00:21:20.359 --> 00:21:21.200 Verse 16, 00:21:21.579 --> 00:21:22.779 there's this lovely picture, isn't there? 00:21:22.819 --> 00:21:23.539 From that day on, 00:21:23.619 --> 00:21:24.859 half my men did the work, 00:21:25.299 --> 00:21:26.480 while the other half were equipped 00:21:26.480 --> 00:21:29.139 with spears, shields, bows, and arrows. 00:21:29.319 --> 00:21:32.039 So there is people who are ready for building 00:21:32.039 --> 00:21:33.539 and they're ready for battle, 00:21:33.599 --> 00:21:35.440 and they're going to do both at the same time. 00:21:35.779 --> 00:21:36.579 Verse 23, 00:21:37.279 --> 00:21:39.480 neither I nor my brothers nor my men 00:21:39.480 --> 00:21:40.440 nor the guards with me 00:21:40.440 --> 00:21:41.440 took off our clothes, 00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:42.299 each had his weapon, 00:21:42.299 --> 00:21:44.019 even when we went for water. 00:21:44.519 --> 00:21:45.519 Constant vigilance, 00:21:45.680 --> 00:21:46.539 constant readiness, 00:21:46.680 --> 00:21:48.639 because this is spiritual battle. 00:21:49.839 --> 00:21:51.639 Nehemiah is called to a great cause, 00:21:52.919 --> 00:21:53.899 rebuilding the city 00:21:53.899 --> 00:21:55.639 that represents the presence of God, 00:21:55.740 --> 00:21:56.599 the glory of God, 00:21:56.680 --> 00:21:57.519 the worship of God, 00:21:57.599 --> 00:22:00.279 and he shows careful commitment 00:22:00.279 --> 00:22:01.399 and planning 00:22:01.399 --> 00:22:03.379 so he's not going to be caught off guard. 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.680 And that says to us, 00:22:05.680 --> 00:22:07.639 remember we are always called to pray, 00:22:08.460 --> 00:22:10.159 to pray for the work of God's church, 00:22:10.160 --> 00:22:12.080 and to be prepared, 00:22:12.180 --> 00:22:14.140 to be prepared for the reality of opposition, 00:22:15.019 --> 00:22:16.420 and to be prepared 00:22:16.420 --> 00:22:17.620 because we have a concern 00:22:17.620 --> 00:22:19.300 for God's kingdom 00:22:19.300 --> 00:22:22.120 and for God's glory in this world. 00:22:23.200 --> 00:22:24.500 And then the last tactic, 00:22:25.040 --> 00:22:25.980 responding to opposition, 00:22:26.120 --> 00:22:27.320 is simply to press on. 00:22:28.360 --> 00:22:30.160 And don't we see that in Nehemiah's story? 00:22:31.640 --> 00:22:32.820 Nehemiah is one of those leaders, 00:22:32.920 --> 00:22:33.060 you know, 00:22:33.300 --> 00:22:35.380 there are leaders who give wonderful speeches 00:22:35.380 --> 00:22:36.300 from time to time 00:22:36.300 --> 00:22:38.240 that really stiffen the spines of their people. 00:22:38.400 --> 00:22:39.600 Churchill was one of those leaders, 00:22:39.599 --> 00:22:39.980 I think, 00:22:40.019 --> 00:22:40.659 in wartime. 00:22:41.099 --> 00:22:42.719 We will fight them on the beaches. 00:22:43.339 --> 00:22:45.319 If you've ever read or heard that speech, 00:22:45.659 --> 00:22:46.899 we will never surrender. 00:22:47.659 --> 00:22:49.000 Nehemiah has one of those speeches. 00:22:49.299 --> 00:22:50.819 Look at chapter 4, verse 14. 00:22:51.199 --> 00:22:52.519 Don't be afraid of them. 00:22:52.980 --> 00:22:55.019 Remember the Lord who's great and awesome 00:22:55.019 --> 00:22:56.119 and fight for your families. 00:22:56.219 --> 00:22:56.899 Don't fear men, 00:22:56.980 --> 00:22:57.740 but fear God. 00:22:58.240 --> 00:22:59.859 Remember His covenant commitment. 00:23:00.079 --> 00:23:01.859 Remember He is great and awesome. 00:23:02.419 --> 00:23:02.959 Trust Him. 00:23:03.039 --> 00:23:03.759 His project, 00:23:03.879 --> 00:23:04.459 His promise, 00:23:04.619 --> 00:23:05.299 His power 00:23:05.299 --> 00:23:07.579 all belong to us. 00:23:07.579 --> 00:23:08.819 So we fight. 00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:10.919 There are also, 00:23:11.059 --> 00:23:11.240 I think, 00:23:11.279 --> 00:23:12.299 examples of leaders 00:23:12.299 --> 00:23:14.279 whose bold action 00:23:14.279 --> 00:23:16.000 restores hope 00:23:16.000 --> 00:23:17.220 in the hearts 00:23:17.220 --> 00:23:18.559 of their followers. 00:23:19.359 --> 00:23:20.199 And thinking about this 00:23:20.199 --> 00:23:21.059 made me think of 00:23:21.059 --> 00:23:21.740 Tolkien's 00:23:21.740 --> 00:23:22.519 Lord of the Rings. 00:23:23.359 --> 00:23:25.279 If you've seen the movies, 00:23:25.579 --> 00:23:26.980 it really brings out vividly 00:23:26.980 --> 00:23:28.799 the Battle of Pelennor Fields. 00:23:29.259 --> 00:23:30.639 The men of Gondor 00:23:30.639 --> 00:23:32.000 are under attack 00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:33.480 and the tide is beginning 00:23:33.480 --> 00:23:34.579 to go against them. 00:23:34.720 --> 00:23:36.000 And then at the crucial moment, 00:23:36.099 --> 00:23:37.380 you have King Theoden 00:23:37.380 --> 00:23:39.319 and the riders of Rohan. 00:23:39.359 --> 00:23:40.400 And then you have Aragorn 00:23:40.400 --> 00:23:41.799 coming over the hill, 00:23:42.279 --> 00:23:44.380 riding in to rescue the men 00:23:44.380 --> 00:23:45.500 at just the right time. 00:23:45.660 --> 00:23:46.539 And instantly, 00:23:46.779 --> 00:23:47.380 the mood 00:23:47.380 --> 00:23:48.119 and the battle 00:23:48.119 --> 00:23:48.980 changes. 00:23:51.420 --> 00:23:51.900 Nehemiah 00:23:51.900 --> 00:23:53.480 is an inspirational 00:23:53.480 --> 00:23:54.559 servant leader. 00:23:54.559 --> 00:23:58.960 When everybody 00:23:58.960 --> 00:24:00.359 seems to have him 00:24:00.359 --> 00:24:01.259 in their sights, 00:24:01.339 --> 00:24:01.819 for example, 00:24:01.980 --> 00:24:02.619 chapter 6, 00:24:02.679 --> 00:24:03.240 verse 3, 00:24:03.639 --> 00:24:05.059 the scheming of his enemies, 00:24:06.079 --> 00:24:07.500 listen to his words. 00:24:07.759 --> 00:24:09.299 I am carrying on 00:24:09.299 --> 00:24:10.720 a great project 00:24:10.720 --> 00:24:13.119 and I cannot go down. 00:24:13.980 --> 00:24:15.159 Or verse 9 00:24:15.159 --> 00:24:16.359 of chapter 6, 00:24:17.359 --> 00:24:18.139 when they were trying 00:24:18.139 --> 00:24:18.879 to frighten us, 00:24:18.940 --> 00:24:19.679 thinking their hands 00:24:19.679 --> 00:24:20.519 will get too weak 00:24:20.519 --> 00:24:21.259 for the work. 00:24:22.440 --> 00:24:23.159 Nehemiah prays, 00:24:23.160 --> 00:24:24.640 now strengthen my hands, 00:24:25.340 --> 00:24:26.140 a servant leader 00:24:26.140 --> 00:24:26.779 who's going to lead 00:24:26.779 --> 00:24:27.500 by example. 00:24:28.720 --> 00:24:29.940 He's not distracted. 00:24:30.340 --> 00:24:31.019 He's right there 00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:31.640 with his people 00:24:31.640 --> 00:24:32.660 and he's setting 00:24:32.660 --> 00:24:33.800 the example of, 00:24:34.120 --> 00:24:34.940 here's what it looks like 00:24:34.940 --> 00:24:35.700 to have a concern 00:24:35.700 --> 00:24:36.320 for the peace 00:24:36.320 --> 00:24:37.000 and prosperity 00:24:37.000 --> 00:24:38.500 of Zion, 00:24:38.900 --> 00:24:40.600 of God's kingdom. 00:24:41.560 --> 00:24:41.980 Now that was 00:24:41.980 --> 00:24:44.140 the 5th century Jerusalem. 00:24:45.440 --> 00:24:46.519 We're really far away 00:24:46.519 --> 00:24:46.900 from that. 00:24:47.340 --> 00:24:48.840 We're in 21st century Edinburgh. 00:24:49.400 --> 00:24:50.680 How can Nehemiah 00:24:50.680 --> 00:24:52.840 help us today? 00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:54.600 Well, think about 00:24:54.600 --> 00:24:55.380 our context. 00:24:55.480 --> 00:24:55.960 If you're here 00:24:55.960 --> 00:24:57.040 and you live in Scotland, 00:24:57.600 --> 00:24:58.960 you'll probably be aware 00:24:58.960 --> 00:24:59.840 that maybe 00:24:59.840 --> 00:25:01.720 somewhere between 00:25:01.720 --> 00:25:03.360 2 to 4% 00:25:03.360 --> 00:25:04.360 of the population 00:25:04.360 --> 00:25:04.940 are Christian. 00:25:05.779 --> 00:25:06.240 That means 00:25:06.240 --> 00:25:08.660 96 to 98% 00:25:08.660 --> 00:25:09.400 of the population 00:25:09.400 --> 00:25:10.220 are not. 00:25:11.500 --> 00:25:12.700 We absolutely 00:25:12.700 --> 00:25:14.400 live in the margins 00:25:14.400 --> 00:25:16.660 in terms of power 00:25:16.660 --> 00:25:17.080 and, 00:25:17.320 --> 00:25:17.880 it didn't used 00:25:17.880 --> 00:25:18.920 to always be that way, 00:25:19.600 --> 00:25:20.300 but absolutely 00:25:20.300 --> 00:25:21.440 it now is. 00:25:21.440 --> 00:25:21.980 The church 00:25:21.980 --> 00:25:23.059 is on the margins. 00:25:24.220 --> 00:25:24.940 When we get 00:25:24.940 --> 00:25:26.080 to the personal level, 00:25:26.279 --> 00:25:27.220 you and I 00:25:27.220 --> 00:25:28.140 will absolutely 00:25:28.140 --> 00:25:29.360 experience what it is 00:25:29.360 --> 00:25:30.180 to be isolated 00:25:30.180 --> 00:25:30.880 as a Christian 00:25:30.880 --> 00:25:32.539 in our community, 00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:34.220 in our classroom, 00:25:34.880 --> 00:25:35.380 maybe even 00:25:35.380 --> 00:25:36.100 in our own home. 00:25:36.099 --> 00:25:39.659 we follow a faith 00:25:39.659 --> 00:25:40.500 that is often 00:25:40.500 --> 00:25:41.319 opposed. 00:25:42.679 --> 00:25:43.159 Sometimes, 00:25:43.439 --> 00:25:43.679 you know, 00:25:43.699 --> 00:25:44.279 Christian faith 00:25:44.279 --> 00:25:45.119 is seen as not 00:25:45.119 --> 00:25:45.879 being reasonable. 00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:47.119 Other times, 00:25:47.179 --> 00:25:47.899 it's seen as not 00:25:47.899 --> 00:25:49.099 being relevant. 00:25:49.500 --> 00:25:50.039 Other times, 00:25:50.039 --> 00:25:50.839 it's seen as being 00:25:50.839 --> 00:25:51.919 intolerant. 00:25:51.920 --> 00:25:54.460 we are locked 00:25:54.460 --> 00:25:55.900 in spiritual 00:25:55.900 --> 00:25:56.800 battle. 00:25:59.360 --> 00:26:00.120 And we look 00:26:00.120 --> 00:26:00.840 at ourselves 00:26:00.840 --> 00:26:02.180 and it's really 00:26:02.180 --> 00:26:02.600 easy, 00:26:02.660 --> 00:26:02.920 I think, 00:26:02.960 --> 00:26:03.460 to see our own 00:26:03.460 --> 00:26:04.240 personal weakness, 00:26:04.860 --> 00:26:06.080 to feel our 00:26:06.080 --> 00:26:07.000 shared weakness. 00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:09.500 But for God's 00:26:09.500 --> 00:26:09.980 kingdom 00:26:09.980 --> 00:26:12.140 and for God's 00:26:12.140 --> 00:26:12.640 glory, 00:26:12.880 --> 00:26:14.259 we must not 00:26:14.259 --> 00:26:15.000 give up. 00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:16.539 Rather, 00:26:16.660 --> 00:26:17.140 we must do 00:26:17.140 --> 00:26:17.920 what Nehemiah 00:26:17.920 --> 00:26:18.400 and the people 00:26:18.400 --> 00:26:19.000 in his day did. 00:26:19.000 --> 00:26:20.140 We must pray 00:26:20.140 --> 00:26:21.579 always. 00:26:23.599 --> 00:26:24.460 Pray for the 00:26:24.460 --> 00:26:25.299 glory of God. 00:26:26.339 --> 00:26:26.960 Pray for his 00:26:26.960 --> 00:26:27.819 kingdom and for 00:26:27.819 --> 00:26:28.500 his will 00:26:28.500 --> 00:26:29.579 in our life, 00:26:29.640 --> 00:26:30.240 in our community, 00:26:30.319 --> 00:26:31.119 and in our nation. 00:26:31.900 --> 00:26:32.519 Pray for his 00:26:32.519 --> 00:26:33.259 help and his 00:26:33.259 --> 00:26:34.180 strength to live 00:26:34.180 --> 00:26:34.960 for his glory. 00:26:35.559 --> 00:26:36.559 Pray for wisdom 00:26:36.559 --> 00:26:37.359 and for our 00:26:37.359 --> 00:26:37.839 witnessing. 00:26:38.319 --> 00:26:38.740 Pray that he 00:26:38.740 --> 00:26:39.480 would rebuild 00:26:39.480 --> 00:26:40.059 and he would 00:26:40.059 --> 00:26:40.759 revive and he 00:26:40.759 --> 00:26:41.319 would start 00:26:41.319 --> 00:26:42.019 with us. 00:26:42.920 --> 00:26:43.500 Pray for the 00:26:43.500 --> 00:26:44.160 work of this 00:26:44.160 --> 00:26:44.859 church and for 00:26:44.859 --> 00:26:45.759 gospel churches 00:26:45.759 --> 00:26:46.279 in Edinburgh 00:26:46.279 --> 00:26:46.779 and Scotland. 00:26:47.019 --> 00:26:47.599 Pray for your 00:26:47.599 --> 00:26:48.140 brothers and 00:26:48.140 --> 00:26:48.599 sisters. 00:26:48.599 --> 00:26:50.659 Pray for the 00:26:50.659 --> 00:26:51.179 south side 00:26:51.179 --> 00:26:51.899 community in 00:26:51.899 --> 00:26:52.259 which we're 00:26:52.259 --> 00:26:52.639 a part. 00:26:53.839 --> 00:26:54.259 We need to 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:55.259 pray always. 00:26:56.480 --> 00:26:57.240 Pray together. 00:26:58.699 --> 00:26:59.599 We also need 00:26:59.599 --> 00:27:00.219 to prepare. 00:27:01.679 --> 00:27:01.959 If you have 00:27:01.959 --> 00:27:02.339 time, 00:27:02.759 --> 00:27:03.159 at some point 00:27:03.159 --> 00:27:03.459 today, 00:27:03.539 --> 00:27:04.000 perhaps you 00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:04.459 can remind 00:27:04.459 --> 00:27:04.959 yourself of 00:27:04.959 --> 00:27:05.799 Ephesians 6 00:27:05.799 --> 00:27:06.079 and the 00:27:06.079 --> 00:27:06.539 armor of 00:27:06.539 --> 00:27:06.980 God. 00:27:08.659 --> 00:27:09.259 And why 00:27:09.259 --> 00:27:09.719 does Paul 00:27:09.719 --> 00:27:10.339 talk about, 00:27:10.419 --> 00:27:10.699 use the 00:27:10.699 --> 00:27:11.119 image of 00:27:11.119 --> 00:27:11.459 the armor 00:27:11.459 --> 00:27:11.879 of God? 00:27:11.939 --> 00:27:12.279 He says, 00:27:12.359 --> 00:27:13.119 because our 00:27:13.119 --> 00:27:13.619 opposition, 00:27:13.799 --> 00:27:14.000 it's not 00:27:14.000 --> 00:27:14.480 flesh and 00:27:14.480 --> 00:27:14.839 blood, 00:27:15.759 --> 00:27:16.519 it's spiritual. 00:27:17.179 --> 00:27:17.579 It's the 00:27:17.579 --> 00:27:18.199 forces of 00:27:18.199 --> 00:27:18.619 darkness. 00:27:19.259 --> 00:27:19.579 Therefore, 00:27:19.699 --> 00:27:20.119 we need to 00:27:20.119 --> 00:27:20.819 be strong in 00:27:20.819 --> 00:27:21.339 the Lord and 00:27:21.339 --> 00:27:21.980 His mighty 00:27:21.980 --> 00:27:22.299 power. 00:27:22.619 --> 00:27:22.980 We need to 00:27:22.980 --> 00:27:23.679 be serious 00:27:23.679 --> 00:27:24.220 about our 00:27:24.220 --> 00:27:24.460 faith, 00:27:24.539 --> 00:27:25.179 to be seriously 00:27:25.179 --> 00:27:26.460 in God's 00:27:26.460 --> 00:27:27.500 word in order 00:27:27.500 --> 00:27:28.039 to face 00:27:28.039 --> 00:27:28.579 opposition. 00:27:29.500 --> 00:27:29.980 Or think 00:27:29.980 --> 00:27:30.699 about 1 Peter 00:27:30.699 --> 00:27:31.139 3. 00:27:32.139 --> 00:27:32.720 Peter was 00:27:32.720 --> 00:27:33.139 writing at a 00:27:33.139 --> 00:27:33.519 time when the 00:27:33.519 --> 00:27:34.279 church was just 00:27:34.279 --> 00:27:35.039 beginning to 00:27:35.039 --> 00:27:36.279 feel the first 00:27:36.279 --> 00:27:37.059 strains of 00:27:37.059 --> 00:27:37.579 opposition, 00:27:38.919 --> 00:27:39.519 and he 00:27:39.519 --> 00:27:40.119 cautioned the 00:27:40.119 --> 00:27:40.559 church then, 00:27:40.740 --> 00:27:41.659 in your hearts, 00:27:41.799 --> 00:27:42.960 revere Christ as 00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:43.220 Lord. 00:27:43.299 --> 00:27:43.819 Don't live with 00:27:43.819 --> 00:27:44.379 fear of man, 00:27:44.519 --> 00:27:45.519 revere Christ as 00:27:45.519 --> 00:27:46.639 Lord, and 00:27:46.639 --> 00:27:48.500 then always be 00:27:48.500 --> 00:27:50.579 prepared to 00:27:50.579 --> 00:27:51.119 give a reason 00:27:51.119 --> 00:27:51.619 for the hope 00:27:51.619 --> 00:27:52.200 that you have. 00:27:52.920 --> 00:27:53.440 How do we 00:27:53.440 --> 00:27:54.220 prepare to give 00:27:54.220 --> 00:27:54.819 a reason for 00:27:54.819 --> 00:27:55.079 hope? 00:27:55.279 --> 00:27:56.460 We dwell on 00:27:56.460 --> 00:27:56.839 our hope, 00:27:56.940 --> 00:27:57.799 we think about 00:27:57.799 --> 00:27:58.420 the gospel, 00:27:58.680 --> 00:27:59.579 we spend time 00:27:59.579 --> 00:28:00.339 in worship to 00:28:00.339 --> 00:28:01.259 strengthen our 00:28:01.259 --> 00:28:02.879 hearts, and we 00:28:02.879 --> 00:28:03.579 press on, 00:28:03.759 --> 00:28:04.180 thirdly. 00:28:04.920 --> 00:28:05.839 We press on 00:28:05.839 --> 00:28:06.400 with our eyes 00:28:06.400 --> 00:28:07.019 fixed on 00:28:07.019 --> 00:28:10.279 Jesus, our 00:28:10.279 --> 00:28:11.059 eyes fixed on 00:28:11.059 --> 00:28:11.660 our eternal 00:28:11.660 --> 00:28:13.639 reward, our 00:28:13.639 --> 00:28:14.319 eyes fixed on 00:28:14.319 --> 00:28:15.399 the one who 00:28:15.399 --> 00:28:16.759 says, I 00:28:16.759 --> 00:28:17.339 will build 00:28:17.339 --> 00:28:18.379 my church, and 00:28:18.379 --> 00:28:19.019 the powers of 00:28:19.019 --> 00:28:19.619 darkness will 00:28:19.619 --> 00:28:20.579 not win in 00:28:20.579 --> 00:28:21.179 the end. 00:28:22.159 --> 00:28:22.960 We set our 00:28:22.960 --> 00:28:23.879 hearts towards 00:28:23.879 --> 00:28:24.519 giving him 00:28:24.519 --> 00:28:26.179 glory, giving 00:28:26.179 --> 00:28:26.899 glory to our 00:28:26.899 --> 00:28:27.359 great and 00:28:27.359 --> 00:28:28.819 awesome God 00:28:28.819 --> 00:28:29.799 and Savior. 00:28:32.119 --> 00:28:32.519 And then, 00:28:32.639 --> 00:28:33.480 thirdly and 00:28:33.480 --> 00:28:34.179 briefly, how 00:28:34.179 --> 00:28:35.220 can we face 00:28:35.220 --> 00:28:35.740 opposition? 00:28:36.919 --> 00:28:37.399 Think about 00:28:37.399 --> 00:28:38.679 words of 00:28:38.679 --> 00:28:39.500 Bonhoeffer, 00:28:40.519 --> 00:28:41.319 Dietrich Bonhoeffer, 00:28:41.339 --> 00:28:42.039 who was a 00:28:42.039 --> 00:28:42.579 Christian who 00:28:42.579 --> 00:28:43.200 was killed by 00:28:43.200 --> 00:28:44.139 the Nazis and 00:28:44.140 --> 00:28:44.720 World War II. 00:28:44.820 --> 00:28:45.300 He understood 00:28:45.300 --> 00:28:45.980 what it was to 00:28:45.980 --> 00:28:46.600 be opposed. 00:28:47.220 --> 00:28:47.920 And he said 00:28:47.920 --> 00:28:48.580 famously, when 00:28:48.580 --> 00:28:49.259 Jesus bids 00:28:49.259 --> 00:28:50.520 someone come 00:28:50.520 --> 00:28:52.240 follow me, he 00:28:52.240 --> 00:28:53.120 bids them come 00:28:53.120 --> 00:28:53.800 and die. 00:28:55.220 --> 00:28:55.680 It's back to 00:28:55.680 --> 00:28:56.060 what Jesus 00:28:56.060 --> 00:28:56.580 said, if they 00:28:56.580 --> 00:28:57.200 hated me, they 00:28:57.200 --> 00:28:57.759 will hate you 00:28:57.759 --> 00:28:58.040 too. 00:28:58.940 --> 00:28:59.400 Now, if you're 00:28:59.400 --> 00:29:00.020 here today and 00:29:00.020 --> 00:29:00.500 you're not a 00:29:00.500 --> 00:29:02.580 Christian, this is 00:29:02.580 --> 00:29:03.720 obviously not a 00:29:03.720 --> 00:29:04.940 great sales pitch 00:29:04.940 --> 00:29:05.520 for the Christian 00:29:05.520 --> 00:29:05.880 faith. 00:29:07.880 --> 00:29:08.759 Why don't we 00:29:08.759 --> 00:29:09.600 just hide this in 00:29:09.600 --> 00:29:10.280 the small print? 00:29:11.100 --> 00:29:11.720 Can I emphasize 00:29:11.720 --> 00:29:12.259 all the good 00:29:12.259 --> 00:29:12.500 stuff? 00:29:13.900 --> 00:29:14.519 Because this is 00:29:14.519 --> 00:29:14.960 what Jesus 00:29:14.960 --> 00:29:16.579 teaches, really 00:29:16.579 --> 00:29:17.160 loudly and 00:29:17.160 --> 00:29:17.720 clearly and 00:29:17.720 --> 00:29:18.100 honestly. 00:29:18.559 --> 00:29:19.279 It is the 00:29:19.279 --> 00:29:20.059 reality of 00:29:20.059 --> 00:29:20.799 following Jesus. 00:29:20.980 --> 00:29:21.240 There is 00:29:21.240 --> 00:29:22.120 opposition and 00:29:22.120 --> 00:29:22.720 trial and 00:29:22.720 --> 00:29:23.019 trouble. 00:29:24.019 --> 00:29:24.720 But we can 00:29:24.720 --> 00:29:26.759 say that and 00:29:26.759 --> 00:29:27.460 still we can 00:29:27.460 --> 00:29:28.059 proclaim good 00:29:28.059 --> 00:29:28.559 news because 00:29:28.559 --> 00:29:29.500 despite that, we 00:29:29.500 --> 00:29:30.339 know that Jesus 00:29:30.339 --> 00:29:32.640 is so good, he 00:29:32.640 --> 00:29:34.940 is so powerful, he 00:29:34.940 --> 00:29:36.500 is so loving, his 00:29:36.500 --> 00:29:37.839 saving work is so 00:29:37.839 --> 00:29:39.360 complete that he 00:29:39.360 --> 00:29:40.600 still has power to 00:29:40.599 --> 00:29:41.539 capture our hearts 00:29:41.539 --> 00:29:42.139 and make us 00:29:42.139 --> 00:29:42.919 willing even 00:29:42.919 --> 00:29:44.740 knowing opposition 00:29:44.740 --> 00:29:45.339 might come. 00:29:47.359 --> 00:29:48.000 And so Jesus 00:29:48.000 --> 00:29:49.059 says, trust and 00:29:49.059 --> 00:29:49.679 follow me. 00:29:51.359 --> 00:29:52.139 Even though it 00:29:52.139 --> 00:29:52.539 will bring 00:29:52.539 --> 00:29:54.039 opposition, maybe 00:29:54.039 --> 00:29:54.619 rejection. 00:29:55.959 --> 00:29:56.439 Why? 00:29:57.579 --> 00:29:58.539 Why count the 00:29:58.539 --> 00:29:58.799 cost? 00:29:58.839 --> 00:29:59.359 Why count the 00:29:59.359 --> 00:30:00.000 cost today? 00:30:01.740 --> 00:30:02.539 Because the one 00:30:02.539 --> 00:30:03.259 who calls you is 00:30:03.259 --> 00:30:04.019 none less than the 00:30:04.019 --> 00:30:04.659 Son of God. 00:30:05.599 --> 00:30:06.839 He is worthy of 00:30:06.839 --> 00:30:07.299 your worship. 00:30:08.719 --> 00:30:09.539 He is the 00:30:09.539 --> 00:30:09.939 Savior. 00:30:10.599 --> 00:30:11.359 who paid the 00:30:11.359 --> 00:30:12.079 ultimate price, 00:30:12.179 --> 00:30:12.740 dying in your 00:30:12.740 --> 00:30:14.179 place to forgive 00:30:14.179 --> 00:30:15.759 your sin, to 00:30:15.759 --> 00:30:16.539 give you eternal 00:30:16.539 --> 00:30:17.539 life, to bring you 00:30:17.539 --> 00:30:18.559 into the love of 00:30:18.559 --> 00:30:18.899 God. 00:30:20.679 --> 00:30:21.719 Trust him because he 00:30:21.719 --> 00:30:22.339 is the one who's 00:30:22.339 --> 00:30:23.259 come to call us 00:30:23.259 --> 00:30:24.619 into the great 00:30:24.619 --> 00:30:26.619 project that you 00:30:26.619 --> 00:30:27.419 and I were made 00:30:27.419 --> 00:30:28.819 for, to know 00:30:28.819 --> 00:30:30.039 him, to enjoy 00:30:30.039 --> 00:30:31.419 him, and to live 00:30:31.419 --> 00:30:31.839 for him. 00:30:33.399 --> 00:30:34.719 And so this call 00:30:34.719 --> 00:30:35.639 to faith is the 00:30:35.639 --> 00:30:36.639 same as the call 00:30:36.639 --> 00:30:37.919 that Nehemiah 00:30:37.920 --> 00:30:39.600 gave back in 00:30:39.600 --> 00:30:40.640 chapter 4, verse 00:30:40.640 --> 00:30:41.279 14. 00:30:41.700 --> 00:30:42.960 Remember the 00:30:42.960 --> 00:30:43.740 Lord who is 00:30:43.740 --> 00:30:44.460 great and 00:30:44.460 --> 00:30:44.860 awesome. 00:30:44.960 --> 00:30:45.840 It's because Jesus 00:30:45.840 --> 00:30:47.080 is great and 00:30:47.080 --> 00:30:47.440 awesome. 00:30:47.539 --> 00:30:48.100 The cross and 00:30:48.100 --> 00:30:49.279 resurrection shows 00:30:49.279 --> 00:30:50.200 it to us. 00:30:51.480 --> 00:30:52.180 He's great and 00:30:52.180 --> 00:30:52.940 awesome in that he 00:30:52.940 --> 00:30:53.820 loved us and gave 00:30:53.820 --> 00:30:54.779 himself for us. 00:30:55.740 --> 00:30:56.860 He rose again so 00:30:56.860 --> 00:30:57.860 that eternal life and 00:30:57.860 --> 00:30:58.539 glory would be 00:30:58.539 --> 00:30:58.840 ours. 00:30:58.960 --> 00:30:59.840 Come to him. 00:31:01.400 --> 00:31:02.279 And for those of us 00:31:02.279 --> 00:31:02.840 who are Christians, 00:31:02.960 --> 00:31:03.840 why keep on going? 00:31:03.839 --> 00:31:07.199 You've tried sharing 00:31:07.199 --> 00:31:08.119 with your family and 00:31:08.119 --> 00:31:08.679 you've been shut 00:31:08.679 --> 00:31:08.939 down. 00:31:09.019 --> 00:31:09.699 Why keep going? 00:31:11.500 --> 00:31:12.539 You've talked with a 00:31:12.539 --> 00:31:13.819 friend about Jesus and 00:31:13.819 --> 00:31:14.480 you've been met with 00:31:14.480 --> 00:31:16.099 apathy and awkwardness. 00:31:16.740 --> 00:31:17.659 Why would you do it 00:31:17.659 --> 00:31:17.959 again? 00:31:19.959 --> 00:31:21.339 Your workplace is your 00:31:21.339 --> 00:31:22.459 spiritual war zone. 00:31:22.799 --> 00:31:23.639 The values that you 00:31:23.639 --> 00:31:24.419 face are totally 00:31:24.419 --> 00:31:24.839 different. 00:31:25.000 --> 00:31:25.859 Mockery, opposition 00:31:25.859 --> 00:31:26.679 is your norm. 00:31:26.939 --> 00:31:27.980 Why persevere? 00:31:30.099 --> 00:31:31.459 You know the value of 00:31:31.459 --> 00:31:32.099 the church and you 00:31:32.099 --> 00:31:33.019 love to come and you 00:31:33.019 --> 00:31:33.699 invite others. 00:31:33.839 --> 00:31:35.059 But they seem so 00:31:35.059 --> 00:31:35.980 disinterested. 00:31:38.500 --> 00:31:39.879 Why keep going? 00:31:41.899 --> 00:31:43.720 Let's let Nehemiah give 00:31:43.720 --> 00:31:44.699 us two encouragements 00:31:44.699 --> 00:31:45.259 this morning. 00:31:45.779 --> 00:31:47.039 First, we must keep 00:31:47.039 --> 00:31:47.959 going because the 00:31:47.959 --> 00:31:49.779 world needs the 00:31:49.779 --> 00:31:50.199 church. 00:31:52.699 --> 00:31:53.959 Our denomination, the 00:31:53.959 --> 00:31:55.199 free church, has that 00:31:55.199 --> 00:31:56.059 vision of a healthy 00:31:56.059 --> 00:31:57.339 gospel church for every 00:31:57.339 --> 00:31:58.379 community in Scotland. 00:31:58.879 --> 00:31:59.899 The world, Scotland, 00:32:00.039 --> 00:32:00.759 needs the church. 00:32:01.119 --> 00:32:02.179 Nehemiah cared about 00:32:02.179 --> 00:32:02.819 Jerusalem not just 00:32:02.819 --> 00:32:03.559 because it was a city, 00:32:03.559 --> 00:32:04.839 because it was a city, 00:32:05.259 --> 00:32:06.399 the city of God. 00:32:07.200 --> 00:32:07.960 The place of God's 00:32:07.960 --> 00:32:09.319 presence and glory and 00:32:09.319 --> 00:32:10.659 worship and others would 00:32:10.659 --> 00:32:12.119 be drawn to the light to 00:32:12.119 --> 00:32:12.919 see the beauty and 00:32:12.919 --> 00:32:13.819 goodness of God. 00:32:14.940 --> 00:32:17.379 So, we keep going for the 00:32:17.379 --> 00:32:19.220 glory of our God because 00:32:19.220 --> 00:32:20.659 people in darkness need 00:32:20.659 --> 00:32:22.339 Jesus, God's great light. 00:32:22.899 --> 00:32:24.079 And because he's called us 00:32:24.079 --> 00:32:25.079 to be the light of the 00:32:25.079 --> 00:32:26.000 world to make his love 00:32:26.000 --> 00:32:26.319 known. 00:32:26.319 --> 00:32:27.939 So, we keep going because 00:32:27.939 --> 00:32:28.720 the world needs the 00:32:28.720 --> 00:32:30.519 church and we keep going 00:32:30.519 --> 00:32:32.579 because Jesus is king and 00:32:32.579 --> 00:32:33.740 head of his church building 00:32:33.740 --> 00:32:34.240 project. 00:32:36.179 --> 00:32:37.460 And he's still working. 00:32:37.579 --> 00:32:38.419 He's pleased to work in 00:32:38.419 --> 00:32:39.019 people like us. 00:32:39.079 --> 00:32:40.460 So, let's let his covenant 00:32:40.460 --> 00:32:42.539 love and his sacrificial 00:32:42.539 --> 00:32:44.539 service and his prayerful 00:32:44.539 --> 00:32:46.359 commitment and his powerful 00:32:46.359 --> 00:32:48.579 presence help you and me to 00:32:48.579 --> 00:32:51.779 live by faith, to seek the 00:32:51.779 --> 00:32:54.439 glory of Jesus, the one who 00:32:54.440 --> 00:32:55.880 willingly faced opposition to 00:32:55.880 --> 00:32:56.420 save us. 00:32:57.200 --> 00:32:58.220 Let's pray together.