SERMON SPOTLIGHT * 11/30/25
In Nehemiah 4 (through 6), God’s people showed remarkable faith and perseverance in the face of unimaginable opposition. As we pursue planting a church on the east side, what can we learn from them? Below is an outline summary of the sermon for your further study and deeper reflection.
SERIES: PLANT
TEXT: Nehemiah 4-6
TITLE: An Unfailing God in Times of Unimaginable Opposition
PREACHER: Derek Overstreet
BIG IDEA: Because God is for us, we can endure whatever is against us.
POINTS:
I. Expectations of Great Opposition
II. Greater Expectations of Our God
SERMON EXCERPTS:
All quotes and text emphasis are taken directly from the pastor’s notes.
“1 Corinthians 10 reminds us that what happened in Nehemiah’s day was written down for our instruction. They are an example that teaches, equips, and prepares us for our gospel mission. Here’s what we will learn today: Because God is for us, we can endure whatever is against us.”
“In Nehemiah 4, we find God’s people facing significant opposition in their call to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.”
“Public opposition from powerful leaders - In particular, opposition came from three leaders:
- (1) Sanballat—A Horonite governor in Samaria
- (3) Tobiah—Ammonite leader
- Geshem (Ch 6)—Arabian leader”
“Sanballat seems to be the ring leader. As a governor in Samaria, he was probably concerned that a rebuilt Jerusalem would diminish the loyalty of his constituents and, worse, draw a forceful response from the Persian rulers, who would no doubt immediately squash any uprising. This would have serious repercussions in Samaria, especially since the Persian King allowed Nehemiah to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the wall. For Sanballat and Tobiah, a weak, vulnerable, and compliant Israel played to their political ambitions and advantage. So the opposition began at the bully pulpit with public mockery and derision. When that didn’t work, they resorted to violent threats.”
“It’s easy to underestimate the threats made against God’s people here. Notice the list in 7. The Ashdodites were Philistines who ruled west of Judah. Sanballat was north of Judah in Samaria. Tobiah and the Ammonites were east of Judah, and Geshem and the Arabs were to the south. In other words, the Jews were surrounded by powerful opposition. From a human perspective, they faced unimaginable opposition.”
“Opposition from Insiders - The grave situation unfolding began to wear down the morale and faith of God’s people. Can we really build this wall? This isn’t working out as we thought? We didn’t sign up for this kind of risk. The task seems too big, too dangerous, and we are too weak. In some ways, it’s the worst kind of opposition!”
“Opposition form Observing Insiders - As Sanballat and Tobiah ramp up their plans to attack, friends and family, fellow Jews not personally involved in the mission of rebuilding the wall, they begin to question their wisdom and plead with them repeatedly—Stop. Come home. It’s too dangerous. It’s not worth it.”
“From the likely to the unlikely, God’s people faced opposition as they did His work.”
“As we consider planting on the east side, we should expect opposition. But what kind of opposition should we expect? I drew the pastoral team into this question.”
“Our most vigorous opposition from the outside will probably come from friends and family, some of whom may even be believers, who don’t understand your sacrifice and commitment to the mission of your church. The busyness of a church plant may mean you miss events and gatherings that used to be non-negotiable. It’s not uncommon for people to question our commitment to them relationally—All the time in the world for your church, but no time for us. As a result, there can be judgment and pressure not to be so focused on what God has called us to. Like those in 12, some fellow believers don’t understand the sacrifices of time, money, and opportunity we willingly and joyfully make for the sake of Christ and the mission of His church.You turned that job opportunity down because it would interfere too much with what your church is doing? You chose not to move closer to your family because you wanted to stay in Tucson and be part of a church plant? You sure you’re not in a cult?”
“Then there’s opposition within our own walls. Lack of trust in leadership that erodes our unity. The jeering and divisive words of Sanballat and Tobiah in 1-3 are just as easily spoken in the corner of the church lobby, on a group text, or at a friend’s house. What are we doing? We’ll never have a church on the east side, we’re too small. I’m not in.”
“We’ll experience opposition in our own hearts. The idols of personal convenience, a craving for comfort, the all-consuming pursuit of worldly priorities, or the discouragement of unmet expectations. Pastor Tom wisely warned us of a lack of faith due to a pragmatism that leads us to have all the answers before we move, all the boxes checked before we go, desiring to see everything clearly rather than having an anchored hope in things not seen.”
“The effect of all this is what we see in 10—The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. Faith grows weak. Morale sinks low. The magnitude of church planting overwhelms. Discouragement sets in. Faithfulness is abandoned.”
“In our efforts to plant a church, we should expect great opposition. Here’s why: Behind the human opposition is the great opposer himself—Satan. Whether it is the flaming arrows of public ridicule, judgment, grumbling, or inward discouragement, Ephesians 6:12 reminds us: For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
“There are fewer things Satan would love to spoil and frustrate more than a church plant. He knows the wisdom and power of God at work in and through local churches. BUT GOOD NEWS: Satan ultimately has no power over us.”
“In our efforts to plant a church on the east side, we should expect great opposition, but we should have even greater expectations of our God.”
“In all the opposition, what did God’s people do?—(6) So they built the wall. They continued to give themselves to the Lord’s work. Look down at 17 for a picture that says it all.”
“I love it! In the face of unimaginable opposition, God’s people didn’t quit. They didn’t run. They didn’t despair. They didn’t doubt. They didn’t capitulate. They did what they needed to do to stay on mission.”
“So what was the source of their strength? In 10, we find them admitting they could not do the work on their own. What was the source of their strength? Answer: They stayed close to God.”
“They stayed close to God through prayer—(9) And we prayed to our God. They stayed close to God by remembering who He is—(14) Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome. They stayed close to God by trusting Him—(20) Our God will fight for us.”
“They stayed close to God. It’s that mysterious but wonderful biblical message of God’s sovereignty and human responsibility—They had great expectations of God, so they trusted him by staying close to Him. As we faithfully and passionately follow the Lord to the east side, we must stay close to God by being prayer warriors both individually and collectively.”
“We must stay close to God by planting ourselves in His Word, where He reveals His unmatched greatness, power, and glory in promises like Ephesians 3:20, which says—He can do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.”
“We must stay close to God by trusting Him to go before us, protecting and providing. He will fight for us because He has already fought for us at the cross. Whatever the east side holds, no matter how our church planting efforts fare, we know Christ is holding us fast and will never let go. Part of assurance is knowing that in saving us, Christ has given us a purpose bigger than ourselves. We see this at the end of 6.”
“They had a mind to work, meaning, they had a deep conviction and desire connected to a purpose that transcended even their own lives. The moment God saved you, He lifted you out of your self-made kingdom and put you in His kingdom, with a new purpose and mission which is to glorify and make known Jesus Christ to the world.”
“The gospel gives you a purpose that transcends promoting self—you are an ambassador promoting Christ and eternity! Paul says it succinctly in 1 Corinthians 16:19-20—You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God.”
ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE:
2 Corinthians 5:14
APPLICATION:
Q: Where am I vulnerable to internal opposition?
- Identify it
- Study the Scriptures about it
- Share it
- Work overtime to cover it in the blood of Jesus
We have spent the last four weeks stirring up our affections for and our expectations of the greatness and power of Christ to advance the kingdom of God through planting a church on the east side.
As we roll into the Christmas season, stay close to God, keep your hearts planted in prayer and His word, remembering what He has saved you for and called you to, and trusting Him to protect and provide for us on the east side.
QUOTES:
J.I. Packer - “We think of Satan as our spiritual enemy, and so he is, but we need to realize that the reason he hates humankind and seeks our ruin is because he hates God, his and our Creator. He is not a creator himself, only a destroyer; he is a fallen angel, the archetypal instance of good gone wrong; and now he seeks only to thwart God's plans, wreck his work, rob him of glory, and in that sense triumph over him. When God initiates something for his praise, Satan is always there, trying to keep pace with him, planning ways of spoiling and frustrating the divine project.”
J.I. Packer - “Altogether, the devil is an enemy who has to be taken very seriously. Yet we should not panic in the face of his attentions. Christ has overcome him; Satan is now a defeated foe, a lion on a chain, and what he can do against us is sovereignly restricted on a day-to-day basis, for God will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. We who are Christ's should detest Satan but not dread him, since God now provides us with all-purpose combat equipment for use against him.”
SONGS FROM THIS SUNDAY:
Jesus, There's No One Like You
Behold Our God
Glorious Christ
Turn Your Eyes
God Is For Us
NEXT WEEK’S PASSAGE:
Genesis 3:15 - Advent and the Garden
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