Mars Hill Fellowship

MESSAGE |

Overcoming the Fear of Opposition

SERIES |

Just Do It

SCRIPTURE |

Nehemiah 6:15-16

SPEAKER |

Pastor Joseph Ardayfio

KEY THEME |

I. God expects us to manage our fear of others – other’s approval, other’s opinions, other’s words, other’s advice, etc.

1. Our fear of others can stem from not knowing how to engage in healthy relationships. As a result, we can seek an unhealthy level of validation from others. The fear of invalidation motivates us to act in accordance with our emotions rather than with a Godly mindset.

II.  Nehemiah was called by God to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem. In order to finish the project, Nehemiah had to deal with vast opposition from other individuals. Nehemiah was not afraid of what others would say or think, but he constantly sought God when he faced opposition.

III. Any idea, whether good or bad, can encounter opposition. We must use wisdom in responding to the opposition. (Nehemiah 4:1-6)

1. When Sanballat and Tobiah heard that Nehemiah was rebuilding the wall they hurled insults at his effort.  Nehemiah didn’t let their opinion distract him from fulfilling the will of God.
2. It is wrong to judge the wisdom of a choice simply by the number of people that agree or disagree with us. Popularity or unpopularity doesn’t dictate the godliness of our decisions.
3. People’s words can be a source of fear in moving forward according to God’s will. Words of opposition that we allow to stay in our heart will eventually hurt us.

IV. As we commit our plans to God, He provides us with strategic solutions to help us in our time of need. (Nehemiah 4:7-15)

1. Nehemiah had to make strategic adjustments in his plan for rebuilding the wall in order for the plan to come to fruition. God knows the challenges that we will experience as part of the journey, but He wants us to trust Him as he reveals the steps to respond.

V. Fear is designed to overwhelm us and make us forget the truth of what God has said. (Nehemiah 6:2-9)

1. Nehemiah’s enemies summoned him four times as part of a scheme to harm him. The fifth time, his enemies intensified the attack by discrediting his motives. Nehemiah chose to respond according to God’s truth and not let Sanballat’s threats overwhelm him. Nehemiah said, ““Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.”
2. Nehemiah knew that his enemies were trying to make him fearful, but Nehemiah turned his weaknesses into his prayer points. He prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.”

VI. Beware! Not every word of  counsel is Godly advice (Nehemiah 6:10-14)

1. Nehemiah’s enemies hired a false prophet to intimidate him and give him false counsel.
2. Just because someone has something intimidating to say doesn’t mean that it comes from God. Faith is the ability to trust God’s truth, even when others say things to the contrary.

Scripture Index:

Nehemiah 4:1-15
Nehemiah 6:1-14