11/16/2025
[설교노트 / Sermon notes]
“하나님의 일의 방해세력 (1) - 실망과 두려움을 주려는 세력”
본문: 느헤미야 4:1-14Title: “Faith That Builds the Wall – Overcoming Opposition (1)”
📖 Nehemiah 4:1-14
Preacher: Rev. Jeongsub Choi
1.성경본문 읽기 / Read the Bible
- Read it in a language that makes more sense to you
(느 4:1-14, 새번역)
[1] 우리가 성벽을 다시 쌓아 올리고 있다는 소식을 들은 산발랏은, 몹시 분개하며 화를 내었다. 그는 유다 사람을 비웃으며,
[2] 자기 동료들과 사마리아 군인들이 듣는 데에서 "힘도 없는 유다인들이 도대체 무슨 일을 하는 거냐? 이 성벽을 다시 쌓는다고? 여기에서 제사를 지내겠다는 거냐? 하루 만에 일을 끝낸다는 거냐? 불타 버린 돌을 흙무더기 속에서 다시 꺼내서 쓸 수 있다는 거냐?" 하고 빈정거렸다.
[3] 그의 곁에 서 있는 암몬 사람 도비야도 한 마디 거들었다. "다시 쌓으면 뭘 합니까? 돌로 성벽을 쌓는다지만, 여우 한 마리만 기어올라가도 무너지고 말 겁니다."
[4] "우리의 하나님, 들어주십시오. 우리가 이렇게 업신여김을 받고 있습니다. 제발, 우리에게 퍼붓는 그 욕이 그들에게 되돌아가게 하여 주십시오. 그들이 노략을 당하게 하시고, 남의 나라로 끌려가게 하여 주십시오.
[5] 그들의 죄를 용서하지 마시고, 그들의 죄를 못 본 체하지 마십시오. 그들이야말로 성을 쌓고 있는 우리 앞에서 주님을 모욕한 자들입니다."
[6] 우리는 성 쌓는 일을 계속하였다. 백성이 마음을 모아서 열심히 일하였으므로, 성벽 두르기는 마칠 수 있었으나, 높이는 반밖에 쌓지 못하였다.
[7] 그 때에 산발랏과 도비야와 아랍 사람들과 암몬 사람들과 아스돗 사람들은, 예루살렘 성벽 재건이 잘 되어가고 있으며, 군데군데 무너진 벽을 다시 잇기 시작하였다는 소식을 듣고서, 몹시 화를 내면서,
[8] 한꺼번에 예루살렘으로 올라와서 성을 치기로 함께 모의하였다. 우리를 혼란에 빠뜨리려는 것이었다.
[9] 그래서 우리는, 한편으로는 우리의 하나님께 기도를 드리고, 다른 한편으로는 경비병을 세워, 밤낮으로 지키게 하였다.
[10] 그런데 유다 사람들 사이에서 이런 노래가 퍼지고 있었다. 흙더미는 아직도 산더미 같은데, 짊어지고 나르다 힘이 다 빠졌으니, 우리 힘으로는 이 성벽 다 쌓지 못하리.
[11] 한편 우리의 원수들은, 쥐도 새도 모르게 쳐들어와서 우리를 죽여서, 일을 못하게 하려고 계획하고 있었다.
[12] 그들 가까이에서 사는 유다 사람들이 우리에게 올라와서, 그들이 사방에서 우리를 치려고 한다고, 열 번이나 일러주었다.
[13] 그래서 나는 백성 가운데서 얼마를 가문별로, 칼과 창과 활로 무장시켜서, 성벽 뒤 낮은 빈터에 배치하였다.
[14] 백성이 두려워하는 것을 보고, 나는 귀족들과 관리들과 그 밖의 백성들을 격려하였다. "그들을 두려워하지 말아라. 위대하고 두려운 주님을 기억하고, 형제자매와 자식과 아내와 가정을 지켜야 하니, 싸워라."
Nehemiah 4:1-14
[1] When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews,
[2] and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble - burned as they are?”
[3] Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, “What they are building - even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!”
[4] Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity.
[5] Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of the builders.
[6] So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.
[7] But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry.
[8] They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it.
[9] But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.
[10] Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.”
[11] Also our enemies said, “Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.”
[12] Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.”
[13] Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows.
[14] After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”
10. gratitude / 감사
Reflect on what you were grateful for during the past week and express your gratitude to the Lord and to others.
지난 한 주간에 자신에게 있었던 감사를 마음에 새겨보고 주님과 사람들에게 감사의 말을 합니다 .
“I love you.” “I will strive to serve.” “I will strive to pray.” “Let us share our prayer requests with one another.” “With hands raised high, we worship the Lord.” “Clapping hands together, we will follow the Lord.”
Love God and love your neighbor.” “Love one another.” “Serve one another.” “Obey one another.” “Forgive one another and become one body.” Worship God in spirit and truth.” “Establish God's kingdom. Practice heaven. Live to create the culture of heaven”“사랑합니다” “힘써 섬기겠습니다” “힘써 기도하겠습니다” “서로 기도제목을 나눕시다”
”두 손들어 주님을 예배합니다” “서로 손을 마주치며 주님을 따르겠습니다.”
”하나님 사랑하고 이웃을 사랑합니다” “서로 사랑하라” “서로 섬기라” “서로 순종하라” “서로 용서하고 하나되어 한 몸을 이루라” “성령과 진리로 하나님을 예배하라” “하나님 나라를 이루라. 천국을 연습하라”
🧩 Sermon Notes 설교 노트
“Faith That Builds the Wall – Overcoming Opposition”
Nehemiah 4:1–14
“하나님의 일의 방해세력 (1) - 실망과 두려움을 주려는 세력”
본문: 느헤미야 4:1-14
🟦 1 - When God’s Work Begins, Opposition Also Comes
When God’s people rise to rebuild, the enemy rises to oppose.
Sanballat and Tobiah mocked, discouraged, and threatened the workers.
Even internal voices of discouragement appeared: “There is too much rubble… we cannot rebuild.” (Neh. 4:10)
Opposition aims to break the heart so that the work stops.
1️⃣ 하나님의 일이 시작되면 방해도 반드시 일어난다 (4:1–3)
하나님의 일을 시작하면 반드시 방해가 찾아옵니다. 산발랏과 도비야는 조롱하고, 낙심시키고, 위협했습니다.
심지어 내부에서도 불평이 나왔습니다: “흙무더기가 너무 많아서 우리가 능히 성을 쌓지 못하겠다” (느 4:10).
방해의 목적은 마음을 무너뜨려 일을 멈추게 하는 것입니다.
🟩2 - How did Nehemiah respond in the face of opposition?
✔ ① — Nehemiah Responds With Prayer First
Nehemiah did not react emotionally nor defend himself. He brought the matter directly to God:
“Lord, hear us, for we are despised.” (4:4)
Through prayer, the people regained strength, and Scripture says,
“So the people worked with all their heart.” (4:6)
✔ ② Remembering God in the Crisis
Nehemiah called the people back to spiritual focus:
“Do not be afraid. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome!” (4:14)
Faith begins not by looking at the size of the threat but by remembering the greatness of God.
2️⃣ 방해 앞에서 느헤미야는 어떻게 반응했는가?
느헤미야는 감정적으로 대응하지 않았습니다.
그는 모든 상황을 하나님께로 가져갔습니다:
“우리 하나님이여, 들으시옵소서. 우리가 업신여김을 당하나이다” (느 4:4).
기도함으로 백성들은 다시 마음을 얻었습니다.
성경은 말합니다: “백성이 마음을 다하여 일을 하였으므로” (느 4:6).느헤미야는 백성들의 시선을 다시 하나님께로 돌렸습니다:
“그들을 두려워하지 말라! 위대하고 두려우신 주님을 기억하라!” (느 4:14).
믿음은 상황의 크기가 아니라 하나님의 크심을 기억하는 데서 시작됩니다.
🟥 3 - Prayers That Cut Off the Enemy’s Influence
Jesus said, “Get behind me, Satan.”
Nehemiah declared to the enemy, “You have no share or claim in Jerusalem.” (2:20)
Likewise, believers must pray specifically:
Declare God’s ownership
“Lord, this area of my life belongs to You.”Reject the enemy’s influence
“Fear, discouragement—leave in Jesus’ name.”Invite God’s kingdom
“Lord, let Your rule come into my heart and home.”Commit to obedience today
“Strengthen me to obey You right now.”
3️⃣ 적용 — 방해를 끊어내는 구체적인 기도
예수님은 “사탄아 물러가라”라고 기도하셨습니다.
느헤미야는 “너희는 이 땅에서 아무 기업도 없고, 권리도 없다” (느 2:20)고 선포했습니다.
우리도 구체적으로 기도해야 합니다:
소유권 선포
“주님, 이 삶의 영역은 하나님 것입니다.”대적 거절
“두려움과 낙심은 떠나가라.”하나님 나라 초청
“주님의 통치가 내 마음과 가정에 임하소서.”오늘의 순종 결단
“오늘 순종할 힘을 주소서.”
🟪 4 - Building the Wall Through Obedience
Opposition is a sign that you are walking in God’s calling.
Prayer gives strength.
Faith declarations break darkness.
But obedience is what actually rebuilds the wall.
The wall was rebuilt in 52 days—not by talent, but by prayer + unity + obedience.4️⃣ 결론 — 변화는 ‘기도’로 시작되지만, ‘순종’으로 완성된다
방해는 우리가 하나님의 사명을 따라가고 있다는 증거입니다.
기도는 힘을 주고,
믿음의 선포는 어둠을 끊어내지만,
실제로 성벽을 세우는 것은 순종입니다.
52일 만에 성벽이 재건된 이유는 능력이 아니라 기도 + 연합 + 순종이었습니다.
🟨 5 - Prayer of Commitment / 결단의 기도
“Lord, show me the broken walls of my life.
Help me see You greater than my fears.
Give me courage to obey today,
and rebuild my life, my family, and my community through Your grace.”“주님, 제 삶의 무너진 성벽을 보게 하소서.
두려움보다 하나님을 더 크게 보게 하시고,
오늘 순종할 용기를 주셔서
내 삶과 가정과 공동체를 새롭게 세워 주소서.”
[Sermon in English]
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📖 SERMON MANUSCRIPT (
“Faith That Builds the Wall – Overcoming Opposition”
Nehemiah 4:1–14
Introduction — When God’s People Rise, Opposition Also Rises
Brothers and sisters, whenever God begins a new work in His people, the enemy also begins his work.
When God builds, Satan tries to break.
When God restores, Satan tries to discourage.
When God calls you to move forward, the enemy whispers, “You can’t. You’re too weak. Look at all the rubble.”That is exactly what happened in Nehemiah 4.
The people of God were rebuilding the broken walls of Jerusalem.
But the moment the work started, opposition came from every direction—mockery, threats, discouragement, fear, and internal exhaustion.And the same thing happens in our lives.
When you try to rebuild faith…
When you try to restore your family…
When you commit to purity, prayer, Scripture, worship…
When you decide to live a new life in Christ…Opposition rises.
But today, God gives us a word: “Do not be afraid. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome.” (Neh. 4:14)
This is the faith that builds the wall.
1. When God’s Work Begins, Opposition Will Come
Nehemiah 4 opens with Sanballat and Tobiah laughing at the Jews.
“What are these feeble Jews doing?”
“If even a fox climbs on this wall, it will fall!”Their words were designed to break the spirit of God’s people.
Today, the enemy does the same thing:
“You’re not strong enough to change.”
“Your past is too heavy.”
“Your family is too broken.”
“Your faith is too small.”
“Your sin is too great.”
Then came internal discouragement:
“There is too much rubble. We cannot rebuild.” (4:10)Rubble is the enemy’s favorite weapon.
Rubble is:
your past failures
unresolved habits
emotional burdens
broken relationships
regrets
disappointments
the heaviness that makes you say, “I can’t anymore”
Before the wall collapses, the heart collapses first.
This is how the enemy works.
But God teaches Nehemiah—and us—how to overcome such attacks.2. Nehemiah Responds with Prayer First
Nehemiah does not debate, defend, or fight the critics.
He does not waste energy arguing with those who try to stop God’s work.Instead, he immediately turns to God:
“Lord, hear us, for we are despised.” (4:4)
Prayer was not the last step—it was the first response.
Because of that prayer, the Bible says:
“So the people worked with all their heart.” (4:6)
Prayer restored their spirit.
Prayer revived courage.
Prayer broke the power of discouragement.Brothers and sisters, when you feel the rubble of your life overwhelming you,
do not argue with the enemy—run to God in prayer.3. Remembering God in the Crisis
When fear began to rise, Nehemiah gathered the people and lifted their eyes to God:
“Do not be afraid of them.
Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome!” (4:14)This is the turning point.
Faith is not ignoring the problem.
Faith is remembering who God is in the middle of the problem.The people were not saved because the enemy disappeared.
They were saved because they remembered:God is greater
God is stronger
God is faithful
God called them
God will finish what He began
When fear rises in your heart, you must preach to yourself:
“Remember the Lord!”4. Prayers That Cut Off the Enemy’s Influence
In the Gospels, Jesus said, “Get behind me, Satan.”
In Nehemiah 2:20, Nehemiah declared:
“You have no share, no claim, no historic right in Jerusalem.”He was saying:
“This land belongs to God. You have no authority here. Leave.”You must pray like this over your life:
1) Declare God’s ownership
“Lord, this area of my life belongs to You.”
2) Reject the enemy’s influence
“In Jesus’ name, fear, discouragement, and confusion must leave.”
3) Invite God’s kingdom
“Lord, let Your rule fill my heart, my family, my work, and my future.”
4) Commit to obedience today
“Lord, strengthen me to obey You now—not later.”
These prayers restore spiritual clarity and rebuild the inner wall of the heart.
5. Faith That Rebuilds the Wall
Opposition is not a sign of defeat;
it is a sign that you are walking in God’s calling.God did not remove the enemy—
He strengthened the workers.The wall was rebuilt in 52 days.
Not because the people were powerful,
but because they were:people of prayer
people of unity
people of obedience
people who remembered the Lord
This is the faith that builds the wall.
Conclusion — A Call to Rebuild Your Wall Today
Brothers and sisters,
Where are the walls broken in your life?
Your faith?
Your relationships?
Your purity?
Your calling?
Your hope?
Your prayer life?
Where has the enemy attacked you?
Today the Lord says:
“Do not be afraid.
Remember the Lord.
Pick up your stone again.
Rebuild the wall.”This week, practice four things:
Pray first
Declare God’s authority
Remove rubble from your heart
Obey in small steps
God will strengthen your hands just as He strengthened Nehemiah’s.
Closing Prayer
“Lord, rebuild the broken walls of our lives.
Restore hope where there is fear.
Give us courage to obey today.
Teach us to pray and to remember You.
We reject every dark influence in Jesus’ name.
Build Your kingdom in us, our families, our careers, and our church.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
🙏 Prayer for Determination and Dedication
(헌신과 결단의 기도)
I encourage you to tell the Lord what you have decided to commit to in your life as you listen to today's message and pray to Him for help.
오늘 말씀을 듣고 삶에 결단하며 헌신하겠다고 한 것을 주님께 말씀 드리고 주님께 도움을 구하는 기도를 하시길 바랍니다.