This document discusses how Nehemiah and the Israelites faced incredible odds in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem despite opposition from Sanballat, Tobiah, and other enemies. It outlines the seven steps they took: 1) tuning into God, 2) praying, 3) admitting their need, 4) focusing on God rather than their problems, 5) getting support, 6) posting guards, and 7) thanking God in advance for the victory. These steps can help people facing their own "enemies" of the world, flesh, and devil to overcome discouragement and fear and change their world.

2. CHANGECHANGE
YOURYOUR
WORLDINWORLDIN
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3. HOWTOFACE
INCREDIBLE ODDS?
Nehemiah 4: 1 - 23

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Nehemiah 4: 1 - 23

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Nehemiah 4: 1 - 23

6. BERLIN WALLBERLIN WALL

7. BERLIN WALLBERLIN WALL

8. NEHEMIAH4:1NEHEMIAH4:1
Now, Sanballat, hearing that we
were building the wall, was very
angry, and in his wrath made sport
of the Jews.

9. NEHEMIAH4:2NEHEMIAH4:2
And in the hearing of his countrymen and
the army of Samaria he said, What are
these feeble Jews doing? will they make
themselves strong? will they make
offerings? will they get the workdone in a
day? will they make the stones which have
been burned come again out of the dust?

10. NEHEMIAH4:3NEHEMIAH4:3
Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by
him, and he said, Such is their
building that if a fox goes up it,
theirstone wall will be broken
down.

11. NEHEMIAH4:7NEHEMIAH4:7
But when it came to the ears of
Sanballat and Tobiah and the
Arabians and the Ammonites and
the Ashdodites, that the building of
the walls of Jerusalemwas going
forward and the broken places were
being made good, they were full of
wrath;

12. NEHEMIAH1:8NEHEMIAH1:8
And they made designs, all of them
together, to come and make an
attackon Jerusalem, causing
trouble there.

13. THE OPPOSITION INSIDE-
OUT

14. THE OPPOSITION INSIDE-OUTTHE OPPOSITION INSIDE-OUT
Tobiah
His name means “Yahweh is good.” With
a name like that, he is probably a Jew from
Ammon. He is married to the daughterof
Shecaniah (3:29; 6:18) and his son is husband
to Meshullam’s daughter. Meshullam’s son,
Berekiah, led a group of wall builders. Tobiah is
also related to Eliashib, the priest.

15. THE OPPOSITION INSIDE-OUTTHE OPPOSITION INSIDE-OUT
Sanballat
It derives froma phrase
translates “Sin (the moon god)
has given life.” He is out-and-out
pagan.

16. What is yournatural reaction
when things gang up against
you?

17. DISCOURAGEMENTDISCOURAGEMENT
(Neh 4:10) And Judah said, The
strength of the workmen is giving
way, and there is much waste
material; it is impossible forus to
put up the wall.

18. DISCOURAGEMENTDISCOURAGEMENT
 Discouragement kills strength And Judah
said, The strength of the workmen is giving
way (v.10a)
 Discouragement also kills vision and there is
much waste material; (v..10b)
 Discouragement is a murdererit is
impossible forus to put up the wall (v. 10c)

19. FEARFEAR
(Neh 4:14) I saw that the people were
worried, so I said to themand to their
leaders and officials, "Don't be afraid of
ourenemies. Rememberhow great and
terrifying the Lord is, and fight foryour
relatives, yourchildren, yourwives, and
yourhomes."

20. FEARFEAR
 Fearmakes you skeptical. This means that
you are afraid to try anything new.
 Fearmakes you selfish. This means that
you are afraid committing yourself to
someone orsomething.
 Fearmakes you short-sighted. This means
that you are afraid to launch into the
future.

21. The people in this situation took
seven positive steps when they heard
these three enemies were coming
against them. You have three
enemies: the world, the flesh, and
the devil. And they gang up on you.

22. STEP1: TUNE INTO GODSTEP1: TUNE INTO GOD
(Neh 4:4) Give ear, OourGod, forwe
are looked down on: let theirwords
of shame be turned backon
themselves, and let thembe given up
to wasting in a land where they are
prisoners:

23. STEP2: PRAYSTEP2: PRAY
(Neh 4:9) But we made ourprayerto
God, and had men on watch against
themday and night because of them.

24. STEP3: ADMIT YOURNEEDSTEP3: ADMIT YOURNEED
 (Neh 4:10) And so at that time the people of
Judah said, "The workers are becoming tired.
There is too much dirt and trash in the way.
We cannot continue to build the wall.
 (Neh 4:11) And ourenemies are saying,
'Before the Jews know it orsee us, we will be
right there among them. We will kill them
and that will stop the work.'"

25. STEP4: FOCUS ON GOD, NOT YOURPROBLEMSSTEP4: FOCUS ON GOD, NOT YOURPROBLEMS
(Neh 4:14) Afterlooking overeverything, I
stood up and spoke to the important families,
the officials, and the rest of the people. I said,
"Don't be afraid of ourenemies. Rememberthe
Lord, who is great and powerful! You must
fight foryourbrothers, yoursons, and your
daughters! You must fight foryourwives and
yourhomes!"

26. STEP5: GET SOME SUPPORTSTEP5: GET SOME SUPPORT
 (Neh 4:16) Fromthat day on, half of my men
worked on the wall. The otherhalf of my men were
on guard, ready with spears, shields, bows, and
armor. The army officers stood behind all the people
of Judah who were building the wall.
 (Neh 4:17) The builders and theirhelpers had their
tools in one hand and a weapon in the otherhand.
 (Neh 4:18) Each of the builders wore his sword at
his side as he worked. The man who blew the trumpet
to warn the people stayed next to me.

27. STEP7: THANKGODIN ADVANCESTEP7: THANKGODIN ADVANCE
(Neh 1:5) Then I prayed this prayer: "LORD,
God of heaven, you are the great and powerful
God. You are the God who keeps his agreement
of love with people who love you and obey your
commands.

28. WHY THANKGODIN
ADVANCE?

29. WHY THANKGODIN ADVANCE?WHY THANKGODIN ADVANCE?
 God is approachable (Neh. 1:5a) Then I prayed this
prayer: "LORD, Go of heaven
 God is Awesome (Neh. 1:5b) you are the great and
powerful God
 God is powerful (Neh. 1:5b) you are the great and
powerful God
 God is loving (Neh. 1:5c) You are the God who
keeps his agreement of love with people who love
you and obey yourcommands.

30. THE IMPORTANCE OF WALLSTHE IMPORTANCE OF WALLS
The Wall of Jerusalemrepresents:
God’s favor
Security
Honor