THINGS THAT CAN HINDER GOD’S WORK PART 4

Text- Nehemiah 5:1-5

Introduction

This evening I’m going to conclude the series of messages we’ve been doing on the topic, “Knocked Down But Not Out”.

Our text tonight is found in Nehemiah 5:1-5 and the title of my message is “Things That Can Hinder God’s Work”.

In chapter four we learned that when we serve God and do his will we can expect opposition.  Sometimes that opposition is going to come from those outside in the world or even from those inside within the church.  In chapter four we learned that the opposition Israel faced in rebuilding the wall came from a source they did not expect – the tribe of Judah.  They were complaining and bellyaching and trying to discourage the rest of the people from rebuilding the wall.

Those who refuse to become discouraged and refuse to give up will be victorious in their service to God.

James 1:12 God will bless you, if you don't give up when your faith is being tested. He will reward you with a glorious life, just as he rewards everyone who loves him. (CEV)

Chapter four spoke of the opposition that Israel faced in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem in terms of discouragement from their own people.

Now in chapter five we find some who were trying to serve God and do what God wanted them to do, but they were being hindered because of the dissension among God's people.  This form of opposition is found in many churches today.

1 Corinthians 12:24-25 ...But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member,   25 that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. (NRSV)

Galatians 5:15 But if you keep attacking each other like wild animals, you had better watch out or you will destroy yourselves. (CEV)

One of the things that can hinder God's work faster than anything else is dissension.  It is like throwing a cold bucket of water onto a hot fire.  As a result it becomes very difficult to serve God in that kind of spiritual environment.  It even makes it hard for the pastor.

One Sunday morning a mom was getting ready for church and went in and woke up her son.  He told her, “But I don’t want to go to church.”  She said, “But son, you have to go to church.”  Her son replied, “But mom, I don’t want to go to church.  Those people down there make fun of me, laugh at me and talk mean about me.”  His mother replied, “But son, you have to go to church.”  Her son said, “If you can give me one good reason why I have to go to church, I’ll go.”  His mother replied, “You’re the pastor.”

There have been a few times in my own life and ministry when I woke up on Sunday morning and I didn’t want to go to church because I didn’t want to deal with the opposition and dissension that I knew was going to be there.

This is the same thing that was happening in the nation of Israel.  There was dissension among the people and as a result, the people were discouraged and the work was being hindered.

Matthew 12:25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.  (NIV)

God’s work can not be done when there is dissension among God’s people.

1 Timothy 2:8 Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension. (NASB)

In verses 2-5 we find that the cause of this dissension in Israel was threefold in nature.  These are also three things that can cause dissension in the church today.