Positional Warfare Pt. 2: Nehemiah 4:13-23
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Introduction
Introduction
But fortunately… the workers of our text, as well as all of us today, have Nehemiah.
So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed the people by their clans, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”
Nehemiah, being the leader he was, was unphased by the War of Words and gives us 2 principles to engage in Spiritual Warfare.
Position
Position
The first thing Nehemiah does is Position his People.
vs. “in the lowest parts, in the open places”.
That’s odd isn’t it? I mean from a military strategy perspective don’t you want to be in the highest parts, in the most concealed places!?”
It’s almost as if Nehemiah is showing his enemies… we aren’t intimidated by you.
And church, you and I have also been positioned in the lowest parts, in the open places.”
Jesus has left us in the World. The realm of Satan’s dominion.
John 17:15 “I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.”
But he has done this that we may continue to Advance His Kingdom, and bring glory to God as we accomplish the purposes of God.
Church it’s time to come out of hiding.
You are the salt of the earth… come and preserve the Kingdom of our God.
You are the light of the world.
You are a city on a hill
You are a light of a lamp… not to be concealed. Not to hide in fear. Not to run from this prevailing cultlure of evil but to stand on a lamp stand,
So that all may see your good works and give glory to your Father.
Our position in this world is Strategic that we may wage war and continue in Christ’s name to gain ground on the enemy’s territory.
Now I’m aware of 1 Peter 5:8 “ Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
He is a roaring lion.
And is not true that he’s made a pretty loud noise of late?
The moral temptations for agregious sins has totally dismantled pastors and those in spiritual leadership, which has led to the church being discredited.
You don’t think that’s Satan, adversarial to the people and purposes of God!?
The pandemic of fear, anxiety, and depression that has left believers believing the worst about God, themselves, and their future. Defeated, and ineffective.
You don’t think that’s Satan, adversarial to the people and purposes of God?
The overwhelming sense of fear and anxiety that primarily drives the decisions we make as parents. We are so afraid that the culture is after our kids, that instead of taking our position IN THE WORLD, we are fearfully doing anything we can to GET AWAY FROM THE WORLD, avoiding the battle.
Oh church, Come out of hiding, take your position and engage in the spiritual warfare.
Because he’s just a roaring lion…
He can’t bite you! Jesus Christ has disarmed the powers and authorities triumphing over them by the cross (Col 2:15).
Here’s a key truth:
God has positioned us in the lowest parts, in the open spaces… but He has also positioned us IN CHRIST.
Slide
It may feel like we are just here: exposed to the world. Exposed to the onslaught of temptation and lies and deceit.
But THAT’S A LIE.
As Nehemiah was telling the people, “Remember the Lord.” I believe he’s telling us… Remember the Lord!”
Remember, where Christ is.
Ephesians 1:20-21, “that according to the working of God’s great might, Christ is now seated at the right hand of the Father, far above all rule, authroity, power, and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.”
Slide...
Jesus, after his ascension is now seated far above all spiritual and material powers and authorities.
Philippians 2:9–10 “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,”
And Rember, where You are.
The truth is that as we stand at our post engaged in this spiritual battle, we stand not in our own strength, or bravado, or with our own armor or weapons. But we stand in Christ.
Ephesians 2:6 “and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,”
We are positioned in Christ, so although living and loving and waring on earth, we do it from a position in Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:3–4 “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.”
He has given us a Spirit not of fear, but of sound mind.
We put on His Armor, so that we may be able to position ourselves against the schemes of the devil (Eph 6:11)
And it doesn’t matter how exposed you are, becuase as long as you stand in Christ, you will always possess the high ground.
Remember
Remember
Advocate
Truth
Fight
Fight
Fight for your Families
Fight with your Sword
Build the Wall