Fact or Fiction?

We'll begin our worship this evening. We're going to sing to God's praise.

We're singing in Psalm 119 in the Scottish Psalter version, page 413.

We're going to sing from verse 153.

Psalm 119, the 20th section of the psalm, at verse 153.

Psalm 119 is a psalm that speaks about the centrality, the importance of God's Word,

how when we turn away from it, we go astray, but the blessing of always seeking to listen to the Word of God and live out the Word of God.

So Psalm 119 at verse 153.

Consider mine affliction. In safety do me set. Deliver me, O Lord, for I thy law do not forget.

After thy word, revive thou me. Save me and plead my cause.

Salvation is from sinners far, for they seek not thy laws.

We'll sing this section down to verse 160, and the tune is Martyrdom.

Consider mine affliction.

Consider mine affliction.

Salvation is from sinners far, for they seek not thy law do not forget.

For they seek not thy law do not forget.

God forbid.

After

thy word

they

hide

thou me.

Save me

and lead

my cause.

Salvation

is

of

sinners

by

our

ways

seek not

thy

love.

O

Lord,

bold

and

magnified

thy

tender

ne'er

she's

be.

According

to

thy

judgment

just

be

my

and

will be.

be.

By

persecutors

many

are

and

fools

shall

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

and

love.

God

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

Your righteous God, is there the one forevermore endure?

Let's bow our heads in a word of prayer. Let us pray.

Amen.

The regular routines of the rest of the week, whether it be the busyness of work or just generally life,

or the many other things that go on around us from a day-to-day basis,

we thank you that there is a day where the purpose is to rest and to refresh ourselves in your presence and with your people.

And we thank you that the activity of worship, as it is aware, is to be something that is alive and something that blesses us in our hearts.

for we come to meet with you as our Lord and as our God.

We come to see that you are one who is alive,

one whose words are alive,

one who gives life and who gives life abundantly.

And we thank you for every blessing that is ours.

We have them all around us, Lord.

We have them within us.

We have the ones that we see around us,

but we have so many that are even unseen to us.

But as your word reminds us that there are blessings that are ours through Christ.

And we thank you that he is the cornerstone for all our hope,

that he is the one who we look to,

the one who we long for,

to know him more, to serve him more,

to honour him more.

For he has done all for us.

As we remembered even last weekend,

as we gathered around the Lord's table,

as we took part in the sacrament of the Lord's supper,

as we were around your word,

we were reminded of what has been done for us by him,

that you sent your son into this world

to seek and to save sinners.

We were reminded of his coming this morning,

as we heard of the name that was given.

You shall call his name Jesus,

for he will save his people from their sins.

And so we thank you for your great purpose

in sending your son.

And even as he gave,

and gave ultimately his life,

we thank you too that this is a day that reminds us

that he is risen.

And that even as we pray,

we pray in his name and for his sake,

that we come knowing that he ever lives,

as your word says,

and that he will return

to take his people to himself.

We thank you too for the promise

of your Holy Spirit,

the Comforter,

the one who was promised in your word

that would come alongside,

and the one who is still that promise

to us all today,

that we have one who is not just alongside,

but within,

that we can know the power of the Holy Spirit

leading us into your word

and into your truth,

showing us ourselves,

but above all,

showing us you,

as the God who is a God of great compassion

and a great love towards his people.

And we thank you that we have your word

to show us just how precious it is,

the word we have before us

in a world that seeks after its own truth,

even makes up its own truth.

We thank you that your word is truth,

that we have sung of it even in this psalm.

We are reminded of the dangers

of not keeping your word,

but we thank you too

that there is power in your word,

and we pray that for every one of us

we may be able to say,

as the psalmist said,

see how I love thy law,

see how I love your word

and how rich it is to us,

and we pray that we will always be hungry

for your word,

to learn more from it,

and not just learn it,

but to apply it to our lives,

to live the truths that we find in it,

that we would live them out.

As we see your promises,

as we see your challenges to us,

Lord, help us to have listening ears

to understand what you are saying to us.

But we thank you that your word

does indeed endure forever,

that from the beginning

all your word has been most true and sure,

as we have sung,

and that we can come to it anew this evening,

and that your people all over the world today,

and whatever hour of day it is

where your people meet even now,

that your people hear your word,

that it is true and sure

in a world that is so often filled

with so much chaos.

And we pray that throughout the world

your word will bear much fruit,

that people will hear it

and rejoice in it,

that it will be the salvation

of sinners throughout all ends of the earth.

And that for ourselves here tonight

and for all who are at home and listening

and for all who may be tuning in

at a later point,

O Lord,

that your word will be blessed to each of us,

that as we read it and share from it,

your voice will be truly heard,

that you would speak into our hearts,

reminding us, Lord,

that you are the God of truth

and a God of hope.

So bless us together, we pray, Lord,

and remember us in our different needs,

in our homes, in our families,

in our communities at this time.

We know for so many, O Lord,

that going through different trials in life

just now is hard for so many,

that there are people who are struggling

in different ways.

And we pray, Lord,

that you will always help us

to have our eyes open,

not to be like those

who walked past

the one who had been robbed on the way

as Jesus spoke the parable

of the good Samaritan.

They rushed by the one who was beaten

and bruised at the side of the road

because they had other things

that were seemingly more important,

but help us to have

the heart of the good neighbor,

the good Samaritan.

although he saw one

who was perhaps foreign to him,

yet he showed compassion

and he loved him.

And we pray, Lord,

that that's how we would see

people all around us as well,

that we would see them

as those made in your image,

those who are made by you

and who all have the need,

everyone does,

the need of a Savior,

Christ Jesus.

And so, Lord,

give us that heart

to reach out,

to reach out with the good news,

to reach out in compassion,

to reach out in love,

and to share with all around us

the hope that is Jesus Christ.

We pray, Lord,

that in every endeavor we have,

even in this coming week,

that we will be seeking

to do just that,

to share a hope like no other,

to share the one

who is a friend

that stays closer

than any brother,

to share the good news

of the gospel.

And so we pray

that as we join together,

even in different times

throughout this week,

whether it's in times

of prayer and worship,

whether it's at the 55 plus

on Friday,

whether it's through

the work among our young people

at Explorers or Toddlers

or the Christmas Club,

that in every endeavor, Lord,

we would seek

to share the gospel,

the good news,

with all we see around us.

But may you bless us, Lord,

in all of these things,

that as we prayerfully prepare

for the week ahead,

that you would go before us in it,

that you would give strength,

that you would help us

in every task,

in every duty,

to do all as unto the Lord.

That everywhere we go

and whatever place

we represent you,

whether it's before

brothers and sisters in Christ

or whether it's before

people in our workplaces

or homes

or even the strangers

we see around us,

that we would seek

to reflect the beauty of Christ

and to show him.

So, Lord, we pray

all these things,

acknowledging our dependence

upon you

and our need of you.

We pray, too, Lord,

for the seminary

in Edinburgh at this time

as well

and all the students.

Remember this period

of exams

just now

in our seminary.

We pray that all the students

who are sitting exams

and finishing coursework

just now for this session,

that they will be

upheld by you

and strengthened by you

in it.

We pray for Scott

as he will go away

tomorrow for the week.

We pray for safety

and travel.

We pray for him

as he sits his exams

in this coming week,

that you will give him

clarity of thought

and mind,

that you would uphold him

and strengthen him for it,

that you would guide him

throughout this week

to know that you are with him,

that you will uphold him,

that you will keep him.

We pray for Fiona

and the girls, too,

in the busyness of a week

without him at home.

We pray, Lord,

that you will bless them

and all the family together

at this time, Lord,

that you will be near to them.

And as we pray that for them,

we pray it for ourselves

as families, too, Lord,

that together we would

encourage one another,

strengthen one another,

and remember one another.

Remember those who are

grieving at this time, too, Lord.

We know that throughout

our communities,

week by week

and even sometimes

day by day,

the pain of grief

comes into our midst

and it's a pain

like no other.

It is unnatural for us

because it is an enemy

in this world.

And yet we pray

for you to comfort,

for you to give help,

and as your word says

that you will bind up

the brokenhearted,

we pray that many people

will know the real truth

of that,

that you are a God

who is able to comfort,

to strengthen,

and to uphold.

So surround us, Lord,

we pray,

and go before us

tonight and in all

the days ahead.

We commit ourselves

into your hands

asking for your help,

for your blessing,

for your peace

to be with us,

asking forgiveness

for all our sins

as we confess them anew.

In the name of our Lord

and Savior,

we ask all these things

and for his glory.

Amen.

Well, let's sing again

to God's praise.

This time in the Sing Psalms

version of Psalm 14.

We'll find this on page 15

of the Psalm books.

Psalm 14.

We'll sing the whole

of this Psalm

on page 15.

Psalm 14.

This is a Psalm

that speaks about

the one who says

in his heart

that there is no God

and the Word describes

this person

as the fool

and we do want

to be foolish

to say

there is no God

because the Word

of God,

the truth of God

makes it clear

that he has made

all things

and that we are

accountable to him.

So the fool

speaks in his heart.

There is no God,

he says.

They are corrupt,

but their deeds

are vile,

none walk

in godly ways.

But then we sing

at the end of the Psalm,

may help from Sion come,

the Lord

his captive spring,

and then let Jacob's

tribes rejoice,

let Israel

gladly sing.

We'll sing the whole

of this Psalm

the tune of Selma

and we sing

to God's praise.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

O heaven, of all the human race,

to see him may he understand

if may he see all things.

We all have turned aside,

all of them have become.

Not one of them does any good,

no, not a single one.

Will sinners never learn,

my people get deeper,

as if they were once to be laid,

they may not seek the Lord.

Strong doubt they are with them,

our God is without us.

Purely, the loomer,

in the blue,

but in the Lord they trust.

We have from Zion come,

the Lord is now dead free,

and let let the hope's right rejoice,

let Israel have we sing.

We'll turn to read together now

in the book of Nehemiah

and the Old Testament.

The book of Nehemiah,

we're reading in chapter 6 together this evening.

You'll find it around page 479

in the church Bibles.

Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job.

So Nehemiah chapter 6,

Nehemiah 6 · chapter mention

as we continue our study in this book,

where we've seen it's not just

about the work of building the wall of Jerusalem,

that's going on,

but that's not really the major lesson

that we're taking from it,

because it's a reminder to us

that in the work of the Lord

that there are many challenges for us,

as Nehemiah faced up

to so many challenges along the way.

And we see again more challenges

that he faces here in chapter 6,

and just how he deals with these challenges

is really what we want to focus on.

So we'll read together in Nehemiah chapter 6

Nehemiah 6 · chapter mention

from the beginning of the chapter,

reading down into chapter 7.

Now when Simballat and Tobiah and Geshem,

the Arab and the rest of our enemies,

heard that I had built the wall

and that there was no breach left in it,

although up to that time

I had not set up the doors in the gates.

Sanballat and Geshem sent to me,

saying,

Come, and let us meet together

at HaKepharim in the plain of Ono.

But they intended to do me harm,

and I sent messengers to them,

saying,

I am doing a great work,

and I cannot come down.

Why should the work stop

while I have it,

while I leave it,

and come down to you?

And they sent to me four times

in the same manner.

In the same way,

Simballat for the fifth time

sent his servant to me

with an open letter in his hand.

In it was written,

it is reported among the nations,

and Geshem also says it,

that you and the Jews intend to rebel.

That is why you are building the wall.

And according to these reports,

you wish to become their king.

And you have also set up prophets

to proclaim concerning you in Jerusalem,

there is a king in Judah.

And now the king will hear of these reports.

So now come and let us take counsel together.

Then I sent to him, saying,

No such things as you say have been done,

for you are inventing them

out of your own mind.

For they all wanted to frighten us,

thinking their hands will drop from the work,

and it will not be done.

But now, O God, strengthen my hands.

Now when I went into the house of Shemaiah,

the son of Deliah,

son of Methabal,

who was confined to his home,

he said,

Let us meet together in the house of God,

within the temple.

Let us close the doors of the temple,

for they are coming to kill you.

They are coming to kill you by night.

But I said,

Should such a man as I run away,

and what man such as I

could go into the temple and live?

I will not go in.

And I understood and saw

that God had not sent him,

but he had pronounced the prophecy against me,

because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.

For this purpose he was hired,

that I should be afraid

and act in this way and sin,

and so they could give me a bad name

in order to taunt me.

Remember Tobiah and Sanballat,

O my God,

according to these things that they did,

and also the prophetess Nadiah

and the rest of the prophets

who wanted to make me afraid.

So the wall was finished

on the twenty-fifth day

of the month Elul,

in fifty-two days.

And when all our enemies heard of it,

all the nations around us

were afraid and fell greatly

in their own esteem,

for they perceived that this work

had been accomplished

with the help of our God.

Moreover, in those days,

the nobles of Judah

sent many letters to Tobiah,

and Tobiah's letters came to them.

For many in Judah

were bound by oath to him,

because he was the son-in-law

of Shekaniah,

the son of Ara.

And his son Jehonanan

had taken the daughter

of Mesushalim,

the son of Berchiah,

as his wife.

Also they spoke of his good deeds

in my presence

and reported my words to him.

And Tobiah sent letters

to make me afraid.

Now when the wall had been built

and I had set up the doors

and the gatekeepers,

the singers,

and the Levites

had been appointed,

I gave my brother Hanani

and Hananiah,

the governor of the castle,

charge over Jerusalem,

for he was a more faithful

and God-fearing man

than many.

And I said to them,

let not the gates of Jerusalem

be opened until the sun is hot.

And while they are still

standing guard,

let them shut and bar the doors.

Appoint the guards

from among the inhabitants

of Jerusalem,

some at their guard posts

and some in front

of their own homes.

The city was wide and large,

but the people within it

were few

and no houses

had been rebuilt.

And so on.

And may God bless that reading

from his word.

Before we turn back

to look at this passage,

we'll again sing together

to God's praise.

Again in Psalm 119,

but this time

in the Sing Psalms version,

page 157.

We're singing the section

from verse 9

down to verse 16.

Four stanzas.

The tune is

Head and Gate.

Again, this psalm,

as I said,

reminds us of the importance

of God's word.

And here this section

speaks of

the young ones,

really.

How can the young

keep their life pure?

So as we think of this,

we see the word of God

is for everyone,

young and old alike.

And the command

is there for us,

even from our young days,

to keep the word of God

by listening

to what the word does

and not to be

led astray,

as it were,

by so many of the lies

and temptations

of this world.

So we'll sing this section,

verse 9 to 16,

to God's praise.

Amen.

Amen.

How can the young

keep their life pure?

By doing what

you're working must,

I see you with my heart and soul,

let me not stray from your command.

Your word I've laid in my heart

To keep me from

hope and in you

Praise be to you,

O Lord my God,

teach me your

Sagittarius,

learn my truth,

each love proceeding

from your heart,

I gladly with my lips

have told,

I love to follow you

from us,

as others

love to count their gold.

I meditate upon your ways,

And all your

precepts I repay,

I take delight

in your decrees,

Your word I never will

be paid.

Amen.

Let's turn back to our reading

in Nehemiah chapter 6

Nehemiah 6 · chapter mention

and study this passage

together for a time

this evening.

We can read again

at verse 8 and 9.

Nehemiah chapter 6

Nehemiah 6 · chapter mention

at verse 8.

At this point,

the reports have been

sent to Nehemiah

from Geshem

and Tobiah

and Sambalat,

these three men

who came into

his life

in this way,

and they're bringing

false accusations

against him,

and then

Nehemiah's response

to them is this

in verse 8,

Then I sent to him

saying,

No such things

as you say

have been done,

for you are inventing

them out of your own mind,

for they all

wanted to frighten us,

thinking their hands

will drop from the work,

and it will not be done.

But now,

O God,

strengthen

my hands.

Well, as we've been

going through this

book of Nehemiah,

we've seen how

Nehemiah was given

this real burden

and vision

for the work

that needed to be done

in Jerusalem.

Nehemiah was a Jew

who had been living

in a land

many miles away

from Jerusalem.

He'd never even been

in Jerusalem.

His parents

had been taken captive,

there,

many years prior to this

and been taken into

captivity in Persia

and Babylon.

But Nehemiah had come

to be in an important

role there.

He was a cupbearer

of the king

in Persia,

a very important job.

But God came to him

through his brother

with a word

that gave him

a real sense

of burden

for Jerusalem

and especially

for God's people,

that they were suffering,

that the walls

had been burnt down,

that the city

was in ruin

and God gave him

this vision

to rebuild.

And so he traveled

back to the city

and began

this great work

of restoring

the wall

of Jerusalem.

But it was more

than just restoring

the walls.

It was about restoring

the people,

restoring them

to a right worship

of God,

restoring them

in their faith

and their desire

to serve the Lord.

And what we've seen

up to this point

is how faithful

Nehemiah was

to this call.

He had encountered,

yes,

many problems

and oppositions.

Every corner

seemed to have

someone or something

that would challenge

this work

and seek

to stop this work.

But the work

has gone on.

He's leading

the people

with this vision

and this sense

of this is what God

has for us

to do.

His kingdom

is so important.

His people

are so

important.

And what we saw

the last time

was that

in chapter 5

Nehemiah's work

was going on

he had to be open

to just everything

that was taking

place all around.

And the point

really was

that we can become

so consumed

in just one aspect

of the work

that we fail

to see

suffering

that is going on

in other places

and other ways.

What happened

with Nehemiah

in his day

was a famine

had come

that was affecting

the people

who were still living

outside Jerusalem

in villages

and towns

around it.

They were suffering

because many

or nearly all

of the men

were involved

in the building

work of the wall.

But those

who were still

left in the villages

and towns

were suffering.

They were in

great debt.

They were in famine.

They were starving.

And so Nehemiah

was challenged

by men and women

from these towns

to remember them.

And we saw

how every aspect

of the work

was covered.

Nehemiah

was again

challenged

and burdened

by the word

of God

to him

at that point

and led

by example.

He didn't

take things

that he had

the right to

but he made

sure that everyone

was looked out

for and looked

after.

Nehemiah

was a wise

leader,

a good leader.

And in leading

the people

he made sure

that everyone

was looked

after and cared

for and that

everyone was

going in the

same direction.

But as with

any good leader

they're always

going to face

opposition.

And for

Nehemiah

it just seemed

to come

again and

again.

As with any

good work

that's happening

in the work

of the kingdom

of God

there's always

going to be

challenges.

And we're

always going

to see that

there is one

who wants

to spoil

and to hinder.

So when there's

something good

happening

there's another

one who wants

to come in

and spoil.

and this

one will

use any

means possible.

We are of

course talking

about the

devil and

how he will

come in and

seek to

spoil so

many things.

And as we

come into

chapter 6

we see

another

challenge

arise for

Nehemiah.

We see a

familiar foe

return and

this time

they've got a

different kind

of attack

to bring to

Nehemiah.

They're going

to start

telling lies

about Nehemiah

about the

work

about what

he's doing.

They're going

to try and

disgrace him

to make him

stop the

work that he

has been

involved in.

Lies are

central to

what they're

going to

do.

Have you

ever told

a lie?

Have you

ever been

lied to?

I'm sure

if we had

a show

of hands

for both

these

questions

pretty much

every hand

would go

up.

Lying can

almost become

second nature

to us and

if we're

telling lies

we know

there'll be

others around

us who are

telling lies

as well.

And as we

look around

us it's so

difficult for

us sometimes

to tell what

is a lie

and what

is truth.

truth.

There's a

program on

television called

Would I

Lie to

You?

In many

ways it's a

funny program

to watch.

You have two

different teams

two different

panels and

each team has

to try and

convince or

not the

other team

whether what

they're saying

is a truth

or a lie.

And it can

be very

amusing at

times.

They can be

so convincing

whether it's

delivering something

that is a

lie and

trying to

make it out

as truth

or something

that is

true.

And they're

trying to

make people

think it

is a

lie.

And it's

so hard

sometimes just

to tell the

difference.

But there's a

serious side to

that kind of

thing as well

because of the

kind of world

that we live

in.

Where we're

trying to

work out

well who

is telling

the truth

and who

is lying.

It's a

challenge for

us on a

daily basis

when we're

hearing from

others,

when we're

reading things,

when we're

listening to

the news,

what is

truth

and what

is a

lie?

And how

do we

tell the

difference?

We can so

easily get

pulled in

by what we

believe is

truth but it's

actually a

lie and vice

versa.

Is it fact

or is it

fiction?

It's a

challenge to

us.

And that

was a

challenge in

Nehemiah.

his day

as well

and for

his people

there as

well.

Samballet,

Tobiah and

Geshem came

on the attack

to try and

bring fear

among them

because that

is so often

what trying to

suss out what

is lie and

truth does

for us.

It leaves us

confused.

It leaves us

afraid.

And so we

need to try

and work

out what

is truth.

Truth is

what we

should be

seek but

our world

has turned

away from

truth because

we've turned

away from

the word of

God.

Therefore

truth is so

difficult to

find.

But this

is not

new.

In Romans

Romans 1:24

chapter 1

verse 24

it tells us

there,

therefore God

gave them up

in the lusts

of their

hearts to

impurity.

to the

dishonoring of

their bodies

among themselves

because they

exchanged the

truth about

God for a

lie.

They exchanged

the truth

about God

for a

lie.

And that's

the recurring

problem of

a sinful

heart, a

sinful people.

We replace

the truth

about God

for a

lie.

And

therefore it's

so hard for

us then

to see

what is

truth

and what

is a

lie.

Wouldn't it

be great to

have somewhere

to go to

find truth?

Well we

do.

We have

God's

word.

Jesus

himself as

he prayed

for his

people in

John 17

he said

this,

sanctify them

in the

truth.

Your

word is

truth.

We have

truth.

And what we

have to do

is replace

a lie

for the

truth

about God.

We need to

reverse the

situation that

we read of

in Romans,

the situation

that is so

common in

every generation

and every

people.

exchanging the

truth about

God for a

lie.

We need to

replace the

lies of this

world for the

truth about

God and his

word is

truth.

truth.

We have

it but do

we believe

it and do

we live

it?

That is a

challenge that

Nehemiah

faced.

That is a

challenge that

he stood up

to in a

world full of

lies.

He shows us

how to

respond by

standing on

truth and

surrounding

ourselves with

it.

So tonight I

want us to

take three

lessons again

from Nehemiah's

life and

experience so

we can

apply to

ourselves.

Three things

that we see

here are

first of all

fear or

faith.

What is

our dependence

in?

How are we

living in

that sense?

Are we

living in

fear or

are we

living in

faith?

And secondly

we will see

here the

false friends

that can so

often lead us

astray.

And then

thirdly we are

going to think

about what is

our defense

in the midst

of all of

this.

faith.

So the

first thing

we want to

consider is

fear or

faith.

How are we

going to

live?

What kind

of people

are we

going to

be?

How important

is truth

to you?

Does every

word that

come out of

your mouth

do you make

sure I

want that

word to

be truth?

truth?

I want

every word

that I

say to

be truth.

Do you

listen to

every word

and think

I want to

hear every

word that

is truth?

Or are there

times where

you twist

the truth

or twist

what you

hear or

enjoy hearing

something that

maybe is

only a half

truth?

It's so

hard for us

at times.

But truth

should be

essential

to us.

Truth

should be

what we

live by.

If we

live by

God's

word we

are to

live by

truth because

his word

is truth.

But what

is true?

That is so

often the

challenge.

One group

of musicians,

one band,

they wrote

an album and

the title of

the album

was This

is my

truth,

now tell

me yours.

Can we

all have

a different

truth?

Can we

all believe

something that's

different in

every part of

our life or

society or

our world and

think that's

okay, we

can all have

our different

truth?

No, because

everything cannot

be true.

That is not

possible.

There are

things that are

fact and

there are

things that

are fiction.

And if we

listen to

the lies of

this world,

listening to

lies is what

so often

leaves us in

a state of

fear because

we're not

leaning upon

truth.

We're not

depending upon

truth.

And so this

is a very

challenge that

Nehemiah faced

here when these

three familiar

people came

into his

experience again.

We'd seen

them before in

chapter 2,

how they had

come to try

and stop

the work.

They had

come on the

attack and

here they are

returning again

in chapter 6

just before the

work of building

the wall is

nearly complete.

So you maybe

think to

yourself, the

reappearance of

Sanballat,

Tobiah and

Gershom, they're

going to maybe

come and

apologize for

their poor

behavior previous.

They're going

to look around

and see actually,

Nehemiah, you

were right in

what you've done

in rebuilding

this wall.

they've come to

congratulate him

in this work.

No.

Even though the

work is nearly

complete in terms

of the outside

of the wall

of Jerusalem,

they come to

intimidate

Nehemiah,

attempting to

make him fear.

And attempting

to make him fear

in order that the

work will come

to a standstill

once again.

And fear is

central to

their plans.

You see this

as you go

through this

chapter,

verse 9,

11,

13,

14,

19.

Each of

these verses,

it says,

they wanted

him to be

afraid.

In verse 9,

it says,

for they wanted

to frighten

us.

In verse 11,

he said,

a false prophet

was hired to

make him

afraid.

Again,

he reiterates

that.

In verse 13,

he was hired

that I should

be afraid.

Verse 14,

he prays

and asks

God to

remember

these people,

Tobiah,

Sambalat,

and these

prophets,

who wanted

to make

me afraid.

In verse 19,

Tobiah sent

letters to

make Nehemiah

afraid.

Fear.

They're trying

to plant

this fear

in Nehemiah

and the

people so

that the

work will

stop.

Because fear

paralyzes.

And especially

when it comes

to doing the

work of the

Lord,

so often

it is fear

that will

paralyze

and stop

the work

of the

Lord going

on.

But how

are they

going to

implement

this plan?

How are they

going to

get this

to work?

Well,

first,

they're going

to use

flattery.

In verse

4,

well,

between

verse 2

and verse

4,

they start

to invite

Nehemiah

to meet

together in

this place

called

Olo.

Four times

they invited

him.

They're trying

to flatter

him.

Come,

let us

come together

and let's

talk about

this.

Surely we

can come

to some

kind of

compromise.

But you

read in

verse 3,

he knows

that their

intention was

not right.

it says

in the end

of verse 2

and into

verse 3,

he said,

but they

intended to

do me

harm.

You see,

he knew

them too

well.

He knew

their

intentions,

but he

knew God

better.

And when

you look

at it,

what they

were trying

to do

is take

him away

from the

work.

But he

says in

verse 3,

I am

doing

a great

work and

I cannot

come down.

Why should

the work

stop while

I leave

it and

come down

to you?

Now,

he's not

saying that

his work

is what

he's proud

of,

his own

handwork.

What he's

saying is

the work

that he

is involved

in,

God's

work,

is a

great work.

It's the

most important

work.

To him,

this is the

chief work.

To be

involved in

doing what

God is

wanting him

to do and

giving him

a vision

to do.

So their

flattery isn't

going to

work.

He puts

them off.

He puts

them away.

But then

there's another

plan.

This doesn't

work, so

they have

another plan.

This is when

the lies

come in.

In verse

6,

they sent him

a letter,

that.

And in

it is

said,

it is

reported

among the

nations,

and Geshem

also says

that you

and the

Jews intend

to rebel.

So this

is their

new plan.

It is

reported.

This is

their way

to get

him.

Lies.

Let's

just make

up stories

about.

Fake

news is

something that

seems to

be a new

phenomenon,

especially over

the years of

President Trump

when it

seemed to

just come

to the

fore.

Fake

news was

spoken about

every week.

Everything

that was

said against

certain people,

that's just

fake news.

And again,

it just adds

to the

confusion.

What do

we believe?

And it's

based around

really what

we read

here.

It is

reported.

Let's

just make

up something

that's

going to

get

Nehemiah

in trouble

and disgrace

him.

This

still goes

on.

The

intention

behind

these

lies

is to

disgrace

and to

bring a

leader

down.

And

well,

it's

nothing

new.

Telling

lies is