This past weekend at Eastbrook, we continued our series from the book of Nehemiah entitled “Rebuild and Repair: Engaging the World with Nehemiah.” I preached a message entitled “Facing Opposition in a Good Work,” which was based in Nehemiah 2:10, 19-20; 4:1-23; and 6:1-14.
You can find the message outline and video below. You can access the entire series here. Join us for weekend worship in-person or remotely via Eastbrook at Home.
“But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. ‘What is this you are doing?’ they asked. ‘Are you rebelling against the king?’” (Nehemiah 2:19)
The Reality of Opposition
There will be opposition in God’s work (2:10)
Opposition may begin right away (2:10)
Opposition’s Options
Ridicule about the nature of the work (2:19; 4:1-3)
Angry threats of conflict (4:7-15)
Looking for ways to bring harm (6:1-4)
Using rumors to sow broader conflict (6:5-9)
Using others on the “inside” to get close (6:10-13)
Using words to sow discord (6:17-19)
Dealing with Opposition
Praying about opposition (1:4-11; 2:4b; 4:4-5, 9; 5:19; 6:9b, 14-15; 13:14, 22, 29, 31)
Preparing for opposition (4:9, 13-23)
Ignoring opposition as a distraction (2:10; 6:1-4)
Confronting opposition (6:8-9)
Seeing through opposition (6:10-13)
Making It Real for Us
Coming to terms with the reality of opposition
Being self-aware in relation to opposition
Maintaining perspective amidst opposition
Relying on God in opposition
Dig Deeper
This week dig deeper in one or more of the following ways:
- Read through all of Nehemiah’s prayers in this book as a way to gain insight into the life of prayer amidst opposition: 1:4-11; 2:4b; 4:4-5, 9; 5:19; 6:9b, 14-15; 13:14, 22, 29, 31. Perhaps you may want to memorize one or adapt it to your circumstances.
- Take an extended time of prayer to bring areas of conflict or opposition you face to God. Name your sources of opposition, both internal and external. Ask God to grant discernment about the true nature of the situation and opposition. Ask God to speak to you about how you should deal with it, perhaps writing thoughts down in a journal. Maybe you could share your reflections with a friend or mentor for perspective and guidance.
- Consider reading one of these books on dealing with conflict:
- John Paul Lederach, Reconcile: Conflict Transformation for Ordinary Christians
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Matthew Erickson 