STANDING AGAINST THE ENEMY

Text: Nehemiah 1-6 (narrative)

In watching the news unfold in Washington around the confirmation of John Ashcroft I was reminded of the story of the rebuilding of the wall in Jerusalem by Nehemiah. When I reread the account in the book of Nehemiah I was astounded at the similarities. I would like to share with you what God revealed to me.

Make no mistake about it. There is a battle going on in our country over who is going to be in control. Althought the media does not use the word "liberal" there is a large portion of those that govern and would govern us that are best described as liberal, not moderates as the news media paints them. Then there are those who would restore this nation of ours to the values that made it great, that would strengthen our families and stand against abortion. The news media calls these folks "right-wing conservatives" or "fundamentalist Christians" or less flattering terms to demean those who cling to the Judeo/Christian values upon which our nation is founded.

I believe that the attack is, in its essence, leveled against the family. All of the issues at stake are issues that will either strengthen or weaken the family--- morality, integrity, abortion, the homosexual agenda, tax cuts (including helping married couples who file jointly instead of penalizing them). All of these issues are embodied in the story of Nehemiah who models for us what we should do in the face of the enemy.

I. PRAY-- Nehemiah 1

II. BE BOLD (2:1-9)

Nehemiah literally put his life on the line by approaching him with a sad countenance and requesting his aid in rebuilding the wall.

The enemy has had us running so scared for so long that "bold" is not even in our vocabulary.

III. KNOW THAT IT GRIEVES THE ENEMY WHEN THE PEOPLE OF GOD RISE UP (2:10)

I don't think we fully understand how entrenched the liberal mind set is in the way of life they have carved out by their agenda. It is a way of life that ignores the things of God; it is a way of life that thrives on materialism and is self-serving. It is a way of life that conveniently ignores hypocricy (Ted Kennedy, Jesse Jackson) and freely attacks integrity and goodness (John Ashcroft). The liberals have pulled the wool over so many eyes for so long that most people buy their arguments without even stopping to think about it. It is a lifestyle of unquestioned power and authority and all this is threatened by the likes of George Bush and John Ashcroft.

The enemy is grieved, make no mistake about it.

IV. WHEN THE ENEMY IS GRIEVED HE RESPONDS WITH THREATS (2:19)

In the passage today we see Sanballat, Tobiah and Gershem laughing, scorning, and despising Nehemiah. Does that sound familiar?

V. WE MUST RESPOND TO THE THREATS OR THE ENEMY HAS ALREADY WON

(v. 20ff)

A. Stand against the enemy. Nehemiah models the proper response to the noise of the detractors. I just love verse 20. Note how what Nehemiah says is prefaced by his dependence on God. We are to stand against the detractor in the strength of God, knowing that the battle has already been won.

We also have history on our side. Sanballat and his cronies had no portion, no right, and no memorial in Jerusalem and neither does the liberal agenda in this great country of ours.

B. Get to work. Look what happens in chapter 3. The minute Nehemiah stands against the enemy, Elishshib and the other priests went to work rebuilding the sheep gate. That puts the monkey on the shoulders of the religious leaders to pick the hammer up first. I suppose that is what I am doing today. The walls are down and our nation is in ruins. We have a lot of work to do while we have the advantage. Let's get going.

C. Repair the wall at your house-- 3:10, 23, 28, 29. If you don't hear anything else I say today, please hear this. I repeat, repair the wall at your house.

In what ways is the wall down in our Christian homes?

Lack of spiritual leadership, idolatry, immoral and ungodly "entertainment" coming through printed media, the internet, the radio and television, misplaced priorities, marital discord, broken relationships between parents and children, slothfulness in the things of God.

If we as godly families will unite together and take care of our section of the wall and fortify our defenses then we will be able to stand against the enemy.

The reason the effort succeeded is that "the people had a mind to work" (4:6). Folks, I hate to say it but we don't have a mind to work. We must repent of our sin and "let this mind be in us which was in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5).

VI. WHEN THE WALLS BEGIN TO GO UP THE ENEMY IS READY TO FIGHT (4:7-8)

I believe this is what is going on in our nation this very minute. It is being played out in the news every day. The enemy is mad and trying to rally its forces. What are we to do?

A. Pray (v. 9)--- we cannot get around this. We must begin with prayer.

B. Watch (v.9)--- night and day. Do not let your guard down. Be vigilant(1 Peter 5:8)

C. Strengthen our defenses-- the low places where we are the weakest. How?

What are the low places in your life--- the areas where you are vulnerable? That is exactly where the enemy is going to attack. Strengthen your defenses.

1. Strength in numbers--- church attendance. The day has come when we need each other more than ever.

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching (Hebrews 10:25).

2. Arming ourselves. Since this is a spiritual battle we must put on spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:10-18)

3. Keep working (4:15). Don't give up, don't get discouraged. Put your hand to the plow and don't look back.

4. When you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to the cause. The trumpet is sounding in Washington right now and we must come to it and support the cause of Christ knowing it is God who is fighting for us (4:20). We must remember that the battle is the Lord's (1 Samuel 17:47) and He will give us the victory. If God be for us who can be against us! (Romans 8:31).

5. Stand against injustice (unfair taxation) and stand up for the less fortunate.

6. Beware of the deception of the enemy (6:2).

7. Counter the lies of the enemy (6:5ff)

There is a battle going on for our families and we must be willing to fight the enemy--- 4:13-14


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