This sermon is not about hating people. It is about confronting everyspirit of delay, fear, discouragement, and resistance that tries to stop thepurpose of God. The Lord is still calling His people to build, to pray, torestore, and to finish what He started. As Nehemiah said, “The God of heavenHimself will prosper us; therefore, we His servants will arise and build”(Nehemiah 2:20, NKJV).
Sermon Body
1. Opposition comes when purpose isrevealed
The moment Nehemiah began to rebuild, resistance came. “Now it happened,when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, that he was furious andvery indignant, and mocked the Jews” (Nehemiah 4:1, NKJV). This teaches us thatmockery often appears when progress begins.
Some battles are not signs that you are failing. They are signs that whatyou are building matters. The enemy does not fight empty assignments; he fightsdivine assignments. That is why believers must not panic when opposition showsup. Instead, we must recognize it and stand firm in faith.
2. Mockery is a weapon of distraction
Sanballat and Tobiah tried to weaken the hands of the builders throughinsult, ridicule, and fear. Their goal was simple: stop the work by stoppingthe people. But Nehemiah and the people refused to come down from the wall.
Nehemiah declared, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down”(Nehemiah 6:3, NKJV). That is the posture of spiritual maturity. You do notleave your assignment just because someone speaks against it. You keepbuilding. You keep praying. You keep serving. You keep obeying God.
3. God gives strength to finish
Nehemiah did not fight in his own strength. He cried out to God andcontinued the work with courage. He said, “Do not be afraid of them. Rememberthe Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, yourdaughters, your wives, and your houses” (Nehemiah 4:14, NKJV).
This is a call to spiritual courage. The battle is not only for you; itis for your family, your future, your calling, and your generation. When Godgives strength, the wall can be rebuilt, the gates can be restored, and theenemy can be silenced.
4. The weapons are spiritual
We are not called to fight flesh with flesh. Scripture says, “For theweapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling downstrongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4, NKJV). This means we overcome oppositionthrough prayer, truth, faith, obedience, and perseverance.
So when Sanballat rises, we do not become bitter. When Tobiah speaks, wedo not lose heart. We answer opposition by standing on God’s Word and pressingforward in the power of the Spirit. If God is for us, who can be against us?(Romans 8:31, NKJV).