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Nehemiah 6:1-3 Now it happened when Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall, and that there were no

breaks left in it (though at that time I had not hung the doors in the gates), (2) that

Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, "Come, let us meet together

among the villages in the plain of Ono." But they thought to do me harm. (3) So I sent messengers to them, saying, "I am

doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease

while I leave it and go down to you?"

NEHEMIAH AND LEADERSHIP

LEADERSHIP

NEHEMIAH

A.Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the unnamed others of Nehemiah six, - timeless the way enemies work. 

B.Construction project of Nehemiah.  C. Instruction manual on traits of leadership.  D.Despite his skill, Nehemiah faced obstacles.  E. He had overcome poverty, internal strife, and

discouragement, only to encounter the opposition of troublemakers.

F. Notice what they did and how great leaders respond to such tactics.

I. He faced insincerity (1-3,10-12).  Now it happened when Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall, and that there were no breaks left in it (though at that time I had not hung the doors in the gates), (2) that Sanballat and

Geshem sent to me, saying, "Come, let us meet together among the villages in the plain of Ono." But they

thought to do me harm. (3) So I sent messengers to them, saying, "I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?" ….. (10) Afterward I came to the

house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was a secret informer; and he said, "Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple,

and let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you; indeed, at night they will come to kill you." (11) And I said, "Should such a man as I flee? And who is there such as I who would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in!" (12) Then I perceived that God had not sent him at all, but that he pronounced this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had

hired him.

I. HE FACED INSINCERITY - 6:1-3,10-12

A. They tried to pull Nehemiah away from wall-building under the guise of a "meeting." 

B. Yet, the text says they planned to harm him.  C. Later, they hired an associate of Nehemiah's, who

makes up a story meant to frighten him.  D. Both times, Nehemiah saw through the deception.  E. His chose to focus on the work, refusing to leave it to

become trapped in their snare.  F. When we are engaged in great works for Christ, there

will be those, either out of jealousy or their own heart problems, who don't want it to succeed. 

G. They are willing to twist the truth to undermine our work. 

H. Like Nehemiah, we must refuse to leave the work to be dragged into unproductive distractions.

II. He faced insistence - Neh 6:4 But they sent me this message four times, and I answered

them in the same manner.

II. HE FACED INSISTENCE – 6:4A. They sent this same message at least five times!  B. Imagine Nehemiah and the others, up on the wall,

finishing the job as the troublemakers keep pestering them with the same mantra. 

C. Look at what Nehemiah does.  He sticks to his guns.  What grit and determination! 

D. We should know that troublemakers often have nothing better to do. 

E. They aren't working on their own "walls," so they choose to do nothing better than try to tear down the walls of others. 

F. We must be prepared to keep working, however much they pester.

III. He faced insinuation - Neh 6:5-7  Then Sanballat sent his servant to me as before,

the fifth time, with an open letter in his hand. (6) In it was written: It is reported

among the nations, and Geshem says, that you and the Jews plan to rebel; therefore,

according to these rumors, you are rebuilding the wall, that you may be their

king. (7) And you have also appointed prophets to proclaim concerning you at Jerusalem, saying, "There is a king in

Judah!" Now these matters will be reported to the king. So come, therefore, and let us

consult together.

III. HE FACED INSINUATION - 6:5-7

A. This is a favorite tactic of troublemaker. B. They used talebearing, slander, gossip, and the like

to try and undermine the work.    C. "It is reported." "Gesham says."  "We're going to

report you to the king."  D. What Nehemiah did in response is such a lesson for

us.  E. He didn't wring his hands or spend a lot of time with

counter-arguments.  F. He had truth on his side and did not feel compelled

to wallow in the mud with the mudslingers.  G. He knew he was doing right, and he simply told

them so.

IV. He faced intimidation - Neh 6:9 For they all were trying to make us afraid,

saying, "Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will not be done." Now

therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.

IV. HE FACED INTIMIDATION - 6:9A.Nehemiah said, "They all were trying to

make us afraid."  B.Why these mean-minded men were so

obsessed with halting the work is not exactly clear, but pride and self-importance seem to play a part. 

C.Nehemiah took it to God, praying for strength to overcome their pressures and threats.

D.God answered Nehemiah's prayer.  E. When we face such intimidation, we have

access to the same power! 

OUR WORK TODAY

A.This happened 2500 years ago and yet is so relevant to us today. 

B."To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, be nothing." 

C.For Christians doing God's work today, "nothing" is not an option. 

D.We must be working on building His kingdom. 

E. Expect trouble and troublemakers.  F. Then, look to Nehemiah for how to

overcome them!  It still works.

HAVE A PRODUCTIVE WEEK