How To Respond When Satan Makes An Attack From Within God’s People

Grace Community Church of Topsail

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How To Respond When Satan Makes An Attack From Within God’s People

September 22, 2024 • Steve Marshall • Nehemiah 5

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Nehemiah found himself in a dismal situation with God’s people. The future of the kingdom of God was at stake. Jerusalem was a divided city from within. The problem was not coming from the outside any longer. The problem was coming from among the people of God. Brothers and sisters were oppressing each other financially. The poor were complaining that all the wall-building was not putting food on the table. There was a famine so the cost of food had increased significantly. God’s people could not buy grain so they borrowed money from the more wealthy of God’s people, the nobles and the officials. This resulted in great financial problems because of the exorbitant interest that God's people put on the loans. Many had to give their children to be slaves to their lenders to pay off the debt. This created great anxiety, fear, division, hatred, disunity and so the work of the Lord quickly halted in Nehemiah chapter 5. Nehemiah had to quickly exhort/rebuke his people in the fear of God to bring them back into unity, love, and trust for the glory of God. If this did not happen quickly the enemy nations would see their weakness and attack them physically (Neh. 5:1-13).

What Is Your Enemy Saying That Is Actually True?

September 15, 2024 • Steve Marshall • Nehemiah 4

As a child of God, a follower of Jesus Christ you will sooner or later be opposed and criticized. You may be opposed by family, friends, co-workers or those even within your own church. Have you ever considered what truths may be intertwined in the words of those who oppose you? Nehemiah found himself in an escalation of opposition in Nehemiah 4, as he steadfastly continued to pour himself out in obeying God’s call on his life. Nehemiah could have lashed back in verbal intimidations and physical coercion and even more colorful lies but he did not take the bait. Instead, he quietly considered any truths in the comments of Sanballat and Tobiah (Neh. 4:2-3). So he set a guard night and day to protect themselves (4:9). He made sure the people of God were armed with swords, spears and bows (4:13). He declared that God will do the fighting so do not fear (4:14, 20). He prayed and without hesitation moved forward in the work God had called him to finish. Nehemiah considered the truths of the enemy's words and used them to make him and the work of God more resilient. Like Nehemiah, we need to view opposition and criticism as God’s appointed means for us to humble ourselves and embrace difficult truths that are many times only communicated to us through those who oppose us. Opposition is part of our sanctification process, a tool that God uses to reveal idols and accelerate our growth in humility and effectiveness in the Kingdom of God. Count it all joy... (James 1:2-4).

To do good in this world, we must endure the great opposition of this world.

September 8, 2024 • Steve Marshall • Nehemiah 4

Wherever and whenever you see the Lord moving forward, working out His plan through His obedient servants, you are going to see some kind of opposition. Nehemiah was absolutely committed to God’s call upon him to lead the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. These were walls that were essential for the security and the blessing of the city of God, Jerusalem. When Nehemiah started the work, they were opposed by enemies from the North, East, South and West. The opposition mostly came in the form of anger filled ridicule and mocking. They hoped that by mocking the people of God they could make them embarrassed, ashamed and discouraged to quit and give up! What did Nehemiah do to fight against the discouragement from outsiders and insiders? Two things, he was resilient in his prayers and strategic in his work. When we seek the Lord in prayer, leaving it in His hands, we must remember that those prayers then will include us in direct, strategic, participation in the work. Our prayers do not replace action, they make our actions effective for God's work. By prayer and action, Nehemiah lived out his declaration, “Our God will fight for us” (Neh. 4:20).

Your Individual Calling is Always for God's Bigger Calling, to Build His Church

September 1, 2024 • Steve Marshall • Nehemiah 3

Where do you want to be used by God, at the Tower of Ovens or down at the Dung Gate? The Tower of Ovens is most likely along the baker’s street in Jerusalem (Jer. 27:21) where much baking of Israel’s delicacies took place. Or you could serve at the Dung Gate where all the city’s stinky, nasty refuse was carried out and dumped. Or maybe you would like the Fish Gate, or the Sheep Gate or the Horse Gate, all equally difficult in their own way. When God calls you to a difficult place of ministry like the Dung Gate, remember that His purpose is never just for you to work at the Dung Gate. You are serving the Lord Christ. Is God getting glory in your difficult calling? Are you growing in endurance, character and hope?

Grace Community Church of Topsail

How To Respond When Satan Makes An Attack From Within God’s People

What Is Your Enemy Saying That Is Actually True?

September 15, 2024 • Steve Marshall • Nehemiah 4

To do good in this world, we must endure the great opposition of this world.

September 8, 2024 • Steve Marshall • Nehemiah 4

Your Individual Calling is Always for God's Bigger Calling, to Build His Church

September 1, 2024 • Steve Marshall • Nehemiah 3

To do good in this world, we must endure the great opposition of this world.