6.1.25 Sermon Notes
May 30, 2025

“OH GOD, STRENGTHEN MY HAND”

Nehemiah 6:1-19

I. INTRODUCTION:
A. Reviewing the “indirect” attacks: (Chapter 4-5)
1. Outside:
2. Inside:

B. Reviewing progress on the walls and God molding
character:
1. Walls, gates, and community within: v. 15
2. Nehemiah tested to boldly stand alone for Christ:
5:14-19

C. The “direct” attack that targeted the leader:
1. Derailing God’s project and ultimately God’s
purpose:
2. Collectively praying for leaders: (I Tim. 2:1-3)
a. Civil authority:
b. Spiritual authority:

II. NEHEMIAH VICIOUSLY ATTACKED:
A. Compromise – “we will help you work”: vv. 1-4
1. The “hopeful” promise, we will meet you “half way”:
vv. 2-3
2. Keen discernment developed from your prayer life
(spending time with Jesus): vv. 9, 14
a. He knew they were lying: v. 2
b. He understood the importance of the work: v. 3
c. They had nothing in common: (Neh. 2:20)

  1. Determination to faithfully finish: (Neh. 4:12)

B. Slander – “We’ll tell everybody about you”: vv. 5-9
1. The vicious list:
a. False accusations:
b. Letters:
c. Unfounded press reports:
d. Gossip (tale bearer-slanderer): (Pro. 11:13;
16:28; 26:20) Gossip is like carbohydrates. It
“tastes” good at the moment but leaves us bloated and
craving more. When we casually speak about another
person without edifying and honoring them, we elevate
ourselves at the expense of someone who isn’t there to
defend themselves.
When the person you are talking about is not present:
* Why am I listening, what is it personally telling me about
my desire to fit in?
* What does it tell me about them?
* Who should they be talking to, if it is both truthful and
necessary? (Gal. 6:1)
* Is what they are sharing, ministering grace (encouraging)
to me? (Is it tearing down or building up?) (Eph. 4:29)
“When you defend those who are absent, you retain the trust
of those present”.
2. Nehemiah’s response:

C. Threats – “We will protect your life”: vv. 10-14
1. The professionals:
a. The prophet and priest, Shemaiah: v. 12
b. The prophetess, Noadiah: v. 14
2. Nehemiah’s response:

D. Intrigue – “We will not give up”: vv. 15-19
1. Turning victors into victims:
2. Traitors to their own people:

  1. The power of human relationships:

III. PRINCIPLES TO PERSONALLY APPLY:
(Together becoming “people of the Word” in principle AND in practice)
A. If you take care of character, God takes care of your
reputation.

B. Your character is forged by “spending time daily with
Jesus”. (Acts 4:13)

C. As you face tomorrow, can you unequivocally say,
“Jesus has changed everything”? (your college, career, who
you marry, where you live, friends, church, etc.) (II Cor. 5:17; Rev.
21:8)

Sinners Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, I was made by you and I was made for you, but
I have been living for myself. I am sorry for that self-rule you call sin.
I believe that Jesus Christ being my creator God, died, was buried,
and rose again to pay the insurmountable debt that my sin has
created since birth. So right now, I am turning from a life of going my
own way, to by faith, place my trust in Jesus Christ, to pay the debt of
all my sin, and to get me to heaven, when I breath my last breath.
Lord Jesus, from today on, I am yours. Thanks for saving me, this
very moment, in Jesus name, amen.

If you just made this life changing decision, we would love to draw
along side and help you grow now in Christ. Call Grace Bible Church
at (509) 684-5936. If get an answering service, we will promptly get
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who might have hesitated to visit this local church or with those who
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