Jun 20, 2021 |Nehemiah

Look Up, Look Forward

06.20.21 | Nehemiah

Look Up, Look Forward

Tony Pyle

Nehemiah 3&4

Pastor Tony Pyle walks us through Nehemiah 3 and 4 as we go through our Nehemiah series.

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The God of the heavens is the one who will grant us success.
Nehemiah 2:20

When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became furious. He mocked the Jews before his colleagues and the powerful men of Samaria and said, “What are these pathetic Jews doing? Can they restore it by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they ever finish it? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?” Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, “Indeed, even if a fox climbed up what they are building, he would break down their stone wall!”
Nehemiah 4:1-3

Listen, our God, for we are despised. Make their insults return on their own heads and let them be taken as plunder to a land of captivity. Do not cover their guilt or let their sin be erased from your sight, because they have angered the builders. So we rebuilt the wall until the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had the will to keep working.
Nehemiah 4:4-6

When Sanballat, Tobiah, and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the repair to the walls of Jerusalem was progressing and that the gaps were being closed, they became furious. They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and throw it into confusion.
Nehemiah 4:7-8

So we prayed to our God and stationed a guard because of them day and night.
Nehemiah 4:9

In Judah, it was said: The strength of the laborer fails, since there is so much rubble. We will never be able to rebuild the wall.
Nehemiah 4:10

And our enemies said, “They won’t realize it until we’re among them and can kill them and stop the work.” When the Jews who lived nearby arrived, they said to us time and again, “Everywhere you turn, they attack us.” So I stationed people behind the lowest sections of the wall, at the vulnerable areas. I stationed them by families with their swords, spears, and bows. After I made an inspection, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the great and awe-inspiring Lord, and fight for your countrymen, your sons and daughters, your wives and homes.” When our enemies heard that we knew their scheme and that God had frustrated it, every one of us returned to his own work on the wall. From that day on, half of my men did the work while the other half held spears, shields, bows, and armor. The officers supported all the people of Judah, who were rebuilding the wall. The laborers who carried the loads worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other. So we continued the work, while half of the men were holding spears from daybreak until the stars came out.
Nehemiah 4:11-17, 21

“Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the great and awe-inspiring Lord, and fight for your countrymen, your sons and daughters, your wives and homes.”
Nehemiah 4:14

Whenever the people of God start doing the work of God, there will be opposition. - Warren Wiersbe

Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.
Nehemiah 4:14

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you.
Matthew 29:19-20

What are some things that you have accomplished in your life that you are proud of? Did you experience any hardship or opposition in pursuing those accomplishments?

In the face of challenging circumstances, Nehemiah was a man of prayer. How does prayer impact how we respond to challenging circumstances?

How can you “look up” in faith this week? What situations do you need to pray to God about and entrust to him?

How can you “look forward” in your faith this week? What situations do you need to act in faith on and trust God with the results?

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