Let’s Work To Win! Overcoming Opposition Don’t Heed the Opposition’s Trash Talk (Nehemiah 4:1-6)

People Like Sanballat Really Do Exist The Elephantine Papyri is a collection of ancient Jewish manuscripts dating from the fifth century BC. They come from a Jewish community at Elephantine, an island in the Nile River. They mention Sanballat and Johanan by name.

Let’s Work To Win! Overcoming Opposition Be Watchful -- Ready to Defend Against Any Attack (Nehemiah 4:7-23) In response to the threats of enemies, Nehemiah… –Immediately deployed everyone in defensive positions (4:13-14; Phil.1:27-28) –Had everyone return to work with increased vigilance (4:15-18; 1 Corinthians 16:13) –Devised a warning system (4:18-20; Colossians 1:28-29) –Willingly endured hardship and inconvenience (4:21-23; 2 Timothy 4:5)

Let’s Work To Win! Overcoming Opposition Don’t Be Distracted from the Work (Nehemiah 6:1-9) Nehemiah refused to compromise or be distracted (Matthew 4:1-11; 7:6; 15:14) He would not allow false rumors to divert his attention.

Let’s Work To Win! Overcoming Opposition Beware of the Opposition’s Influence among fellow workers (Nehemiah 6:10-14) The enemies of God will use false teachers and false prophets to undermine the work (2 Peter 2:1; Acts 20:30). Nehemiah was careful to compare what they said with God’s will. –We should use this same approach today (1 John 4:1, 6; 1 Thess. 5:21).

Let’s Work To Win! Overcoming Opposition God Will Help Us Finish The Work In Spite of Adversaries (Nehemiah 6:15-19) Nehemiah and his fellow workers finished building the wall in an astounding fifty-two days (6:15). This incredible accomplishment occurred in the clear light of human history; these walls were built, and later destroyed by the working of God through men.

Nehemiah’s Wall Uncovered November 28, 2007 The remnants of a wall from the time of the prophet Nehemiah have been uncovered in an archeological excavation in Jerusalem's ancient City of David, strengthening recent claims that King David's palace has been found at the site, an Israeli archeologist said Wednesday. A wall uncovered in Jerusalem has been linked to the time of Nehamiah. The section of the 2,500-year-old Nehemiah wall, located just outside the Dung Gate and the Old City walls facing the Mount of Olives, was dated by pottery found during a recent dig at the site, said Hebrew University archeologist Dr. Eilat Mazar. As a result of the excavation, both the 30 meter section of the wall and a six-by-three-meter part of the previously uncovered tower have now been dated to the fifth century BCE based on the rich pottery found during the dig under the tower, she said. Scores of bullae, arrowheads and seals from that period were also discovered during the excavation.

Nehemiah’s Wall Uncovered November 28, 2007 Photograph of the remains of Nehemiah’s walls (right) Artifacts used to date the wall (below)

Let’s Work To Win! Overcoming Opposition God Will Help Us Finish The Work In Spite of Adversaries (Nehemiah 6:15-19) God is with us in His work still today (1 Corinthians 16:9; Philippians 4:13; 2:13; 1 John 5:4)