Overcoming Spiritual Opposition (part II)
Nehemiah 5
Introduction:
- An economic crisis had hit the people of Israel before Nehemiah had come.
- A famine, coupled with the need for taxes to be paid, forced many families into insolvency.
- Those of means, the nobles and rulers, used this to take advantage of people.
- There was no middle class and a few became very wealthy while the majority were poor.
- The people find a champion of compassion and justice in Nehemiah.
Vs. 1-6 Blatant Disobedience and Injustice
- Nehemiah is angry! This injustice bothers him and it should have.
- The nobles are breaking the law! Out of their greed and materialistic lusts, they have completely disregarded the scriptures.
- God has set up provisions for the poor that are not being followed.
Deuteronomy 15:7-11
“If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother, 8 but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs. 9 Beware lest there be a wicked thought in your heart, saying, 'The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand,' and your eye be evil against your poor brother and you give him nothing, and he cry out to the LORD against you, and it become sin among you. 10 You shall surely give to him, and your heart should not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your works and in all to which you put your hand. 11 For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, 'You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.’”
· Such a command, and many others, have been given in order to strengthen the hand of the poor by giving them provision and a second chance.
· This is not being followed.
Vs. 7-10 Courageously Confronting Sin
- After serious thought, Nehemiah takes a bold step and takes the nobles to scripture.
- Nehemiah is referring to the scriptures. He is courageously confronting sin and backing it up with the scriptures.
Deuteronomy 23:19-20
“You shall not charge interest to your brother--interest on money or food or anything that is lent out at interest. 20 To a foreigner you may charge interest, but to your brother you shall not charge interest, that the LORD your God may bless you in all to which you set your hand in the land which you are entering to possess.”
Leviticus 25:36-37
‘Take no usury or interest from him; but fear your God, that your brother may live with you. 37 You shall not lend him your money for usury, nor lend him your food at a profit.’
- Lending money is OK, but taking interest on that money is not.
- The point is not to make money off of your brethren, but to compassionately help them.
- Notice that the basis is the fear of God, obedience to God and the fear of being out of His will.
- It is a fear of being out from under God’s blessing.
- It is a fear of hurting your relationship with God through disobedience.
Spiritual leadership often involves confrontation with sin, speaking the truth in love.
- Nehemiah never compromises the Scriptures! Even with the most popular and most wealthy.
- Nehemiah easily could have “buddied up” with the powerful in order to profit from his leadership.
- Not only does he not do this, but he actually rebukes them!
Vs. 11-13 Actions in Keeping with True Repentance
- Nehemiah requires that all the lands and houses be restored!
Acts 26:20
“…they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.”
- You haven’t really repented or been changed until there is fruit or works befitting the change of heart.
Vs. 14-19 Leading by Example
- Nehemiah does not take advantage of his position by making personal wealth from his position or from the people.
- Spiritual leadership is foremost a servant role. It is serving people and loving people.
Matthew 20:20-28
Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. 21 And He said to her, "What do you wish?" She said to Him, "Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom." 22 But Jesus answered and said, "You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" They said to Him, "We are able." 23 So He said to them, "You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father." 24 And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave-- 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
- In dealing with internal opposition, we must remember that we lead by example.
- We lead as servant leaders.
- Nehemiah understands that his greatest equity as a leader is to live what he preaches!
This sermon was produced at Mountain Springs Church in Colorado Springs, with Senior Pastor Steve Holt. www.mountainsprings.org
|
Email This Page