12/28/2025
[Sermon notes / 설교노트 ]
"The final challenge in the wall construction"
Text: Nehemiah Chapter 6“성벽 공사의 마지막 고비”
본문: 느헤미야 6장
I. Read the Bible / 성경본문 읽기
- Read it in a language that makes more sense to you
(Nehemiah 6:1,14,15,16, NIV11)
[1] When word came to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it - though up to that time I had not set the doors in the gates -
[14] Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, my God, because of what they have done; remember also the prophet Noadiah and how she and the rest of the prophets have been trying to intimidate me.
[15] So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days.
[16] When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.
(느헤미야 6:1,14,15,16, 새번역)
[1] 내가 성벽을 쌓아 올려 무너진 곳을 다 이었다는 말이 산발랏과 도비야와 아랍 사람 게셈과 그 밖의 우리 원수의 귀에까지 들어갔다. 그러나 그 때까지도 성문들의 문짝은 만들어 달지 못하고 있었는데,
[14] "나의 하나님, 도비야와 산발랏이 한 일을 잊지 마십시오. 예언자 노아댜와 그 밖에 나에게 겁을 주려고 한 예언자들이 나에게 한 일을 잊지 마십시오."
[15] 성벽 공사는 오십이 일 만인 엘룰월 이십오일에 끝났다.
[16] 우리의 모든 원수와 주변의 여러 민족이 이 소식을 듣고, 완공된 성벽도 보았다. 그제서야 우리의 원수는, 이 공사가 우리 하나님의 도움으로 이루어진 것임을 깨달았다. 그래서 그들은 기가 꺾였다.
II. gratitude / 감사
Reflect on what you were grateful for during the past week and express your gratitude to the Lord and to others.
Reflect on the experiences, thoughts, or feelings you had while putting last week's sermon into practice, and share words of gratitude.지난 한 주간에 자신에게 있었던 감사를 마음에 새겨보고 주님과 사람들에게 감사의 말을 합니다 .
지난 주 설교말씀을 실행하면서 갖게 된 경험이나 마음이나 감정을 돌아보며 감사하는 하는 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”God is not satisfied with anything less than a true relationship. I will keep practicing to build a personal relationship with you.
“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”
”하나님은 관계다운 관계가 아니면 만족하지 않으신다. 나는 당신과 인격적인 관계를 만들기 위해 계속 연습하겠습니다”
[Sermon in English] Click the "+" sign below
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The final challenge in the wall construction
Text: Nehemiah 6 (NIV 2011)
Introduction | The Last Stage Is the Most Intense
Dear brothers and sisters,
when we serve God, there is a moment we often experience.Just when we feel,
“We are almost there,”
that is when the strongest resistance appears.This was true in the days of Nehemiah.
The broken walls had been rebuilt.
But the gates had not yet been installed.
The work was close to completion, but it was not finished.And at this final stage,
the enemies launched their most intense attack.Satan is often less concerned
about stopping God’s work from beginning
than about making sure it never gets finished.
Scripture Reading (Together)Nehemiah 6:9a
“They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, ‘Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.’ But I prayed, ‘Now strengthen my hands.’”
1. External Attacks | Fear Is Used to Stop the Mission: Fear Spread Through False Rumors
The enemies no longer attacked with weapons.
Instead, they used rumors and intimidation.They said,
“Nehemiah is rebelling against the king.
He wants to make himself king.”The issue was not whether the rumor was true.
The real goal was fear.Fear makes leaders hesitate.
Fear pulls God’s servants away from their calling.
Fear stops the work of God.But Nehemiah did not leave the site.
He did not go to defend himself.
He stayed where God had placed him and prayed.Scripture Reading (NIV 2011)
Nehemiah 6:9b
“They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, ‘Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.’
But I prayed, ‘Now strengthen my hands.’”Brothers and sisters,
in moments of crisis, God’s people choose prayer,
not explanation.2. Internal Attacks | Temptation Disguised as Faith
The attack became more subtle.
This time it came wearing religious clothing.A false prophet came to Nehemiah and said,
“People are coming to kill you.
Go into the temple and hide to save your life.”It sounded spiritual.
It sounded wise.
But it was a trap.If Nehemiah entered the temple,
he would violate God’s law
and destroy his integrity as a leader.Nehemiah answered firmly.
Scripture Reading (NIV 2011)
Nehemiah 6:11
“But I said, ‘Should a man like me run away? Or should someone like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go!’”
This was not just bravery.
It was an identity confession.“I know who I am.
I know why God placed me here.”Not every religious-sounding voice comes from God.
If it leads us to fear and abandonment of our calling,
it is not from Him.3. The Standard of Discernment | Fear or My God?
Nehemiah discerns every situation he faces
by repeatedly confessing, “my God.”The standard of discernment is simple.
We must ask:
Is this word coming from God,
or is it meant to make me afraid
and cause me to abandon my calling?This is the same question we must ask today.
The real issue is not whether a choice feels comfortable or safe,
but whether this is the place
where God is calling me to stand before Him.Faithful to the End | Shaken, but Not Broken
Nehemiah was under pressure.
He was threatened,
and he was alone.Yet he did not lay down his mission.
The apostle Paul confesses this kind of life:
Scripture Reading (together)
2 Corinthians 4:8–9
“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed;
perplexed, but not in despair;
persecuted, but not abandoned;
struck down, but notGod’s people are not those who live without suffering,
but those who do not collapse in the midst of suffering.4. After the Wall Is Finished | The Real Rebuilding Begins
At last, the wall is completed.
Only then do the people truly realize what has happened.Scripture Reading (together)
Nehemiah 6:16
“When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.”
However, Nehemiah does not stop there.
Although the wall has been rebuilt,
the hearts of the people still need restoration.So together with Ezra the scribe,
he restores the Word,
and rebuilds the spiritual wall of the community.This is because a wall built on God’s Word
is more important than a wall that can be seen with the eyes.Conclusion | Our Final Test Today
Dear brothers and sisters,
what kind of final test are you standing before today?Is it fear?
Is it temptation?
Is it the desire to give up?God is still asking us today:
“Will you run away from this place,
or will you hold on to the mission I have entrusted to you until the end?”This is the prayer we offer today:
“God, now strengthen my hands.”
The Final Test of the Wall
Text: Nehemiah 6 (NIV 2011)(English sermon manuscript – approx. 20 minutes)
Introduction | The Last Stage Is the Most Intense
Dear brothers and sisters, when we serve God, there is a moment we often experience.
Just when we feel, “We are almost there,” that is when the strongest resistance appears.
This was true in the days of Nehemiah. The broken walls had been rebuilt. But the gates had not yet been installed. The work was close to completion, but it was not finished.
And at this final stage, the enemies launched their most intense attack.
Satan is often less concerned about stopping God’s work from beginning than about making sure it never gets finished.Scripture Reading (Together)
Nehemiah 6:9a
“They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, ‘Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.’ But I prayed, ‘Now strengthen my hands.’”
1. External Attacks | Fear Is Used to Stop the Mission: Fear Spread Through False Rumors
The enemies no longer attacked with weapons. Instead, they used rumors and intimidation.
They said, “Nehemiah is rebelling against the king. He wants to make himself king.”
The issue was not whether the rumor was true. The real goal was fear.
Fear makes leaders hesitate. Fear pulls God’s servants away from their calling. Fear stops the work of God.
But Nehemiah did not leave the site. He did not go to defend himself. He stayed where God had placed him and prayed.
Scripture Reading (NIV 2011)
Nehemiah 6:9b
“They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, ‘Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.’ But I prayed, ‘Now strengthen my hands.’”
Brothers and sisters, in moments of crisis, God’s people choose prayer, not explanation.
2. Internal Attacks | Temptation Disguised as Faith
The attack became more subtle. This time it came wearing religious clothing.
A false prophet came to Nehemiah and said, “People are coming to kill you. Go into the temple and hide to save your life.”
It sounded spiritual. It sounded wise. But it was a trap.
If Nehemiah entered the temple, he would violate God’s law and destroy his integrity as a leader.
Nehemiah answered firmly.
Scripture Reading (NIV 2011)
Nehemiah 6:11
“But I said, ‘Should a man like me run away? Or should someone like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go!’”
This was not just bravery. It was an identity confession.
“I know who I am. I know why God placed me here.”
Not every religious-sounding voice comes from God. If it leads us to fear and abandonment of our calling, it is not from Him.
3. The Standard of Discernment | Fear or My God?
Nehemiah discerns every situation he faces by repeatedly confessing, “my God.”
The standard of discernment is simple. We must ask: Is this word coming from God, or is it meant to make me afraid and cause me to abandon my calling?
This is the same question we must ask today. The real issue is not whether a choice feels comfortable or safe, but whether this is the place where God is calling me to stand before Him.
Faithful to the End | Shaken, but Not Broken
Nehemiah was under pressure. He was threatened, and he was alone.
Yet he did not lay down his mission.
The apostle Paul confesses this kind of life:
Scripture Reading (together)
2 Corinthians 4:8–9
“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not
God’s people are not those who live without suffering, but those who do not collapse in the midst of suffering.
4. After the Wall Is Finished | The Real Rebuilding Begins
At last, the wall is completed. Only then do the people truly realize what has happened.
Scripture Reading (together)
Nehemiah 6:16
“When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.”
However, Nehemiah does not stop there. Although the wall has been rebuilt, the hearts of the people still need restoration.
So together with Ezra the scribe, he restores the Word, and rebuilds the spiritual wall of the community.
This is because a wall built on God’s Word is more important than a wall that can be seen with the eyes.
Conclusion | Our Final Test Today
Dear brothers and sisters, what kind of final test are you standing before today?
Is it fear? Is it temptation? Is it the desire to give up?
God is still asking us today:
“Will you run away from this place, or will you hold on to the mission I have entrusted to you until the end?”
This is the prayer we offer today:
“God, now strengthen my hands.”
🧩 Sermon Notes 설교 노트
"The final challenge in the wall construction"
Text: Nehemiah Chapter 6“성벽 공사의 마지막 고비”
본문: 느헤미야 6장
Introduction | The Last Stage Is the Most Intense
The wall had been rebuilt, but the gates had not yet been installed. At this critical moment, the enemies launched their final attack. God’s work often faces the strongest resistance at the very end— not through open warfare, but through fear and intimidation.
Nehemiah did not stop or retreat. Instead, he strengthened his hands and continued the mission.
Scripture Reading (Together)
Nehemiah 6:9a
“They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, ‘Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.’”
성벽은 거의 완성되었지만, 성문의 문짝은 아직 달리지 않은 상태였습니다. 바로 이 마지막 순간에 원수들의 가장 치열한 방해가 시작되었습니다. 하나님의 일은 언제나 끝자락에서 가장 강한 저항을 만납니다.
느헤미야는 멈추지 않았습니다. 물러서지 않았고, 오히려 손에 힘을 더해 사명을 계속 감당했습니다.
함께 읽는 말씀
느헤미야 6:9a (표준새번역)
“그들은 모두 우리를 두렵게 하여, ‘저 사람들이 낙담하여 일을 그만두면, 성벽은 결코 완성되지 못할 것이다’ 하고 생각하였다. 그러나 나는 오히려 더욱 힘을 내어 일을 하였다.”
1. External Attacks | Fear Is Used to Stop the Mission
: Fear Spread Through False Rumors
The enemies spread false rumors, accusing Nehemiah of rebellion. Their goal was not truth, but fear.
If they could frighten the leader, the work would stop. Fear always tries to pull God’s servants away from their calling. Nehemiah chose prayer and perseverance instead of explanation and escape.
Scripture Reading (Together)
Nehemiah 6:9b
But I prayed, ‘Now strengthen my hands.’”
원수들은 느헤미야가 왕을 배반하려 한다는 거짓 소문을 퍼뜨렸습니다. 그들의 목적은 진실이 아니라 두려움이었습니다.
지도자를 흔들어 공사를 중단시키려는 것이었습니다. 두려움은 언제나 하나님의 사람을 사명의 자리에서 떠나게 만듭니다.
그러나 느헤미야는 변명 대신 기도를, 도피 대신 인내를 선택했습니다.함께 읽는 말씀
느헤미야 6:9b (표준새번역)
"하나님, 나에게 힘을 주십시오!"
”이제, 주여, 내 손을 힘있게 하옵소서!”
2. Internal Attacks | Temptation Disguised as Faith: Discern Temptations That Appear Spiritual
The attack became more subtle. A false prophet approached Nehemiah using religious language,
urging him to hide in the temple to save his life. This would have violated God’s law and damaged his integrity. Nehemiah discerned that this message came from fear, not from God.
Scripture Reading (Together)
Nehemiah 6:11
“But I said, ‘Should a man like me run away? Or should someone like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go!’”
공격은 더 교묘해졌습니다. 거짓 예언자가 신앙적인 언어로 느헤미야를 위협했습니다. 성전에 숨어 목숨을 보존하라는 제안이었습니다.
그러나 그것은 하나님의 뜻이 아니었습니다. 율법을 어기게 하고, 사명자의 명예와 부르심을 무너뜨리려는 유혹이었습니다.
느헤미야는 분별했습니다.
이 말이 하나님께로부터 온 것인지, 아니면 두려움에서 나온 것인지를 말입니다.함께 읽는 말씀
느헤미야 6:11 (표준새번역)
“내가 이렇게 대답하였다. ‘나 같은 사람이 어찌 도망하겠소? 나 같은 사람이 어찌 성전에 들어가서 목숨을 건질 수 있겠소?’ 그래서 나는 들어가지 않았다.”
3. The Standard of Discernment | Fear or My God?: Finish the Mission with Faithful Endurance
Nehemiah was pressured, threatened, and isolated, yet he did not abandon his calling.
God completes His work through those who endure faithfully, not through those who choose comfort over obedience.
Faithful to the End | Shaken, but Not Broken
Scripture Reading (Together)
2 Corinthians 4:8–9
“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
(Matthew11:28-29, NIV11)
“「28」 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29」 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
느헤미야는 압박을 받았고, 위협을 당했고, 외로웠습니다. 그러나 그는 사명을 내려놓지 않았습니다.
하나님은 편안함을 선택하는 사람이 아니라, 끝까지 충성하는 사람을 통해 일을 이루십니다.함께 읽는 말씀
고린도후서 4:8–9 (표준새번역)
“우리는 사방으로 억눌려도 짓눌리지 않고, 답답한 일을 당하여도 낙심하지 않고, 박해를 받아도 버림받지 않고, 맞아 쓰러져도 망하지 않습니다.”
(마 11:28-29, 새번역)
“「28」 "수고하며 무거운 짐을 진 사람은 모두 내게로 오너라. 내가 너희를 쉬게 하겠다. 「29」 나는 마음이 온유하고 겸손하니, 내 멍에를 메고 나한테 배워라. 그리하면 너희는 마음에 쉼을 얻을 것이다.”
4. The Wall Was Only the Beginning : After the Wall Is Finished | The Real Rebuilding Begins
Completing the wall was not the end, but the beginning. Opposition still remained, and the people needed spiritual renewal. Together with Ezra, Nehemiah rebuilt the community through God’s Word. This renewal shaped Israel for generations until the coming of the Messiah.
Scripture Reading (Together)
Nehemiah 6:16
“When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.”
성벽 공사는 끝이 아니라 시작이었습니다. 여전히 반대 세력은 남아 있었고, 공동체는 영적 재건이 필요했습니다.
느헤미야는 에스라와 함께 말씀을 중심으로 영적 성벽을 다시 세웠고, 이 부흥은 메시아가 오시기까지 오랜 영향을 미쳤습니다.
함께 읽는 말씀
느헤미야 6:16 (표준새번역)
“우리의 모든 원수는 이 일을 듣고 두려워하였고, 사방에 있던 이방 민족들도 크게 낙담하였다. 그들은 이 일이 우리 하나님의 도우심으로 이루어졌다는 것을 알았기 때문이다.”
5. Conclusion | Our Final Test Today
Dear brothers and sisters, what kind of final test are you standing before today?
Is it fear? Is it temptation? Is it the desire to give up?
God is still asking us today: “Will you run away from this place, or will you hold on to the mission I have entrusted to you until the end?”
This is the prayer we offer today: “God, now strengthen my hands.”
｜오늘 결단하며 드릴 기도는사랑하는 성도 여러분, 지금 여러분은 어떤 마지막 고비 앞에 서 있습니까?
두려움입니까? 유혹입니까? 포기하고 싶은 마음입니까?
하나님은 오늘도 우리에게 묻고 계십니다. “이 자리에서 도망하겠느냐, 아니면 내가 맡긴 사명을 끝까지 붙들겠느냐?”
오늘 우리가 드릴 기도는 이것입니다. “하나님, 이제 제 손을 힘 있게 하옵소서.”
🙏 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.