Out of the Heaps of the Rubbish

Will they revive the stones

out of the heaps of the rubbish

Neh 4:1-11

Text: Neh 4:2

(Nehemiah 4:2) "And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?"

Introduction:

The more powerfully the young oak is bent before the blast, the more deeply does it strike its roots into the stiff, stubborn soil beneath. Although persecution is not something desired, it is not to be shunned or lightly esteemed.

(Matthew 5:11-12) "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. {12} Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."

Anything that sends the roots of our spiritual life into a deeper relationship, and dependence on God will make us more steadfast and fruitful for Him.

Notice:

1. The Nature Of The Opposition

A. Tantalizing arrows of scorn

1. They sneered at their character (vs 2)

(Nehemiah 4:2) "And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?"

2. The sneered at their motive (vs 2)

(Nehemiah 4:2) "And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?"

a. They were basically saying, “How can they succeed in saving themselves? How will they ever set up a worship that will secure the presence and help of God?

3. They sneered at their enthusiasm.

(Nehemiah 4:2) "And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?"

a. They were working as if everyone in the world was depending on them

b. The lukewarm Christian is not likely to be mocked at by the easy going worldly crowd.

4. They sneered at the task attempted.

a. They though that their aims were too lofty and that they attempted too much.

(Proverbs 29:18) "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he."

5. They sneered at the work done.

(Nehemiah 4:3) "Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall."

Often these are the criticisms that faithful workers of God receive, but the building must go on, for our labor is not in vain in the Lord.

(1 Corinthians 15:58) "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

(Proverbs 3:34) "Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly."

B. Wicked conspiracy of the enemy (vss 7-8)

(Nehemiah 4:7-8) "But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth, {8} And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it."

1. Though they secretly conspired to hinder and stop the work God knew all about it.

(Nehemiah 4:11) "And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease."

All the united forces of Hell cannot impede the progress of those who trust in God, and courageously do His will.

C. Discouragement of doubting friends (vss 10)

(Nehemiah 4:10) "And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall."

1. Opposition is bad enough when it comes from without, but it is worse heartburn when it comes from those who have been friends and helpers.

2. Judah got discouraged because he lost sight of God, and kept looking at the adversaries, the weakness of the burden-bearers, and much rubbish that lay in the way.

3. Having lost faith himself, he sought to discourage others in the work, saying, “We are not able to build the wall.”

4. A discouraged man is a useless man in the work of the Lord; he is actually worse than a useless man, he is a positive hindrance.

2. The Stead Fast Character Of The Workers

A. They had a mind to work (vs 6)

(Nehemiah 4:6) "So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work."

“I will not work my soul to save

For that the Lord hath done;

But I will work like any slave;

For the sake of God’s dear Son.”

B. They had a heart to pray (vs 9)

(Nehemiah 4:9) "Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them."

1. A working mind should always be accompanied with a praying heart.

2. Those who have no heart to pray will soon have no mind to work.

(Ephesians 6:11-18) "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. {12} For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. {13} Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. {14} Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; {15} And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; {16} Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. {17} And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: {18} Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"

3. It is through prayer that strength is imparted for service.

C. They had an eye to watch (vs 9)

(Nehemiah 4:9) "Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them."

1. Watching and praying are often linked together in the Bible.

(Matthew 26:41) "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

(Mark 13:33) "Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is."

(Ephesians 6:18) "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"

(1 Peter 4:7) "But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer."

Close:

Let’s work till Jesus comes, and then be gathered home