Study Guide
When Resistance Rises
You've been there before. You finally start to take your health seriously and suddenly free pastries show up everywhere around you! In life, and especially spiritually, every step of progress seems to be met with opposition. Listen in as Pastor Jared Johnson gives us insight and a plan of how to counteract the resistance as we work toward God's plan of restoration and revival!
Newbreak’s Sermon Study Guide is an in-house resource that serves sermon-based Life Groups and/or individuals who want to reflect further on how the message contributes to their spiritual formation.
Read Nehemiah 4:1–23 (CSB)
Prepare for resistance when following God’s plan.
As the people of Israel began rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, their enemies became outraged. Two prominent leaders/governors of nearby cities rose up to mock, ridicule, and torment the people of Israel. Sanballat and Tobiah publicly slandered the people of Israel in hopes of discouraging them from their work.
Instead of quitting the work altogether, Nehemiah and the people of God responded with prayer. It would seem that this is when the ridicule would cease, however, the opposition grew even stronger. The surrounding nations made plans to attack the people of Israel, continued mocking their efforts, and as a result, discouragement increased amongst the people of God.
Facing heavy pressure and slander from outside, the people of Israel’s resolve began to waiver. They took more notice of the rubble, experienced great fatigue, and allowed the fear of attack to slow their progress. In that moment, Nehemiah rose up and encouraged the people to not fear and to remember the Lord who is great and glorious (vs.14). Nehemiah encouraged the people to fight for their families, their homes, and their nations.
As in life, our fight requires prayer, vigilance, and a willingness to stand up in spite of fear. Strength is found in God alone as we continue to build despite the opposition around us.
Let’s continue reading: Nehemiah 4:15-23 (CSB)
God’s plan requires unity and wholehearted commitment.
Sanbalat, Tobiah, and the surrounding enemies learned that the people of Israel were refusing to stop their God-given work of rebuilding the walls. Instead of huddling in fear or leaving the work entirely, the enemies of Israel witnessed God’s people start to rely on one another, work together even more closely, and continue the work in spite of the hardship.
Each person had a role to play in the building of the walls. Half of the men worked while the other half stood guard with spears, shields, and armor. Along with the workers and the soldiers, there was a trumpeter who was stationed near Nehemiah to sound the alarm at the first sight of danger. The group worked closely as a team to continue the work of God in the midst of opposition. They needed one another to stay safe, motivated, and moving forward in the same direction.
The people of Israel also showed a profound commitment to the work. The builders carried their building materials in one hand and held their weapons in the other, showing that they were ready to build and defend (vs.17-18).
God’s people worked from sunrise to sunset all while staying alert. The commitment of the builders even impacted their clothing! The people of Israel didn’t take off their clothes when they slept, they stayed ready for the battle that may come.
The people worked together with a tool in one hand and a weapon in the other. That’s revival: construction and confrontation as one unit. They were focused on building and were willing to face the battles that came.
It’s important that we model this type of commitment and vigilance in our own relationship with Jesus. We must refuse to let opposition stop the work of renewal in our lives, our homes, and in our communities. Let’s keep laying bricks of discipleship, prayer, and mission—even while fending off attacks of discouragement, hardship, and spiritual warfare.
Current Sermon Series
In this anniversary sermon series of our Prepare the Way discipleship and generosity initiative, we step into the story of Nehemiah and discover how God calls His people into His great work of restoration. Nehemiah’s mission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem is not just an ancient account of bricks and mortar—it is a powerful picture of how God rebuilds lives, communities, and faith today. Together, we will see that restoration is God’s work, but He invites us to join Him.