Building With Confidence
Renew
August 9, 2020
Rev. Gabe Sylvia
Drawing on Ezra and Nehemiah, the sermon teaches that God relentlessly builds His church amid continual opposition, calling believers to respond with tailored, bold prayer, swift faithful action, and reliance on God's strength rather than their own.
Summary
Using Ezra and Nehemiah (and a Patton anecdote), the message emphasizes that God never rests in building His church even when enemies mock, plot, and attack. Nehemiah models the proper response: prayer as the first and ongoing weapon (including plea for retribution when appropriate) combined with specific, courageous action and communal commitment to defend and rebuild. Trials are allowed to stretch us so God’s power and the Holy Spirit can work through our weakness; thus we must put on the armor of God, hold our spiritual posts, and act in faith. The sermon closes with a call for courage, perseverance in prayer, and faithful stewardship so the kingdom of God may grow.
Key Points
- God never stops building His church; Ezra and Nehemiah teach us to study and participate in that work.
- The people faced relentless opposition—ridicule, plots, and threats from enemies like Sanballat and Tobiah.
- Nehemiah’s model: respond with targeted, bold prayer plus swift, specific action and leadership.
- Prayer should be wise and tailored to the situation; sometimes it includes praying for God’s retribution against mockers.
- Prayer was the first response to plots; believers must be ready to defend the church spiritually—hold your post.
- In weakness and pressure we rely on God, not ourselves, unlocking the Holy Spirit’s power.
- Our battles are spiritual; put on the armor of God and be people of prayer.
- The overall call: courage, commitment, and persistent prayer so the kingdom of God advances.
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