Audio Sermons

Stand Firm Against Satan's Schemes (II)

Sunday, 03 November 2024

Building up the Church of Christ:

Stand Firm against Satan’s Schemes

Life B-P Church Worship Service, 3^rd November 2024

Text: Nehemiah 6:1-19

As the Jews built the walls of Jerusalem they faced intense opposition.
In chapter 6, Nehemiah was the target of all efforts to stop the work.
From the way that Nehemiah stood firm against the schemes of his enemies, we can learn how to stand firm against the schemes of Satan.

The enemies of the Jews called for peaceful dialogue with Nehemiah in the plain of Ono, 48 km northwest of Jerusalem. (v.2)
Nehemiah wisely refused to come, and gave them a wise reply. (v.3)
But they kept asking him to come four times. (v.4)

Application: We need to exercise wisdom and spiritual discernment in interacting with the world. (Cf. Matthew 10:16; Luke 21:8)

Nehemiah’s enemies sent him an open letter to intimidate him with false allegations. (vv.5-7)
He was not intimidated by their open letter, but realized that their attempts were becoming more intense. (vv.17-19)
He therefore asked God to strengthen him. (v.9)

Application: We need to be strong in the Lord to resist the devil. (Cf. 1 John 4:4; Ephesians 6:10; James 4:7)

Nehemiah’s enemies tried to make him so fearful of death that he would hide in the Temple. (v.10)
They hoped to use this act to prove that he was claiming religious authority and has ambitions to become a king. (vv.12-13)
Despite many telling Nehemiah to hide from would-be murderers, he did not yield to the fear of death. (v.11)
No one was permitted to enter the Temple except the priests. (v.13a)

Application: We need to overcome our fear of death as we live in the End Times. (Cf. Revelation 12:11; Hebrews 2:14,15)

Despite facing difficult challenges, Nehemiah simply committed everything to God. (v.14)

By trusting God to deal with everyone who worked against him, he was able to see the wall completed. (vv.15,16)

Application: We need to put on the whole armour of God for victory in spiritual warfare. (Ephesians 6:11,13)

God alone can give us the victory and enable us to stand firm against Satan’s schemes. (Cf. Ephesians 6:18)

Closing Thoughts:

Let us keep praying until victory comes, not for ourselves alone but also for the Church of Christ. (Cf. Matthew 16:18)
Satan has tried to stop Christ’s work, but Christ has defeated him and won a resounding victory.
His victory becomes the source of our victory in building up the Church of Christ.

Questions for Reflection: