Nehemiah 6

1. The Target
   1. Opposition to Nehemiah and the plan to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls: Sanballet, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab—leaders of the surrounding area
   2. First they oppose Nehemiah’s plan, now they oppose him personally
   3. People who oppose something may use personal attacks to get their way

1. The Approach of Opposition
   1. Distraction
   2. Slander/ false accusation
   3. Intimidation

1. Reasons for Opposition (recap from chapter 4)
   1. Spiritual—Ephesians 6:12
   2. Personally threatened: may be more interested in their position than God’s mission for the church
   3. May be more interested in the status quo (because it’s comfortable) than carrying forth God’s task

1. Nehemiah’s Response
   1. Continued Prayer—vs. 9, 14
   2. Stood Up to the Opposition
   3. Completed His Work

1. The Courage to Carrying Out God’s Mission in Wakeman
   1. Immersed in Prayer
   2. Faithful to the Unchanging Gospel Message
   3. Building Up the 5 Walls of Ministry
      1. Christ-centered Outreach and Services to the Community
      2. The Children’s Ministry
      3. The Youth Ministry
      4. Small Group Ministry
      5. Transition in Worship that reflects old and new
   4. The Courage to ask hard questions
      1. How are we spending our resources? How much of our budget are going toward these things?
      2. How is our current church structure helping us or hindering us from being effective? What needs to change?
      3. How am I being faithful to God’s calling in my personal life? In what areas do I need to repent?
      4. How much time do I spend in serious prayer for the church? How willing am I to step out in faith and be part of God’s answer to the prayers of this church?